Guyana chronicle e paper 09 21 2017

Guyana, Chile cement diplomatic ties Page 2

No. 105042

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Price: $80 (VAT Inclusive)

Venezuela must be stopped – President Granger reiterates call for peaceful settlement of border controversy

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Rice shipment to India being finalised Guyana calls on UN to protect the Guiana Shield Page 12

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Decades-old school curriculum for review Page 8

President David Granger speaking during the UN General Debate

Two killed in road accidents Page 11

Woman nabbed with 68 ozs of gold at CJIA Page 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

Guyana, Chile cement diplomatic ties

By Abigail Brower CHILE on Tuesday celebrated its 207th independence anniversary and also 46 years of formal diplomatic relations with Guyana at a gala reception held at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

Addressing the ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel, Chile’s Ambassador to Guyana, Claudio Rachel Rojas, said the 207th independence anniversary since the beginning of its path of becoming a free and sovereign nation has been confronted with multiple challenges. He also noted that 46 years of diplomatic ties is not only an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations between Guyana and Chile, but also an avenue to help overcome inequalities and become a more developed and inclusive society, where economic growth can be achieved in a sustainable manner.

“Chile and Guyana’s relationship is as a result of a process of many years and sustained efforts,” said Ambassador Rojas. He noted that the Embassy of Chile after its establishment on August 2015 has created a new momentum for the further development of ties between the two nations.

Just two weeks ago, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder and the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, participated in a seminar where the Chilean Agency for Food Safety of the Minister of Agriculture along with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), concluded the Technical Assistant Programme to

develop the procedures and manual of a Phytosanitary and Food Safety Allimentarius System (CODEX) to Guyana, and to other countries of the Caribbean Region. “Chile is a partner that is committed to sharing the best of its experiences with Guyana for the good of the country’s economic, social and cultural development,” the ambassador said, adding that the Chilean Embassy and the work with the Government of Guyana are aimed at promoting friendly ties and to create an enabling environment that is conducive to enlarging the political, cultural, social, trade and economic relations between the two countries. Chile will go to the polls in presidential elections in November and the ambassador reassured Guyana that whoever is elected as the new president of the South American country, the foreign policy will reflect and remain one of development between Chile and Guyana.

STABLE COUNTRY Meanwhile, also delivering remarks was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is also performing duties of President. He said Chile is regarded as one of the most stable countries in South America with a vibrant economy and strong democratic institutions. “We therefore applaud you on this achievement and wish you continued success in the years ahead,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister said Guyana attaches great value to the friendly relations she shares with Chile, since the establishment of diplomatic ties on July 22, 1971. “We

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo was joined by Chile Ambassador to Guyana, Claudio Rachel Rojas and other officials for the cutting of the cake at the ceremony (Delano Williams photo)

are especially pleased that our bilateral relations have become increasingly active since the commissioning of the Embassy of Chile in 2015.

I am confident that in the years ahead, we will continue to build on the foundations of the fruitful relations between our two countries.” Mr Nagamootoo said the Government of Guyana is extremely appreciative of the progress made by both sides on the commitments of President David Granger and Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet during their encounters in 2016. In highlighting this progress, he referred to the ongoing collaboration between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the National Service of Geology and Mining (SERNAGEOMIN) of Chile in the area of capacity-building in geological mapping in Guyana; the forthcoming Spanish language training for Guyanese public officials offered by the Government of Chile and the Course in Globaliza-

tion and Global Governance for Foreign Service Officials.

“In addition to our bilateral cooperation, our two countries share common values and positions in relation to the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, the rule of international law and treaties and the maintenance of peace and security,” Mr Nagamooto said, adding that these shared common values have enabled us to closely collaborate within the regional and international mechanisms such as CARICOM, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations (UN).

Under the UNASUR framework, Nagamootoo said Chile has played an integral role in the regional integration process in South America, especially within the context of the South American Council for Infrastructure and Planning (COSIPLAN). Guyana

is also prepared to assume its role as the conduit to the Caribbean and North America and is therefore committed to the implementation of the integration of South American infrastructural arrangements, the prime minister said.

He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment towards ensuring that the Region remains a zone of peace in order to promote social and economic development through harmonious and friendly relations.

He said increasingly, Guyana has been confronted with threats beyond “our control and outside our borders. Right now, as I speak, Mexico is hit by an earthquake which has so far claimed 116 lives, and is the second earthquake this month,” the prime minister said. He said the disaster coincides with the anniversary of the 1985 earthquake.

“Also, our Region is reeling from the effects of hurricanes; first Harvey, then Irma, and now Maria. These hurricanes are called by horrible-sounding names as they devastate

the lives of our brothers and sisters in our Region. Geospatial images show our once lush, green islands as bare and brown patches in the midst of the Sahara desert. I wish to acknowledge in our presence two friends who are visiting from Puerto Rico, which is now threatened by Maria.

We pray for the safety of the people of Dominica, Puerto Rico and elsewhere.”

“As we commemorate the anniversary of your nation’s birth, I wish to take this opportunity to commend you for working concertedly towards the strengthening of bilateral relations between Guyana and Chile. I would also wish to reiterate my Government’s commitment to continue working closely with your Government to build stronger ties in the years ahead as we seek to improve the livelihoods of our people.

I am therefore delighted this evening to propose a toast to the continued good health and success of Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet and to the continued prosperity of the Government and people of the Republic of Chile,” the prime minister said.

At the event the Embassy of Chile presented an award to business magnate Dr. Yesu Persaud, for his significant contributions and commitment to his homeland and for being an ambassador for the development of Guyana. Former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and other invited guests were present at the event.

Venezuela must be stopped 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

– President Granger reiterates call for peaceful settlement of border controversy

By Svetlana Marshall at the UN PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday warned world leaders that there will be no peace this side of the Atlantic if justice does not prevail in the age-old Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

“Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed to thwart the processes of judicial settlement, which is the clear and agreed path to peace and justice,” President Granger told world leaders assembled at the UN Headquarters in New York for the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72).

Last September, the Guyanese President detailed the danger faced by his country in the wake of territorial claims made by its western neighbour, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Today, one year later, he said, those claims have

‘In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution, and the ally of sustained conflict’ – President Granger at UNGA 72 neither diminished nor have been diverted, but have rather intensified, with Venezuela increasingly becoming “more militaristic.”

Known for his equanimity in the face of adversity, the former army commander and retired brigadier told his colleague heads of state and other world leaders: “Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has become one between just and peaceful settlement, in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic.

“In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution, and the ally of sustained conflict.” He reminded his audience that former Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and his successor,

Woman nabbed with 68 ozs of gold at CJIA LAW-ENFORCEMENT officials Wednesday night intercepted a woman at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with some 68 ounces of raw gold in a suitcase.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the outgoing passenger tried to smuggle the gold in false wheels on her suitcase. She was nabbed around 22:030hrs by lawmen, well-placed sources have confirmed.

Mr António Guterres, in keeping with the tenets of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, had agreed that if by the end of December 2017 significant progress has not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the settlement of the controversy, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be the next means of peaceful settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela jointly request otherwise.

Norwegian diplomat, Mr Dag Halvor Nylander, who was appointed the Personal Representative of the current UN Secretary-General on the matter, has been visiting both countries as he compiles his report.

President Granger told the assembly that Guyana has been working assiduously with Mr Nylander, and that when he meets later with Secretary-General Guterres, the work his personal representative has done will come up for discussion. He is also hoping to get a clear understanding of the progress that has been made thus far, he said.

Nicolás Maduro (whose absence was noticeable during the General Debate and more so throughout the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly last week), through a statement

troversy, he warned, will only serve to disrupt the peace in the Caribbean Region.

“The Caribbean people wish for the Caribbean to be a Zone of Peace. The Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s territorial integrity, however, would be a threat to that zone. “Venezuela is more than four times the size of Guyana. Venezuela, however, claims two-thirds of

being played by the UN in ensuring respect for international law through the International Court of Justice and the Security Council.

“Striving for peace,” he said, “must aim at resolving long-standing inter-state conflicts. Guyana, in this regard, supports the call for the reform of the Security Council to give even greater voice to developing countries.

We iterate our support for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict. We affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland and to a dignified existence.” The President also used the opportunity to demand the withdrawal of the injurious economic embargo imposed against the Caribbean island of Cuba by the U.S. government, since it is frustrating the State’s right to development.

‘The Caribbean people wish for the Caribbean to be a zone of peace. The Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s territorial integrity, however, would be a threat to that zone’ – President Granger at UNGA 72

NOTICEABLY ABSENT Venezuela’s President,

issued by his government, agreed that the border controversy would be referred to the ICJ, if significant progress is not made at the end of 2017 at the level of the Good Offices Process.

However, the Venezuelan Government subsequently altered its statement, saying that mediation will be supported by the UN in order to find a practical and satisfactory solution to the controversy.

It’s perhaps the cue President Granger was waiting for, as he told world leaders in no uncertain terms that they should not allow the process set out by the former U.N. Secretary-General to be frustrated by Venezuela.

Prolonging of the con-

Guyana’s territory, including our maritime space,” President Granger said, adding that Guyana is heavily dependent on its territorial and maritime resources for the country’s development.

The international Arbitral Tribunal provided “a full, perfect and final settlement” 118 years ago in 1899. However, Venezuela denounced that Arbitral Award in 1962 at the Decolonisation Committee of this Assembly as British Guiana strove for its Independence.

Giving a global perspective on the matter, President Granger told world leaders that “striving for peace” must be humanity’s ceaseless quest, even as he pointed to the critical role

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Maria renders Puerto Rico powerless HURRICANE Maria has knocked out power to the entire island of Puerto Rico, home to 3.5M people, emergency officials have said.

Abner Gómez, head of the disaster management agency said none of the customers of Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority had any electricity.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said “catastrophic” flooding was sweeping parts of the island.

Maria is moving away from Puerto Rico, weakening to a Category Two storm.

“When we are able to go outside, we are going to find our island destroyed,” Mr Gómez was quoted as saying by the El Nuevo Dia newspaper.

“It’s a system that has destroyed everything in its path.”

The US territory’s governor, Ricardo Rossello, issued a curfew for 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT) on Wednesday evening through early Saturday morning.

Earlier, Mr Rossello asked President Donald

Trump to declare the island a disaster area after the storm unleashed heavy flooding and life-threatening winds.

He said major damage was inevitable, although 500 shelters had been established to protect people.

The devastating storm has already left seven people dead on the island of Dominica, which was badly affected on Monday.

Aerial footage shows flattened houses, and the death toll on Dominica is likely to rise, with details remaining scant as communication links are down.

Images shared on social media show roofs being stripped away, as winds as strong as 140 mph (225 km/h) whipped trees and power lines in Puerto Rico’s capital city, San Juan.

The US territory is facing $73B (£53B) in public debt, and the damage left by Maria could exacerbate its financial crisis. Declaring a disaster would mean the island could receive more federal assistance in its recovery.

“God is with us; we are stronger than any hur-

ricane,” Mr Rossello said.

“Together we will rise again.”

Maria made landfall in Yabucoa, in the east of Puerto Rico, early on Wednesday as a Category Four storm, according to the NHC. It was the first Category Four hurricane to directly hit the island since 1932.

Hours earlier, Maria barreled through the US Virgin Islands’ St Croix as a Category Five storm, sustaining winds of up to 175mph (281km/h).

There was flooding in the French territory of Guadeloupe, where one person was killed by a falling tree and another died on the seafront. At least two others were missing after their ship sank near Desirade, the easternmost island in the archipelago.

Maria is the second devastating storm to hit the Caribbean this hurricane season, the first being Category Five Irma earlier in September. Maria began moving roughly along the same track as Irma. (BBC)

Trump, Iran’s Rouhani trade barbs

PRESIDENT Hassan Rouhani of Iran has used a speech to the UN General Assembly to hit back at Donald Trump over the US president’s criticisms of his country and its 2015 nuclear deal.

In his debut speech to the UN on Tuesday, President Trump included Iran among “a small group of rogue regimes”.

He described the nuclear deal as an “embarrassment” to the United States.

Mr Rouhani responded by referring to a “rogue newcomer to international politics”.

He denied his country would be the first to violate the agreement, but said Iran would “respond decisively and resolutely to its violation by any party”.

It would be a “great pity”, he added, if the agreement were to be destroyed by Mr Trump.

