Guyana chronicle e paper 10 29 17

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Border talks on No. 105080

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29, 2017

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Guyana, Venezuela in UN-organised meeting

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Guyanese Flavour Uncapped Expo at Sophia Page 7

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and wife Han Gaskin taking a whiff of some of the naturally made spices

Republic Bank launches ‘Youth Link’ for 10th year Page 20

Executive Director of the Private Sector Commission, Elizabeth Alleyne taking home some products from West Side Flavours

Guyana set to host CFATF conference in November Page 11

Big cocaine bust at Water Street wharf Page 9

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

Border talks on 3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

Guyana, Venezuela in UN-organised meeting A HIGH-LEVEL Guyanese delegation led by Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge is in New York for border talks with officials from Venezuela. Discussions on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy commenced on Saturday, October 28 and are expected to continue to today, Sunday, October 29. In a statement on Saturday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry explained that the two-day meeting was organised by Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Border Controversy between Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Dag Halvor Nylander. The meeting forms part of the fulfilment of his mandate under the Good Offices Process, with the strengthened aspect of mediation, to actively engage the two countries with a view to explore options for a solution to the border controversy. In 2015, the Government of Guyana lobbied the then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to take steps toward a resolution of the controversy using an option from the menu as stated in the 1966 Geneva

File Photo: President David Granger (right) in discussion with UN representative in the Guyana – Venezuela border controversy, Ambassador Dag Halvor Nylander during a meeting at State House earlier in April

Agreement. According to Article IV of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, if the controversy is not resolved following the selection of one of the means of peaceful settlement, “the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations and so on until the controversy has been resolved, or until all the means of peaceful settlement there contemplated have been exhausted.” The Foreign Affairs Ministry noted that in 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon agreed with his successor, António Guterres,

to continue to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement. According to the mandate of the Personal Representative, “If, by the end of 2017, the secretary-general concludes that no significant progress has been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.” It was noted that since the appointment of Nylander on 27 February, he has visited Guyana four times,

holding talks with President David Granger and Foreign Minister Greenidge, among other Guyanese officials. Additionally, in September, the Guyana delegation to the General Debate of 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly met with the secretary-general as well as Nylander. Informal discussions were also held with Venezuelan counterparts. In his address to the UN General Assembly this year, President Granger said Venezuela is increasingly becoming “more militaristic.” “Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has become one between just and peaceful

settlement, in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic. “In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution, and the ally of sustained conflict,” he told the world leaders. The present Good Of-

fices Process has been conducted since 1990. Venezuela is contending that the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899 demarcating the border between Guyana (British Guiana at the time) and Venezuela is null and void. Consequently, it continues to lay claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory.

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First charges filed in U.S. special counsel’s Russia investigation: source WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal grand jury on Friday approved the first charges in the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters. The indictment was sealed under orders from a federal judge so it was not clear what the charges were or who the target was, the source said, adding that it could be unsealed as early as Monday. The filing of charges by the grand jury in Washington was first reported on Friday by CNN, which said the target could be taken into custody as soon as Monday. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia interfered in the election to try to help President Donald Trump defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton through a campaign of hacking and releasing embarrassing emails, and disseminating propaganda via social media to discredit her campaign. Special counsel Robert Mueller, a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is investigating whether Trump campaign officials colluded with those Russian efforts. Sources familiar with Mueller’s investigation said he has used that broad authority to investigate links between Trump aides and foreign governments as well as possible money laundering, tax evasion and other financial crimes.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

In edgy Kenyan slum, a rumour ends in fires and a death

NAIROBI (Reuters) - It all started with a rumour: the Mungiki, a dreaded Kikuyu tribal militia, had infiltrated Nairobi’s Kawangware slum. Within minutes, local men already fired up by Kenya’s divisive election had grabbed machetes and sticks to defend their turf. By the end of Friday night’s confrontation, a man had been beaten to death and rows of shops and homes set alight, a worrying taste of how quickly ethnic violence can erupt in the Kenyan capital’s volatile slums. Almost all the 50 deaths since August presidential vote have been

in clashes between protesters and police. The deeper fear of Kenyans is that the months of political strife, exacerbated by the courts annulling the August vote, eat away at deep tribal divisions and ignite a wave of inter-ethnic violence, as happened after a disputed 2007 vote when 1,200 people were killed. The Kawangware fighting was sparked by rumours that Kikuyu, the tribe of President Uhuru Kenyatta, had drafted in members of the Mungiki to protect them from opposition supporters.

On Friday, a Reuters witness saw a group of men armed with machetes, known locally as pangas, on the streets of Kawangware. Their identity was unclear, although several residents said they were Mungiki, brought in after opposition loyalists burnt down a prominent Kikuyu-owned business the previous night. The Mungiki, notorious for castrating and decapitating victims, were blamed for hundreds of deaths in the 2007 clashes. Their relative quiet since has not diminished their reputation.

Iraqi Kurdistan leader Barzani will hand over presidential powers on November 1 SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdistan’s veteran leader Masoud Barzani will not extend his presidential term beyond Nov. 1, a Kurdish government official said on Saturday. His decision came just weeks after a referendum on Kurdish independence backfired, and triggered a crisis for Iraq’s Kurds who had been enjoying a period of

Saturday October 29th, - 12:30 hrs Sunday October 30th, 01:00 - 13:30 hrs Monday October 31th, 02:00 - 14:30 hrs

unprecedented autonomy. A plan to divide up the president’s powers was outlined in a letter Barzani sent to the Kurdish parliament on Saturday, the official told Reuters. The plan asks parliament to distribute the president’s powers among the government, parliament and judiciary. Barzani’s current term was set to expire in four days, the same date that presidential and parliamentary elections were due to be held. However, those elections were delayed indefinitely last week, amidst an escalating regional crisis. Critics say the Sept. 25 independence referendum, orchestrated and championed by the 71-yearold Barzani, has left a bleak outlook for Iraq’s Kurds.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

St. Kitts Politics After Irma ...

–– Opposition party says names of voters removed from voters’ list despite court ruling BASSETERRE, St. Kitts ( CMC ) – The main opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has accused the Supervisor of Elections, Elvin Bailey, of removing the names of Nigerian students as well as other Commonwealth citizens despite a High Court ruling. The party said that in May, then Resident Judge, Justice Marlene Carter, ruled that an attempt by supporters

of the ruling Team Unity government to remove two Nigerian students and all Commonwealth citizens from the Register of Voters was “an abuse of process of the court” He said then that the High Court does not have the jurisdiction to intervene in the registration process in the manner sought by the supporters.. In denying the applica-

tion, Justice Carter referred to the ruling of Justice Ian Mitchell in the Nevis case, Mark Brantley vs Joseph Parry, in which Mitchell emphasised the importance of the notice provision with regard to objections of persons’ names on the Register of Voters and its vital function in the projection of the right to vote. “The Supervisor of Elections has been removing

the names of persons from the list without any reasons being given and without any publication of the names of the persons who have been removed,” the party said. It said that it is just not only the names of Nigerian and African students being removed from the voters’ list, but also the names of citizens without any reason given and publication of the names of the persons removed, in

defiance of the High Court ruling. “This is a very dangerous practice which has been going on since the change of government in mid-February 2015,” the SKNLP said, indicating that it intends to challenge the removal in the High Court. Last week, the opposition Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) threatened to take legal action against Bailey and

Elvin Bailey the Electoral Commission over what it said was apparent clandestine attempts to disenfranchise voters. Bailey has not responded to any of the accusations made by the two parties.

Latin America’s renewable energy revolution LatAm INVESTOR (South America) - For centuries Latin America’s natural resources have helped move the world economy. From the silver galleons that financed the Spanish Empire to the iron and copper exports that are rebuilding China, Latin America’s natural resources have long been sold around the globe. But now the growth of renewable energy across the region is creating a new economic phenomenon – exploiting those natural resources for domestic growth. In recent years Latin America has made huge strides in exploiting its incredible wind, solar, geothermal and biofuel energy

resources. It is now on the cusp of an energy revolution that will reshape the region and create a host of business opportunities. To investigate the changes taking place Canning House helped to organise the recent Green Finance Summit in London and commissioned a Canning Paper from Latin News. OIL ADDICTION At the moment Latin America is still very dependent on another one of its natural resources – oil. According to the BP’s Statistical Review, Latin America accounts for more than 20% of the world’s

oil reserves, making it the second-most important oil region in the world, which, is probably why it relies so heavily on the stuff. Oil accounted for 46% of the region’s total primary energy supply (TPES) in 2013, well above the global average of 31%. When it comes to transport, oil-based fuel is likely to keep its pole position for some time to come. Electric cars and hybrids have been slow to make an impact globally, and in Latin America they are barely present. Brazil has made impressive strides with ethanol alternatives, but oil and its derivatives remain the number one choice. Moreover, Latin

America’s outdated transport fleet, which is heavily made up of cast offs from the US or older models produced locally, is going to remain behind the curve on any transition to electric vehicles for at least the medium term. POWERING UP But Latin America’s electricity sector has already begun to wean itself off its oil dependence. According to the Inter-American Bank, Latin America is expected

to almost double its electricity output between 2015 and 2040 and will need an extra 1,500 terawatt hours (TWh) of power. That’s a huge amount – enough to power the entire UK’s electricity grid for five years. Practically none of Latin America’s new large-scale power plants will be oil-fuelled, which opens up the field for different technologies. Countries in Central American and the Caribbean, whom traditionally imported

oil, were the first to move away from oil-based power plants, after suffering a decade of high and volatile prices at the start of the century. In some cases, such as the Dominican Republic, that meant a switch to coal, which represents 5% of Latin America and the Caribbean’s TPES. However, growing environmental objections mean that new coal plants are unlikely to be adopted by many Latin American countries in the future.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

Agents of doom and destruction THE impasse over the President’s appointment of the chair of GECOM seems to have reopened old wounds in our social and political fabric. When all is said and done, we of all political persuasions and ethnic groups have to co-exist in Guyana. But this truism seems to escape some of our political leaders, who in their quest for political power, appear oblivious to the consequences of over-aggressive and political ego-tripping. Ours is a fragile multi-ethnic society, which because of the accident of history must constantly reaffirm our sisterhood and common nationhood. So, if our leaders are committed to the wholeness of our country, as they constantly profess to be, then it is incumbent upon them to ensure that they conduct their political competition in a manner aimed at preserving our unity. Because our people generally take their political cue from their leaders, those leaders have the burden of ensuring that their signals to their followers do not border on warfare. We have been through too much in Guyana because of the ethnic and

political competition for power. We are, for example, yet to recover from the disturbances of the 1960s. But this seems to mean little to politicians whose disregard for this history is blatant. It is time the proverbial riot act be read to such leaders. We have a difference of opinion on the way the GECOM chair was appointed, but such difference should not lead us down the path that we seem to be headed. Insinuation or outright claims that the president’s action was spawned by some dark motive to disenfranchise Indian-Guyanese is more than political mischief. It is aimed at destabilising the ethnic peace that we have worked so hard to preserve. Our country is nothing without ethnic peace and any assault on such peace by leaders who seek to govern this country should not be condoned by any of our communities. Why can’t we disagree as compatriots who have inhabited this piece of earth for centuries, mostly as mutual sufferers? The vile name-calling and character assassinations we have witnessed over the last week have served to poison our political well and

threatens to spill over into the wider society. This is the perfect recipe for political destabilisation that some leaders crave. We must resist such an outcome at all cost. The right to resist and protest should not border on wilful destabilisation of our collective. We have corrective institutions which are there precisely geared to referee differences. But those institutions must not be prejudiced by wilful chaos engineered by those whose primary political motive is grounded in the lust for power. Why seek to divide and destroy the vey country you hope to someday govern? Or is it, the intention is never to govern the whole? These are questions which should be asked of our leaders by their followers and the society at large, for the answers would tell the nation a lot about the agendas of these leaders. We do not endeavour to take sides—we merely seek to stand up for the dignity of our society. We hear the legal and constitutional arguments for and against the President’s action, as can be gleaned from our wide coverage of all sides. We hear the political arguments on all sides—indeed our two leading columnists have made

strong political arguments against the president’s action. We hear the agony on both sides and we feel the fears enshrined. We want a just resolution and trust that our courts can lead the way in this regard. But in the meantime, we cannot and would not be silent in the face of threats to ruin the country under the guise of protest. We will defend the right of every citizen and their organisations to use the public space to register their protest against what they think is wrongdoing. We did not emancipate ourselves from slavery, indentureship and colonialism to become a nation intolerant of dissent. But we also did not win our independence to become tools of politicians’ ambitions. We have been down that road before, so we know of the pitfalls. Let us, therefore, say no to the agents of doom and destruction. What our people want are better jobs, better wages, quality education and healthcare, better infrastructure and affordable housing and good governance, based on respect for and commitment to social and ethnic equality. Let reason and sanity prevail.

