Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12-08-2023

Region Three landscape changing rapidly

–– President Ali says; affirms that gov’t is responding to critical demands of citizens with key investments

RAPID development is underway in Region Three ( Essequibo Islands - West Demerara ), where economic prosperity is being attained and recorded in various sectors

President, Dr Irfaan Ali during an engagement with residents of Uitvlugt and neighbouring communities, acknowledged the ongoing development, noting: “Region Three is one of the fastest-growing regions in terms of the demand for homes, the growth in housing and the industrial development.”

He further said: “The infrastructural landscape of the region is also changing rapidly: we have more roads being built; we are expanding the highways.”

As the President addressed the 32 families who received housing units from Anna Catherina to Leonora, he referenced several huge projects that are ongoing in Region Three

The Head of State related: “We are doing the highway from Schoonord to Crane; that highway will be opened long before the end of the year and then there is a whole new gas-to-shore road service being constructed, going all the way to Wales

“We will then expand that highway from Crane going all the way to Parika So, every single area will be connected, interconnected to these two new highways.”

With the region booming with development and opportunities, the President said that in order to support the growing demand for various services, his government is working on ensuring that the facilities, particularly those that offer health care services, are capable of

catering to the people in the best way possible

“We are also working on ensuring that the healthcare facilities are there to support the growing demand here,” Dr. Ali said.

Among some of the massive investments in the health care sector, the President said, is a new regional hospital being constructed at De Kinderen and the planned upgrade of the West Demerara Hospital

The facility will have about 75 inpatient beds, two operating theatres, one minor theatre, imaging suite (digital x-rays, ultrasound, CT scans), as well as stateof - the - art accident and emergency and outpatient departments

In 2022, the Ministry of Health had commissioned a $30 million blood bank at the West Demerara Regional Hospital

The facility possesses all of the necessary equipment for blood storage; this allowed the hospital to perform surgeries faster and save more lives

In 2023 , the government allocated a mammoth $84 billion budget to ensure there is rapid infrastructural development, as well as better access to primary healthcare

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said that $1 billion was allocated for retrofitting health posts and health centres countrywide

In addition, $13.1 billion was allocated to advance preparatory works on six modern regional hospitals, and the Paediatric and Maternity Hospital.

Berbice Expo 2023 aligns with country’s food-security agenda

–Minister Walrond says

THE Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce

in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, on Friday launched its 17th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair.

The expo being held under the theme, “Fostering sustainable economic growth and food security ,” aligns with government’s food-security agenda of reducing the region’s food-importation bill

This was expressed by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond during her address at the launching

The expo will be held from October 13 to 16 at the Rose Hall Estate Com-

munity Centre Ground , Region Six

“

This theme is extremely applicable to the strategic approach of our government since it addresses three key pillars of policy President Dr Irfaan Ali ’ s vision to reduce food imports by 25 per cent by 2025 drives our commitment to local production,” said Minister Walrond

She charged all the local exhibitors to take advantage of the expo, since it will give them the opportunity to showcase their products

“ Business expos play a pivotal role in fostering vibrant local economies and nurturing entrepre -

neurial spirit These events serve as dynamic platforms where small businesses can showcase their products , services, and innovations to a broader audience,” the minister noted

The tourism minister said just like every other region, Region Six is transforming with a variety of

new products and services

Further, coordinator of the expo Tajpaul Ajodhea, said the four-day event will bring much excitement to Rose Hall and surrounding communities

He noted that although it will not be hosted at the Albion ground this year , which is larger, organisers

are still hoping to facilitate a large number of booths

“ We are expecting a minimum of a hundred exhibitors We have the main pavilion which will house about 70 or 80 booths , and then we have the lawn space which is heavily in demand by these businesses But we will map it out

and evenly distribute spaces to various businesses,” the coordinator stated Also present was Regional Chairman David Armogan who noted that the expo will be taking place at a crucial time when the region is being quickly transforming into a business hub

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali addresses residents of Region Three (Office of the President photo)

The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce on Friday launched its 17th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair

Cannabis trafficker gets 43 months in prison, $5.1M fine

A 47-year-old miner was, on Friday , sentenced to 43 months in prison , and fined $5.1 million for drug trafficking. Rayanthony Persaud, also known as “Tony,” of Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced by Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court

He was found guilty of trafficking 5.754 kilogrammes of cannabis on March 22, 2022, at the New Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD

In handing down her

sentence, Magistrate Latchman considered the nature, gravity , and prevalence of the offence Persaud was sentenced to 43 months in prison, together with a fine of $5,178,600

During March 2022, Persaud and two other men were arrested after officers of the Customs Anti - Narcotic Unit ( CANU ) found marijuana during an operation at the New Diamond Housing Scheme Reports are that the illegal substance was found in six parcels weighing , collectively , 5.754 kg ( 12.6 pounds). Persaud was found

sitting in a motor car parked in front of an unpainted house.

CANU officers observed Persaud exiting his car and approached a vehicle that was driven by another man

The anti - drug officers saw Persaud collecting a box from the man after which they both then entered the unpainted house together CANU officers then stormed the house and arrested the pair.

The box was searched and six parcels of suspected cannabis, valued at $1.7 million, were found inside

Guyana turns to Spanish-speaking partners for teachers

–– as Education Ministry rolls out Spanish as compulsory subject in schools

WITH schools set to reopen soon, Guyana is considering sourcing Spanish teachers from Cuba and Mexico to begin the rollout of Spanish as a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools across the country.

In an invited comment to reporters on the sidelines of an event on Thursday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said that Guyana will be seeking assistance from bilateral partners to source teachers while the country trains theirs.

Rayanthony Persaud

“We have a paucity or dearth of teachers in particular places, but we are also trying to work with some of our partners like Cuba and Mexico, and so on to see if we can get teachers down while we train ours,” Manickchand said

She added: “[We’re] talking about every primary and secondary school doing Spanish [we’re] talking about far more institutions doing Spanish than we ever had before.”

Manickchand highlighted that about 80 per cent of the country’s secondary schools have Spanish teachers; however, many more human resources will be needed to ensure the comprehensive roll-out of this initiative The ministry will also consider the services of retired teachers to help deliver Spanish classes.

In the meantime, the ministry, she said, is exploring several options to train teachers These include online courses or studies at the University of Guyana (UG) and the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

Additionally, the National Centre of Educational Resource Development (NCERD) is working to create Spanish materials that could be used in schools in the absence of a teacher

Last month, President, Dr Irfaan Ali announced that Spanish will become a mandatory subject in primary schools as part of the government’s commitment to enhance education at all levels across the country

The President underscored that Spanish is integral and necessary for the development of skilled human resources

“Being in a continent in South America we are the only English-speaking country We have to realise too that we are part of this continent that speaks Spanish, and I believe we are going to do the future young people of our country an injustice if we don’t point them in this direction

If you want to be competitive internationally, you have to have this second language, “he said.

CARICOM Youth Ambassador Dean wants youth on frontline of Region’s green transition

THE 2023 theme for the observance of International Youth Day, “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World ”, aligns with CARICOM’s efforts to ensure all stakeholders, including youth , are given a platform and their voices heard in discussions surrounding the impact of climate change on Small Island Developing States (SIDs).

Ensuring a sustainable future for our people is particularly important as attention turns to the upcoming 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28).

The 2023 observance of International Youth Day is particularly significant as the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme celebrates its thirtieth anniversary.

In this regard, the CARICOM Secretariat highlights Anguillian Tiffany Moore , the new Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme, as she advocates for the full involvement of Caribbean young people in the Region’s sustainability

“Today, more than ever, the world faces the urgent task of transitioning towards a sustainable future Climate change, dwindling resources, and environmental degrada-

tion have become existential threats that demand immediate action. At this critical juncture, empowering youth with green skills has emerged as a promising solution to build a sustainable world By equipping young people with the knowledge, expertise, and opportunities to participate in this transition actively, we can unlock their tremendous potential as change-makers and catalysts for positive growth.

