Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 10-03-2023

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday met with an investment group from Peru and discussed the advancement of a pilot project to use satellite and telecommunications to advance the education sector in the hinterland, and the use of drone technology for the delivery of medication and other services to far-reaching areas. He was joined by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh; the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; the Director of Presidential Affairs Marcia Nadir-Sharma; and Adviser to the Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy (Office of the President photo)

Guyana plans additional oil auction in 2024 to bolster expansion

— first auction to be completed by end of May as contracts are finalised — Vice-President Jagdeo sees a lot of interest from US producers

GUYANA is planning another auction of prospective oil-field leases next year as the world’s fastest-growing economy seeks to maintain the pace of development, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo said.

The country’s first auction is expected to take place by the end of May after being delayed by a few weeks as the government finalises contract terms and legislation that ensure it secures a larger share of proceeds, Jagdeo said in an interview in Houston on Monday. The country has ample drilling locations to justify a second sale next year, he said.

Guyana’s economy is undergoing a radical transformation after Exxon Mobil Corp.’s 2015 discovery of massive tranches of offshore

oil.

From producing no crude at all, the Exxon projects will likely push national output to more than a million barrels a day by 2027, more than OPEC members Algeria and Angola, according to the government.

But with much of the developed world looking to pivot away from fossil fuels, Guyana wants to extract and sell its crude resources as swiftly as possible.

“We have a ton of decisions to make now so that we don’t slow down the pace of development” Jagdeo said on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global conference.

Guyana is re-writing the production-sharing contract that governs oil deals with

foreign companies to secure more revenue for the government after Exxon’s contract was criticized as too generous.

The country plans to increase royalty rates to 10%

from 2%, the corporate tax to 10% from zero, and reduce oil companies’ so-called cost-recovery limits. Still, the new contract will ensure Guyana “remains one of the most competitive countries

in the world even with these changes,” Jagdeo said.

Major oil companies will be asked to submit bids on 14 oil blocks once the terms have been finalised and written into law. Companies will be allowed to win a maximum of three blocks each to ensure multiple exploration programmes can progress simultaneously.

The auction is drawing “great interest” from major oil companies “including quite a few from the US,” Jagdeo said.

Since oil began flowing, Guyana received $350 million in 2020 and 2021, and $1 billion in 2022. The government receives a portion of the revenues for its spending budget while the rest is allocated to a sovereign wealth

fund. Guyana has awarded contracts for 12 hospitals and seven hotels, and is building a natural gas pipeline that will reduce electricity prices by 50% when complete in December 2024, Jagdeo said. In the major urban areas such as Georgetown, labour shortages have prompted Guyana to allow Chinese and Indian companies to import work crews, Jagdeo said. It’s a major turnaround from Guyana’s recent history when unemployment was rife. Bloated government spending is one of the biggest risks to Guyana’s oil boom, according to Jagdeo. Most of the money spent so far is going toward capital projects rather than recurring expenses, he said.

(Bloomberg)

VP Jagdeo challenges unfair rankings of Guyana, other small countries — says indexes ‘stacked against’ such nations

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr

Bharrat Jagdeo has challenged unfair rankings of Guyana and other small countries, noting that indexes are often “stacked against” such nations although they might be performing well in the area under review.

The Vice-President pointed to those occurrences during a discussion as part of CERAweek 2023 held in Houston, Texas, United States of America by S&P

global.

Jagdeo specifically referenced an environmental and sustainability index done by Yale and Columbia, which ranked Guyana at 105, while the United Kingdom was ranked number two.

“The United Kingdom is number two on the index and Guyana is 105, so just imagine how could you produce any matrix or set of matrices that a country that has cut down all of its primary forests will be number two

in the world in terms of environmental sustainability,” he said.

As opposed to Guyana, where a majority of the country is covered with forests. Against this backdrop, he said that a lot of the indexes are stacked against small countries like Guyana.

One other index he referenced was the World Economic Forum’s competitiveness index, which marks down countries with malaria.

In this case, he said coun-

tries would already have a higher mark based on the size of their economy and as such countries like the US would be ranked number one all the time.

Guyana, Jagdeo related, is doing quite a lot in terms of sustaining its forest and pushing forward in environmental protection. Just last year, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) issued the world’s first TREES credits to Guyana. This marked a milestone

as the first time a country was issued carbon credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compliance carbon markets for successfully preventing forest loss and degradation — a process known as jurisdictional REDD+.

Following completion of an independent validation and verification process and approval by the ART Board of Directors, ART issued 33.47 million TREES credits to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020.

Guyana, through this achievement, paved the way for other governments to explore carbon-market financing for success in protecting and restoring forests.

In January, Guyana received its first payment for carbon credits under an agreement with the Hess Corporation. Some US$75 million was paid and was the first payment in the agreement said to be worth a minimum of US$750 million up to 2030.

That payment was a result of the Government of Guyana’s commitment to recognising the role that Guyana’s forest plays in the development of the country and combatting climate change globally.

That process was guided by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which sets out a vision to monetise the climate and ecosystem services provided by the country’s standing forest while also accelerating Guyana’s economic development.

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo (Photographer: Aaron M. Sprecher/Bloomberg)

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (left) and Vice Chairman of S&P global, Daniel Yergin during the CERAweek discussion, on Monday

Courtyard by Marriott Hotel on schedule for March 2024 completion

By Tamica Garnett

WORK on the US$20 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, which is being constructed in Timehri, is on schedule for completion next March.

The six-storey, 150room hotel is being constructed on 2.5 acres of land leased by the government in the vicinity of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and adjacent to the captivating Timehri roundabout.

Works have already reached the hotel’s fourth floor.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Roy Bassoo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cardinal Investments Inc., the company building the hotel, shared that he is pleased with how the works are coming along.

“I can’t say what percentage we are at, but we are at the fourth floor, and it is due for completion next year March. It’s coming along very, very good; we don’t see any hiccups. We have gotten all the permission from the governmental agencies, full cooperation from the Ministry of Public Works as well as the airport authority and so on,” he said.

Cardinal Investments Inc. is building the hotel

in keeping with agreements made with Marriott International. Funds for the project are being sourced, in part, through syndicated financing led by Republic Bank.

“It’s satisfying to see your project coming up, and to reach this stage. It’s satisfying not only for me and for the company, but … [it’s] the benefits that clients and our customers will derive from a facility like this,” Bassoo shared.

Bassoo noted that although Guyana is currently dealing with a shortage of labour in the construction sector, thus far, the company has been able to work around challenges to remain on schedule.

“We try to maximise the usage of our staff

efficiently; so, I would say, it’s not affecting our timeline. We have been in construction for over 25 years, so we know how to get our job done. With the materials, we did have some challenges shortly after ‘COVID’, where the supply chain was disrupted. But that is back on stream,” Bassoo related.

The construction of the hotel commenced in July 2021. When completed, it will be the second Marriott hotel brand in Guyana, and will be the first major “airport hotel” in the country.

FIRST MAJOR ‘AIRPORT HOTEL’

Some 100 persons are employed in the construction phase of the

hotel, while another 200 are expected to be employed when the hotel goes into operation.

The hotel will be providing some amount of training to those persons.

“Training staff will be done directly by Marriott International. Close to opening, maybe three months before opening, the local staff will be trained by Marriott International,” Bassoo explained.

However, given the projected rise in demand for personnel in the hospitality sector due to the increasing number of hotels, Bassoo commended the government for its commitment towards the establishment of the country’s first state-ofthe-art Hospitality Institute.

“With all the hotels that are going up, Guyana will definitely see a shortage of labourers and personnel for the hotel industry. That is why I applaud the government for their efforts in setting up the hospitality school; it’s a very good move by the government. We’ll be able tap into that resource,” Bassoo said.

A one-minute drive from the entrance of the CJIA, the hotel is expected to accommodate airline crews and other staff, business personnel, diplomats, and other travellers.

The facility will satisfy the need for accommodation next to the CJIA, especially in light of growing business opportunities in Guyana. It

is expected to ease overnight air connections for travellers and airline staff and facilitate the hosting of meetings and conferences.

“It’s in an ideal location, especially for the airline’s crew, including the pilot. It’ll be a boost for them, especially with the turnaround flights, where they have to come to Georgetown and then go back up the next day. Whereas, when the hotel is completed, they have a comfortable place to stay at the CJIA,” Bassoo explained.

In addition to giving business travellers and other visitors additional options for accommodation in Guyana, the hotel will also improve the image of the airport and the surrounding area.

The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is one of a number of hotels currently under construction in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

A business-friendly climate, supplemented by the anticipated economic ascension is being credited for the attraction of major players in the hotel industry, such as Sheraton, The Element, Delta Marriott, Best Western Hotels and Resorts, the H-Tower Luxury Hotel, the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Radisson Hotels, and the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, among others.

Nomination Day is April 17

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), on Wednesday, confirmed that Nomination Day for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) will be on April 17, 2023. This announcement was made by GECOM via a notice in the daily newspapers. In the public notice, it was stated that political parties, voluntary groups and indi-

viduals who are desirous of contesting the upcoming LGEs are required to submit a symbol for approval by GECOM no later than the 21st day before Nomination Day. Further, it stated that those applications for symbols which must include printed and electronic versions of the symbols, must be submitted in sealed envelopes

no later than March 24, 2023, that the list of candidates submitted by any political party, voluntary group or individual candidate on Nomination Day must be accompanied

Last month, Minister ofgel Dharamlall wrote to the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh appointing June 12,

2023, as the date for the conduct of Guyana’s next Local Government Elections.

That date for the LGE polls was chosen based on the work plan that was submitted by GECOM to the minister.

Earlier in February, GECOM approved the said work plan for LGE which paved the way for the secretariat to proceed with the implementation of the relevant

statutory and administrative activities for the elections in the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) countrywide.

The LGE was legally due in 2021 and the funds were budgeted to facilitate this; however, several issues facing GECOM at the time prevented the holding of the elections, including the non-appointment of a Chief Election Officer (CEO).

Ongoing construction at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel located near the CJIA

21 small entrepreneurs on show at Women in Business pop-up shop

By Cassandra Khan

THE Women in Business

pop-up shop, which opened on Thursday, is featuring 21 women-owned small businesses with a variety of products and services, which will be on display at the Tower Suites until

March 18, 2023. The host, Sonia Noel, said that the Women in Business Expo 2023, an event held annually, will not be possible due to her travel commitments, so she decided to hold a the pop-up shop, which is a much smaller activity.

Noel told the Guyana Chronicle that she thinks women will be the driving force in small businesses, as is the case in many parts of the world.

“I just love it when I see young women venture out on their own; entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart,

because you are going to fail a few times,” she said.

Noel noted that events like these provide women entrepreneurs with confidence.

She said that with the world still just coming out of COVID-19, lots of businesses are rebuilding, so she

hopes that the pop-up shop provides entrepreneurs with a rise in clientele.