A 'man of the cloth, a revered man of God' Dear Sir, OVER a two-year period on 94.1 or 102.5 at 05:30 hrs and 20:50 hrs respectively with the latter in the event that I miss out on the morning (s) broadcast, which is a rarity,that the Central Baptist Church daily programme of “Answers to life’s questions, have now become a daily schedule integrally interwoven with daily scripture-reading, compliments of the Central Assemblies of God. Additionally, Pastor Joel Osteen comes on 93.1 around 07:30 hrs with an exception on Sundays…which comes around 11:30 hrs or earlier. Pastors John Smith and Joshua Daniel also provide listening pleasure whenever time

is available; so too is The Church Calling and Catholic Broadcast. However, in spite of it all I’m not an attendee of any church, nor will I deem myself to be a Christian, but would rather submit myself to the teachings and philosophy of “Jesus the Christ,” irrespective of which denomination from which it emanates. While there are a few who would never attract my attention, since Christianity, family, moral and spiritual values aren’t revered. Rather, materialism and who throws more money into the collection plate, is a deciding factor of where one sits in a front pew. Is the widow’s mite being forgotten and Christ’s prophetic explanation about it?

It’s for this reason that I support the notion of Pope Francis. “It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person in a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money for many, nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history did not believe in God, while some of the worse deeds were done in his name.” From a personal perspective I would subject myself to: “One can be spiritual but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money for many, nature can be a church.” While extensively I continue to research the “blackness, in creation, prophets of old,

Christ and his disciples, it’s for this pursuit of “black consciousness that I can’t attend the white conceptualisation and theological doctrines of Christ Jesus - with blond hair and blue eyes, often portrayed in many churches that some Afro-Guyanese preach about. Maybe, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church can provide a solution. That aside would any local preacher attempt to establish “the symbol of God’s creation, the potter moulding clay, along with the genealogy of Jesus the Christ from the stock of Jesse, through the line of David, encompassing Ram”? The late Fidel Castro, an avowed Communist, Marxist and most importantly an Atheist/Non-Believer, yet still his service to humanity

in various endeavours was more humanitarian than any president or prime minister in this hemisphere. Finally, in relation to Pastor Calvin Heywood, this beloved brethren, evangelist, realist truly deserves a national award. His preaching and teaching, conducive to a spiritual rebirth and revolutionary surely doesn’t discriminate. In denouncing ungodly acts and unrighteousness, Pastor Heywood isn’t afraid to lambast governments and religious personnel, more so, those who sexually molest little boys.” He is adamant that as long as he is the pastor of Central Baptist Church, there will never be a same-sex marriage there. In reading through the

lines, funeral services for gay(s) with the abnormal behaviour and cross-dressing wouldn’t be allowed in that church. Pastor Heywood you have earned my respect, since your messages which are well thought-out, speaks of the many ills prevailing in our society today. From sexual immortality, crime, corruption adultery, infidelity, abortion, etc. what remains intact nevertheless are biblical quotations supporting your areas of concern. True to your word embodied by the Power of the Holy Spirit I recommended your radio programme along with that of Pastor Joel Osteen. Respectfully yours LESTER SEALEY

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

Harmon, Broomes defend President’s appointment of GECOM chair By Svetlana Marshall

MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon ‘trashed’ Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a well-attended community outreach meeting in Clonbrook on the East Coast of Demerara, as he defended President David Granger’s appointment of Retired High Court Judge, Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Stating that the Opposition Leader has been spewing lies in an attempt to discredit the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government, Minister Harmon, in the presence of Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, did not hold back on Saturday when he addressed the GECOM appointment at the Clonbrook Primary School before a huge crowd. Stating the facts of the matter, Minister Harmon, from the outset said that President Granger’s appointment of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM is in keeping with the Constitution, noting that he went beyond the call of duty. “He has gone beyond what any other President has done to describe the characteristics, or what he understands to be meant by fit and proper,” Harmon told the cheering crowd. It was noted that despite the efforts of the President, the opposition leader nevertheless provided three unacceptable lists with a total of 18 nominees, as he continued to prolong the process. It was on this note that the State Minister rubbished claims by the opposition that the President acted “unilaterally” and “undemocratically,” when in fact he held at least three consultations with the opposition leader, discussing in detail the characteristics of nominees for the post must possess. Minister Harmon recalled that during the last meeting with the opposition leader, President Granger made it clear that he would no longer put on hold the business of the country, and as such, resorted to appointing a chairman as allowed by Article 161 (2) of the constitution. “Mr. Jagdeo has to understand that he is not the President of this country.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon addressing the huge gathering of villagers at the Clonbrook Primary School. He is not the President of Guyana,” Harmon told the villagers, who in response shouted, “he is the opposition leader, and there he must stay.” In retaliation for the appointment, the opposition leader with the backing of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), threatened to withdraw from the National Borders Commission and adopt a non-cooperative approach towards the government. “Don’t matter what happens in a country, once you are talking about borders and territorial integrity, you come together,” Minister Harmon said, while positing that Jagdeo’s action is not surprising. “It reminded us that when he was in office, when he was President, one of the things he said he was going to do to settle the border issue, was to give Venezuela a piece of land,” Harmon recalled. “What kind of man is that?” the State Minister questioned, as he reminded

the villagers of the many occasions when the former President lied to Guyana, including the time when he misled the nation on his marital status. Unlike Jagdeo, Minister Harmon said, President Granger is an upright man of God who respects

the rights of women to be empowered and implored those in the audience to remain resolute and focus on the future, despite the distractions being created by the opposition. “In 2018 we are going to have Local Government Elections again…and you will have an opportunity to again elect the leaders in your community that you want. So that if the NDC is not working, you could throw them out,” Minister Harmon remarked. Similarly, he said, President Granger has given the country the assurance that National and Regional Elections will also be held when they are constitutionally due. Speaking passionately, Minister Broomes recalled that it was not so long ago that the APNU+AFC Government under the leadership of President Granger restored local democracy when Local Government Elections were held on March 16, 2016. “We don’t want to control, we are putting powers in the hands of the people,”

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes urging villagers to stay mobilised. Minister Broomes said to loud rounds of applause. Cautioning that they should be wary of naysayers, the Natural Resources Minister urged the people to be watchful. “People let us keep mobilised, and organised and let us be watchful.” Speaking directly to

Minister Simona Broomes watches on with excitement as Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, shows off his moves with a young masquerader on .the streets of Ann's Grove

her women folk, Minister Broomes declared that no longer are women being suppressed as their issues are now being placed on the front burner. “Women embrace each other, stand with your government, stand with your children. Your government is for you, your government is with you and your government will stay with you. We ain’t going nowhere and leave you,” Minister Broomes assured them The community meeting was also attended by the Region Four Chairman, Genevieve Allen and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI,) Dr. Richard Van-West Charles among other regional and local officials.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

First Lady commends CIOG for focus on vulnerable sections of society FIRST Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, has commended the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) for the work it has been doing to empower and support vulnerable sections of society, particularly in the areas of education, child welfare and care for the elderly. Mrs. Granger was at the time delivering the feature address at the organisation’s Annual Orphans’ Fun Day held on Saturday at its headquarters on Woolford Avenue. Delivering brief remarks, Mrs. Granger said that the record of the CIOG speaks for itself. “The generosity of the CIOG to my project for hinterland schoolchildren when they donated some shoes, which were distributed to children in Regions Eight and 10. Then when we had the flood, they came forward again and said we have some more stuff for the children, so they are not only focusing on orphans and vulnerable children, but CIOG is also giving to other vulnerable communities in times of need and I would like to commend CIOG for that. I know that they are doing a lot of work with young people,” she said. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in his remarks, said that the CIOG has been taking its mission seriously and has been a support base for many families, individuals and children. “I want to congratulate CIOG and all other organisations who are involved in this kind of work of taking care of the orphans and disadvantaged. The CIOG par-

opportunity to have a day out from their homes and enjoy the joys of childhood. He noted that the CIOG will continue in its mission to support and empower people from all walks of life, even while maintaining a special focus on children. “Our children from Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo, whatever circumstances

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger

ticularly has been playing its part in social cohesion, because its work is not confined to any one religion,” he said. Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally, under whose portfolio childcare and protection falls, said she is pleased to see organisations such as the CIOG playing a part in the welfare of children, particularly the most vulnerable. “I know that they will continue the work that they are doing. The Ministry of Social Protection looks after our children. We take care of them and we are happy when organisations such as this one can participate in these activities that place great focus on children,” she said. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who was also present at the event, echoed these sentiments, noting that he is pleased that he can share the day with the children. Meanwhile, Director of Education and Chief Executive Officer of the CIOG, Sheikh Moeen ul Hack, said that the event, which is an annual one is focused on giving the children, an

would have left you behind, you are not a burden for us or on us. We consider you a blessing and the Holy Prophet, Peace be upon him said, “The best home is one in which an orphan, a vulnerable child is being cared for and the worst home is that in which advantage and a child who has been left behind for whatever

reason is being molested and abused.”” So we pray that God Almighty bless all the institutions who are here with us this morning for the excellent job you have been doing. The creator will continue to help us so that we will help others,” he said. Children from seven homes were present at the Fun Day, includ-

ing the St. John’s Bosco Boys Orphanage, Joshua House, Mahaica Children’s Home, Shaheed’s Enmore Boys Orphanage, The New Era Foundation for Children in Parfaite Harmony, Shaheed’s Boys and Girls Orphanage, Kamal’s House from Berbice and the Red Cross Convalescent Home.

Early detection is the best protection By Nafeeza Yahaya AS the curtain comes down on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam held a walk to help raise awareness. The activity commenced at 0900hrs from the New Amsterdam Technical Institute and culminated at Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, with a brief talk by Dr. Walter Singh. In his remarks, Dr. Singh stressed the need for individuals to be tested early since it increases the possibility of getting better results. “ Advise your peers, let them get tested early because when it’s diagnosed late it becomes difficult, so we prefer to catch it before. Early detection is the best protection, with early detection you can have at least 90 percent positive results. Many who would have passed through the stages can attest to the challenges faced while overcoming, and I am sure they would tell you the same thing that to avoid surgical removal, chemotherapy or radiography you need to have it detected early”.

