Issuu

MONDAY 12th February, 2024

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE

No. 107352

‘We got your back…we are committed to you’ SEE PAGE

- President Ali assures teachers amid ‘politically motivated’ GTU-led strike - says they will be ‘prime beneficiaries’ of Guyana’s development by year-end

The Office of First Lady Arya Ali in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, recently hosted ‘The Continuum: Connecting Cultures to Creative Industry’-- a networking forum for local creatives featuring international designer Kwaku Bedaiko, founder and CEO of Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako. Local creatives with a diverse range of skills and expertise, such as fashion designers, make-up artists, hair stylists, musicians, poets, photographers, writers, bloggers and even those working in policy, were able to participate. Kwaku was also exposed to aspects of our local arts and culture, which included our cuisine. Handcrafted items and fabulous clothing designs were on display (Office of the First Lady photos)

Health Ministry UWI on board to be $48M improved water-supply looking to expand ‘education partner’ system cancer screening, at new hospital commissioned care this year SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

- comprehensive programme for prostate 9 cancer to be rolled out - introduction of brachytherapy being touted; mammogram machines to be installed at Linden, West Demerara and NA hospitals

in Berbice

SEE PAGE

- President Ali announces, says discussions ongoing for nursing degree programme

in Kamana, Region Eight

Labour Ministry,Police probing death of Venezuelan worker at Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase

SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 8, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, February 12, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 8, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, February 12, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, February 8, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, February 12, 2024

West Indies suffer series loss after Maxwell bludgeoning

CMC – WEST Indies suffered a battering from Glenn Maxwell’s sublime record-equaling hundred to plummet to a 34-run defeat in the second Twenty20 International, and hand Australia a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series here Sunday. The Caribbean side were always up against it once the Aussies piled up an intimidating 241 for four off their 20 overs behind Maxwell’s unbeaten 120 off 55 deliveries, and they eventually buckled under the pressure of a difficult run chase and subsided to 207 for nine. Captain Rovman Powell briefly lifted his side’s hopes with a top score of 63 off 36 balls but West Indies failed to recover after slumping to 63 for five in the seventh over, medium pacer Marcus Stoinis (336) and rookie left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson (2-39) slicing through the top order with a brace of wickets each. Stoinis returned to add the wicket of big-hitter An-

dre Russell for a 16-ball 37 and elite seamer Josh Hazlewood (2-31) struck key blows in the lower order as the West Indies challenge faded. “I think the boys showed courage, the way they started,” Powell said afterwards. “They started aggressively but we kept losing wickets at key intervals. In the middle we also failed to get big partnerships just as the Aussies did.” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh agreed. “We took wickets early which put them under the gun,” he said. Sent in, Australia lost Josh Inglis cheaply for four in the second over but Marsh (29) and opener David Warner (22) put on 43 for the second wicket to steady the innings. West Indies hit back when Joseph got Marsh to hole out to mid-on in the sixth over and pacer Romario Shepherd deceived the left-handed Warner into skying to mid-off in the following over, leaving the Aussies stumbling on 64

AMERICAN RACING TIPS MAHONING VALLEY Race 1 Step Ahead Race 2 Axed Avenger Race 3 Fast Stride Race 4 Theodoropoulos Race 5 Written Consent Race 6 Maqamat

09:20 hrs Caramel Fudge 09:55 hrs Katsu 10:35 hrs Liketheclappers 11:10 hrs Night Bomber

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS KENILWORTH 08:10 hrs Jack In The Green 08:45 hrs Ticking Bomb

ENGLISH RACING TIPS CATTERICK 09:30 hrs Speed Davis 10:00 hrs Harper Valley 10:30 hrs Tap N Go Leo 11:00 hrs Val Dancer 11:30 hrs Holly 12:00 hrs Bushypark PLUMPTON

for three in the seventh over. Maxwell then engineered Australia’s highest T20 total on home soil, first anchoring an 82-run, fourth wicket stand with Stoinis (16) before inspiring a thrilling 95-run, unbroken fifth wicket partnership with Tim David, whose unbeaten 31 came from 14 deliveries and included a brace of fours and sixes. The 35-year-old Maxwell thumped a dozen fours and eight sixes, racing to his fifty off 25 balls at the end of the 12th before reaching his fifth T20I century off 50 balls, with consecutive fours off Shepherd at the end of the penultimate over. Maxwell is now level with India’s Rohit Sharma for the most T20I career hundreds. He combined with David to plunder 25 runs from the final over sent down by Russell, as Australia gathered 77 runs from the final five overs. Staring at a required run rate of just over 12 per over, West Indies lost Brandon King in the second over

10:15 hrs Hill Of Tara 10:45 hrs Aviles 11:15 hrs Hms President 11:45 hrs Kotmask 12:15 hrs Birdman Bob 12:45 hrs Lady Berlais WOLVERHAMPTON 13:30 hrs Jumeira Vision 14:00 hrs Wake Up Harry 14:30 hrs Ancient Myth 15:00 hrs Marefuori 15:30 hrs Tribal Wisdom 16:00 hrs Bella Bluesky 16:30 hrs Darlo Pride

for five, the right-hander picking out David at deep square off Hazlewood with 11 on the board. Johnson Charles (24) and Nicholas Pooran (18) counter-attacked in a 31run second wicket partnership but once Pooran miscued a pull at Johnson to mid-wicket, the visitors lost four wickets for 21 runs in quick time.

