Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13-01-2022

THURSDAY 13th JANUARY, 2022

Local economy grew 18.5 per cent in 2021 No. 106603

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- ECLAC report shows, projects further 46 per cent growth for this year 3 - Dr. Singh says positive prospects no surprise but reflects confidence in Guyana, hard work by authorities

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Construction of almost 1,000 housing units progressing smoothly Works on the intriguing Cummings Lodge housing project are progressing nicely, with the completion of the first 190 elevated homes expected soon. As seen in this Adrian Narine photo, contractors are hard at work

COVID-19 surge continues as Guyana records 1,019 new cases

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16 per cent drop in workplace fatalities recorded for 2021

Mother claims daughter trapped in Syria SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

Construction of almost 1,000 housing units progressing smoothly

- Housing and Water Minister says CLOSE to 1,000 housing units are being constructed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for low to moderate income earners, as well as young professionals.

This is in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s manifesto promise to improve the living standards of Guyanese through the provision of affordable housing for families at all income levels.

In a recent interview with the Department of

Public Information (DPI), Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, related that approximately 590 low and moderate income homes are being constructed.

This includes 350 twobedroom elevated units in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown; 100 two-bedroom flat units in Prospect, East Bank Demerara; 100 two-bedroom flat units in Williamsburg, Region Six; and 40 twobedroom elevated units in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10.

Minister Croal said a number of those houses have been completed, particularly in Cummings Lodge, and allottees have begun to occupy them.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, 3 5 0 young professional units are being constructed.

And of that amount, 200 two-storey and flat units are being constructed at Providence, East Bank Demerara, and another 150 are under construction in Prospect. So far, 100 units have been completed in Providence.

Further, under the

One of the young professional houses at Providence (DPI photo) Core Home Support Initiative, 25 new housing units are being built in

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during an inspection of one of the two-storey young professional homes at Providence (DPI photo)

Sophia, Georgetown and Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. Those houses will be sold to low income and vulnerable families at subsidised costs.

The project falls under the Adequate Housing & Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP) funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

In speaking generally about all the ongoing projects, Minister Croal said the units are in high demand, particularly by young professionals and other working–class citizens.

“This is because persons are working in the various disciplines do not want to go through the hassle of having to deal with contractors and getting time off to buy materials… the demand is great and that is why in our 2022 programme we are targeting to build

many more houses,” he said.

The project to construct houses was conceptualised by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who had initiated the ‘turn-key’ homes initiative when he served as Housing and Water Minister prior to 2015.

“Our President has given a charge to aim for 25,000 homes over the five-year period, and so, while we will allocate 50,000 house lots, simultaneously, we will be constructing houses,” Minister Croal said.

In keeping with its manifesto, the PPP/C government is committed to delivering 50,000 house lots to Guyanese within its first term in office. In 2021, the government surpassed its target of distributing 10,000 house lots to Guyanese through its signature “Dream Realised” house lot distribution exercise. (DPI)

Local economy grew 18.5 per cent in 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

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- ECLAC report shows, projects further 46 per cent growth for this year - Dr. Singh says positive prospects no surprise but reflects confidence in Guyana, hard work by authorities COMING out of a “rocky” period in 2020, Guyana managed to remain resilient against internal and external shocks in 2021, recording Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 18.5 per cent, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in its latest report titled, “Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2021.”

According to the report, the Latin America and Caribbean Region will see its pace of growth decelerate in 2022 to 2.1 per cent after reaching 6.2 per cent, on average, last year.

This slowdown, according to ECLAC, takes place in a context of significant asymmetries between developed, emerging and developing countries, with regard to the capacity to implement fiscal, social, monetary, and health and vaccination policies for a sustainable recovery from the crisis unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report shows that the region is facing a very

complex 2022: uncertainty regarding the pandemic’s ongoing evolution, a sharp deceleration in growth, continued low investment and productivity and a slow recovery in employment, the persistence of the social effects prompted by the crisis, reduced fiscal space, increased inflationary pressures and financial imbalances.

Guyana, however, is projected to withstand the impending challenges as a result of its burgeoning oil and gas sector and other lucrative productive sectors.

The country, according to ECLAC, stands to record GDP growth of 46 per cent by the end of this year.

On Tuesday, the World Bank, in its Global Economic Prospects, reported that Guyana’s economy would grow by some 49.7 percent in 2022.

Responding to this latest projection, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said that this is a result of the work that the government has put into creating an investor friendly envi-

ronment.

“We are pleased to see the positive revision in the World Bank’s outlook for Guyana. This is good news, but we are not surprised.

This is in fact to be expected given our government’s strong policy stance as it relates to economic growth, to investment, to job creation and income generation for the benefit of all Guyanese,” Dr. Singh said.

He told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the projection also reflects the continuous optimism in the Guyanese economy, not just by those of who are here in Guyana, but also by all those persons who are following economic developments in Guyana, including the international investment community and international agencies involved in the task of monitoring economic developments.

He recalled that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was elected to office in August 2020, a lot of work had to be done to bring back investor confidence.

This was done, firstly, by keeping the population safe while containing the adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activity, and which was combined with the political situation at the time.

He said there were several interventions aimed at stimulating economic activity, including injecting liquidity in the economy through the COVID-19 cash grant, reduction of taxes, and increased public expenditure in critical infrastructure projects.

“What we are seeing now is the result of measures and interventions such as this. It’s significant also that this outlook is being issued at a time when we are still grappling with the tail end of the effects of the severe and devastating floods that we had in 2021,” Dr. Singh related.

Similar to its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the government’s swift move to provide support to those affected by severe flooding last year, which is also expected to affect agricultural production in 2022.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh LACK OF CONFIDENCE “Economic growth is all about confidence and during the 2015-2020 period, the then APNU+AFC Government had adopted an extremely hostile posture towards the private sector and towards private investment, and so during that five-year period we saw economic confidence, investor confidence at an all-time low,” Dr. Singh said.

He added: “From the time the APNU+AFC refused to respect the results of the ‘no-confidence’ mo-

tion in December 2018, and then refused to respect the results of the election in March 2020, what you had was a complete dissipation of investor confidence in Guyana, to a historic low.”

Recognising the prevailing circumstances induced by the previous government’s actions, the incumbent took steps to correct this Guyana’s image.

“Guyana, under the current dispensation, is an environment that is welcoming to private investment, in particular international investors, as well as domestic private investors that this government led

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali welcomes investment and encourages investment and will facilitate inward investment by international investors, as well as investment by domestic private investors.

“So, we sent those signals and we had to adopt a policy stance, in all that we did, that is conducive and supportive of private investment,” Dr. Singh said.

He also reflected on the interventions in the emergency budget of 2020 and the 2021 national budget which reduced land rental fees, taxes on construction materials, and removed corporate taxes on the health and education sectors, among others.

The government also promoted the non-oil economy, with the recent enactment of a local content legislation, which is aimed at ensuring that all Guyanese benefit from future development.

“The private sector is responding. They are seeing as we came into government, we moved swiftly to articulate a local content policy, and then we moved swiftly to enact the local content legislation… that in itself is an intention that unavoidably will stimulate confidence and investor optimism,” he said.

D r. S i n g h a d d e d : “Bureaucracy was also a major issue that needed to be addressed as many companies couldn’t move because they had applications for permits and licences, and so were stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire and so we moved immediately to unlock those.”

Health workers must be protected

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

- as COVID-19 cases nearly double in the Americas, says PAHO WITH COVID-19 infections accelerating in the Americas and the detection of the Omicron variant in at least 42 countries and territories in the region, the Pan American Health Organization Director, Carissa Etienne, has called on countries to ensure health workers have access to protective equipment and additional COVID-19 vaccine doses

where available.

As cases jumped threefold in some countries, the region’s ability to respond to the current wave depends on the personnel that keep primary health care centres, clinics and hospitals up and running.

“We must make sure they are protected from the worst consequences of this virus,” she said in a media briefing on Wednesday.

Over the past week, countries in the Americas reported 6.1 million new cases of COVID-19 – a 250 per cent increase from the same period last year.

Thanks to increased vaccination in the region, the COVID-19 death rate remains stable but the hike in emergency room visits and hospitalisations has left many health systems struggling to cope.

The PAHO Director highlighted that an additional vaccination dose will “help reinforce health workers’ ability to withstand exposure to the virus,” particularly in light of rising infections.

While Delta continues to cause new COVID cases in the Americas, Omicron is on track to becoming the dominant strain, spreading more

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quickly than other detected variants, particularly in enclosed spaces. It has already been reported in 42 countries and territories in the region, and several are now experiencing widespread community transmission.

While reports suggest that it may cause less severe symptoms, Dr Etienne warned that “this new wave of infections won’t be ‘mild’ for our health systems, as the Omicron variant is already challenging our health workforce and limiting care for other diseases.”

“In smaller island states, some hospitals were already strained by cases of the Delta variant, and now more hospitals face the prospect of being overwhelmed with cases,” she added.