The shift towards a sustainable world is not merely a buzzword; it reflects a fundamental rethinking of how societies operate This transition demands a workforce capable of navigating complex ecological , economic , and social intersections

Green Skills encompass diverse abilities, from renewable energy technologies and circular economy practices to sustainable agriculture , waste management and conservation sciences By cultivating these skills, young individuals enhance their employability and contribute to fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and the planet

Moreover , green skills empower young people to take proactive measures against climate change To-

day ’ s youth are more connected , engaged , and passionate about environmental issues than ever before By equipping them with the tools to engage in sustainable practices, we empower them to become green leaders of tomorrow

From innovative ideas to transformative projects , young people with green skills can contribute substantially to reducing carbon emissions, promoting clean energy alternatives, and influencing sustainable policies

Beyond environmental stewardship , green skills also offer immense economic opportunities As the world transitions towards cleaner and more sustainable technologies, there is a growing demand for professionals with expertise in the green sector

By providing young people with relevant training and skills, we prepare them for the green jobs of the future This ensures a sustainable job market and brings about socio-economic benefits for communities Green skills can drive economic growth, foster entrepreneurship, and create new opportunities for a more inclusive and equitable society

Creating an enabling environment for young people

to harness their potential is crucial to successfully embark on the green transition This includes adequate investment in green education and training , the promotion of sustainable career pathways , and facilitating mentorship and networking opportunities

Collaborative efforts between governments , educational institutions , businesses , and civil society organisations are essential to ensure a coordinated approach that maximises the impact of green skills initiatives

Access to these skills must be democratised, ensuring that all segments of society , regardless of background, can participate in the green transition

Lastly , it is essential to recognise that today ’ s youth are not merely passive beneficiaries of these efforts but dynamic agents of change Their energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives breathe life into the sustainability movement

By empowering young people with green skills, we equip them with the tools to actively shape a more sustainable world Their voices are needed at the decision - making tables , their ideas are crucial for driving innovation, and their commitment to sustainability will shape future generations

In conclusion, the world stands at a critical juncture where the green transition is no longer a choice but a necessity

Young people are poised

to play a pivotal role in this transformative process , and Green Skills are the compass that guides them. We can harness their energy, creativity, and passion to drive the green transition by equipping young people with knowledge , expertise, and opportunities in sustainable practices Let us seize this moment and collectively work towards a more sustainable world where today ’ s youth are champions of tomorrow’s green future”. (CARICOM TODAY)

Tiffany Moore, Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme

Calculated Steps Towards Prosperity

RECENTLY , in a move that has caused a stir across the country, the National Assembly approved a significant increase in the debt ceilings for both external and public loans.

The numbers have increased from $500 billion to a notable $750 billion and from a modest $650 billion to a bold $900 billion It is crucial to examine this choice through the prism of thorough analysis in the midst of the flurry of comments and criticisms, illuminating the planned justification and long-term promise underlying this tactical action

The spotlight on this decision is underscored by the context of our times

The driving force behind this bold step lies in the anticipation of substantial future revenue streams , courtesy of the burgeoning oil and gas sector This evolving financial landscape underscores the government’s deliberate choice to channel funds towards transformative projects outlined in the PPP/C’s 2020 manifesto While critics voice their concerns, a close examination reveals that this shift in debt dynamics is founded on

a solid economic bedrock

Scrutinising the economic indicators that buttress this decision, it becomes apparent that the nation’s risk profile is well within acceptable limits The debtto-GDP ratio, external debt to exports ratio, and debt service-to-GDP ratios, all of which stand at historically low and globally competitive levels, quell the specter of default risk This lends credibility to the notion that incurring additional debt is a prudent maneuver rather than a reckless one

At the crux of this strategic choice is the imperative to invest in projects laden with transformative potential Given the yawning gap between the existing revenue stream and the funding required for projects capable of driving national advancement, leveraging future income becomes an imperative Postponing the execution of these projects would inevitably inflate their costs, as the time value of money enters the equation Launching these initiatives while costs are still relatively modest averts the specter of mounting financial pressures down the

line, particularly in light of the inevitable escalation of construction and financing expenses

Furthermore , the ripple effects of these projects, both economic and societal, are intricately linked to their timely implementation Delaying endeavors such as the Gas-to-shore project threatens to withhold key benefits from our citizenry, including affordable electricity and improved transportation networks Further delays could compromise the nation’s appeal to potential investors, putting the prospect of high-paying job opportunities at risk

As we stand at the cusp of a transformative economic era, the endorsement of international partners for project financing underscores the viability of these initiatives and the nation’s credit-worthiness Seizing these resources and funneling them into the transformative projects articulated in the government’s manifesto emerges as a shrewd strategy, capitalising on global confidence in our nation’s potential

It is paramount to emphasise two

critical facets The capital investments championed by the PPP/C serve not only as drivers of economic growth but also as catalysts for private investments and business expansion Their early execution solidifies this trajectory and triggers a cycle of prosperity

Equally crucial is the recognition that seizing timely opportunities is pivotal to economic development, as is evident in Guyana’s ongoing economic surge These opportunities are transient, and hesitancy could result in their evaporation By seizing these openings and directing resources into strategic projects now , Guyana charts a course toward enduring gains

In our pursuit of national welfare, the harmony between prudence and expediency is paramount

The intrinsic link between these projects and the well-being of our citizens is undeniable

Each initiative becomes a conduit for employment, modern services, and public goods, collectively elevating the entire society.

The dissolving bubbles of a confused imagination

Dear Editor,

I READ GHK Lall’s letter bearing the title, “Jagdeo’s SN’s rants has many eerie parallels” (SN August 9, 2023) and I feel a sense of pity.

Pity for what is passing in the press these days as reasoned analysis and sensible comparatives Lall’s piece is nothing short of rambling of an “ignar.” The piece sets out to criticise VP Jagdeo’s press conference of August 3, which factually and comprehensively rebutted SN’s biased pseudo-journalistic editorial

The editorial itself ignored a mountain of facts already in the public domain, but due to its level of influence in society, the VP rightly described it as a poisoned

chalice of “cool aid.”

Interestingly, the Opposition Leader, known for being bereft of any form of original thought, has tasted the cool-aid The side effect of that witch’s brew, as it will appear, is blowing soap bubbles

Nothing but hot air caught in a floating transparent bubble that soon dissolves into nothing – admittedly looks good for a moment, but is unable to bear the lightest scrutiny So, the opposition leader pirated and parroted SN, lock stock, and barrel (pun intended), ostensibly sounding learned

Lall also drank the cool-aid and blew soap bubbles of his own In attempting to disprove some specific points underscored by the VP, Lall cast a wide net and

wrote a wild piece of conspiracy theory that could be written about any national, state, or city administration on any given day and place in the entire history of the earth

That piece of scrabbling parley could be applied to the rulership of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Caeser Agustus , Barack Obama , Angelia Merkel , David Granger – just pick a period, pick a place on earth and Lall’s soap bubbles of conspiracy will dazzle

In truth and in fact, it is transparent, vacuous, and full of hot air Lall failed to offer a single counterfactual and failed to disprove a single digit of “ splashy numbers”.

The VP spoke of a legal framework

to change all future oil PSAs, streamline auctioning of oil blocks in the future, improve local content, make the most out of gas deposits, a carbon tax on the flaring of gas, the gas to energy project that will cut emission from current HFC power generators and reduce electricity costs by as much as 50 per cent along with so many other measures to improve sector transparency and secure better future deals for the people of Guyana

Despite this, Lall attempted to obscure facts by diverting attention but in the end, there is nothing but dissolving bubbles of a confused imagination.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Home ownership now within reach of Guyanese

Dear Editor

I READ with interest an unsigned article in the media that argues home ownership in Guyana is a pipe-dream

The missive took on a retaliatory tone against Minister Susan Rodrigues (Housing and Water) who provided an update on the Young Professional homes being built at LBI

The complainant also stated that many projects that were announced have not been completed While the letter in question does express some legitimate concerns , it could have been more cautious with its general claims Consider the points below:

For the sake of clarity let us begin with a specific point made by the complainant They argue that a house in Kingston sells for about $95,000,000 (GY ninety - five million ), and given the wage level in Guyana, no worker could afford to buy a house in that lovely part of Georgetown

To add a populist slant to the claim, the letter writer wants to know “how on earth can a teacher afford that?” Well, it is absurd for a teacher to want to buy a house for GY$95 million

