Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12 09 2016

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

No. 104672

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Taxi driver gunned down in Albouystown P.4

Literacy Clinic launched at Fun City P.23

Acting Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson at the Literacy Clinic at Fun City, Ramada Princess Hotel on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Two dead after vehicle collides with horse P.4

Family outing turns deadly P.3

Second juvenile escapee recaptured P.12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Economic benefits of hemp explored

By Alva Solomon

AS a week-long agenda of sensitisation and awareness commences, the Guyana Hemp Association (GHA) is pressing on with its mission to legally explore the economic benefits of the usage of hemp, an industrial strain of cannabis.

The GHA has been advocating the use and development of an industry for the plants and this week it is hosting public meetings across the country, including at the University of Guyana,

communities on the East Bank of Demerara, Linden and New Amsterdam as well as parts of the capital city.

At a public forum on Sunday morning at the Girl Guides Pavilion on Brickdam, Dr Turhane Doerga of the Neurvana Group said that Guyanese are survivors and he noted the Constitution of Guyana brings out the fundamental principles for development in that regard, including in the agriculture sector.

He spoke of the possible enhancement of various

ly, noting that the farmers cannot be fooled anymore thanks to technology.

“We have to treat people with respect,” he said.

Vedjai Doerga of the Neurvana Group explains the uses of hemp to persons who attended the forum on Sunday morning

VITAL PRODUCT As regards hemp, he said that the world is now “seeing this is the thing to eradicate hunger, this is the thing to build houses”, noting that it’s a “poor man thing” which has been left on the tray for development.

He said that while people say hemp is an 8000-year-old

aspects of the agriculture sector here. Doerga said Guyana has been harping on the traditional crops of rice and sugar, the latter which he noted remains in trouble since that industry was not

Turhane Doerga addresses the audience on Sunday morning

privatised.

He said that the rice industry can be developed more and enhanced based on performance over the years.

“We have rice and we have sugar,” he said, noting that the rice market was revived when that industry became privatised under the Desmond Hoyte administration.

He said that sugar can be a success if the authorities fix the management and marketing problem which affects that industry.

Doerga noted that another crop which can be developed is cassava, which can be enhanced and packaged in

several varieties. He said that the staple can be converted into flour and starch and sold.

“In the Far East we have found out it can be eaten in your metemgee,” he added, noting that it can be packaged and sold in packets for dinner in Europe.

Shine Rice, another popular Guyanese food is also another commodity which can be marketed as he pointed to neighbouring Suriname which packages and exports other foods such as “black-pudding” and roti.

“You can go to Rossignol and buy frozen roti,” he said, noting Suriname produces 110 roti per minute using machines.

He said that education of farmers is an issue which is evolving globally and local-

crop which is now being revitalised it has had historical use over the years. He said paper used in the first years of world development including the writing of the United States Constitution, utilised hemp. Canvas which is used by artist is made from hemp.

According to Doerga, hemp is a product which is utilised in the creation of biodegradable plastics, such as dashboards of some of world most popular automobiles.

“That is why it suddenly became more main stream,” he added.

He said Guyana can look at the Hinterland communities regarding the plant’s cultivation noting that it is a Turn to page 8 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Family outing turns deadly ‒ girl, 4, killed in Sheriff Street smash-up

By Rabindra Rooplall A TWO-VEHICLE collision at the corner of Garnett and Sheriff Streets in Campbellville, Georgetown on Saturday at about 22:00hrs resulted in 4-year-old Abiola Providence of Newtown, Kitty being propelled through the windscreen of motor car PMM 1426 and losing her life on the roadway.

Reports indicate that Providence and two of her relatives were in the back seat of the vehicle as it

proceeded south on Sheriff Street; and as the car stopped at the centre of the junction preparatory to turning west, motor vehicle GPP 3500, which was proceeding north, collided with the left of the car, resulting in the infant being flung through the window and onto the roadway.

Rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her two relatives, Abiola Trotman and Cheryl Williams, received injuries and have been admitted as patients at

the GPHC. The condition of each is regarded as stable.

Derrick Bailey, driver of PMM 1426, was unhurt, but is in police custody.

The driver of GPP 3500, reportedly 19 years old, is a patient at Woodlands Hospital. A breathalyzer test has determined that the alcohol content in his breath was above the legal limit.

Police say an investigation is being conducted on how he had received a driver’s licence for a van.

Derrick Bailey told the Guyana Chronicle in an

Dead: Four-year-old Abiola Providence

interview that he and the occupants of his car had visited the Royal Castle outlet on Sheriff Street to get

The Pickup, GPP 3500, which was driven by a teenager whom police say was driving under the influence of alcohol

something to eat. “I reverse and come back, and a white car was in front of me and the light to turn was saying green. I don’t know if the other driver was watching the countdown on the traffic light, but he was blazing coming; so when the light said turn, the white car in front of me move and I turn.

So by the time I barely turn out, this man didn’t mash brakes or nothing to indicate that he would stop,” Bailey explained.

He added: “When this man slam into me, he pitched the car into a nearby yard. I kicked open the door, (and)

The motorcar the toddler was in at the time of the accident

Guyanese man missing in New York

By Shirley Thomas DEEPLY distraught, Ms. Leslyn Douglas of South Ruimveldt Park is appealing to anyone in the USA who has information regarding the whereabouts of her 23-year-old son Eric Joseph to contact the New York Police; his father Eric Joseph (Snr) on phone number (347) 693-6859; his grandmother on phone number (917) 822-5048; or his aunt on phone number (516) 204-3663.

This mother lives in Guyana, but her son is missing in New York. A missing person’s report for Eric Joseph has been placed on Facebook, and his photograph has been displayed therein.

Moreover, a live interview was aired on Channel 12 Brooklyn in connection with the man’s disappearance.

However, based on information Joseph’s relatives received from a Guyanese friend who claims to have seen him the day before the report came out, he no longer bears close resemblance to what he looked like in the

past. The friend claims he saw Joseph last Monday at J’Ouvert in Eastern Parkway, New York, but he was at the time unaware that Joseph was considered missing.

The friend said Joseph was in the company of a young woman, appeared not to be the person he is known to be, and certainly did not look happy.

“He appeared to have lost a lot of weight, and was looking dazed,” the friend recalled.

The missing person’s bulletin appeared on Facebook the following day, Tuesday, but by then the friend had lost track of Joseph, a US citizen who lives with his father at 817 East 45th Street, Brooklyn, New York.

Joseph’s father initially seemed unaware that his son was missing from the home. His mother, who would regularly speak with him on the phone, claims to have last had a conversation with him on July 31st.

The terrified woman claims that following that last conversation, she regularly tried phoning her son, but all calls would go unanswered. She made this known to

Missing: Eric Joseph

his father as she enquired about her son’s whereabouts, but she thinks the father seems not to have taken it seriously, because he would only say that Eric must be having fun, and would return home when he is ready.

However, his paternal aunt, who lives in Long Island and was very close to him, also became worried after neither seeing nor hearing from him, and filed a missing person’s report with the New York Police.

Ms. Douglas recalled that when she last spoke with her son, he told her he was going to visit

when I look, I didn’t see the little child or her mother; but the grandmother was in the back seat.”

He recalled that Saturday was the child’s grandmother’s birthday and two vehicles with relatives had visited the Giftland Mall; and they decided to visit Royal Castle to have something to eat.

Bailey said the mother and the child were pitched through the car window when the pickup slammed into his vehicle. The mother was seated in front, while the child was in the rear.

relatives in Chicago; but no one seems to have seen him lately.

Ms. Douglas is appalled that her son would go missing from his father’s home and his father would not be aware.

“That is not like my son!

Whenever my son is with me, I always know where he is. If he can’t get home on time, he would call and let me know,” she said forlornly.

And over the last few days, a woman responding to the missing persons’ report has called the senior Joseph’s number to inform that she had seen the young man in the park. However, by the time the father got there, his son had disappeared.

Eric Joseph Jnr. left Guyana on November 3, 2015 to join his father in the United States. He turned 23 the following day, November 4, and would ever since regularly communicate with his mother, until this situation developed. Now having sleepless nights, Ms. Douglas is hoping for the best, and praying she would soon be reunited with her son.

Bourda Market murder suspect on the run POLICE are seeking to apprehend and question a suspect in the killing of 34-yearold Omesh Chetram, formerly of Unity, East Coast Demerara, who was fatally stabbed to the abdomen during an argument with another man on Robb Street, between Alexander and Bourda Streets Georgetown, at about 23:30 hrs on Saturday.

A police press release said Chetram and the suspect had been engaged in a heated row, during which he was stabbed in the lower region of his abdomen with a knife, and was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). The suspect made good his escape after committing the act, but has since been identified.

Chetram had, sometime ago, left his home to seek work in Georgetown. While in the city, he developed an addiction for illicit drugs; and to accommodate this habit, he began doing odd jobs for vendors in the Bourda Market area.

Vendors told the Guyana Chronicle that Chetram “used to be around”, but had been a ‘drug addict’, and they were unsure what had caused the incident that had led to his demise.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Two dead after vehicle collides with horse

A BERBICE rice farmer identified only as “Desperado” and another identified as “Doodee” succumbed to injuries they sustained last evening when the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a horse on the Leeds Public Road, Corentyne.

The impact of the collision caused the Toyota Raum in which they were occupants to turn turtle and catapult off the roadway.

Three other occupants of the vehicle are reportedly critically injured.

These men were allegedly seen imbibing earlier in the evening; and after the driver had reportedly lost control of the vehicle and hit the horse, the vehicle landed on the bridge of a nearby resident, and persons rushed to the scene to assist the men.

Police are investigating the incident.

DATE: 31/08/2016 I

1 26 22 25 15 11 21

The vehicle that was involved in the accident on the Leeds Public Road, Corentyne

Taxi driver gunned down in Albouystown TWO men on a motorcycle gunned down ‘007’ taxi driver Oswald R a mba r r a n i n fro nt of the Dharam Sala in King Edward Street, Al-

09/09/2016

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bouystown as he was allegedly making a delivery of food on Sunday night.

The 42-year-old Rambarran, of West Ruimveldt Georgetown, was

09/09/2016

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pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

“Is like the entire magazine they empty on him!” one resident said. Another, who spoke with Newssource journalist Gordon Moseley, said he was relaxing in his home when he heard the gunshots. This resident said he heard about nine gunshots, and when he looked out his window, a man was lying dead on the road.

“I heard pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Like he (the shooter) really wanted to kill the man he was shooting at,” the resident said.

A woman who also spoke with Moseley said

some youths were partying in the area when she heard the noise, and she thought firecrackers were being exploded.

The gunmen made good their escape by riding along Sussex Street.

Police are working on the theory that the taxi driver, who worked out of the Middle Road, La Penitence base of the 007 taxi service, knew his attackers and was decoyed into the area where the hit was planned.

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting, but no arrest has been made up to press time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Eid-ul-Adha messages

Eid-ul-Adha is good time to restate calls for national unity … Govt EID-UL-ADHA is the annual occasion in which Muslims reflect on and celebrate the unquestionable obedience to God by Prophet Abraham. As our Muslim brothers and sisters gather to pray, demonstrate sacrifice and share with the less fortunate among us, the Government of the Cooperative of Republic Guyana joins in paying homage to all those who have sacrificed for their families, their communities and their country over the years.

For many years the Guyanese people have had to endure hardships and sacrifice on a day-to-day basis. Today, we are closer to a better life for all of our people, in spite of hiccups in the journey. With a sense of patrio-

tism and national pride and an unyielding commitment to the development of our fair land, we shall continue to make progress together, leaving no citizen behind.

Just as the Muslim community is known to band together generally, but especially in difficult times, so too must we as Guyanese stand together and united.

At a juncture in our history when we continue to face sporadic threats to our national sovereignty, we are obliged to take a signal from our Muslim brothers and sisters and mobilise in a show of unity and strength to make it abundantly clear that ‘not a blade of grass’.

As was the appeal for Eid-ul-Adha 2015, this is once again a fitting occasion for us to restate the call for a

deepening of national unity and the strengthening of social cohesion among our people.

Though diverse in origins we share a common destiny and it is imperative that we cooperate for the purposes of national advancement.

The message of Eid-ulAdha is an example of the discipline and commitment needed, if we are to build Guyana into a nation which affords a good life for all Guyanese.

The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana appeals to all to conduct the sacrifices safely, with due consideration for the animals and as humanely as possible as is prescribed for in Islam.

Eid Mubarak to all Muslims.

AFC extends Eid greetings THE Alliance For Change (AFC) wishes all our Muslim brothers and sisters across Guyana, the Diaspora and the world a happy and blessed Eid-ul-Adha.

Eid-ul-Adha is a time when Muslims reflect on and celebrate human selflessness

preparations for the mission and Ambassador Sergio Couri says “investments can be direct or joint, private and/or public”.

The Brazilians are interested in projects ranging from tourism and construction to alternative energy and agriculture.

But while the Brazilians are heading to the Caribbean, the Mexicans have arranged to invite Caribbean investors to talk and do business in Cancun.

The Embassy of Mexico to the Eastern Caribbean States (based in St Lucia) has announced that the 2016 Cancun Forum “Creating Synergies to Strengthen the Competitiveness of the Greater Caribbean” will be held November 16-18 at the Peninsula Convention Centre in Cancun, Mexico.

The embassy says, “This event is regarded in Mexico as the most important business

forum in the Greater Caribbean and is designed to foster regional economic develop-

and self-denial in submission to God – a lesson from which we can all learn in the quest to live a life of greater inner peace and humility.

The AFC recognises the invaluable contributions of the Muslim community in all spheres of life in Guyana and

their quiet, but commendable charity work in helping to uplift people of all faiths.

We take this opportunity to once again appeal for religious tolerance and understanding in our beautiful and blessed land of diverse cultures.

Eid, an inspiring example of selfless sacrifice AS mankind is caught up in the life-long ef forts to achieve personal and international peace; to strive for economic well-being, which goes hand-in-hand with access to education, good health and general security, we also recognise the importance and role that spiritual and religious activities play in realising these life objectives.

They offer solace and are a bedrock for sustaining community relationships, a

Latin American investors look to expand business ties in Caribbean

Latin American investors are seeking to expand business ties in the Caribbean, with companies in two major business capitals looking to forge new and deeper ties with their smaller Hemispheric neighbours to the south.

On the heels of the announcement of a visit scheduled for November from a Brazilian investment mission interested in doing business in the Eastern Caribbean, Mexico says it too has plans meet with investors from the wider Caribbean in November, in Mexico.

The Brazilian mission, being coordinated by a private Brazilian entity, Nomad Development, is due in the island November 11 to 17.

It will bring 15 investors and parliamentarians to discuss a wide range of business opportunities.

The Embassy of Brazil in St Lucia is assisting in the

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ment and competitiveness by increasing trade and investment flows.” (Caribbean360)

crying need of our times.

Against such reflections, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is again pleased to wish our Islamic community best wishes as they engage in the Eid-ulAdha activities. The enduring significance of sacrifice is one which is well-known by those who are advocates of justice and betterment of the lives of the poor, oppressed and exploited.

Eid-ul-Adha offers us an inspiring example of

selfless sacrifice and this is celebration to be embraced by all. This activity, celebrated by Guyana’s Muslims, as well as Muslims the world over, is also a timely reminder that all of us should see the need for higher selfless service to our people as we go forward to peace, social justice and a better standard of life and harmonious relations in our society.