Powell led the fightback, however, belting five fours and four sixes as he put on 47 for the sixth with Russell and 54 for the seventh with Shepherd. Russell smashed four fours and two sixes before perishing in the 11th over while Shepherd made a runa-ball 12 with a single four and a six before falling in the 16th.

Powell reached his sixth T20I fifty in the 16th over with a top-edged six over the ’keeper but with West Indies requiring 65 from 19 balls, he charged leg-spinner Adam Zampa and slapped a low full toss into the lap of long-on at 176 for eight. Jason Holder entered to lash a 16-ball 28 notout but the game was long gone.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, February 12, 2024

‘My next goal is to become world champion’

- powerlifter Petterson-Griffith CARLOS Petterson-Griffith, the new holder of the Guyana and South American squat record in the 93KG class says he is buoyed by his performance at the just concluded Sheffield powerlifting championship in England. The Guyanese finished 7th place out of 12 of the world strongest powerlifters and now holds the Caribbean and South America Squat record at with 332.5KG. He told Chronicle Sport, “I set out to be the best and compete among the best and the experience at the championship was great.” A c c o r d i n g t o P e t t e rson-Griffith, aptly nicknamed the ‘showstopper’, improvements were made on all his mandatory lifts to challenge

for a top spot. Carlos reset the 93KG weight class world squat record, albeit briefly, before American Gavin Adin went one better with 337KG to finish fourth in the championship. Petterson-Griffith says he’s immensely pleased with his showing, adding, “I made a great improvement in my bench press at 182.5 kg from 172.5….great improvement on my best deadlift from 355KG to 360KG for a combined 875KG which put me in the top 5 for my category in the world.” He continued, “Now it’s time to get stronger opening a greater gap on my nearest competitors, I’m only 20kg away from becoming world champion which is possible

Carlos Petterson-Griffith during the Squat at the recently concluded Sheffield powerlifting championship with the necessary tweaks.” The powerlifter says he has set his mind on breaking the squat and deadlift records and becoming world champion. His coach, Dexter Jones who was assisted by Jamie McDonald says, “His [Carlos]

performance was remarkable given the short prep time, the seemingly improbable but necessary targets that were established to get him into a competitive position.” Jones added that, “Despite the mind-numbing prospect of

competing at the most prestigious power lifting competition, Carlos rose to the occasion managed his trepidation and gave a performance that was befitting of his name ‘the showstopper.” He says the Guyanese will now be a force to be reckoned with in the international 93kg category. Meanwhile GAPLF president Franklin Wilson praised Carlos “for bringing himself and the nation great joy with his historic performance.” He says the executive is “proud of this achievement, which further strengthened the foundation for the sport to advance even more.” He noted Carlos has “worked hard and is very dedicated to the sport, and this is another hurdle crossed in his still growing career.”

Wilson says much thanks must be given to his technical team Jones and McDonald for their work behind the scenes. The sport administrator said the support of Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jnr, the National Sport Commission and Carlos’ sponsors has paid dividends, adding that bigger things are on the horizon for the sport and Guyana. Carlos qualified for Sheffield powerlifting championship after picking up silver at the International Powerlifting Federation World Championship Last Year. Sweden’s Gustav Hedlund won overall gold with front runner American Jonathan Cayco second and USA Delaney Wallace third for bronze with American Gavin Adin fourth.

GFF hosts successful workshop ahead of Elite League Season Six

IN a concentrated effort to prepare for the upcoming Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Season Six, General Secretary Ian Alves on Saturday hosted a club licensing workshop to share with the management of the ten Elite Clubs licensing criteria. Among the attendees were presidents or secretaries of reigning league champions Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Western Tigers, Den Amstel, Fruta Conquerors, Santos, Ann’s Grove and Buxton United. The workshop also welcomed representatives from the recently promoted