If fact, I bet no teacher in their right mind would be thinking that they may want to buy a house for that price , the same way a teacher in Washington DC cannot think she may want to buy a house in McLean, Virginia, or Potomac, Maryland

Unlike the letter writer, most consumers are quite rational when it comes to buying a house People must afford what they want to buy

Allow me to provide a lesson to the letter writer regarding populism and housing This will take us back to President Bill Clinton who, for good rea-

sons, wanted to boost home ownership But there were also a good dose of politics involved Clinton pushed aggressively to lower down payments, and to ease the market conditions for mortgages

The toxic , sub - prime mortgage market emerged, and with the removal of Glass - Steagall in 1999 , a free-for all broke out Subprime mortgages were securitised, bundled, and sold off to investors , many of whom did not know the extent of the risks President George W. Bush continued with the same policies

Sub - prime mortgages were targeted to those who could not otherwise obtain a mortgage, and amounted to hot - money speculation facilitated by politicians who wanted to administer home ownership through economic populism

It eventually caused the US economy to crash, and many of the poor who were sold debt (mortgages) they could not have otherwise obtained, were forced into bankruptcy

No bank should provide a mortgage to a teacher to buy a house for GY $ 95 million, unless the teacher has another source of income to comfortably meet the monthly payments Buy what you can afford

President Ali’s admin-

istration has committed to housing to the tune of 50,000 through a combination of house lots, Young Professional Homes , and other targeted categories The investments are huge and will yield real value for people all across this country.

It costs GY $ 3 million to develop a house lot The government aggressively subsidises these house lots, and further, it also has strong levelling mechanisms in the housing policy

High income lots are sold for as high a GY$2.3 million ; low income lots are subsidised by up to 90 per cent of the real cost

Let us look at affordability Two teachers making GY$80,000 each can afford a house for GY$9,000,000 From their combined income of GY$180,000, they will pay GY $ 41,000 in monthly mortgage, or about 25 per cent of their salary.

This assumes a rate of 3.75 per cent A single person can get a government house (where available ) for GY $ 5.5 million and will pay GY$25,000, monthly mortgage That is a much higher portion of the monthly income, but single buyer home purchasers are always at a disadvantage

A higher income couple making GY $ 250,000 each, can build a home for GY $ 20 million , and pay

GY$116,000 monthly mortgage , amortized over 30 years This assumes an interest rate of 5.75 per cent

The complainant should look around the world, and especially to places where Guyanese have migrated It is worthwhile making the comparison.

The median house price in Toronto is CAD $1,171,300, while the average salary in Toronto is CAD $62,000 The average house price, therefore, is 18 times the average salary Mind you , average entry level salary in Toronto is CAD$33,000.

The average price for a house in Florida is US $ 377,000 , while the average income in Florida for the 25 th percentile is US $ 2,994 per month A house purchased at the two averages will result in a

monthly mortgage payment of US$2,090 (includes property tax and home insurance).

The monthly payment then will be close to 70 per cent of the monthly salary!

Do you get the picture ? Guyana looks very good by comparison.

Within the Caribbean , you should know that house prices went up 38 per cent in Trinidad and Tobago since 2022

The letter writer does have a solid point about rent escalation Most of the spectacular rents we see , however , are geared towards foreign workers usually connected to oil and gas

Minister Croal and Minister Rodrigues have both made it clear that the accelerated housing push on board now will bring great-

er balance to the housing market

It must also be said that tens of thousands of Guyanese who had little savings and no long - term wealth , can now hold their heads high because of rapid asset appreciation

Many ordinary people have become quite wealthy, at least on account of property values The challenge is for the baking system to facilitate that wealth into agile liquidity

The concerns of the anonymous would have been more effective had he or she been more guided by the dynamics of the housing market , rather than by attempts to score cheap political points

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

The story of Red Thread: Part 1

THIS is a short series on a WPA fronted organisation born in 1988 named Red Thread.

The series was motivated by the exclamation of Red Thread that in April, it received a threat and last month it received a warning that businessman “Shell” Mohamed and his son are sending a hitman to harm them

Red Thread informed the media that the message came from Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critics.” Rodrigues told this columnist that he has already contacted his lawyer and he intends to sue Red Thread

When I was growing up, all the time in our home, I would hear the elderly folks, while talking about people and events, say: “Pick sense out of nonsense.” That saying has stuck with me I say the same thing to my wife when we are discussing events

So, we will pick sense out of nonsense as the series unfolds In this country, what work does Red Thread do that is of a controversial nature for people to want to harm the organisation? I have lived in Guyana my entire life, except for studies abroad I have spent 35 years in the media and have chalked up about 55 years in political, social and human rights activism The point I am making is that I know the politics of publicly known individuals and organisations My job as a columnist is to study them And I have been writing about them over the past 35 years

I ask again what Red Thread is engaged in to warrant an attack on them? Red Thread

was formed by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) as a front organisation in 1988 It was essentially a WPA arm but its astute arrangement took the form of a woman organisation

By that time, the WPA was facing financial troubles because Guyanese politics had changed considerably with pressure from the internationally powerful countries The next general election was one year away with most Guyanese knowing that the age of rigging was nearing its end.

The WPA then faced a huge election battle in 1990 (later postponed to 1992) in which most Guyanese thought would be the most decisive election since 1957

WPA believed it stood a chance of victory But it was living in another world because the sources of its resources in the 1970s were dead and gone To compete with the PPP and PNC, the WPA knew it had to get resources With the birth of Red Thread, WPA was able to have reliable funding

WPA’s birthing of Red Thread was an ingenious act for which the talent of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine stood out However far Dr Roopnaraine has strayed from his Rodneyite, revolutionary politics (God knows; he strayed too far away), he had a very creative political mind He will be remembered for his role in the birth of Red Thread and APNU

Forming a woman group without the trappings of politics was bound to be successful in attracting international funds Red Thread, from the inception, was in receipts of donations from international NGOs through

which it was able to purchase a large building in Werk-en-Rust for its head office

Like its parent body , the WPA , Red Thread was, from the inception, a highly elitist Mullato/Creole class operation Go to the Red Thread webpage and you will see the class basis of the organisation

From 1992, when the WPA’s electoral prospects died, to 2002 when the Mash Day jail break occurred, Red Thread was the WPA and the WPA was Red Thread

The two organisations overlapped and Red Thread became the definitive financial backer of the WPA

The parting of ways came about for three reasons One was that the main voice of Red Thread, Andaiye, began to distance her organisation from the WPA for reasons we may never know and I can only speculate

Here is my speculation She was diagnosed with cancer which she made public When people take ill, they seem to see things in different philosophical light

I think Andaiye felt that the WPA she knew and participated in founding in 1974 as a pressure group then in 1976, then, as a political party was not the WPA of the 21st century I did not know how she felt until I got a revealing email from her

In one of my columns, I named her as one of the executives of the WPA She asked me to state in my next column that she is no longer part of the WPA

So I called her and in our conversation, she told me she wants nothing to do with the kind of politics the WPA was now into

Of course, I wrote about this twice before To be continued

Youth declaration on climate change crafted at Advocacy & Youth Forum 2023

AFTER a successful threeday Advocacy and Youth Forum by the Rights of the Child Commission ( RCC ) and UNICEF Guyana with 150 youths from Guyana , the youths have drafted a youth declaration on climate change

The three-day event, held in recognition of International Youth Day, 2023, observed on August 12 (today) saw a range of discussions on Climate Change , Green Skills and Youth, Entrepreneurship and Youth, Life Skills, Mental Health and Youth and Immu-

really happy to have been a part of such a forum.”