“Not everybody reacted the same way to ‘COVID’; some people were beaten down. Some people rise, and some people are still feeling the after effects; you know, mentally and everything,” the veteran businesswoman said.

She also explained that there is an Empowerment Zone where discussions on mental health wellness, how to navigate through challenging times, as well as purpose and confidence will take place.

Additionally, at the end of the event, there will be a tea party and fashion show at Tower Suites. Noel noted that the tickets, which cost $5000, are available at the front desk.

Meanwhile, this publication spoke with Cristal Wray, who makes a wide variety of hair accessories, such as bonnets, headbands, and scrunchies for adults and children. She is the owner of Simply Stunning Collections, an Online store, where she sells her items.

She has been in operation for three years, and sources her materials locally. Wray can be contacted at 671-2352.

Wray is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and runs her business full-time.

“I did clothing and textile in high school, and my mom is a seamstress. So I was always in that sewing environment,” she said, before adding, “It actually started off

with just a ‘scrunchy’, and when I mastered it, I moved on to other things.”

Another business that is being featured at the pop-up shop is Fine Art, which is owned by Visual Artist Alyce Cameron. On Thursday, her business was represented by her sister.

She explained: “She (Alyce) is the artist that did all of these works, and she works with various mediums. She can use watercolour, acrylic paint and coloured pencils; she even uses different materials. She can paint on bags, leather and regular canvases,” Alyce’s sister said, before going on to explain that most of the work is inspired by social ills affecting youths and their environment. One other inspiration for her is the issues women face. Alyce can be contacted at 688-6950.

Dolly (only name given) of Linden, produces wine on a small scale. The wine is named Blue Lake, after the famous ‘blue lakes’ in her hometown.

Dolly related that she started her business because she is from a farming community where lots of fruits go to waste, so she decided to make wine.

She first tried sorrel wine, and has expanded to making cashew, guava, and soursop-flavoured wine. She can be contacted at 690-5017.

She has been producing wine since 2020, when she was out of a job. Dolly wants to expand her business, but is not financially able to do so at the moment.

Sonia Noel with Dolly, a maker of wines

Natasha David of David Creative Design showcasing some of the jewellery she made (Delano Williams photos)

UN Women MCO-Caribbean hosts National

Gender-Responsive Budgeting Workshop

THE UN Women

MCO-Caribbean on Thursday opened a twoday National Gender-Responsive Budgeting Workshop for government finance officers and gender focal points in Guyana.

About 30 persons from several agencies are participating in the workshop, which will allow them to better apply gender-responsive tools to budgeting.

According to a press release, the Caribbean, as part of the EU-UN Caribbean Regional Spotlight Initiative, is benefitting from a series of interventions to support the region’s budget planners and analysts and gender focal points to enhance their understanding and application of gender- responsive budgeting (GRB) techniques in the national budgeting processes has been planned.

“Gender responsive budgeting is a strategy to achieve gender equality, by

ensuring that interventions required to eliminate inequalities between women and men and boys and girls are adequately financed,” the release stated.

The workshop gives an understanding of what is violence against women and girls, its effects, and how budgeting can be used to address the issue more effectively and strategically.

The workshop is one step in sensitising key stakeholders

on how to effectively apply gender-responsive budgeting as a tool to support violence against women and girls (VAWG) prevention and response. The goal is to reduce and eventually end all forms of violence against women and girls. Effective budgeting is one way to do so, according to the UN Women MCO.

National capacity-building workshops were convened in Jamaica and Guyana, and one will be held

in Trinidad and Tobago on March 13 and 14, 2023.

These two-day national workshops have two main objectives: Enhancing analytical and technical skills for analysing public expenditures in different sectors to address VAWG, by using the manual for tracking and assessing budget allocations for addressing VAWG using examples from the pilot experience in Grenada.

The European Union

(EU) and the United Nations (UN) have embarked on a new, global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of VAWG, the Spotlight Initiative.

“The Initiative is so named as it brings focused attention to this issue, moving it into the spotlight and

See page 6

Ending the scourge

DOMESTIC violence comes in many forms. It can be physical, sexual, physiological and emotional, and can entail stalking and threatening.

The United Nations has said that an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life.

It doesn’t appear as though research has been able to quantify sexual harassment and emotional abuse that women endure probably because most of those go unreported.

According to the UN, 81,000 women and girls were killed in 2020, about 47,000 of them (58 per cent) died at the hands of an intimate partner or a family member, which equals to a woman or girl being killed every 11 minutes in their home.

On Wednesday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, saw it necessary to put on record his disdain for violence against women.

He and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, took time out of their busy schedules to join their wives and scores of women for a specially put together programme to celebrate

International Women’s Day.

Women from a variety of fields and from all walks of life gathered for the event which included dinner, on the lawns of State House.

President Ali, during his remarks, expressed his love for women and emphasised the important roles they play and how they often put themselves second.

He felt that it was fitting to address this issue at this celebratory event probably given the fact that it rivals gender equality and equity when it comes to issues facing women.

Domestic violence has managed to sink its claws into the Guyana society and while efforts have been made over the years to put an end to it, there is still a lot more work to be done.

Recently, a woman lost her life after she was savagely attacked by her partner. She was so fearful of him that she returned to the house they shared with her younger sister.

She wanted to collect her belongings which she had left behind when she fled a few days earlier. Unfortunately, she was knifed to death as her sister watched.

This woman is one of many who have lost their lives at the hands of men, many of whom are now feeling the legal consequences and are probably spending their days reflecting on their actions and the damage it has caused.

President Ali rightfully pointed out that the root cause of this scourge is silence and collective guilt that we all share in not addressing this issue.

Although he recognises that this is a national issue, he believes that the first step should be conversations in the home between parents and their children so that the latter can understand that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and should be frowned upon by everyone.

This position should be widely embraced as there is evidence to show that children who experience violence while growing up have a tendency to become abusers or victims during adulthood.

Children must understand that hitting a peer is not a joke and must never be seen as such. There have been many complaints about children hitting each other during playtime at school. It is an even more serious concern when it involves both genders.

The time is ripe for learners to benefit from regular talks about domestic violence. Both boys and girls must be able to identify the signs of domestic violence and be able to identify the various forms. Our young people need to be educated about what needs to be done in these types of situations, where there can access help and how best they can protect their lives.

President Ali even pointed out that oftentimes, persons turn a blind eye to domestic violence. Many families here in Guyana are guilty of this. Many offer no support or guidance and often encourage women to remain in those abusive relationships for economic reasons and family stability especially when they share children with the abusers. They make excuses for the actions of the perpetrators and often encourage them to continue their barbaric behaviour.

We can beat this sickening scourge only if we work collectively as individuals, as families and as a community.

We must stop this abuse from destroying our society.

We all have to play our part and bring it to a halt.

UN Women MCO-Caribbean hosts National ...

placing it at the center of efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the release stated.

SOME KEY PILLARS

Some key pillars of the Spotlight Initiative include Laws and Policies, Institutional Capacities, Social Norms and Behaviours, Services, and more.

The Caribbean Spotlight Initiative’s regional programme complements the Spotlight and nonSpotlight Caribbean country programmes and contributes to the scale, sustainability, visibility, lessons learned, and replication of programming throughout the region.

The programme addresses specific regional

challenges that inhibit progress on the prevention of and response to violence against women and girls and prioritises working with regional bodies, regional advocacy with CSO networks, transferring lessons learned, and engaging in

South-South and triangular cooperation.

Investments in VAWG prevention and response are critical to effectively addressing the issue. Understanding how budgets impact women and men, boys and girls are essential

to their effectiveness.

“This is why GRB tools have been utilised globally to assist countries in being even more targeted in how they impact people. GRB is not budgets for women, it describes a comprehensive approach to budgeting

utilising tools to ensure that no one is left behind and that the return on budgetary investments is impactful,” the release added.

Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) practitioners in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have produced a growing body of significant knowledge, enabling a favourable framework for developing several analytical approaches and strategies to achieve a more equitable and fairer society. GRB approaches have been applied within different sectors in the region, such as social protection, climate change, and violence against women and girls (VAWG).

According to the release, an assessment will be done using a comprehensive methodology “Manual for tracking and assessing budget allocations for address-

ing violence against women and girls” with its companion Excel Tool, designed by UN Women under the auspices of the Spotlight Regional Programme to end VAWG in the CARICOM region.

The assessment will be done in a participatory manner with key implementing partners across government and civil society. The final output will be a report with practical recommendations for improving planning and budgeting for ending violence against women and girls.

Present at Thursday’s workshop were His Excellency Rene van Nes, EU Ambassador to Guyana; Yesim Oruc Kaya, Resident Coordinator of United Nations – Guyana, and Tonni Ann Brodber, Representative of UN Women MCO – Caribbean.

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana Rene van Nes; Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Yesim Oruc Kaya; Representative of UN Women CMO-Caribbean, Tonni Ann Brodber; and workshop participants

No end to investment opportunities in Guyana - Dr Peter Ramsaroop

By Tamica Garnett

AS government continues to work aggressively to advance the country’s infrastructural and economic development, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, has said that the investment opportunities that are available are limitless.

During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramsaroop explained that the massive investment that the government is making in the public sector is encouraging investments in the private sector.

He noted that if the private sector is to look at where government is initiating development, they would recognise that there are many activities that they can invest in.

“There’s no ending to investment opportunities in the near future.

If you follow the budget, and you see government expenditures in all the regions, whether it’s roads, hospitals, it’s schools, it’s all initiating our economic activity. For example, we’re building out the road, whether it’s to Mabura, in the Kwakwani or Berbice area that opened up new lands, which creates opportunities for so many sectors. The agriculture sector then is boosted and then other

sectors, retail services, telecommunication, all these other sectors follow along,” he explained.

GO-Invest serves as a primary contact for investors and liaising with government agencies throughout the investment process.

According to Ramsaroop, there is no shortage of capitalisation of Guyana’s economic boom, as Guyana continues to be a hub for investment both from the foreign direct investments and local investors.

“Government is implementing a lot of ease of doing business changes, and the private sector has stepped up to the challenge. The private sector is the engine of growth, so government can only facilitate and contribute to the public sector, but the private sector takes that lead and then works alongside government to make the economy run,” Dr. Ramsaroop

ing pepper pot in a box and others like her who are marketing creative products.

noted.

Aside from government’s investment in infrastructure, Dr. Ramsaroop explained that the CARICOM 25 by 25 initiative is also driving massive investment in the area of agro-processing, and the Guyana Investment Office continues to see a lot of interest being generated in this sector.

The 25 by 25 initiative is a programme whereby the Caribbean region is striving to reduce its food import bill by at least 25 per cent by 2025.