The PAHO Director also

highlighted the rise in reinfections. “Omicron infections can be lethal, especially for the immunocompromised and the unvaccinated,” she said, calling on individuals to keep each other safe by following public health measures such as maskwearing and social distancing, getting vaccinated and getting tested when experiencing symptoms.

Overall vaccination coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean currently stands at almost 60 per cent and many countries, including Chile, Cuba and Argentina, boast some of the highest coverage rates in the world.

However, it is vital that equitable coverage remains a priority, the Director said.

“Whether we are fighting for vaccine equity, supporting our health workers, or doing our part to reduce the risk of transmission, solidarity will pave our way out of the pandemic,” she added.

Over the past week, the bulk of new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the US, and cases are increasing in Canada’s eastern prov-

PAHO Director, Carissa Etienne inces.

The Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have experienced hikes in new infections, and increases are also being seen in Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao and Martinique.

In Central America, Belize and Panama are reporting the highest incidence of COVID and in South America, increases are particularly pronounced in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, as well as in Argentina and Paraguay, where new cases have increased by 300 per cent. (PAHO)

PAHO: Omicron detected in nearly every country in Americas GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

(Al Jazeera) DRIVEN by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, new infections have reached unprecedented levels across the Americas, with cases doubling during the past week, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) said.

During a regular news briefing on Wednesday, PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said cases across the Americas rose to 6.1 million on January 8, from 3.4 million cases on January 1.

“Infections are accelerating across every corner of the region of the Americas, and, once again, our health systems are being challenged as emergency room visits and hospitalisations are rising,” Dr. Etienne said.

The new data came as nations around the world were seeing record high increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisation rates, driven by the rapid spread

of the Omicron variant – putting pressure on already strained health systems.

Dr. Etienne said the Omicron variant has been detected in 35 countries in the Americas – nearly every country in the region – and it is soon expected to become the most dominant variant.

Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil have been experiencing significant increases in new cases, she said, while in Argentina and Paraguay COVID-19 infections have increased by nearly 300 percent over the last week.

The United States, PAHO said, is reporting the bulk of the new cases, with states in the East and Midwest regions experiencing the most rapid surges.

During a regular news briefing, on Wednesday, Rochelle Walensky, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the US is currently reporting an average of more than 750,000

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cases per day, a 47 per cent increase from last week.

Hospital admissions, at about 19,800 per day, are a 33 per cent increase from a week ago, while daily deaths at about 1,600 per day, have gone up 40 per cent over the previous week.

“The risk of hospitalisation remains low, especially among people who are up to date on their COVID vaccines,” Walensky said.

She said: “However, the staggering rise in cases over one million new cases each day has led to a high number of total hospitalisations.”

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country has secured enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for all eligible Canadians to receive a booster as well as a fourth dose.

As Omicron cases surge and hospitals feel the strain, Quebec, Canada’s second-most populous province has imposed a nighttime curfew and

The United States is reporting the bulk of new cases in the Americas region, with states in the East and Midwest experiencing the most rapid surges (Mahe Elipe/Reuters) other tough restrictions. residents in the coming is seeing an average of more than 260,000 new On Tuesday, it an- weeks. nounced a plan to imA c c o r d i n g t o o f - COVID cases a day and pose fines on unvaccinated ficial figures, Canada 500 daily deaths.

its key contractors have spent more than $540 million with more than 800 local companies since 2015.

Khan said he anticipates more investment opportunities in Region Three from the oil and gas sector since the company’s current cache of offshore projects and those in the pipeline represent approximately US$30 billion in direct foreign investment in the country and billions more is expected to be generated.

“All of the major international oil and gas con-

tractors have a presence in Guyana and have steadily been moving activities from the United States, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana. Almost the entire supply chain for our offshore activities have been relocated to Guyana. This has created opportunities for the Guyanese private sector and Region Three is ripe for developmental opportunities in all sectors,” the R3PSInc Head noted.

He added that Exxon believes that Guyanese should

Region Three private sector body anticipates more oil and gas investments

THE Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc) has said that ExxonMobil’s recent announcement of two more oil discoveries will strengthen Guyana’s global position and attract more commerce and business investments, which the country needs to rapidly evolve.

This is according to Head of the R3PSInc, Halim Khan, who noted that more than 3,200 Guyanese now support ongoing exploration and production activities in the sector.

Underscoring that these discoveries will add to the previously announced recoverable resource estimate of 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels, Khan said new pro-

Head of the R3PSInc, Halim Khan jects continue to drive investment in Guyana’s growing economy as ExxonMobil and

not only benefit from the oil revenues but also play an active role in the development of the resource.

Khan said that while the private sector will shape the future of energy in Guyana, it should be able to seize multiple opportunities and continue to be bold in its planning.

He noted that while the private sector is dependent on its workforce and should invest in its employees, governments also have to play their part.

He added that not only will the private sector be pivotal to the development of the energy sector, but the private sector can use this opportunity to build capacity, capability and experience for long-term international competitiveness.

Guyana, he said, needs to invest in its people through education and training as ExxonMobil remains committed to the involvement of the Guyanese workforce and suppliers of goods and services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

Capital Works

THE capital works component of the 2021 Budget Estimates has been successfully implemented. According to Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, roughly 85 per cent of the programme has been completed. This is indeed a commendable performance especially when seen against the devastating flood situation and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the combined effect of which resulted in some amount of bottlenecks in the implementation processes.

These capital works form part of a much larger Public Sector Investment Project (PSIP) which is a strategic investment plan of the Government of Guyana. Billions of dollars are being invested by the Government of Guyana to transform and modernise the physical and social

landscape of the country.

The successful completion of capital projects is very important not only in terms of the money spent on the projects but more significantly in the provision of new and improved services which the projects offer to the Guyanese people; take for instance the completion of the Herstelling to Diamond road which was recently commissioned. Immediately the quality of life of the travelling public improved by way of hassle-free travel and less time lost in traffic congestion. This is just one of the numerous instances where the lives of Guyanese have been positively touched by way of capital works.

According to Minister Edghill, except for the two foreign-funded projects which are currently at the procurement stage, namely the Caribbean Development

Bank (CDB) $22.5 billion Linden-Mabura Hill Road Project and the US$ 158 million Government of India-funded Ogle to Eccles Bypass Road Project, all of the other capital works have been fully implemented.

These two unimplemented projects soon to come on stream are transformational projects which, when completed, would result in greater connectivity between the various communities and regions in the country.

The Linden-Mabura Hill Road upgrade will cover 121 kilometers and represent the first phase of a wider plan to develop a transportation corridor from Georgetown to Lethem and ultimately to northern Brazil. According to the CDB, the upgrading of this portion of the road from Linden to Mabura Hill is not just an infrastructure project but will also include social

safeguards that will ensure residents benefit from the road development project with adequate environmental protections to preserve the ecosystem.

In the case of the Ogle to Eccles road link, this project is expected to bring significant benefits to commuters and will ease traffic congestion along the lower East Bank corridor. The road will in effect link the East Coast of Demerara with the East Bank and will create a new development corridor with potential for more housing development projects and new business opportunities.

The project was delayed for several years because of the intransigence of the previous APNU+AFC administration but has now been re-vitalised and construction works are expected to commence this year.

The capital works pro-

gramme is likely to get bigger as more revenues from oil become available to the country in the coming years.

The construction of the new Demerara River Bridge is expected to commence this year which, along with the Corentyne River Bridge linking Guyana and Suriname and the several other megaprojects soon to come on stream, will impact big on the construction industry. Already, the local construction sector is being challenged to respond to the demands of the massive capital programme.

The need to ensure that projects are completed on time and within the budgeted allocation cannot be overemphasised. According to Minister of Works Juan Edghill, government is paying keen attention and keeping an eye out for nonperforming contractors. This

will ensure that taxpayers benefit from efficient and quality work. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had also warned that the government will not tolerate contractors who fail to meet their contract obligations especially as they relate to quality, expediency and accountability while explaining that government has a mandate to improve the lives of every Guyanese.

The PPP/C administration must be commended not only for making the financial resources available to modernise the infrastructure of the country but to ensure that the works are executed within the fiscal year. This is all the more significant given disruptions in the supply chain due to the COVID-pandemic and the adverse effects of climate change.

Even internal issues bring out the worst from the PNC

Dear Editor, WHY the big hullabaloo about who is or who should be the PNC’s Leader of The opposition? What is of public interest and continues to unfold is the greed for power which is the trademark of the executives of PNC. Why is it that a party that wants to return to power continues to selfdestruct? It is clear that like the AFC, the PNC is now rapidly disintegrating to the point of no return with members abandoning ship at regular intervals. It may be that those who are walking the plank are good riddance, but are those that remain any better? This is not a difficult question when their track records come under scrutiny. The

name ‘PNC’ is itself a stigma which Guyanese would like not to even repeat and numerous baptisms have failed to remove it.