Why such heat?

Mr Trump has long condemned the nuclear deal concluded under Barack Obama, his predecessor in the White House.

The White House said last month Iran was complying with the deal, but Mr Trump

has said the country is violating its spirit.

On Tuesday, he also accused Iran’s government of being bent on “death and destruction”.

Iran, he said, was a “corrupt dictatorship” and an “economically depleted rogue state” that exported violence.

Addressing the assembly at UN headquarters in New York, Mr Rouhani deplored “ignorant, absurd and hateful rhetoric” which was “unfit to be heard at the United Nations”.

In 2015, Iran reached its landmark nuclear deal with the P5+1 group of world powers, namely the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany.

Crippling economic sanctions on Iran were lifted after the International Atomic Energy Agency certified Iran had restricted sensitive nuclear activities.

Iran says it has the right to nuclear energy, and insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.

The White House had said at the time that the deal would prevent Iran from obtaining a

nuclear weapon.

Speaking on Wednesday, the US envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, said President Trump’s remarks were “not a clear signal that he plans to withdraw”.

“What it is, is a clear signal that he’s not happy with the deal,” she told CBS News in an interview.

There are two uranium enrichment facilities in Iran Natanz and Fordo - where uranium hexafluoride gas is fed into centrifuges to separate out the most fissile isotope, U-235.

Low-enriched uranium, which has a 3%-4% concentration of U-235, can be used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants, but it can also be enriched to the 90% needed to produce nuclear weapons.

In July 2015, Iran had almost 20,000 centrifuges. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it will be limited to installing no more than 5,060 of the oldest and least efficient centrifuges at Natanz for 10 years.

Iran’s uranium stockpile will also be reduced by 98% to 300kg (660lbs) for 15 years. It must also keep its level of enrichment at 3.67%. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Caribbean mobilises to help Dominica

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Member states within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are preparing to offer assistance to Dominica following the passage of Hurricane Maria late Monday.

According to CARICOM Chairman, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, the situation is a challenging one.

“It is clear that we have a tremendous challenge on our hands, in the Caribbean region as a whole,” Mitchell said, adding that he’d spoken to his colleague Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit late Monday, during the passage of the hurricane.

Mitchell, who was speak-

ing to journalists on Wednesday, pleaded with Grenadians to reach out to Dominicans.

“We in Grenada must recognise that we have a tremendous responsibility to help out our brothers and sisters in Dominica and all other affected countries. This is about us, the region,” Dr Mitchell said.

Mitchell recently returned from the Turks and Caicos (TCI) and several islands in the Bahamas that were affected by Hurricane Irma last week.

And in St. Lucia, following a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, acting Prime Minister Lenard Montoute said plans were already underway to make St Lucia an

operational base for the relief effort to Dominica.

“Right now, our thoughts are with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the people of Dominica. Preliminary information is that we have widespread devastation in Dominica,” Minister Montoute said, adding: “From our understanding, they are facing a very critical situation, and our prayers are with them, as our sister and neighbour. We have to respond and do what we can to assist our brothers and sisters in Dominica.”

He also said that communication has been made with the French and Venezuelan authorities in terms of assistance.

“St Lucia will be used as the base for relief efforts into Dominica, because, as you can well appreciate, the airports are not operational; neither are the sea ports,” Dr Mitchell told journalists in Grenada on Wednesday.

“Reconnaissance flights will have to be made to ascertain the actual situation on the ground, and for immediate preparation to be made for the landing of helicopters and other aircrafts.

“We are looking at what assistance we can give immediately and that may entail medical assistance and sending medical personnel and people with expertise in search and rescue. We are hoping that by this evening

Governor gives all-clear TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – Governor of the British Virgin Islands, Augustus Jaspert on Wednesday gave an allclear signal for essential and emergency workers to resume operations following the close passage of Hurricane Maria.

However, he urged everyone else to stay indoors, adding that debris and damage caused by Maria pose some amount of risk to residents.

“The Premier and I, in consultation with the Director of The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), are satisfied that the immediate serious threat posed

by Hurricane Maria to the territory is over,” Governor Jaspert said.

“Therefore, I am now giving the all-clear to emergency and essential workers only to help conduct the rapid assess-

ment, and to ensure that we are able to clear roadways. “This means that only critical agencies should be on the roads – all other persons must still stay off the roads. There are still risks from debris and damage from Maria,” he added.

He said that although Maria continues to move away from the BVI, squalls, rain and high surf will continue to affect the territory throughout the day until the hurricane moves away fully.

According to Jaspert, following assessment of the damage caused by Maria, the government will re-establish plans to continue with the recovery efforts.

“I urge all persons of the BVI to please adhere to the instructions being given, and to ensure full cooperation. The curfew remains in place for all people, apart from emergency responders,” he said, adding:

“Please continue to remain indoors and allow us adequate time to complete the assessments, and initiate the necessary immediate response.

I will advise you later in the day when the public all-clear is given.”

He offered his sympathy to the government and people of Dominica and the US Virgin Islands, which were badly affected by Hurricane Maria, and noted that he fully supports the call by the Governor of Puerto Rico to ensure individuals are fully prepared for the approaching Hurricane.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Maria has knocked out power to the entire island of Puerto Rico.

Head of the Diaster Management Agency, Abner Gómez said the hurricane had damaged “everything in its path”.

Maria weakened to a cat-

an assessment of the situation would have been made and we can get a better appreciation of the kind of assistance that is immediately required,” he added.

With St Lucia being used as an operational base for the humanitarian effort, the Grenadian government has agreed, in conjunction with the St Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority, to waive fees and facilitate the use of warehouse facilities for receipt and distribution.

Meanwhile, the political leader of the main opposition St. Lucia Labour Party, Philip J. Pierre says the party has initiated a “help Dominica” drive, and the party has opened its headquarters in

order to receive donations.

Seven people have so far been confirmed dead as a result of Hurricane Maria’s direct hit on Dominica on Monday night, but there are fears that the death toll could rise as officials get into communities that have not yet been reached.

Much of the island’s housing stock were either damaged or destroyed by Maria’s 160 mile-per-hour winds, according to Hartley Henry, principal advisor to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

St Lucia is coordinating with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission on the response efforts.

--to essential and emergency workers

egory three storm with winds of 115 mph (185km/h) as it moved across the island.

The National Hurricane Centre at 2:00 pm (local time) said Maria had moved offshore the northwestern coast

of Puerto Rico and was moving toward the northwest near 12 miles per hour.

It said the center will then pass offshore of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night and Thursday and then move near the Turks and Caicos

Islands and southeastern Bahamas Thursday night and Friday.

Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria is expected to remain a dangerous major hurricane through Friday.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Fighting HIV/AIDS SINCE the first case of HIV/AIDS was recorded decades ago, millions of persons around the globe have died annually from the various symptoms associated with that disease.

HIV/AIDS was, in its early stages, erroneously linked to homosexual behaviour, because of its prominence within the gay community, particularly amongst men who had sex with men. So widespread was this belief that at one point the disease was called the “gay cancer.”

It has since been recognised that while homosexual couples and women are more at risk of contracting the disease, with more than half of the infected population being women, the disease is not particularly about who becomes infected.

Despite public service

messages, advertisements, and seminars hosted to educate persons on the dangers attached to having unprotected sex, there are still a substantial number of persons dying every year from AIDS-related complications. Millions of dollars are annually being spent to help sensitise the public about the disease -- which was first diagnosed here in Guyana in the year 1987 -not only because of its ability to rob otherwise healthy persons of their lives and knock decades off a country’s national development, but also for its ability to “widen the gulf between rich and poor nations, and push already stigmatised groups closer to the margins of society.”

A combination of factors, such as increased access to antiretroviral treatments; programmes focus-

ing on youth development and reproductive health, and counselling has since seen a constant decrease in the number of new cases each year.

While Guyana and countries across the Caribbean still stand in second place to the Sub-Saharan Africa Region -- where new HIV/AIDS cases average 5000 every year, accompanied by at least 200 deaths -- with new and more affordable treatment options now available, there has been a 70% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, compared to 15 years ago.

Guyana also seems to be doing well in the fight against mother-to-child transmission of the disease, as a result of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, and may soon be able to boast of the public health achievement of

eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV as Cuba did in June 2015.

For all the improvements over the years, however, doctors are now of the opinion that a new formulated strategy needs to be put in place with the spread of the virus, as many persons across the country are taking comfort in its success rate of reduction and this has encouraged complacency, as many have stopped seeing the urgent need for protection, which has resulted in “a growing trend of new HIV cases.”

There is an urgent need to sustain and intensify efforts in the fight against infection, so that its levels can be kept at a minimum, particularly amongst young people. Currently, statistics show that over 60% of the new cases are isolated to young persons, showing the need for more education

regarding the virus and its potential dangers amongst the young.

Education on prevention aside, more also needs to be done in helping to eliminate or diminish the number of stigma-related and discriminatory attitudes held towards those with the disease. Stigmatisation, in Guyana and around the world, is often so strong that those who are infected, or suspect that they are, are often hindered from seeking treatment or learning their status and being educated on pre-

ventative measures. This creates a barrier, which could potentially become life-threatening and significantly decrease the mental health of the person.

While there has been some progress, over the years, with the monitoring and reduction of stigmatisation within the workplace, as guidelines have been put in place to help in that respect, stigmatisation within the wider society is still largely in place; and, for the most part, will largely remain that way over the next few years.

My office has been fulfilling a vitally important function in Region Six Dear Editor,

PERMIT me to reply to Mr Jaipaul Suenarine’s letter, captioned, ‘Prime Minister’s Representative in Region Six under fire.’

I do feel that I need to dissect his letter piece by piece so that his ulterior motives can be highlighted.

This man began well in the first paragraph, but thereafter he descended into mere diatribe and drivel which is quite unbecoming of a person who seems to be trying to impress his readers that he is on a quest for his region’s development.

He spent most of his letter attacking me personally, but in the end the question is what has he gained? Has he proven his intelligence?

His personal attack is understandable, since he exposes his low intelligence level and his penchant to suck to his masters, but I will not dwell on that any further.

I must remind Mr. Sue-

narine that the vicious circle of poverty he mentioned has always been there. The poor will always get poorer in Region Six, since the PPP wants it that way. They have given us the Skeldon ‘white elephant,’ they have pauperised Guysuco, they have impoverished the workers by not finding the correct solutions to Guysuco’s problems, they were only interested in getting kickbacks and drawbacks from each and every contract and they never brought any real development to the region. If it were not for the private sector, Region Six would have fallen a long time ago. It is because of the sacrifice and commitment of enterprising and hardworking individuals like the individual he mentioned that Region Six keeps going. Why have many PPP members and supporters moved to the AFC? He was correct when he admitted that ‘there is poor management of

infrastructural works, poor management of D&I works, poor representation from both NDC and RDC councillors and sheer politicking. All of these were highlighted by me and others numerous times in the press.

Also, in my whatsApp group which I have created called “Issues & Ideas for Berbice,” where others participate and the objective of which is to foster social and economic development in Berbice.

I wish to ask this man a few simple questions: who runs and controls the NDCs and RDCs in Region Six? Why would the NDC councillors take instructions from political party members whose objectives are to stifle progress? Why are only ‘political’ twists taken at these meetings?

This is ‘sheer politicking.’

It’s all about the political mileage to be gained.

I would like Mr. Sue-

narine to tell me how many workers have lost their jobs at Rose Hall and Skeldon Not one. In fact, there is a shortage of workers at these estates and even at Albion.

So it is hard to see how this has affected vendors at Rose Hall and Port Mourant markets. This man has an overactive imagination.

Why does this man keep on talking about closure? Rose Hall is to be merged and Skeldon privatised. Please can someone spell it out for these ‘brilliant minds’?

I have simply stated facts in my letter and gave supporting evidence and statistics to support my argument, but Mr. Suenarine has failed miserably to do the same. The only number he has submitted is the ‘6’ found in ‘Region 6.’ His letter is empty and void.

Since the PM’s office was established at Port Mourant, we have received over 1,859 complaints which we have investigated and

forwarded to the relevant government agencies in the region and the subject ministries such as NDCs, GPL, GWI, NIS, the agriculture sector( rice farmers, cattle farmers, cash crop farmers), social problems, crimes, etc. I also attended some NDC meetings that were anti-developmental.