“As the president solves the 25 by 25 CARICOM food bill, these sectors now are stepping up whether it is mega farm and soybean and corn seed to agro-processing. We’re in discussion with large meat [companies] for example regarding the packaging of meat for export,” he said before drawing attention to a woman whose business revolves around packag-

“In Linden someone is producing split peas cook up in a packet. We’ve had interest whereby the Barbados military wants to buy those so that they can put it in a military meal packages. If you follow the President’s budget, when folks align to that area you see that there is a lot of investment opportunities,” he said.

Outside of working to put the necessary infrastructure in place, and making investments

in the public sector, the government also has a number of target areas where the private sector can capitalise on.

According to Ramsaroop, his office is also focusing heavily on local content.

“We are working on promoting our priority sectors, being agriculture, technology, and working on helping to get individuals investing more in those sectors and looking to see how we can increase incentives or other sectors to be energised,” Dr. Ramsaroop said.

While noting the sig-

nificant contributions of investors, he said that the local investors have created thousands of jobs in the last year and have invested billions of dollars into the economy.

“So we will continue to focus on putting our local content to work. Push for foreign direct investors to work closely with local investors, through joint ventures, and consortiums and continue to develop, and help facilitate investment development in Guyana,” he added.

Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop

Gov’t will not allow disagreements among residents to hinder infrastructural development – Minister Edghill

122 priority roads under construction in Region Two

MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill on Wednesday inspected a number of road and other projects in Region Two.

While there, the minister addressed several issues that have resulted in the stalling of infrastructural projects.

“We have had a new phenomenon, where people are objecting to building roads. Roads were awarded, and then people in the community are objecting to where the road is passing,” Minster Edghill said.

our attitude. Neighbours who got bad blood with each other; people who got family feuds running forever should not use those instances and those things to prevent communities, and a whole region from benefitting from development,” he said.

The public works minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring development for all Guyanese, highlighting that significant funds are being expended in the Pomeroon-Supenaam) region on these projects.

He made the observation following the inspection of a road project that was stalled, due to a resident claiming ownership of the area in question, and demanding compensation from the contractors before the work could proceed.

In disputed areas where projects are to be completed, the minister said surveys will be conducted to bring speedy resolutions, so that the much-needed works can advance.

Minister Edghill said these are clear examples of how disputes over property rights can lead to significant delays in infrastructure projects.

“We cannot allow, in Guyana, disagreements among people to hinder community development; we have to change

Minister Edghill also met with contractors in the region to discuss the progress of the 122 priority roads which are currently under construction.

Minister Edghill was advised that the shortage of ‘crusher run’ was one of the reasons there’s a delay in the completion of some of the projects. In the circumstances, he promised that the matter will be discussed with the engineering staff as well as at the ministerial level to seek a possible extension of the stipulated project deadline.

However, the minister said lengthy delays cannot be accepted.

In total, 261 roads were identified in Region Two for upgrade. (DPI)

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill inspecting an infrastructural project in Region Two (Ministry of Public Works photo)

Inaugural Women in Law Enforcement Summit gets underway

THE two-day inaugural Women in Law Enforcement Summit got underway at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Thursday under the theme “Embrace Equity.”

The event brings together a diverse group of representatives with the focus on competencies in areas such as human resources management, behavioural and communication skills, team building, decision-making, gender differences, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira along with Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton

Hicken, Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Toussaint Thomas Jr, and Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Ali-Hack attended the summit.

The event is a collaboration of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) -Community Relations Department, Members of the Diversity Committee of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Challenges that female law enforcement officers encounter in the conduct of their duties will be addressed. It also aims to help improve the officers’ resilience and

responses, through shared experiences.

This approach is centred on building stronger collaboration between women in the private and public sectors who share similar interests.

The summit will also facilitate one-on-one counselling sessions to support improvement in emotional intelligence.

In addition, the event will foster and support inclusiveness in a proactive way, develop empowerment tactics, facilitate open and candid discussions, and create activities that will assist in the professional development of female law enforcement officers across

–– aims to address challenges female law enforcement officers encounter

the country. Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot; Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration,’ Calvin Brutus; Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations,’ Ravindradat Budhram; Deputy Com -

Haslington housewife gets $250,000 bail

over

2022 East Coast unrest

A 44-year-old Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) housewife was on Thursday released on $250,000 bail, for her alleged role in the 2022 East Coast Demerara unrest which ended at the Mon Repos Market.

Robin Nadata Simon appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, and was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that she, on June 28, 2022, between Golden Grove and Mon Repos, while being in the company of others and with the intent to strike terror, used wood and other materials to block, burn and damage the public road.

She was released on bail, with the understanding that she must lodge her passport, and report every fortnight to the Cove and John Police Station.

The matter was adjourned until March 28, 2023 for report.

Recently, nine men were hauled before the court and charged with acts of terrorism. Mark Hercules, Dave Berkshire, Terrence Adolphus Nedd, Antony English, Keon Glasgow, Julian Peters, Tony MacKinnon, Carlos Kingston, and Phillip Burke are currently out on $300,000 bail each.

On February 15, 2023, the Guyana Police Force issued wanted bulletins for 12 men; the nine who were charged turned themselves in, but three are still at large.

On June 28, 2022, the protest initially started at Golden Grove, where persons took to the streets, calling for justice after they were misled by a false media report that the police officer purportedly involved in the killing of Quindon

Bacchus had been released.

What started as a verbal chant quickly escalated as scores of persons blocked sections of the ECD corridor with debris, and eventually made their way to Mon Repos, where they reportedly beat vendors, robbed them and destroyed their property. The government later issued compensation to the affected vendors.

Following the protest, 16 men appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court for allegedly engaging in riotous behaviour. However, no arrests were made for the robbery of the vendors.

Lance Corporal Kristoff DeNobrega was subsequently charged and remanded to prison for the murder of Bacchus, while his colleagues Lance Corporal Thurston Simon, and Cadet Officer Dameion McLennon, were accused of obstruction for their alleged actions following the shooting incident.

Inaugural Women in Law Enforcement Summit gets underway, on Thursday missioner ‘Law Enforcement,’ Wendell Blanhum, representatives of the pri-

vate sector and diplomatic corps, among other officials were also present. (DPI)

Robin Nadata Simon

Inclusion of women in decisionmaking fundamental pillar of development

— PM Phillips says

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and his wife, Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips joined the female staff of the Office of the Prime Minister and the departments that fall under the Prime Minister’s purview for an appreciation ceremony in honour of International Women’s Day 2023, on Wednesday at the Office of the Prime Minister on Camp Street.

Prime Minister Phillips, in his remarks, emphasised the government’s commitment to women’s issues, gender equality, and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes for Guyana’s development, which he described as a fundamental pillar of the ruling administration.

“We believe in democracy, and any progressive democratic nation in the world believes in gender equality, believes in equal opportunity for all of its people, including women and girls.”

He added that the government believes that equal opportunity will lead to greater empowerment for Guyanese women, while noting the importance of education in its development plans.

Mrs. Bowen-Phillips, who delivered the keynote address, referred to the importance of the International Women’s Day theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,” and posited that it calls for more considerations to be made to foster a more inclusive approach for women and girls to access technology for growth and development.

To this end, she used the forum to highlight gender gaps in technology and online gender-based violence against women and girls. To address these inequalities, she called for a comprehensive approach by all stakeholders.

“We must develop a gender-responsive approach to address these issues and bring more women to access technology to enhance their potential for more gender equality. This approach must consider how women and girls can be more protected when maneuvering the digital space.

“Every year on this day, we are encouraged to stand in solidarity with women in acknowledging these difficulties. I extend the challenge to all sections of society to move beyond the symbolic sense of the word towards more tangible ways of addressing gender inequalities, wherever they exist,” she pointed out.

She further called for the development of the right policies, the implementation of the right systems and structure, the creation of the right opportunities and enacting the right legislation.

Mrs. Bowen-Phillips added that it is important for women’s efforts to be recognised so that younger girls and other women might charter a similar route to success and impact the world for the better. Female employees were also treated to lunch and gifted tokens of appreciation. (DPI)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, addressing the female staff during the IWD appreciation event, on Wednesday

Greater collaboration needed to tackle financial crimes

co-operation.

The aim is to also ensure adequate, accurate, and up-to-date information on beneficial ownership and control of legal persons and legal arrangements to prevent abuse by

THE government has intensified its fight against financial crimes, with an aggressive approach to advancing Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) regime being part of the overarching objectives.

This has been outlined in the National Policy and Strategy for Combating Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing, and the Financing of Proliferation.

The policy aims to guide the implementation of strategic measures in the fight against these financial crimes.

Further, recognising that this arduous task cannot be implemented in isolation, the policy outlines that continuous engagements with the private sector to facilitate private-public co-operation and partnerships will be a seminal part of the strategic approach.

It recognises an AML/ CFT/PF National Coordination Committee (NCC) that will have the responsibility of defining, overseeing, and coordinating the implementation of the national strategy, as well as coordinating Guyana’s participation in the international effort against financial crimes.

It states: “It will be in charge of ensuring effective mechanisms are in place to facilitate co-op-

eration and coordination among policy makers and key AML/CFT stakeholders.”

The policy also emphasises the importance of having increased coordination and co-operation among the competent authorities, and it outlines the attachment of sanctions for failure to produce information in a timely manner through enforceable means.

The policy adds that additional memoranda of understanding will be signed among the competent authorities for information sharing to facilitate the analysis and investigation of these crimes.

It outlines eight strategic objectives, all of which are to be enhanced in keeping with international standards: Ensuring policy coordination to mitigate ML/TF risks, and strengthening the capacity of the AML/CFT/PF legislative framework by amending and enacting laws and regulations.

It also focuses on strengthening and clarifying the AML/CFT/PF supervision framework; enhancing the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) capabilities; enhancing investigation and prosecution capabilities with increased resources; increasing co-operation and coordination among domestic competent authorities, and enhancing regional and international

criminals or terrorists.

The policy noted that the government’s efforts to address and combat these crimes have received international recognition, as Guyana recorded improved rank-

ings in international reports such as the United States’ Department of State International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) and the Transparency International Corruption Index.

Further solidifying Guyana’s improved stature on this frontier, the country has been removed from the European Union’s Blacklist on taxation. (DPI)

ILO launches innovative platform to strengthen policy action for full employment

A NEW web-based platform that provides easy access to cutting-edge employment policy expertise has been launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Employment Policy Action Facility (EPAF) is a comprehensive platform that brings together the ILO’s latest evidence, expertise and policy advice. It offers innovative tools, including a curated list of key resources relevant to different stages of the policy action process.

Ensuring the gender-responsiveness of employment policies – a guiding principle of the ILO’s core approach – is a cross-cutting theme of EPAF. The platform mainstreams a gender perspective, including gender-responsive employment diagnostic guidelines and gender-sensitive pro-employment policies.

The EPAF comprises of

two sections. The Employment Diagnostic Toolbox gives access to key ILO tools, resources, and guidance on country analytics, to support evidence-based policymaking.