Mahatma Gandhi once said that, ‘I have nothing new to teach the world, truth and non-violence are as old as the mountains.’ The PNC should ponder upon these words. Has the PNC Executive members displayed any tendency to embrace the truth? Until now they are yet to come to terms with the fact that they rigged and committed massive electoral fraud from 1968 to 1985.

They bankrupted Guyana’s economy and committed theft on a grand scale. Yet they did not repent. They were given another chance in 2015 which they squandered

beyond redemption. As soon as they get back into office they began their old fiendish ways. But this time they were in a great hurry. The PNC will never be able to be truthful, it is simply not in their DNA. Just look at the numerous attempts to rig the 2020 Elections yet they are lying to the world that they did no such thing and it was the PPP/C which rigged the 2020 General Elections. Will even their own members and supporters ever trust these barefaced liars?

Moreover, to add insult to injury they have proceeded with a most frivolous, spurious and vexatious elections petition to challenge the ‘validity and outcome’ of the 2020 Elections. They have now appealed the decision

of the Chief Justice (ag) who threw out both petitions. The PNC leaders simply cannot fathom when enough is enough. Leaders must be honest and truthful to their followers. The PNC, if they want to be accepted by the people, must change their dirty, lying ways and accepted that they indeed rigged the Elections for 1968 to 1985 and attempted to do so again in 2020 and discard of their barefaced elections petition.

But to do this a new breed of young politicians are needed and I do not see anyone in the current crop. There must be a complete overhaul.

Has the PNC been able to shed its violent and aggressive ways? The answer is a resounding no. Let us just replay what happened

in the National Assembly on December 29, 2021. The PPP MPs had to create a human barrier to protect Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, as he presented the NRF Bill. Moreover, the Speaker’s Mace, a symbol of his authority was stolen briefly which is a threat to governance of Guyana and can be deemed as ‘treacherous and anti-national’ (Minister Gail Teixeira). There has been past ruckus in Parliament but this beats all and the signs are ominous.

The PNC must exhibit to the masses that it has the ability to debate intelligently and if there is need to protest then that must be done without threats of violence and violence, burning, looting, sexual assault

and rape. The PNC must convince the populace that they are capable of civilised behaviour. I saw a video in which Rickford Burke, the PNC agitator in the USA, attacked Khemraj Ramjattan, the leader of the AFC, for not participating in the recent ruckus in Parliament.

In conclusion, will the current PNC leader and his followers respect the Article 184 of Constitution as it relates to the removal of the Leader of the Opposition?

They have displayed sheer contempt for the Supreme Law of the Land in the past but maybe they will respect it this time around. Even internal issues bring out the worst from the PNC. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

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Mace, race & the pace of disruption FAST paced and furious. Not surprising, but swift as hare as Annette snatched the mace and tried to bolt.

It was heavy. Not Usain, she stumbled and the stampede was because she was not in “Dead’s Ville”. The Speaker silenced even though not muzzled; desperately holding his wand, mace that is, as Annette’s colleagues piled on her; thankfully, not all 31.

Joe piled his Boyish Shenanigans, virtually from afar, while Ramjattan

stayed his distance as the circus rolled. He wasn’t in haste for the mace for it’s heavier than the bottle; not the one with sanitiser! Hold on! Sanitiser could be a good camouflage! Atta Boy! What couldn’t be camouflaged was the assault on decency; again, by a bunch who masquerade as the upholders of decorousness, decency that is.

Remember the posters in green and yellow?

Honesty and what?

Ooops… silent, actually; now. Penchant they say, for assault. One on the constitution that David led bringing Patto in the dark of night to GECOME. Caught in the headlights, HE-GONE! Charran wasn’t speared, as was the democratic process after his three yeses as was intelligence with mystical and whimsical maths of Hughes proportion that tickled the courts here and afar!

The assault baton was snatched by Mingo, who, with unlimited oxygen

supply, made red numbers vanished and green ones larger. Mathamagician!

Caught in the daylight in the five-month run, he was tamed by the recount.

Still not willing to learn, behind a mask not for Corona, one of contemptible ignominy, the mace was the target. Hijack, quiet the Speaker, halt the session at breathtaking pace. That was the plan; rehearse et al.

Staff, Brave Soldier, held on to mace as abuse without grace flowed from the Philli MP. Man

and mace on ground with disgrace in the air as Ramjattan sought refuge in his spirit-uality!

Mace saved, Speaker unmuted, session back in, Ash heard but unseen by red wall of MP as greens competed for attainment of higher decibels invoking images of the shaveice man.

It was a cold ending to a hot beginning to disrupt with swiftness. With his own wall, the Speaker spoke and spoke, well, that’s his job and

Ash’s Bill was passed so was Ramjattan by his colleagues when they filed out. Having missed the cue, without any pace, he ambled outwards assisted by spirit-ual embellishments with the crowning moment.

So did North-en. His plan went south, as his influence. He lost the mace and pace to disrupt. His house not spared; David, chips in hand, and Joe guarding door even as brooms boomed out!

Let us work together to build a better Guyana Dear Editor,

I WOULD like to extend my congratulations to the Government of Guyana for delivering on its promise to make the Guyana Forestry Commission profitable once again, as I read recently in the media which highlighted that the Commission has increased its revenue generation.

This was surely not an overnight achievement; therefore, I would like to most appropriately con-

gratulate the Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Vickram Bharrat for his leadership and insights to make the forest sector thriving once again. Also the Commissioner of the GFC and its hard working staff, along with all forest sector stakeholders for increasing production despite the many challenges to strengthen this sector and placing it on a firm footing towards profitability.

Editor, I had once considered myself a medium scale logger/sawmiller

managing our family business for over 30 years which became almost bankrupt under the previous government. This resulted in the down-sizing of our business to the status of a small logger just to maintain our families.

However, with the budget incentives last year which were piloted by the Minister of Natural Resources we have seen significant improvements within the forest sector. As such, our family business is on the verge of returning to its profit-

able status pre 2015. This was a direct result of the government’s expanded housing drive coupled with massive infrastructure development and investors’ confidence in Guyana.

In moving forward, I envision more support from the government to stimulate production and

development of the forest sector to further strengthen this once thriving sector as it were prior 2015.

As we approach another budget cycle, it is anticipated that the forest sector under this government will again benefit from incentives to build on the successes thus far.

Therefore, in the

true Guyanese sense of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, lets us all band together, not only loggers and forest sector operators, but all Guyanese to turn the wheels of transformation and development for all of Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Mark Fraser (Jnr)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

New ‘agri’ initiative could generate around $70M annually

THE new Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, which is aimed at empowering youths and providing them with the opportunity to be a part of Guyana’s development, could see up to $70 million in revenue being generated annually for the country.

Through this programme, the government will be constructing shade houses and investing in hydroponics and vertical agriculture to produce three high-valued crops: broccoli, cauliflower and carrot.

This simple yet significant project has the potential to empower young people to earn millions of dollars from the crops being produced.

The three initial products selected for the project were identified based on the country’s consumption pattern and economic indicators, which signal high demand for the crops. As the project advances, there will be investments in other crops.

Those three crops form a large part of the country’s food import bill, with data suggesting that consumption of the vegetables is only increasing with each passing year.

In 2018, the import value for carrot, broccoli

and cauliflower was $1.583 billion, while in 2019 and 2021 the import value stood at $1.962 billion and $2.626 billion, respectively.

Not only will local production contribute to Guyana’s food security strategy, it could also add around $70 million in revenue to the economy each year, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Under this initiative, the government will be incorporating a company named “One Guyana,” and youths who are a part of the project will be shareholders. The company will be guided by an advisory committee which will include a representative from the private sector to help to implement a highly successful business model The government is making the initial investment to set up the shade houses before handing them over to former and current students of the University of Guyana (UG), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), and other budding agricultural entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday, President Ali said that the intention of the project is to create jobs, improve liveli-

hoods, encourage entrepreneurship, and build local capacity and empower youths.

“The resources from oil and gas give us the opportunities to open up opportunities in these areas and this is where the real benefit will be, this is where Guyanese will benefit the most ; these opportunities, creating it and giving you the ownership so that you are part of it and you own it, you build it, you manage it,” he told the youths who were at the launch.

Further, he said that the project contributes to “real local content,” since Guyana will be able to supply the needs of hotels and other consumers rather than importing the costly crops. The project will also contribute to the country’s agricultural diversification plans.

“All of this would lead to reducing our import bill cost, saving foreign currency, reducing the impact of imported inflation and, more importantly, building capacity, building human resource capacity for local consumption and also the next phase is regional consumption,” President Ali said.

OUTDATED CONCEPT The Head of State related that the project is another important component

President Dr. Irfaan Ali of the government’s agenda to encourage entrepreneurship, noting that the concept where persons attain a university degree to work for someone else is an outdated one.

“Today, you go to university to contribute to the development of society through innovation, technology and also opening up opportunities for others; that is an important concept of modern-day learning,” President Ali said.