I must add that over 90% of these complaints came from strongholds of the PPP, but my office sees beyond religion, race and party affiliation. We are a Government for all people.

I have visited many farmers during the last flood and I have been engaging the relevant authorities to alleviate the plight of these people. For your information, I’m a Guyanese. I have a commitment to these farmers and to understand their problems and the problems of GuySuCo; you do not need to be a ‘rocket scientist’ or have an

MBA. Even the average cane-cutter knows what is happening, but is being brainwashed by so-called politicians and GAWU. In trying to link me as facilitator for the privatisation of Skeldon and linking me to one of the companies which have shown an expression of interest to purchase it, shows the many assumptions that Mr. Suenarine is willing to make to make himself newsworthy. This is not unlike his mentor, the man who wants to be a third-term President of Guyana. This is ‘power drunk’ sir. I am a humble man who wants the best for his fellowmen and my needs are satisfied and my wants are few.

My office has been fulfilling a vitally important function in this region and you know it. You know what? I enjoy people chasing me, since to do that they have to follow me.

Regards Gobin Harbhajan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Ogunseye slams Kissoon’s naivety Dear Editor, PERMIT me to make a brief response to an issue pertaining to the WPA that was raised by your columnist, Freddie Kissoon, in the September 13, 2017 issue of Kaieteur News (KN) in an article captioned “Why we expect the PPP to change if their rivals won’t change also?”

In that column Kissoon stated, “The PPP is part of an enduring, primitive political culture. Its essential mentality is no different from the PNC and the WPA.” This formulation of Kissoon’s is to my mind erroneous and is deliberately calculated to unfairly ascribe equal responsibility, to the WPA, for what he called the nation’s “primitive political culture.” I am contending here that only a politically naive or, dishonest political analyst and social commentator, in trying to give the impression that he is attempting an objective evaluation of Guyana’s political history, will come to the conclusion that Kissoon expounded on in his column.

To support his flawed logic and deception Kissoon, from his KN, June 21, 2017 column, quoted the following: “I called upon the WPA and Clive Thomas to explain if the WPA rejected President Cheddi Jagan choosing a minister on his

own from the WPA in 1992, then how come the WPA allowed President Granger to allocate a minister from the WPA without the WPA formally selecting him? To date, the WPA has never explained this double standard to the Guyanese people. The answer lies in the political culture we have that never carried with it certain sacred values and still doesn’t.”

Kissoon, in the quotation he referenced, was fully aware that at the time of its making, he was being either too simplistic or, and this is not unlike him, being outright dishonest. I say this since he is known to and takes great pride in being referred to as an experienced political activist, analyst and theoretician; and it is in that context of the characterisation of his persona he is well aware that the two situations alluded to are politically and fundamentally different.

It should be borne in mind that the Jagan offer did not come as a result of a PCD election victory. It came after the PCD negotiations had failed due to the PPP’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude, which resulted in the failure of the PCD to put forward a joint slate of candidates to contest the 1992 elections and the PPP’s eventual victory at those elections. In short, Jagan was playing games with his

ministerial offer.

Kissoon is fully aware that I have addressed this matter on a number of occasions over the years in public polemics, with no challenge from him, and therefore there is no need for me to repeat the arguments I had made previously. Suffice it to say that at the time Jagan made his offer to the WPA, the executive committee of the party did not consider it to be a serious one. This is borne out by the way in which Jagan quickly took it off the table at a subsequent meeting he had with WPA’s representatives. It also should be remembered that a ministerial position in a PPP government was not a WPA entitlement.

The political situation in 2015 was different since the WPA, a founding partner in the APNU and member of the victorious coalition, was entitled to have one of its top leaders appointed to a ministerial post. It is true that President Granger did not adhere to political convention and offered the ministry to the party, thereby allowing the WPA to name its minister. Instead, he named Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine to the position of Minister of Education in the coalition government.

The way it was done offended the WPA, but the executive felt that the polit-

ical principle, which is the basis of our objection, would have been lost in a public polemic, given the celebratory mood among coalition supporters. We also felt that in the minds of the populace at the time that our principled position, given their political consciousness, would have been seen by the masses as “splitting hairs.” Politically, the matter in contention was not a simple one as events subsequently demonstrated.

I know of no serious political party, movement or leadership that would not consider the prevailing situation in making decisions.

I wish to conclude by asking, comrade Kissoon who in the 2015 General and Regional Elections, had decided to campaign for the coalition and speak at public meetings as a representative of the AFC, two questions: (1) Did you not do so Freddie, as a result of your assessment of the prevailing political situation? (2) Your opinion now is that things are not what you had expected; are you now saying that you were wrong at the time you had made your decision and actively participated in the campaign and were you then and now, in violation of your sacred values?

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

Time to decriminalise possession of small amounts of marijuana Dear Editor THE current legal regime, as contained in the “Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (control) Act,” against the possession of small amounts of marijuana attempts to prevent a low quantum of harm to society at a very high cost.

In other words, the costs imposed on the health care and welfare systems by marijuana use are negligible compared to the costs associated with enforcing current marijuana possession laws.

Specifically, the provisions that mandate imprisonment as punishment are not appropriate in the circumstances. The societal interest in prohibiting mar-

ijuana possession must take into account, on the one hand, the burden that marijuana use imposes on the health care system, and, on the other, the costs incurred by society because of enforcing the current laws. A cursory observation shows that the costs imposed on the health care system by marijuana are negligible compared to the costs associated with enforcing the current imprisonment regime. While this opinion is based on observations, the state, via the Parliament, should fund and commission empirical studies to ascertain the extent of this, so as to be guided accordingly and act proportionately with respect to the penalties imposed.

Additionally, it can be argued that the current laws stand in violation of the harm principle and civil liberties of individuals.

As postulated by John Stuart Mill in his seminal work On Liberty: “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.” In this regard, a criminal sanction of imprisonment should be reserved for those whose conduct causes a risk of harm to others and infringes on the rights or freedoms of other individuals. The choice of using marijuana is a strictly personal decision, because it is the individual who suffers the change in perception, mood and state

of consciousness brought about by the use of marijuana. It is the individual who deals with the consequences of his or her decision, without disturbing or affecting the rest of society. This becomes more so admissible when taken together with the establishment of similar legislation as the recently signed Tobacco Control Bill that prohibits public smoking.

It is time that our policy-makers enact legislation to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Regards, Clinton Urling Society of Marijuana Advocates for Reform and Treatment (SMART)

Sinister plot to discredit Region 2 REO Dear Editor There is definitely a sinister motive by sections to discredit the soundness of Mr. Hopkinson’s approach to professionalism in managing the administration of Region 2. With Local Government elections due in 2018, individuals among certain parties are seeking to gain mileage as a means of promoting their own agendas; hence the calculated attack on the REO is no coincidence.

Mr. Hopkinson’s leadership has exceeded the ideals of a Region that has long been plagued by political manipulation. Previous managers were compelled in many instances to act in contravention of the public service rules and some of which were oppressive, vindictive, destructive and deliberately unsound. Some policies were implemented previously that sought to stifle upward mobility of staff; others were bypassed for promotions, while the right to freedom of expression had dire consequences in many cases. There were those who were highly favored which severely affected the morale of a wide cross section of staff since their efforts were unrecognizable. Much was left to be desired in the manner in which Region 2 Administration was administered.

However, after assuming office and being highly qualified, Mr. Hopkinson would have taken a uniquely profound approach in managing the resources of the Region. He has consistently withstood political pressure, intimidation and even non-cooperation from certain sections of the Regional Democratic Council which comprise of PPP/C, PNC/R and AFC Councilors. Statutory meetings are often designed to attack Mr. Hopkinson and derail his efforts at stamping out corruption, abuse of state property, sanctioning those with poor work ethic or enhancing the environment as he has been admirably doing and much to the satisfaction of residents.

Why would political charges denounce the creation of community parks that are designed to promote unity, leisure for kids among other social activities? Instead, there is a huge cry that it is a waste of time. What will be of our citizens if they embrace all work and no play? The signs remain very worrying as it relates to suicides and certainly having a space

to relax can reduce such indiscretions. The decision to plant trees and beautify the Township was also criticized by the political detractors even in the wake of glowing praises from visitors who have now seen the Region as a serious tourist attraction. This growing trend therefore to protrude negative sentiments will not advance the social and economic development of Region 2. Reference is also made to mounting allegations that the REO is withholding payment to contractors for work done on the Charity road-shoulders in December, 2016. This particular payment would have been refused after it was queried by the Regional Sub-Treasury after it was found to be duplication since monies were paid for the same work previously.

Mr. Hopkinson has refused to endorse the payment too since the contract was prepared, signed and pass in his absence. This is only one of many questionable contracts and vouchers that Mr. Hopkinson has refused to endorse given his stance of denouncing corruption. Mr. Hopkinson has been very meticulous and has spent sleepless nights combing them before he affixes his signature. Is that unreasonable to criticize the REO and labeling him incompetent? Instead Mr. Hopkinson has saved this Region millions due to the detection of inflated vouchers and contracts, undocumented and unnecessary spending as well as the lethargic manner in which accountability would have been questioned. In fact in 2016 according to the Regional Accounting Unit’s statistics, the Region saved $147 million and in 2017 to date it is 93 million which seem to cause uneasiness among his detractors.

Certainly it is not business as usual at the office and there has been stern resistance in some quarters to the changes that are being implemented.

Region 2 is steadfastly being transformed and this has been due to Mr. Hopkinson’s strategic management approach and his wide and productive engagement with the public. Perhaps the RDC could identify the initiatives that were undertaken by the Council that have positively impacted on the Region in comparison to Hopkinson’s work.

Regards Elroy Stephney

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

Decades-old school curriculum to be reviewed – under new sector-improvement project THE Ministry of Education will be moving to review a 20-year-old school curriculum, in an effort to re-energise the education sector here.

Particular focus will be placed on English and Mathematics, subject areas the education system has been struggling with over time.

Special focus will also be placed on the inclusion of the use of technology to aid teaching and learning, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry has said.

The Minister was speaking on Wednesday to educators, students and other stakeholders during the launch of the Guyana Education Sector Improvement Project (GESIP) at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

According to the Minister, it has already been acknowledged that the education system has to be fortified to serve all of Guyana’s students. It is for this reason, she explained, that the government has re-engineered a system that will produce a new framework, which will give every child the chance

Education Minister, Nicolette Henry

to be educated to their full potential.

“We have work to do, by closing the disparities in education among schools and regions, raising grades in English and Mathematics in particular across the education spectrum, especially in the hinterland areas, and making sure that every child has access to equal education,” Minister Henry said.

She added that the project is a team effort, in that “all hands are on deck” to

produce the quality outcome needed from 2018 and beyond.

The project, she said, has been carefully designed, with specific measureable markers lending attainability to the results. It has four phases, beginning at the nursery and ending at the tertiary level.

Those components include training teachers and lecturers in course delivery and teaching practices. Educators are also expected to ensure that the students are part of the performance evaluation system, which she said has been tested and has shown qualitative results in the primary and the secondary schools.

The Ministry will also be acquiring technology for higher quality education to facilitate learning in classrooms in remote areas, the Minister related.

“The components are pillars of a new system of education that transform students. Teachers development and training is important,” she said.

Speaking also at the event was Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr Marcel Hutson,

Students, educators and other officials at the GESIP launch on Wednesday

who said that the dynamic nature of education requires constant review and research of programmes, with a view of the education system being relevant by meeting the social and economic needs of a society. He said the Ministry’s intention is to produce global citizens that will add value to the country and the world at large.

According to him, the success of the project requires a multiplicity of informed decisions to be taken; which is what the project is all about.

“Some of those decisions include the review of the curriculum, which is the core of any education system,” he said. It is therefore incumbent upon us to ensure that the

curriculum is so structured,” he added.

He, too, pointed out that the education system has struggled with Mathematics and English, which is why more focus will be given to a more “hands-on approach to the teaching of these subjects”. He said there will also be a concentration on the use of technology on the teaching/learning process.

ENCERD Director, Ms Jennifer Cumberbatch, said the project brings everyone closer to a new and improved curriculum, which is considered the heart of any learning institution. An effective curriculum, she said, provides teachers and administrators with a measure of plan and structure of delivering quality

education.

“A reviewed curriculum is long overdue. There are many new and emerging challenges and demands to education and on curriculum,” Cumberbatch noted.