A happy Eid-ul-Adha to the Muslim community from GAWU.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Unleashing our potential

GUYANA must take her pride of place among resources-rich nations. Should our resources be exploited in a sustainable manner, they would not only ensure the people’s self-sufficiency, but make the nation a formidable competitor in external markets.

Our unexploited potential gives rise to the nagging question, ‘Why Guyana is not further along the developmental continuum?’ The answer varies and it is not unusual to see responsibility placed at the feet of polarising politics,the absence of visionary and nationalistic leaders and competitive disadvantages of small-state societies.

It is true that in earlier years of independence, Guyanese produced many things. This country had a thriving, though young, manufacturing sector. Innovations were encouraged, facilitated, and allowed. Today this sector is a mere shadow of its earlier self.

Though the truism ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ can be brought to bear in explaining indigenous efforts at survival during the period of economic downturn, it is equally true that the nation had at independence embarked on an aggressive self-sufficiency programme.

Today, Guyanese have cultivated an unhealthy reliance on imported products they once produced and are capable of producing. The severity of this situation is seen with the importation of items such as matches, coconut water, cane juice, and plantain chips. Guyana, an Amerindian word meaning ‘land of many waters,’ sees scarce foreign exchange diverted to the importation of bottled water-spring, artesian and flavoured.

Here exists a situation that should be revisited as a matter of national priority and developmental planning. Local production not only makes use of indigenous resources, but can see foreign exchange diverted to critical areas, even as employment and economic opportunities are created, redounding to growth and development for citizens and country. Guyana’s membership in several regional and international trade agreements and organisations should see efforts aimed at exploiting such access.

The ability to access products not made in Guyana does not remove the necessity for self-sufficiency. Where products such as food threatens a nation’s security, as in instances of creating dependency on others, unnecessary utilisation of foreign exchange, reduction in employment and economic opportunities, such stifle the process of development and empowerment.

President David Granger, in his 26th August address to the People’s National Congress Reform Delegates Congress, referred to the party retaining the socialist ideology as espoused by its Founder-Leader, Forbes Burnham.

Though there can be debates as to whether this is so or not, what was striking after this view was made known is the interpretations and conversations generated.

It is to the people’s intellectual growth that this concept be looked at through holistic and objective lens. A tendency to view this ideology through a repressive prism retards

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Brazen acts of self-enrichment Dear Mr. Editor,

PLEASE permit me a few lines in your newspaper to highlight some of the brazen acts of self-enrichment and corruption that are taking place at the state-owned Guyana Power and Light Inc. A friend of mine recently applied for electricity to his building, where an assessment was done by the utility company GPL. He was told that because of the distance from his premises to the existing power lines, that he would need to finance the construction of lines to his building.

He was advised to go meet with a senior manager at Middle Street, Georgetown, for guidance on the way forward.

My friend went and saw this senior official at the Middle Street office where they would do an estimate and he would pay the necessary fee and the corporation would have the job done through its employees or a contractor. This is where it gets strange. This senior official then proceeded to tell my friend that works would

be done through a contractor in which this manager has an interest and a close affiliation to. That Design department will do the necessary visit to the location and drawings after which, the manager’s office would take care of all the paperwork, but payments would be made to a contractor instead of GPL. This manager even went as far as to provide details of the materials that would be used which were shipped into Guyana by the said personnel.

My friend told me about his dilemma, knowing that I’m familiar with the inner workings of this public utility company, after serving for a few years and then being a contractor also. I know this official whom he is accusing of corruption and who is using his office for personal gains.

Some of this is very true; I’ve had similar experiences with this said person. Lots of people in the corporation have also known this for a very long time, but everyone seems to turn a blind eye. Contracts are being awarded, especially those capital jobs, network

maintenance and emergency services are being given out on a daily basis to the said company of which this official is a part. I’m calling on the authorities to investigate what is really going on at the Middle Street office, because for a long time i believe taxpayers are being shortchanged.

On May 11/ 2015, Guyanese cast their votes to stamp out this type of behaviour by our bureaucrats, but these actions of self-serving nepotism are still prevalent in the public domain. There have been several tenders from GPL that this office handles, some of which have been close to a year now without any award.

Some inside sources told me that this manager is using the tendering process just to get quotations and the fixing of prices for the company with which they have an affiliation.

We as contractors and a citizen of this country deserve better; I’m calling on the authorities to investigate the awards at Middle Street. Mr Editor, this is a concern which needs some sort of investigation by the Minister of Public Infrastruc-

ture , The Board or the CEO. GPL has been under fire lately for the handling of contracts worth millions of U.S. dollars.

Most recently questions have been being asked about why the company is taking so long to announce the award of a GPL/IDB/EU funded project to upgrade distribution networks, which would save them millions of U.S. dollars per year. Contractors have been crying out for answers from the corporation, but all we seem to get is silence.

It is my hope that someone in authority or the media, especially the likes of Kaietuer News, and the other media houses will launch an immediate investigation into this blatant cronyism that is taking place under this new government’s watch. This has been going on forever and it is time we put a stop to it and say no more. Look around at all these public officials who are living above their pay cheques.

These ambitions are real and the essence of change is more than what is seen or heard. The reality is more challenging than the perception.

The core issue of change lies within one’s inner being.

The question should be asked: should I embrace a degree of change from within or should I continue to pursue change from without?

Editor, one may have all the necessary support systems (family, friends, finances, degrees, accolades in place to win a war, but if the mind is programmed to think less than what is perceived, then real change will be a passing thing.

Change can only be change when the mind is engaged in a

process of change from within.

What good (change) can be done for a captain of a huge ship for 15 years, whose knowledge and experience in navigating through many storms and dangers on the high seas cannot be debated; when in reality he stumbles in his drunken stupor when he is on land?

What can be said of a national footballer whose skills gain him victory at most games, but off the field he lands in trouble with the law?

What could be said of a brilliant politician who sits in Parliament and vigorously debates a Bill with such convincing arguments that wins him the day, but in the dark-

ness of night is imbibing and womanising?

Yes, Mr. Editor, do we really need to embrace a perspectives of change that are superficially and callously prepared, so that the real dynamics of change are overlooked?

Can we as a people for 50 years (Iubilee) embrace a moral and ethical way of life that clearly spells out change?

Yes we can! If and when we embrace a more excellent way. Changing the world you live in before changing the world around you, will bring great rewards.

Regards MICHAEL PERSAUD

Change begins from within Dear Editor

IN this world of changing values and high-tech analogies that appear authentic, yet spurious and artificial, we would be alarmed if the truth be told.

A young person comes on stage and declares: I want to change the world with this rendition, poem or song. And so they expostulate with tenacious passion and amazing energy.

A preacher comes on Sunday morning and preaches down fire from heaven and declares change is here. An athlete on the track and footballer on the field want to change the fortunes of their club or team and change the world.

and hinders growth and development, personal and national.

Socialism was the driving force and major player behind the unleashing of the self-sufficiency potential of Guyanese in the post-independence period.

Guyana emerged from a colonial society, where the merchant class was few and primarily within the ranks of the coloniser, inequities and unemployment high, public infrastructures limited or practically non-existent, and a dependence on foreign products.

Given Government’s primary responsibility to function in the interest of its people, including addressing society’s ills, that socialism was chosen as its major pillar for development was not an unusual feature in societies transitioning from colonialism to independence.

And whereas aspects of socialism may not have worked to the liking of all, there is no denying the holistic benefits of its programmes. This is evident in construction of roads and bridges; establishment of public education, social security, universal health care, soft loans for home ownership, expan-

Regards VANRICK BERESFORD

sion of the agricultural infrastructures and subsidising farmers, to name some.

If a country in its different phases of evolution chooses to push one ideology or model over others, it does not have to abandon any that worked to the benefit of its people. Developed societies in Europe, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are not without socialist policies and programmes and of much more expansive nature than ours.

It may be fitting as policy-makers zero in on the importance of sustainable development, to examine the possibility of creating the enabling environment to harness and unleash the people’s potential. Such can factor in incentives through accessible and affordable lending, specialised training, research and development, concessions, and synergies among and between stakeholders in our tri-sectoral economy.

It ought not to be lost sight of that an empowered people are more inclined to want to stay and participate in the nation’s growth and development, given its intrinsic link to theirs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

GuySuCo cannot be resurrected to its former glory Dear Editor,

IN a news media letter of Sept 7 on the above-referenced subject, the writer expressed the view that instead of closing Wales Sugar Estate, GuySuCo should distribute the sugar lands to the laid-off workers and let them continue to cultivate the lands and supply the factory with purportedly profitably grown canes since in his opinion,” private cane farming has been relatively productive and profitable compared to the high cost of GuySuCo’s cultivation.”

It is apparent that the writer and some other observers are under the illusion that sugar cane can once again be grown profitably in Guyana, despite the many factors and circumstances which suggest otherwise.

GuySuCo is a wholly owned

corporation of the APN+AFC Gov’t, which ultimately has to approve all its major policy decisions. Unfortunately, since nationalisation, GuySuCo became a “football” for the politicians of the day who have used Guyana’s largest employer for cronyism with the appointment of un-qualified and incompetent personnel in every segment of the industry.

These hapless employees eventually ran GuySuCo into the ground, making it impossible for the industry to return to profitability without large capital investments and complete re-organisation of its operations. The Gov’t does not have the management, technical and financial capacity to make the necessary changes to improve productivity and return GuySuCo to profitability.

Further, it will be unable to get funding from the capital markets and development

banks for any anticipated improvement of GuySuCo, which is not a viable entity and hence to attract investors to bankroll the needed upgrade and changes would be hard to find.

The APNU+AFC Gov’t had appointed a commission to examine the operations of GuySuCo and make recommendations for its viability. The findings of the commission were never made public and they are still under cover, apparently to keep sugar workers in the dark until such time that their eventual demise is announced, as the Gov’t is fully aware that the findings of the commission spells doomsday for GuySuCo and any workers’ agitation on receipt of bad news regarding their employment can adversely impact their performance and the precarious partnership between the APNU and the AFC. Therefore, it’s in no one’s

interest to scuttle the boat at this time, since some of the politicians and public employees are benefitting handsomely as they enrich themselves from the spoils of a relatively corrupt society.

Sadly, there is no accountability for performance among the politicians and as such, the coalition members will continue to go along to get along glossing over their political differences and approve the subsidies for GuySuCo, since the loss of power could hurt their earnings and lucrative benefits, as well as do considerable damage to their inflated egos.

GuySuCo is heavily indebted and is absorbing Gov’t subsidies at an alarming rate to avoid bankruptcy, as the industry contracts and its overhead expenses escalate.

The current management is apparently aware of this and

has started to explore ways and means to dispose of abandoned sugar lands and decrepit factories to reduce the debt load and subsidies.

Disposal of state properties has to be open and transparent, since some current politicians and public employees have shown a penchant for corruption and back- door deals. Much real estate knowledge on the disposal of sugar lands such as parcelling for optimum price and location valuation could be obtained from the Vieiras, who have acquired considerable knowledge disposing of their sugar lands at Houston on the East Bank and Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara for many years now with great success and huge profits.

GuySuCo cannot be resurrected to its former glory and therefore it has to wind down its operations and liquidate as

quickly as is possible, since the subsidies it receives are not infinite and can only continue to damage the other sectors of the Guyanese economy for lack of needed investment.

Finally, GuySuCo has an obligation to compensate sugar workers for the termination of their services. It should also explore means and methods to re-train them to acquire the skills which will enable them to obtain gainful employment on the open market. Unfortunately, the APNU+AFC Gov’t has no development plan in place to grow the Guyanese economy to provide jobs for the displaced sugar workers and all those people with skills waiting to enter the workplace for the first time.

Yours truly, CHARLES SOHAN

Region Three REO minimising chairman Dear Editor I WISH to respond to a letter captioned: “Regional Chairman was loud at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting dated Saturday, September 3, 2016 that was published in the Guyana Chronicle.

It must be noted that the writer of the article (Prameshwar Ramdial) of La Jalousie, Region Three, was not present at the meeting nor does he exist in the above named village of Region Three. The person who is the writer of this article appears to be insane and is mischievous in his writing. I know who the individual is.

I wish for the public to note the following: 1. The Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr Denis Jaikaran, was late for the RDC statutory meeting that morning, since he had a caucus inside his office with the APNU+AFC councillors of the region.

2. When the meeting was scheduled to begin, Mr Denis

Jaikaran was in his office and the Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Ms. Ameena Hinds, was sent by me to call him.

3. He subsequently came in a haste and sat at the head table without saying good morning, which is a norm.

4. The meeting then commenced and the REO, who is the Clerk of the Council, was asked to respond to an issue emanating out of “Matters Arising” to inform the council of a letter he was supposed to write to the Minister of Business, garnering information on the cessation of work pertaining to the Plantain Chip Factory in Wakenaam.

At this point, the REO stood up and said that he had nothing to say on the matter, since an individual was on the television last evening, speaking on the issue.

I subsequently asked the REO to respond to the specific issue that was before the council.

Again, the REO said that he had nothing to say on the

issue, picked up his books and instructed the APNU+AFC councillors and Heads of Department to leave the meeting, followed by the Deputy Regional Executive Officer.

According to the Public Service rules, the REO is the Head Public Servant in the region and should be professional at all times.

5. The writer is contradicting himself when he stated at the beginning, that seven APNU+AFC councillors walked out of the meeting and later in a subsequent paragraph, he stated nine councilors had walked out of the said meeting.

It seems that this writer does not know simple mathematics and needs to go back to nursery school.

Please note that a decision was taken by the council at its last statutory meeting held in July 2016 for the Clerk of Council, who is the REO, to write the Minister of Business for him to supply to the council a copy of their report that was done by his ministry pertaining

to the effects of the cessation of works on the Plantain Chip factory in Wakenaam. This was a decision of the council and not of the Regional Chairman.

No report was ever sent to the council on the issue mentioned above as was stated by the fictitious writer.

It was said by the writer that the Regional Executive Officer is seen as a god in the region.

I wish to state the following for the general public to be the judge: (a) The REO does not communicate with the Regional Chairman who is the elected head of the region. (b) The Regional Executive Officer has reduced the chairman’s fuel to five gallons daily (Monday to Friday) and none on weekends.

This is hampering the chairman’s movements inside the region since the fuel is totally inadequate for an eight-cylinder vehicle to use daily. As an elected official, the chairman is entitled to sufficient fuel on

a daily basis. It must be noted that the REO assigns on a daily basis (Sunday to Saturday) to known APNU+AFC activists a vehicle to traverse the region daily, using the region’s driver.

It should also be noted that these activists are not employed by the Regional Administration of Region Three and therefore are not entitled to a vehicle.

Many days the chairman has to wait for the REO to sign the fuel book which he sometimes does not do until the next day. This hampers the chairman’s movements for that particular day. (c) The REO has never attended the chairman’s weekly meetings since his appointment in the Region on 2015/10/01. (d) The REO has withdrawn his Heads of Department from attending monthly meetings with the Regional Chairman. (e) The contracts of the secretary and the regional chairman’s driver were not renewed, but other staff mem-

bers older than they had their contracts renewed.

Presently, the regional chairman does not have a driver to work after 16:30hrs and during the weekends. (f) The REO spends the chairman’s allocated funds without his knowledge. Those funds were spent on political activities for APNU+AFC. (g) For Emancipation celebrations, all staff were attained by the Regional Administration for the event. It must also be noted that persons of African descent were given hampers while nothing of that sort was done for Indian Immigration celebrations in the region.

I can go on and on, but I am asking the public to determine if a man of that nature is compared to god, then where we are heading.