In addition, the Employment Policy Design Lab showcases the ILO’s approaches and good practices that can support policy -

makers throughout the policy cycle, including design, implementation, financing, monitoring and evaluation. It also offers information on pro-employment macroeconomic policies and budgeting, employment services to support jobseekers, youth employment, and job-rich and just green transition policies.

“The value of ILO’s expertise is measured in the action it can deliver in countries that we serve. I am proud to launch the Employment Policy Action Facility that will help to bridge the gap between technical support and policy action that can make a difference in people’s lives,” said Mia Seppo, the Assistant Direc-

tor General for Jobs and Social Protection at the ILO.

“The launch is also very timely as the ILO is now working to implement the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions in countries and the EPAF has much to offer to support this collective initiative at the crucial juncture of

global economy and labour markets.”

“The EPAF allows us to present ILO resources in an efficient way that makes them easily accessible for those who make the action happen. Combining existing knowledge and tools with the latest developments in one place summarizes the service offer of EPAF,” said Sangheon Lee, Director of the ILO’s Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department.

“We hope the EPAF will stimulate further policy innovation and action towards productive and decent work for all. The facility will be continuously updated with the latest resources. We look forward to engaging with our constituents in a demand-driven manner, to help them make full use of the EPAF’s resources.” (ILO)

Miss Mash Queen 2023 pageant on tomorrow at Theatre Guild

SIMPLI Royal stands ready to produce the 2023 edition of the Miss Mash Queen Guyana pageant tomorrow, which will see seven beautiful young ladies vying for the title.

Organisers believe that the event will help to provide a catalyst for the country’s ‘One Guyana’ initiative.

“Presentations will be about life and celebration of it within the Guyanese context and segments of glitz and glamour will showcase and celebrate our lifestyle within our particular ethos,” Pageant Coordinator Pamela Dillon told Buzz this week.

Dillon, who is also the founder of Simpli Royal, said this pageant will lay the foundation for the Miss Mash Queen International productions which could see regional and international participation from the Caribbean, South America, Europe, North America, and further afield.

Commencing at 20:00 hours at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston, Dillon described how the event will get underway.

“We open with the segment called ‘National Pride’ which showcases the delegates’ versions of National Dress inspired by [the] First Lady’s Dubai wardrobe, created by our talented designers.”

The second segment, dubbed ‘Land of Many Waters’, is the swimwear competition that allows

Women’s month with veteran entertainer Charmaine Blackman, Elle Gill, Guyana’s songbird, Sherona Haniff, Y3K and much more,” she added.

The Miss Mash Queen has been around intermittently for almost three decades with the intention being to have the event as an integral part of the Mashramani celebrations and to occupy a place on the calendar of events.

for creativity and individuality of each of the delegates.

“Then comes talent; our delegates are all presenting in the performing arts, things Guyanese.

Next comes the evening gown and onstage interviews and announcement of three finalists. A queen will be selected from best answer to one question.”

The delegates are Moneisha Trotman, Mariam Alexander, Towana Fortune, Kimberley English, Nakira Murray, Laura Tulsiram and Oneka Soloman.

The programme promises to feature a delightful lineup of entertainment.

“Primarily with women as our commemoration of International

With an admission cost of $3,000, the event is being sponsored by the Guyana Tourism Authority, Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, the Adams family of New Jersey, New Jersey PNC/R, Lady Ira Promotions, Janet Mitchel, Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman, Donna Tuesday, Lady Ann Sears, and Carol Barr.

“Our collaboration will not only help market Guyana but, together, we will celebrate strong, committed young women because in supporting the role models of today, we strengthen our collective tomorrows. We will contribute by helping the delegates develop and refine personal attributes that will assist them throughout their lives,” Dillon shared.

Simpli Royal has also produced other pageants which include Miss Talented Teen.

Seven of the queens from that teen pageant are now medical doctors.

Pamela Dillon and the delegates

By the end of tomorrow, one of seven young ladies will be crowned Miss Mash Queen 2023

Discovering a passion for animation — Guyanese creative Dorielle Retemyer reflects on her journey

By Akola Thompson

IN February, Dorielle Retemyer was able to see a short film she animated for Dreams in Vantablack, being shown on screens in downtown Dundas Square in Canada.

Loop Caribbean recently caught up with the Guyanese animator to hear more about her journey into animation.

Loop Caribbean: What first inspired you to get into animation?

Dorielle: I studied science at The Bishops’ High School and had intended to continue pursuing science upon migration. Days before I migrated to Canada, my friend Jubilante Cutting, the Founder of Guyana Animation Network, invited me to a youth conference and introduced me to Caiphus Moore, an EA animator at the time. I guess this was the first spark of interest where I thought, “That’s so cool!”

In Canada, I did 12th Grade, and there were a variety of arts and media subjects to choose from that were never available to me in Guyana. When it came to college applications, a classmate of mine who was applying to animation, told me about the course and encouraged me to apply. This reminded me of how I felt seeing Caiphus’s work. My father also encouraged me to choose a career that I am good at and like. That was the final push and what inspired me to try to get into an animation course at Seneca College.

In 2016, I did Art Fundamentals at Seneca, and from 2017-2020 I studied animation at Seneca, where I majored in 2D Animation. Even though I started learning animation in 2017, I technically consider myself to have been doing 2D rigging animation since 2019, as there was a steep learning curve I struggled to get over, that finally “clicked” that year. Since Graduating Seneca in

2020, I’ve been mostly doing 2D rigging animation with Toon Boom Harmony. I also have done a lot of hand-drawn limited-animation projects, but there are a few unreleased projects that include full animation.

Loop Caribbean: A short film you recently animated made its way into Dundas Square during black history month, what did this mean to you as an animator and as a black woman?

Dorielle: The short film called “I Spy”’ for the series “Dreams in Vantablack”, was actually my first somewhat solo project that I had gotten the opportunity to work on. Ian Keteku, the producer and director of the series had the vision to create a series that highlighted black voices through poetry and art, and somehow found and reached out to me with the opportunity to be a part of the experience.

I was asked to create a “limited-animation style” short to the amazing poem “I Spy” by Jenn Kasiama, and was given a lot of artistic freedom. The talented Fasil Douglas blessed me with an amazing storyboard, and I tackled the rest of the short from character

design to final animation.

“I Spy” was the first solo animation project out of college that came to me at a time when I was struggling with self-confidence. It was an extremely meaningful project to me and it is amazing to see it come so far. I also think the poem by Jenn is meaningful to many black girls as it is highly relatable. Seeing our work proudly displayed on a billboard during black history month reminds me of my potential and to not be afraid to take on challenging things. Knowing that it can potentially resonate with a random black girl who’s probably walking downtown and struggling with being comfortable in their skin, and potentially boosting their confidence is amazing to think about. It’s an opportunity I am really grateful for, and it’s honestly cool to experience.

Loop Caribbean: What have been the main challenges and successes for you as an animator?

Dorielle: Most of my challenges have been dealing with my confidence in my abilities. I tend to overthink and stress over little things that I feel should

not be stressed over which at times made me feel inadequate. But this has also allowed me to come up with unique ways to overcome those challenges, and with each project, I take on that gives me artistic freedom, I try to work on improving the thing that I was unsatisfied with in the last project. To date, there is something with every project so far that I am highly unsatisfied with, but instead of regretting the outcome, I will simply try to overcome the mistake in my next task. I also try to do something new with each project I take on.

Another main challenge for me personally, is a result of COVID-19. I have never had the experience of working around people in a studio setting outside of school. Being at home constantly sitting at a desk can feel very isolated and lonely, but the pros of that are that COVID allowed me to work on projects and make connections that I may not have had the opportunity to do if things weren’t shifted to a more remote work environment.

Loop Caribbean: As a Guyanese creative, what do you see as the main gaps within the animation

tical skills necessary to get started in the industry. There is an opportunity to grow and work on projects in and out of Canada with ease. The biggest gap in the animation industry in Canada may be that, in a huge studio setting, creators may not be recognised enough for the work that they put in based on what I’ve heard. Some may not even make it to the credits of a project and would be under their studio name.

industry?

Dorielle: The difference in the animation industry here in Guyana is incomparable. Unfortunately, as it stands, Guyana has a culture where creatives don’t feel valued for the work they put out, and are not given meaningful opportunities to progress their skill due to a lot of limitations. After speaking with a Guyanese animator’s experience and comparing it to that of a Canadian animator, I was able to see the clear discrepancies between the two environments.

There aren’t any educational institutions that teach animation, and the few studios that exist in Guyana are severely underpaid, have small teams and are given an unrealistically short time to complete projects. Also, if an animator in Guyana were to work freelance for an overseas client, they would have to climb over a lot of barriers simply to get payments from their clients, which could turn them away to seek a more convenient animator. Whereas in Canada, there are many opportunities available, and institutions that can give you the prac-

A Guyanese creator in Guyana, based on my calculation, would probably make 1/10th of what an ‘underpaid’ Canadian animator is making in a month, but that Guyana animator would most likely have to do more work than that Canadian animator due to the size of the team, lack of knowledge and time allotment. But because of the unrealistic time given to complete projects, the work quality is significantly reduced and appears rushed which is also another huge limitation in terms of building a portfolio, which in turn limits your ability to learn how to do things the right way and reduces your clientele.

Loop Caribbean: What are your hopes for your future within the industry?

Dorielle: I hope to continue working and improving on my craft until I am able to create amazing and fluid animated pieces with ease. I would like to reach a level similar to that of Glen Keane, and to work on cool and fun projects. I would also like to, one day, try directing my own animated series. Also, I would like to see Guyana’s animation and entertainment industry flourish and be as valued as other countries. That way, young Guyanese artists such as myself don’t have to leave the country to get opportunities to pursue their dream while getting fair treatment and pay.

Guyanese animator, Dorielle Retemyer (Photo sourced from Loop Caribbean)

Women reconnect with self through ‘Heeling Queens’

THE ‘Art of Heels’ dancing is about so much more than being just sexy. It’s about vulnerability, empowerment, liberation, and an opportunity for honest self-discovery and intimacy.

The dance genre, which features both jazz and burlesque techniques, captivated Katherine Carrera one decade ago and she knew she had found her life’s calling with it.

After returning to Trinidad and Tobago in 2014 from training abroad, the dance instructor set her dream into motion and, three years later, in 2017, ‘Heeling Queens’ was born.

Much like the roughly two hundred women who have since ventured through the doors of her studio along Long’s Circular Road in St. James, dance has provided Katherine with an opportunity for powerful expression, and introspection and, in her own words, quite literally saved her life.

Though a teacher, she has made a point of remaining a student of the art form, returning abroad each year prior to the pandemic to continue expanding her skillset. At the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), she is enrolled in Kinesiology- the scientific study of human body movement, with a goal of applying that knowledge to further propel her career in dance.

Loop News recently spoke to Katherine, a heeling queen herself, in recognition of International Women’s Day.

LoopTT: It’s so good to chat with you, Katherine. Take us into what encouraged you to begin your work at Heeling Queens.