She said that seeing that the last curriculum review was done in the 1990s, it is high time for a renewal.

Cumberbatch said the revised curriculum will promote the development of competencies, including critical thinking, the use of technology, problem solving etc.

“With this spiral curriculum that we intend to have; we will see that our nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary levels indeed support each other,” she promised.

Tenders opened Accountant General arrested over alleged abuse of Lotto Fund for new Drop-in Centre in Sophia A YEAR after its Hadfield Street, Georgetown location was destroyed by fire, Government is moving to have a new Drop-in Centre built in Sophia.

The fire which destroyed the facility back in July 2016, also claimed the lives of siblings six-year- old Joshua George and two- yea- old Antonio George.

In a newspaper advertisement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Social Protection received 14 bids for the construction of the centre in Block ‘C’ Sophia.

Earlier this year, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, had revealed that land had been acquired for the construction of a new Drop-in Centre in the south Georgetown community. She said since her assumption of office, she had been working to move ahead with the construction of the new Drop in Centre to properly cater for

vulnerable children.

“Since I’ve come to this ministry I have been able to secure a piece of land where we are going to build the Drop-in Centre. We are currently awaiting the paperwork to be done, so that we can go ahead with the construction,” Minister Ally had said.

Once completed, the new building will accommodate children and three families and will have all the necessary facilities and safety features.

The preliminary report on the fire in 2016 had found that the centre had systematic problems and bad policy arrangements for any occurrence of a fire.

From the $16.6B allocated for the Social Protection Ministry in the 2017 National Budget, $20M will be used for preliminary works on the Sophia Dropin Centre.

THE Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Tuesday arrested Deputy Accountant General of the Ministry of Finance, Vladim Persaud, as investigations continue into fraud at the Guyana Lottery Commission Fund.

Persaud’s arrest stem from the findings of the forensic audit into the operation of the Commission’s Fund and the role he played in what have been deemed criminal activities.

Over the past few months, several persons including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other senior members of the People’s

Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) were arrested by SOCU in relation to the many forensic audits conducted by the APNU+AFC coalition government.

The agreement between the Government of Guyana and Canadian Bank Note Ltd (CBN), which established the Guyana lottery, requires CBN to pay licence fees equivalent to 24 per cent of gross revenue. The Guyana Lotteries Commission was established to manage the licence fees obtained and ensure that monies spent were within the national sector and in conformity

with established guidelines for accessing lotto funds.

It was observed by auditors that over the years the Commission collected monies from the varying lottery games and those monies were used to make payments upon approval by the Cabinet. The said money was placed in a special bank account but was never transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma in the 2015 Auditor General’s report said that when the change of government occurred in 2015, the Ministry of Finance transferred $1.069B from the lotteries fund to the Consolidated Fund.

Notwithstanding this, the Auditor General said though the Ministry of Finance has been budgeting for lottery receipts, money has been spent without the approval of Parliament. Sharma stated that apart from the $1.069B, significant sums which include previous years’ balances of $369.294M and proceeds of $421.754M received for 2015 still remain in the bank account and were used to meet expenditure. Monies were used to cover expenses for Carifesta, Mashramani, Amerindian Heritage, Rehabilitation of D’Urban Park and Emancipation.

Children allegedly raped by prowler POLICE are investigating an alleged rape of two pupils from a primary school in the Upper Corentyne area.

According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, the pupils, both nine years old, were being questioned when they confided in an adult that they were forced to perform

sexual acts on a known character.

The adult reported the matter to the police.

While details are sketchy due to the nature of the investigations, this publication was reliably informed that the suspect is a minor between the ages of 12 to 13.

It is alleged that the suspect is a school dropout who would wander the streets and lure pupils to a secluded area and then sexually molest them.

After the matter was reported, the parents of the children were called in and they were taken to hospital for

an examination.

The medical examiner however did not find evidence of physical penetration, but given the seriousness of the complaint, the police have launched an investigation into the matter and are hunting for the suspect.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

President David Granger UN address Mr President, Nothing is more important, in this General Debate, than that all delegates should respect the relevant theme – Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet.

People First, the theme enjoins us to focus on people – people of all countries and in all circumstances. The theme is about the human condition – of people in states that are large and small; rich and poor; strong and weak.

The theme is about humanity’s condition everywhere on earth. The world faces several, serious, humanitarian crises. Children, in too many parts of the world, still die from preventable diseases or go to bed hungry. Women, in some places, are denied equal opportunities to enjoy a ‘good life’. The gap between the world’s rich and its poor remains unacceptably wide.

Conflicts, within states, have spawned international refugee crises which have resulted in millions being displaced from their homelands.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent our collective desire and determination to eradicate hunger and poverty from our planet while promoting equal opportunities in education, employment and social justice for both men and women.

The adoption of the SDGs has catalysed our aspirations for a better world into concrete and forward-looking actions and objectives. The

respective ‘Goals’ seek to promote respect for the inherent dignity of people and their rights as human beings.

The advancement of these ‘Goals’, however, is being obstructed by the incidence of human rights violations and the involuntary migration of people from their homelands and by terrorism and warfare.

The challenge to the UN is to resolve to reinforce respect for the rights of citizens within the governance structures of our member states.

PLANET Second, a sustainable planet is humanity’s ultimate patrimony. Nothing is more vital to people’s survival.

We have been indifferent too long to the need to protect the planet and now its sustainability is threatened on many fronts. Climate change is not a fiction or the invention of a few extremists. The small island states of the Caribbean and parts of North America have felt the devastating fury of a series of hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, José, Katia, Lee and Maria – to whose frequency and ferocity mankind has contributed through the reckless exploitation of earth’s resources.

Hurricane Irma was a deadly, destructive portent of the extreme vulnerability and fragility of the small island developing and low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean. Guyana is playing its part, within the limits of its resources, to provide relief to affected populations in sister Caribbean states.

Guyana signed and celebrated the Paris Agreement on climate change last year in this Assembly. We renew our commitment to its goals this year. This is demonstrated most positively in Guyana’s pioneering role in global environmental stewardship.

Guyana, in 1989 – three years before the Rio Conference of 1992 – had the foresight to enter into an environmental covenant with the international community by dedicating 360,000 hectares of its rainforest: “…to develop, demonstrate and make available to Guyana and the international community, systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable utilization of the multiple resources of the tropical forests and the conservation of biological diversity…”

Guyana, twenty years after that international initiative, entered an agreement with the Kingdom of Norway: “…to work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model of how Reducing Emissions and Forest Degradation, plus conservation and sustainable forest management (REDD+) can align the development objectives of forest countries with the need to combat climate change.”

Guyana is part of the ‘Guiana Shield’, one of the world’s last remaining blocks of pristine rainforest. The ‘Shield’ is the source of 15 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves. The ‘Shield’s’ biodiversity provides ecosystem services such as food,

Venezuelan fined, deported – for entering illegally A 27-year-old Venezuelan national was on Wednesday fined and deported for entering Guyana illegally.

Roxanne Torres Aregas appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that Aregas, on June 18 at Eteringbang, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without presenting herself to an immigration officer.

According to reports, on June 18, 2017, Aregas came to Guyana via Eteringbang in

a boat from Venezuela and went to Bartica after disembarking.

On September 17, the accused was a passenger in a car which was stopped by police at the Itaballi police checkpoint. The foreign national was asked to produce her travel document, which she failed to do.

In Court, the Venezuelan woman, with the aid of an interpreter, told the court that she does not have any passport and came to Guyana illegally because of the economic crisis back in her homeland.

The chief magistrate fined the woman $30,000 or three weeks imprisonment, after which she will be deported.

Repeat offender denied bail – for armed robbery

A 20-year-old Kitty minibus park tout was on Wednesday remanded to prison by city Magistrate Fabayo Azore for armed robbery.

Ceon Wright denied that while being armed with a scissors on September 13 at the Kitty Bus Park, he robbed Eloy Livan of a BLU cellphone worth $33,000, along with

$25,000 in cash.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to the unrepresented man being released on bail, on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the charge.

Payne further pointed out that the accused is a repeat offender, and is currently before the court on another armed robbery charge.

Magistrate Azore then remanded Wright until October 4.

President David Granger

freshwater and medicinal products. It provides environmental services such as the regulation of the water cycle, water quality and pollination.

The ‘Shield’s’ forests capture and store carbon, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect. The ‘Shield’ is essential to life on the planet. Guyana calls on the United Nations to help protect and preserve the ‘Guiana Shield’ as a global resource for the survival and sustainability of our planet.

PEACE Third, ‘striving for peace’ has been the principal purpose and preoccupation of this organization throughout its existence. A good life for the world’s peoples and the sustainable use of the planet’s resources are predicated on peace with justice, including justice within and between states. The world is weary of war. ‘Striving for peace’ must be humanity’s ceaseless quest. The United Nations is the paramount global instrument of peace. It has a vital role to play in ensuring respect for international law through the International Court of Justice and the Security Council.

‘Striving for peace’ must aim at resolving long-standing inter-state conflicts. Guyana, in this regard, supports the call for the reform of the Security Council to give even greater voice to developing countries.

We iterate our support for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict. We

affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland and to a dignified existence.

We demand the withdrawal of the injurious economic embargo against the Caribbean island of Cuba. The embargo frustrates that state’s right to development. ‘Striving for peace’ and the right to development have been Guyana’s deepest concern since Independence in 1966.

I addressed this Honourable Assembly last September, explaining the danger we have been facing on our borders as a consequence of the territorial claims of our western neighbour – the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. I laid before the world’s nations the peril Guyana was enduring on its borders at the hands of Venezuela.

Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory, however, has not diminished or been diverted. Guyana remains imperilled. Disturbing developments within Venezuela have attracted the world’s attention and roused the concerns of many of us over the privations of its people. The Caribbean people wish for the Caribbean to be a Zone of Peace. The Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s territorial integrity, however, would be a threat to that zone. Venezuela is more than four times the size of Guyana. Venezuela, however, claims two-thirds of Guyana’s territory including our maritime space.

We depend on our territorial and maritime resources for development and for the release of our people from poverty. The Venezuelan claim persists after fifty-one years of Independence. An eminent international Arbitral Tribunal provided ‘a full, perfect and final settlement’ 118 years ago in 1899. Venezuela denounced that Arbitral Award in 1962 at the Decolonisation Committee of this Assembly as British Guiana strove for its Independence.

Guyana warns the world, through this Assembly, that peace will be at stake in our region if justice does not become ascendant, not only within Venezuela, but also in respect to its border controversy with Guyana. Four

UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has become one between just and peaceful settlement in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic. In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution and the ally of sustained conflict.

Fortunately, as they indicated publicly, former Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and current Secretary General António Guterres have decided that, under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, if by the end of the year 2017 significant progress has not been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the settlement of the controversy, the International Court of Justice will be the next means of peaceful settlement, unless Guyana and Venezuela jointly request otherwise.

Guyana has been working assiduously with the Secretary General’s Personal Representative. Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed to thwart the processes of judicial settlement which is the clear and agreed path to peace and justice.

NATIONS, UNITED The people of the world yearn “to fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment” – an attainable objective of the Sustainable Development Goals endorsed by the United Nations. Peace for the world’s peoples is the mandate of the United Nations. Peace can be achieved by addressing the world’s humanitarian crises, promoting justice within and between nations and resolving long-standing conflicts between states. Planet earth can provide a ‘good life’ for all. The planet can be protected from the ravages of climate change and the reckless damage to its ecology and biodiversity. United, the nations gathered here can fulfil the promise of the UN Charter and the theme of the General Assembly to focus on people, to strive for peace and to protect the planet.

I thank you.

Damage of property proves costly – for caretaker with an axe to grind A 30-year-old man was on Wednesday sentenced to six months imprisonment for damaging the property of Minister of State Mr Joseph Harmon.

Samuel Greene appeared before city Magistrate Fabayo Azore and admitted that

on September 15, at Guyhoc Park, he unlawfully and maliciously damaged several sections of a building valued $995,000, property of Mr Harmon.

According to reports, the accused was the former caretaker of the property

and on the day in question, was seen with an iron bar lashing the house and several windows. The police were summoned, and he was arrested.

The magistrate, after hearing the accused’s guilty plea, sentenced him to six months imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

Pensioner killed by drunk driver

Teen formally charged with friend’s murder

A FARM Nursery School security guard was killed after he was struck down on the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara on Tuesday afternoon by an intoxicated minibus driver.