He added: “We have to

encourage more people to go in the direction of agriculture and to see a viable future out of it and a viable future is not about sitting in an office, but how do we create an environment in which you graduate and you want to feel as if you are still a white-collar worker and still fit into the agricultural framework.”

As the project rolls out, it will be launched in every administrative region of the country, with each region focusing on specific crops.

Mother claims daughter trapped in Syria A RIVERSTOWN Essequibo mother is asking the Government to assist her 29- year-old daughter, Rafena Kumar, to return home.

The mother claimed that her daughter and her two children, ages six and four, are trapped in Syria.

The grieving mother, Bibi Faziela Kumar, reportedly of Riverstown, Region Two, related that she has been suffering from depression since she heard what her daughter has been going through in Syria.

“My heart is bleeding. I want the safe return of my daughter. I want to hold my grand-

Rafena Kumar of Riverstown, Region Two children… so we can reunite,” the mother said.

The mother said that her daughter has shown the images of her living condition and she is saddened to see how inhumane the camps are.

When asked why she allowed her young daughter to go to Syria, the mother claimed that Kumar has a passion for helping people, and as such, was offered to join an organisation called NOG alliance, a global networking organisation.

Having lost her father, the mother claimed that her daughter, who is a nurse, believed that she could help save lives in the wartorn country.

As such, she took up an offer put forward by one Tayyab Abbasi to go to Syria. The man, whom she did not know at the time, reportedly reached out to her via Facebook.

The two communicated

for a while before she decided to travel to Turkey then to Syria.

In March 2015, Kumar left Guyana and when she reached her destination she realised that Abbasi has lured her in a trap and he was a member of ISIS (a terrorist group).

Her mother said she repeatedly asked to return home but was taken to another village that was not under the control of ISIS at the time. Eventually, the village was taken over by ISIS. The young lady became pregnant and was struggling until she handed herself over to the Kurdish forces and was placed in a repatriation

camp. She was allegedly told by Kurdish officials that she can only return home if the Government of Guyana requests her to return.

The young mother has two children: her first child is Abdullah Abbasi, who was born on May 3, 2016 and the second is Salhudeen Reitz, who was born on August 28, 2018.

T h e y o u n g l a d y, on completion of her secondary education, did studies at the Guyana School of Nursing.

This newspaper was informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation is investigating the matter.

The joint services will also play a crucial role in terms of labour and setting up the shade houses.

Owing to hesitancy to pursue and invest in modern agricultural techniques in a country with vast arable land and a copious freshwater supply, the true agricultural potential of Guyana remains untapped.

Speaking at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA)’s 26th annual awards ceremony in December, 2021, President Ali said that there is a misconception of what modern agro-processing and agriculture is.

Delivering the keynote speech at the event held under the theme, “changing the paradigm for advancing sustainable industry, transformation and growth,” the Head of State said that due to a systematic failure to re-educate the population on modern agricultural techniques and agro-processing, the misconception prevails.

It was at the GMSA event where he related that during his visit to Glasgow, Scotland for the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), he had the opportunity to witness youths involved in agriculture, who are growing high-valued crops in modern shade houses.

Impressed by this model, President Ali said that upon his return to Guyana, he shared the idea with the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, and requested that the model be implemented locally – the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme is that model materialising.

Not only will the programme improve Guyana’s food security, contribute significantly to the economy and improve livelihoods, but it will also help the country to regain its title of bread-basket of the Caribbean, President Ali said on Tuesday.

“Whilst we are working on one hand to expand local production in the local market, we are already eliminating the barriers to the regional markets so we can expand this progressively, until we are able to reach into the regional market,” the Head of State added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

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High Court grants armed robbery accused bail PEON Lee, called ‘Nino Brown,’ who has spent the last five months on remand for the multimillion-dollar gold and money heist at Wallison Enterprise, was, on Wednesday, granted $450, 000 bail in the High Court.

Lee’s lawyer, Bernard DaSilva, filed a bail application before High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds on behalf of his client.

DaSilva argued that being on remand has the potential to cause his client unnecessary exposure to inhumane and unhygienic conditions, which could lead to him contracting the deadly COVID-19 virus.

The judge granted bail on the condition that Lee lodges his passport at the court. He was also ordered to report to the Providence Police Station on alternate Fridays.

On August 10, 2021, former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant, Keyon King, was charged jointly with two of Wallison’s secu-

rity officers, Delroy Jackson, called “Bug”, 36, of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara and Lee, 35, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara.

The trio denied that, on August 5, while being armed with guns, and in the company of others, they robbed the Gordon Street, Kitty business of $38 million in local currency, and $20 million worth of raw gold, property of Francis Santos Lumes.

They were also charged for allegedly relieving Fernanda Carmichael of a cellphone valued at $350,000; Francis Santos Lumes of gold jewellery and cash amounting to $224,000; and William Batista DaSilva of a cellphone valued at $60,000, at gunpoint.

On November 5, 2021, King, during a court appearance before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, opted to plead guilty to the charges and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Trial into the case against Lee and Jackson is yet to

commence. The next hearing is set for January 20, 2022.

In a previous report, Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum, had said that the plan was allegedly hatched by Lee, the company’s Chief of Security.

He said that Jackson had reportedly told investigators that the robbery was planned for August 4, but because the owner’s family was there, it was executed the following day instead.

At the time of the robbery, DaSilva, a 45-yearold goldsmith, and Carmicheal, a 20-year-old cashier, were working at the location when the bandits entered at 10:05hrs.

It is alleged that they’d come with a white car, which they parked on the northern side of the building, before entering the compound through the main gate. They were reportedly granted access into the building by a security guard, on the pretext that they were there to sell gold.

Once in the establishment’s waiting area, they reportedly impressed upon the cashier that the small package they were carrying contained the gold they’d come to sell, and after they would have gained her confidence, whipped out their firearms from their pants waist, and, at gunpoint, ushered her into an inner office where the goldsmith and another man were conducting some business.

Holding both men at gunpoint, the bandits reportedly ordered the goldsmith to open the two metal safes in the office before handcuffing them, and, confiscating their cellphones, valued some $360,000. They then made good their escape with the $38 million in cash, 60 ounces of raw gold valued $20 million and the personal items from their victims.

By the time the cashier raised the alarm, and the security guard on duty realised what had transpired, the bandits were long gone. The entire incident was caught

Peon Lee called ‘Nino Brown’ on CCTV cameras located inside the premises.

Three days after the robbery, police made a

major breakthrough in the investigation with the discovered $18M buried at King’s residence.

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Caribbean journalist launches column in the Guyana Chronicle

Earl Bousquet, a well-respected Caribbean journalist will now be writing a daily column for the Guyana Chronicle on a variety of subjects.

He believes that the world needs to know Guyana from a Caribbean and international perspective.

“Politics, economics, oil and gold, race, culture and religion, things we see every day, but through different eyes,” Bousquet shared.

He has been a journalist since 1976. Serving in the Caribbean, he closely followed and covered events based in Guyana from child-

hood and lived and worked in Guyana from 1993 to 1999.

He was awarded the Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (GOLD) by the Government of Saint Lucia in 2016 for his contribution to journalism through four decades as a veteran writer, analyst and contributor to

several Caribbean media houses.

He also contributed to the training and organising of media workers across the Caribbean, including Grenada, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica. He started the column entitled ‘Chronicles of a Chronic Caribbean Chronicler’ in 2015 and will be launching the ‘Chronicles of a Chronic Caribbean Chronicler- Guyana Edition’ this Sunday.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

Veteran Caribbean journalist, Earl Bousquet

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

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16 per cent drop in workplace fatalities recorded for 2021 of Labour and partnering/ collaborating agencies can contribute significantly to the achievement of an optimally safe, sound, healthy and secure

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton THE Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Ministry of Labour has said that it has recorded a 16 per cent reduction in the number of workplace fatalities in 2021, when compared to 2020.

In a press release, issued on Monday, the ministry stated that, 32 workplace fatalities were recorded in the year 2020 across all sectors with mining being the number one contributor.

The ministry subsequently embarked on a rigorous campaign with local businesses through its OSH Department and supporting agencies to create safer workplaces throughout the nation.

“Our OSH officers worked tirelessly, braving the rain and sun to tackle unsafe working conditions and bring awareness to employers and employees about the benefits of the continuous upkeeping of safe work and a healthy working environment,” the release stated.

According to the release, outreaches and public awareness activities were conducted in mining communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine whereby many workers were reached through the safety and health messages aired on the radio and

television, as well as the widespread distribution of brochures, flyers and posters.

“The outcome of the foregoing efforts resulted in this 16 per cent reduction in workplace fatalities in 2021. It must be noted that the reduction was seen in the areas of mining and construction,” the release added.

Meanwhile, subject minister, Joseph Hamilton, was quoted as saying that work-related deaths are unacceptable and safe work should be provided for all workers “regardless of where they work.”