Be your own judge Regards JULIUS OLIVER FAERBER Regional Chairman Region Three

The real story behind the Region Three RDC Walkout Dear editor, THE Stabroek News of Thursday September 1, 2016, carried an article captioned ‘REO, APNU+AFC councillors walk out from Region Three meeting’.

According to the reporter, the informant, Mr. Julius Faerber, the Regional Chairman of the region requested of the Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Denis Jaikarran, who was then operating as The Clerk of Council, an update on the status quo of the plantain chip factory at

Wakenaam. The report further adds that the response given by the REO was done in a hostile manner and “that he had no report to give to anybody.”

The inaccuracies and the erroneous statements issued

by Mr. Faerber in this report leaves much to be desired from an individual who is considered as political head of this region. From the actions of the regional chairman, one can only surmise that this is a deliberate effort to stymie the work of the regional executive

officer and hinder the progress of the region under an APNU+AFC government.

Let me hasten to correct the false statements which were uttered by the chairman. Upon the request of the chairman, the REO apprised the council of the pieces of correspondence which were sent to the Honourable Dominic Gaskin, Minister of Business and the responses which had been forthcoming from the minister on the subject of the plantain chip factory and which were attached to the

minutes of members on two previous meetings. To this response, the regional chairman in a loud, hostile and aggressive tone addressed the REO. It was at this point that the REO begged to be excused from the meeting.

As the REO was leaving the meeting, the seven APNU+AFC councillors who were present left with him, since the absence of the Clerk of Council means that there can be no meeting unless he appoints someone to act on his behalf. Even as the REO and councillors exited the board-

room, there was a loud chorus of disrespectful comments/statements hurled at them by the goodly regional chairman. Two PPP/C councillors also walked out and I am one of them.

The report also gave some other misleading information about the opening of schools and schools not being ready, since the REO had said that there was no money to clean.

The healthy collaboration between REO and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils throughout Region Three has

resulted in the cleaning of most if not all school compounds within the region.

An apology is now being demanded from the REO, but the inexcusable behaviour of the regional chairman is not without demerit and therefore should be taken into consideration if any apology is to be tendered.

Yours faithfully, PPP/C Regional Councillor

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Be your brother’s keeper ‒ and join the fight against suicide, urges PAHO/WHO Rep.

The group of young people who participated in the World Prevention of Suicide Day Awareness Walk on Sunday

working on training people all across the country to deal with people with suicidal behaviour,” he said.

Examining the purpose of awareness walks such as Sunday’s, Dr. Harry said a lot of stigma is attached to suicide and suicidal thoughts, and this underscores the need for people to know it is okay to talk about suicide.

“People need to understand that it is okay to talk about suicidal behaviour and ask for help. It is okay, and it is necessary. We have so many stories where people sought help, and today those are success stories. So we are here today to spread the word that it is okay to talk about (suicide) and share your problems with people.”

He said that talking about suicide does not mean a person is putting negative thoughts in someone’s head.

A section of the group which marched from Main Street to the National Park in observance of World Prevention of Suicide Day on Sunday

By Ravin Singh GUYANESE are being urged to extend a helping hand or be a brother’s keeper for those with suicidal thoughts as Guyana continues to intensify efforts to curb its alarming suicide rate.

A suicide prevention walk themed “Connect, communicate, care”, held on Sunday to coincide with World Prevention of Suicide Day, was hosted by the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force and the non-governmental organisation Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS).

It commenced at 07:30 hrs, and attracted a few hundred vibrant young people who were eager to campaign for a national cause. Departing its downtown Georgetown starting point at Main and Quamina Streets with positive music blaring from an accompanying music set, the

procession made its way to the National Park, which was the destination point.

There, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) Representative in Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Crow, challenged the walkers with the foregoing charge and made a short presentation in reference to the theme of the walk.

He explained that the three elements in the theme can contribute positively to reducing cases of suicide, and that institutions such as churches, mandirs and mosques have a critical role to play in helping people to connect – one factor which can contribute to reduction in cases of suicide.

He noted that Guyanese who are ‘in the know’ need to communicate with those who might not know what is going on in the country. He said people need to be made aware that suicide is a serious issue in Guyana, and they should play their part in helping to address it.

To so do, he said, there needs to be communication throughout the country. There is need for people to care for each other, Dr. Adu Crow said. “We have to care for one another. To care means it’s not only for the health care professionals, but all of us need to care.”

If someone can make a difference in one person’s life, he said, then it must be looked at as one saved life, which has a tremendous impact.

“You need to be your brother’s keeper in helping to address this problem… We have to have friends, and we need to be our brother’s keeper”, he said as he reiterated that “if you can talk to someone who is contemplating suicide, chances are you can save that person’s life.”

Reports suggest that, since 2009, Guyana has been able to reduce its suicide rate, but Dr. Adu Crow said this year has seen an increase.

Mental health teams remain optimistic that the sui-

cide rate will be reduced, as the country has adopted a mental health strategy. And even with experts, facilities and a mental health strategy, head of the Mental Health Unit at the Public Health Ministry, Dr. Bhiro Harry, believes reduction is “a humungous task”.

Dr. Harry, who also participated in the awareness walk, pointed out that suicide is not

unique to Guyana, as other countries struggle with the issue. However, he noted that while a lot is being done, what is being done could never be enough.

“A lot is being done in Guyana to address the issue of suicide, but it can never be enough. Luckily, we have a national plan in Guyana and we are working in accordance with that plan. We are

What it means, he said, is that an individual expressing a suicidal thought gets opportunity to get help from the person to whom the thought is expressed.

Guyana has, over the years, been ranked as having the highest suicide rate in the world, with a staggering 44 victims per every 100,000.

Economic benefits... learning process which can be adopted quickly.

He said that approval of hemp seeds have already been in train and they are being procured from Holland.

“This is an industry unlike cassava, rice and so forth which is much more manageable,” he said, noting its cultivation can sustain many small communities.

Hemp has many uses, including being used as food, in making body oils, medi-

cine, fuel, plastics and paper among others.

Doerga noted during a forum last December that during the planting process, the drug has to be monitored throughout its growth, to ensure its potency was equivalent to the legal limits.

The issue of legalisation of cannabis has been a topical one throughout the Caribbean. Last year, Jamaica relaxed its laws regarding cannabis. On February

From page 2

25 this year, the Jamaican House of Representatives passed a law decriminalising possession of up to two ounces of cannabis.

The new law includes provisions legalising the cultivation for personal use of up to five plants, as well as setting up regulations for the cultivation and distribution of cannabis for medical, religious purposes and natural growth.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

25 students receive GDF bursaries THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Friday presented 25 students with bursaries following their successful completion of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

The awardees represented the top 25 children of uniformed ranks and civilian employees of the Force who attained 75 per cent or greater at the examinations.

They will receive the award every year for the next five years. Raoul Nicholls of Queens College, Jamahl Cort of the Bishops High School and Javier St Claire of St Roses High School were the top three awarded.

In a highly-emotive presentation to the awardees, Lieutenant Colonel Dwain Jervis encouraged them to always aim for high ideals.

He noted that while they have completed the NGSA, this was just the first step.

“So continue to work hard for the next five years so you can celebrate even more when you successfully complete the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations. I would like

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, and senior officers with the 2016 bursary awardees

to see some of you in the top one per cent or achieved at least 10 subjects. Continue working hard, don’t stop!” he urged.

He also encouraged them

to maintain the same level of focus and not allow themselves to fall prey to the many distractions which abound.

Lieutenant Colonel Jervis congratulated the awardees

and extended the same sentiments to their parents. He encouraged the parents to continue to support their children.

Top awardee, Raoul Nich-

olls, moved the vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees and noted that he and the others were grateful and honoured to be recipients of the bursary awards and promised that they would

heed the advice given to them.

The GDF began awarding bursaries in 1974 and this group of awardees brings the number of recipients over the years to 880.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

When elephants fight, the grass gets damaged SOME parents have a habit of ‘bad talking’ their ex-partners; they do this either in front of their children, or even to their children.

This is very damaging to a child’s psyche, and can have long-term effects on the child’s social development. Children should not be burdened with adult situations, or adult emotional traumas and dramas.

Parents should protect their children from witnessing or experiencing any unsavoury

behaviours that might occur between them as a result of their separation.

Adults continually refer to children as though they have very little intellect or emotions. They say things like ‘He/she is just a child’, as they proceed to speak all manner of things in front of the child. The adult, no doubt, is of the opinion that the child is unaffected by, or is not listening to, what they are saying; or that the child cannot fully grasp the essence of the conversation.

But, as a child grows, so does that child’s understanding; and that child may remember the very things a parent believed the child hadn’t heard.

If the backdrop to a child’s childhood is one in which one parent tries to influence the child away from the other; or where parents detest one another to the point where they cannot have a decent conversation, and they continually ‘bad talk’ each other; or, worse yet, where a parent uses a

child as a pawn, disallowing the other access to the child unless that parent’s demands are met; or just to hurt the other party), then the child will grow in an unstable, insecure environment in which he/she may be forced to take sides, or become confused about how to divide his/her loyalty.

Separated parents are not related by blood; however, their child is a blood relative to both parents, and that cannot change. Mature parents know that having made a child together, if they separate, it is important to have a ‘united front’ for the sake of that child; which means that they speak to each other nicely, showing

mutual respect; they make decisions together about the welfare of their child; and they share in the child’s upbringing equally, where possible. Even if the father turns out to be a ‘deadbeat’ who can’t hold down a job, and the mother is the more responsible parent, that doesn’t mean that the child should be prevented from spending time with his/her father (or vice versa). The parent and child could still go for a walk together, and spend quality time in the Gardens. Those experiences make cherished moments for children, and cherished moments make memorable childhoods.

Some parents carry a

lot of emotional baggage about their past; but children should not be made to suffer because of the mistakes or choices that adults have made. When elephants fight, the grass gets damaged: children did not ask to be centre-stage of an ongoing feudal situation; all they need is a reasonably stable childhood, and that is not too much to ask for.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, ring the CPA hotline on 227-0979.

THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Muslims observe Eid today THOUSANDS of Muslims will today observe the festival of sacrifice Eid-ulAdha, commonly called “Kurbani” at their various

mosques countrywide.

Meten Meer Zorg (East) Masjid Imam Haleem Khan reflecting on the message of the festival said Eid-ul-

Ramnarine reiterates station bail for minor offences

ACTING Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine has reiterated that persons held for minor offences should secure cash bail or be released on their own recognisance immediately after they are processed.

Ramnarine said persons held with less than five grams of cannabis should not be kept in custody until court appearances.

In reiterating directives handed down by Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud in 2014, Commissioner Ramnarine said a memo was issued to all commanders stating that persons arrested for minor offences should be placed on station bail as soon as processing is completed, unless they are under investigation for other serious offences or poses a serious threat to the person or property of anyone.

He explained that in June 2014, it was observed that there were frequent incidents where members of the public were arrested and kept in custody for minor offences and in some cases no offence.

Adding that Police Commissioner Persaud back then had order with immediate effect that commanders put systems in place to prevent such incidents, Ramnarine said these systems should include, but not limited to communication by all patrols in the operations room in each division.

Whenever that patrol decides to engage any member of the public, the communication must be recorded and the signature of the person in-charge of the enquiries office must also be present on every data entry for arrest made, indicating that he or she is satisfied that the arrest is justified.

BAIL According to the Laws of

Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine

Guyana, bail is money paid and/or property lodged as security to ensure that a person charged with a criminal offence appears at her or his trial.

When bail is lodged, the person is released from police custody. Bail is not available to persons charged with murder, treason or some narcotics offences.

When bail is available, it may be granted at the police station (while investigations are being carried out), by a magistrate or by a judge of the High Court.

If a person has been arrested and taken to a police station and the officer-in- charge decides that the offence is not of a serious nature, she/he can grant bail.

It may be a condition of bail that the person reports to the police station when required. When bail is granted a record is made of it and a receipt given to the person paying bail.

The bail money and /or property will be returned either when the police drop the matter or the person bailed is charged and appears in court. A person charged with a criminal offence can be granted bail by a magistrate or judge with or without an application for it having been made.

Adha is the second of two religious holidays celebrated

by Muslims worldwide each year.

It is an occasion on which Muslims everywhere were encouraged to make every kind of sacrifice for the spiritual, moral, social, and economic uplift of mankind and especially their own.

Khan explained that Eidul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic

month of Zul-Haj and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, as an act of submission to God’s command, before God then intervened, through his angel, and instructed that a sheep be sacrificed instead.

Underscoring one of the practices for the holiday, Khan said in remembrance of Ibrahim’s obedience, Muslims offer a sacrifice, usually in the form of a bull, on the day of the celebration.

The meat from the sacrificed animal is often divided into three parts.

The family retains one third; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

The Imam related that families would come together and purchase an animal (only these animals can be sacrificed – cattle, camel and sheep\goat) and then later

share it to family, friends and the less fortunate.

At home, families were involved in the preparation of special dishes. The day ends with families visiting each other and exchanging greetings.

The three-day Muslim holiday of Eid-ul-Adha will begin with special prayers at 06:30 hrs. Eid-ul-Adha also marks the completion of the pilgrimage to Mecca

by Muslims.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Second juvenile escapee recaptured DILIGENT efforts by the police have led to the recapture of the second of three juveniles who escaped from the Sophia Juvenile Holding Centre at Sophia, Greater Georgetown at about 05:00hrs on Saturday.

The trio had allegedly used parts from their steel bedframes to dig a hole in the lower flat of the holding centre; and thereafter they scaled the fence to make good their escape.

Police say the youth was recaptured while trying to return home at Tain Settlement,

Corentyne, Berbice on Saturday at about 19:15hrs. Information received from the public was helpful in this respect.

The first escapee to be recaptured hails from Adventure, Essequibo Coast, but was recaptured at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. He was on remand for a charge of robbery-under-arms. The second juvenile to be recaptured was on remand for simple larceny, and the third and as yet unrecaptured youth was on remand for break and enter and larceny.

The Guyana Chronicle

reported that when a visit was made to the Juvenile Holding Centre at around 11:30hrs on Saturday, the facility had a heavy presence of police officers. Police have launched an investigation into the escape of the juveniles; and while no officer has been placed on close arrest, this newspaper understands that security personnel who were on duty at the time of the escape are being investigated, and the security system at the facility is being reviewed.

Police investigators at the Juvenile Holding Centre at Sophia on Saturday

Man held with illegal gun, cannabis A MAN has been arrested on the Melanie Damishana Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), after ranks of a police mobile patrol found on his person a snub-nose revolver with four matching rounds, and a small quality of substance suspected to be cannabis.

This man reportedly op-

erates a vulcanising shop and allegedly sells narcotics.

Three charges are likely to be laid this week as the investigation concludes.

Police said armed ranks on foot and in vehicles execute random searches and mass patrols in order to contain crimes and apprehend criminal elements.

Flirting with death 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

A GINA feature by Delicia Haynes

“I USED to smoke drugs.

I used to smoke weed, then I start smoking drugs (crack cocaine); and while smoking, I find myself coughing. Next thing I know, when I smoking my joint I see blood on the spliff (small marijuana cigarette), so I wonder where this thing coming from, if I get a buss mouth or something; so I cough, and when I cough I see blood.”

It was the beginning of a 13-year flirtation with death for Rey (not his real name), as his addiction to illicit drugs saw him battling to stick with his treatment regime.