Dead is Basil Rambarran, 66, of Farm, East Bank Demerara. The driver of the minibus was administered a breathalyser test and found to have exceeded the legal alcohol limit. He is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Reports indicate that the accident occurred around 16:45hrs on Tuesday while a 44-year-old mini-bus driver of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was proceeding south along the western lane of the

A 16-year-old boy who was recently apprehended by the police after almost a year on the run was on Wednesday charged with the 2016 murder of his friend.

It is alleged that the teen on October 12, 2016 at Cassique Creek in Region One (Barima-Waini) murdered 30-year-old Abraham Wilson.

The matter was held in-camera before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Dead: Basil Rambarran

eastern carriageway in his vehicle- BLL4639.

The pensioner was riding

a bicycle and allegedly rode across the road from west to east when the minibus crashed into him. He fell onto the roadside and sustained multiple injuries to the body.

The father of three was later pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the body is currently at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour awaiting post-mortem examination.

His wife Agnis Rambarran said she received the news from her sister and when she visited the Georgetown Public Hospital her husband was already dead.

She is calling on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.

Pedestrian killed on MMZ Public Road A MAN who reportedly told police he had hit down a cow is now in custody after the body of a 61-year-old man was found in a shallow drain on Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ), West Coast Demerara (WCD) Public Road with head injuries.

Dead is Yussuff Ashraff, 61, a fish vendor of 155 East Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD. Police said based on information received, at 14:00hrs, ranks arrested a 26-year- old resident of Seafield Leonora, WCD.

The driver related to investigators that about 04:00hrs Wednesday morning, he was proceeding east along the northern carriageway of the Meten-Meer-Zorg Public Road in motor car PMM 321 when the vehicle suddenly veered south and struck a ‘cow’ in front of Sheik’s Healthcare Pharmacy, but failed to stop.

The driver was later told that object he crashed into was a person. The body was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where Ashraff was

pronounced dead on arrival. The body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting post-mortem on Friday.

The driver is assisting with the investigation. A breathalyser test was administered and he was not found to have any alcohol in his breath.

Surveillance footage from the area revealed that the man was struck down by a Toyota Runx motorcar, which was heading in the direction of Georgetown.

– after eluding police for a year

The teen was not required to plea to the indictable charge, and was remanded until November 17, when the matter will be recalled at the Mathews Ridge Magistrates Court.

Based on reports, the men had an argument, during which the teen, who had been armed with a knife, allegedly stabbed Wilson to the left side of his neck.

Wilson reportedly managed to make his way to another camp, where he related what had happened before he collapsed.

The suspect, on the other hand, had escaped from the scene.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

Guyana calls on UN to protect the Guiana Shield

By Svetlana Marshall President David Granger has called on the United Nations to help protect and preserve the ‘Guiana Shield’ as a global resource for the survival and sustainability of the planet.

The Guyanese President made the call at a time when countries across the world are being devastated by natural disasters. In Dominica, Hurricane Maria left more than nine persons dead and significant damage to the country’s infrastructure, while in Mexico, over 200 people were killed after a magnitude 7.1 earth quake struck the North American country.

President Granger, in his address during the General Debate of the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly, said the Guiana Shield is critical to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are linked to the increase in global temperatures which will ultimately result in increased risk of drought and increased intensity of storms, including tropical cyclones with higher wind speeds.

“Guyana is part of the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s last remaining blocks of pristine rainforest. The ‘Shield’ is the source of 15 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves…It provides environmental services such as the regulation of the water cycle, water quality and pollination. The ‘Shield’s’ forests capture and store carbon, thereby mitigating the greenhouse effect. The ‘Shield’ is essential to life on the planet,” President Grang-

er told the world leaders.

It is the strong belief of the President, that a sustainable planet is humanity’s ultimate patrimony.

“We have been indifferent too long to the need to protect the planet and now its sustainability is threatened on many fronts,” he stated.

Emphasising that climate change is not a fiction nor the invention of a few extremists, President Granger pointed to the small island states of the Caribbean and parts of North America that have felt the devastating fury of a series of hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, José, Katia, Lee and Maria.

“Hurricane Irma was a deadly, destructive portent of the extreme vulnerability and fragility of the small island developing and low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean. Guyana is playing its part, within the limits of its resources, to provide relief to affected populations in sister Caribbean states,” he said.

It was on this note that the President renewed Guyana’s commitment to the UN’s Paris Climate Agreement, which he had signed onto on behalf of the country in 2016.

Guyana’s recommitment to the agreement is demonstrated most positively in the country’s pioneering role in global environmental stewardship.

He recalled that in 1989 – three years before the Rio Conference of 1992 – Guyana entered into an environmental covenant with the international community by dedicating 360,000 hectares of its rainforest.

Guyana, 20 years after that international initiative, entered an agreement with the Kingdom of Norway “…

to work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model of how Reducing Emissions and Forest Degradation, plus conservation and sustainable forest management (REDD+) can align the development objectives of forest countries with the need to combat climate change.”

Meanwhile, in making reference to the theme of the General Debate “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet,” President Granger noted that is facing several serious humanitarian crises.

“Children, in too many parts of the world, still die from preventable diseases or go to bed hungry. Women, in some places, are denied equal opportunities to enjoy a ‘good life.’ The gap between the world’s rich and its poor remains unacceptably wide. Conflicts within states have spawned international refugee crises which have resulted in millions being displaced from their homelands,” he told the world leaders.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he posited, are a representation of the UN’s collective mission to eradicate hunger and poverty, while promoting equal opportunities in education, employment and social justice for both men and women.

However, he said the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being obstructed by the incidence of human rights violations and the involuntary migration of people from their homelands and by terrorism and warfare.

Rice shipment to India being finalised

By Ariana Gordon

A DELEGATION from ALIMPORT, a Cuban Import Agency for rice is currently in Guyana to finalise the first shipment of rice from the local company, Nand Persaud and Company Limited, to Cuba.

When the rice is shipped, it would represent the first shipment of rice from Guyana to the Spanish speaking country after 40 years.

In a statement Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visiting delegation comprises of Maria Cristina

Ramos Perdomo and Reynaldo Aguirre Labora, whose visit here will conclude on September 26.

“Less than two months ago a rice contract between Guyanese rice company and the Cuban state company was formally inked in Havana, Cuba,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba, Halim Majeed, has described the visit as a means to further strengthen the country’s economic relations with the Spanish speaking nation of Cuba.

He disclosed that by the terms of the contract, Nand Persaud and Company Limited is expected to ship some 15,000

metric tonnes of rice to Cuba in September and October this year.

Based on the agreement between the two companies, Nand Persaud and Company Limited will also continue to supply rice to Cuba in 2018 as the company prepares to draft an investment proposal to set up a rice-milling plant and warehouse in the Port Mariel Free Zone.

Guyana and Cuba have enjoyed a close relation since the early 1970s; however, the countries officially established diplomatic ties in 1972 with Cuba agreeing to provide media supplies, doctors and medical training to Guyana; an initiative which continues to this day.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Detainees in Britisher’s death complain of police harassment

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric THE detainees in the death of British citizen Sarah Rosemary Dajee who was found suspended at her friend’s home in Pope Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, on September 10, have complained about police harassment.

Jason Hannif and his wife Suzanne say they had to seek treatment at the New Amsterdam and National Psychiatric Hospitals, respectively.

The couple made their complaint to Deputy Commander Senior Superintendent, E. Cooper at his office at Berbice Divisional Headquarters on Wednesday.

After airing their grievances, Senior Superintendent Cooper extended heartfelt condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased British citizen.

The second-in-command also informed the couple, that on receipt of the report, the matter was treated as a murder until the post-mortem proved otherwise.

Money belonging to the now deceased woman was checked and verified and remains lodged at the Central Police Station.

“However, how the in-

lasted until 23:00hrs and when it was finished, they were placed in custody, denied meals from visiting relatives and access to an attorney.

Haniff told Cooper that a named rank at the Criminal Investigation Department told her that ‘criminals don’t need meals.’

“After being booked for murder, we were taken to a

the police are going to kill us. However, at that point a policewoman assured us that we were being taken to Sister’s Police Station lockups. Consequently, my daughter collapsed and had to be rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was given oxygen. I suffered from a relapse of a nervous breakdown, and had to be subsequent-

Sarah Rosemary Dajee

vestigation went is another story, but on behalf of the commissioner and team, we apologise for any inconvenience caused. The persons who were involved will be dealt with accordingly. Until that time it was treated as murder until it was highlighted that the woman died from asphyxia,” Cooper said.

Earlier, Suzanna Hannif said following the incident, she along with her husband Jason and daughter Jessica Grumble, who has since returned to the United Kingdom, were escorted to Central Police Station at approximately 10:00hrs on September 11.

There, they were asked to submit statements which were taken by detectives.

The process, they say,

Jason Hannif and his wife Suzanne

vehicle not knowing where we were going. It was dark, the areas were bushy, even the accompanying police ranks remained silent.

Nobody told us anything.

My daughter whispered

ly taken to the National Psychiatric Hospital. We are British citizens and we were refused access to the British Embassy. Even if I did something wrong, I have human rights. I am

living in fear because of the treatment meted out to us.

When Rosemary was behaving strangely, we went to the police to help us, but they did not. We made reports, but the police did not help us. We were left with the woman who was behaving strangely and yet we were detained after her death,” the woman complained.

Last Wednesday, three days after Dajee was found suspended at her friend’s home, British Deputy High Commissioner Ron Rimmer travelled to the Ancient County, where he identified the body at the New Amsterdam mortuary.

The deceased, aged 50 was childless and was employed as an Entry Clearance Assistant at the Home Office, Apollo House, Wellesley Road, Croiden, London.

Following her death, police found among the deceased’s belongings US$900, Sterling pounds$900, G$5500 and BDS (Barbados) currencies, her British passport, a quantity of medications, clothing and other personal items.

A post-mortem conducted by Government, Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan revealed that the

13

Britisher died as a result of asphyxia due to self-suspension.

Dajee had accompanied her workmate of Guyanese heritage, Jessica Grumble, to the birth land of her ancestors. They had arrived on August 23 and were expected to depart on September 17.

However, on Sunday, September 10, hours after Dajee had returned from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where she had intended to board a return flight to the United Kingdom, the woman claimed her passport was missing.

Her name was also not listed on the flight manifest. But, hours after she was found suspended in her friend’s home, just before 19: 00hrs.

The discovery of the lifeless body was made by Jessica Grumble in the living room area, where the corpse was seen in a standing position, slightly suspended off the wooden flooring, with an extended phone charger cable wrapped around her neck.

Grumble had seconds before awakened from her sleep after responding to calls from her mother Sue. The body of Sarah Rosemary Dajee remains at a funeral parlour in Berbice.

Concerns raised about Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge

By Vanessa Braithwaite THE Linden community became anxious on Wednesday after photos by Municipal Councillor, Lennox Gasper, surfaced on

social media on the state of the bottom of the Wismar Mackenzie Bridge.

Gasper said the bridge is in need of urgent repair and while the top may look good, the bottom demands urgent

attention.

The councillor has since taken his concern to the chairman of the Linmine Secretariat, Emit Alves, as well as Mayor of Linden.

Carwyn Holland.

A view at the bottom of the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge

The Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge in the mining town of Linden

Holland when contacted on Wednesday said he does believe that the bridge is in dire need of emergency repairs and renewed his call for the construction of a second bridge.

“It needs urgent assess-

ment, we can just go and look with the naked eye and make our assessment but we are not the specialist in that area, we need an engineer to tell us exactly what is going on and how much time it has,” he said.

With the Wismar/ Mackenzie Bridge being the only bridge linking the east and west of Linden, if it is shuts down to facilitate extensive emergency works or to construct a new Turn to page 16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Police facilitated my escape -- says wanted man Stafrie Alexander

By Vanessa Braithwaite PRISON escapee Stafrie Hopkinson Alexander who is on trial for escaping lawful custody at the Mackenzie Police Station on Monday testified that ranks of the said station facilitated his escape.

He made the disclosure when he appeared in the Linden Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Alexander testified that he allegedly paid Assistant Superintendent Chabinaught Singh, who was inspector at the time and stationed at the Mackenzie Police Station and manning the Criminal Investigation Department, a large sum of cash to facilitate the escape.