He said that while there has been a decrease in the number of fatalities, more work needs to be done.

As such, the ministry, through its OSH Department, will continue to tackle unsafe workplace conditions as well as unsafe workplace practices through inspections and audits to reduce the number of accidents that occur in both the formal and informal sectors.

According to the release, the minister is optimistic that more can and will be done to ensure the safety and health of all workers throughout Guyana. He also holds the view that greater collaboration among employers and employees, officers of the Ministry

working environment for all levels and categories of workers, following the Occupational Safety and Health Act Cap 99:06, Laws of Guyana and ac-

companying regulations.

Minister Hamilton further urged workers and employers to maintain a safety climate in workplaces and work

towards the development of a safety culture, whereby everyone benefits, and everyone is “looking out for each other.”

Engaging ‘agri’ stakeholders

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

VICE-PRESIDENT, Bharrat Jagdeo, was joined by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha for a meeting with local importers of meat and vegetables on Wednesday. The meeting addressed several issues of interest (Office of the Vice President photo)

Hinterland roads enhanced with $2.1B investment in 2021

THE Ministry of Public Works, through its hinterland roads programme, expended $2.1 billion on the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10, throughout 2021.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, during a press briefing on Monday, said the ministry will concentrate on the construction of concrete roads and move away from the laterite thoroughfares in communities such as Mabaruma, and Kumaka to Kwebanna.

“Although we have the laterite roads and we did maintenance of those, we are pushing a kilometer of road every year to ensure the entire stretch is concrete. So, in Region One, we started that process there,” he said.

A number of laterite roads in Region Seven were also rehabilitated and maintained. Those

Hinterland: A concrete road under construction in Mabaruma, Region One (DPI)

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar (DPI) included the Kaburi and Puruni roads which were damaged due to heavy rainfall.

The ministry also executed works on some rigid pavements from Five Mile to the airstrip, as well as 1.5 kilometers of roads in Bartica.

For Region Eight, Minister Indar reported that $100 million was invested in community engagement projects, through which a num-

ber of roads were done in Kopinang, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi and Chiung Mouth.

He added that major works were also done on the Denham Suspension Bridge and a number of culverts in the area.

Additionally, in Region Nine, works were done on a number of roads from Lethem to Aishalton. Rehabilitation works were also conducted on two kilometers of

asphaltic roads between Lethem to St Ignatius, and two kilometers of sidewalks in Lethem.

Further, major rehabilitation works were done on the Annai to Lethem Road, which was severely destroyed by floods. In the South Pakaraimas, works were also done on sections of the road from Karasabai to Yurong Paru.

Works also continued on the Mabura corridor,

Region 10, last year while attention was also placed on roads in Kwakwani, Rockstone, Muritaro and Malali.

“Heavy rainfall continues to be a serious impediment, as well as heavy-laden trucks that continue to use the road when there is a downpour and cause damage to the roads,” Minister Indar related.

Despite the challenges, he said the govern-

ment is committed to ensuring resources are made available to ensure key roads in the hinterland are maintained and new roadways constructed to facilitate better interconnectivity and facilitate easier movement of goods and services.

In 2021, the Public Works Ministry received the sum of $44.6 billion to execute its mandate.

(DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

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75 CSOs complete BIT skills training

SEVENTY-FIVE Community Service Officers (CSOs), on Monday, completed a fourmonth skills-training programme organised by the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The programme, which was held at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre, saw CSOs from Regions One, Four, Seven, Eight and Nine completing training in tractor driving and maintenance.

At a small graduation ceremony, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Permanent Secretary, Ryan Toolsiram, told the graduates that the efforts made by the sister ministries will equip them with the requisite skills training to make positive contributions to their respective villages.

“You the CSOs left your families [and]villages to improve your knowledge in technical vocational education and thanks to the Ministry of Labour, Board of Industrial Training, today, you are beneficiaries with the techniques needed to manoeuvre and maintain a tractor,” he said.

Toolsiram stated that, in 2013, the programe was implemented by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) with rising numbers of trainees in the following years.

It came to a halt in 2015 but was restarted in 2020, with a large num-

The CSOs who recently graduated from a BIT skills-training programme (BIT photo)

ber listed for 2022, he added.

The PS also mentioned that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry plans to collaborate with the Ministries of Agriculture and Human Service and Social Security with regards to offering more skills training for CSOs. Meanwhile, BIT’s CEO, Richard Maughn, in his charge to the graduates, touched on some meaningful factors such as being committed to self-elevation and contributing to national development and their respective communities.

“Every one of you here today, must see

yourselves as ambassadors for your region and serve the people in your communities. It should not just be about the money when using your skills but practise what you were taught to the best of your ability and be good examples to the young ones,” Maughn explained.

He said that in July 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministers of Labour and Amerindian Affairs as a game changer to improve the lives of persons, specifically CSOs from the hinterland by training them in courses such as heavy duty

Alleged robber granted $50,000 bail

A MAN, on Monday, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a robbery charge and was released on $50,000 bail.

Deon Allen pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read by Magistrate Dylon Bess.

It is alleged that, on January 9,2022, at Kitty Public Road, he robbed Damian Binder of US$600 (just over $120,000).

Allen, who was unrepresented was granted bail and told to return to court on March 7.

equipment operation, ICT, tractor driving and maintenance, small engine repairs and solar installation.

The signed MoU will see 440 CSOs from hinterland communities receiving skills training. In

addition to this month’s 75, 151 CSOs graduated in October 2021 and 63 in December 2021.

COVID-19 surge continues as Guyana records 1,019 new cases

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By Jared Liddell

GUYANA continues to see a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, with

the latest figures from the Ministry of Health showing that 1,019 new cases were recorded within the past 24 hours.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

This was according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during Wednesday’s edition of the COVID-19 update.

A health official collecting a sample to test for COVID-19 With the country re- erara) have some 195 and With the exception of cording a steady increase in 912 cases respectively. the Johnson and Johnson cases, health officials have Additionally, Region variety, two doses of Astracautioned that the Omi- Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Zeneca, Sinopharm, Sputcron variant of COVID-19 has 176; Region Six (East nik V and Pfizer vaccines might be present locally, Berbice-Corentyne), 561; are required. but data to substantiate Region Seven (CuyuniDr. Anthony said that this possibility is not yet Mazaruni), 228; Region some 20,713 persons have available.

Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), gotten their booster shots, Minister of Anthony, 12; Region Nine (Upper which, according to him, on Monday, confirmed that Takutu-Upper Essequibo), has mitigated the effects of 50 samples will be sent 263 and Region Ten (Upper the virus. this week to the Carib- Demerara-Berbice), 318.

STRICT POLICIES bean Public Health Agency Minister Anthony said Although more persons (CARPHA) in Trinidad that while transmission are getting vaccinated, and Tobago for testing, of the virus remains high, Minister Anthony said emto confirm the presence hospitalisation remains ployers need to institute of the Omicron variant in relatively low. stricter policies to govern Guyana.

As it is, 93 of those who the operations of the workBut even as authorities have tested positive are place and guard against the continue to gather infor- currently hospitalised, with spread of COVID-19. mation and do their part 64 of those persons being The Health Minister to mitigate the impact and patients at the National In- said that persons “let their spread of COVID-19, indi- fectious Diseases Hospital, guard down” in familiar enviduals have been advised Liliendaal. vironments like the workof their responsibility in According to the latest place without considering this ongoing fight.

COVID-19 statistics, some what types of precautions Dr. Anthony said that 415,611 adults and 31,333 their colleagues are taking persons have been flouting adolescents have received outside of the office. the COVID-19 guidelines, their first dose of one of the He advised persons to and this has also been hin- COVID-19 vaccines avail- take all necessary precaudering progress in the fight able in Guyana. tions, including wearing against this disease.

Those numbers, when facemasks, sanitising, and Region Four (Deme- broken down, mean that social distancing, which rara-Mahaica), where a 81 per cent of the country’s help to mitigate the spread majority of the population adult population, and 43 of the virus. resides, accounts for the per cent of its adolescent “Employers need largest number of active population have received to put in place, if they COVID-19 cases across the their first COVID-19 “jab”. haven’t done so already, country, with 4,878 persons Regarding second dos- strict policies to prevent being infected. es, statistics show that 58.9 the spread of the infection F u r t h e r , M i n i s t e r per cent of the adult popu- within the workplace.

Anthony said there are lation are fully vaccinated, That includes sanitising, 7,613 active cases across representing some 309,118 masking, distancing and, the country. Region One persons, while 22,193 ado- of course, to make sure (Barima-Waini) currently lescents or 30.4 per cent of that the persons who are has 70 active cases, while that grouping have received working at the site, are Regions Two (Pomeroon- the second shot, and are fully vaccinated, and for Supenaam) and Three (Es- now categorised as fully them to be boosted as sequibo Islands-West Dem- vaccinated. well,” Dr. Anthony said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

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Asphalt plant rakes in $173M in less than a year

THE government’s Eco 2000 Batch Mix Asphalt Plant at Garden of Eden, on the East Bank Demerara, is proving to be a lucrative operation, raking in over $173 million in less than a year.