Katherine: Many things, to be honest with you. It started off first because as a female dancer in Trinidad and Tobago, when I was training, I didn’t find there were spaces that were teaching me how to dance like a woman. I had excellent male instructors but they just couldn’t give me that feminine touch. Then when I left to go to New York to train, I accidentally stumbled into my heels mentor, Shirlene Quigley’s heels class. You know Beyonce’s song, “uh-oh, uh-oh?” (Single Ladies) Shirlene Quigley was one of the dancers in the music video. The way she taught the class… she brought the class together and she spoke about what was on her heart and that was in 2013 and I still remember that. It was about being human…As a small-town Caribbean girl, going to New York fighting up with the rest of the world, fighting to be seen, all of that was at the forefront of my mind, just being the best dancer possible. But then when she brought it back to the human aspect I was like- this is what I want to do with my life. I want to teach dance but I want to teach with a message, I want to move with a message.

Loop News: Of all the genres there are, what was it about this specific one that touched you, personally?

Katherine: There’s something about the heels that really pulls the vulnerability out of you. Like, you cannot- well, you can- but you won’t get the most of dancing in heels if you’re not vulnerable with yourself, first of all. It just

doesn’t translate because the craft requires you to be so in tune with those different facets of yourself. There are things that I had to face as a woman that I didn’t have to face in different genres of dance. Like ballet is very black and white- it’s either right or it’s wrong. Whereas with heels it’s more of a…so let me put it like this. If I needed to execute sensuality, especially coming from Trinidad, a woman expressing themselves is still very taboo. I was in classes where I had to literally caress and explore those burlesque styles. And I thought, “This is odd, this is different”. Nobody ever told me this was okay to do. As women we’re kind of stuck between capitalism and the patriarchy. Like, sex sells but oh no, don’t be too sexy, that is just for your husband. It was only until I burst through those walls I realized that being sexy is your birthright as a woman. And it’s really just a by-product of being confident.

Loop News: What has been the most challenging thing about doing this work and how have you managed to overcome it?

Katherine: Dance, I say, is like the middle child of the performing arts family. We tend to… not get left behind or forgotten, but we tend to not get the recognition that say, music or film may get. One of the challenges definitely is helping people to understand why dance is important. And then on why is it important for women to do it, because we’re still fairly new in this whole breaking down the patriarchy thing, some people don’t actually see the need for it; they dismiss it as “okay that’s just sexy dancing”. I have a lot of people call it “just sexy dancing”. Like yes, we’re getting sexy, but it’s not ‘just’ sexy dancing. What keeps me afloat is just sheer bad mind. I’ve had thoughts of stopping. Asking myself, how am I doing this? Why am I still doing this? Is it actually feasible? But I believe in this thing to my core. I have to believe in it first and foremost before anybody else.

Loop News: What are some of the stories/experiences you’ve heard from the women showing up to your class?

Katherine: So, a lot of my clients are either wives, moms and women who are more in their late 20s. The narrative that I usually get is that they’ve lost themselves from taking care of everybody else and not themselves. And don’t get me wrong, they love their families- it’s just that sometimes they forget that they also

need to pour into themselves as well. Then there are women who have gone through abuse and have disassociated themselves from their bodies because of that abuse. Everybody has their own intention coming into the class and I try my best to hold space for all those women. I always tell my clients I am not Heeling Queens, they are.

Loop News: For those women who have a curious interest but may be shy or anxious about taking this kind of class- what do you say?

Katherine: Definitely a lot of women are intrigued but still skeptical. A lot of them, because of religious upbringing, are sometimes very fearful too. I actually had a Muslim client come and she wanted to do it for her husband and we respected her privacy by making sure the photoshoots with her had only women in the space. Religious beliefs often stop women from coming to me and when they do come, you can see their minds still questioning whether this is wrong. Because you’ve been taught all your life don’t do this and here you are, doing it. As for someone who is shy or anxious I would say A- if you can bring a friend to the class, that always helps or B- just reach out to me. I try my best to make you feel comfortable before you even reach into the space. I also offer private sessions if a client just wants to test it out- both in the studio and online. But it’s really and truly when persons themselves are ready for the experience.

Loop News: What has been the most fulfilling thing about the work you do?

Katherine: Oh gosh, I am getting goosebumps already. This might sound very cliché but if anyone has ever found their purpose in life, they would resonate with what I’m about to say. I truly believe that my purpose is to teach. There’s something absolutely wonderful and joyous that I cannot get anywhere other than seeing one of my students figure out a dance move and execute it and realise that they finally see themselves the way that I see them. Some women don’t realise that they are beautiful. They don’t realise that they could be confident- it’s a skill, not a personality trait. Especially on video day which comes at the end of the programme. That’s a huge insecurity for people to stand in front of a camera and dance. And to see them just do it, it’s euphoric. It’s why I do what I do.

New season of Jamaica’s school band competition launched

“One of the main differences with this year’s competition is that we will be putting some focus on our audiovisual production, getting the competition on multiple platforms, so more people can become aware of it,” she told the Observer.

She noted that while there has “been a steady increase in entrants over the years”, music departments across the country have struggled to fund their programmes, especially since the pandemic.

THE 10th Jamaica’s Best School Band (JBSB) was launched at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on Monday, with eight contestants confirmed for the milestone season.

On March 16, the schools will participate in the first preliminary round at Pembroke Hall High School in Kingston.

The contestants have been divided into two groups. Group I: Pembroke Hall High School, Papine High School, St Mary High School, and St Thomas Technical High School. Group II comprises Belair High School, May Day High School, Fern-

court High School, and Lennon High School.

Pembroke Hall won the inaugural competition in 2014, while St Mary High, St Thomas Technical, May Day High, Ferncourt, and Lennon are newcomers.

Rayven Amani, founder of the JBSB, said St Catherine High and Alpha Institute, winners in 2016 and 2019, are absent this year due to restructuring of their music programmes.

Amani told the Jamaica Observer that the 2023 season, which ends April 23, will see organisers expanding their outreach.

Anthony Graham, principal of Home Time Cable, one of the event’s sponsors, called on companies to support the contest and these programmes which have produced singers and musicians who have gone on to work with Buju Banton, Etana, Romain Virgo, Lila Ike, and Koffee.

Pembroke Hall High and Alpha Institute have performed on Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest stages.

Ewan Simpson, chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, urged corporate and political stakeholders to recognise Jamaican music as a multimillion-dollar industry. He said the days when people went into music as an alternative career are long gone. (Jamaica Observer)

Sinatra musical looking at singer’s life and career to open in UK

A NEW musical about the life and career of legendary singer and performer Frank Sinatra will open in the British city of Birmingham later this year.

“Sinatra The Musical” will debut at the Birmingham Rep on September 23, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the “Come Fly with Me” and “New York, New York” singer’s UK tour, during which he performed in the city.

The story begins on New Year’s Eve 1942, when the then 27-year-old Sinatra took to the stage at New York’s Paramount Theatre with a performance that propelled him to success.

As he becomes a huge music star, “he struggles with balancing the love of his wife, Nancy, against the demands and temptations of being the most popular singer in America”, producers said in a statement of the show plot line.

The musical will look at the impact his affair with actress Ava Gardner had on his career, and how he staged “the great-

est comeback in showbiz history”.

“I am very proud of our new musical production and I’m especially delighted that, for the first time, we’re going to give you a perspective on my father that you’ve never seen before,” Sinatra’s daughter, Tina Sinatra said, in a statement.

Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro, known for “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Memphis”, has written the book.

“Growing up, there were two pictures hanging in my grandmother’s kitchen -- The Pope and Frank Sinatra. So to sit down with Tina Sinatra and hear stories of her father which no one else

knows, and then to be able to put those stories on stage - well I think it’ll make for an unexpected and thrilling new musical,” DiPietro said.

“We’ll be showing you how the man became the legend and how the legend was -- at the end of the day -- just a man.”

Sinatra, whose instantly recognisable voice won him fans around the world with classics like “My Way” and “Strangers in the Night”, died in 1998.

“Sinatra The Musical”, which has Olivier and Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall at the helm, will run until October 28. (Reuters)

Rayven Amani (left), founder of the Jamaica Best School Band (JBSB) competition; Sana (second right) and Safa Bashir, of Jamaica Music Society, share a photo op with Ewan Simpson, chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, on the occasion of the launch of the 2023 season of the JBSB at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts

Frank

US singer Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 1940s, 50s and 60s (CAPITOL ARCHIVES/ FRANK SINATRA ENTERPRISES)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday March 10, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS

ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1)

Amla -311* (vs ENG, The Oval, 2012)

(2) Jacques Kallis-13, 206 Test runs (165 matches)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has captured most wickets for SA in Tests to date?

(2)

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Holder gives Windies a lifeline with...

From page 28

on 143 for six and put on 31 for the ninth wicket with compatriot Kemar Roach before he and Motie defied the Proteas for almost 40 minutes to give the Caribbean side a lifeline.

“It was good to get a partnership,” Holder said in a TV interview after play. “The momentum was with us, and I thought (Motie) looked as comfortable as the top-order batters.

“The most important thing was to stay in the game, and we did that. We need some early wickets (on Friday) morning. It’s a pretty good pitch for batting.”

Holder added: “I want to get up the (batting) order, I have had an indifferent time the last year, but I want to bat at six. I think I am good enough.

“I have worked really hard on a couple of things and (this innings) was an example of that.”

West Indies will be hoping to carry the momentum from Holder’s redeeming innings into the third day and undermine the South Africa batting as they did in the second innings of the previous Test and at the start of the day.

The Caribbean side needed less than half-hour to polish off

the remaining three South African first innings wickets after the hosts resumed from their overnight total of 311 for seven.

Pacer Alzarri Joseph snared two of the scalps and ended with three for 60 from 18.2 overs, and Mayers took the other wicket of Harmer to finish with three for 32 from nine overs.

West Indies got off to a shaky start when opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was run out for one in the fourth over of their reply when he failed to beat a direct hit at the striker’s end from South Africa captain Temba Bavuma running around from mid-off to cover.

Three further wickets – two to pacer Gerald Coetzee – sent them slumping to 73 for four at lunch.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite looked set to play with unaccustomed freedom, hitting a few crisp strokes before he gave more evidence that he has now become Kagiso Rabada’s bunny when the South African pacer got him caught at first slip for 17.

Three overs later, Jermaine Blackwood, Brathwaite’s deputy, was caught behind off Coetzee for six, nibbling outside the off-stump, and left-hander

Raymon Reifer helped the Ca-

ribbean side cross 50 before he was caught at forward short leg off the same bowler for 15.

After lunch, Roston Chase and Mayers ensured West Indies avoided the ignominy of a double-digit total when they linked up for a solid 52-run stand for the fifth wicket that carried the

total past 100.

But good fortune failed to smile on Chase when he was bowled for 28 after he played a delivery from Wiaan Mulder onto his back pad, the ball trickled back onto the stumps and dislodged the bails.