According to the convict, Lance Corporal Jason Bourne allegedly broke the wall through which he and Robin Maxwell escaped.

The two murder accused on December of 2015 escaped from the Mackenzie Police Station lockups via a hole in the wall after which they scaled the fence. While Alexander was later recaptured at a

checkpoint at the Kurupukari crossing, Rupununi, Maxwell’s corpse weeks after was fished out of the Demerara River in the vicinity of West

They were both on trial for the murder of Linden businesswoman Shevon Gordon, which occurred at Wismar on April 4, 2015.

Stafrie Hopkinson Alexander

Watooka. The post-mortem revealed that he had sustained blunt trauma to the head and his skull was fractured. It was alleged that Alexander may have been responsible for Maxwell’s death.

When the Guyana Chronicle contacted ASP Singh on the allegation, he vehemently denied it and said it was news to him.

“I don’t have any idea about that… and that is not

the case, I won’t allow any thief man to get way from anywhere… I wouldn’t allow him to get away from anywhere,” Singh said.

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, who was E’ Division Commander at the time of the escape, said he wished not to comment on the matter.

Acting Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhydren, said he is aware of the testimony but an investigation has not yet been launched since he has not seen the file as yet.

“I know that it was mentioned in court and I haven’t seen the file as yet, until I see the file then I will make a statement,” Vanderhydren said.

He added that Alexander will be attending court for the remainder of the week, since police are trying to push out his cases and when it concludes, he will access the file.

Alexander was one of several prisoners who also escaped from the Camp Street Prison in July, but was later recaptured on July 29 in Corentyne, Berbice.

From page 13

Concerns raised ...

one right at the spot, thousands of commuters will be affected.

“It will take several months to a year and we will have to be using pontoons to cross, so we need to look at a second bridge in the town,” the mayor posited.

Alves, however, said from his assessment, the bridge does not need urgent repairs and bemoaned the fact that the community was made anxious over an unwarranted situation.

He said the council has been rallying for a new bridge and is saying that this bridge is in need of emergency repairs to push that cause.

“They are looking for ways and means to get some degree of urgency into that matter so I was trying to tell him (Gasper) that he should not excite the public about the existing bridge and he could use the traffic jams that they normally have at peak hours because persons are clamouring for a two-lane bridge to ease the traffic congestion.

This bridge isn’t in a state where it will collapse or that sort,” Alves said.

Meanwhile, daily commuters of the bridge have expressed fear over the situation and have even questioned the need for closing it every Thursday to facilitate repairs,

while the bottom is in a terrible state.

“Every Thursday they close the bridge so what is the men doing. I believe is time we stop this with this bridge, we urgently need a new bridge; this one is there for very long and the middle is there since 1913 so is high time Linden get a new bridge,” Coretta Brathwaite commented.

In June, regional authorities during a meeting with executives of the Private Sector Commission raised concerns about the construction of the new bridge to facilitate the traffic that will be attracted by the Linden to Lethem road.

Former Chairman of the Linden Enterprise Network, Klensil Grenville, expressed fear that if this is not done, the road will be built and the town will be in the same economic situation as it is in now since no steps are being taken in preparation for the road.

“What will happen with that Brazil Road is just what is happening right now, billions of dollars that is passing through this town and we are not in the position to benefit from anything whatsoever.

It will just happen in larger proportions or quantity and it will happen again. We have to move from ideas to initiation and sound planning,” he said.

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Fifteen athletes to represent Guyana at SA Youth Games

By Tamica Garnett

FIFTEEN athletes, across five separate sport disciplines, will be representing Guyana, along with officials, at this year’s South American Youth Games, which will run from September 29 to October 8, in Santiago, Chile.

Kevin Allicock Of the 21 sports being contested at this year’s Games, Guyana will be represented in athletics, basketball, badminton, boxing, and table tennis.

The team comprises five track and field athletes, four basketball players, while badminton, table tennis and boxing will each have two partici-

pants.

In athletics, Guyana will be represented by Kenisha Phillips (girls 100m, 200m), Annalisa Barclay (girls long and triple jumps), and Deshanna Skeete (girls 200m and 400m), while Jermaine King and Mark Solomon will both be in the boys 100m and 200m sprints. The athletics official will be Wanda Richmond.

The basketball team is made up of Akeem Crandon, Isaiah Hintzen, Nigel Bowen, and Shamar France. The badminton players are Priyanna Ramdhani and Tyrese Jeffrey.

The table tennis players are Miguel Wong and Nickolus Romain. The table tennis official will be coach Idi Lewis For boxing, the coach will be Terrence Poole for Christopher Moore and Keevin Allicock, the same two promising boxers who represented Guyana at the Commonwealth Youth Games back in July. At that event, the boxers truly delivered, with Allicock prevailing as Guyana’s lone medallist, clinching a silver in the flyweight category.

Sixteen-year-old Moore will again compete in the lightweight category.

Approximately 1300 athletes from across 14 countries are expected to converge on Chile in the coming weeks to compete in the Games - the second hosting after its debut in 2013.

Nickolus Romain The regional multisport event is organised by the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR).

At the 2013 hosting, Guyana had competed in seven disciplines, namely athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis and swimming. Guyana finished with seven medals - a silver and six bronze.

Don Bradman’s legendary bat to grace Kolkata museum

A BAT used by Australia cricket team legend Don Bradman during India’s first tour of Australia in 1947-48 was presented to the Fanattic Sports Museum in Kolkata on Tuesday.

It was handed over by former Aussie skipper Mi-

chael Clarke on behalf of Nikhil Daftary who is a Melbourne-based collector of sports memorabilia.

S i n c e D a v i d Wa rner’s bat too is part of the museum’s collection, it helped former internationals such as Deep 12:15 hrs Maratha 12:50 hrs Big Tour

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Dasgupta, Brad Hogg and Clarke to compare the two and show how thick bats of today’s generation have become.

“To have averaged 99.94 with bats of this kind makes you marvel all over again,” said Clarke.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

BVA 2017 Schools Tournament

CCSS steamroll Manchester Secondary and BBPS

Central Corentyne Secondary female volleyball team pose with BVA president Levi Nedd.

By Colin Bynoe CENTRAL Corentyne Secondary (CCS) male volleyball unit routed Manchester Secondary (MS) and Black Bush Polder Secondary (BBPS) in the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) 2017 Secondary Schools Tournament on Monday, while CCS female Volleyball team also registered a win to advance further in the tournament.

The games were played at the Central Corentyne Play-

field adjacent to the school compound. The weather was perfect for a smooth day of volleyball and tournament organiser and president of the BVA, Levi Nedd, briefed the players on the excitement and benefits they can gain from the sport. Nedd also distributed a ball each to the three schools present.

He went on to say, “I’m looking forward that we can select players coming out of this tournament who can represent Guyana.”

The match-up involved three teams from the Central Corentyne Zone - Manchester Secondary, Black Bush Polder Secondary and the hosts Central Corentyne Secondary.

The first encounter, which started at 10:30hrs between MS and BBPS, was a see-saw battle between the two schools.

BBPS showed fight throughout the match to end an enthralling contest 30-27 in favour of BBPS. Having been defeated in the first game MS had no

A victorious Central Corentyne Secondary with BVA president Levi Nedd

answer for a disciplined Central Corentyne Unit. Game two resulted in a complete one-sided affair as the hosts schooled their MS counterparts 30-7.

In the final match to determine the winner, two sets of 25 were played. Urged by a noisy bunch of CCS students the lads from the Bush Lot-based institution showed a higher level of dominance to steamroll BBPS 25-7 in the first set, and 25-8 in set two.

Evidently BBPS had a

number of serving issues; CCS used that to their advantage and a number of aces resulted in many, easy scoring points for CCS. The captain of the victorious CCS Ryan Ragnauth expressed his desire for his team to go all the way in this tournament and make his school proud.

In a female category of the day’s activity, Central Corentyne came up against Manchester Secondary. Though the females from both teams

lack many technical skills in the sports, the match turned out to be just as exciting as the males’. CCS continued their winning ways when the female team outsmarted MS 30-16.

The two winners and runners-up from each zone will represent the zone in the semi-finals which will be played at a date to be announced. The various zones comprise Upper Corentyne, Central Corentyne, Lower Corentyne and New Amsterdam/Canje.

Botham calls for transfer reform as Coughlin leaves Durham Mathews out as Sri Lanka add three new faces for Pakistan first Test (REUTERS) - The England and Wales Cricket Board should introduce a transfer system that will reward counties for producing promising cricketers, former national team captain Ian Botham has said.

Durham chairman Botham expressed his frustration after 24-year-old all-rounder Paul Coughlin signed a three-year contract with Nottinghamshire after rejecting a new deal with his side.

Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell is also an England selector and Botham feels that could have played a part in Coughlin’s decision to swap sides.

“They need to introduce a transfer or similar

system of compensation, (and) to remove the potential for conflict of interest by preventing serving directors of cricket

Former England captain Ian Botham

acting as selectors,” Botham said in a statement on Durham’s website.

“The ECB is currently reviewing its partnership

agreement with the counties and Durham will be making strong representations to properly reward those that invest in the development of local talent.”

English soccer uses transfer tribunals to decide the values of players under the age of 24 who switch clubs after running down their contracts.

The fee decided by tribunal in these cases is non-negotiable, with the intention of protecting clubs that invest in talent development.

“It concerns me that the current arrangements within cricket do not reward counties that invest in academies and produce exciting young English players,” Botham added.

(REUTERS) - Sri Lanka all-rounder and former skipper Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi next week with a calf injury, but the uncapped Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva and Lahiru Gamage are in the squad.

Middle order batsman Silva could be given the chance to make a late Test debut for his country at the age of 28, along with fast bowler Gamage, who is a year older. Silva was called up by Sri Lanka last year, but did not play.

At 22, wicketkeeper-batsman Samarawickrama is the youngest of the trio but has represented his country at the under-19 level.

Opener Kaushal Silva is back in the squad for the first time since January. The

31-year-old has not been called up since his first-ball duck against South Africa at the Wanderers on January 14.

Lahiru Thirimanne will add experience to Sri Lanka’s batting lineup in the absence of the injured Mathews after being given the nod for the first time since the tour of England in June last year.

Angelo Mathews

There was also a recall for seamer Suranga Lakmal, who missed the second and third

Tests against India last month with a back injury.

Sri Lanka will be hoping for a better showing in the two-Test series with Pakistan after being whitewashed 3-0

by India at home last month, in what was one of the most one-sided Test series of recent times.

The first Test against Pakistan begins on September 28.

The second starts on October 6 in Dubai and will be played in the new day-night format.

Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishva Fernando, Lahiru Gamage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

Ranzolin Durga: Chasing his dream to become a FIFA referee

By Elroy Stephney

A PASSION for football has ultimately led to Ranzolin Durga’s enthusiasm to become a football referee.

The affable Durga, 27, who hails from Reliance on the Essequibo Coast, has now set his sights in becoming a qualified FIFA referee.

In this regard, the former teacher who taught at the Charity Secondary School, has been blowing the whistle in excess of two years and officiating in matches in Regions 2, 3, 4 and 7.

He is a member of the Essequibo Refereeing Association where he has been instrumental in providing administrative and technical support to the organisation.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport, Durga expressed delight in choosing refereeing as his ultimate goal, adding that his priority now is to become an Assistant FIFA Referee.

The supremely fit Durga, stated that he trains four times a week which includes long distance running, abdominal exercises and going through his physical techni-

cal routine as a refresher.

Durga, who is of Amerindian descent, has already made a positive impact in enhancing the quality of refereeing, primarily on the Essequibo Coast, while being well respected by his peers and players.

He has become an astute reader of the game, he applies the rules firmly and is well-known to exercise zero tolerance on indiscipline on the field.

He has also expressed his willingness to impart his knowledge to other aspiring referees and has since encouraged those with a passion for the game to join the association since he disclosed that the experience can be life-changing and awesome.

Meanwhile, the multi-talented official is also a Youth Development coach having been contracted by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and assigned to the Academy Training Centre in Essequibo.

His task entails three days of coaching as well as promoting grassroots training on weekends at various venues across Region 2 includ-

ing the Pomeroon districts.