Monedderlust and Slingerz football clubs. "The GFF wants to ensure operational uniformity among Elite Clubs to foster the growth of the league and advancing player promotion. With established standards in place, clubs must ensure they are compliant as we continue to invest in professionalising the Elite League,” Alves told the fifteen participants. He also provided a detailed account of the club licensing process, placing emphasis on compliance with established standards, from having a proficient management team with a shared vision, financial audits, a de-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday February 12, 2024) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Gudakesh Motie-4 wickets (2) Xavier Bartlett-8 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI aggregated most runs in the recent ODI series against AUST? (2) Which Australian scored most runs in the series? Answers in tomorrow’s issue ……………………………………………………………

velopmental strategy which includes the seamless execution of matches and focusing on the well-being of players. “The clubs have been very receptive to the information shared. Fortunately, some of the clubs have been in the leagues for several years and have met the qualification for licensing. We continue to work with them and have also extended our support to recently promoted clubs Slingerz and Monedderlust, to ensure that all requirements are met.” He added that the “target is that before we conclude the upcoming Elite League all clubs will be at a position where they will be considered truly qualified for the club licensing.” GFF First Vice President Brigadier General (Ret) Bruce Lovell, in his opening statement, said the turnout signified a shared vision for the progress of professional football. “Your attendance is proof that you support the GFF's broader strategy to professionalise football. Our football in Guyana will not progress until we have a greater level of professionalism, until we approach football in a very professional manner in a collaborative

Some of the participants of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite Clubs licensing workshop manner.” He stressed that licensing is also key to upholding and enhancing the standard of play and advancing the youth and female football programmes. “Club licensing is not merely a regulatory measure, but a deliberate strategy to develop youth and female football. You have to have a youth programme, you have to have a female programme. Those are essential prerequisites for the club licensing regime.” Meanwhile, Santos Football Club Frank Paris shared

that “there is a lot of information that we probably thought we knew, but we didn't know,” adding that licensing lets clubs know what they “need to be up to the level of a professional team.” Treverlyn Johnson of the Monedderlust Football Club said the information shared at the workshop was invaluable. “I will definitely take it back to our club making sure that team members understand how important…it is for a club to be licensed.” The Elite League is set to start on February 25 at

the National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara, under the newly installed FIFA-approved floodlights. GFF President Wayne Forde administration continues to make substantial investments into the growth of club football, including the hosting of strategic training programmes to disseminate critical information to clubs, coaches, referees and players regarding the professionalisation of the game in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, February 12, 2024

One Guyana Basketball league playoff…

Thomas-inspired Bounty Colts edge Kobras

A VINTAGE performance from Bounty Colt’s star Shelroy Thomas made certain his team lives to fight another day as they eclipsed Kobras 77-76 to take the three-game playoff series 2-1 as the One Guyana Basketball league continued. Saturday evening’s double header was contested at the National Gymnasium Hard court. The two sides, going into the match, were poised with a win each. Colts took the first of the playoff games 66-51 but Kobras showed grit and determination to bounce back 78-73 in game two to force a game three. In the do or die matchup for a chance to play the Jaguars conference finals, Colts came out hot in the first quarter leading 20-15. But that was not a sign of things to come as Kobras, led

Action between the Ravens and the Kwakwani Untouchables by Travis Burnett and Carlos Added to that Colts had on the verge of sailing to Edwards, stepped up the ante the fortune of Kobras best victory. to tie the scores by half time player on the night, Travis Kobras coach Jermaine 35-35. Burnett, getting a techni- Slater after a bit with Burnett Colts Coach Willon Cam- cal foul for unsportsmanlike out, got his rotation right eron seemed to give his men conduct. again and brought on Elijah a stern pep talk during the Colts stepped on the pedal David and it proved a master break as they looked a differ- as they opened an eight-point stroke as him, along with ent side in the third. lead in the third and seemed Carlos Edwards, who finished

the night with 22 points, kept them in the game. Colts led by Oquacey Short with 12 points and Thomas’ 16 points made sure they kept a healthy lead but David would catch a fire with three minutes left in the contest, reducing a 10 point lead to almost topple the reigning champions who held on to take a narrow one point victory. Colts will begin their Jaguar conference finals against the undefeated Eagles next Saturday with the winner meeting the best team in the Harpy Eagles Conference final, for the overall One Guyana League title. Over in the Harpy Eagles Conference final, Ravens pipped Kwakwani Untouchables in the first of their 3-game series 70-59. Ravens point guard and captain, Dominic Vincente

led his team along with Jude Corlette to a comfortable victory. They started cold, being down at the end of the first period 11-9 but found their touch in the second period to lead 32-27 at the break Kwakwani’s Jamal Gilkes was their best scorer with 13 points with Rayon Short 10 points and Kadeem Dover 8. Kwakwani’s best performer in their first-round playoff series Domair Gladstone had an underwhelming showing with 9 points. After Ravens second quarter rout they never trailed again in the clash to claim the 11 points win. Ravens Corlette was the night’s best player with a game high 20 points as they easily closed out the win to go 1-up in the best of three Harpy Eagles’ conference finals.