Rey contracted tuberculosis (TB) after coming into close contact with one of his colleagues who was also a drug abuser. This friend, however, died because of the advanced stage of his infection with TB. “(One) day I lie down and see he bring up this cold…, so I said ‘is my friend, I will help him,’ and I go close to him and lift him up and carry him downstairs and wipe off this cold from him. He cough in my face. Well, I don’t know what it was. He died with this same thing, but I didn’t know this was TB,” Rey explained. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with TB. TB is an airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (mtb). This bacterium can attack any part of the body, but it generally affects the lungs. If a person breathes Mycobacterium

Tuberculosis contaminated air, the mtb bacteria reach the lungs and cause a lung infection.

The bacteria can, however, remain dormant for years, without the person showing any symptoms of the disease. This is called latent TB infection. People who have latent TB infection do not get sick and do not spread the bacteria to others. The only manifestation of this infection may be a reaction to the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Interferon – Gamma Release Assay (IGRA).

However, some people with latent TB infection eventually contract the TB disease. The disease has initial signs of coughing for more than three weeks; coughing up blood; chest pains while breathing or coughing; weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats and chills.

CONSTANT DEFAULTER Even after his diagnosis and positive test for TB, Rey never took his condition seriously, and continued a cycle of treatment-drug abuse-treatmentdrug abuse. “I started to take the treatment and I still smoke, and then, months after, I start to lose weight.

First of all, when I lie down sleeping, I hear like a bubbling -- the cold inside of me bubbling up -- and I want to know what going inside here, and I tell my mom. I said ‘mom, this thing ain’t going on nice’.

She sent me back again (to the chest clinic) and the people them tell me that I default treatment. Then another doctor gave me some

Team of the National TB Department. From left to right are: Head of Georgetown Chest Clinic, Dr. Linda D’Oliveira Henery; TB Field Supervisor Jellien Griifin, and National Tuberculosis Programme Director Dr. Jeteendra Mohanlall. All pose for a photo with Rey

injections. She say I am a defaulter, so when I drink the tablet and when I catch myself back, I say ‘well, I alright’. I saying this is how the TB work; so I catch myself back, so I gone back smoking again.

“I find myself sweating and losing weight again. I come back again; they say I am a defaulter again…they say from (stage) one, I gone to stage two. I got to go take more treatment, more tablets again,” Rey explained.

Rey had seen about six of his friends dying after being diagnosed, as a result of not sticking with their TB treatment plan.

LOVE OF A CHILD Support from family members and friends can mean the difference between life and death for persons suffering with TB

Depiction of the signs of tuberculosis

Picture of a lung infected with tuberculosis

or any other contagious disease, with outward symptoms such as blisters or visible weakness of the limbs.

Rey added, “A woman see me, a very good friend of mine see me. Hear her words to me: ‘Is what happened to you? Like you get the truck?’ I say ‘No, I got the bus’. So things start turn out on my skin now, and I said ‘alright, I feel I would

have to go through this thing serious’. Some days when I go through it, I feel good, and I stop and went back to the normal thing.

“This cold thing got me, I using a lot of ice water, too, in the night -- plenty ice. I start eating ice because inside here (touches throat) was getting thirsty.

Well, I get back sick again, my daughter…she didn’t give up on me, but she said, ‘Daddy, you look like you not going to make it’. I say, ‘Well, you keep praying, I strong’. She said, ‘Alright’.

Anyway, when I gotta go in the bus, she will hold me up to put me in.”

PUBLIC HEALTH CARE DELIVERY (SUPPORT AND CARE) Coming back for treatment the third time after defaulting, Rey met TB Field Supervisor Jellien Griffin at the Chest Clinic of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“I come back and get the treatment, and I meet with her (Jellien Griffin) and she try with me. She try, try; she come home at my house,

she used to come and give me treatment, injection and everything… People with this thing (TB) smoke thing and buy this thing (drugs) whole day on the block, and I selling it. While I selling, I still going on with this coughing thing, and I said, ‘You know something, this thing affecting me more than it affecting them’, so I go back home.

“I come back here, meet up with a doctor. She told me, ‘You got to take this thing serious.’ So, I get the injection, she come (at my home) inject me and make sure I drink the tablets,” Rey detailed.

Speaking with Griffin, she said Rey was an excellent listener, but his addiction to illicit drugs was interfering with his treatment.

“He feels that whenever he gets the urge to go smoke he should go. I remember a few occasions where I would go and see him when he is down. When he is sick he is one of the patients that would encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing and give of your best, because there are times you would turn up and see water there ready for him to take his pills; that in itself is motivation to want to continue in this profession,” Griffin said.

The TB Field Supervisor explained that Rey’s habit of continually defaulting on treatment caused the disease to become resistant to the prescribed drugs. He became a multi-drug-resistant TB patient. “For us to treat persons who are drug resistant to TB is very expensive. The medication is far more expensive than what we would use to treat the normal TB,” Griffin explained.

In 2002, Guyana, through the National Tuberculosis Programme, implemented the Direct Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS), which has assisted in combating alarming cases of tuberculosis. There are, across the country currently, 18 TB testing sites that diagnose and treat TB patients.

Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall is the National Tuberculosis Programme Director. “Over the years, we have built a programme where you have different departments, like TB/HIV, DOTS, M&E which is monitoring and evaluation; and we also Turn to page 15 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

THE VILLAGE ECONOMY

The buoyancy of the people of Buxton in restoring their rightful place Part 2

By Margaret Burke “A MAJOR obstacle to the continuation of African farming was the access to capital,” said Dr David Hinds. However, he noted that there was now a conscious decision by Government to encourage the restoration of farming and entrepreneurship.

Thus, the infrastructure to develop 600 acres of land at the back of Buxton for the purpose of agricultural cultivation was recently acquired.

There is much optimism that this experience can only foster the restoration of the village economy.

The spinoffs from products can become the economic base for the resuscitation of farming activities within the village, which can also be of benefit to other villages, as well as the country as a whole.

A management committee was also in an effort to carefully consult and plan, so as to be able to optimise the production and subsequent

distribution of goods and services, which will be the outcome.

In this regard, Dr Hinds has indicated that the committee will continue to consult with the villagers of Buxton so as to ensure their understanding of ventures, as well as get their covenant of what is being done. He stated that the committee must engage in sensitising the villagers on what it can do for them.

Further, Hinds noted: “The project will directly feed into a market – village market [which] emerges so that the money circulates in the village.” He added that “Arming young people with entrepreneurial skills, management skills and so forth,” are also crucial for the economic advancement of the village.

From all indications, Buxtonians are poised to run with the vision and at this point, they have already identified two spots for village markets.

“The biggest job is to sensitise young people,” stated Dr Hinds.

First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, and facilitators, pose with the graduates from the ICT Training Programme

LOCAL BUSINESSES The George Abrams – Primo’s Sewing Establishment produces school uniforms and other types of clothing and is one of the more recent businesses in the bloc. For now, the business intend to engage some 15 - 30 villagers and will be involved in sewing to order, as well as selling on both the retail and wholesale markets.

The Morris Wilson Shopping Complex which will go into effect by this year-end will include a gas station, a

pharmacy, convenient stores, Western Union and a minimall. This complex is geared to employ some 60 – 75 persons.

The Benjamin Bakery is currently the sole bakery in the village, where there were once four bakeries. However, the Benjamins are fairly well established and serve not only villagers, but many persons who traverse the East Coast corridor make it their duty to stop by the bakery to have their ‘take home.’

Agricultural economics or agronomics is an applied field of economics concerned with the application of economic theory in optimising the production and distribution of food and fibre -- a discipline known as agronomics.

Agronomics was a branch of economics that specifically dealt with land usage.

EDUCATION ALWAYS A PRIORITY From the commencement of life as freed men and women, there was always a balance between agriculture and education, the latter always being a priority for villagers, especially for the young people.

This has been demonstrated by the measure of people, both men and women, who have excelled intellectually and in terms of the positions they held within the society.

Buxton was the only village with three secondary schools: Buxton Government School, Smith’s College and the County High School. At the same time, the village housed four primary schools:

Arundel Congregational Missionary School, Friendship Methodist School, St Anthony’s Roman Catholic School and the St Augustine Anglican School.

Additionally, much emphasis was placed on early childhood education, thus the setting up of many bottom-house Kindergarten (nursery) schools. There was also a Trade School in the village.

Additionally, during the 1980s and 1990s, there was a Lessons Place, which offered free after-school lessons and tutoring for children. This centre of learning was run by Eusi Kwayana, David Hinds, George Hinds, Deon Abrams and Kidacki Amsterdam.

Serious teaching was also imparted, mostly by volunteers, who taught skills such as sewing, leather craft and straw craft and many others.

These were done with both small and large groups.

FIRST LADY EDUCATION PROJECT As the village continues to focus on education and upgrading its people of all ages, First Lady Sandra Granger successfully launched a Buxton-Friendship Youth Development project, also known as a Remedial Education Project, late last year.

It was noted that the First Lady is quite positive that this Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana Robotic Camp will have a tremendous impact on the participants.

The ITC-training programme was a youth development initiative, which tar-

geted children mainly from schools who were drawn from Buxton, Victoria and elsewhere.

The programme which lasted for 13 weeks had over 159 young people in attendance. These young people received training primarily in the introduction to computers, communications, interviewing skills, time management, literacy and numeracy, reproductive health, as well as sex education.

In addition to certificates, the young adults also received gift vouchers for use at Austin’s Book Services.

CULTURE AND SPORTS According to Dr Hinds, Buxton was and will continue to be the centr eof education and culture in Guyana. He noted that there has always been a healthy cultural life in the village. In the past there were several drama groups, youth and sport clubs, a queh queh group – Tutashinda -- as well as other groups, which are being encouraged and kept alive and well.

The libation, drumming, singing, cultural and fashion shows, folk and other dancing all form important parts of emancipation, as well as other activities.

Added to all this, it is said that the women are very skilled in the cooking of many original and tapered African delicacies, which is a must on many occasions in the village.

The Rollo Younge-led Buxton Steel Orchestra continues to shine, as they recently returned from a trip to New York where they were Turn to page 22 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

The significance of Eid-ul-Adha ONCE again the Islamic calendar is getting to an end and Muslims the world over are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.

The Eid-ul-Adha prayers are very important for Muslims. It has the merits of the five daily prayers and the Friday prayers called Jema’ah . It also has the characteristics of the annual reunions of Muslims all over the world.

This re-union manifests itself in the annual pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina where over two million Muslims gather to perform the prescribed religious rites ordained by the Almighty Allah.

Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-hijah, the last month of the Muslim year, following

completion of the course of Haji (Pilgrimage to Mecca), an extremely devotional course.

The celebration of Eidul-Adha is in commemoration of the command given

by Allah to Prophet Abraham (May Allah be pleased with him) to sacrifice his first son, Ishmael to Him. The fulfilment of this noble command of Allah

by Abraham signifies the faith Abraham had in Allah.

This display of faith yet unmatched in the annals of religion, eventually made Abraham the only friend of Allah in history.

Eid-ul-Adha is therefore a unique occasion in every way. Besides its highly spiritual and moral characteristics, it has matchless qualities.

Each Eid festival is a

Flirting with... do mobile outreaches. We have the DOTS programme where outreach workers are trained to observe patients taking their medication,” Dr. Mohanlall detailed.

There were 564 new cases recorded in 2015, twenty per cent of which were co-infected with HIV. The unit has recorded a success rate of 81% treatment, with a 14% default rate. In 2016, the unit identified 265 new cases, 72% of which are smear positive. The co-infection rate for 2016 remains at 20%. “…we implemented DOTS just over 12 years ago, the treatment success

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rate at that time was 38%; now we’ve actually reached 81% success rate, which is a commendable achievement for us in a developing country,” Dr. Mohanlall told GINA. The growing prevalence of TB has been getting the attention of health officials worldwide. Statistics show that TB is the second leading cause of death by infectious diseases. TB is among the top five causes of death in persons between the ages of 15 and 45 years, with over 95% of those individuals living in low to middle income countries.

The World Health Or-

wholesome celebration of a remarkable achievement of the individual Muslim in the service of Allah. Unlike the Eid-ul-Fitr, which comes after one month of absolute fasting in the month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Adha marks the completion of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca (Hajj), a course in which Muslims handsomely demonstrate their renouncement of mundane concerns and hearkens to the eternal voice of Allah.

Eid-ul-Adha is a day of remembrance. Even in the most joyful times, Muslims make a fresh start of the day by a session of congregational prayers to Allah in an open space.

Muslims use the occasion to pray to Allah and glorify His name, to demonstrate the remembrance of His grace

and favours. Along with that course, Muslims also remember the deceased by praying for their souls to rest in peace. The needy and vulnerable in society are also remembered by showing them sympathy and consolation.

In sum Eid-ul-Adha transcends all limits and expands over the dimensions of human life. It marks a day of victory for the Muslim. The individual Muslim who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receive the Eid with victorious spirit.

The Muslim, who faithfully observes the duties which are associated with the Eid, is a triumphant one.

He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires; exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the test of a disciplinary life. And once a person ac-

quires these qualities he has achieved his greatest victory, because the person who knows how to control himself and disciplines his passion is free from sin, wrong doing, fear and cowardice, vice and indecency, jealousy, greed, humiliation and all other causes of enslavement.

Eid-ul-Adha is also a harvest day. All the good work done in the service of Allah is rewarded and all faithful believers reap the fruits of their good deeds as Allah grants His mercy and blessings abundantly without measure.

The day is also one of forgiveness. When Muslims assemble in the congregation of the day, they all whole-heartedly pray for forgiveness and strength of faith. And God has assured those who approach Him

with sincerity, of His mercy and forgiveness.

In that pure assembly and highly spiritual congregation, any true Muslim would feel ashamed of himself to hold any enmity or ill feeling if he had been exposed to any.

Consequently, he would find himself moving along with others responding to the spirit of the day to purify his heart and soul. It is hoped that this year’s Eid-Ul-Adha will bring about peace in Ghana and the world at large.

It is also hoped that our brothers and sisters of Anlo will reflect soberly on this festive occasion and bury their individual and collective differences to give peace a lasting chance. Total peace in Anlo will bring about development.

Peace be unto you and the love of Allah.

ganisation (WHO) in 2014 recorded a total of 1.5 million deaths as a result of TB infections. One-third of those recorded were co-infected with HIV. In Guyana, it is recommended that persons with the TB disease seek medical treatment by way of submitting to DOTS, which would usually take six months of constant managing.

It took more than 13 years for Rey to be TB free, when the actual treatmentto-cure process takes a maximum of two years. This is because he had been a defaulter to his TB treatment.

his addiction to crack cocaine was keeping him offcourse with the treatment; that is, until it caused him to end up in prison.

Involved in selling illicit drugs, Rey was apprehended and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. While in prison he was shunned, because the health condition from which he suffered was easily spread, although he was, to some extent, separated from the other prisoners.

“I end up getting in trouble with this thing (drugs) selling, and I end up in prison for three years. The driver that used to bring

her (Jellien), he see me on court round-up (television programme) and that’s how they know,” Rey declared.

Griffin continued to provide moral support to Rey while he was in prison. “My word to him was, ‘use this opportunity to get the best out of it. You would have defaulted so many times before, but let this time be different’; and I was happy that he was in prison, not in that negative way, but to know that now that he is there, certain privileges will not be given, and adherence will be easier.”

But Griffin was not working only with Rey, to

combat his addiction and stick with his TB treatment plan; she was also working with his family. There were times when Rey lost the support of his direct family members because of the complexity of his illness.

