Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-12-2022

Guyana takes major step towards becoming ‘tech-hub’

- launches coders initiative for over 150,000 youths

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA’s Coder’s initiative (GCI), the first of its kind in the country, was, on Wednesday, launched by Dr. President Irfaan Ali, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The programme, which is a collaboration between Guyana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will see 150,000 youths being provided with the opportu-

nity to gain knowledge and skills in technology.

In his address to the hundreds of pupils and students who were gathered at the launch ceremony, the Head-of-State said the initiative comes off the cusp of Guyana’s economic transformation, which they, the youths, play a vital role in developing.

“This step is about you, this step is about you taking our country forward to 2030 and beyond, ensuring

that you are competitive, you’re resilient, you’re functional, ensuring that we as a country have the tools that would take us forward, that would ensure that our economy is among the strongest,” President Ali said.

Further, he noted that GCI would feed into other initiatives and programmes that the government is undertaking.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

Tiger Bay residents to be first beneficiaries of study hub initiative

By Tamica Garnett

WITH the aim of offering after school education free of cost to families across the country, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, launched the “Neighbourhood Study Hub” initiative at the School

of Nations, where the first hub will be located.

The programme, which will administer extra classes in numeracy and literacy, will be opened to persons of all ages.

Aside from being taught free of cost, persons using the hub will also receive a meal,

and all the materials needed for studying.

The hub at School of the Nations will serve residents of the Tiger Bay community, and is being done through a publicprivate partnership between the government and several of the businesses located in the Tiger Bay area. German’s and the New Thriving Restaurant are among those supporting the initiative.

The classes for the programme will be held at the School of the Nations, and will be taught by teachers of the school.

“In Guyana, we want much community involvement. Bringing people along with us, that is very important to me, and very important to the government. We have a targeted and strategic way in which we are approaching the

different challenges,” President Dr. Irfaan Ali noted as he delivered the feature address.

The launch was attended by several residents, including children, from the Tiger Bay area.

The President explained that the study hub is just one of many ways in which the government is integrating greater community involvement in the school system to better develop Guyana’s human resource for the fast developing economy.

“Our focus on economy 2030 and beyond requires an education system that is nimble and flexible, one that is easily adjustable. We need a society in which children … are rounded’, he said, adding that “people must understand that we are a society that is integrated by different cultures,

ethnicities and groups.”

As the programme starts off, the first thing that will be done is a diagnostic test of all of the learners to assess at what level they are at.

Registration has opened at the School of the Nations for persons from the Tiger Bay community, while the classes are scheduled to commence in January 2023.

The programme will be expanded to include locations throughout the country, including Bare Root on the East Coast of Demerara, Bath in West Berbice, Canje in East Berbice and Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara. The initiative will be administered through the Ministry of Education (MoE).

“This is a programme that could make all the difference in the lives of our children,”

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand commented when she made remarks at the event

Manickchand noted that literacy and numeracy are two specific areas where, in Guyana, and all across the world, the education systems continue to have the most difficulty in. As such the study hub initiative is part of improving education delivery in those subject areas.

“The quality of education in those two areas has been challenging even for developed countries around the world and that has dogged our education system too,” Manickchand noted.

The government will be looking at the possibility of developing other public-private partnerships to support the other hubs that will be implemented at other locations across the country.

Making remarks on behalf of the School of the Nations, Senior Managing Director, Pamela O’Toole, thanked President Ali for the trust he has placed in the school to be part of the extensive initiative.

“The President’s far-reaching and dynamic vision for Guyana is really exciting and uplifting. It has really transformed our society, public and private sector, communities, family, youth and children. It’s a vision leading us to a very bright future. Nations is pleased to have been chosen to be the launch of the Study Hub,” she noted.

“Nations stands ready, w illing and excited to welcome our expanded family to Nations. The need is very great. We need to act now to reverse education losses to rise against poverty. Nations pledges to work together to reduce learning poverty to build capacity and recover that which has been lost,” she added.

This will not be the first time that School of the Nations will be offering remedial classes to learners in the Tiger Bay area as it had previously implemented the Tiger Bay Literacy Project some years ago. The school was forced to suspend the programme due to financial constraints.

The vote of thanks at the launch was delivered by Danita Jaundoo who participated in the Tiger Bay Literacy Project. She shared how the programme helped to mould her into a wellrounded young lady.

Seated in front from left to right: Senior Managing Director of School of the Nations, Pamela O’Toole; President Dr. Irfaan Ali; Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain join parents, learners and educators at the launch of the Neighbourhood Study Hub (Carl Croker photo)

Guyana takes major step towards becoming ‘tech-hub’ -

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA’s Coder’s initiative (GCI), the first of its kind in the country, was, on Wednesday, launched by Dr. President Irfaan Ali, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The programme, which is a collaboration between Guyana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will see 150,000 youths being provided with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in technology.

In his address to the hundreds of pupils and students who were gathered at the launch ceremony, the Head-of-State said the initiative comes off the cusp of Guyana’s economic transformation, which they, the youths, play a vital role in developing.