Jockey Ross cautious but ready for Jumbo Jet’s horse race on February 25

G U YA N A’ S c h a m p i o n jockey for 2023 Colin Ross is cautious of his competitors but he is ready for the new challenge. Ross will be in action on Sunday February 25 at the Rising Run Turf Club when the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee Mashramani horse race takes centre stage. Eight races are carded for

the day and close to G$10 million will be up for grabs. According to Ross, the horses are in full preparation mode. “Preparation going okay. Some of the horses are 80 pe cent and 90 per cent ready. We have a few more weeks to get the horses for February 25. The trainer, groomers and exercising jockeys are doing a good job, so far everything

is looking good for race day,” Ross said. “That year I cannot complain (about 2023), I rode a lot of good horses and good won a lot of races. I am hoping for the best for this new year, 2024, to get some more wins than last year,” the champion jockey said. When asked if he will be jockey of the year again, Ross said: “I am trying by

best again to make it, because I know a lot of jockeys are trying to be champion jockey of the year.” “Rising Sun track is good. I exercised some horses. The track is alright, just a bit of rain to settle the sand. The track is okay so far,” Ross indicated. The feature event for February 25 will be open to all imported and locally bred

horses, running at 1,600m. The top horse of the feature event will bag GY$2 million. Additionally, the provisional programme includes the West Indian-bred four-year-old and West Indian-bred three-year-old horses running at 1,600m, and the three-year-old Guyana-bred non-winners of two races running at 1,400m.

In addition to Ross, Jockey Nicholas Patrick, and Ronaldo Appadu will be eyeing the champion jockey tag. Top horses in Easy Time, Alado, Bossalina, Jet Lee, Spankhurst, Stolen Money, Our Stuie among other horses are expected to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club at the Mashramani event.

GCB’s Senior Women 50 overs inter-county cricket

Berbice beat Essequibo by 4 wickets in low-scoring clash

By Sean Devers

Berbice on Sunday beat Essequibo in a low scoring matchup as the GCB’s Senior Women 50-over Inter-County tournament continued. After dismissing Essequibo for 64 at Meten-MeerZorg, Berbice opted to provide their lesser established batters with an opportunity to get some time in the middle ahead of the deciding match against Demerara at Malteen-

oes on Tuesday. However, in a game played on a good track and in bright sunshine, the Berbican ladies wasted that chance with some injudicious shots and lost six wickets, reaching 65-6 and giving Essequibo a glimmer of hope. West Indies batter Shemaine Campbell, batting at number eight, hit the winnings runs to finish unbeaten on four. Watched by a fair-sized gathering of mostly Berbicans seated in a brand-new

pavilion, good bowling and ordinary batting saw just two ladies reaching double figures for the losers. Cyanna Retemiah and Latoya Williams could only muster 12 each on a fast outfield. Lauren Williams (9) was removed by off-spinner Plaffiana Millington at 20-1 to start a dramatic collapse as wickets fell at regular intervals. Varuni Pitamber (1) was bowled by West Indies U-19 off-spinner Ashmini Munis-

ar at 23-2 before Williams, Navika Narine (0) and the experienced 36-year-old Kumarie Persaud (0) were all sent packing as four wickets tumbled for no run; Essequibo slumping to 23-5. Williams and National pacer 20-year-old Retemiah offered token resistance before medium pacer Tricia Hardat, who had 3-5, bowled Retemiah. Wi l l i a m s w a s l a t er trapped LBW to the long-serving national player Millington who had 3-11 as

Essequibo slipped to 59-7. Melanie Dover (7) was LBW to Shabika Gajnabi before Player-of-the-Match Hardat polished off the last two batters. Munisar supported Hardat and Millington with 2-7. When Berbice began their reply, Gajnabi, who scored the last ton in this tournament at Everest in 2019, played a loose shot at Retemiah after making just a single to leave the score on 5-1. Realeanna Grimmond

was looking set on 16 with three boundaries before skying Persaud to cover. Crystal Durant (6) had her off-stump uprooted and after hitting Retemiah for back-to-back boundaries, Munisar was caught and bowled by Yonette Welcome as Berbice slipped to 52-6. Campbell (5) and Tiea Isaacs (11) then saw their team to victory as Retemiah and Persaud had two wickets each.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, February 12, 2024

West Indies suffer series loss after Maxwell bludgeoning SEE PAGE

Rovman Powell gave West Indies a glimmer of hope • Getty Images

Jockey Ross cautious but ready for Jumbo Jet’s horse race on February 25 SEE PAGE

GCB’s Senior Women 50 overs inter-county cricket

Berbice beat Essequibo by 4 wickets in low-scoring clash SEE PAGE

Guyana’s champion Jockey Colin Ross has his eyes on winning the prize

Plaffiana Millington (left) and Tricia Hardat took three wickets each for Berbice

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

| MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024