However, after they had been educated on the facts of TB, family members were the key persons in his life for encouragement towards his recovery.

“We had quite a lot of work to do with him, so we recognized -- because of his behaviour pattern -- we had a lot of counselling to do, and he needed family sup-

IN PRISON While Rey had not tested positive for HIV/AIDS,

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One held for Guyanese teacher’s death

By Alva Solomon

POLICE in The Bahamas have reportedly arrested a suspect in connection with the death of Guyanese school teacher Marisha Bowen.

Relatives reported on Sunday that information from sources on the island suggested that a suspect was taken into custody for questioning in connection with the 35-year-old teacher’s death.

The Bahamas Tribune reported that police are investigating the death of a Charles W Saunders school teacher, who was found dead in her home off Soldier Road Friday morning. She bore a

single stab wound.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean told The Bahamas Tribune that the woman was found shortly after 08:00hrs on Friday by residents of an apartment complex on Read Sea Road, off Sumner Street, with a single wound to the body.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbours had heard screaming around 07:00 hrs, which may have led to her discovery. Investigators found no sign of forced entry, which suggested that the mother of two knew her killer(s).

Reports are that the former Brickdam Secondary

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Aries You might not be able to slow things down today, even if you think it would be a wise move. Superhero Mars is all fired up by mental Mercury and you can't stop your thoughts from running around in frantic circles. If you're feeling an extra zest for life, it's time to convert your enviable enthusiasm into a plan of action. But creating a strategy in your mind is not enough. As Walt Disney said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."

Taurus Emotional veneers have been stripped away, putting you face to face with your deepest desires. You may be willing to risk rejection now if that's what it takes to be true to yourself. Unfortunately, you could offend someone with your disclosure, which might require you to rebuild trust in the relationship.

But in the long run it could prove more damaging to hide your feelings from yourself than to honestly express them to others. Do what is right, not what is easy.

Dead: Marisha Bowen

School teacher had separated from her husband several years ago and recently ended another relationship.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Gemini Quick thinking is stimulated by an energetic square between cerebral Mercury and red-hot Mars. Unfortunately, you lack patience with someone who can't keep up with your pace. You're capable of coming up with brilliant answers right away, but how you communicate them will either encourage productive discussion or unnecessary conflict. Although you can't control every variable, choosing your words carefully helps to prevent the interpersonal dynamics from getting out of hand. No matter what, remember the Dalai Lama words: "Don't let the behaviour of others destroy your inner peace."

Cancer Although you're often tentative in your expression, today you're ready to take an emotional risk. An argumentative Mercury-Mars square inspires you to be uncharacteristically impulsive, yet it may be difficult to manage the collateral damage if you jump right in before knowing all the facts. Since Mercury is retrograde in your 3rd House of Communication, it makes sense to back away from petty disagreements. Verbal combat will not bring you closer to your goals, but offering an olive branch demonstrates your willingness to work toward creating an atmosphere of harmony.

Leo You may struggle with an individual at work who is unwilling to give an inch today. Unfortunately, you could be fighting a losing battle if challenged by someone in power. It's better to recognise the existence of external authority and make whatever internal adjustments you need. Even negotiating with good intentions might not improve your position now that mischievous Mercury is at cross purposes with warrior Mars. Instead of looking for a fight, fix the situation by changing your focus. Conflict cannot escalate without your participation.

Virgo Passive-aggressive messages may be accompanied with a smile today, but you still know if someone is being unkind to you. A hard square between snappy Mercury and pushy Mars prompts spontaneous replies that produce hurt feelings. Old arguments resurface now that retrograde Mercury hooks up with the Sun in your sign. Thankfully, a major drama can be avoided by your willingness to meet others halfway rather than angrily holding your ground. Offering a compromise is easier when mutual respect is the top priority.

Libra It might feel as if everyone knows exactly which emotional buttons to push to hook you into their melodramas. Quicksilver Mercury's square to bossy Mars tempts you to replace logic with impatience. Unfortunately, unpremeditated rants will only instigate further discord. Remember, it's not what you say that's contentious; it's how you say it. Find the calm in the centre of the storm before you open your mouth.

Scorpio You're eager to defend your position today because you think you have all your facts in order. However, it might come as a shock to encounter someone who can be just as stubborn as you. Nevertheless, a combative Mercury-Mars square could bait you into a frustrating disagreement that brings your core beliefs into question. Instead of being swept up in the rising emotions now, use your mental agility to make a plan to put into motion later in the month. In the meantime, tap into your heightened intuition to circumvent any roadblocks in your path.

Sagittarius You're quite convincing when you speak from the heart, but an intellectual argument may not be as effective today. Someone's hidden agenda can stir complex emotional crosscurrents and you'll only make matters worse if you try to force a resolution to the tension. Mouthy Mercury squares cantankerous Mars in an explosive yet short-lived aspect. Nevertheless, the discord will settle quicker than you think if you adopt a diplomatic approach. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with you.

Capricorn Your recent lack of progress might have led you to question if you're on the right path. Although the uncertainty is already beginning to fade, an urgent square between trickster Mercury and militant Mars can reignite a flammable situation. Fortunately, patience is an asset you know how to use to your advantage. Self-control in word and deed minimises unnecessary drama and earns you the respect you seek. As Ben Franklin wrote, "Energy and persistence conquer all things."

Aquarius Your rapid-fire thinking allows you to spout off-the-cuff answers today that just might work. However, it's all too easy to slip into verbal sparring when every comment elicits a snappy comeback. It's great to be witty, but cutting remarks could damage a relationship if you're not careful where you aim them. Combine compassion with thoughtfulness to prevent your words from inadvertently turning into weapons. With a little self-awareness now, you can put the power of your mind toward creating messages that motivate people instead of tearing them down.

Pisces Think twice before you react emotionally because other people's opinions about your goals are not as important as they seem in the moment. Nevertheless, someone's casual criticism of your career ambitions could trigger a temper tantrum today. In fact, a simple miscommunication is capable of generating a war of words over a petty issue while retrograde Mercury heightens the energy of a quarrelsome Sun-Mars square. Instead of fighting back, channel your anger into climbing the ladder of success. The best revenge is to accomplish what others say cannot be done.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Flirting with... port. So one of the things that we did was not only to encourage him, but work with the family,” the field supervisor said.

ROAD TO RECOVERY Rey found his road to recovery while in prison.

“They put me in a place where TB people be, and I take my treatment two years flat. With this treatment, it’s every day from Monday to Monday; no day I skipped.

They had other people with TB where they get tablets five days a week, Mon-

From page 13

day to Friday; but I getting Monday (to) Sunday, every day I getting this treatment and taking this treatment now, tablets plus injections.

“I started feeling better, but we weren’t getting the sunlight, so I start to get weak. I find that the coughing easing, and when I bathe I would wet my head. Then some things come out on my skin, and I thought it was from the mattress in jail, but the doctor at the prison said it’s because I backslide so much from treatment and because of

the drugs I was using at that time…”

Rey said he abandoned smoking because “they said that this thing is what is causing me to not recover; so I stopped smoking cigarette and weed, and stopped smoking drugs. And I decided to take the treatment in prison for two years, and this is where I am today.”

Having worked with Rey for more than three years, Griffin has expressed joy at working with patients like him. “I am really happy to be here with Rey and share his success story. Rey is one of the clients that I admire, because as much as he was difficult in the early

stage, he is one that is very respectful, very humble, and appreciates the service that the National TB Programme offers. I remember him saying when I go to visit that this is something he wouldn’t want to do, but I could not understand because I was not in his shoes.

So I realised that as long as I continue to do my part as a health worker in the line of continuous counselling, he would be able to understand

the benefit of using his pills.

“Despite the challenges, I was hoping that someday he would see the bright side of life; so now I am happy to see him here today, because today you are actually seeing the true ‘Rey’ he was meant to be,” Griffin exulted.

The Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization PAHO/ WHO, along with the Global Fund, has been partnering

with the Government of Guyana on tackling TB. SECOND CHANCE Rey considers his TB-free status as a second chance at life, and encourages other TB-infected patients to adhere to treatment. He also hopes to start over by meeting a partner to spend the rest of his newfound life with.

Rey is testimony that TB is treatable and curable!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Concerted effort needed to tackle climate change ‒ FAO Resident Representative tells Disaster Risk Management consultation

By Shirley Thomas FOOD and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Guyana, Reuben Robertson, has said climate change is real and requires a concerted effort to be effectively addressed.

Noting that over 70 per cent of the world’s poor rely on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihood, Robertson said they are the

ones who are hardest hit by high temperatures and other weather-related hazards. And noting that weathers are exacerbated by climate change, he said this phenomenon is increasing in frequency and intensity.

“Without concerted efforts and action by the countries to build resilience nationally and at the community levels, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable Consultant Steve Maximay addressing stakeholders at the FOA Disaster Risk Management Stakeholder Consultation, held at the Cara Lodge. Seated at front right is UNDP Deputy Representative Shabnam Mallick

will continue to struggle to generate enough income, and to feed themselves and their families,” he declared.

Stressing the importance of addressing climate change and its impact, Robertson said he recognizes it is a priority of the Government of Guyana. He said the model the Ministry of Agriculture provided to the FAO in seeking technical assistance to develop a Disaster Risk Management Plan for the agricultural sector has all the elements for capacity-building within the related institutions among and within the rural communities, or ADRM. Moreover, it has the full inputs of all stakeholders, and has been considered the best fit for the time it was developed in 2013.

“Recognising the commitment of governments -and in particular the Government of Guyana -- to these global initiatives, it is

just fitting and necessary for us to revisit and adjust the ADRM plan to reflect such global policy initiative; and I hope that we will take that into consideration,” the FAO official said.

CRITICAL ROLE Robertson sees the need for a critical role for the agricultural sector in addressing the complex issues of climate change -- adopting sustainable agricultural practices that are tailored to local contexts and situations.

Small farmers, he said, can also adopt these sustainable agricultural best practices, which are vital to combating poverty and hunger in a changing environment.

He expressed these views at a stakeholder consultation on Disaster Risk Management, held at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, Georgetown on Friday. The theme for this Turn to page 21 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Concerted effort needed to... consultation was “Building Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood: Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management/ Disaster Risk Reduction into the agriculture sector in Guyana”. The forum sought to present the preliminary findings and recommendations of the assessment of the institutional and coordination mechanisms within the Agriculture Sector done last July, in order to maintain Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and to solicit feedback from stakeholders on the preliminary findings and recommendations, in an effort to improve the report. The findings of the assessment were presented for critical analysis and recommendations on how the plan should be updated, and what implementation modalities should be employed to ensure that the farmers in the communities benefit from such a plan.

“This workshop today is the culmination of a week and more of work done by our experts to review and assess the status of imple-

mentation of the ADRM plan,” Robertson said. “I can only hope that the reviews do not just focus on the institutional capacity-building mechanism and coordinating modalities, but would also look at the financing gaps and the real partnerships and resource mobilisation that would be required to ensure a successful implementation of the ADRM plan,” the FAO official said.

He cautioned the stakeholders that their inputs would be very critical to the process; not only for improving the report, but to put in place the necessary measures that would allow for capacity-building and the adaption of climate change or climate-smart agricultural practices.

It would also be critical for the implementation of ADRM best practices, which would improve and sustain the livelihoods of all farmers here in Guyana, he declared.

KUDOS FOR GUYANA Also addressing the

stakeholders -- drawn from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Fisheries Department, fisherfolk, and other related entities -- were United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Representative Shabnam Mallick and FAO Consultant Steve Maximay, who presented the preliminary findings and recommendations of the assessment.

In his opening remarks to the consultation, Maximay said he holds Guyana’s involvement with climate change information and application in “very, very’ high esteem, and has told it to everyone who would listen”.

“I have always been impressed with the leaps and bounds Guyana has made in advance of the rest of CARICOM, and I can say this without fear of contradiction. Having been lucky enough to work in every CARICOIM country, I can say this from the standpoint of an outsider

From page 20

who is coming to help celebrate the leadership that Guyana has taken in this regard,” he declared.

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary George Jervis, listed to address the consultation, was unavoidably absent; but Dr. Jean David, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Focal Point in the Ministry of Agriculture and the one who chaired the programme, delivered an overview of the project.

Dr. David outlined that the project is a collaboration among several partners –- the Government of Japan, who provided funding and other collaborative efforts; the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; and the Government of Guyana.

Alluding to climate change and its impact, Dr. David said it is why the FAO was approached by the Ministry of Agriculture to provide technical

assistance to Develop the Disaster Risk Management Plan for the agriculture sector.

On continuous progress in the project, Dr. David cited the initial workshop in June; the project launch, as well as the first Steering Committee meeting in July; and at this juncture, the stakeholder consultation. She expressed gratitude to the partners on board, particularly the FAO for this aspect of the project.

She credited Consultant Maximay for having done a thorough assessment of DRM in the agriculture sector, and also for reviewing policies; and she credited the regional coordinating mechanism for DRM in the agriculture sector.

UNDERSTANDING THE GAPS UNDP Deputy Representative Shabnam Mallick said that, for achieving effective mainstreaming

of DRM in the agriculture sector, it is vital to understand the status of the implementation of the plan; do a revision of existing policy and institutional mechanisms for ADRM; and do likewise for capacity and awareness building.

She stressed the importance of strengthening the enabling environment of the responsible institutions, noting that it is indeed key to foster coordination and implementation of the ADRM plan.

Mallick is hopeful that, through this workshop and the cooperation of all stakeholders in the ADRM, the consultation would gain a good understanding of the gaps and needs of the current institution and co-coordinating mechanism. She concluded that strengthening the relevant institutional mechanisms would be the foundation to ensure that national institutions are effectively employing DRM tools.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

By Shauna Jemmott

I am stronger now.” The humiliation had become overbearing, she explained.

“When Johnson did that, it was the hardest thing I had ever endured. I screamed in a soundproof lock, as he covered my mouth and became more aggressive. I thought it was the hour of my death. He sodomised me and spent a good time while he had me say sorry for visiting his home at the wrong time.”

Johnson had asked her to stay away that day but she needed an urgent conversation and visited.

She saw Sony naked in his home. Karen was accused of being wrong for visiting at that particular time, since Sony had promised Johnson hundreds of thousands from her husband’s savings just after the encounter.

“We had so many fights.

Knowing that I was about to lose him made me try to reach out and love him more.” Broken by promiscuity and abuse, she decided to walk away after a last major public beating.

“One Sunday morning,

The pains of a battered woman “WHY would my lover want to sexually abuse me?” Karen (not her real name) asked rhetorically.

The 35-year-old decided to tell her story of survival to six other women under a sycamore tree in the East Bank countryside, last Sunday. A smart home manager, Karen is a small character on the block, inspiring other women with her life stories.

“I am a survivor of sexual cruelty!”

“I cried enough, and at the beginning of this year I stood in the inner court and declared that this is my year of laughter. Now it’s over!” she said.

“I met Alroy when I was about to end my relationship with Johnson, and after all the promiscuity from Johnson I went straight into bed with Alroy because I needed a good episode of hot and cool relaxation, if you know what I mean.”

Karen explained that she was tired of fighting with the prostitutes, watch-

ing the shop man’s wife in Johnson’s bed, being called his bad luck and his constant verbal and physical abuse.

“I felt battered in bed. I felt as a beast, and the victim of a slaughter.”

Karen was a beauty – the kind of woman any man would wish to have by his side. She has a millionaire mentality and her skin has a kind of cocoa groove.