Dr Singh who also spoke on the need to do research since no one is exempt from contracting the dreaded disease, alluded to the various risk factors that may contribute to the disease. “There are also other risk factors that need to be given serious consideration like obesity, heavy drinking, family history, so do research, read, collect information, it may help save your life…,” he said. He added that “while women are more prone to breast cancer, men should not believe that they are exempt, as they are also susceptible”. Meanwhile, Rotaract Club member, Tiffany Browne- Christian, pointed out during an interview with this publication, that with an increase in the number of recorded cases there is a need for more awareness, especially in Berbice, hence the decision to host the walk. “We decided to keep this walk to raise awareness to persons living in the environs of Berbice, to sensitise them on the various aspects of breast cancer. While there were other activities held, we believe if people are made

Dr Walter Singh makes a point to participants at the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

aware of the early signs we can potentially help save their lives” President of the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam, Ryan Balkumar noted that the walk falls under the numerous community projects in promoting community

development and helping young persons. He said that before the commencement of the walk, participants took part in various activities such as painting, commitment to fighting breast cancer and heard a survivor’s story.

A section of the participants at the Rotaract Club of new Amsterdam Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

Big cocaine bust at Surprise! Surprise! Water Street wharf ANTI-NARCOTICS agents on Saturday stumbled upon 60 kilos of suspected cocaine which was planted in a shipment of rice destined for Europe. Reports are that officers attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of the Guyana Revenue Authority commenced the operation on Friday afternoon after

receiving a tip-off . The drug was found in parcels among the rice at the John Fernandes Wharf on Water Street and was expected to be shipped to The Netherlands. The discovery was made around midday on Saturday, a source at the wharf noted. Investigations are ongoing.

Fire victims get help from ministry, others TME Ministry of Social Protection has made a donation to Marvin and Claudette Duncan, whose 135 Mibicuri North,Black Bush Polder home was destroyed by fire on Saturday last, while they were on their way to attend an event. Duncan, a rice farmer and businessman, estimated his losses at well over $20M. The fire which started at around 7:30 AM quickly spread through the home, completely destroying the business housed in the bottom flat. During the simple handing -over ceremony Mabiola Howard,Technical Officer to Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, said the ministry

was grateful to assist. The family was presented with mattresses, beds, stove, grocery and bedding. A donation in the future will be zinc sheets, cement and concrete blocks. Kirk Fraser, Chairman of APNU, Region Six,had made a bold commitment on behalf of the party to assist in rebuilding the home of the Duncans before Christmas. “We have committed to providing the labour to ensure we start the foundation as soon as possible .We are also mobilising other building materials to ensure this family return to a place they once called home and this is before Christmas.”

Marvin Duncan said in addition to the support from the Ministry of Social Protection and his long-serving party, they were a few other donors who have contributed to putting his life back on track. Duncan has been a long-standing stalwart of the party for over 50 years. In extending gratitude, he thanked all the donors who reached out to assist him and his wife. He related that they are still trying to come to grips with the devastating fire that left them homeless. Since the fire the family has been staying at a friend’s home. According to a source from the Fire Service, the fire is being treated as arson. One suspect was held for questioning but was subsequently release on bail as the investigation continues.

A TEARFUL Simona Broomes is comforted by her mother and staff moments after she arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to a surprise birthday celebration. Representatives from a number of mining syndicates were also present to celebrate with the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources. (Photo by Leroy Smith)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

The racial consequences of the GECOM impasse MY opposition to the president’s unilateral appointment of the GECOM chair is not based on his lack of authority to make the appointment. I do not share that view. My reading of the letter of the constitution is that he has that ultimate authority and power. My opposition is against what I see as the premature use of that power and the political liability of its use. Having said that, as I sought to establish in my interview with Demerara Waves, I think in the context of the trend set by previous presidents and opposition leaders and in the spirit of the constitution, the process should allow the president the space to choose a chair that he has confidence in. The Carter mechanism does not allow for a chair that is simultaneously acceptable to both sides. My simple test is that the person should not have any overt affiliation or demonstrated activism on behalf of the parties. There is the usual elephant in the room, which we are desperately trying to avoid—race. Before I get to the meat of the matter, some preliminary comments are in order as a kind of context. Somebody just drew my attention to a Facebook post in which the author seeks to make the point that “Guyana does not have a race problem.” As proof of his thesis, he contends that if Ravi Dev, David Hinds, Rhyaan Shah and Eric Phillips and other “tribalists” were to meet, they would have fun over a bottle of rum. Such sentiment from some Guyanese is not new, and I suspect those who express them generally mean well. But that does not erase the fact that it is really a simplistic understanding and expression of the meaning of race. I teach a course titled “Race and Racism in the African Diaspora” and the very first thing I try to get over to my students is that race as biology is a myth, but race as politics, economics and social marker is real and powerful. To

help with my introduction, I use a documentary, “Race the Power of an Illusion.” Race is an idea rooted in almost four centuries of history and a narrative that is grounded in law, policy and social behaviour. As such, it often determines where one lives, the type of education one gets, where one is employed, the level of one’s wages and ultimately, who governs. I make these observations, because, as I have learned from the political praxis of Eusi Kwayana and Walter Rodney, you do not decrease the negative impact of race by ignoring its devastating effects, but by first acknowledging them and then look for ways to contain and if possible eliminate them. In Guyana, it pains to hear so many well-meaning people talk about ending race while exhibiting an ignorance of the phenomenon both as history and idea. It’s one of the reasons that we have, except for brief moments, made little headway in educating our young people about the need for racial reconciliation. As I hinted above, the current impasse over the selection of the GECOM Chair is steeped in the politics of race, yet if you listen to the commentators you would believe it is all about law and democracy -- period. Yes, it is about law and democracy, but to discuss a matter that has to do with elections in Guyana outside of race and ethnicity is to be dishonest and politically dumb. We are naïve if we expected that after an Indian-Guyanese dominated government chose three Indian-Guyanese from lists that included African- Guyanese, an African-Guyanese government would not want to and should not be expected to choose an African-Guyanese of its liking. I have no problem, in the interest of ethnic balance, with the current GECOM chair being African-Guyanese, so long as it is done within the letter and spirit of the constitution. I notice my colleagues

in the African-Guyanese organisations have come out in support of the president, but it would have been more effective if they all had passed a resolution to that effect at the last Cuffy250 forum held in August and presented it to Mr Jagdeo and President Granger. The fear of being tagged racists often push African-Guyanese organisations to lead from the back, which is what they are doing on this issue. Had I suggested this back then, many of those leaders who are not hollering in support of Granger would have told me that our organisations cannot be political. And those in the coalition parties would have told me that we can’t bring race into it. But race is at the centre of it and has always been that way, even if it was not said aloud. When Dr. Jagan presented the first list in 1990 to President Hoyte, it included the following persons: Ambassador Rudolph (Rudy) Collins, Jules DeCambra, Joey King, Edward Luckhoo, Brynmore (Bryn) Pollard and David Yankana. Note there were no known PPP members or sympathisers on that list and importantly, it included African-Guyanese public servants in the mould that are generally acceptable to the PNC and African -Guyanese elites. Hoyte promptly chose Collins, who fitted the bill—he was not known as a party man, he was Black, respectable and he was not known to be hostile to the PNC. When it was Hoyte’s turn to submit lists, he included one Indian-Guyanese, on each list, two of whom were proposed by the WPA. The PPP leaders promptly chose the only Indian-Guyanese on the lists. It was clear that for the PPP, the Indian identity of the appointee was paramount, even if that person was not known to be partial to the PPP. The unspoken trend was set. Both Steve Surujbally and Doodnauth Singh were nominated by the WPA. What is key is that while both men were known to be anti-PNC, Hoyte still included them

on his lists. Do we really believe that any of the three GECOM chairs chosen by the PPP was the first choice of the PNC? But they had to live with it—they accepted the unspoken reality, that the sitting President would choose someone that fits his or her idea of “fit and proper.” What is the point I am making? It is the responsibility of the party that is putting together the list to ensure that it does not sabotage the process by leaving the president with no option but to reject the list. But that is not what Jagdeo did; he went against that spirit—unlike Dr. Jagan and Mr Hoyte, he gave Mr Granger lists that comprised PPP members and sympathisers and others whom a PNC leader would not have confidence in. Mr Jagdeo, in effect, compromised the spirit of the Carter Formula by intentionally presenting impossible lists. For me, any legal opinion on Granger’s rejection of the lists and his reaching for the “nuclear option” of unilateral appointment would have to take the nature of the lists presented to him into consideration. In other words, did the lists meet both the letter and the spirit of the constitution? They may have met the letter, but certainly not the spirit. My argument is that the burden of the integrity of the process lies with its initiator, namely, the opposition leader. For example, did Mr Jagdeo consult with representatives of the African-Guyanese community— ACDA, Cuffy250 etc.- and include their nominees in his list? So, what is the outcome? I opposed the president’s use of what I agree is his ultimate power for two political reasons. First, I felt and still feel that in doing so he has played into Jagdeo’s hand. Second, I feared what has now become obvious in one short week—the country has now retreated into its iron-clad ethno-racial camps replete with all the attendant racial unreason and hate. This develop-

ment has plunged our country into an all-out racial Cold War that could have hot consequences. When Jagdeo calls for non-cooperation with the government, he knows fully well the ethnic implications for the economy, for race relations within and between our communities. This is not new for the PPP—they mounted a similar campaign following the 1973 election. Already we are seeing the negative effects. The Indian-Guyanese community is treating the matter as one geared to deny their party getting back into power in 2020—that is a powerful incentive not to cooperate with the government and by extension its supporters. All their organisations are lining up to issue statements of condemnation of Granger and some have predicted doom. The PPP has started its election campaign. The African-Guyanese community, despite misgivings about the performance of the government, is lining up behind Granger—they see the situation as one geared to take power from their representatives. Note the statements emanating from ACDA and other Black organisations. In our ethnically charged environment, telling African-Guyanese that the president’s action is an assault on democracy is tantamount to throwing water on a duck’s back. I don’t see how we can recover any semblance of “social cohesion” in the short term. It is clear that the Carter Formula has run its course. The only remedy seems to be constitutional change that forces some form of consensus on the leaders. But even that, calls for some give and take which for the moment seems elusive. More of Dr. Hinds’s writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

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(Minister within the Ministry of Public Health)

There must be more responsible use of antibiotics in Guyana ANTIMICROBIAL medicines are used around the world to treat infections of all types in both animals and humans. Using antimicrobials in a prudent manner is essential to maintaining a healthy population and has allowed many advances in modern medicine. Antibiotics have contributed to many successes in modern medicine, such as the reduction in the death of children under five by pneumonia; reduction in the morbidity and mortality rates due to major surgical interventions and reduction in the mortality rates and the spread of tuberculosis. However, recently, they have been overused by the agricultural and food production industries without consideration of the dire consequences. This lack of consideration has contributed to the problem we are facing today. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been gradually evolving since the first antimicrobials were used. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), we are currently facing a global public health crisis, with the increase of antimicrobial resistance. The WHO estimates that unless drastic measures are taken to reduce antimi-

crobial resistance by 2050, antimicrobial resistance will be the largest killer worldwide, causing the deaths of approximately 10 million people each year AMR is such a major concern globally that the United Nations General Assembly, for the fourth time since its existence, convened a meeting to discuss the nature of this public health problem. On September 21, 2016, World Leaders made a commitment to “develop national action plans on AMR, based on the “Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.” In May 2014, the World Health Organization developed a global action plan to be implemented in 2017 to reduce the use of antimicrobial agents and control the emergence and spread of resistance. In the Caribbean, availability of data is limited, making it difficult to estimate the frequency of drug resistance in the population and the level of antibiotic use. The lack of data highlights the need for national action plans across the Caribbean. The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Agriculture collaborated with PAHO to host a very important Antimicrobial Resistance(AMR) consultation meeting to review and dis-

cuss the draft AMR National Action Plan for implementation across all sectors in Guyana. Many agencies and programmes have responsibilities in areas affected by AMR. Thus, it is recommended that the most appropriate ways to facilitate and provide synergies with new or existing work is done, so that the overall objectives of the programme are achieved. The AMR agenda must be appropriately integrated and have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. This plan should spread across the existing health system, public health and disease-specific programmes, animal health and production, and the food sector and environmental initiatives. The cross-cutting nature of this initiative could add value to these systems and programmes. Since the driver of the increase in antimicrobial resistance has been the overuse and imprudent use of antibiotics across both human and animal health sectors, in both developed and developing countries, the fight against antimicrobial resistance will require a one-health approach across all countries and sectors. It is important that Guyana utilises the multidisciplinary, inter-ministerial approach to realise a tangible reduction in the abuse of anti-

biotics by 2030. An essential factor that will facilitate the achievement of this goal will also require that Guyana place emphasis on the utilisation of the One-Health model that encapsulates the establishment and maintenance of healthy people, animals and a healthy environment. How does resistance form? Bacteria and fungi become resistant to antibiotics and antifungals due to over-prescription, improper use of medication and the use of antibiotics in livestock. The more the bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the more they adapt and become resistant. The abuse of antibiotics through inappropriate use by animal and human health care professionals responsible for the delivery of health care, patients, and even farmers – for the stimulation of growth of animals for human consumption – have led to antimicrobial resistance and the development of what are referred to as “superbugs.” Unfortunately, the World Health Organization (2016) reported that Tuberculosis “is one of the top 10 causes of death, worldwide. In 2015, 10.4 million people fell ill with TB and 1.8 million died from the disease (including 0.4 million among people co-infected with HIV). Globally in 2015, an