A near 45-minute period of

defiance between Mayers and Joshua Da Silva was then broken when the left-hander fell to Rabada, and it looked like West Indies were going to concede a substantial lead, but Holder led the revival to ease the pain.

Coetzee was the most successful Proteas bowlers with

three for 41 from 14 overs, while Rabada and Harmer snared two wickets apiece.

West Indies trail 0-1 in the two-Test series after South Africa won the first Test that ended last Thursday at Centurion Park in Pretoria by 87 runs.

Extras (lb5, w1, nb3) 9

TOTAL (all out, 92.2 overs) 320

Fall of wickets: 1-76, 2-192, 3-248, 4-278, 5-286, 6-309, 7-311, 8-312, 9-312.

Bowling: Roach 16-3-55-0 (nb2); Joseph 18.2-3-60-3; Mayers 9-0-32-

3; Holder 16-5-39-1 (nb1); Motie 19-3-75-3; Chase 14-2-54-0.

WEST INDIES 1st Innings

*K. Brathwaite c Elgar b Rabada

T. Chanderpaul run out 1

R. Reifer c de Zorzi b Coetzee 15

J. Blackwood c wkp Klaasen b Coetzee 6

R. Chase b Mulder 28

K. Mayers c Elgar b Rabada 29

+J. Da Silva b Harmer 26

J. Holder not out 81

A. Joseph c de Zorzi b Maharaj 4

K. Roach c Elgar b Coetzee 13

G. Motie c Bavuma b Harmer 17

Extras (b4, lb7, nb3) 14

TOTAL (all out, 79.1 overs) 251

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-22, 3-28, 4-51, 5-103, 6-116, 7-157, 8-162, 9-193.

Bowling: Rabada 12-5-19-2; Mulder 15-4-40-1; Coetzee 14-4-41-3; Harmer 17.3-2-63-2; Maharaj 21-4-77-1.

SOUTH AFRICA 2nd Innings

D. Elgar not out 3

A. Markram not out 1

TOTAL (without loss, 3 overs) 4

Bowling: Roach 1-0-2-0; Joseph 1-0-1-0; Holder 1-0-1-0.

Position: South Africa lead by 73 with all second innings wickets standing.

Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Paul Reiffel (Australia).

TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lank

Khawaja's 14th Test ton makes it Australia's day

On a pitch that played better than any other so far in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia won a crucial toss and put on a solid batting show. Usman Khawaja, with his 14th Test ton, put on pivotal partnerships with Steve Smith first and Cameron Green later to help the visitors get their noses ahead.

Led by the steadfast Khawaja, Australia showed that they were ready to grind India out in the first session after the hosts had started in wayward fashion. After having been forced to warm up out of the main playing area because of the political attendance at play ahead of the day's play, India's pacers began by spraying the ball all over the place.

Mohammed Shami began with a big wide that landed in front of second slip, and proceeded to test KS Bharat behind the stumps with some movement and inconsistent lines. When an edge finally came with Travis Head on 7, Bharat spilled a straightforward chance leaving Umesh Yadav frustrated.

Head and Usman Khawaja laid into India's waywardness and proceeded to bring up the highest opening partnership for Australia in the series, and dominated the first hour's play. With little turn on offer, R Ashwin bowled tight lines and mixed his pace up in a bid to keep the batters guessing.

With the runs drying up a tad, Head tried to take on Ashwin but ended up holing out to mid on, giving India a vital breakthrough. Their toil in putting a lid on the run-rate added for more when Shami was brought in for a second spell and struck with his second ball, having Marnus Labuschagne chopping on.

Ashwin and Shami bowled six maiden overs between them to keep the run-flow to a minimum

in the second hour as India pulled things back a touch. And the pattern continued in the second session as well. India gave little away with the ball on a slow surface that had little on offer by way of movement. But whenever there was an opportunity with the spinners going short, Khawaja in particular was up for it, whipping away boundaries at regular intervals. Smith had lesser of those gifts come his way but he remained adroitly disciplined in his methods, preferring to grind India out on a hot afternoon.

Rohit Sharma mixed his bowling options around, even bringing on Shreyas Iyer for an over, but to no avail as the partnership was unscathed through the second session.

The third, however, saw some changes in fortune early. Smith was caught on the backfoot looking to defend Jadeja and ended up chopping on and brought an end to a 238-ball partnership worth 79. India built on that momentum as Shami struck for

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st

the second time in the first over of a new spell, sending Peter Handscomb's offstump cartwheeling.

At 170/4, Australia were in danger of letting their good work slip away. But the introduction of the second new ball, and the presence of an adventurous Cameron Green put paid to that proposition. Against a lacklustre Umesh Yadav, Green cracked a couple of boundaries to display his intent. While being troubled by Shami's short balls, he managed to hang in and consistently hit back when an opportunity came his way.

As the day wore to an end, he got close to a fifty but it was the man who batted like a monk all day, Khawaja, who got to his milestone off the final over of the day, and ensured that Australia ended the day firmly on top. (Cricbuzz)

Chandimal, Matthews aim to consolidate after big start

(90.0 overs) 255-4 Fall of Wickets : 1-61 Head, 2-72

4-170 Handscomb

To Bat: Carey, Starc, Lyon, Murphy, Kuhnemann Bowling: Ov Md Rn Wk Econ Ex

Shami 17 - 2 - 65 - 2 (1w 1nb), Umesh Yadav

- 2 - 58 - 0,

Tigers secure comfortable sixwicket win over England in first T20

BANGLADESH beat world champions England comfortably by six wickets in the first T20 international in Chattogram.

Opener Najmul Hossain Shanto struck an impressive 51 from 30 balls as the Tigers reached their target of 157 with two overs to spare.

Shanto added 65 for the third wicket with debutant Towhid Hridoy, who made 24, as the hosts adapted better to a slow, sluggish pitch.

The second of three T20s takes place on Sunday in Mirpur.

It is Bangladesh's first win over England in a T20, though it is only the second time the teams have met in the format.

England were on course for a huge total as captain Jos Buttler and Phil Salt raced to 80 after 10 overs, but Bangladesh's seamers fought back at the end, conceding just 21 runs from the final four overs to restrict England to 156-6.

Buttler made a dynamic 67

from 42 balls after being dropped by Shakib Al Hasan on 19, but when he and Ben Duckett fell in consecutive balls, England struggled to make the most of their aggressive start.

Seamer Hasan Mahmud led the attack with 2-26 from his four overs, including the key scalp of Buttler.

In reply, Bangladesh also

made the most of the six-over powerplay to attack England's seamers, reaching 54-2.

England's seamers struggled to adapt to the slow pitch and Shanto capitalised, striking four consecutive boundaries from Mark Wood's first over.

Captain Shakib then calmly used his experience to steer his side to victory and finish unbeaten

on 34.

Bangladesh bowlers counter England's aggression

The opening 10 overs of England's innings were typical of the white-ball side's approach: capitalise on the powerplay, take the attacking option first, and put the bowlers under pressure.

Buttler and Salt were cruising and the tourists looked set for a competitive score of more than 170, with Bangladesh's body language showing signs of despondency after Shakib dropped a simple chance and the England captain sought to make the most of it.

But their seamers held their nerve and mixed up their pace brilliantly at the end to deceive England, who lost four wickets for 11 runs in 20 balls.

England struggled to adapt against the slower bowling, continuing with their trademark aggression and paying for it. Buttler, Dawid Malan and Sam Curran were all caught on the boundary

NEW Zealand struck twice in quick succession but not before Kusal Mendis and Dimuth

Karunaratne stroked their respective half-centuries en route a 137-run stand for the second wicket. Sri Lanka headed to Tea on the opening day at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 209 for 3, with the veteran duo of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal steady on 28 and 24 respectively.

After a power-packed second hour of play, at the back of Mendis's attack, which propelled the visitors to 120 for 1 at Lunch, a similar trend followed in the early period of play of the second session. The semaers were getting the ball to move. A few streaky boundaries notwithstanding, Mendis didn't hold back on the attack.

Karunaratne, who had taken advantage of the errors in lengths by the New Zealand pacers offset by Mendis's aggressive play, moved along to his 32nd Test fifty. The batters were squared up and beaten several times but waded through the tough period rather courageously before Tim Southee's inswinger had Mendis trapped legbefore on 87.

One previous reviews against the batter had failed, but this time Mendis opted against taking a review. Soon enough, even Karunaratne was sent back. Drawn into a drive, the extra bounce by Matt Henry caught the outside edge of the southpaw's bat and went straight to Tom Latham at second slip.

Chandimal and Mathews didn't have it any easier through the initial period of their stay in the middle. A few deliveries caught the edge but fell in safe areas. They were also beaten

as the pressure built.

Bangladesh's chase then followed a similar trend as set batters Shanto and Hridoy fell in quick succession. But England's bowlers were unable to adapt quickly enough as the batters looked more comfortable against the paceheavy attack.

Their side looked bowler-heavy with five seamers and two spinners, which proved ineffective as Bangladesh paced the chase perfectly.

'We were 20 runs short' - reaction Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan: "The way we approached the game was fantastic. We were under the pump when bowling

regularly and looked uncomfortable in the middle. A few close legbefore appeals, a mix up in the middle and a confident review for caught behind turned down.

Nonetheless, as the session wore on and the ball became slightly older, run-scoring became fairly simpler. A brief rain break possibly helped. The duo put on an unbeaten stand of 58 before Tea, with Chandimal ending the session with three successive boundaries in the last over - one ramped over the slip cordon, a half volley driven past mid off and a full delivery through cover.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand won the toss and elected to field. Even as the moving ball troubled the Sri Lankan openers, it was a delivery down the leg side in the seventh over that helped the hosts bag the first wicket of the day. Oshada Fernando clipped the delivery by Southee to the 'keeper to fall on 13.

Mendis, however, didn't slow down in testing conditions. He went on the attack, and after a rief bit of luck where the edges found him a few boundaries, he stroked some glorious drives, picking 15 boundaries in the morning session and unsettling the New Zealand pacers.

Even Neil Wagner's attempt to test the batter with shortpitched deliveries backfired as he was hammered for 30 runs from his first three overs. Southee and Tickner were meted out similar treatment, conceding three boundaries in an over each.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 209/3 (Kusal Mendis 87, Dimuth Karunaratne 50; Southee 2-38) vs New Zealand. (Cricbuzz.com).

but didn't panic, and stuck to our plans. Apart from my dropped catch we did really well in the field.

"Hopefully we can build on this win in the next few games against England."

England captain Jos Buttler:

"I thought they finished their innings well with the ball. We were probably 20 short from where we wanted to be. We didn't quite make enough runs and couldn't save that in the field.

"The pitch played as expected with low bounce but was consistent. The extra runs would have made it easier. Bangladesh took the game on and that put us under pressure.” (BBC Sport).