She stands over five feet eight, has a perfect figure and made strides suitable for a catwalk. Her speech is great, personality calm, has high moral standing and a Bachelor’s Degree tag.

Alroy was a silent abuser, and at 46, he was a jealous lover. Not very handsome, he was visionless in one eye, and with a beauty like Karen by his side, his insecurities grew.

Alroy was the perfect lover at first.

Johnson had deliberately stormed into the wrong part of Karen’s body during one sexual encounter after she caught him having an affair with another man’s

wife. That night was her first fight with him and before the end of the night the couple, who shared two sons, had at least five battles.

The audience was attentive and tranquility prevailed as if nature made preparations for her sore

confessions.

The stillness became a song. “Life: it can leave you so bitter, bitter, bitter… But you must believe it gets better, better, better…” It was her phone’s ringtone as Alroy attempted another unanswered call.

“He keeps calling, but

Johnson slapped me over 40 times in a public place,” she disclosed.

Alroy was the man to whom she had become attracted. He told her words she needed to hear.

For months, the relationship was beautiful, but Alroy suddenly became a merciless man, handling her sadistically. He beat her sometimes while she was forced to say “I love you baby.”

Love had grown to become excessively painful, and her compelled confessions became a lie.

“Alroy began to sodomise me, and forced me to do other sexual things I once scorned. It then became the dominant thing in our sexual encounters and even though I’d put up a fight, he was too strong.”

He had assumed the position of being in total control and though she cried bitterly, helplessly, he seemed to have gained pleasure out of her pains.

With the help of a praying friend, Karen walked away.

THE VILLAGE... invited to play at the jubilee celebrations from June 4 to 11, 2016. The band members, who are mostly senior secondary school students, also recently excelled at the Mashramani Steelband Competition, placing second.

The Buxton Arts Theatre (BAT) is said to be very definitely affecting the lives of especially the young people of that community. This is done mainly through the use of drama by working with children mostly within in an effort to help them improve their performances in theatre and arts. Their vision is to entertain, educate and motivate.

Football in Buxton is also a force to be reckoned with. The Buxton United Football Club, rivalling the Victoria Kings Football Club, recently became the second East Coast team to win the coveted Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament trophy – at one of Guyana’s most recognised events.

Today, despite the problems in the village the youth still engage in drama, steel-

From page 14

band, cricket and football, along with other sporting activities. However, it is felt that having all aspects of sports under one umbrella – bringing back that collectivity should bring better results overall.

Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, international cricket commentator, recently visited Buxton and expressed his desire to make a positive input towards advancing sports in general within the Buxton community. His offer was well received.

In feeling themselves esteemed, the Buxtonians have even written and directed their own ‘anthem’, which is also called the battle song.

It is reported that the ‘anthem’ was created by two teachers: George Younge and Ms Jacobs, who taught at the then Buxton Congregational Missionary School.

This ‘anthem’ is sung at the beginning of every public event organised by Buxtonians at home and abroad. It inspires pride, passion and personal dedication to the preservation and protection of our heritage.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Literacy Clinic launched at Fun City

A child and his parent at the literacy clinic at Fun City, Ramada Princess Hotel on Sunday THE Ministry of Education on Sunday launched a ‘Literacy Clinic’ at Fun City, Ramada Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara targeting scores of children from nursery to secondary schools.

Acting Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson said the initiative is one of several efforts by the Ministry to enhance literacy in Guyana.

“If you can’t read, all other areas in your life will be affected,” he said, pointing out that the aim of this clinic is to “sensitise parents and sensitise the community” on the value of literacy.

In addition to the literacy clinic, the Ministry has begun to distribute ‘literacy kits’, which include reading materials and some interactive games

to schools in observance of Education Month.

Education Officer at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) Samantha Williams said the clinic involves assessing children and “putting forward strategies to improve their literacy, to their parents”.

The strategies used at the clinic, she noted, are strategies that are part of the schools’ curricula.

The Literacy Clinic will be taken to the Giftland Mall on Sunday, September 18 and then to the Seawall Bandstand on Sunday, September 25.

According to Hutson, these areas were chosen because a healthy crowd can be found there.

Monday September 12, 2016 - 14:00 hrs Tuesday September 13, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday September 14, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Ituni residents peeved at ‘scratchity’ medic

By Vanessa Braithwaite

RESIDENTS of Ituni are calling on the Regional Health Department to substitute or post an assistant for the 70-year-old medic at the Ituni Health Centre.

According to Regional Vice Chairman, Elroy Adolph residents described the medic as ‘scratchity’ and miserable”.

Adolph related that though the residents honour the medic for her 45 years of selfless service to the community, it is time she retires as age is getting the best of her and the residents are facing the consequences of it.

Residents, the Regional Vice Chairman said, have recommended that another capable medic joins her as the burden of tending to a community of 800-1000 residents has become very challenging.

“One man was unconscious and they rushed him to the facility and her words to them were ‘I eating lunch now, you gotta wait’ and she sat there and when she finish eating her lunch then she came to attend to him,” Adolph said.

He added that by this time, the man was already transported to Linden.

Adolph reasoned that with the availability of 50 doctors in Region 10, one of them can be sent to Ituni to help with the situation.

“Can we get one to go to Ituni to assist the worker there that is aging? She is slow…. If we have doctors in Linden attending the patients, I think we need such in the outskirt areas,” he said.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Pansey Armstrong told the Guyana Chronicle that a medic has been identified for the Ituni Health Centre, but has not yet been posted.

Meanwhile, councillors from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) are calling on officers within the Region 10 Health Department to fix the poor working conditions at several health centres.

The call was made following a visit to health facilities in the region to have a first-hand look of what was reported by several health workers.

The councillors found conditions ranging from compounds filled with bush and garbage; none or limited water supply, forcing the health workers to fetch water; no working lights, and no automatic back up electricity system.

These conditions, the councillors claimed to be at the One Mile Health Centre, the Old England Health Centre, the Wisroc Health Centre and the Viviene Parris Health Centre.

The councillors, at their recently held statutory meeting claimed that the health workers complained that officers from the Regional Health Department hardly visit these centres.

“The Health Department has to step up to the plate… what are the health people doing… the people (health workers) are saying that the people don’t care a damn and when you write, no proper response ,” one councillor said.

Several councillors also made claims of health workers complaining of receiving threats of being transferred from those in authority for speaking out on the conditions they are forced to work under.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said the situation is troubling.

“What is disturbing is that when workers are asking for things to upgrade, people high up getting vex, why you getting vex, that is your job, you have been placed there to better the facilities… nurses and support staff shouldn’t feel threatened,” Morian said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Hillary Clinton diagnosed with pneumonia

HILLARY Clinton’s personal doctor on Sunday said she was suffering from pneumonia after the Democratic presidential candidate fell ill at a September 11 memorial, in an episode that renewed focus on her health less than two months before the general election.

Clinton was diagnosed on Friday, but her condition only came to light several hours after a video on social media appeared to show her swaying and her knees buckling before she is helped into a motorcade as she left the memorial early Sunday.

Clinton had a medical examination when she got back to her home in Chappaqua, New York, according to a campaign aide. Her doctor, Lisa Bardack, said in a statement that she has been experiencing a cough related to allergies and that an examination on Friday showed it was pneumonia.

“She was put on antibiotics and advised to rest and modify her schedule. While at this morning’s event, she became overheated and dehydrated. I have just examined her and she is now re-hydrated and recovering nicely,” Bardack said.

It was not yet clear whether Clinton would stick to a hectic schedule that has her travelling to California on Monday for several campaign and fundraising events.

Regardless of how much the illness curtails her campaigning, the diagnosis comes at a crucial time in the White House race against Republican rival Donald Trump. The first of three debates is on September 26 and the election is on November 8.

‘LESS SPECULATION’ The 68-year-old Clinton abruptly departed the high-profile, televised event at Ground Zero and was taken to her daughter Chelsea’s home in Manhattan. She emerged around two hours later on a warm and muggy morning, wearing sunglasses and telling reporters that she was “feeling great”.

The video that showed her swaying and buckling with aides holding her up came from an unverified Twitter account under the name Zdenek Gazda, who did not respond to a request for comment.

The Clinton campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment about the authenticity of the video.

Political strategists said the campaign should confront the health issue head-on to tamp down any concerns, particularly as Republican rival Donald Trump and some of his high-profile supporters have repeatedly argued that she lacked the “stamina” to battle adversaries abroad.

For Bud Jackson, a Vir-

ginia-based Democratic strategist, the statement from the doctor was a good start.

“I think they did the right thing. They had her examined and put out a statement.

It means less speculation,” Jackson said.

Jackson said Sunday’s incident will be “instructive” for the campaign and should encourage more transparency from the Clinton camp about her health. It is in their best interest to disclose anything in the future, he said, rather than have it leaked or exposed via another episode like Sunday’s.

As the solemn ceremony began at the site of the World Trade Centre that was attacked by two hijacked airliners 15 years ago, there was patchy sunlight, with temperatures at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 Celsius).

But the high humidity early into the ceremony caused it to feel much hotter in the crowd at times.

Clinton wore a high-collared shirt and a dark pant suit and donned sunglasses for the morning event. Democratic Representative Joe Crowley of New York, a Clinton supporter who attended the event, told Reuters that it was “incredibly, stiflingly hot” during the ceremony.

Clinton’s pneumonia diagnosis follows a wave of conservative conspiracy theories that circulated in recent weeks suggesting that Clinton’s coughing was a sign of deeper problems.

Clinton’s speech at a campaign rally earlier this month in Cleveland was interrupted by a coughing spell. During the speech, she quipped, “Every time I think about Trump I get allergic.”

She then resumed her speech.

PRESIDENTIAL PRECEDENTS Past presidential candidates have released much more detailed information about their health than either Trump, 70, or Clinton.

For example, John McCain, the failed 2008 Republican presidential nominee, allowed reporters to see 1,173 pages of medical records after concerns were raised about a cancer scare.

Clinton has been in the news before for serious health issues.

In December 2012, she suffered a concussion and shortly afterward developed a blood clot.

In a letter released by her doctor in July 2015, Clinton was described as being in “excellent health” and “fit to serve” in the White House. It noted that her current medical conditions include hyperthyroidism and seasonal pollen allergies.

The diagnosis and illness on Sunday come after some tough days for Clinton, as

US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton leaves her daughter Chelsea’s home in New York, New York, United States September 11, 2016, after Clinton left ceremonies commemorating the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks feeling ‘overheated’. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

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national polls showed her lead over Trump diminishing.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll of likely voters showed an 8-point lead for Clinton had vanished by the last week of August.

On Saturday, Clinton came under fire from Republicans and on social media for saying Friday night that “half” of Trump’s supporters belonged in a “basket of deplorables”.

She later said she regretted using the word “half.”

Trump has also been under pressure to release detailed information on his health and medical history.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

GBA’s Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate C/Ships

GDF wins nine of 11 semi-finals on second night THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continued to dominate the Guyana Boxing Association’s Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Boxing Championships, winning nine of 11 semi-finals,when the tournament continued on Saturday nighy at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Of the nine victories, the soldiers had the referee working overtime for most of the night, as they forced him to call a halt to proceedings during three of their bouts.

The Republican Gym,which had threatened to wrest the Champion Gym title from the soldiers,were only able to chalk up three victories, thereby failing to take the honour.

The army boxers opened the night on a winning note in their first two encounters as Don Cumberbatch secured a unanimous points decision win against Republican’s Ewart Cobis in a flyweight contest, then Courtney Lynch (GDF) caused the referee to stop his bantamweight contest against Republican’s Eon Archer at 36 seconds of the first round.

Jemal Brisport and Jason Trotman, both army boxers, secured points victories in their lightweight clashes against William DeAbreu (Republican) and

Trison Browne (GDF) respectively.

In the junior welterweight division, Rhondel Douglas (GDF) secured a Technical Knock-Out win against Republican’s Quami Cumberbatch, at one minute 38 seconds of the first round, while in the welterweight division, Orlando Northon (GDF) won by a unanimous points’ decision over Omar Nauthsukhdeo of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym(FYF).

Joshua Fraser gave the soldiers their seventh victory for the night as he caused the referee to stop his middleweight contest against Republican’s Alvin Gounga at two minutes and two seconds of the first round.

Fighting in the same division, Fraser’s gym mate, Darren McPherson,chalked up a unanimous points victory over Geraldo Phillips (Republican).Ryan Roberts capped off a fine night for the army as he won his heavyweight contest against Republican’s Jermaine Williams on points.

In other results from Saturday night’s card, Julius Kesney of Rose Hall Jammers defeated Anthony Patterson (Republican) on points in a bantamweight contest, while Delroy Nero (republican) secured a walk over from his gym mate,Dennis Holligan, in

the junior welterweight division.

There was much comedy in a welterweight contest between Joshua Joseph (Republican) and GDF’s Lorex Cummings as, from the start of the fight, Cummings’ protective cup kept falling out of his under pants.Even though it was changed after it fell twice within seconds, it continued to fall three more times;The referee then stopped the fight during the very first round and awarded it to Joseph, ruling that Cummings infringed the rules consistently.

The other fight of the night saw Bryan Leitch (Republican) displaying a robotic approach in his heavyweight contest against Renaldo Niles (GDF), stunning the latter with telling punches that forced the referee to call a halt to the proceedings at two minutes and 38 seconds of the first round.In this fight, Niles first connected to Leitch with a straight right and the referee immediately issued an eight count.However, on resumption, Leitch, with no guards up,literally advanced to his opponent and staggered him on several occasions and caused the referee to call a halt to the proceedings.

The tournament concluded last evening.

WICB forecasts...

from back page

be busy in the upcoming year.”

Among a number of committee reports which were presented at the regularly scheduled quarterly Board of Directors meeting in Dominica last Saturday was from the Audit and Risk Compliance Committee, headed by Don Wehby.

That committee reported that all financial statements for the Board have been prepared within the times allotted and

have been done in conjunction with its internal and external auditors, Price Waterhouse and KPMG respectively.

The ARC Committee also identified a number of risks, chief among them is the two-year old Professional Cricket League. Subsequently, an internal team has been mandated to assess the PCL with a detailed look at Technical, structural and marketing support for the franchises.

That review should be available in six months to

coincide with the end of the 2016/2017 season, due to be completed in March next year.

The Chief Executive Officer, Michael Muirhead also announced at the meeting that “discussed at the Chief Executives meeting this past week in Dubai, that there is a recommendation on the table for some ICC members to pool their commercial and overseas broadcast rights. ” The discussion he noted will continue at the ICC members’ meeting in South Africa next month.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Aggressive style almost pays off for runner-up Pliskova

By Joshua Schneyer NEW YORK,(Reuters)-Karolina Pliskova suffered a narrow U.S. Open defeat at the hands of Angelique Kerber on Saturday, but the Czech 10th seed also proved her mettle as one of the most dangerous attacking players in women’s tennis.

The 6-foot 1-inch (185 cm) Pliskova fought back from a set down at Arthur Ashe Stadium to give Kerber, one of the best defensive players in history, a major scare in the grand slam final. Kerber finally prevailed 6-3 4-6 6-4.

Kerber will move to the number one world ranking on Monday.

That in part is due to 24-year-old Pliskova’s previous win. She felled top seeded American Serena Williams in straight sets in the semi-finals, and took down sister Venus Williams earlier in the tournament.

For Pliskova, making the final was the best showing of her five year professional career. Ranked No. 11 in the

Karolina Pliskova (CZE) at the trophy presentation after her match against Angelique Kerber (GER) on day thirteen of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

world, she had not previously advanced beyond the third round of a grand slam.