Guyana set to host CFATF conference in November (DPI, Guyana) - OVER 150 participants from 26 member countries are expected in Guyana for the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) conference from November 12 to 16, 2017, at the Marriott Hotel. Hosting the CFATF symposium in Guyana is a pres-

tigious honour for President David Granger and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC. Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Basil Williams SC, is also now the deputy chairperson of CFATF. Having made significant progress in im-

proving its AML/CFT regime and adequately addressing the key AML/CFT deficiencies identified, the CFATF Plenary of November 2016 has agreed that Guyana be removed from the CFATF ICRG process. Guyana is therefore no longer subject to monitoring by CFATF ICRG, which means the coun-

try has been removed from the backlist. Guyana was “blacklisted” by the CFATF in 2013, after it had failed to make significant progress in implementing required legislative reforms which would have aided in the international combat against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

estimated 480,000 people developed multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).” By 2020, MDR-TB can contribute to at least 30% of all antimicrobial resistance. The issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is indeed a global threat, which, if not addressed properly, would endanger the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and threaten the very survival of humanity. Antibiotics are one of the most precious resources available to humans and every effort should be made to preserve them. As we move into the future, let our firm resolve be to handle Antibiotics with tremendous care, and use antibiotics only when prescribed by appropriately registered and certified human or animal care professionals to treat specific bacterial infections. The Ministry of Public

Health will be strongly advocating the appropriate use of antibiotics through public education programmes for health care professionals and the Guyanese population as a whole. The primary objective and national priority of the Ministry of Public Health is to curtail the further emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. During the period November 13 to 19, 2017, Guyana will join the rest of the world to observe Antibiotics Awareness Week, with the theme - Appropriate use of Antibiotics in Sepsis: Timely action that saves lives. On this note, I will call on all Guyanese to pay attention to the alarming threat of antimicrobial resistance and encourage practitioners to be extremely careful in prescribing and dispensing antibiotics to the population.

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Government must deliver on election promises; workers deserve the ‘Good Life’ too…

THE coalition government came to office on the promise to teachers, when in the opposition and on the campaign trail, that there shall

be the highest paid workers. The society was advised that Collective Bargaining will be respected and there will be no more impositions

of wages/salaries by the coalition. Over the last three years the coalition has had a chance to prove itself and workers

have waited patiently for fulfilment of the promises. Without the least warning salary for the president, government ministers, and all parliamentarians have seen increases, in less than six months, by as much as 50 percent. Let me pause to remind society that though the opposition PPP opportunistically condemned such an act, not one, including the leader, refused to accept this increase. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, as someone who is seen as fighting for years for the working class, in weighing in on the issue of increased pay is asking workers to be patient and has attributed the imposition of wages/salaries to that of an interim increase, while hoping to appease aggrieved workers by saying ministers will not get an increase for 2018. The prime minister fails to recognise that a comparison of the un-meritorious increase given to ministers, that did not see the same consideration for workers, reveals that the sum offered to workers vis-a-vis what they received, would take

workers years to catch up with them, even if ministers’ salaries see no increase. The particular issue of the teachers’ threat to go on strike reflects an ambivalence by government to treat with issues and have them resolved. The APNU+AFC government came to office aware that the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) had a proposal on the desk of the Minister of Education. The issue of negotiating a new agreement has been in the public domain, but it was not until the teachers threatened strike action that the coalition began to treat this matter with deserving respect. President Granger has consented to meet with the GTU on Monday, but this engagement could have serious consequences for both workers and government. The President cannot attend this meeting with the expectation that he will just deal with the formalities and not resolve the burning issues. It would be a grave disappointment and mistake for the President to only attend to the mundane issues and formality just to have the matter return to the minister for discussion.

Workers can no longer be merely pacified, for the matter has reached the stage where workers, having exercised tremendous patience in the face of years of economic deprivation, look to the President to alleviate their suffering by making decisive decisions. Where the workers’ concerns are not addressed, such can see continuous hardship, loss of confidence in the government, their hopes dashed to the ground that neither the previous nor current government was/is prepared to address their needs adequately. As Head of State and Government, an engagement with the union is seen as the last resort for finding resolution to an impasse that has been running for the entire life of this administration. This is much too long. Failure to not resolve the impasse, given the industrial and political climate, stands the risk of proliferating into something else and this government would have created the environment for destabilisation in the society. Though the GTU has called off the strike notice, this does not mean that the option no Turn to page 13 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

Region Five communities get funds to enhance sports grounds

By Clifford Stanley THE Ministry of Social Cohesion last week disbursed a total of $19M to five communities in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) for enhancement of their sports grounds. Technical Officer within the Ministry, Ms. Natasha Singh-Lewis, handed over a warrant for the funds to the administration of Region 5, who pledged to complete the projects before year- end. The beneficiaries are the residents of Ithaca and Blairmont Villages on the West Bank of Berbice, and Lovely Lass, Seafield and

Paradise Villages on the West Coast. A sum of $2M was provided for the fencing of the basketball court at Ithaca Village, and the construction of a bleacher near the court. Another $2M was allocated for repairs and maintenance works to the sports club pavilion at Blairmont and infilling and landfilling of the playground. At Lovely Lass, $4M was allotted to landfill the sports club ground, to repair the fence and the gate and construct a bleacher. The sum of $8M dollars was provided for the construction of a concrete fence

Government must deliver on election promises… From page 12

longer exists. Government must take full responsibility for whatever happens and workers must not be blamed for anything. The government’s approach to addressing issues pertaining to workers has to change. The reluctance to respect Collective Bargaining, labour laws, time-honoured principles and employers/ management negotiating with the unions cannot be countenanced. This also reinforces the notion that nothing is given to the workers without a struggle and employers do not give workers anything unless they are united in struggle. This government, like the previous government, shows a lack of willingness to learn the historical lessons, both local and international, of workers/trade union struggles. Society should recall in 1999 the Guyana Public Service Union, in the era of Janet Jagan, whose posture in dealing with the trade union movement lead to a 57-day strike, during which workers were shot by state police, being the only instance where government’s guns were turned against workers in the post-colonial era, with the last instance being the shooting of sugar workers in 1948 by the colonial police. Some may have a false

sense of security that the workers and their unions are sympathetic to the government, failing to realise these workers have been suffering for decades and they have been looking for relief, patiently so for the last three years. For 12 years public servants have had to suffer the imposition of wage/salary increases and after looking forward with hope that the government they helped to elect is treating with issues of labour with the similar disrespect as the previous administration, no right- thinking person can be annoyed with workers in exercising their right to pursue legitimate industrial action, as enshrined in the Guyana constitution. This administration owes the workers substantial relief, not interim relief or promises or not increasing ministers and parliamentarians’ salaries. Real wages have been on the decline as the cost of living is on the increase, made worse by VAT and other taxation. It is hard for rank-and-file workers to survive in this country without the benevolence of loved ones, home and abroad. It is time they too live the “Good Life” and workers must remain fearless in the pursuit of this.

at Paradise, while $3M will be used to landfill the playground at Seafield Ground and construct two bleachers. A warrant for the monies was handed over to Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison, during a sensitisation forum which the Ministry of Social Cohesion held last Wednesday at the Blairmont Primary School. The exercise which targeted residents of the villages within the Blairmont/

Gelderland Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Rosignol/Zeelust NDC, sought to apprise the residents on the Ministry’s role in collaborating with communities in the execution of its five-year strategic plan for social cohesion in Guyana. Singh-Lewis told the large gathering that the allocation of the sums for the enhancement of the various sports ground, is in keeping

with a promise made to the respective communities earlier this year by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton who has responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sports. According to Singh-Lewis, the allocations are the final disbursements for ground enhancements in the Region for this year, but she has assured the gathering that other communities with sports grounds that need upgrading, could apply for funding as a project for 2018. She also advised that assistance could be sought

from the Engineering Department of the Regional Administration in drafting the requests for such funding. The sensitisation programme at Blairmont was the second to be conducted by the Ministry within Region Five. The first was held in August at Moraikobai, in the upper reaches of the Mahaicony River. Meanwhile, two more forums are to be held at other locations within the Region before the end of this year, Singh-Lewis disclosed.

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Visit to the Heritage Museum of African-American Culture By Milton Bruce

I HAD the pleasure of making a visit to the Heritage Museum of Africa American Culture, in Washington D.C. I had studied African American History and recognised some of the exhibits, but I was still in awe of the magnitude of it all. It was a very revealing experience. The museum was inaugurated on the 24th September 2016 by the President of the United States of America Mr. Barack H. Obama. Maybe it was fatalistic and historical that an African American would be President for this momentous occasion. In his speech the President reminded the audience that it was here that “the pillars of democracy were built, often by black hands.” This idea for an African Heritage Museum created a long background of struggle that needed to be exposed. To neglect the history of the museum is to neglect the history of the people. The twists and turns this original idea took, once again proved the institutionalised double standards that always hamper African American progress. In Chapter two, `Drawing up the Plans’ quoting from the Smithsonian Book: Mable O Wilson. In 1986, Mickey Leyland a Democratic representative from Texas, sponsored and successfully passed a joint resolution through congress that sup-

ported raising an endowment for a permanent location on Federal land for a building “ dedicated to understanding knowledge, opportunity, and equality for all people.” In 1983, speaking with the Washington Post about his proposal to build a national African American Heritage Museum in Washington D.C then envisioned as an African American Slavery Memorial, intended to remember the lives of enslaved African, Leyland said; “it will happen, though it is likely to take time.” After Leyland’s tragic death in 1989, Congressman John Lewis from Georgia, took up the reins. With the political wrangling at full stream, time and time again, John Lewis’ attempt to move the legislation forward was stymied. In 1993, the bill finally moving quite rapidly on the Senate floor was jettisoned once again by Senator Jesse Helms, a Republican from North Carolina. Through the persistence and the indefatigable work of John Lewis on December 16, 2003, 17 years later he witnessed President George W. Bush sign H.R 3491 which established the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Describing it as a very mild winter morning, nine years later on February 22nd 2012, the President of the U.S.A in the company of others; turned the sod on the ground breaking ceremony.