“I love football in all dimensions, hence my commitment and dedication

Twenty-seven-year-old Ranzolin Durga

to serve the sport most diligently.” he confidently remarked, adding that his

Pakistan batsman banned for five years after spot-fixing inquiry

Khalid Latif has played five one-day and 13 Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN batsman Khalid Latif has been banned from cricket for five years for his part in a spot-fixing ring.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tribunal handed down the punishment after finding Latif guilty of all charges at a hearing yesterday, The PCB has been conducting a long-running investigation into corruption in the Twenty20 Pakistan Super League.

Latif, 31, has played five one-day internationals and 13 Twenty20 internationals

for Pakistan.

He was fined one million Pakistan rupees (£7 020) after being found guilty of fixing or taking a bribe to underperform, failing to disclose corrupt approaches and soliciting players into corrupt acts.

Fellow Islamabad United batsman Sharjeel Khan was also banned for five years last month, with two and a half years of his ban suspended.

Spot-fixing is where the outcome of a particular passage of play is pre-determined, as

hobbies also include swimming and interacting with youths.

The sport is gradually

opposed to fixing the outcome of a match.

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz and seamer Mohammad Irfan have also been sanctioned as part of the inquiry after they failed to report suspicious approaches.

A number of other players have also been questioned or suspended during the inquiry. Britain’s National Crime Agency provided the initial intelligence that led to the PCB investigation. (BBC Sport)

reclaiming its popularity in Essequibo after a prolonged dormancy and the absence of

a representative body.

However, with the installation of an executive arm under the auspices of the Essequibo Coast/ Pomeroon Football Association, Durga is of the view that football is on the rise in the county.

Notwithstanding this observation though, he contended that more assistance is needed for the local body including exposure, training and competitions that will test the ability and competence of both players and referees.

He has since extended an appeal to the parent body of the Football and Refereeing Federations to facilitate frequent interaction that will enable players and officials to be better informed of changes in the law, reforms to coaching including adopting different methods, as well as providing more opportunities for individuals to participate at the national, regional and international levels.

Durga also expressed admiration for his fellow Essequibian-born Sherwin Moore whose outstanding performance as a Referee has catapulted him to the

highest level of participation.

“Moore has certainly inspired us to achieve excellence, which he asserted will be achieved through perseverance, love for the game as well as the willingness to adapt to the constant changes in the law.”

He has since committed himself towards achieving those attributes on his way to becoming another proud FIFA referee and representing his country wherever duty calls.

“There are existing challenges, but I’m prepared to confront them with conviction and sincerity in order to be considered as a servant of the game.”

Ranzolin Durga remains a bright prospect and while his journey has just begun, he has already exhibited tremendous maturity, knowledge and assertiveness of the game, which has been constantly evolving and requires such qualities for officials to remain relevant. Expectations are high for the confident young official whose dream of becoming a FIFA Referee is fast becoming a reality.

Real Madrid stunned by last-gasp Sanabria header for Betis

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo in action with Betis’ Aissa Mandi. (REUTERS/Sergio Perez)

MADRID, Spain (Reuters) Real Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis yesterday as an inspired performance from their former goalkeeper Antonio Adan and a stoppage-time winner from Antonio Sanabria stunned the Liga champions.

Sanabria had an effort disallowed for offside in the final minute of normal time, but rose highest to head in a 94th minute winner to secure a memorable

backs-to-the-wall victory.

The defeat leaves Real Madrid without a win in their three home La Liga games this season and in seventh place in the table, seven points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday.

In an eventful first half, both sides exchanged efforts with Sanabria and Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo seeing efforts cleared off the line in the early stages.

Both teams’ goalkeepers pulled off smart saves as the honours remained even heading into the break, but Madrid cranked up the pressure after the restart, laying siege to Adan’s goal.

Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale both hit the woodwork and Real Madrid’s youth team product Adan pulled off a number of stunning saves in to frustrate the home crowd.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

India’s true test to come in England, says Farokh Engineer INDIA great Farokh Engineer believes the ‘true test’ of Virat Kohli’s current side will come when they tour England next year.

Under the captaincy of star batsman Kohli, India have risen to the top of the world Test rankings.

But much of their success has come in home or sub-continent conditions with their recent 3-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka being a case in point.

Engineer, an outstanding wicketkeeper-batsman for both India and English county Lancashire, said the real worth of Kohli’s men would be judged far away from home.

“The present Indian team are very good indeed,” Engineer said at Lancashire’s Old Trafford headquarters on Tuesday shortly before England played West Indies in a one-day international at the Manchester ground.

“Virat Kohli is an excel-

lent captain, MS Dhoni is looking fitter than ever, Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the great off-spinners, (Ravi) Jadeja, we’ve got a very good team, Murali Vijay, the opening batsman,” Engineer added.

Sri Lanka, against Australia we are doing pretty well, but that’s in India again.”

The 79-year-old Engineer, a veteran of 46 Tests for India from 1961 to 75, said next year’s five-match series

Virat Kohli

“They have been scoring a lot of runs against Sri Lanka, but the true test will be when they come to England.

“Don’t get carried away by the performance against

in England would “sort the men from the boys”.

“India’s real test comes when they go abroad, especially England. England is the true test for any cricketer

Rashford double helps Man Utd sink Burton

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, England (Reuters) Marcus Rashford scored twice as holders Manchester United brushed aside second-tier Burton Albion 4-1 at Old Trafford to reach the fourth round of the League Cup yesterday.

The 19-year-old England

against second-tier Sunderland.

United have now scored 17 goals in five home matches this season in all competitions, although Burton became the first of those visiting sides to score at Old Trafford.

It was only a minor irritation as United produced a vibrant display with Rashford, leading

League Cup triumph, said.

Rashford dinked in United’s opener after four minutes and smashed home his second after a sweet turn in the 17th minute.

Lingard made it 3-0 before halftime with a wickedly-deflected shot and Martial struck on the hour.

Man City, level with United

Marcus Rashford scores twice as holders Manchester United brush aside second-tier Burton Albion 4-1 at Old Trafford.

striker produced two lethal finishes in the opening 20 minutes and Jesse Lingard killed the tie off before halftime with a deflected effort.

Anthony Martial got in on the act after the break before Lloyd Dyer grabbed a stoppage-time consolation for Burton.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal also progressed, as did Everton who ended a run of four consecutive defeats with a welcome 3-0 home victory

the line instead of rested Romelu Lukaku, in deadly form as the Reds eased through to a fourthround trip to Swansea City.

United made nine changes from the side that started against Everton on Sunday but still fielded a strong lineup that underlined Jose Mourinho’s attacking options.

“Anthony Martial was good, Juan Mata was good, Jesse Lingard was good. The team collectively enjoyed the game,” Mourinho, aiming for a fifth

at the top of the Premier League, were involved in the night’s one all-Premier League tie, edging out West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at the Hawthorns.

Leroy Sane gave City a third-minute lead and struck again in the 77th minute shortly after Claudio Yacob had levelled for the home side. West Brom hit the woodwork in stoppage time.

Eden Hazard made his first start of the season for Chelsea after recovering from an ankle injury and played the full 90

and Indian cricketers are no exception,” he said.

“You need a real sound technique to play in England where the ball moves about a lot more, both in the air and off the pitch.

But Engineer was in at the finish of their ground-breaking victory at The Oval in 1971 - India’s maiden Test win on English soil seeing them to a 1-0 win in a three-match series following two draws.

“Your technique is really stretched to the limit -- it sorts the men out from the boys.”

Only three times in their history have India won Test series in England, most recently in 2007.

“Yes indeed 1971 in England was a great moment,” said Engineer.

“I got runs in both innings (59 and 28 not out) and dismissals as well, but a guy called Abid Ali came in and

took all the limelight.

“We had four runs to get I think.

“I said to him: ‘Abid, after you there’s only Bishen Bedi and (Bhagwat) Chandrasekhar and with due respect they don’t know which side of the bat to hold’.

“He said: “OK, OK”.

What does he do first ball?

He just charges down the pitch - I think Alan Knott missed a reasonably easy stumping,” Engineer recalled.

“We needed three runs because I took a single and regretted it.

“So what does he do now?

He charges down the wicket, gets a top edge, four over the slips, and the next thing I see he’s being carried off by people for a not-out four - and I’m stuck in there!

“But it was a great moment, a sweet victory for India because India had never before won a Test match in England.” (Indian Express).

minutes in a 5-1 defeat of second-tier Nottingham Forest.

Michy Batshuayi stole the spotlight though with a hat-trick while Kenedy and Charly Musonda were also on target.

Arsenal beat third-tier Doncaster Rovers 1-0 at The Emirates with Theo Walcott’s firsthalf goal separating the sides.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere played a full 90 minutes for Arsenal for the first time in three years while Alexis Sanchez started and set up Walcott’s winner.

“I wanted to leave him on to give him 90 minutes and overall I think it was an ideal game for him to gain confidence and fitness,” Arsenal manager Arsene

Wenger said.

Doncaster, managed by Darren Ferguson, son of Wenger’s old adversary Alex, hit the bar late on through Matty Blair.

“That was hard work, credit to Doncaster, they kept going,” Wenger said. “We started well in the first 35 minutes but we decreased slowly.”

Farokh Engineer is a veteran of 46 Tests for India from 1961 to 1975.

Cariah eager to make big impact against Sri Lankans PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago left-hander Yannic Cariah says he is anxiously looking forward to next month’s West Indies A series against the touring Sri Lankans, and is intent on making his mark.

The 25-year-old was one among a few new faces in the 13man Windies squad announced on Tuesday for the first two four-day ‘Tests’ of the threematch series starting October 11 in Jamaica.

“I am really motivated for this tour and I cannot wait to get into the middle and give it my all,” said the Red Force lefthander.

This is another great opportunity for me to show that I can play international cricket so I am looking forward to the challenge Sri Lanka will present.”

Cariah forced his way into the selection frame by plundering 691 runs during at an average of 43, to top the scoring charts during the last first class season.

He was one of seven players who passed 600 runs, joining fellow Red Force batsman, Kyle Hope (649), Leeward Islands Hurricanes wicketkeeper, Jahmar

Hamilton (648), veteran former Windies batting star, Shiv Chanderpaul (622), Montcin Hodge (616), Devon Smith (611) and Sunil Ambris (608).

Hope was subsequently elevated to the Test squad while Hamilton, Hodge and Ambris have all been named in the A-squad to face Sri Lanka.

he said.

“I am seeing the results of my hard work and this is a good opportunity to further distinguish myself against a strong touring team.”

He added: “I think it is just for me to keep moving forward and keep doing the right things to get results. My mindset will be

Trinidad and Tobago’s Yannic Cariah is excited about West Indies-A call-up.

The previous season, Cariah managed a mere 374 runs but said he had been focused for a while now on achieving such a breakthrough in his career.

“I have been preparing for this opportunity for years now,”

a key factor because I think that is the most important part of the game for me.

“I am putting in the necessary work in the gym and nets so once I am mentally ready I am confident this will be good series for me.”

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

Sunshine, EC Bannas aiming to topple Dant … OSCL 2017 season climaxes this weekend

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – The Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 2017 season climaxes this weekend with non-stop action at the Ashtonbee playing fields, Scarborough, here in what is forecast to be excellent weather conditions.

First up on Saturday are the finals of the Norman Sue Bakery (NSB)-sponsored 15over tournament. followed by the Conference A and B playoffs championships finals on Sunday.

Already assured of the Conference A regular season (20 overs) championship after tallying 67 points and with the Caribbean Sensation 10/10 trophy firmly in their grip, Dant face an uphill task to once again retain both the NSB title and the Conference crown.

Unlike last season when they only suffered one defeat, Dant’s vulnerability has been exposed this time around with

losses to Saturday’s opponents Sunshine, East Coast Bannas whom they face on Sunday and Rems during three regular season games.

Trevon Garraway

They also got a scare from Rems in the NSB semi-final but managed to scrape home by the slimmest of margins and also qualified for Sunday’s final with close two-wicket victory over Better Hope.

Taking the above into consideration, Dant will need to pull out all the stops when they clash with Sunshine in Satur-

Slain referee Carabon was destined for great things, says TTFA THE Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has expressed shock and a sense of loss at the untimely passing of TT Pro League and Intercollegiate football referee Kyle Carabon.

concerned.

“To say Kyle was an upand-coming referee would be putting it mildly,” Caesar told the Trinidad and Tobago Express.