Usman Khawaja looks to the sky after reaching his century // Getty

Dinesh Chandimal got to 24* before Tea break © (AFP)

Najmul Hossain Shanto set up Bangladesh's chase with 51 from 30 balls

Cricket needs urgent intervention amid rise of franchise leagues - MCC world committee

Cricket is at an "important crossroads" and needs "urgent intervention" amid its crowded schedule, the Marylebone Cricket Club's world committee says.

The committee of former and current players said a better balance between international and franchise men's cricket must be found.

An "alarming" disparity in the number of matches played by nations is neither "equitable nor sustainable", it added.

The committee also said there were "worrying signs" in the women's game.

Its members, including former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, ex-India skipper Sourav Ganguly, former Australia coach Justin Langer and Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara, meet twice a year to debate and provide opinion on the global game.

A number of players have spoken out against the packed schedule in men's cricket in recent years, including England Test captain Ben Stokes who cited it as a reason for his retirement from the 50-over format.

Bowler Trent Boult asked

to be released from his contract with New Zealand in order to spend more time with his family and play in T20 franchise leagues.

In January four different leagues ran simultaneously around the world, often at the same time as international cricket.

Langer, who joined the committee this year, said: "The difference between international cricket and domestic T20 cricket is that the whole nation cares when their country is involved. The best players' statistics are

measured at international level.

"We need to protect the integrity of Test cricket, and international cricket in general. It is how great careers are judged and it is where true passion and lasting memories are generated."

Test series can be expensive to run in smaller countries where crowds are often lower.

In the latest Future Tours Programme - cricket's international schedule - all of the planned Test series of three or more matches involved England, India or Australia.

"We need to ensure that

funding is more evenly distributed across the member nations," committee chair Mike Gatting, the former England captain said.

"It is inconceivable that the game's heart and soul can be affluent in some countries and almost unaffordable in others."

The committee called for the International Cricket Council to "challenge its full member nations to ensure a more equitable spread of international cricket".

It also said money generated from World Cups should be "ring-fenced to members to support the strategic ambitions of the game".

"Primary focus should be on becoming the global game of choice for women and girls and assisting with the costs of staging international cricket, which runs at a loss for several countries," it said.

It also urged boards to "take lessons" from the men's game when planning the women's international schedule to make sure it is sustainable physically and financially for players amid the rise of T20 leagues.(BBC Sport).

Juventus drop Pogba for disciplinary reasons

PAUL Pogba has been dropped for Juventus' Europa League tie with Freiburg for disciplinary reasons.

It is understood the France midfielder, 29, was late for a team meeting on Wednesday and Juve coach Max Allegri opted not to name him in his squad for Thursday's first leg in Turin.

It is the latest setback for Pogba since rejoining the Serie

A club from Manchester United last summer.

He only played the first game of his second spell with Juve on 28 February.

Matthews plays pivotal role in Mumbai win

Pogba's previous appearance was for United in April 2022, when he suffered a calf injury in

Pamensky dies at 92

JOHANNESBURG, CMC)

– Joseph Pamensky, one of the architects of the rebel tours to apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s, died on Wednesday. He was 92.

Working alongside Dr Ali Bacher, Pamensky kept the sport alive during the period of institutionalised racial segregation in the country and pushed to integrate it within black communities.

He also oversaw the move to multi-racial cricket and, in doing so was involved in the “rebel tours” of the 1980s that attracted a West Indies side under Lawrence Rowe and, eventually, South Africa’s re-

admission to the world game in 1991.

“A superb organiser, Pamensky has dedicated the better part of his life in service to the game of cricket,” Cricket South Africa chairman Lawrence Naidoo said in a tribute.

“He has selflessly contributed his skills, acumen, and trade to bear on the game that he was so passionate about. It is these attributes that gained him respect and acclaim both nationally and internationally.”

Naidoo added: “On behalf of the CSA Board, I send condolences to Pamensky’s family on the sad passing

a 4-0 defeat at Liverpool which ruled him out for the remainder of last season.

MUMBAI, India, (CMC) – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews narrowly missed out on the Player-of-the-Match award after she anchored Mumbai Indians to an eight-wicket win with a steady allround performance in a low-scoring contest against Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League on Thursday.

Matthews followed up a tidy bowling spell with 32 off 31 balls that included half-dozen fours and shared 65 with Player-of-the-Match Yastika Bhatia to set up a successful chase of a target of 106 in the top-of-the-table clash at the Patil Stadium.

The midfielder then suffered a knee injury in pre-season but initially opted not to get an operation, fearing it would rule him out of the World Cup.

But he was later deemed to need surgery anyway and, although he returned to the squad in January, he suffered another muscular problem that delayed his return to action further.

Pogba came off the bench in a 4-2 win over derby rivals Torino before making his second substitute appearance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Roma.

Bhatika slammed eight fours in the top score of 41 off 32 balls and dominated the opening stand with Matthews before she was lbw to United States left-arm pacer Tara Norris in the ninth over.

When Matthews was caught at long-off in the 12th over off England off-spinner Alice Capsey, the Indians needed only 29 from 51 balls, and they hardly broke out a sweat to reach the finish line.

England international Natalie Sciver-Brunt formalised the result with 30 balls remaining when she swung Australia international Jess Jonassen over mid-on for the last of her four boundaries in 23 not out.

The result meant that the Indians remained unbeaten and have won all three of their matches in the five-team Twenty20 tournament to top the standings with six points.

Earlier, Matthews grabbed three for 19 from her allotted four overs before the Capitals were bowled out for 105 in 18 overs.

England international Issy Wong was the pick of the Indians bowlers with three for 10 from her four overs and uncapped left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque grabbed three for 13 from three overs – including the prized scalp of Capitals top-scorer and Australia captain, Meg Lanning for 43.

of this giant of the game. I equally thank them for gifting cricket with the person of Pamensky’s calibre who served the game with enthusiasm, devotion, and commitment.

“The curtain may have fallen on Pamensky, yet his pioneering impact will linger into posterity. I equally send condolences to the many people who came across Pa-

mensky during their lives and who were touched by his generosity of spirit. Rest in peace Uncle Joe. You will be sadly missed.”

Born in then Port Elizabeth, now called Gqeberha, Pamensky was a cricket loving chartered accountant and businessman. He was rated among one of cricket’s finest administrators.

CSA listed close involvement with cricket, concern for young people, honesty in all dealings, unfailing courtesy, and total professionalism among the qualities that were embedded in Pamensky’s culture.

Included among the group that Rowe led to South Africa on the tour between 1982 and 1983 were players such as pacers Colin Croft, and the deceased duo of Sylvester

Clarke and Ezra Moseley, the only one of them to play official matches after the trip when a lifetime ban imposed by the West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies) was lifted.

Others such as noted batsman Alvin Kallicharran, 1979 World Cup hero Collis King, and recently deceased wicketkeeper David Murray were also part of the tour.

T20 franchise leagues have become increasingly prevalent in the past two decades

Paul Pogba made his first appearance in more than 10 months for Juventus against Torino on 28 February

Hayley Matthews took 3-19 from her four overs and made 32 off 31 balls to help the Mumbai Indians maintain their 100% win rate to start the WPL

Joseph Pamensky

GFF/Namilco ‘Flour Power’ under-17 football

BFA kicked off two matches at Bartica ground

LAST Wednesday, the Bartica Football Association (BFA) had an amazing resumption to their intra-association leg of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Namilco ‘Flour Power’ Under-17 football tournament which was contested at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Over

The two clashes were games three and four in the tournament and saw Ak Galaxy under-17 beating Wolves United under-17, two-nil in the first encounter while the other game saw Rising Stars FC under-17 beating Potaro Strikers under-17 four-nil.

The lads from Mazaruni played a determined game of

football as they represented Ak Galaxy well although Wolves United had more ball possession they couldn't convert it to any shots on target.

Sixteen-year-old Billy Smith from Kangaruma Village, was first to find the back of the net in the first half of the match. Nic Tabla, aged 14, also from Kangaru-

ma village, backed up his team mate when he struck a shot in the second half that beat the opposing goalkeeper to finish the game 2-0.

In the feature match, Rising Stars, playing in black and blue kit, stunned the crowd with their talent and skill, putting four unanswered goals inside Potaro

Strikers’ net.

Potaro Strikers, who were the pre-match favourites, struggled to keep the ball while Rising stars maintained their possession.

Cyle Timmerman, captain of Rising Stars, left both his players and the Potaro Strikers in astonishment when he scored two consecutive free

kicks in the first half of the match. His goals came after Shawn Bobb opened the scoring with a ripping shot out of the 18-yard box. The game was not over until Cole Garraway added a fourth goal to wrap up the crushing win for Rising Stars.

100

participants for this Sunday’s Golden Mile

DISON Jefford, the organiser of the highly anticipated Jefford Classic Mile, has confirmed to Chronicle Sport that the all systems are green-lit for this Sunday’s historic event, which will see over $1M in cash and prizes being doled out to the top participants.

The Jefford Classic Mile will be held around the circuit of the National Park from 13:00hrs and is scheduled to conclude at 18:00hrs. However, the organiser has remained adamant that athletes should be assembled at 12:00hrs to ensure a strict starting time.

Jefford, who is also the founder of the Jefford Track and Field Classic, explained to Chronicle Sport that the venture is largely about resuscitating a prestigious platform for middle distance athletes. He noted that each category of athletics should have a signature event.

“There should always be a platform for each category of athletics where the

crème de le crème or the best athletes in that segment is showcased. The South American 10km Road Race does that for distance athletes, but there is no signature event for the middle-distance ath-

letes following the absence of the Golden Mile for many years,” Jefford posited.

“The aim is to fill this gap, while resuscitating a prestigious and historic event. We want to bring this back

Trophy Stall throws its support behind Guyana Fitness Games

with a lot of hype, which means that the atmosphere and environment must be the best for the athletes since it’s all about them,” he added.

According to the mastermind behind the venture, all the funding for the event will be given to the athletes and to offset marketing and administrative costs since the activity is largely developmental.

The prize breakdown for the open, under-20, under-18 are as follows: 1st place $40,000, 2nd $25,000, 3rd $20,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $5,000.

The under-14 category will see winners pocket vouchers from MVP sports worth the following: 1st $25,000, 2nd $20,000, 3rd $15,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $5,000.

Under-50 and over-50 masters’ will pocket the following; 1st $25,000, 2nd $20,000, 3rd $15,000, 4th $10,000 and 5th $5,000. (Calvin Chapman)

GUYANA’s Premier trophies and medal supplier, Trophy Stall, has thrown its support behind the 7th Guyana Fitness Games that gets underway this weekend.

In a test of the fittest of the fit, the Guyana Fitness Games will host the return of its Mighty Malt Fitness Challenge 2023 this Sunday at the National Park.

Male and female athletes will compete in three categories, namely Teens, Elites and Masters, according to Noshavyah King of the Guyana Fitness Games.