At that same ceremony Congressman John Lewis who finally got a sponsor to assist in moving the bill to completion said; “What we witnessed today will go down in history… It is substance of things hoped for and the validation of our dreams.” This place that plays host to the many artifacts, scrolls, pictures, paintings, visual arts, etc., etc. is simply awesome. Put another way it’s phenomenal, or just a magnificent structure. Since those adjectives don’t make it I will settle for an edifice. The structure is that huge to classify as an edifice. That’s what it is, a large and imposing building. To gaze upon it from about 50 or more yards you are impressed by two things, its ship or boat like appearance, looking as though it’s shimmering in the sun, surrounded by clouds high up on a mountain with the bow pointed skywards. The outer walls are coated with intricate wrought and cast iron screens…the type that were on the porches, balconies and gates in Charleston and New Orleans, and were created then by the enslaved and the free African craftsmen. These screens called the Corona show the difference in the colour distribution that affects each individual wall. The Smithsonian says: “Viewing the building in the late afternoon, by contrast reveals, deep bronze colour on one side that mellows to a

pinkish glow at the other end. “The Smithsonian institution wanted to construct a building so compelling that it would attract visitors from across the globe. It had to be inventive, with space for individual reflection and state of the art galleries.” Lead designer, David Adiaye, challenged himself to create a “spectacular and amazing building.” In his words “a structure that would make people’s jaws drop, because it’s a new kind of building and a new kind of museum.” The end product has lived up to his challenge.

It is an awe- inspiring building. “The shimmering bronze façade represents the difficult journey the country has taken to fulfil its ideals of liberty for all Americans.” The well-lit cavernous foyer houses the museum’s book store, along with the plaques and acceptances by the donors who made it possible. Then, the welcome desk where becoming a member of the Museum is your email address. Overhead is a sign that says; “BEGIN WITH THE PAST.” The arrow on the sign pointed downwards. As I descended to the concourse level or the base-

ment, what caught my attention was the difference in the lighting, instead of being just bright now it was more of a grey shade and less penetrating. This level called the History Galleries; is divided into three sections. “Slavery and Freedom.”, “Defending Freedom,” and “Defining Freedom.” In this slavery section the exhibits displayed are set up to draw some emotion out of you, anger, bitterness, hatred, sadness, repulsion: anyone could be your pick. ( To be continued)

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Republic Bank launches ‘Youth Link’ for 10th year

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 29, 2017

The proud batch of 14 Republic Bank Youth Link Apprentices flanked by ACEO Education, Mr. Owen Pollard (on the left); Republic Bank Managing-Director Mr. Richard S. Sammy (at right) and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Hon. Keith Scott (centre, rear) By Shirley Thomas REPUBLIC Bank (Guyana) Ltd. on Friday held a ceremony at the Republic Bank Head Office, New Market Street, Georgetown, to welcome the 10th batch of Apprentices to its ‘Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme 2017/2018.” The batch of 14 young men and women were chosen from schools across the country and will be placed across the bank’s network of branches, where they will experience classroom and on-the-job training for a period of seven months. Among the distinguished gathering assembled to welcome the new batch into the Republic Bank family were: Managing-Director, Republic Bank Guyana Ltd., Mr. Richard S. Sammy, who delivered the sponsor’s address; Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary), Mr. Owen Pollard, who delivered the feature address; Manager, Marketing and Communications, Ms. Michelle Johnson; Assistant Manager, Human Resources, (RBL), Mrs. Joann Williams; Chairperson, Ms. Amanda Edmondson

(RBL) Mr. Michael Ram, Manager, Enterprise Risk Management, as well as parents/guardians of the apprentices. Training will commence on Monday, October 30 at BBL’s Learning and Talent Development Centre. Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Ms. Johnson, in a press statement said that during the seven-month period, the apprentices will be trained in banking operations and learn and understand the needs of the less fortunate via the “CareA-Van” aspect of the Apprenticeship Programme. Upon completion of the programme, Ms. Johnson said, each successful apprentice will receive the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) from the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) through the Council for Technical & Vocational Training (CTVET). This makes them eligible for jobs within the CARICOM Region. The Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme was introduced in Guyana in 2008, after being part of the Republic See page 21

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Republic Bank launches ...

From page 20

Bank Ltd, Trinidad and Tobago ‘Power to make a Difference’ initiative

ticeship Programme. “We urge you to take full advantage of this op-

of Youth Link Apprentices under the Republic Bank Youth Link Appren-

At the launch of Republic Bank’s Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme on Friday. Seated from left: Training Officer, Mrs. Amanda Edmondson; ACEO (Education), Mr. Owen Pollard; Republic Bank’s Managing-Director, Mr. Richard S. Sammy; Enterprise Risk Manager, Mr. Michael Ram.

At front, centre, is Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection. for over 20 years, the Marketing Manager said. She added that the programme was developed to bridge the gap between the end of the participants’ school life and the start of their careers. “The programme is geared to guide the apprentices through a process of personal and professional growth and will teach the youths valuable skills for professional and social development, thus making them more marketable in their career pursuits,” Mrs. Johnson assured. And in her welcome, Ms. Joan Williams, Assistant Manager, Human Resources, noted that not only was it a proud moment for Republic Bank celebrating its 10th intake, but a proud moment for the apprentices as well, adding that they should consider themselves special, having been selected for training in the Appren-

portunity. Build strong working relationships with your work colleagues, and those who will give you guidance on a daily basis. Absorb all the new ideas that will be shared with you, while being receptive and enthusiastic in every task you perform…. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Today, more than ever before, we need competent and effective customers all over Guyana, and our bank has taken on the challenge….” Ms. Williams said. The areas of training she said, would also include: Customer skills, professionalism, business communication and various aspects of banking operations. They will also be exposed to other important areas such as community care. Meanwhile, Managing-Director, RBL, Mr. Richard S. Sammy, said it was a distinct pleasure to welcome the 10th batch

ticeship Programme for 2017/2018. Referring to the programme as exceptional, the managing-director said it was born of a desire to create successful societies by “Mak-

ing a Difference” in the lives of our youth and by bridging the gap between high school and work; by equipping young minds with skills for life and awakening their social consciousness. This, he

says, is through exposure to the bank’s social investment activities. Upon graduating, the 2017 cohorts will join a growing body of over 200 successful alumni, Mr. Sammy announced.

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Man City surge on, United sink Spurs to stay second By Ian Chadband

LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City maintained their charge towards the Premier League title with a 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion as Manchester United kept within five points of their neighbours with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Goals from Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling moved the leaders on to 28 points - equalling the best return after 10 matches of a Premier League season - as irresistible City took their campaign’s tally of league goals to a remarkable 35. Earlier, Jose Mourinho received the response he had demanded from his United side following their humbling defeat at Huddersfield Town as an 81st-minute goal from substitute Anthony Martial preserved their perfect home record. The win, their sixth straight victory in the league at Old Trafford without conceding a goal, moved United on to 23 points, three clear of Spurs as champions Chelsea and Arsenal both marched to within a point of their London rivals. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who had shown unusual irritation last week when asked about stories linking compatriot Carlo Ancelotti with his job, seemed rather happier after Eden Hazard’s 51st minute goal earned his side a 1-0 win in the late game at

Bournemouth to maintain their fourth spot. Arsene Wenger celebrated a successful 800th Premier League match in charge as Arsenal fought from one down to beat Swansea City 2-1 with second-half goals from Sead Kolasinac and Aaron Ramsey.

Manchester City’s Fernandinho scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp got the better of his best friend, Huddersfield boss David Wagner, in a 3-0 win at Anfield where second-half strikes from Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum pushed the Reds to sixth on 16 points. Watford’s giddy ascent, though, was checked with a 1-0 home defeat by struggling Stoke City - Darren Fletcher hit the target in the 16th minute - that dropped them to seventh on 15. At the other end of the table, Crystal Palace escaped with an astonishing 2-2 draw

From back page

Jamaica face uphill task ... Romaine Morrison to complete a regulation catch. Soon after Paul brought up an 89-ball half-century, but then took only 34 more deliveries to reach his century, with 11 fours and four sixes. Under pressure from Paul’s barnstorming stroke play, the tourists’ bowlers were devoid of confidence and ideas and were smashed all around the ground before Paul was bowled by Bulli. Paul’s wicket completed Bulli’s five-wicket haul, (5-104). Sherfane Rutherford (16*) and Romario Shepherd (11*), batted to the tea

with West Ham United, coming back from two down and earning a draw in the seventh minute of stoppage time through Wilfried Zaha. Pep Guardiola’s Man City continue to look unstoppable at domestic level, having opened up in brilliant fashion with Sane

break when the declaration was made. With 34 overs remaining in the final session, Griffith and Garth Garvey added 23 for the first wicket before left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul had Garvey caught at first slip. Two runs later, Griffith was caught at mid-on off Rutherford. However, Fudadin and King survived to the close and will resume today, hoping to put up a much more concerted effort than in the first innings, but the visitors still face the prospect of a huge defeat. Play resumes today at 09:30hrs.

scoring his sixth goal in seven league games after 10 minutes. COMPLETE CONTROL Though Jay Rodriguez equalised quickly, City were in complete control once Fernandinho’s deflected effort put them ahead after 15 minutes. Substitute Sterling scored his ninth of the season in all competitions four minutes after coming with City’s only late moment of concern en route to a 13th straight win coming when careless defending from Nicolas Otamendi let in Matty Phillips for a consolation. City’s 28 points equalled

the tally accrued by Chelsea in 2005 and Manchester City themselves in 2011 - and both those sides went on to win the title - but neither of those teams could match the plus-29 goal difference of Guardiola’s charges. The manager reserved special praise for Sane, describing him as a “special talent” after City extended their unbeaten record in all competitions to a club record 21. Mourinho hailed United’s win in difficult windy and rainy conditions in the lunchtime fixture between the second and third-placed teams as “deserved” after they had created the lion’s share of chances. Martial struck 10 minutes after coming on, latching on to Lukaku’s flicked header from David de Gea’s goalkick. It was a scruffy left-foot finish from the Frenchman, leaving Mourinho to smile: “Martial scores with a bad shot -- but the bad shots can be the most beautiful.” Wenger was in bullish mood after Arsenal’s win, saying the Gunners had proved their critics wrong by overturning a lead for a third time in a week. “Again we have showed the mental strength to come back and win the game,” said Wenger, now just 10 matches short of former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s landmark of 810 Premier League matches as manager.