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, during the final-day panel discussion said he is proud of the initiative coming out of youths at the event

“

Being able to raise the awareness and be part of the global conversation is really important for the kind of future we are going to inherit Climate change is real and is caused by a lot of our activities We have to find the solutions and I am extremely pleased to join in the

nization

Youths at the forum touted the event a success that saw many solutions to issues surrounding the topic areas discussed

Participant at the event , Delroy Marks of Region Six, said the forum encouraged him to use his voice as a youth

“I have met a lot of youths from across the country that are very passionate about the same topics as me [sic], which include climate change, mental health, human rights and children [sic] rights This forum allowed me to create a voice to bring awareness and create an impact in society,” Marks said

Sharing similar sentiments was another participant at the event, Kimora Payne of Region Four who said, “From this forum I have learned a lot about green skills and the part youths play in making the world a better place I also learned [that] there are better ways to help with the earth and global warming, and I am

conversation,” he said

Commenting on the forum and assembling of the youth declaration on climate change, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar noted the forum has achieved its goal

“This forum was very engaging and strategic in terms of bringing youths from different regions to reflect and discuss on various issues like [sic] climate change and other issues affecting them They have developed a plan of action and drafted a youth declaration that will guide and shape their intentions going forward,” Akhtar said Chief Executive Officer of RCC , Andre Gonsalves , expressed contentment with the three-day event

He said: “I cannot wait for them [the youths] to present it [youth declaration] to the government and other stakeholders I know it’s going to be an inclusive document It includes voices from the National Toshaos Council (NTC), the indigenous people’s group and the migrant

groups

“ They spoke highly of including indigenous voices so there are so many angles, topics and issues to be addressed I am very proud of my Guyanese youths and children for the position they are taking to advocate for their rights,” he added

The three - day forum concluded with a panel discussion and mini exhibition led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in collaboration with the UN Guyana Volunteers

Also in attendance at the closing of the event was Minister of Culture , Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson; British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, Gerardo Noto to name a few

This year, International Youth Day is observed under the theme, “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.” (UNICEF)

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson (second from left) among other panellists at the Advocacy and Youth Forum 2023

Participant Delroy Marks at the Advocacy and Youth Forum 2023

Participant Kimora Payne at the Advocacy and Youth Forum 2023

CEO, Rights of the Child Commission , Andre Gonsalves

Siriki villagers to benefit from better primary health care

–– following commissioning of $23M health post

By Indrawattie Natram

IN keeping with its efforts to improve primary health care across Guyana , the Ministry of Health has commissioned a $ 23 million health post at Siriki, Upper Pomeroon , Region Two ( Pomeroon - Supenaam).

The health post, which measures 12.2 metres long and nine metres wide, was constructed by Triple F Variety Store

The health post will provide health services to over 500 residents living in Siriki and neighbouring communities

Services that will be offered include antenatal and chronic clinics, family planning, vaccination and comprehensive medical outreaches.

During the commissioning ceremony for the facility , Minister of Health , Dr Frank Anthony said the ministry is focusing on extending

Maternal and Child Health ( MCH ) to all the health centres and posts across Guyana

Dr Anthony said that the ministry is also working to ensure that at least 216 medical interventions are offered at the various health facilities

Admitting that this would not be an easy task, the Health Minister said his team intends to continue investing in training programmes so that persons could effectively function in the medical field

“ One of the biggest challenges is managing chronic diseases, and we have to manage them well ; we need to offer these services and once treated early , we can prevent diseases and have a healthier population,” Minister Anthony said.

INTERVENTIONS

The health post is equipped with solar pan-

els, which will power a refrigerator and make vaccines available to the communities. Residents, in the past, had to visit the coastland to access vaccines.

Dr Anthony, therefore, urged health care workers at the health post to care the facility and to work with the regional health team

He urged part - time workers attached to the facility to be proactive with the management of patients and also to upgrade their skills

According to Regional Health Officer Dr Ranjeev Singh, the commissioning of the health post will boost health services in the region and ease the burden of persons having to travel to the Essequibo Coast.

He said that the facility is the fulfilment of a promise made after President Ali visited the Pomeroon community

Dr Singh said that the flooding was severe and the health facility was under water, and, as such, a decision was made for the construction of the Siriki Health Post , with special consideration for higher ground Doctors will be visiting the health post regularly to conduct medical outreaches

Regional Vice-Chairman , Humace Oodit , said that the Government of Guyana is working to ensure that health services are available in every community despite geographical location

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony along with Regional Health Officer Dr Ranjeev Singh assist a child to cut the ceremonial ribbon to commission the Siriki Health Post

Siriki Health Post

Peroune to use Caribbean Culture Queen title to promote women-empowerment

THE Miss Caribbean Culture Queen crown has been won by Shemina Peroune, making her the first Guyanese to achieve this feat . After securing the title of Miss Caribbean Culture Queen four days ago, the 20-year-old woman returned to Guyana on Friday afternoon.

On Monday, the Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant’s 15th edition was held

on the island of Saint Kitts and Nevis This newspaper’s Friday entertainment publication dubbed Peroune the ‘ Guyanese Nala .’ Her triumph was hailed as a momentous occasion for Guyana, being the first time the country had won that title

Peroune was crowned Queen and also received the titles of Miss Photogenic and Best Interviewed Delegate

Speaking with media operatives on Friday, Shemina said she plans on using her platform as Miss Caribbean Culture Queen to advocate for women ’ s equity and women empowerment She said, “And to also strengthen regional integration amongst our Caribbean Countries And to ensure that all the aims of CARICOM are superseded and met.”

Peroune’s Miss Guyana

Culture Queen platform centered on empowering women, and she intends to expand her role by fostering regional integration and collaborating with former and future Miss Caribbean

Culture Queens

In May, Peroune became Miss Guyana Culture Queen and represented the country in Nevis as an ambassador

When asked about what is next for her, Per-

oune said with a smile, “As it relates to pageantry, I think I’m just going to be sitting on the back-burner, for now, and who knows; you may see me in another pageant

Welcome Home, Miss Caribbean Culture Queen, Shemina Peroune (Japhet Yohan Savory Photos)

MV MA Lisha’s successful maiden voyage validates commitment to improved water transportation

–– says Minister Edghill

By Cindy Parkinson

One concluded with its safe arrival at Kumaka Port on Friday morning. The vessel departed the

Kingston wharf in Georgetown on Thursday at 4 PM, carrying 276 passengers, 18 crew members and cargo Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle from Region One, the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill,

explained that he and some other officials boarded the $2.5 billion vessel on Thursday afternoon

According to him , “the journey to Kumaka was a success; it was an enjoyable one for all on board, and I was happy to be a part of it I am also happy to say that it was on time, comfortable, and in a safe atmosphere , and I would like to say to all Guyanese, no matter how old you are, you can take this trip I also want to say that the crew and the passengers were very professional in the way they followed the safety guidelines and all the protocols.”

The minister , with a touch of humour , remembered an elderly woman on board who was well-prepared for the first trip. “There was an 87 - year - old passenger on board and I can tell you that she was well dressed for the journey with her Old Year’s Night dress And that goes to show that the public, especially the Region One communities are responding very well to having this vessel; and I must say that the Region One community was very welcoming as the MV Lisha docked.”

As it relates to tourism, Minister Edghill said, apart from the residents of Region One and the locals , there were also several overseas - based Guyanese who ventured on the journey just for the experience and for sightseeing

According to him, “With this trip we had more persons who wanted to be on the trip, but the boat could not have accommodated them, so that is why there is another trip that is scheduled for Tuesday with the MV Barima There was more cargo at the Georgetown port than what the boat can carry and that only shows how responsive and welcoming people are to this service and the bigger vessel.”

He continued , “ I also want to say that I would have [ sic ] spoken with at least three dozen persons who were making the trip for the first time , and that included several overseas - based Guyanese who were also on board This seems to be a good trend for tourists and Guyana ’ s tourism sector Like [sic] I said, it is a beautiful and safe journey from Georgetown to Region One, and I urge all to make it a

must with your families.”