Kerber’s win ended an 11-match winning streak for the big-serving Pliskova, who had beaten the German just three weeks earlier in the Cincinnati final.

Pliskova said she hopes it will be the first of many slams finals.

“I found out I can play my best tennis on these big courts,” she told reporters. “I believe I can win matches like this next time.”

Though Pliskova prefers blistering ground strokes to the serve-and-volley game that defined past Czech champions such as Martina Navratilova and Helena Sukova, her serve remains her biggest weapon.

She has crushed more aces than any other player on the WTA tour this year, but on Saturday that weapon was not quite enough.

In the muggy air at Flushing Meadows, the average speed of her first serve, 102 miles-per-hour (164 kph),

was her slowest of the tournament.

Although Pliskova won 80 percent of her serve and volley points, she deployed the tactic only ten times.

Against the fierce counter-punching German, Pliskova said she had to try everything in her toolbox to take control of points.

She made 47 unforced errors, against just 17 for Kerber, but on the other side of the equation hit nearly twice as many winners, 40 to the German’s 21.

“You know, it’s never easy for the player who is attacking and is doing more mistakes,” Pliskova said.

The Czech player could become a constant threat to other top women, said Mary Jo Fernandez, a former world number four and a well known tennis commentator.

“She’s really grown as a player,“ Fernandez said. “I don’t think Serena’s going anywhere but it gets more difficult as the younger players come up.”

Controversial Costa scores twice but Chelsea held by Swansea it.

By Steve Tongue LONDON - Diego Costa scored twice but could not prevent Chelsea losing their 100 percent Premier League record in a controversial 2-2 draw at Swansea yesterday.

The result left Manchester City two points clear of them at the top of the table.

The fiery Spain striker scored in the 17th minute as Antonio Conte’s team took control of the game before conceding twice in quick succession.

In the 59th minute goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois gave away a penalty by fouling Gylfi Sigurdsson after a Swansea Chelsea’s Diego Costa scores their second counter-attack and the Iceland goal Action Images via Reuters / Carl international got up to convert RecineLivepic

Then Gary Cahill was dispossessed by Leroy Fer and apparently fouled, but Fer was allowed to go on and score.

Nine minutes from the end Costa, who also received his third yellow card in four games, equalised with an overhead scissors kick that might have been penalised for dangerous play.

It all added up to one of the most dramatic Premier League games of the season so far, which Chelsea, who had 28 attempts on goal, dominated for almost an hour.

They should have been further ahead at the interval.

Lukasz Fabianski made saves from Willian, Eden Haz-

(REUTERS)-Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested Real Madrid should offer him a 10-year contract to ensure he sees out his career at the Spanish club.

“If I were the president of Real Madrid, I would give myself a 10-year contract,” Real’s all time top scorer, now 31, told reporters after scoring on his return from injury in a 5-2 La Liga win over promoted Osasuna.

Ronaldo’s current contract runs out in 2018.

award for the world player of the year.

Xavi had told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser last Wednesday that there was “no comparison” between Messi, who has won the Ballon five times, and Ronaldo.

“Cristiano’s problem is that there’s another player in his era who is the best of all time,” he added.

Xavi is seeing out the final years of a glittering career at Qatari club

ard and Cesar Azpilicueta, before Costa was guilty of an extraordinary miss.

As John Terry flicked on a corner the Spanish international was unmarked two metres from goal but directed the ball wide.

Fortunately for the Londoners, Costa had been sharper earlier on, guiding the ball perfectly just inside a post as Oscar laid it square to him.

It was poor Swansea defending, however, as Federico Fernandez twice failed to clear.

Manager Francesco Guidolin changed tactics from a misfiring 3-5-1-1 system before halftime, withdrawing the disgruntled Welsh international Neil Taylor

for Gambian winger Modou Barrow.

He could hardly have envisaged such a dramatic turnaround, helped as it was by mistakes from Courtois and Cahill.

Costa continued to be involved in controversy right to the finish.

Booked for a foul, he could have been sent off after an apparent dive, but had the last word with an acrobatic effort that may have made slight contact with defender Kyle Naughton’s head and went in off Federico Fernandez’s face.

Conte felt Swansea’s second goal should not have been allowed because of Fer’s challenge on Cahill.

Ronaldo wants Real to offer him a 10-year contract

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo

“Right now I’m not thinking about anything else in my career, all I want is to retire at Real. This is the biggest club in the world and it should have the best players,” said the Portuguese.

Ronaldo also hit back at old adversary and former Barcelona great Xavi for suggesting that Lionel Messi was a better player than the Real striker.

“Xavi never won the Ballon d’Or, I have three,” he said, referring to the FIFA

Al Sadd. He won eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona as well as two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.

Ronaldo, who had been out of action for two months with a knee injury, won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, 2013 and 2014 and is favourite for another this year after winning the Champions League with Real and Euro 2016 with Portugal

He played 65 minutes against Osasuna, his first appearance since injuring his knee in the Euro 2016 final.

“I felt good physically, I could have played for 90 minutes without any problems but in some moments I played with a little fear, but that’s normal after not playing for so long,” said Ronaldo.

“I’m fit again and got back in the swing of things, and I scored a goal, so it was perfect.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

BCCI boss hits out at ICC president Shashank Manohar

ANURAG Thakur, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has hit out at the International Cricket Council (ICC), in particular the president Shashank Manohar, over his remarks on the BCCI . Manohar had said that his priorities lay with the ICC and not the BCCI and that it wasn’t his responsibility but that of the BCCI’s representative to look after their interests at meetings.

The suggestion has irked Thakur, who feels that the board is being attacked and sidelined from the ICC, claiming that their voice is not being heard during ICC meetings.

The BCCI is also currently facing a backlash from India’s Supreme Court over structural reforms within the

ICC president Shashank Manohar and BBCI president Anurag Thakur organisation.

A committee headed by Justice Lodha was appointed by the Supreme Court to look into the working of the BCCI. Its

report ordered sweeping changes within the organisation aimed at ending the influence of a handful of regional affiliates and their ageing bosses.

“I think these (Lodha) recommendations and the change in ICC regime are arm twisting BCCI both at home and at the ICC which is not good for Indian cricket.

The situation of BCCIa global leader till the recommendation of the Lodha committee, now with the new ICC regime they are trying to sideline the BCCI, one of the most important stakeholders in global cricket today. Just because of one recommendation, we are not taken seriously,” Thankur said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Thakur cited an example of India rejecting a proposal for a two-tier Test system which he felt would hurt cricket in the long run, especially in the smaller nations. Under the system, the

top seven ranked teams would be pooled under Tier 1, where they will play bilateral series against each other during a period of four years.

Tier 2 would consist of teams ranked eighth (West Indies), ninth (Bangladesh) and tenth (Zimbabwe) plus two more associate teams who fill face each other with the prospect of relegation and promotion.

While nations such as Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand were for the move, the refusal of the BCCI to accept the two-tier system led to it being rejected by the ICC on 7 September, 2016.

“Yes, BCCI should look after its interests, but BCCI does not limit itself to look after BCCI’s interests. If Manohar is

saying that he has got nothing to do with the BCCI, BCCI is one of the 105 members and one of the most important stakeholders of the ICC today.

When you talk about the two-tier Test system, BCCI could have got benefits by joining hands with associations like Australia and England, but we stood by countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and to an extent like West Indies.”

The controversy between the BCCI and the ICC arose over the Indian board being unhappy over being excluded from a meeting of the ICC finance committee last week while also being miffed with the ICC’s move to revoke the “Big Three” revenue model.

Apostle Ragnauth cashes in to win Household Plus golf tourney

FORMER sprint champion, now Apostle of the Life Spring Ministries,and playing golf for under three years, Balgobin Ragnauth golfed in fine style to be declared the winner of the tournament sponsored by Household Plus and Regent Household Electronics, which lived up to its expectations.

Ramnauth (63/91) beat off Patanjalee ‘Pur’ Persaud and Pandit Ravi Persaud, with Brian Hackett coming fourth after edging out Superintendent M. Gayadin.

Best Gross was won by Imran Khan and Nearest to the Pin (10ft) was won by Ian Gouveia.

Teeing off at 13:00hrs, the golfers were eager to perform excellently having had a tournament practice the previous Saturday where the top 10 were close, leaving persons eager to see who will emerge champ this Saturday.

Managers Nasser Ha-

All smiles.In photo from left: I. Khan, B. Hackett, B. Ragnauth, R. Persaud, P. Persaud, I. Gouveia, Vice President P. Prashad, and President O. Ramroop.

Bancroft guides Australia A to tight win CAMERON Bancroft’s patient 58* helped Australia A seal their nervy chase of 159 to beat India A by three wickets on the final day of the first unofficial Test in Brisbane.

Wet ground conditions delayed the start of the fourth day for almost three hours, but Australia A knocked off the 100 runs required in 35.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

(Final scores:Australia A 228 (Handscomb 87, Burns 78, Aaron 3-41) and 7 for 161 (Bancroft 58*, Thakur 3-42) beat India A 230 (Pandey 77, Fazal 48, Swepson 4-78) and 156 (Ya-

Cameron Bancroft dav 46, Sayers 3-21) by three wickets) A u s t r a l i a ’s c h a s e looked rather comfortable when overnight batsmen Bancroft and Beau Webster added 57 for the fifth wicket. Varun Aaron pro-

vided the breakthrough when he had Webster trapped lbw for 30.

However, useful contributions from Sam Whiteman (14) and Chadd Sayers (15) helped Australia inch closer.

Offspinner Jayant Yadav and Shardul Thakur, who finished with returns of 3 for 42, picked up the other wickets to fall on the final day.

Bancroft struck six fours in his 151-ball knock and ensured he remained unbeaten to help Australia A past the target.

“We made that chase look pretty difficult,” Bancroft said after play. “The pink ball

was tough work during the game, there weren’t as many runs comared to wickets.

“You always want the batsmen to do the job, that’s something we could have done better in that chase. But good teams find a way, and we were able to do that today. At the start of the day Michael Hussey was here, he said ‘pressure in these circumstances is a privilege.’ As a batsman, that’s your goal, that’s what you strive to do.”

The second unofficial Test begins on September 15 in Brisbane.(ESPN cricinfo)

mid and Shaheed Hamid of Household Plus and Regent Household Electronics respectively,were represented at the prize-giving ceremony by Past-President Brian Hackett, who conveyed their happiness at being involved.

Hackett also conveyed the companies willingness to continue sponsoring such tournaments at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Hackett reminded members that at the two stores – both in business for over 20 years - there is a wide variety

of Household, Electronics, Clothing, and Cosmetics available.

Vice President Patrick Prashad, acting as the day’s Captain, requested that Club members observe a 1-minute’s silence in observance of the passing of Dr Samuel Bera who had been a member of the Club for several years and had been very active prior to 2000.

President Ramroop extended deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Dr Bera, on behalf of the LGC and himself.

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:45 hrs Secret Delight 09:10 hrs Triumvirate 09:45 hrs Red Special 10:20 hrs Pena Palace

09:45 hrs Mad Money 10:20 hrs Roadie Joe 10:50 hrs Table Bluff 11:20 hrs Simply Blessed 11:50 hrs Ablazing 12:20 hrs Peter The Mayo Man 12:50 hrs Washed Ashore

English Racing Tips Brighton 08:50 hrs Peloton 09:20 hrs Ramblow 09:55 hrs Buteo Bai 10:30 hrs Wild Flower 11:00 hrs Unnoticed 11:30 hrs Soaring Spirits 12:05 hrs Noble Act Kempton 09:00 hrs Eugenic 09:35 hrs Heavenly Cry 10:10 hrs Pichola Dance 10:45 hrs Phalaborwa 11:15 hrs Musaanada 11:45 hrs Fast Sprite 12:15 hrs Scattered Stars 12:45 hrs Don’t Blame Me Worcester 09:10 hrs Dawnieriver

Irish Racing Tips Listowel 09:25 hrs In Somno 10:00 hrs Enter The Red 10:35 hrs Hibiscus 11:10 hrs Lost In Silence 11:40 hrs She’s A Star 12:10 hrs Fiddlers Bow 12:40 hrs Lord Beaufai American Racing Tips Philadelphia Park Race 1 Wheres Willy Race 2 Demand Race 3 Islandexpress Race 4 Here’s to Mike Race 5 Carolina Dreams Race 6 Lillie’s Answer Race 7 Delay of Game Race 8 Posse Dreamin Race 9 Mc Kenzies Way

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

GLTA and GBTI host successful tennis camp THE partnership between the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) and Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI) has resulted in another successful tennis camp.

Despite the rainy weekend, the camp ended with excitement at the GBTI Tennis Courts in Diamond.

In his opening address, the President of GLTA, Mr. Jamal Goodluck, praised GBTI for their collaborative efforts and expressed his gratitude to the scores of tennis enthusiasts for their zeal and willingness to participate in the camp.

The association will be working on maintaining a programme in the the community. Parents were encouraged to continue making tennis a key part of their children’s development, while the adults were congratulated for their endurance throughout the camp.

Participants in the recently concluded Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) and Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI)sponsored summer camp.

Mr. Surendra Samdass, Manager of GBTI Diamond Branch, conveyed the commitment the financial institu-

tion has made in supporting the development of tennis in the Diamond community and in Guyana as a whole.

He stated that GBTI will continue to foster a relationship with GLTA, by not just sponsoring the annual

GBTI Tennis Tournament, but through the Diamond Tennis Camp as well.

Samdass encouraged the

first time he sees him a step slower in the ring, he will have to retire.

“I do have some concerns over his age. I put all the factors together and so forth and I have a deal with Manny,” Roach told Reuters. “I tell him, ‘When you start slowing down just one step, I’m going to tell you to retire.’

“We have an agreement that he will retire when I tell him but I haven’t seen that step lost yet. In his last fight, he fought a very good fight.

We saw a lot of aggressiveness come out of Manny.

“He has the killer instinct coming back and I like that a lot. With his religion, it (the killer instinct) got away from him for a little while but he is very dedicated to his religion also and that makes the training a little more difficult.”

Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, scored a unanimous decision win over American Timothy Bradley in his most recent bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in April.

That was his first fight in nearly a year after his loss to undefeated American Floyd Mayweather in a heavily hyped welterweight showdown, and it improved his career record to (58-6-2).

participants of the camp to take advantage of the opportunities available to utilize the bank’s tennis courts, so that they can develop their skills learnt over the pass few weekends.

Immediately following his address, the Bank Manager presented the players with certificates of participation in the three-weekend tennis camp. Outstanding players won trophies in their respective categories.

Those categories and their winners are: In the Adult class, Saeed Gopie took the win ahead of Runner-up Andy Jafer, while Donnie Anderson beat Renaldo Alexander in the Intermediate division.

The junior class saw Johnny Dick and Kevon Aaron finish winner and runner up respectively while Noah Persaud was the winner in the beginners category with Paul McKenzie as the runner-up.

Pacquiao’s age gives trainer cause for concern

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES,(Reuters)-Manny Pacquiao will be one month shy of his 38th birthday when he challenges World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in November, a mature boxing age that gives his trainer cause for concern.

Though Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is confident that Pacquiao still has “a lot of fight left in him”, he has told the Filipino southpaw that the very

SA Boxing - Manny Pacquiao & Jessie Vargas - Head-to-Head Press Conference - Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills - 6Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach during the press conference.

REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Morgan & Hales will not tour Bangladesh over security fears

ENGLAND one-day captain Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Alex Hales have opted out of October’s tour of Bangladesh because of security concerns.

No international side has toured Bangladesh since 20 people were killed in a siege at a cafe in Dhaka in July.

The ECB said in August that the three one-day internationals and two Tests would go ahead after a security review.

Jos Buttler will captain the one-day side, with the

one-day and Test squads to be named on Friday.

Eoin Morgan was appointed England one-day captain in 2014.

‘WE RESPECT THEIR DECISION’ England director of cricket Andrew Strauss said: “Whilst we understand and respect Eoin and Alex’s decision, we are disappointed that they have made themselves unavailable for selection for the Bangladesh tour.”

He added that after “open and honest” discussions with all the players, no further withdrawals are expected.

Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan and Liam Dawson have publicly said they will tour.

Last week, Strauss told BBC Test Match Special that anyone who does not travel is giving a chance to another player.

England fly out on September 29, with the one-day series starting on 7 October and the Test series on 20 October.

They follow that with a tour of India made up of five Tests, three ODIs and three Twenty20s.(BBC Sport)

NEVER DOUBTED COMEBACK Though Pacquiao announced his retirement from the ring after beating Bradley and was then elected to the Philippines’ senate in May, Roach never doubted that the Filipino would make a boxing comeback.

“He still knows what he does best, and that’s boxing so him making a comeback this quickly wasn’t a big surprise to me,” said the bespectacled Roach. “I know he still loves boxing, he still has a lot of fight left

him.”

Asked if Pacquiao would be making a one-and-done comeback, Roach replied: “No. he will definitely fight a few more times after November 5.

“We would like to get a Mayweather re-match done before we are done. Manny thought we won that (first) fight but I didn’t.”

In what was billed the “Fight of the Century” in May last year, Pacquiao lost on a unanimous decision to Mayweather Jr but said later he had been hampered by an injury to his right shoulder that he suffered during a prebout sparring session.

“The thing is, if Manny didn’t hurt himself in the fourth round against Mayweather, I think it would have been a big difference,” said Roach, who has been voted trainer of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America on seven occasions.

“We would love to get Mayweather back in the ring (out of retirement) and if Mayweather doesn’t come, there is this young kid, Terence Crawford.

“He’s a good fighter and he might be the next Mayweather,” Roach said of Crawford, 28, who is the WBO and WBC light welterweight champion.

“He can run like hell. We’ll see.”

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 League

Victoria Kings and Buxton United post wins; Plaisance holds Ann’s Grove

THE East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 Intra Association football made a welcome return at the weekend,following weeks of inactivity due to consistent rain which rendered grounds unplayable.

Players were eager to get back into the football flow and this was evident by the high level of intensity displayed on the field of play at the Melanie ground.

Yesterday, Victoria Kings clawed their way back from being a goal down to beat BV/Triumph United (BVTU) 2-1,while Plaisance also rebounded from being a goal down to earn an even share of the points against Ann’s Grove in yesterday’s opening match.

Kareem Josiah

Jeremiah Bowman

On Saturday at the same venue, the lone match saw Buxton United stamping their authority against Paradise / Bachelor’s Adventure Sports Club with a 3-0 triumph which was orchestrated by goals from Shemar Fredericks in the 14th min-

ute, Kobe Durant in the 30th and Leondray Brown in the 80th minute.

In yesterday’s feature clash between BVTU and Victoria Kings in drenching sunshine, the Kings opened the proceedings with fluent play and had the young BV

boys on the back foot. But as the game progressed, the BV players gradually found their footing and fluency which resulted in them drawing first blood.

The dapper and fleet footed Omari Glasgow,who was a constant threat to the young Kings,finally weaved his way into the attacking third and unleashed a well-directed right-foot shot that beat Kings goalie Dylan Blair at the near post,to hand BV the lead in the 22nd minute.

Momentum was now with the boys from BV as they kept possession and created a few more opportunities,which were not capitalized on. As the BVTU side’s dominance declined, the lads from Victoria eased back into contention and was able to tuck in the equalizer five

minutes before the half time break.

Kareem Josiah, towering above the rest of the players,fired the Kings on even terms in the 40th minute during a period of play when the BV boys were not enjoying the best of possession. The ball inadvertently hit the standing referee and rebounded into the path of Kings;which the gleefully accepted and scored the equalizer.

In the second half of play, Kings enjoyed the bulk of possession which frustrated the BV side as their first half flow was not evident. In the 59th minute, Victoria Kings nosed ahead,thanks to a well-taken goal by Jeremiah Bowman.

It was a lead that the young Kings were able to defend despite being reduced

to 10-players,with one minute to full time,when Simon Jones was red-carded for a dangerous foul.

The opening match, which commenced late due to heavy rain,was played in a light drizzle for almost its entirety .It was Ann’s Grove who took the lead in the 23 minute through an Antwain Thomas goal.

They would then enjoy that advantage until the third minute of the second half when Plaisance finally drew level. Jaheem Hinds was able to ‘dribble’ his way past a couple of opposing players before letting off his shot,which sailed into the back of the nets,to the joy of the Plasiance players.

Matches will continue this weekend.

Chess Olympiad:

Guyana’s women beat Fiji; Khan takes fourth consecutive win GUYANA women’s team triumphed 2.5 – 1.5 against the Fiji women’s after woman candidate master Maria varona-Thomas and Sheriffa Ali prevailed in their matches;while Candidate Master Taffin Khan picked up his fourth consecutive win as the Guyana men’s team went down 1.5 – 2.5,against the Macau men’s team when

round 9 of the 42 Chess Olympiad concluded yesterday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Rebounding from her lost against Lorita Mwango in round eight, Varona-Thomas (1775), playing the black pieces, defeated Gloria Sukhu;and now has six points after nine matches. Varona-Thomas has thus far accumulated four wins

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday September 12, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Karl Nunes (WI vs ENG, Lord’s, 1928) (2) Deryck Murray (WI vs AUST, ARG, 1978) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many dismissals WI wicketkeeper Deryck Murray effected in Tests?

(2) How many dismissals WI wicketkeeper Jeff Dujon effected in ODIs? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Taffin Khan

and two draws,and suffering only two losses.

Ali, meanwhile, bagged her third win after eight matches;emerging victorious in her clash against Tanvi Prasad,which took her up to 4.5 points. Guyana’s Jessica Clementson (1233) ended with 1.5 points after she played to a draw against woman FIDE master, Hilda Vukikomoala (1455).

The team’s only lost c a m e w h e n Yo l a n d e r

P e r s a u d ( 11 5 1 ) w e n t down against Cydel Terubea (1363), in her seventh match at the competition.

The match follows the ladies’ 0 – 4 loss against Zambia in round 8, and 2.5 -1.5 loss against Sudan in round 7.

In the men’s event,Guyana’s Taffin Khan’s (1877) victory over Hui Li was not enough to keep the team afloat,as CM Ronuel Greenidge (1723) and Roberto Neto (1561) experienced losses,and Su Haifeng (1800) finished with a draw against Herman Hou-Meng Ho. Greenidge and Neto lost to Seng Tou Ip and Seak Hin Ieong, respectively;both playing with the black pieces.

Khan now has five points; registering only two losses in the eight matches he has played so far. Haifeng has three points, CM Anthony Drayton has 1.5, while

Greenidge and Neto each have 1 point.

The men prevailed 2.5-

1.5 against Bermuda in round 7, but went out 1.5 – 3.5 against Barbados in

Pooran determined to be more than just a T20 player

YOUNG Trinidad and Tobago batsman Nicholas Pooran is already thinking of establishing himself as a player for all formats having only recently been selected for the West Indies team.

Pooran will join the regional team on the upcoming tour of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. Although the tour will feature games from all three formats of cricket, the 20-yearold will feature in three games for the T20 squad.

Pooran, a part of the Windies Under-19 team at the 2014 World cUP where he made 143 against Australia, is confident of eventually being a selection for all three in the near future.

“When I return from the UAE, I want to bat long and make a lot of runs in the fourday and 50 overs competitions and show everyone I’m just not only a T20 player. Also, I know my keeping isn’t my strength

Nicholas Pooran right now and I hope to keep working on it and improving in this area,” Pooran told Cricbuzz.

The player, who had several strong performances in the CPL this season, admitted to being delightfully surprised by the T20 call-up.

“I couldn’t believe it and it’s a dream come true, because an aim of mine was to make the Wes Indies team before 21,” he said.(Sportsmax.com)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 12, 2016

Veteran cyclist Niles `Double Dipped’ in PowerAde road race TEAM Coco’s Junior Niles `Double Dipped’ yesterday when cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, in collaboration with Banks DIH Limited, staged the 6th Annual PowerAde cycle road race in the West Demerara area.

Niles saved the best for last after staving off several challenges from his opponents, both on the upward and the downward journey.

The 40-mile event ,which got underway from outside the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara, proceeded to Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara, before returning to Schoonord, West Bank Demerara,for the finish.

After winning the overall event, Niles `Double Dipped’ by winning the veterans category as well.

Coming for the finish with about 15 other cyclists from the various teams/clubs, Christopher Holder jumped the pack with approximately 300 metres from the line.

However, Paul DeNobrega responded while Niles followed suit, joining the duo in the lead, with the remainder of the riders right on the trio’s back wheel. As they were approximately 75 metres from the finish, Niles stormed away from the pack ; crossing the finish line by about one and one half lengths ahead of Holder,who finished second.

Niles registered One hour, eight minutes, 10.83 seconds for the event.

DeNobrega held on for third while Ralph Williams placed fourth, Andrew Hicks was fifth and Raphael Leung sixth.

Of the six prime prizes that were on offer, Shaquille Agard, who established a major break during the course of the event, both on the upward and downward journey, won five while Hicks took the other.

Williams was second to Niles in the veterans’ category, while Ian `Dumb Boy’

Guyana to benefit from exchange visits with Suriname clubs

By Daniel Haynes

THE local basketball scene is expected to benefit from a series of exchange matches between Guyana and neighbouring Suriname.

The exchange “will see the first division senior players gaining experience from playing against top Suriname players,” says Vice President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Michael Singh.

According to Singh, the exchange program was two years in the making between the GABF and the basketball association in Suriname.

“Clubs which had indicated interest in being a part of such an initiative would be travelling to Guyana and vice versa”Singh stated. The first of the exchange games came on September 3 and 4,when TGH Pacesetters and Bounty Colts,both of Guyana, took on Suriname’s number 2 club De Arend.

According to Singh, the exposure had already seen the local clubs learning while giving senior players the opportunity to showcase their talent.

“It is something different, usually it’s Linden versus Georgetown or Georgetown versus Linden and there is no opportunity to

GABF Vice- President Michael Singh improve, since everyone is accustomed to playing against each other” Singh stated.

He also added that the De Arend club had a few U-19 players who had played in the Senior Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships recently.

“On this De Arend team, there is one under- 19 player who played for the Senior team, and you can see how he impacted on the game by running the floor, playing down low and adding versatility by shooting;it’s something our bigs could learn from” added Singh.

There is more hope for basketball to grow, with the Guyana Senior National team expected to travel to Jamaica later in the year for a series.

Team Coco’s Junior Niles (left) raises his arms in jubilation as he crosses the finish line to win the PowerAde cycle road race yesterday, in the West Demerara area (photo by Adrian Narine).

Jackson settled for third.

Hicks who placed fifth overall, was the first junior to

cross the , while Nigel Dugid finished third.

In other results, Keon

Thomas won the mountain bike category ahead of Oziah McAulley and Seon Budhan

respectively; while Walter Issacs was the oldest cyclist to complete the course.

Veteran cyclist Niles `Double Dipped’ in PowerAde road race (See Story on page 35 )

Wawrinka dethrones Djokovic as US Open champion

S

TAN Wawrinka became the oldest US Open men’s champion in 46 years when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to claim a third Grand Slam title yesterday.

Wawrinka, the 31-yearold third seed, triumphed 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 after almost four hours of high intensity tennis.

He even held his nerve when the final threatened to erupt into controversy after Djokovic twice called medical timeouts in the fourth set.

Wawrinka is the oldest winner of the men’s tournament since 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970 and the first over 30 to take the title since Pete Sampras in 2002.

It was the Swiss player’s first New York title, following his breakthrough 2014 Australian Open triumph and 2015 Roland Garros crown.

On both those occasions, Djokovic had been the fallguy, losing in Melbourne in the quarter-finals and ending as runner-up in Paris.

Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, had been seeking a third Slam of the year and 13th major of his career.

But the 29-year-old Serb finished runner-up in New

York for the fourth time after paying a heavy price for converting just three of 17 break points.

Wawrinka, who had to save a match point to beat unheralded Dan Evans in the third round, committed 51 unforced errors but crucially smashed 46 winners past his opponent.

The final started against a sombre but defiant background with Broadway star Norm Lewis delivering a stirring rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, a poignant performance on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Djokovic, playing in his 21st Grand Slam final and seventh in New York, was quickest out of the blocks.

He broke for 2-0 having won the first point of the game with two extreme, against-the-odds retrievals.

Trailing 2-5, Wawrinka, who had spent the best part of nine hours more than Djokovic getting to the final, saved two set points.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 during their Men’s Singles Final Match on Day Fourteen of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center yesterday.(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Serb was made to pay for his wastefulness as the Swiss suddenly found his range, breaking back in the ninth game off a Djokovic double fault.

But Djokovic glided untroubled through the tiebreak as Wawrinka’s serve fell apart.

Wawrinka is used to chasing lost causes against Djokovic, coming back from losing the first set to win their 2014 Australian Open quarter-final and again at Roland Garros last year.

Calling on that expertise, he broke for 3-1 in the second set, recovered from handing the advantage back in the seventh to level the final when Djokovic unleashed a wild forehand on set point in the 10th.

Frustrated, Djokovic demolished his racquet, collecting a code violation from umpire Ali Nili.

Wawrinka saved three break points in the opening game of the third set, which featured a 28-shot exchange,

broke in the second and saved another break point in the next for a 3-0 lead.

But at the sixth time of asking in the set, Djokovic clawed his way back with a break for 2-3.

Wawrinka, however, kept up the attack and on set point in the 12th game slotted a backhand deep and into the corner which Djokovic could only push wide.

The world number one looked spent. He appeared to start cramping in the fourth set as he quickly slipped 0-3 down.

Much to Wawrinka’s irritation, at 1-3 Djokovic called the trainer and took a medical timeout for treatment for blisters.

Djokovic apologised, claiming he needed attention as he couldn’t stand.

At 2-5, the trainer reappeared but Wawrinka saw the job through leaving Djokovic to finish a Slam runner-up for the ninth time.(Telegraph)

GBA’s Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate C/Ships

GDF wins nine of 11 semi-finals on second night See story on page 30

WICB forecasts surplus for end of year ROSEAU, Dominica – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is reporting that it is forecasting a surplus for the financial year ending September 30, 2016.

Additionally, it is projecting to spend an estimated US$40 million on its development programmes for the year October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017.

President, Dave Cameron WICB president has indicated that the spend Dave Cameron for the upcoming financial · Age group tours and year, will include focus on under the under 19s prepa· Two A Team Tours

ration to defend the World Championship title in 2018 · Women’s team qualification and participation in the World Cup in June 2017 in England and series to include o ODI vs England in Jamaica, October 8 – 19 o India (away series) in November The President also added that the number of days for cricket has almost doubled “and all the teams will See page 30

Part of the action between Guyana Defence Force and Republican on Saturday evening at the National Gymnasium (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo).

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016