SCOREBOARD GUYANA JAGUARS second innings T Chanderpaul lbw b Allen 33 R Chandrika c wk Morrison b Bulli 35 C Hemraj b Sewell 17 L Johnson c wk Morrison b Green 50 G Motie c wk Morrison b Bulli 9 B Yadram b Bulli 1 A Bramble lbw b Bulli 26 K Paul b Bulli 107 S Rutherford not out 16 R Shepherd not out 11 Extras: (lb-4, b-2, w-4) 10 Total: (for eight wickets declared; 87 overs) 315 Fall of Wickets: 1-53, 2-85, 3-89, 4-106, 5-114, 6-157, 7-229, 8-298, Bowlers: Dawes 9-4-16-0, Green 16-3-51-1, Garvey 3-0-6-0, Sewell 29-8-90-1, Bulli 22-1-104-5, Allen 8-0-42-1 JAMAICA SCORPIONS second innings T Griffith c Yadram b Rutherford 10 G Garvey c Johnson b Permaul 13 A Fudadin not out 11 B King not out 22 Extras: (lb-2, b-3) 5 Total: (two wickets; 34 overs) 61 Fall of Wickets: 1-23, 2-25 Bowlers: Shepherd 5-1-16-0, Paul 5-1-5-0, Motie 8-4-10-0, Permaul 11-3-17-1, Rutherford 4-3-6-1, Johnson 1-0-2-0

England fight back to win Under-17 World Cup By Tom Rostance ENGLAND produced a sensational performance to come from 2-0 down to thrash Spain 5-2 and win the Under-17 World Cup in India. The Three Lions had never gone beyond the quarter-finals in the tournament before but emulated England U20s who won their World Cup in June. The margin of victory did not flatter Steve Cooper’s side, who were superb throughout and could consider themselves unlucky to fall behind to a double from Barcelona forward Sergio Gomez. Heads did not drop, and from the moment Wolves forward Morgan Gibbs White added to Rhian Brewster’s eighth goal of the tournament to equalise, England looked the most likely to go on and win. Phil Foden, an outstanding talent for Manchester City and the man of the match, stole in at the back post to put England ahead, and slotted in the fifth late on with a neat shot. Chelsea defender Marc Guehi also got on the scoresheet, prodding home the fourth from close range, as England avenged Spain’s victory in the European Championship final back in May. The stereotypical roles of the two nations were reversed, as England bossed possession and Spain looked to hit on the counter, a tactic that worked as Gomes twice profited from half-cleared balls inside the area. Those goals were two of just five Spanish efforts on target though, while England had 25 shots on goal, 11 of which found the target. Liverpool striker Brewster secured the tournament’s golden boot with the header that put the game back within reach but it was the players just behind him who really stood out. In player of the tournament Foden and Chelsea winger Callum Hud-

son-Odoi, this England side had the players to seriously hurt Spain, almost at will in the second half. Fulham right-back Steven Sessegnon also impressed, setting up the first two goals with powerful overlapping runs, while another major player, Jadon Sancho, was not involved at all after being recalled by new club Borussia Dortmund. Sancho has already made his Bundesliga debut. How long until we see some of this squad playing in the Premier League? Foden, for example, was told by his Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola that he would have played in the League Cup this week had he not gone to India. Are England on the up? It may be 21 years since England’s senior men’s team reached the last four of a major tournament, and the Football Association may be having a bad time of things off the pitch, but on it, at all other levels, the signs are good. England won the European Under-19 Championship with a 2-1 victory over Portugal in Georgia in July, the Under-20s won the World Cup in June, Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21s lost on penalties to Germany (some things never change) at the semi-final stage this summer and this Under-17 side lost the Euros final to Spain on penalties in May. Under Mark Sampson England’s women reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup and European Championship. Does this victory mean that success for the senior men’s team could be close? Four years ago then FA chairman Greg Dyke said England should aim to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and win the World Cup in 2022. That may still seem a long shot but there is undoubtedly progress being made at youth levels.(BBC Sport)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 29, 2017

Sometimes we need to look back to forge ahead - says Michael Benjamin IF I could turn back the hands of time; even amidst the sombre lyrics of that R Kelly’s rendition, the stark reality is that what has happened in the past must be relegated to the past. However, there is nothing wrong with a peek over the shoulder, even surreptitiously, as one attempts to chart a course forward for the fistic sport of boxing which has brought tremendous glory to the’ land of many waters’. And so it is that boxing pundits of the late seventies, early eighties, or even further back, will glance over their shoulders with a great degree of nostalgia at the great fights of those eras that has left an indelible mark in their psyches. Boxing falls under two umbrellas: the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) oversees activities of the amateurs while the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) is the guardian of the professional pugilists. Despite operating under distinct rules and regulations, each entity supports the other and on many occasions, the heads of those bodies may see the need for collaborative efforts in achieving particular goals. Evidence of this was

apparent when the executives of the GBBC initiated the Guyana Fight Nights (GFN); a tournament that involved both amateur and professional bouts. The organisers were, however, instructed by the International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) to observe a thirty minute break between the professional and amateur segments to reflect the distinction of applications and rules. The general idea of the GFN initiative was to provide frequent activity for local boxers while ensuring that they remained active and, more importantly, received a small purse to liquidate obvious expenses. It seemed as though President of the GBBC, Peter Abdool, who conceptualised the GFN initiative, had hit the nail on the head, as the idea seemed to have been producing dividends. Boxers were able to use the initiative as a launching pad to greater achievements and indeed improved on their Caribbean, and by extension, world rankings. Many of our pugilists won Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) titles while others clinched Fecabox accolades. These fighters included

Clive Atwell, Kwesi Jones, Dexter Gonsalves, Elton Dharry and a host of others. Clive Atwell had managed to secure a world title fight largely from his activities in the GFN programme. Recently, activities have dwindled and what was once a monthly event could not be sustained for varying reasons, the chief being inadequate corporate support. As such, the card extended to once every few months and recently, there has been little or no activity; the final card occurring ear-

Keevin Allicock

lier this year at the Giftland Office Max. Even then, the organisers were forced to be innovative and introduced MMA Boxing to titillate fans’ interest.

Guyana’s lone Olmpic medalist Michael Parris

Maybe, the success story of GFN might have been the vast improvement of the amateur sector. This group was able to reclaim its dominance at the Caribbean level and turned in valiant performances further afield. Yes, our boxers have totally dominated the Caribbean Development Tournament in Barbados where the entire 14 man squad have distinguished themselves as true champions. Keevin Allicock then followed up his good showing in Barbados with a silver medal at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas. Even as this article is being penned, he is preparing to return to Barbados to compete in a Goodwill tourna-

ment involving several other Caricom member states. The uninitiated might want to applaud the significant strides made by the boxers and some may even nurture hopes that our boxers are receiving adequate exposure and support to achieve the feat of breaking that aged old Olympics gold medal jinx. However, those in the know will obviously realise that the small handouts given to our boxers are totally inadequate to realistically convert to an Olympic gold medal achievement. Our administrators cannot be so naïve to think that such pitiful efforts could do the trick of achieving that coveted gold medal. Local history is replete with boxers of phenomenal skill who have literally devastated their Caribbean, and to some extent, their Latin American counterparts, but faltered at the Olympics line. Those were the days, in the late seventies and early eighties when our amateur pugilists matched wits and skills with their Cuban counterparts. It must be noted that around that time our boxers were most productive, winning Commonwealth and Latin American accolades. As a matter of fact, it was during that era that Guyana managed to clinch what is still the only Olym-

pic medal, a bronze at the hands of Michael Parris at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Since then, local pugilists have maintained their Caribbean dominance but somehow have failed to even make the grade at the Olympic qualifiers. Meanwhile, our nemesis: Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, and Jamaica, have all laid claims to the prestigious accolade. Guyana, by extension, can only boast of a Parris’ 23 years achievement. I started off this article by quoting R Kelly and while such nostalgia may prove to be wasted, one cannot but picture such stalwarts as Darius Forde, the late John Brummell and Winston Richards, the Houstner brothers-- Allan and Dereck, and the myriad of warriors of yesteryear, whose blood have stained the canvas but valiantly trudged on to achieve major accolades for this country; it was them that had left a rich legacy for their contemporaries. While a few of those of the latter group are showing distinct signs that goes beyond the Caribbean, they continue to falter at the Olympics. The overriding solution is simple; the need for adequate strategies, systems and funds cannot be over emphasised.

RHTYSC/Busta Champion of Champions softball semifinals and finals bowls off today

THE Area ‘H’ ground in Guyana’s smallest township, Rose Hall Town will be a buzz of activities with the Finals of the 2017 Busta Champion of Champions Softball Tournament. The Tournament is organised by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, Cricket Development Committee as part of its highly successful ‘Say No/ Say Yes Campaign’ which targets 60 000 youths in the ancient county of Berbice. Under the campaign, youths are advised to Say No to Drugs, Crime, Suicide, Alcohol and Yes to Education, Life, Religion and Sports. The day’s event will get

cracking with a Female match at 09.30 hrs between Rose Hall Town Metro and the Trophy Stall Female Team. The Rose Hall team includes Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Shanetta Grimmond, Shabita Gajnabi, Sherica Campbelle, Uma Matadin and Plaffiana Millington, among others. The game would be a ten-overs affair. The first Semifinals will feature Grill Master of Fort Ordinance, Canje, playing Terry Grocery XI of Rose Hall Town. Grill Master, one of the tournament’s favourites, will

be spearheaded by skipper Roy Jaferally, Keon Sinclair, the hard hitting Vishal Phillips, allrounder Keith Fraser and the reliable former national junior cricketer, Balram Samaroo. Terry Grocery XI will be led by the experienced Michael Hicks, a former Berbice Under-15 and Under-19 player. He will be supported by Khemraj Mahadeo and Delbert Hicks (both former national junior cricketers), Jamal Jarvis, Devindra Prittipal and Neil Pike. The second Semifinals will be played between Spartan of Cumberland, Canje,

Shemaine Campbelle

and the Hard Knock Team of Ulverston. Veteran softball player David Lucknauth will lead Spartan and would be backed up by Krishan and Ryan Subhai, Sunil Madramootoo, Ramnarine Jugisteer and Kishan Gangaram. Hard Knock, the best fielding team in the competition, would be led by skipper Nicholas Chase and would include players like Paul Tyndall, Eldeen Mendonza, Michael Tyndall, Sheide Cameron and Adrian Velloza. Club Secretary/CEO

Hilbert Foster hailed the outstanding work of the Cricket Development Committee and expressed confidence that the Finals will be a success. The Guyana Beverage Company under the Busta Brand has been sponsoring the Tournament since 2004 but the 2017 Edition is the first to be played using the Softball format. The winning team takes home $150 000.00 and the Busta Cup, the 1st Runner-up $75 000.00 and trophy, 2nd Runner-up $50 000.00 and trophy, while the Man of the Finals would also receive a prize. Lucky Patrons attending the Finals will also receive special prizes.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 29, 28, 2017

Joshua stops Takam in 10th to retain heavyweight crowns CARDIFF (Reuters) Britain’s Anthony Joshua retained his IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight titles when he stopped bloodied challenger Carlos Takam in the 10th round in Cardiff on Saturday. Unbeaten champion Joshua opened up a dreadful cut above 36-year Takam’s right eye in the fourth round and although the durable France-based Cameroonian battled on the fight was halted by referee Phil Edwards after a series of heavy blows. It was far from a straightforward night for Joshua in the Principality Stadium, however, as the 28-year-old appeared to suffer a broken nose in the second round after an accidental clash of heads with his shorter and lighter opponent. Takam, who stood in 12 days ago after Joshua’s

original opponent Kubrat Pulev suffered an injury in training, proved a worthy challenger and was still throwing punches despite blood streaming from his eyes for half the fight. Joshua did force a standing count in the fourth but never totally dominated a wily opponent who clearly disagreed with Edwards’s decision to end the contest only the second time he had been stopped in 40 fights. “It was a good fight until the referee stopped it so I have the utmost respect for Takam,” former Olympic champion Joshua, who took his record to 20-0, said in the ring. “I have no interest in what is going on with the officials, that’s not my job. I think people want to see Takam unconscious on the floor, and that’s what I was trying to get to.” Joshua, who was fight-

GFA/Stag Premium League competition continues with triple- header tonight

THE Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA) Stag Premier League will continue this evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) with a tripleheader card beginning at 18:00hrs. In the feature game from 20:00hrs, Pele, without a point, will come up against Riddim Squad who has three points from a 1-0 victory over Beacons and a 1-4 loss to Police when the league got underway on October 15. Pele lost both their fixtures so far in the League; the first was a 1-2 loss to Camptown on the opening day of the tournament and the second loss was a 0-2 defeat to Santos on Sunday last. In the opening game this evening, Police who heads the points standing with six points from two victories, will be looking to solidify their position as points leaders when they take on Black Pearl and will be pinning their hopes on Shemar Fraser who scored one goal in the lawmen’s 3-0 win against Flamingo and another against Riddim Squad in their team’s 4-1 win on the opening night of the tournament. The Police team will also be looking to Rawle Haynes, who netted a brace against Flamingo, as well

Referee Phil Edwards steps in to end the fight Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

ing for the first time since his epic victory over Wladimir Klitschko in April, began in cagey fashion with

neither fighter landing a serious blow in round one. The fight took a twist in round two when Takam’s

head clattered into Joshua’s nose, making the Londoner wince. Joshua sprang into life

PNCR 60th Anniversary Day of Sports/Family Fun Day Cycling added to today’s programme

Dwayne Jacobs

as Dwayne Jacobs, Kester Dundas and Travis Jones, whose names are all on the scorers’ sheet. Black Pearl to date is yet to register a victory. They lost by a 1-4 margin to Beacons on the opening night of the tournament and drew 1-1 with GFC last Sunday. The second game on the night’s card will see Beacons with three points to their name facing Northern Rangers who is yet to secure a single point. On the opening night of the tournament, Beacons registered a 4-1 win against Black Pearl through a brace each from Deron Bowen and Quacy McAulay. However, in their second round fixture, they were needled 0-1 by Riddim Squad.