Minister Edghill expressed his satisfaction in confirming that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic has fulfilled its promise , and the MV MA Lisha is now operational He asserted that it would undoubtedly bring more benefits to transportation, tourism, agriculture, and trade sectors

During a luncheon to celebrate the arrival of the $2.5 billion (US$12.7 million) vessel, Minister Edghill referred to the MV MA Lisha as a “game changer” for water transportation in Guyana

He also emphasized the importance of boosting travel , business , and tourism between Georgetown and the Northwest District

“MV MA Lisha is a game changer in water transportation in Guyana. The people in Region One would now be able to get home faster, since this boat is [a] faster boat We will be reducing travel time sometime between six to eight hours that is the game changer,” Bishop Edghill said

Furthermore , he stated that the ferry sailing the Barima / Waini / Georgetown routes was made by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited , an Indian business with special features to alleviate passenger problems Bishop Edghill highlighted that the boat ’ s containers have the capacity to carry more produce and reduce the cost of goods for travellers

Moreover, Edghill verified that the boat can accommodate 276 passengers, 18 crew members, 14 sedans, and two trucks Seating on the 70-metre-long beam will be as comfortable as business class on an airline, with air conditioning and ample leg room Women, senior citizens, pregnant mothers, and children will have a comfortable and safe travel experience

The VIP cabins also provide an opportunity for persons to travel with their cars and SUVs to the Northwest District

THE first voyage of the MV MA Lisha to Region

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, interacting with passengers on the MV MA Lisha on the route to Region One

The new MV MA Lisha on its inaugural trip to Region One

Capoey village to have potable water for the first time

By Cindy Parkinson

AS part of government ’ s commitment to providing clean water to Guyanese , Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal visited Region Two ( Pomeroon / Supenaam) over the week-

the very first time, according to the minister

He said this is in keeping with the efforts of the People’s Progressive Party Civic government to improve the quality of life of the people of Capoey and by extension, all of Guyana

expressed

He added : “ This plant will provide vital services to the communities from Supenaam to Taymouth Manor With a substantial capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day , the facility will be well - equipped

to worry about the high iron content or poor quality of the water anymore.”

The Housing Minister , along with technical specialists and the Executive Director of Hinterland for Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Ramchand Jailall, stated that the purpose of their visit was to assess the ongoing progress of a project. However , they mentioned that a recently purchased Pat Rig will now be used by GWI ’ s hinterland team for drilling wells in the hinterland regions

He added, “With the well expected to be finished in two weeks, the team’s commitment is expected to pay off, and they will focus next on developing the distribution network after that.”

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and regional officials, engineers, and technical support staff examine the site of the well in Hill Top, Capoey

end to meet with officials, engineers , technical support staff, and workers of water treatment plants and well sites

Minister Croal revealed in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle that his visit to the Cinderella County was mainly to oversee the progress of work on the water treatment plants and wells.

The Hill Top community of Capoey, with a population of about 200, will have access to drinkable water for

“With a $10M financial allocation, this project will significantly enhance the quality of life for those who are living in Capoey Due to the positive changes that are happening in the village, the eagerness of residents is growing and they are happy to know that they will get water that they can actually consume It will be the first time in the history of this community that they will have quality water, and that is worth celebrating ,” he

to service the needs of an expected future population of about 20,000 people , which is equivalent to more than 5,000 households It is the government’s aim to ensure that all Guyanese have access to portal water

Like the other communities, I am here to talk with the officials, and I am happy to say that work is progressing smoothly so far After these major investments are completed, the residents in Region Two will not have

The design of the new facility includes various characteristics to ensure its sustainability and usability, according to Minister Croal The facility will have storage tanks that run on a photovoltaic system, decreasing their carbon footprint

Once the Capoey well is complete , the Pat Rig will move to the Pomeroon, where they will drill more wells , according to Minister Croal He says that this initiative aligns with what President Irfaan Ali pledged to the public a year ago

Toshiba Engineering was given a contract worth G$1,182,143,031 for the crucial project that will be completed under a 24-month contract, by November 9, 2024

The project includes the construction of one contact tank, three filters, a storage tank with a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters, a chlorination system, and a primary pump station that can output 660 cubic meters per hour

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle last month , Minister Croal stated that President Ali and the PPP/C are working hard to develop infrastructure, provide homes to everyone , create job opportunities, and pursue other initiatives

He said that the communities on the coast are so large that they are spending $125 million to install treatment plants and wells to give people easier access to water in their homes

“

We have started to

drill a new well at Cummings Lodge New Housing Scheme, and that will supply the new treatment plant that we are also installing there. The area will obviously be supplied through the treatment plant, but even though it is for the Cummings Lodge community, we would normally interlink the system so that the neighbouring communities will also benefit from it,” he shared

“It is very much needed in that area because of the capacity of the community, and while we are considering the population of these communities , I must mention that we are also drilling another well at Turkeyen , which is at the back of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE),” he added.

Multimillion-dollar digital x-ray machine at Suddie Hospital to benefit thousands of persons

By Indrawattie Natram

RESIDENTS living in Re -

gion Two and some parts of Region Three now stand to benefit from the new multimillion-dollar digital x-ray machine at the Suddie Public Hospital

The machine, which was commissioned on Friday, will significantly reduce patient transfers, improve emergency care and contribute to faster diagnoses

In his address during a simple commissioning ceremony , Health Minister , Dr Frank Anthony, said that the images taken from the machine could be stored on a hard drive and retrieved later The

electronic format of the x-ray images taken by the machine allows the files to be shared with radiologists for further analysis

Minister Anthony said the digital x-ray machine costs $35 million and additional funds were expended to rehabilitate the x-ray machine room and conduct electrical works

“It’s a very good project; all the images doctors will have access to, and this is a step-up in the health sector; it ’ s very clean and updated and much better,” Dr Anthony said

He added that the images could be transferred easily and even sent on a phone so that doctors could have immediate access He said it is a good

step for the hospital and the health care system.

The digital services will be working 24/7 and three persons were trained to use the machine This initiative is part of a broader project, which would see the replacement of 14 analogue machines countrywide Region Two Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, said that the installation of the digital x-ray machine is a boost for the region

Oodit said that it saves time for people who previously had to travel outside of the region for such services

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, said that patients have already started accessing the services.

Minister Croal inspecting the Onderneeming water treatment site

Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, meeting with staff members in the digital x-ray unit

RACING TIPS

09:50

10:25 hrs

Falls

11:00 hrs Kings Time

11:40 hrs Unquestionable

12:10 hrs Desert Haven

12:40 hrs Curraheen

Princess

American Racing Tips Saratoga

Race 1 Tall Paul Race 2 Ocean Mermaid Race 3 Sa Foradada

Race 4 Kupp Race 5 Chaperone Race 6 Foxy Cara Race 7 Love Reigns

Canadian Racing Tips

Woodbine Race 1 Boston Mabel

Race 2 Wahrer Schatz Race 3 Pemberley

Race 4 Be Like Leigh

Race 5 Malibu Mambo

Race 6 Muskora Giant Race 7 Sarah’s Dancer

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein

08:10 hrs Silver Sanctuary

08:45 hrs

09:20 hrs Gilda Grey

09:55 hrs

hrs Simply Magic

Haaland scores double as City beat Burnley

(BBC) - Erling Haaland was back in the old routine with a devastating display of finishing as Manchester City opened the defence of their Premier League title with a comfortable victory at Burnley.

The goal-scoring phenomenon, who hit 52 goals as City won the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season, took only 185 seconds to open his account for the new campaign, striking a blow from which the newly promoted Clarets never recovered.

Haaland pounced in the area when Rodri headed down Kevin de Bruyne's cross, then curled in a magnificent leftfoot strike into the top corner beyond Burnley keeper James Trafford after 36 minutes to effectively end the contest.

Burnley, roared on by a

campaign with a win - as was proved by the animated behaviour of perfectionist manager Pep Guardiola.

If goal machine Haaland was expecting a congratulatory arm around the shoulder from his manager as he walked off at half-time, he received a rude awakening when he received an intense lecture from Guardiola, who demanded a camera man move out of range as he spoke to the striker.

He clearly wanted even more from Haaland, who showed his lethal economy by scoring twice from only six touches in the first half.

It sounds ludicrous to suggest Haaland was often on the periphery of the action but such is his brilliance in front of goal that he still makes the decisive contribution and built the platform for what turned

passionate home crowd, never gave up but City's control grew more emphatic as the game went on, Rodri turning home the third with 15 minutes left after the home defence failed to clear a freekick.

It all ended very comfortably for City, their night only marred by another injury for De Bruyne, who limped off after only 23 minutes to be replaced by summer signing Mateo Kovacic.

Burnley had Anass Zaroury sent off in injury time, after a video- assistant referee review, for a dangerous lunge on Kyle Walker.

Man. City have just too much

Manchester City showed inevitable signs of rust even though they started their

into a routine victory for the champions.

Kovacic slipped smoothly into the action as replacement for De Bruyne but the Belgian's recurring injury problems will be a real source of concern for Guardiola and City. He spent the summer recovering from the serious hamstring injury that forced him out of the Champions League final win over Inter Milan after only 36 minutes and looked crestfallen as he walked off here.