“He was destined to be a

Former referee Kyle Carabon

On Monday night, Carabon was found dead in his motor vehicle near the Tableland High School, off the Naparima/Mayaro Road. The referee, who was 25 years old, had been shot several times.

The former football official was also a clerk at National Insurance Board.

Head of the TTFA Referees’ Department Wayne Caesar expressed the belief that a part of the tragedy is that the referee had shown plenty of promise where officiating was

FIFA official because at this stage he was proficient in all physical and technical aspects of the tough training regime.”

According to reports, Hyland began refereeing approximately five years ago and quickly moved from zonal and community league assignments to join an ‘Elite Group’ of officials which handles the top-flight games in the nation, including the TT Pro League. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

day’s final if they are to come out on top.

When the same two teams met last year, in what was billed as the clash of the Ti-

Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth

tans, Dant emerged victorious in a one-sided affair, prompting Sunshine skipper Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth to admit that his team “failed to bring their A game” into the day’s contest. They certainly have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday.

Dant, who are missing the

services of all-rounder Shaun Deonandan through injury, still have a formidable force in the likes of Riaz Kadir, former Guyana and West Indies

Damodar Daesrath

Under-19 batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon, skipper Loaknauth Ramsuchit, former Guyana captain Damodar Daesrath, Yadram Bogh, Satroahn ‘Blade’ Balkarran, Rabindra Diaram and Bholanuth Sukhu.

Meanwhile, EC Bannas manager Mark Khan is supremely confident that his charges are capable of stopping Dant in their tracks on

Sunday and boasted that the regular season win was no fluke.

According to Khan, EC Bannas, who defeated Sunshine in last Sunday’s semi-final, are raring to go under the astute leadership of former Guyana player Trevon Garraway. Apart from Garraway, who has been among the runs and wickets during the season, the batting also hinges on Krishna Deosarran while Conference A’s leading wicket-taker Amit Pooran, former Guyana Under-19 player Eon Katchay and Garraway are all capable bowlers.

Saturday’s B Conference final, featuring Wakenaam and GTA Storm B promises to be an intriguing affair with bragging rights clearly at stake. While Wakenaam had an excellent season but faltered in last Sunday’s regular season semi-final, it’s been a mixed bag for GTA Storm who have played well in the knockout games but disappointingly in the 20-over tournament.

Another big match-up on Sunday is the B Conference final where regular season champions Enmore tangle with Restoration Warriors for the playoffs crown.

Enmore skipper Shiv Persaud, who had a dream season by placing third in the batting aggregate with 331 runs and topping the bowling with 30 wickets, will be aiming to replicate those feats while former Guyana Under-19 player Steve Ramdas is expected to play a major role.

Among the big names in Restoration Warriors are former Guyana and West Indies B team batsman Krishna Arjune, skipper Ravi Bodo and their leading wicket-taker Rajindra Persaud.

Apart from the two major finals on Saturday, there are also the A and B conferences consolation finals. EC Bannas and Rebels clash in Conference A while Ramblers and Good Success battle in Conference B.

South Africa will play on Boxing Day - Lorgat DESPITE India not touring till early 2018, South Africa will play a Boxing Day Test. CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat confirmed his organisation is in the process of securing an opponent for the festive season fixture.

“We will have content for Boxing Day but we’re not yet in a position to announce that. We need to secure it first,” Lorgat said.

Lorgat also said a Test match is preferred over other formats for the last week of the year. “First prize is a Test match. We would love Boxing Day and New Year to remain as Test content.

I know in the past there have been one-day matches and there has been discussion internally to consider

one-dayers, but personally I would love to see a Test match played.”

is fairly poorly attended, it is still a popular television event. When CSA chose to

Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat

Though the Boxing Day Test - which has switched between Durban and Port Elizabeth in recent years -

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday September 21, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Roy Fredericks-105 (The Oval, 1973) (2) Vanburn Holder-5/50 (Birmingham, 1976) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first Englishman to take a wicket with his first ball

in ODI cricket?

(2) Which WI was the first to do so?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

play T20s over the same period in 2012, there was an outcry over their breaking with tradition. The Boxing Day Test has been held every year since.

CSA were thought to be interested in inviting Pakistan for a one-off match over that period but with their series in New Zealand starting early in the new year, that seems unlikely. Instead, it looks increasingly like Zimbabwe could make their first Test appearance in the country since 2005, and may

also be persuaded to play in their first pink-ball match.

There is talk of a daynight Test at St George’s Park, which will have newly-installed floodlights by December, which will be a first in South Africa. West Indies are the other team available during that period, unless CSA reach out to Test newcomers Afghanistan or Ireland.

Should the fixture be finalised, South Africa will play an 11-Test home summer with two matches against Bangladesh starting later this month, one over Boxing Day, four against India and four against Australia. Despite India’s tight time frame, CSA are confident the tour will not be reduced from its original itinerary, and hope to be able to announce match dates soon.

“We are pretty close to closing off with India.

I’m hoping we can make some announcements towards the latter half of this week. It’s less than ideal we would have loved that schedule to have been announced a long time back but it is what it is,” Lorgat said. (ESPN Cricinfo)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 21, 2017

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – East Bank FA

Grove Hi Tech continue flawless, unbeaten form

GROVE Hi Tech have brought over their form from the first round into the second and are still the team to beat when play in the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association League continued at the Grove Playfield last Sunday.

They were gifted a second walkover in as many matches from Herstelling Raiders the previous Sunday then Highway United last Sunday. So they were eager to play. They donned their uniforms to take on Mocha Champs and again pocketed full points with a 2-0 win.

Paul Fields in the 42nd minute and Kashif Tinnee in the 54th minute were the players on target for the Grove side.

Kuru Kururu Warriors have maintained their second-place position on the table with a close 3-2 triumph over Diamond Upsetters. The Linden Soesdyke Highway-based side raced to a comfortable 3-0 lead but were surprised by a late burst from the Diamond side who fired back twice but could not draw level.

The Warriors’ goalscorers were Anthony Roberts in the 22nd, Shamar Gillis in the 26th and Joshua Paul in the 40th minutes. Diamond Upsetters came close to upsetting the Warriors through a brace of goals off the boot of Jaleel Thomas in the 61st and 68th minute.

Friendship recorded their third win of the league when they defeated Dia-

mond United 2-1, thanks to goals from Denvor Stoll and Michael Moses in the 19th and 70th minutes.

The week before, Agricola Red Triangle and Diamond United also won via walkover from Highway United and Soesdyke Falcons.

Three matches will be contested on Sunday at the same venue.

Kuru Kururu Warriors goalscorers - Joshua Paul (R), Shamar Gillis and Anthony Roberts Latest Points Table

TEAMS

P

W

L

D

GF

GA

GD

POINTS

Grove Hi Tech

11

11

0

0

24

2

+24

33

K.K Warriors

9

6

2

1

28

12

+16

19

Highway United

10

5

4

1

19

9

+10

16

Soesdyke Falcons

9

5

4

0

21

8

+13

15

Agricola

10

5

5

0

15

15

0

15

Diamond United

10

4

5

1

9

22

-13

13

Herstelling Raiders

9

3

5

1

11

29

-13

10

Friendship

11

3

8

0

2

17

-15

9

Mocha Champs

10

1

9

0

2

16

-14

3

Windies aiming to take England out of natural game

NOTTINGHAM, England (CMC) – Seamer Kesrick Williams has underscored the importance of taking England out of their natural game as West Indies look to square the fivematch series in the second One-Day International at Trent Bridge here today.

The Windies under-performed in all departments in Tuesday’s opening game at Old Trafford, crashing to a seven-wicket defeat to fall behind 1-0, and leaving themselves with a mountain to climb to get back into the series.

Their 204, batting first, proved inadequate and England chased down the total with nearly 11 of their allotted 42 overs still available.

Williams said the hosts

had been disciplined in their approach, rotating the strike brilliantly and cutting out the big strokes, and stressed this was the area the Windies needed to address.

“In the last game, I think we kind of bowled well as a bowling team but there wasn’t enough runs on the board,” Williams said here yesterday.

“There isn’t a team that won’t be under pressure with 204 to defend especially with world class players that pick gaps and find gaps easily like Joe Root and (Jonny) Bairstow coming in at the top this time, and they really rotated the strike well.

“If you realize, they didn’t hit as many boundaries as they probably antici-

pated – a lot of singles were run and that’s where they killed us.”

He continued: “If you can block up these areas where these guys get their singles, I think we can do

– while Root carved out a busy 54, in a 125-run second-wicket stand which took the game away from the Caribbean side.

Neither batsmen struck a single six but the partner-

pay dividends, especially on the softer surfaces.

“With the wickets that we are playing on here which are a lot different to the Caribbean wickets, it’s very important that

GCA expresses condolences at passing of Knights THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) yesterday issued a press release expressing deep condolences over the passing of former Police Sports Club left-arm seamer, Randy Knights, last Monday.

“The president, executives and members of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) wish to express their deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the former Police Sports Club left-arm seamer, Randy Knights,” the release said.

They went on to note that Knights will always be remembered for the talent he showed in his days as a cricketer.

“We, at the GCA, were shocked when we heard of his death on Monday, September 18, 2017. We shall all remember Randy as a talented left-arm seamer who did not fulfil his true potential. May his soul rest in peace!”

Medium-fast bowler Kesrick Williams

well. We are not bowling much of the boundary balls but what we can try to do is block off the singles and try to make them go over the top because they are not boundary-hitters.

“If we can try to make them do more of that I think we can be in the game.”

Bairstow struck exactly 100 not out off 97 balls – his maiden ODI hundred

ship came at a fair clip, off only 116 deliveries.

Williams finished with two wickets but his six overs proved expensive, costing 50 runs as the Windies attack proved ineffective in the English conditions.

The 27-year-old, who only made his ODI debut four months ago, said a more disciplined and consistent bowling approach from West Indies would

we stick to the basics, be patient, set the field accordingly, bowl to one side of the wicket, get certain fielders in the right positions and that will help us a long way,” the Vincentian pointed out.

“We have to stick to one area and be really, really disciplined because we are not playing against guys in a regional tournament. You’re playing against professional

players, players that don’t have many weaknesses – there are not a lot of weaknesses to prey on.”

He continued: “So we have to stick to the basics, be positive and execute when we have the chance to execute. That is the main thing we have to do as a team going into this second game.”

The defeat at Old Trafford confirmed the Windies fate of having to go through a 10-team qualifying tournament next year involving ICC affiliates, in order to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England.

Only the hosts, along with the remaining top-seven teams in the ICC rankings by September 30, gained direct qualification to the event.

West Indies currently lie ninth.

SQUADS: ENGLAND – Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jake Ball, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes.

WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Jason Mohammed (vice-captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Kesrick Williams.

Grove Hi Tech continue flawless, unbeaten form See

See PagePage 27 27

GRFU to participate in Las Vegas 7s U-18 tournament next year

By Rawle Toney THE Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) is inviting players, born between January 2000 and December 2001, to register with the union in order to vie for selection for next year’s Las Vegas 7s U-18 tournament.

The tournament, set for April of 2018, will serve as a qualifying event for Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.

According to the GRFU, Rugby Americas North (RAN) and games global governing body, World Rugby, will be assisting with 50% of the team’s airfare to the Las Vegas 7s.

“With the age group being 17-18 years of age, the union hopes to attract more students to the exciting sport and more so encourage them to engage Rugby, which is an option in the Physical Education and Sport syllabus (effective for examinations from May, June 2014)” the GRFU said in a release.

Guyana’s ‘Green Machine’ are the Caribbean’s most decorated 7s team, and had featured prominently at the world stage, playing against the likes of New Zealand, France, Australia and other IRB World Series.

The GRFU stated that most of the players who featured in the Green Machine came from its U-19 Schools Programme.

Since the debut of Rugby Sevens to the Olympics in Rio last year, greater emphasis has been placed on marketing the seven-a-side version of the Rugby as an Olympic sport with the International Olympic Committee’s decision to retain all 28 sports that featured at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games programme.

Guyana’s Avery Corbin in action against Spain at this year’s Hong Kong 7s

Fifteen athletes to represent Guyana at SA Youth Games See Page 22

Don Bradman’s legendary bat to grace Kolkata museum See Page 22

Miguel Wong

Kenisha Phillips

Christopher Moore

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Don Bradman’s legendary bat to grace Kolkata museum, courtesy of Michael Clarke THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017