The asphalt plant only became operational in March

2021 after several interventions by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

Plant Manager, Rory Ramdas, during a press conference on Monday, said: “The asphalt plant has produced in excess of 28,000 tonnes from March to present

with a total of $173 million profit.”

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said when the government was elected to office in August 2020, it discovered that the $644.8 million investment was not in operation.

The government found

The government’s asphalt plant at Garden of Eden, on the East Bank of Demerara

that the facility lacked the requisite software to function, rendering it inoperable though it was installed two years prior. To ensure that Guyanese receive value for their money, the government hired consultants and subcontractors from Germany and Mexico to bring the facil-

ity up to par.

“One of the priorities was to get all of the components in place, the training for the local staff in place and to get this plant operational to service the people of Guyana.

It was money that was spent and just sitting there.

“We are happy to report

that the plant is operational and has been serving the interest of the people of Guyana,” Minister Edghill said.

According to reports, the multimillion-dollar plant produces 160 metric tonnes of asphalt per hour.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

Jamieson, Das achieve career-best ICC rankings

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Kyle Jamieson and Litton Das have achieved career-best positions in the ICC Test rankings following the drawn series between New Zealand and Bangladesh.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar broke into the top 10 for the first time since January 2019. Also, Australia's Usman Khawaja re-entered the rankings after his twin tons in the men's Ashes.

Jamieson, after his eight wickets across two Tests against Bangladesh, advanced eight places to No. 3 and crossed the 825-rating point mark - only the fifth New Zealander to do so

Kyle Jamieson advanced eight places to achieve his career-best third place in ICC Test bowling rankings (BCCI) after Richard Hadlee (909 in November 1985), Neil Wagner (859 in December 2019), Tim Southee (839 in November 2021) and Trent Boult (825 in May 2015).

Boult, himself, moved up three places to 12th after picking up nine wickets in the series.

Bangladesh's Das, whose 102 went in vain for the visitors in the second match, gained 17 places to No. 15.

He ended the series with 196 runs. The other notable movers in the Test batting rankings were Mominul Haque (up eight places to 37th) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (up 21 places to 87th). Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain - who rattled New Zealand in the first Test with figures of 6 for 46 in the second innings - jumped 17 places to 88th.

Among New Zealand batters, stand-in captain Tom Latham, who scored 252 in the second Test, moved up two places to No.11 while Devon Conway, who hit centuries in both the Tests, advanced 18 places to No. 29. Ross Taylor ended his Test career at 28th, having attained a career-best fourth position and 871 rating points in December 2013.

Meanwhile, Elgar's match-winning knock of 96 not out in Johannesburg has taken him into the top 10. Duanne Olivier's four wickets in the second Test helped him re-enter the bowlers' list in 22nd place. India pacer Shardul Thakur also advanced 10 places to No. 42 after picking up eight wickets in the same game.

Khawaja's scores of 137 and 101 not out in the drawn fourth Test between Australia and England in Sydney meant he re-entered the Test batting rankings in the 26th position.

Steven Smith has pipped Kane Williamson at No. 3, while the fast bowler Scott Boland's seven-wicket haul in the match saw him gain 24 positions to be ranked 49th in the bowling list. Cameron Green is another Australian player gaining in the rankings.

The latest rankings also see Ben Stokes (up nine places to 18th) and Jonny Bairstow (up 16 places to 55th) thriving among batters, while Stuart Broad (up two places to 14th) and Mark Wood (up three places to 41st) also made gains in the bowlers' list.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

Novak admits Bumrah’s five-for, Keegan (72) and late mistakes on South African strikes underscore day two Australian immigration form South Africa vs India, Third Test …

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Two days done and dusted in a compelling Cape Town contest, and the destiny of a thrillingly fought series remains firmly up for grabs.

In battling through to the close with an unbeaten third-wicket stand, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara overcame the cheap loss of India's openers to stretch their side into a promising lead of 70.

But on another day dominated by highclass fast bowling, it was Jasprit Bumrah's triumphant return to the scene of his 2018 Test debut that has so far made the crucial difference between the teams.

As India target an extraordinary triple-crown of overseas series wins in Australia, England and now South Africa, Bumrah's Test career speaks directly to their dramatic transformation away from home (not that their standards on home soil have exactly suffered in recent times).

He's playing his 24th Test out of 27 away from home, and now boasts a stunning haul of 112 wickets at 22.58, including each of his seven five-fors, a tally that no bowler has surpassed since that 2018 debut.

After prising out the critical wicket of Dean Elgar in the closing moments of day one, Bumrah was right back on the mark from the moment that play resumed under gleaming blue skies at Newlands - his second ball was a sharp inducker that surged past Aiden Markram's fatally upraised bat, into the off stump. At 17 for 2, India's 223 already looked significantly more substantial than at first glance.

And so it transpired for the remainder of an engrossing innings, as South Africa pinned their hopes of parity on another coming-of-age knock from the steadfast Keegan Petersen while riding out the contrasting, but unrelenting, threats of a superbly balanced India attack.

At varying moments in the course of the day - most notably when they reached lunch on 100 for 3 with only the additional loss of the nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj, and again half-an-hour before tea, when two wickets in three balls from Mohammed Shami again derailed a well-established

Keegan Petersen acknowledges the applause on getting to a fifty (AFP/Getty Images)

innings - South Africa looked set for a significant lead.

Instead, their final six wickets were picked off for 51 - not without a fight, but with a certain inevitability, such was the calibre of the attack bearing down on them.

The key scalp of the innings was that of Petersen for 72, and sure enough, it was Bumrah who delivered with his second wicket of a pre-tea double whammy that, moments earlier, had served up the dangerous Marco Jansen, bowled for seven by that relentless inducker as he played down the wrong line.

For the first hour of his innings on a baking-hot morning at Newlands, Petersen had set his CRICKET QUIZ CORNER sights purely on survival. With (Thursday January 13, 2022) Maharaj providing a measure COMPLIMENTS OF of impetus in a doughty stay CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD as nightwatchman, Peters83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown en had just six runs from 42 (Tel: 225-6158) balls by drinks, all the while buoyed by the memories of his Answers to yesterday’s quiz: breakthrough fifty at the Wanderers last week, in a similarly (1) WI won by 24 runs low-scoring tussle.

(2) Shamar Brooks (WI) He needed some luck to make it that far, however, inToday’s Quiz: cluding when KL Rahul failed to wrap his fingers round a (1) Who top-scored for WI in the recent first ODI low edge to third slip on four. versus Ireland?

But when Umesh Yadav's scrambled seam burst through (2) How many deliveries he faced? How many fours Maharaj's loose drive to bowl and sixes he struck? him for 25 just before the hour Answers in tomorrow’s issue mark, Petersen took his cue for

a controlled counterattack.

With Rassie van der Dussen now taking his turn to drop anchor, Petersen cashed in on a fractional slackening of India's extreme discipline, with six fours flowing from the next nine overs, including four exceptionally placed carves through the off-side when offered a fraction of width, and a flick off the toes through midwicket off Shardul Thakur.

Even R Ashwin, typically economical in an understated nine overs of deployment, couldn't escape Petersen's flood of confidence as he reverse-swept the third ball he faced past backward point.

In consecutive overs before lunch, the pair brought up both their fifty-stand and South Africa's 100, but van der Dussen's poise vanished during the 40-minute interval. He could have run himself out twice straight after the break, but instead fell for 21 to a scuffed drive off Yadav, with Kohli at second slip clinging onto a fast-flying edge.

Petersen, however, found another important ally in Temba Bavuma - himself enjoying a period of serenity as a Test asset, for all that that another hundred (to follow up the famous maiden effort he made on this same ground in 2016) remains elusive.

Few current players can put away a cover-drive with more aplomb right now, and in a hint at South Africa's waxing fortunes, he even managed to turn a dropped catch at first slip into five bonus runs, as Pujara's spill rolled into the stack of helmets behind the wicketkeeper.

But on 28, and moments after the fourth and final bullet boundary of his innings, Bavuma was undone as Shami dragged his length back for Kohli to cling onto his 100th Test catch at second slip, and when Kyle Verreynne dangled his bat loosely two balls later to depart for a duck, South Africa were 159 for 6, and back in a heap of trouble.

That was the cue for Bumrah to rev back into action. For three consecutive overs he tormented Jansen in the channel outside off then did for Petersen with some extra lift into the heel of the bat. And despite some long-handled resistance from the tail, most particularly Rabada, he would not be denied his first five-for since the Trent Bridge Test in August last year, as Lungi Ngidi looped a leading edge into the covers.