City will hope the injury to such a key player, who had already created the opening goal for Haaland, is not serious - as the rest of their opening Premier League night played out satisfactorily.

Erling Haaland has scored 38 Premier League goals in 36 games

CWI Rising Stars Boys’ Under-17 tournament begins today

The best young cricketers in the West Indies are assembling in Trinidad & Tobago for the West Indies Rising Stars Boys’ Under-17 Regional Tournament that features both 50Over and two-day formats.

The regional tournament starts today and runs until August 31.

For this 2023 edition, Cricket West Indies (CWI) is introducing a two-day red ball format to add to the pre-existing 50-Over format for the Rising Stars Under-17s Regional Championships. Teams will compete for the West Indies Rising Stars U-17s 50-Over Cup

and the West indies Rising Stars U-17s 2-Day Championship.

Graeme West, CWI’s High-Performance Manager, said: “The introduction of the two-day component at the Under-17s level is a significant step forward in the development of multi-format cricketers for the future. It is essential that our young talent enjoy the challenge of the red ball format, igniting their ambitions to play Test Cricket.”

The West Indies Rising Stars Under-17s Tournament will feature five rounds of 50-over white-ball matches from August 12-20 and three

rounds of two-day red-ball matches from August 23-31 to be played at the National Cricket Centre (NCC), Inshan Ali Park, PowerGen Sports Ground and Gilbert Park Cricket Ground (GPCG). A champion will be crowned at the end of each format as the WI Rising Stars Under-17 50-over Cup Champions and WI Rising Stars Under-17 2-day Champions.

This tournament is a key element of the West Indies Future Stars development programme, allowing the best players in the region to test themselves within their age group. The tournament is

pivotal for identifying talent and facilitating player progression to produce the next generation of West Indies senior international cricketers.

Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket, added : “The addition of the two-day format presents coaches and players with the opportunity to craft skills for the longer format at an earlier stage in the players’ development. It is also a tangible way for CWI to demonstrate its commitment to securing the future of West Indian Test Cricket.”

CWI’s strategic plan has committed resources into developing the game at every level and these tournaments therefore play a vital role in the strategy to develop the talent pool and produce the next generation of West Indies players. The West Indies Rising Stars Under-17s Championships completes the full 2023 calendar of CWI’s regional age group cricket which featured the men’s West Indies Rising Stars Under-15s and Under-19s Championships, as well as the Rising Stars Women’s Under-19s Championship.

West Indies Rising Stars Under-17 50-over Cup Championship

Matches start at 9:30am local time (8:30am Jamaica time)

Saturday 12 August

Trinidad and Tobago vs Windward Islands at NCC

Barbados vs Guyana at GPCG

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica at the Inshan Ali Park

Monday 14 August

Jamaica vs Guyana at NCC

Trinidad and Tobago vs Leeward Islands at Inshan

Ali Park

Windward Islands vs Barbados at GPCG

Wednesday 16 August

Leeward Islands vs Barbados at the Inshan Ali Park

Windward Islands vs Guyana at GPCG

Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica at NCC

Friday 18 August

Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana at PowerGen

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at NCC

Barbados vs Jamaica at GPCG

Sunday 20 August

Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados at NCC

Leeward Islands vs Guyana at the Inshan Ali Park

Jamaica vs Windward Islands at GPCG

West Indies Rising Stars

Under 17 2-Day Championship

Matches start at 10am local time (9am Jamaica time)

23-24 August

Trinidad and Tobago vs Leeward Islands at the Inshan Ali Park

Windward Islands vs Barbados at PowerGen

Jamaica vs Guyana at NCC

26-27 August

Windward Islands vs Guyana at NCC

Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica at GPCG

Leeward Islands vs Barbados at the Ishan Ali Park

30-31 August

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica at GPCG

Barbados vs Guyana at the Inshan Ali Park

Trinidad and Tobago vs Windward Islands at NCC

FULL SQUADS

BARBADOS: Zion

Brathwaite, Zishan Motara, Xaundre Baptiste, Shaquan

Belle, Gadson Bowens, Joshua Branch, Preston Clarke, Reviera Cottle, Edwin Currency-Barnett, Kyron King, Akeem McCollin, Jatario Prescod, Dre Springer, Jaden Webster.

GUYANA: Jonathan Van Lange, Rampersad Ramnauth, Kevin Kisten, Vickash Wilkinson, Romeo Deonarain, Ari-Afrizal Kadir, Nityanand Mathura, Sanjay Algoo, Golcharran Chulai, Salim Khan, Bruce Vincent, Darwin Joseph.

JAMAICA: Tyriek Bryan, Jordan Pinnock, Demarco Scott, Brian Barnes, Kev-Aundrae Virgo, Aan Ennis, O’mari Wedderburn, Eejay Spence, Dantae Calrke, Niclo McKenzie, Roshawn McKenzie, Rasheed Harriott, Ralique Thomas, David.

LEEWARD ISLANDS: Matthew Miller, T’yanick Honore, Eirette Richards, Zavio Henry, Jevon Manners, Ozan Williams, Jared Jno Baptiste, De-Andre Drew, Israel Morton, Caiden Francis, Carlton Pluck, Mekaili Tonge, Xaveek Toppin, Devanand Singh.

TRINIDAD AND TO -

BAGO: Fareez Ali, Cristian Rampersad, Riyaad Mohammed, Luke Ali, Brendan Boodoo, Samir Saroop, Niall Maingot, Aaidan Racha, Ishmael Ali, Aneal Rooplal, Alexander Chase, Alvin Sonny, Jordan Mohammed, Stevon Gomez.

WINDWARD ISLANDS: Justin John, Jelani Joseph, Edmund Morancie, Joel Durand, Jahson Vidal, Earnisho Fontaine, Kirtsen Murray, Kirt Murray, Johnathan Daniel, Theo Edward, Khan Elcock, Tyler Venner, Devonte McDowall, Kodi Grant.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday August 12, 2023)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) WI won by 4 runs

(2) Jason Holder (WI)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What was the result of the second T20 International match in the ongoing WI/IND series?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

.................................................................................................................................

BCB Cricket Development Programme…

Port Mourant, Cotton Tree receive $1M in equipment

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has officially handed over more than 1M dollars in equipment to the Cotton Tree and the Port Mourant Cricket Clubs(PMCC).

The PMCC received a batting cage, practice net and a bowling machine while Cotton Tree CC received a bowling machine and practice net.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, told both clubs at the handing over that the Board under his leadership is committed to making sure that every cricketing talent in the county is given equal opportunity to excel on the cricket field.

He continued by adding that the board continues to work hard to provide all the necessary equipment for youth development so that the next generation would

follow in the footsteps of John Trim, Rohan Kanhai and Basil Butcher.

Foster, who is personally spearheading the Berbice Youth Development Programme, told members of the two clubs to take proper care of the equipment and to primarily focus on the development of youth players from the under-11 to under-19 levels.

Youths, he stated, are the ones that would carry on the legacy of Berbice cricket.

The Cotton Tree club only recently got involved in youth cricket after primarily concentrating on second division.

Currently, they are involved in youth cricket at the U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19 levels.

They have produced players like Arif Khan,

Shoaib Gafoor and Arif Bachus.

Despite not winning any Berbice junior levels, Cotton Tree has reached several semi-finals over the last two years and on Sunday last, won their first major BCB second division title.

They defeated Achievers

RHTYSC Thunderbolt Flour and Bakewell teams honour five fire officers

The Rose Hall Town/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour

Under-23 and first division team, along with the Bakewell Under-17 and second division team joined hands on Tuesday last to honor five outstanding firemen attached to the Rose Hall Town Fire Station.

The officers were honored under the ‘tribute to heroes’ segment of the RHTYSC/ Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund Programme.

Those honored were Delroy Benn, Ajay Gopilall, Jermon Willimas, Trevor Crawford and Rayon Ramalho.

They were selected by the leadership of the Rose Hall Town Fire Station.

They were selected based on their work ethics, discipline and dedication to the job.

RHTYSC secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster was accompanied by club executives Robby Kissoonlall, Tyrone Pottaya and cricket coach, Winston Smith.