Billy Smith (left) and Nic Tabla (right) (Ak Galaxy U-17)

From left: Shawn Bobb, Cyle Timmerman and Cole Gararway (Rising Stars FC U-17)

Devi Sunich (left) of Trophy Stall, hands over a trophy to Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves of Guyana Fitness games

Cleveland Thomas (front) will be among the 100 athletes competing this Sunday

GCB Inter-County Cricket

Adams’ 5-for as Berbice bowled out on Day one for 94

By Sean Devers at Enmore

ON a steaming hot day at the Enmore ground on the East Coast of Demerara left-arm spinner Ricardo Adams spun webs around the Berbice batting to grab 5-25 on the opening day of the GCB’s second round four-day Inter-County cricket contest yesterday in which 19 wickets tumbled as the poor batting continues.

A fair size gathering saw Essequibo, led 38 from Renaldo Renee reached 156 at stumps, relying to Berbice’s disappointing 94 all out, enjoying a lead 62r uns with one wicket in hand.

A depleted Berbice team without several of their senior players due to West Indies and National duties, were bundled out in 38.4 overs, forty-five minutes after Lunch.

Shamal Angel, a 21-yearold batter, who plays for Transport Sports Club in GCA’s cricket, top scored with 34 with three boundaries, Seon Hetymer, the older brother of Ipl batter Shimron Hetymer, hit two four in 18,

Nigel Deodat made 15 and Junior Sinclair (10) reached double figures on heavy outfield and dry track.

National stand-by Pacer

Quinton Sampson supported Adams with 3-12 for Essequibo who lost Keven Boodie (7) after stroking left-arm spinner Deodat, who shared the new ball with Keon Sinclair, for delightful straight

driven boundary before hitting the next to Hetymer at cover to leave Essequibo on 11-1 before Avinash Persaud (4) after cover driving Sinclair for a glorious boundary, had his off sent cartwheeling without addition to score.

But Renaldo Renee and Man-of-the-Match in the first round, Malcome Hubbard embarked on ‘operation

…Essequibo in relply lose six wickets for 156 runs

Scoreboard

rebuild’ as the pair took their team to Tea on 47-2.

After the break, the 50 was posted in 103 balls, before Hubbard who reached the boundary twice in his 16 was stupendously taken at cover by Deodat as Suresh Dhani struck at 55-3.

Adams began smashed a four and six off consecutive balls from left-arm spinner Gaurav Ramesh before he was caught behind off Deodat who also got rid of Renee who hit five fours in his 38 as Essequibo slipped to 94-5.

Sheldon Charles and Sampson saw Essequibo take a first innings lead and brought up the 100 in 32 overs before Deodat struck for the third time when he had Charles lbw for duck at 103-6.

Sampson and Wasim Mohammed and hit a couple of blistering four to stretch the lead to 50 as remained together to the end.

Earlier, Berbice won the toss and opted to bat and were quickly 11-3; Neiland Cadogan trapped Javid Karim (3) lbw while Sampson got rid of Garfield Benjamin (2) and Alex Algoo (3).

Hetymer and Junior Sinclair who came out in an ultra-aggressive mood took the score to 36 before Sinclair

was hit on the boot with a perfect yorker before being struck on his lower thigh off the next ball as Cadogan worked up a livelily pace forcing the batter to retire on 10.

Hetmyer was looking comfortable before he pro-

14-3-42-5,Ramesh 11-2-50-1,

vided Adams with his first wicket playing a lose drive to Sampson at mid-off at 36-4

Junior Sinclair (7) seemed a bit unfortunate to be given out caught behind off Adams as the bat hit the ground while Junior Sinclair returned to bat although in obvious pain and at Lunch Berbice were 61-6.

Angel played some entertaining shots but soon lost Deodat (15) who looked good and favoured the sweep to spinners, as Adams struck at 92-7.

Junior Sinclair, one of three brothers in side for the first since the Etwaroo siblings (Tyrone, Reggie & Romaine) played in the 1980s, was next to go at 93-8 when he hit Garfield Phillips to cover before Adams wrapped up the innings by removing Angel and Keon Sinclair for a duck as Berbice lost their last four wickets for two runs.

Today is the second day and play is scheduled to commence at 9:30 AM.

Essequibo left-arm spinner Ricardo Adams grabbed 25-5 as Berbice were bowled out for 94

Quinton Sampson took 3-12 evades a powerful shot byJunior Sinclair

Nigel Deodat took 5-42 for Berbice

Sports, greatest tool for unity in Guyana – Reds Perriera

…GCC recognises iconic commentator

Jeffery Fraser were among the many who sent their tributes to ‘Reds’ who now resides in St Lucia.

What came out loud and clear was Reds, who along with Tony Cozier, were household names not only in the Region but in all the ‘big’ cricketing nations around the world. Reds was given credit for his versatility in all sports and as sports administrator.

‘Reds’ was the manager for the 1969 successful National Rugby team; President of the Guyana Basketball Federation; adviser to the late Sports Minister, Shirley Field-Ridley; head of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); President of the St Lucia Boxing Board. He also commentated on a World title fight, in Jamaica, between Joe Frazer and George Foreman.

By Sean Devers

THOSE present on Wednesday for the Night of Recognition at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), the oldest cricket club in the West Indies, read like a who is who of old sports stalwarts and was a fitting tribute to Guyana’s iconic cricket commentator, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perriera.

President of the GCC and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Tucker, explained that the event was organised because of the club’s philosophy of giving recognition to those who have done great work for Guyana.

With a cool breeze blowing from the historic Bourda ground where, in 1930, West Indies won their first ever Test match

by defeating England and where ‘Reds’ made his ‘Test’ debut behind the microphone in 1971, when India toured the West Indies, it was a feeling of nostalgia as tributes poured in from far and wide.

‘Reds’, who turns 84 on May 20, was the guest of honour at the near four-hour long event organised by Mr Tucker and past GCC President, Ramsay Ali.

‘Reds’, who broke the story of the rebel tour to South Africa in 1983, went down memory lane on some of the things he remembered most during his illustrious broadcasting cricket career, which he said could be a great tool to develop unity among the different ethnic groups in Guyana.

“I believe that sports, especially cricket, can be a unifying

tool in Guyana. When Rohan Kanhai and Clive Lloyd are batting, or Hooper and Sarwan, or Kallicharran and Fredericks, people of all races want them to do well as Guyanese and don’t care about race. We have lived like that every day of our lives as Guyanese,” ‘Reds’ pointed out.

Dave Martins, ‘Reds’ uncle, was among the audience at the GCC. Martin sang ‘Hooper and Chanderpaul’ sending a similar message.

‘Reds’ disclosed that he did commentary on one of best innings he ever saw. “It was at Perth in Australia on one of the fastest pitches in the world when Roy Fredericks destroyed Lillee and Thomson in his 71-ball hundred in 1975. Such was his dominance that Lloyd’s hundred was overshadowed by Fredericks’

brilliance, ‘Reds’ remembered.

Reds was presented with his GCC Life Membership Card by Nazar Mohamed, one of the sponsors of the night’s activities while he donated a history book and two of his World Cup shirts to GCC for a proposed cricket museum.

“You can get sponsors to build a cricket museum and this will attract persons to come here. Ask the Guyanese Test players who are still alive to donate shirts, caps, blazers, cricket shoes and bats. There is enough space now that the stands are no longer there” suggested ‘Reds’, who was awarded the St Lucia Medal of Merit Silver and the Arrow of Achievement in Guyana.

‘Reds’ also autographed his book ‘Living my dreams’ which

Ali advised attendees they could take a copy of and, if they wish, leave a donation to assist in GCC’s fund-raising drive.

Along with his wife Zandra, who was among the approximately 75 persons in the upper level of the club, which was once located at the Parade Ground in Middle Street, ‘Reds’ heard from many persons from various sports, including former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd via telephone.

Derick Murray, Sir Ronald Sanders, Ian McDonald, Kit Nascimento, Clem Seecharan, head of Tourism in St Lucia, Peter Hilary Modest, the President of the St Lucia Netball Association, the CEO of Sandals Resort, Beverly Harper, Ronald Austin, Grantley Culbard, Alexis Jordon, and

Among those paying tributes were cricket commentators Sean Devers, Inderjeet Persaud and John Ramsingh, along with sports journalist Joe Chapman, who called for Reds’ name to be put on the Media Centre at the Providence Stadium. Chapman even went further, suggesting that the annual NSC National Awards be called the Reds Perriera National Awards.

‘Reds’, a walking encyclopedia of Guyanese sports history, was born in the Riverine community of Pomeroon in Essequibo.

The fifth of nine children, ‘Reds’ spent his time as a little boy sailing and fishing, and never got involved in organised sports until 1945 when he moved to the city.

Holder gives Windies a lifeline with unbeaten 81

JOHANNESBURG, (CMC) –

Jason Holder cracked his first half-century in more than a year and a half, and bailed West Indies out of another batting crisis to reduce South Africa’s first innings lead to 69 in the second Test on Thursday.

Holder was unbeaten on 81 and shared a string of tidy stands with the lower order, including 58 for the last wicket with Gudakesh Motie, before the Caribbean side were bowled out for 251 a little before the scheduled close on the second day at the Wanderers.

West Indies failed to make an early strike in the remaining three overs before stumps were drawn, and South Africa reached four without loss in their second innings for an overall lead of 73 with Dean Elgar, not out on

three, and Aiden Markram, not out on one.

Once regarded as the No. 1 all-rounder in the world in Tests because of his organised batting, which has supported his steady pace bowling and yielded a career-best double hundred three years ago, Holder has recently endured lean times with the bat.

It has been 24 innings in 12 Tests since his previous half-century of 58 not out against Pakistan in August 2021 at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital of Kingston and came in similar circumstances that confronted him when he came to the crease.

The visitors had endured another top-order batting implosion, and they were left in typical strife on 116 for six when left-hander Kyle Mayers top edged a cut at a short, rising

delivery from Kagiso Rabada and was caught by Elgar at first slip for 29.

Holder batted with positive intent and played an array of strokes that will take pride of place in the three One-day and three Twenty20 Internationals against the same opponents later this month and finished with eight fours and four sixes from 117 balls.

He roughed up and spoiled the figures of the South Africa spin bowling duo of left-armer Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer to lead a superb counter-offensive for the Caribbean side.

The former captain stitched together a seventh wicket stand of 41 with Joshua Da Silva either side of taking West Indies to tea

`Reds’ Perreira presents the GCC Club with memorabilla for a proposed museum. On his left is Ron Robinson and president of GCC club Timothy Tucker. (Sean Devers photo)

Nazir Mohamed (right) presents Joseph `Reds ‘ Perreira with GCC life Membership card. Sean Devers Photo

Jason Holder bailed West Indies out of trouble with an unbeaten 81 against hosts South Africa in the second Test on Friday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. (AFP/Getty Images) Continued on page 23