ORGANISERS of today’s PNCR 60th Anniversary Day of Sports / Family Fun Day have added the sport of cycling to the programme, making it an even more exciting event to be part of as the Party celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, at the Mackenzie Sports Club. Member of Parliament Jermaine Figuiera had proposed to Chairperson, Minister Annette Ferguson, who holds the responsibility of spearheading the 60th Anniversary celebrations, that they include cycling, following a strong request from members of the cycling fraternity. She subsequently acquiesced and at late notice added the sport to the list of the day’s activities which will also see participation in futsal, dominoes, track and field and basketball; making it a must-see for citizens within and outside the Linden community. According to the organisers, the Region 10 community is expected to be flooded by supporters of the Party, but reminded that every Guyanese is invited to come out and support the event which marks 60 years of the political institution’s existence. Just to emphasise how exciting the day will be, the dominoes and futsal segments are creating headaches for the coordinators to reach a cut-off point because of the overwhelming interest shown by teams. It would appear that the two disciplines are heavily subscribed and with the usual rivalry that exist between visiting teams and Linden, fans could without fear brace themselves for a day of enthralling action. The top teams from Linden and

Georgetown square off for bragging rights with the former already expressing confidence of successfully defending home turf, while the visiting contingents are uttering similar sentiments ahead of today’s showdown. Future Stars and Sparta Boss will lead the battle for supremacy against their Linden counterparts in the futsal competition, while President of the Guyana National Dominoes Federation, Faye Joseph has promised a strong representation of teams from outside Region 10. The other futsal teams invited are Leopold Street, Tiger Bay, Albouystown ‘A’, Back Circle, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Bent Street, Hustlers, OL Skool Ballers, and Broad Street. They join Linden’s Silver Bullets, High Rollers, Swag Entertainment, Plantain & Cheese All Stars, Magics, Team 25, Blue Berry Hill, Mike’s Stars and Amelia’s Ward Russians. The Organisers are reminding all participants who will be using the transportation provided that buses are scheduled to depart the Square of the Revolution at 07:30 hrs, so teams and representatives will have to be at the location 30 minutes before departure time to cater for a prompt 10:00 hrs start in Linden. Meanwhile, the cycling events are seen below: BMX Boys & Girls; BMX Boys & Girls Open; School Boys & Girls; Novices and Veterans & Seniors. Pedal off time is 06:00hrs around the Linden community.

and dominated the next few rounds and cut Takam with a stinging right hook in the fourth before briefly flooring his opponent. It looked as though the fight would be stopped as Takam struggled to see through the blood, but the underdog showed tremendous courage and asked serious questions of the champion whose nose injury affected his breathing. Joshua was not at his fluent best but was way ahead on the scorecards when he put together a sustained attack in the 10th to convince the refree to intervene. The Briton said he wanted to take on American WBC title-holder Deontay Wilder. “AJ’s told me he wants the belts. Deontay Wilder against Anthony Joshua has to happen,” promoter Eddie Hearn said.

English Racing Tips Aintree 08:40 hrs Global Citizen 09:15 hrs Black Ivory 09:50 hrs No Planning 10:25 hrs Massini’s Trap 11:00 hrs Oldgrangewood 11:35 hrs Perform 12:10 hrs Posh Trish Wincanton 09:00 hrs Steely Addition 09:35 hrs Red River 10:10 hrs Wilbersdragon 10:45 hrs Mr Mix 11:20 hrs Risk And Roll 11:55 hrs Diamond Guy 12:30 hrs Global Thrill Irish Racing Tips Galway 09:05 hrs Cosmo’s Moon 09:40 hrs Calino D’Airy 10:15 hrs Show And Go 10:50 hrs Lucky Pass 11:25 hrs Hallmark 12:00 hrs Oskar High 12:35 hrs Gallahers Cross Wexford 08:50 hrs Roseriver Has 09:25 hrs Barra 10:00 hrs Itsonlyrocknroll 10:35 hrs Dromore Lad 11:10 hrs Robin Des Mana 11:45 hrs Static Jack 11:20 hrs Best Of Dubai South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:15 hrs What A Player 08:50 hrs Easy Street 09:25 hrs Seven Wood 10:00 hrs Woljayrine 10:35 hrs Nebula 11:10 hrs Tin Soldier 11:45 hrs Cha Cha Chorizo

29

SUNDAY 2017 28, 2017 GUYANA CHRONICLE, October Saturday29, October

CMRC Finale promises big things

- SR3 Radicals, Drift exhibition to be staged By Stephan Sookram THE Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) officially launched their 2017 Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) on Friday evening. The event was officially opened by Minister of State Joseph Harmon who also gave the feature address at the GT Motorsports hall. Speaking to those in attendance, Harmon said, “I want to say that is something to which we can commit to working with the GMR&SC to achieve that goal. I think this is the vision we have to give to Guyanese, we have to start thinking big and we have to start acting big.”

He commended the club for its organisational and management skills as well. Also present was Minister of Public Works, David Patterson, who echoed the sentiments of Minister Harmon. “Quietly and admittedly with not as much help from the government, whichever government, you’ve been able to annually provide a top-class sporting activity in the Caribbean, so for that you should be congratulated.” The event was opened by vice -president Hansraj Singh who contended that this year will feature two new dimensions in the SR3 Radicals and a professional drifting exhibition out of Trinidad & Tobago. “I feel the Guyanese

Sponsors, Government officials and GMR&SC executive members pose during last evening’s CMRC Launch (GT RIdez Photo)

people are in for a treat with the two new dimensions that are being delivered here,” he added. Also in attendance was

Rwanda gets first cricket stadium KIGALI: Rwanda's first cricket stadium was inaugurated Saturday by President Paul Kagame as a permanent home for developing the sport in the country. Gahanga Cricket Stadium in the capital Kigali is built on a 4.5 hectare (11 acre) ground and cost $1.3 million (1.1 million euros), the majority of the funds raised by international cricket players eager to see the game take off in Rwanda. The Rwandan Cricket Stadium Foundation was set up by Alby Shale, the son of a late British politician and cricket lover who visited Rwanda to do aid work. "We are very happy to have this cricket pavilion and ground built, and by that, we remember Christopher Shale, in whose memory this has been built," Kagame said at the opening. "It is a great pleasure for us to have this facility which

Saturday's opening of the Gahanga Ground shows how a war-torn nation has rebuilt itself Photo: (Yorkshire Tea)

will see more young men and women playing and improving their skills. It is also good for us to have partners in the United Kingdom," he said. Eric Dusingizimana, the national team captain, helped raise funds for the stadium by setting a Guinness World Record by batting for 51 hours straight last year. "This is an exciting development for us and the younger generation is going to benefit heavily from this,"

said the 31-year-old captain. Rwanda also holds the world record for women after Cathia Uwamahoro, a national team cricket player, became the first woman to bat for 26 hours. Rwanda's national cricket association estimates that only around 4,000 people currently play cricket. The new stadium has been built to international standards, making it a rarity in East Africa.

Barbados Pride take first innings points

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Trinidad & Tobago Red Force reached 31 without loss in their second innings – a lead of 21 – at the close on the third day of their first-round match in the Regional 4-Day Championship on Saturday at Kensington Oval. Scores: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED FORCE

300 (Denesh Ramdin 101, Ewart Nicholson 74, Jeremy Solozano 54, Amir Jangoo 26; Jomel Warrican 4-67, Justin Greaves 4-67, Kevin Stoute 2-27) and 31 without loss BARBADOS PRIDE 310 for nine declared (Jonathan Carter 85, Anthony Alleyne 84, Kenroy Williams 27, Mario Rampersaud 24, Kevin Stoute 21, Ashley Nurse 20; Imran Khan 3-68, Daniel St. Clair 2-51, Bryan Charles 2-63)

the Director of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, who commended the body for always putting on a high class event.

He also spoke about how important events like the CMRC are to sport tourism locally and advancing that as a product.

GMR&SC President Rameez Mohamed, in closing remarks, thanked those who turned up to support the event.

Smith, Edwards help Volcanoes cut deficit on rain-hit day ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, (CMC) – An unbroken second-wicket stand between veterans Devon Smith and Kirk Edwards helped Windward Islands Volcanoes significantly cut their deficit against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Regional 4-Day Championship on Saturday. Left-handed opener Smith was not out on 56 and Edwards was not out on 35, as the Volcanoes reached 93 for one in their second innings – still trailing by 17 – before bad light stopped play with 18 overs remaining on the rain-hit third day of their first-round match at the National Cricket Stadium. The two experienced batsmen made light work of the Hurricanes’ bowlers, after Jeremiah Louis dismissed their new captain Tyrone Theophile for a first-ball duck in the second over and a one-hour stoppage for rain. Smith, the most prolific regional batsman, struck four fours and one six from 71 balls in close to the two hours of batting and Edwards collected just three boundaries from 78 balls in almost 1 ¾ hours.

Earlier, Nkrumah Bonner hit 69 to anchor the bottom half of the Hurricanes batting before the visitors were bowled out for 343 for a first innings lead of 110. Sherman Lewis was the pick of the Volcanoes bowlers with 3-51 from 24 overs, Audy Alexander helped to run through the lower-order with his legspin, ending with 3-63 from 21.3 overs, and veteran off-spinner Shane Shillingford grabbed 2-94 from 39 overs. Starting the day on 231 for four, the Hurricanes were set back early, when Jacques Taylor was lbw to Shillingford for 25. Terrence Warde came to the crease and batted resolutely to put on 66 with Bonner and carry the Hurricanes to past the 300-run mark before Theophile bowled him for 28 with his uncomplicated slow-medium bowling. Mervin Matthew fell three overs later lbw to Lewis for seven and Alexander came to mop up the rest of the batting, including the scalp of Bonner, whose knock included just two fours from 171 balls in four hours of occupation.

SCOREBOARD VOLCANOES 1st Innings 233 Hurricanes 1st Innings (overnight 231 for four) C Hughes lbw b Lewis

89

K Carty b Johnson

74

A Saunders lbw b Saunders

6

*+D Thomas c Alexander b Shillingford 4 N Bonner lbw b Alexander

69

J Taylor lbw b Shillingford

25

T Warde b Theophile

28

M Matthew lbw b Sherman

7

J Louis c Cato b Alexander

14

G Tonge not out

5

J Campbell c Cato b Alexander

1

Extras (b13, nb8) TOTAL (all out, 125.3 overs)

21 343

Fall of wickets: 1-151, 2-175, 3-184, 4-184, 5-236, 6-303, 7-312, 8-338, 9-343 Bowling: Johnson 7-2-14-1; Lewis 24-6-513; Shillingford 39-10-94-2; Sebastien 240-78-0 (nb2); Alexander 21.3-1-63-3 (nb6); Hodge 2-0-10-0; Theophile 8-0-20-1 VOLCANOES 2nd Innings D Smith not out *T Theophile c Warde b Louis K Edwards not out Extras (b2) TOTAL (1 wkt, 25 overs)

56 0 35 2 93

Fall of wickets: 1-0 Bowling: Matthew 5-2-7-0; Louis 3-1-12-1; Warde 6-1-27-0; Tonge 7-2-21-0; Campbell 4-0-24-0 Position: Volcanoes trail by 17 with nine second innings wickets standing

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 29, 2017

Williams wins Payless Variety Store feature 35-lap race in record time

Prize winners of the various categories of the 6th Annual Payless Variety Store-sponsored 11-race cycle programme yesterday strike a pose with Mohamed and Tiwari.