Foster urged the awardees to continue to serve

with distinction and to always strive for excellence.

The long-serving secretary/CEO, who is also the president of the Berbice Cricket Board, disclosed that his admiration for fire officers increased when he saw a documentary on how they place their lives on the line when disaster occurs.

The township of Rose Hall and the county of Berbice, Foster stated, was very grateful for their excellent

service.

The officers honored were the first set of fire officers to be honored by the RHTYSC.

I n the past, the club had honored postal workers, teachers, police officers, municipality workers, sportsmen, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and therapy workers under the Basil Butcher Trust Fund Tributes to Workers Programme.

B to emerge champions of the Dave West Indian Imports 40 overs tournament.

The Port Mourant CC has a special place in the history of Berbice cricket as the club that produced the most test players.

The historic club has produced seven test players

in John Trim, Rohan Kanai, Ivan Madray, Basil Butcher, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran and Mahendra Nagamootoo. Currently, they have youth players like Pampertab Ramnauth, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Salim Khan, Navin Budhwa and Ravin Budhwa.

The two clubs also have the services of coaches attached to the BCB Cricket Development Project. The coaches are responsible for the holding of practice sessions and coaching.

Digicel Schools Football Final…

Carmel

and St. Ignatius

ready for title showdown

Two teams will meet tomorrow for the ultimate prize in schools’ football in Guyana -- the Digicel Schools Football championship.

Carmel will go up against St Ignatius for the trophy but most importantly, bragging rights.

Tomorrow’s final will take place at the Ministry of Education ground; both teams having played their quarters and semi-final encounters there.

But on Friday, the turf was the Brandsville Hotel, where both team captains had their chance to speak to the media about their most important game in the tournament.

St Ignatius captain Reyes Williams said that the team is prepared and confident of prevailing in the final, due to

their style and overall talent.

Similarly, St Ignatius manager, Keiana Winter, said that the team has surpassed its previous performance of a semi-final berth, noting that she is grateful for the opportunity and platform that has been created by the Petra Organisation and Digicel.

Skipper of Carmel Secondary, Shem James, on the other hand, said that the team is confident of securing the title, noting that the team is built on the premise of teamwork, as they respect the intricacies of the discipline.

Carmel Manager, Donette Butters, said that the team has a recent history of top four finishes in respective events, noting that the team’s appearance in the final of the prestigious Digi-

cel Championship is very important.

Meanwhile, Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, commended both teams for reaching the final, telling the media conference that, “We expect no less from what we saw in the semi-final round.”

Communications Officer of Digicel, Gabriella Chapman, stated that the she is proud to be working for a company that is contributing to the development of youths, adding that the company is proud to be the sponsor of the event, and will continue in such a manner.

Meanwhile, the DC Caesar Fox of Region #7 will oppose Region #1unit, Waramuri, in the third place playoff from 17:00hrs.

BCB president, Hilbert Foster, hands over bowling machine to Roshan Gaffoor of Cotton Tree

PMCC members with their batting cage

The five awardees pose with executives of the RHTYSC

One Guyana Basketball Premier League bounces off today at Gymnasium

Competitive Basketball

returns this evening, at 17:00hrs, with the One Guyana Basketball League which will tip off at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue and Princes Street.

This event will showcase aspiring basketball talents vying for a chance to represent Guyana on the global stage. And, more importantly, according to head of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Jermaine Slater, this league will provide players with consistent and long-term competition, something that

all stakeholders have been calling for throughout the years.

The league will feature 14 teams grouped into the Harpy Eagle Conference and the Jaguar Conference, set to compete in a projected range of 56 to 63 games.

Slater, whose association is the organising body, emphasised that this league's structure deviates from the conventional knockout format, providing teams with increased court time. This extended playtime will facilitate skill development and nurture both players and coaches. The league's

format allows each team to participate in at least six regular-season games, and the top four teams will engage in two best-of-three series during the playoffs. This expanded format offers teams more chances to understand their opponents and finetune their strategies.

During the league, teams from the Jaguar and Harpy Eagle Conferences will face each other twice within their respective groups. The top four teams will progress to the playoffs, where the firstranked team will compete against the fourth-ranked team, and the second-ranked

Joy/Hamid Foundation hosts successful basketball clinic

The 34th annual basketball camp for children in Linden, which was staged by the Joy/Hamid Basketball Foundation at the

Foundation to run the twoweek Joy/Hamid Basketball Foundation camp. He offered: “Parents have always been the back-

At the end, all the kids were given tokens compliments of the Caring For Others Foundation through its representative, Jermaine

team will take on the thirdranked team. The victors of these playoff matches will move on to the Conference Finals, where they will engage in a best-of-three series to determine the finalists for the National Championship.

Participating teams in the Jaguar Conference include Stabroek Eagles, Leonora D-UP Rising Stars, Cummingsburg Bounty Colts, Lamaha Park/Springs Pepsi Sonics, Bagotstown/Prospect Kobras, Cummings Lodge, and UG Trojans. Meanwhile, the Harpy Eagle Conference features teams including Kitty/Campbell -

ville Ravens, South Ruimveldt Ravens, Plaisance Guardians, Guyana Defence Force, Wortmanville/Werken-Rust Pacesetters, North Ruimveldt Caimans, and Kwakwani Untouchables.

The championship-winning team will receive a prize of $1 million, along with trophies, while the runners-up will be awarded $500,000 along with trophies. The successful execution of this tournament has been made possible through sponsorships from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, G-Boats Guyana, National Sports

Commission, Guyana Basketball Federation, and Georgetown Basketball Federation.

Patriots sign Rayudu for CPL 2023

CMC – St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have signed experienced Indian Premier League star, Ambati Rayudu, for their upcoming campaign in the Caribbean Premier League.

Rayudu, 37, replaces 22-year-old South African batsman Tristan Stubbs who is no longer available for the August 16 to September 22 showpiece.

A right-hander who quit international cricket this year after helping Chennai Super Kings to their fifth IPL title, Rayudu boosts a Patriots unit that already includes West Indies stars Evin Lewis and Andre Fletcher, along with overseas personalities like Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis.

title in 2023.”

Rayudu averaged nearly 50 in 55 One-Day International for India but had not featured since 2019, and

Russell.

“Once again, the Patriots and the CPL will be drawing the world’s attention towards the Federation and Rayudu’s

Mackenzie High School, concluded last Saturday.

Coach Abdulla Hamid hailed the clinic a success as he praised those parents who showed up to give the support to their kids over the two-week period.

Hamid, a former national player and coach, reported that he was pleased for the second straight year.

Joy Adams, a professional basketball player who resides in the United States, has partnered with the Abdulla Hamid Basketball

bone of their children’s development in sports and for years this is something I [have] always been advocating for them to come out and support their kids. And I was overwhelmed to see that parents came out and sat with them, stay with them, collect them and it was good. I felt good and once we stay on this we will see a better society. This programme will not end here as we are accustomed to seeing eighty to ninety kids attend.”

Figuiera MP.

Those tokens included Basketball sneakers, back packs, tops and bottoms, and basketballs among other things, including two Joy Adams professional tops which were for the girls in attendance.

Hamid also mentioned two other Linden-based sponsors, Best Barber Shop and Powers Car Rental, who came on board with others to ensure it was another successful clinic.

“As the chairman of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, it has always been my endeavour to try & attract impact making talent to our team in pursuit of our goal to be champions,” said Patriots chairman, Mahesh Ramani.

“In that endeavour, it is my pleasure to let the Patriots fans know that we have signed Ambati Rayudu as one of our overseas players for the 2023 season.

“I am sure Ambati’s seasoned expertise of having won multiple championships with various teams in an illustrious career in India will undoubtedly enrich the experience of our young players as we chase our second CPL

only played a handful of T20 Internationals – the last of which came seven years ago.

He has, however, played 291 T20s throughout his career, a statistic CPL chief executive Pete Russell, believes makes him an asset to the league.

“A player with Ambati Rayudu’s track record of success joining the Patriots for this year’s CPL is exciting for the tournament and for St Kitts & Nevis,” said

arrival only further cements that focus.

“We look forward to seeing Rayudu in action and we can’t wait for this year’s tournament to get underway on Wednesday 16 August.”