The day's jeopardy wasn't done just yet. With a slender lead of 13, Mayank Agarwal overturned an early lbw verdict in a hornet-like new-ball onslaught from Rabada, but departed soon afterwards for 7 as Rabada fizzed a full-length delivery off the edge to first slip. And though Duanne Olivier's first two-over spell was wayward, Jansen's opening gambit was anything but, as KL Rahul was enticed by the full length, and fenced a fourth-ball drive to Markram in the slips.

Kohli, however, fresh from his supreme 79 in the first innings, refused to allow his side's ascendancy to slide any further, as he and Pujara closed up for the evening in a 33-run stand.

(BBC) - Tennis star Novak Djokovic has admitted there were mistakes on his immigration forms and to meeting a journalist despite testing positive for COVID-19, as Australia mulls deporting him.

Djokovic made the admissions in an Instagram post to clarify "ongoing misinformation" about his movements.

The men's tennis number one is hoping to play in the Australian Open next week.

But his participation has been overshadowed by the row over his visa.

Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, had his visa revoked on January 6, shortly after arriving in Australia amid questions over the vaccine exemption that would have permitted him to enter.

On Monday, however, a judge dramatically overturned the decision and ordered the release of the player from detention.

But the government has not ruled out further action - and the possibility remains that the country's immigration minister could cancel his visa for a second time just days before the tournament begins.

Alex Hawke could cancel the visa based on prior COVID-19 infections not counting as an exemption. But Djokovic's visa could also be cancelled on "character grounds" based on an investigation into his arrival form and potential breaches of Serbia's COVID-19 rules.

If Djokovic wins the Australian Open - his 21st grand slam - he would become the most successful male tennis player in history.

In his Instagram post, Djokovic said he had gone ahead with the interview for French title L'Equipe because he had not wanted to "let the journalist down". "(I ensured) I socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being taken," he said.

L'Equipe confirmed in an article that the tennis star had worn a mask the entire time, even when their reporter asked him to take it off for five minutes.

The journalist, Franck Ramella, said he had been told not to ask Djokovic about his vaccination status or the forthcoming Australian Open so "therefore did not ask if he had considered doing a test".

Yesterday, the International Tennis Writers Association described the incident as "deeply concerning" in a statement to CNN. "As journalists, we take great care to adhere to all COVID-19 rules in place and we expect all players to do the same," said Simon Chambers, co-president of the group.

"Furthermore, it should be noted that journalists have to be fully vaccinated to travel to Melbourne for this year's Australian Open," he added.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup … Group D Preview

captain the side having previously withdrawn from a Sri Lanka U19 squad to focus on his studies.

WEST INDIES (14TH APPEARANCE) An ever-present at this tournament, hosts West Indies will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the 2016 side that went all the way and won the title.

To do so, they will have to West Indies’ Ackeem Auguste

Australia’s Cooper Connolly

Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage

A QUICK glance at the make-up of Group D of ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup shows just how challenging it will be to make it out of the first round.

Hosts West Indies won the tournament back in 2016, Australia are three-time champions and Sri Lanka also have a final appearance to their name.

Scotland round out the group in their ninth appearance in the competition, qualifying after New Zealand were forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 restrictions.

2010, a team featuring Mitchell Marsh, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood, who 11 years later played key roles as Australia claimed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

This time around, all-rounder Cooper Connolly will lead the side, and he will have fond memories of taking on the host nation. In 2020 he hammered 64 off 53 balls against the West Indies in a play-off match that was eventually abandoned due to rain.

He is the only player who returns from the 2020 squad, but will not lack for support, notably from ambidextrous spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan.

strength of the group.

Gordon Drummond is the coach of the side, which will be captained by 18-year-old left-arm spinner Charlie Peet.

The Scots will not lack for experience, with Peet one of five players who were also part of the squad two years ago.

AUSTRALIA (13TH APPEARANCE) Only India have won the ICC U19 Men’s CWC more times than Australia’s three titles, with Australia also second in terms of matches won and win percentage.

In fact in 12 previous appearances, Australia have made it through to at least the semi-finals on eight occasions, they are remarkably consistent.

The last win came back in

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SCOTLAND (9TH APPEARANCE) Scotland initially missed out on qualification after losing to Ireland in the final of the Qualifier, but were handed a reprieve when New Zealand withdrew from the competition.

The Scots are yet to make it past the first round, and face a battle to do so for the first time in 2022 with the 08:25 hrs Goddess Of Light 09:00 hrs Elusive Swann 09:35 hrs Sister Light 10:05 hrs Dame Of Flames English Racing Tips Catterick 08:40 hrs bEST Trition 09:10 hrs Aazza 09:40 hrs Tumbling Dice 10:40 hrs Sidiu Ishmael 11:10 hrs Art Of Diplomancy 11:40 hrs Anyharminasking Bamgor-On-Dee

SRI LANKA (14TH APPEARANCE) Sri Lanka will be looking for an improved showing after going out in the first round in each of the last two editions of the ICC Men’s U19 CWC. Semi-finalists in 2016 with a squad featuring Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga, they have twice finished third in their group since.

The aim will be to avoid a third straight failure to make the quarter-finals, but the group in which they find themselves will not be easy.

Matheesha Pathirana is back in the squad after playing in 2020 when Sri Lanka finished 10th overall.

Dunith Wellalage will 09:30 hrs Ring The Moon 10:00 hrs Clondaw Promise 10:30 hrs Barrowdale 11:00 hrs Green Vault 11:30 hrs Oxwich Bay 12:00 hrs Corey’s Courage Chelmsford 12:30 hrs Hannalite 13:00 hrs Oasis Irlandes 13:30 hrs Typewritten 14:00 hrs Hathlool 14:30 hrs Dubai Emperor 15:00 hrs Whittle Le Woods 15:30 hrs The Game Of Life

overcome the odds. Not since Australia in the very first tournament back in 1998 has a host nation won the tournament, although Sri Lanka and Australia have both made it to the final on home soil.

The 2016 crop that won the title were captained by Shimron Hetmyer, with another future international, Alzarri Joseph, leading the bowling attack.

If recent matches against

South Africa are anything to go by, the bowling may be the West Indies’ strength once again with quick bowler Johann Layne one to watch out for.

Middle-order batter Ackeem Auguste captains the side which kicks off against Australia in Guyana before heading to St Kitts and Nevis for the remaining two group games.

(ICC Media)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

CWI congratulates Sir Clive on receiving Knighthood CRICKET West Indies (CWI) congratulated West Indies legend Sir Clive Lloyd on receiving his Knighthood.

The former captain, one of the most successful in the game’s history, received the honour for his services to the game of cricket. The investiture was performed yesterday by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle.

CWI president Ricky Skerritt said, “On behalf of CWI and everyone involved in West Indies cricket, I want to offer heartiest congratulations to Sir Clive on this tremendous honour.

Sir Clive holds a special place in cricket’s history, as the first man to lift the Cricket World Cup (CWC), which brought tremendous pride and joy to West Indians all over the world.

“That victory at Lord’s was a hugely significant moment in West Indies cricket when we demonstrated we were the best team in the world, with the unifying style of Sir Clive’s

leadership standing out.

“Sir Clive has made a massive contribution to the growth of the game in the West Indies and globally, and cricket fans everywhere should welcome this most fitting accolade.”

Sir Clive led West Indies to victory over Australia at Lord’s in the final of the inaugural CWC tournament in 1975. Four years later he again led West Indies to the world title when they beat England again at the historic venue.

He played in 110 Tests and 87 One-Day Internationals, and is one of the most successful captains of all-time. During his captaincy the team was the most successful in the world and had a run of 27 Test matches without defeat – which included 11 wins in a row.

He is also a former West Indies team manager and selector, and ICC Match Referee.

In 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Cricket Equipment Guyana donates gear Gradel’s winner to Aaron Beharry ahead of Sri Lanka tour helps Ivory Coast

CRICKET Equipment Guyana, a recently established business, the brainchild of young Ajay Gainda, has donated an SS cricket bat and an SG white cricket outfit, along with a floppy hat to all-rounder Aaron Beharry, as he prepares to tour Sri Lanka with the Ontario Cricket Academy youth team.

The tour is set for March 11 to the 21 and will include matches in the T20, 40-over and 50-over categories. This is the 14th international tour for the OCA, 6th to Sri Lanka since 2010.

Beharry, a right-arm off-spinner and a solid middle-order right-handed batter, represented Berbice two years each at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels.

He is currently a member of the historic Everest Cricket Club (ECC) in Georgetown, LBI Cricket Club on the East Coast of Demerara and Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) in Berbice.

At a simple presentation held recently, Ajay Gainda stated that his family has been following the progress of Aaron over the years and is very impressed with his skills and attitude towards the game, hence the gesture.

Ajay is the manager of Cricket Equipment Guyana, which is located at Bel Air RUBiS Gas Station, Bel Air Public Road, Greater Georgetown and is the only authorised distributor of authentic SS and SG brands of cricket gear. The sole authorised importer of the gear is the popular Gainmart Supermarket, University of Guyana Public Road.