CONTINENTAL Cycle Club’s cyclist Geron Williams won the feature 35lap race of the 6th Annual Payless Variety Store’s 11race cycle programme in the National Park yesterday in a time of one hour, 12 minutes 35.42 seconds and in the process, erased the previous record for the race which was established just over one month ago by Kemuel Mosses whose time for the event was one hour, 13 minutes. Williams who is based in the United States of America and who is back home (Guyana) to recuperate from an injury he sustained while in the US where he represents Team

Foundation as a professional cyclist – the only Guyanese professional – broke from the pack after the second lap and together with Paul Cho-WeeNam, Christopher Griffith, Paul DeNobrega, Curtis Dey, Jamal John and two others, established a sizeable lead. Throughout the remainder of the race, the leaders interchanged the lead which allowed Williams to win two of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs, while Jamal John and Cho-Wee-Nam also won two primes each. DeNobrega and Griffith shared the other two. At the bell lap for the feature race yesterday, Cho-Wee-

Nam and DeNobrega shared the lead with Dey, Silvio Inniss, John and Williams trailing, but with approximately 80 metres remaining for the finish, Williams `sailed’ to the outside and powered past Inniss and John to win the race. In other results, Curtis Dey won the 10-lap race for juveniles in a time of 26 minutes 37.59 seconds. Nigel Dugid and Briton John were second and third, respectively. The veterans’ over 50 years of age five-lap race was won by Linden Blackman who finished ahead of Kennard Lovell and Shameer Baksh, respectively. The five-lap race for vet-

erans’ under 50 years of age was won by Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson. Second was Warren McKay, while Lennox Jackman placed third. Jonathan Ramsuchit won the three-lap race for boys and girls 12-14 years old. The five-lap race for mountain bikers was won by Nigel Jacobs, with Lakeram Singh second. Jared Barrington was the winner of the two-lap race for BMX boys 6-9 years old. Tesirka Mohabir was second and Arinna Roberts third. Joheme Henry won the BMX boys 9-12 years threelap race ahead of Mark Lewis and John Niles, respectively. The programme was organised by cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed. Prior to making the presentation of prizes to the respective winners, Payless Variety Stores’ representative, Rajan Tiwari thanked the cyclists for participating, and Mohamed for organizing the activity for the sixth consecutive year. Tiwari said his company not only supports cycling, but other sports disciplines. He pledged Payless Variety Store’s continued support for the cycling programme.

Minister Norton ready and committed to help athletes, coaches UNDER the theme ‘Coaches pivotal to the development of athletes’, coaches from across Guyana gathered yesterday for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) coaches seminar at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Conference Room at Liliendaal. Present for the afternoon session of the event was Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton, who is also a former Vice President of the AAG. Minister Norton, under his new portfolio, is also responsible for sport and, in very brief but blunt remarks,

he extended his office’s support to aid their development to see the continued success of athletics in Guyana. Norton, upon congratulating AAG President Aubrey Hudson for an exceptional year, stated that the athletes’ success would not have been possible without the hard work of the coaches, who often times work with little or no resources. “I want to work with your suggestions. We (Government) don’t know it all, and the best way for us to help is to reach out to you, seeking your guidance as well push to help to ensure

a good life for all our athletes” Minister Norton noted. The Minister also stated that his position as being responsible for Social Cohesion in Guyana, will require him challenging the AAG and coaches to diversify the sport of track and field, pointing out that Guyana is multi-ethnic. Several areas were addressed and discussed following questions raised by the coaches to Minister Norton, with Government funding and support being the most important, as well as a Synthetic Track in the City.

GBA’s/Lennox Blackmoore championships

GDF boxers open title defence with four wins

BOXERS from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym opened their defence of their Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Champion Gym title on a positive note, winning four of the six fights that were carded for the opening night on Friday at the National Gymnasium. New kids on the block, Sananah Boxing Gym (SBG) of Lethem won one of their two bouts and Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) won the other. The very small crowd

was however treated to some entertaining performances from the very first bout which ended at one minute seven seconds of round one via stoppage in favour of GDF’s Hakim Bostwick over Rose Hall Town jammers’ Joshua Darlington in their Elite Class semi-final Junior Flyweight contest. Another Elite Class bout went the full three-round distance and in the end, GDF’s Clinton Clarke pounded out a unanimous points’ verdict against Harpy Eagles’ Inshan Khan.

In the junior welterweight category of the Elite Class category, SBG’s James Anderson pounded Colin Hinds into submission, forcing referee Richard Braithwaite to call a halt to the proceedings at two minutes 24 seconds of the second round, much to the delight of the small crowd. In the welterweight division of the Elite Class, GDF’s Emanuel Sancho secured a first round win against SGB’s Ravine Fraser by forcing the referee to halt his contest at two minutes six seconds of

the first round. GDF’s Leon Semple then secured a walk-over victory from Rose Hall Jammers’ Clifford Welcome in their semi-final bout and FYF’s Keevin Allicock got a walk over win from Ajay Jageshar in their semi-final bantamweight bout of the Youth category. The tournament continued last evening at the same venue with seven bouts and will conclude this evening with finals in each of the weight divisions and categories.

COURTS Pee Wee U-11 football tournament…

Sophia, West Ruimveldt, Marian Academy, and Enterprise advance to semis

Quarter final action in the COURTS Pee Wee Schools football (Adrian Narine Photo)

THE semi-finalists for the COURTS Pee Wee football tournament have been decided following the quarter- final round of the tournament yesterday. Sophia, West Ruimvedlt, Marian Academy and Enterprise have moved into the next round of the tournament billed for next Friday. Sophia were on their game as they beat off Redeemer by a 3-1 scoreline. Leonard King scored twice in the first and sixth minutes, while David Weeks netted in the 28th minute. Kevin George in the 35th minute accounted for Redeemer’s lone goal In the other game, West Ruimveldt shot down Stella Maris 4-3 on penalty kicks, after regulation and extra time finished 1-1. It took

Fidel Edwards sixth minute strike to open the scoring with Ian Daniels pulling off the leveller on the nick of time. Meanwhile, Enterprise needled School of the Nations 3-2 on penalty kicks, after regulation and extra time ended 0-0, while Marian Academy bested St. Agnes 4-3 on penalty kicks, following a scoreless regulation and extra time intervals. In the 9-16 Position Tournament, Mae’s crushed St. Ambrose 4-1, while Parfait Harmony edged Tucville 2-1. Also, South Ruimveldt and F.E. Pollard defeated Den Amstel and Goed Fortuin via walkovers, respectively. The tournament is being coordinated by the Petra Organisation. ( Stephan Sookram)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 29, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Devendra Bishoo-5/79 (2) Graeme Cremmer-4/64 Today’s Quiz: (1) What were the WI opening partnerships during the first Test of the ongoing WI/ZIM series? (2) How many ZIM players have now captained in Tests? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 29, 2017

Sports Minister warns Jamaican athletes about doping pitfalls tificate was. Since 2013, a number of Jamaica’s high-profile athletes have been sanctioned for breaching the WADA Code and have put the country’s reputation in a bad light. Minister Grange is call-

2014 Commonwealth Games 200m champion Jason Livermore banned for two years

IN the wake of the twoyear ban imposed on 2014 Commonwealth Games 200m champion Jason Livermore on Friday, Jamaica’s Minister of Sports Olivia Grange has called on the country’s athletes to be more proactive in the fight against doping. Livermore, 29, was banned after a drug test in December 2016 revealed

metabolites of the anabolic steroids Clomifhene and Mestorolone. The sprinter told an independent anti-doping disciplinary panel that he was taking medication that would improve his fertility. His statements were corroborated by his doctor, who also revealed that he was not aware of what a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) cer-

ing for the athletes to take greater care. “First of all, let me re-iterate Jamaica’s firm position against doping in sport. This process shows that our system to fight doping in sport is working,” she told SportsMax.tv.

“While I will not comment on this particular case, I will give this general comment that athletes and their support teams must learn from this process and ensure that they take the matter of doping in sport very seriously.

“There is no room for error when they are competing and there is no room for error when it comes to applying the rules related to the fight against doping in sport. Our athletes and their teams must exercise due care.”(Sportsmax).

CMRC Finale promises big things

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CWI/PCL 4-day tournament

Jamaica face uphill task after Paul’s maiden first-class century By Rajiv Bisnauth TALENTED Essequibo all-rounder Keemo Paul justified his reputation as one of the bright young talents of Guyana’s cricket with a fabulous maiden first-class hundred to leave the Jamaica Scorpions facing a mountainous task to avoid defeat in round one of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) fourday game against hosts Guyana Jaguars. At stumps on Saturday’s third day at the Guyana National Stadium, the visitors lost both openers cheaply to suffer a major setback, and hand the hosts’ complete control. The Jaguars declared their second innings at 315-8, leaving the Jamaicans the task of surviving four sessions or chasing down 483 for victory. But they were further undermined by the quick departures of Garth Garvey (13) and Trevon Griffith (10), to close on 61-2, still a further 422 runs behind. Assad Fudadin is unbeaten on 11 with Brandon King on 22. Earlier, Paul’s 107 came off 129 balls, with 149 minutes at the crease, and striking 12 fours and four sixes. His innings stretched the three-times defending champions’ dominance as they were able to press home further advantage. Paul shared a 72-run partnership with Captain Leon Johnson (50), to propel the Jaguars’ to an unassailable lead. Resuming at 106-4, the hosts lost overnight batsman Bhaskar Yadram in the fourth over of the day, bowled by left-arm wrist

spinner Dennis Bulli after scoring just one. The Jaguars had just added eight runs to their overnight total when they lost the inexperienced Yadram. However, Johnson in company of wicket-keeper batsman Anthony Bramble then consolidated the lead to a sizeable 304 by adding 43 for the sixth-wicket, before Bulli was rewarded for a better length and more consistency when he trapped Bramble leg before wicket for a 35-ball 26. Bramble’s innings had two fours and a six. Paul joined forces with Johnson and the pair dominated play with a 54-run stand before the interval. Johnson, who continued playing a stubborn knock was unbeaten on 41 at the break while Paul was on 32, with the Jaguars holding a position of authority with an overall lead of 368 at lunch. However, Paul extended his dominance into the second session, cutting the first ball off pacer Jason Dawes to the backward point boundary before smashing Derval Green straight down the ground for another four. Johnson, meanwhile, was careful at the other end, and continued to show calm and poise. His fifty came from his 141st delivery with a pull through midwicket for four off Green, but after facing four additional deliveries, and after occupying the crease for 204 minutes, the left-hander departed when he edged Green behind for wicket-keeper

Keemo Paul acknowledges his teammates after scoring his maiden first-class hundred.

Turn to page 26

England fight back to win Under-17 World Cup Page 26

Minister Norton ready and committed to help athletes, coaches

Kolkata, India - England celebrate winning the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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Minister George Norton (first from right), joined by AAG president Aubrey Hudson and coach, Wonder Richmond at yesterday’s Coaches seminar. SUNDAY, OCTOBER, 29, 2017