Patriots, the 2021 champions, take on Trinbago Knight Riders in their opening game on August 19 at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

Head of GABA, Jermaine Slater

Some members of the clinic

Ambati Rayudu played a key role as CSK won their fifth IPL title in 2023 (BCCI)

West Indies looking to close out India as games head to Florida

Cricket lovers in the United States are in for a special treat when West Indies host India at the Broward County Stadium, in Fort Lauderhill, Florida for the 4th and 5th Kuhl Stylish Fans T20I Series, Powered by Black and White.

The West Indies and India teams arrived on Wednesday evening and trained at the venue on Thursday and Friday before the finale of the T20I Series concludes India’s tour of the West Indies and Florida with a back-to back weekend of T20 cricket.

The 4th T20I starts at 10:30am on Saturday 12 August, with the 5th and final T20I match also starting at 10:30am on Sunday 13 August.

Heading into this ac -

tion-packed weekend, West Indies lead the Series 2-1, after winning the first game in Trinidad and the second in Guyana, before India rebounded with a victory in the third, in Guyana, on Tuesday, to set up what promises to be a blockbuster two-day showpiece in the sunshine of Greater Fort Lauderdale. At least 15,000 spectators are expected to attend, traveling in from around the USA, the Caribbean and beyond. A combined audience of over 200 million viewers will tune into the matches live on television and on their mobile devices.

Cricket West Indies, as hosts of the Kuhl Stylish Fans T20I Series, Powered by Black and White, are delighted by Visit Lauderdale and the Florida

Sports Foundation’s support for the event as we seek to grow awareness of and participation in cricket in the USA, especially with a significant Caribbean diaspora in North America and such large communities of Indian cricket fans. Additionally, with the USA hosting ICC 2024 T20I World Cup matches, this is a great opportunity for Broward County Stadium as USA’s leading cricket venue to be showcasing two of the most exciting teams in world cricket ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Speaking on behalf of his team shortly after arrival, West Indies Head Coach, Daren Sammy, said: “We’re excited to be back in Fort Lauderdale and we thank the great hosts here for welcoming us and staging the

GFF/EDFA Senior Men’s Football League…

matches. We’re really looking forward to this weekend. There is a lot to play for and we really want to put on a good show for the fans. It’s always non-stop action when we play at Broward County Stadium … the atmosphere is amazing … we feel at home. The players are pumped up for what is to come in these two matches. We’d love to see local Floridians come out and enjoy.”

Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, said: “Greater Fort Lauderdale is enormously proud to sponsor this tournament and showcase Broward County Stadium, the leading cricket stadium in the United States, to cricket fans from all over the globe.”

Ritter continued: “We wel-

come everyone under the sun and are delighted to host these remarkable athletes and their devoted fans in what promises to be a weekend filled with great sportsmanship and competition.”

The two teams will feature some of the most dynamic and entertaining players in the cricket. West Indies are led by captain Rovman Powell and have in their ranks talismanic allrounder, Jason Holder,, and

wicket-keeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran who won the Player-of-the-Match awards in the first and second matches.

India is led by Hardik Pandya, a star performer with bat and ball, and their squad includes world stars such as Suryakumar Yadav in their powerful batting line-up and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav leading the bowling attack.

Dynamic FC register first win; games on this weekend

GFF/EDFA Senior Men’s Football League continues this weekend with two match dates at the Golden Grove Community Centre.

At 16:00 hrs today, Airy Hall will clash with Dynamic FC while Mahaica Determinators will take on Buxton Stars at 18:00 hrs.

Tomorrow, the lone game on the cards is set for 16:00 hrs and will pit Victoria Scorpions against Haslington FC.

In last week’s opening rounds, BV/Triumph United and Airy Hall FC played to a 1-1 draw in an entertaining match.

The game began at 16:45 hrs with BV/Triumph United

choosing the cautious route after being away from senior football for four years.

The youthful Beter -

verwagting side gradually worked their way into the game, playing mostly from behind the ball and trying

Caribbean Junior Boxing Championships…

to hit Airy Hall FC on the counter. They created some good chances in the opening 20 minutes but failed to get the ball in the net.

As the game progressed, Airy Hall FC, out of Mahaicony, began to dominate the possession and created many chances of their own, hitting the bar twice in the process.

Eventually, the deadlock was broken in the 30th minute when Eon Abel beat BV/ Triumph United goal-keeper with a powerful strike from 25 yards out; leaving the score 1-0 at the half.

In the second half, BV/ Triumph United came out of their shell and pressed forward. They eventually

won a penalty in the 70th minute which was converted by Royden Chapman.

The smartly dressed BV/Triumph United had a chance to win the game in the dying moments but Chapman blazed his shot over the bar as the game ended 1-1.

The feature game began at 18:45 hrs with Dynamic FC humbling a youthful Mahaica Determinators 7-0.

Tyrese Dennis scored a hat-trick in the 5th, 17 and 57 minutes, while Seon Steward netted in the 13th, John Gonsalves scored in the 39th and 44th, and Tishon Gordon in the 66th.

Mahaica, who field most-

Ten-member St Lucian delegation confirmed

St. Lucia has officially announced a 10-member fight contingent for the prestigious Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Championship slated for August 18th - 20th at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. This has increased the total number of visiting countries to four.

The Windward Island

nation officially submitted its roster yesterday to the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA). The traveling delegation comprises Joshua Rene - Schoolboys[Heavyweight - 86 - 92KG];

Jack Surage - Schoolboys[Light Middleweight - 63.5 - 67KG]; Denzel Stephen - Schoolboys - [Lightweight - 57 - 60KG]; Jeannan Gaspard - Schoolboys - [Super Heavyweight - 92+KG];

Herve CharlemagneSchoolboys - [Light Welterweight - 60 - 63.5KG]; John Didier - Youth - [Light Heavyweight - 75 - 80KG]; and Kyle Marcel - Youth - [Middleweight - 7175KG].

Meanwhile, the technical staff features coaches Yunior Quintero and Conrad Fredericks, whilst Stanislaus Bishop will serve in the capacity of Team Manager.

To date, Barbados, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago have officially confirmed their participation. The GBA is awaiting word from The Bahamas.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle stated that his organisation is thrilled to confirm the announcement of St. Lucia which adds to the expanding international flavour of the championship.

Ninvalle said that every

nation that has confirmed its involvement innately brings its own style and characteristics to the event, which only underscores the cultural melting pot that is the Caribbean region. "

The list of participants, which is expected to grow as the battle draws near, signals and underscores that the championship has evolved into a measure of regional importance that

ly under-17 players, hardly had possession of the ball in the first 30 minutes as Dynamic dominated them in this aspect on the pitch.

Mahaica had a good opportunity to get on the score sheet before the break, but poor finishing let them down as their striker hit his shot wide.

The first half ended 5-0 in favour of the home team as coach Dwain Jacobs made some changes with a few under-17 players being brought on the pitch. Dynamic eventually scored 2 more goals as Mahaica defended for most of the second half, the game ended at 7-0.

cannot be denied. This is an accomplishment that the GBA is not only proud of but will work assiduously to build on," the GBA President said.

The West indies lead the series 2-1

Scorers: (From left) Seon Steward (1 Goal), John Gonsalves (2 Goals), Tishon Gordon (2 Goals) and Tyrese Dennis (3 Goals)

Kyle Marcel

Schools Football Final…

Carmel and St. Ignatius ready for title showdown

AAG extends congratulations to CYG athletes

The Athletics Association of Guyana has extended its congratulations to the Athletes who represented the country in the recently concluded Commonwealth Youth Games which was held in Trinidad.

The stellar performances of the athletes whether, in the achievement of new personnel best times or the achievement of medals cannot go unnoticed This, being the first time Guyana has been represented in the discipline of athletics at these Games has paid off exponentially.

The athletes through their performances have brought immense joy and pride to the entire nation. The historic record breaking performances of the 4 x 400m mixed relay team comprising Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, Jevon Roberts and Tianna Springer culminated the games in grandeur. The Association would also like to extend its gratitude to the Guyana Olympic Association for awarding places to its athletes so that they could participate in this prestigious event.

From left) Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, Tianna Springer and Javon Roberts

Who will win?. The Digicel Schools Football final is set for Sunday