Ajay said that he and his family, through their new brands, are delighted to assist Aaron on this tour and in his future career and wish him every success.

He also indicated that the store sells top quality cricket gear at the best prices in Guyana with the aim of making it affordable to cricketers around the country.

Ajay himself is a solid right-hand opener and right-hand off-spinner, who represented Guyana at the Under-15 and

beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0

Cricket Equipment Guyana manager, Ajay Gainda (left), hands over bat to Aaron Beharry Under-17 levels and was eager to showcase his talent at the Under-19 level with the hope of representing the West Indies at the 2022 Youth World Cup currently being held in the Caribbean for the first time.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 resulted in the suspension of all cricket in the Caribbean, including the Regional Under-19 tournament.

In response, Aaron, Canadian-born and the son of former Berbice Senior Inter-County all-rounder and current

Guyana Cricket Board Executive, Anil Beharry, said that he was humbled by the thought and initiative and promised to do his best and make everyone proud.

He added that he is working hard on his fitness at the LBI Facility and New Trafford.

In addition, he is doing gym work. He thanked coach Tribhawan Jagessar, formerly from East Canje, Berbice who now lives in Canada for the opportunity through his recommendation.

(BBC) - Ivory Coast captain Max Gradel scored a spectacular winner as the Elephants narrowly beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.

Ex-Bournemouth and Leeds forward Gradel lashed the two-time champions ahead from 20 yards with the outside of his right foot just five minutes in.

Equatorial Guinea had chances to level but Iban Salvador sliced their best one horribly wide from seven yards.

Badra Ali Sangare later saved from Emilio Nsue as Ivory Coast held out.

Patrice Beaumelle's side go top of Group E after defending champions Algeria drew with Sierra Leone on Tuesday.

Equatorial Guinea were unhappy with Gradel's opener in Douala, appealing for a foul on Jose Machin in the buildup, but referee Redouane Jiyed confirmed the goal would stand after consulting his pitchside monitor.

Ibrahim Sangare sent an unmarked header over as Ivory Coast threatened

to double their lead. But the Equatoguineans, who have qualified for the tournament by right for the first time in their history - with their two previous appearances courtesy of being a home nation - grew in stature.

A Basilio Ndong shot was thwarted by Elephants keeper Badra - standing in for firstchoice stopper Sylvain Gbohouo after he was banned on the eve of the tournament for an alleged doping violation - while Machin's sweetly-struck volley from 25 yards flew just wide.

They were left, however, to rue the costly miss from Salvador in the second half and Nicolas Pepe could have settled it, only for Equatorial Guinea keeper Manuel Sapunga Mbara to thwart the Arsenal forward with a fine fingertip save.

Substitute Wilfried Zaha also steered wastefully wide late on for Ivory Coast, but it was far from a statement performance from a side that last won the trophy in 2015, against opponents ranked 58 places below them.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

West Indies U-19 batting crumbles again … lose both warm-up matches ahead of opening match tomorrow

WEST Indies Under-19 produced another feeble batting performance which meant they lost their second and final warm-up match ahead of the Under-19 World Cup opening match tomorrow against Australia, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Very similar to the performance against India on Monday, the young West Indies side were bowled out yet again, well within their allotted 50 overs.

Yesterday, South Africa, who they

drew 2-2 in a recent Youth One-Day International series held in St Vincent, bundled them out for 189 in 43.2 overs at Providence.

Captain Ackeem Auguste, batting at six, top-scored with a 47-ball 52 (6x4, 2x6) after entering with the score 61-5 in the 15th over. The skipper and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett who made 45 (5x4) from 85 balls added 63 for the seventh wicket in 12.1 overs.

Guyanese Matthew Nandu made 19

(3x4) from 39 balls while Rivaldo Clarke (15) and Anderson Mahase (11) were the other batters to reach double figures.

Matthew Boast (3-9), Michael Copeland (2-14) and Aphiwe Mnyanda (233) were the chief wicket-takers for the Proteas.

South Africa in response was in a bit of bother but reached 191-7 in 35.3 overs led by a captain’s knock of 61 (6x4, 2x6) off 58 balls by George Van Heerden.

Dwald Brevis with 50 (4x4, 2x6) off 70

balls, also got in the runs, along with opener Ethan-John Cunningham (36).

McKenny Clarke had the most impressive figures of 3-34 from five overs while Anderson Mahase took 2-31 in his eight overs; Shiva Sankar (1-21) and Onaje Anthony (1-37) were the other wicket-takers.

Guyanese pacer Isai Thorne went wicket-less for 30 in 3.3 overs.

West Indies, who are in Group D alongside Scotland, Sri Lanka and Australia, play from 10:00hrs tomorrow.

RAN postpones next month’s Rugby 7s in Mexico City RUGBY Americas North (RAN), in conjunction with Federación Mexicana de Rugby, announced yesterday that the 2022 RAN Super 7s next month in Mexico City has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

The tournament was scheduled for February 11-13.

“After discussions with RAN’s Medical Committee and the Mexican Rugby Federation, it is with regret that RAN has made the decision to postpone the RAN Super 7s scheduled for February 2022 in Mexico City,” said RAN General Manager Niall Brooks. “We are taking a precautionary measure as the Omicron variant continues to surge around the globe.”

Dubbed the ‘Super 7s’, the two-day tournament was set to be the biggest event

in RAN’s history with more than 25 teams competing across three divisions on two fields.

The tournament also acted as a qualifier for the Centro Caribe Games in 2022, RWC Sevens qualifiers in June 2022 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England in 2022.

“The decision was made with the welfare of all participating players, management, officials, volunteers, and spectators in mind.

RAN hopes to re-schedule the tournament to a later date in 2022,” added Brooks.

At the last RAN Sevens, held last October, Guyana’s ‘Green Machine’ finished fifth in their quest for an eighth title, and captain Jamal Angus had told local media operatives the main attention was fixed on this tournament, given the stakes.

The fast-spreading strain of the COVID-19 virus, Omicron, forced organisers to postpone the tournament Guyana started their campaign with a 36-5 win over Belize, but then lost 15-7 to Bermuda.

Moving to the medal aspect of the

championship, they lost to eventual winners, Jamaica 24-0 and Barbados 26-5 before crushing the British Virgin Islands 43-0 in the fifth-place playoff.

Daniels calls 18 boxers for training ahead of AMBC Elite Continental Championship

Olympian Keevin Allicock is among the 18 boxers shortlisted by National coach Lennox Daniels ahead of the AMBC Elite Continental Championship in Ecuador

WITH Guyana set to compete at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Continental Championship in Ecuador, 18 boxers were shortlisted by National coach Lennox Daniels, to begin preparation, according to the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).

Olympian and Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Keevin Allicock will lead the bunch, which includes the Jackman sisters - Abiola and Alesha, Mark Crawford, Richard Howard, Patrick Harvey, Travis Inverary, Jamal Eastman, Joel Williamson, Desmond Amsterdam, Colin Lewis, Julius Kesney, Quacy Abrams, Emanuel Pompey, Delroy Fordyce, Renaldo Niles, Aluko Bess and Richard Subraty.

Daniels also met with several

coaches from around the country on Tuesday at the Andrew Lewis Gym, with the GBA president, Steve Ninvalle, noting that “it was the largest meeting of coaches in a while, and all were in agreement that Daniels was the best man for the job.”

“This is our structure that we’re going to be moving ahead with. The National coach will have consultation with other coaches and name a national team that will be continuously training, but as it gets to tournaments, whether national or overseas, as it comes closer to that time, they will start meeting more often and then lead to encampment,” Ninvalle said.

Ninvalle pointed out that “from the executive level, we have confidence that this will bear fruit; we have confidence in our National coach. He brings

a different style to coaching and we’ll start with this because we’re preparing for our first major tournament which is the AMBC Elite Championship.”

Ninvalle said that the GBA expects Daniels to “bring his unique style of coaching to the team’s preparation, and we at the Executive level expect to see a marked difference in the way in which our fighters are prepared.”

The AMBC Elite Continental Championships will take place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, from March 22 to April 2.

The medallists in each of the 13-man and 12-woman weight categories, according to the AMBC, will receive prize money - US$10 000 for first place, US$5 000 for second and US$2 500 for third place.

West Indies U-19 batting crumbles again 23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, January 13, 2022

PAGE

… lose both warm-up matches ahead of opening match tomorrow

McKenny Clarke took 3-34 in five overs for the West Indies Under-19s

CWI congratulates Sir Clive on receiving Knighthood 22

Olympian Keevin Allicock is among the 18 boxers shortlisted

by National coach Lennox Daniels ahead of the AMBC Elite Continental Championship in Ecuador

PAGE

Arrise! Sir Clive Lloyd

Daniels calls 18 boxers for training ahead of AMBC Elite Continental Championship 23 PAGE

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022