“This step is about you, this step is about you taking our country forward to 2030 and beyond, ensuring that you are competitive, you’re resilient, you’re functional, ensuring that we as a country have the tools that would take us forward, that would ensure that our economy is among the strongest,” President Ali said.

Further, he noted that GCI would feed into other initiatives and programmes that the government is undertaking.

He said some of these initiatives include creating remote medicine hubs, more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs, and SMART classrooms for children.

“You are the ones we have to invest in. You have to carry the skill set, you have to carry the knowledge, and you have to carry the technology.”

The programme, he noted, will not only be limited to Guyana. The government, he said, is in talks with its UAE partners to extend the programme to other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states.

“This coding project must be one that is available to all of our brothers and sisters in the CARICOM region and Guyana is ready and willing to be that hub at the work and partnership with UAE to make this programme available to all of the young people in the region,” the Head-ofState said.

He further said the programme will prepare Guyana’s youth for a technology-focused workforce, helping the country achieve its developmental goals.

“We are starting way behind the race, but we’re taking the big leap, and we are going to fight at the front of the race and trying to make up all the lost time.”

Meanwhile, Education

Minister Priya Manickchand stated that the programme would be available to youths all across the country, offering skills training that has never before been offered in Guyana.

“This programme that we launch with our partners today will allow more than 15000 Guyanese from all

launches coders initiative for over 150,000 youths

over regardless of your geographical region, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of religion, regardless of age. It is going to allow all of Guyana to access the ability to learn to code.”

Ms Manickchand noted that the advent of the coronavirus (COVID-19) highlighted the need for a more technology-based curriculum. As such, she pointed out that the govern-

ment will continue to make investments such as the GCI programme to advance its youths.

Minister Manickchand underscored that the pandemic created an environment for the blending of traditional face-to-face learning with new digital methods of teaching and learning, including through the ZOOM platform.

In offering remarks, the

Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister of the UAE, Abdullah Lootah, explained that children will benefit from three years of training and will receive internationally recognised certificates.

The UAE representative further urged those who were gathered to take advantage of the programme and the various skills offered.

President Ali commits to changing lives of Leopold Street residents

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, provided a number of men from Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, with jobs and training opportunities during a meeting held on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

The opportunity for them to work with the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Central Housing and Planning Authority to construct 20 homes on the SoesdykeLinden Highway, was high on the agenda.

The meeting came to fruition following President Ali’s visit to the community in late November. He had committed to

working with the young people who were interested in learning different trades and being employed meaningfully.

He had spoken about the importance of training young people in technical areas to get them actively and positively involved in the development and transformation of the country.

During the meeting, he told the residents that they “have the opportunity to live a life that is progressive, a life that is rewarding and a life that is free from dangers.”

To accomplish this, the President noted that they have to transform themselves and commit to becoming part of “some-

thing bigger”.

He spoke of the importance of one Guyana and about building a country for all Guyanese.

The President said that he envisions the younger men in the group not just working, but eventually owning their own homes, having their own families and living in a prosperous environment.

“I want this to be a renewal of hope, in which we can work together, we can uplift your lives together, and we can give you opportunities.”

The President committed to providing training opportunities and employment in the fields of carpentry, masonry, and weld-

ing, among other skills, to members of the group who were interested.

He also discussed the possibility of forming a company called Leopold Incorporated with the group where they can access and work in the government’s ongoing housing programmes.

Once the training programmes are completed, the residents are expected to benefit from numerous opportunities, especially those earmarked for their community.

During the meeting, the ideas, suggestions and decisions the President posited were well received by the residents. They expressed their gratitude to

President Ali for not only finding time to meet them but also for “solving complicated issues”.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; the Minister of Tourism, Industry and

Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr and other government officials were also part of the meeting. (OP)

(At centre) President Dr. Irfaan Ali; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; Education Minister Priya Manickchand; along with other officials, pupils and students who were in attendance at the Guyana Coders Initiative launched on Wednesday. Also photographed are representatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (Carl Croker photo)

President Ali speaking with a group of Leopold Street residents (OP photo)

$43B withdrawn from NRF to advance national development priorities

THE Government of Guyana has made its third withdrawal from the Natural Resource Fund in accordance with the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act 2021, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday.

According to a press release from the ministry, this will be the final withdrawal for 2022.

It added that Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, indicated that, pursuant to Section 16 of the NRF Act 2021, US$207.6 million which is equivalent to G$43 billion has been transferred

from the Natural Resource Fund to the Consolidated Fund to finance national development priorities.

“It would be recalled that, in May and July of this year, the Government made withdrawals totalling US$400 million equivalent to G$83 billion. This brings the accumulated withdrawals from the NRF for the year 2022 to US$607.6 million, equivalent to G$126 billion, in line with [the] approved amount in the 2022 Budget,” the press release added.

The NRF Act 2021 came

into operation on January 1, 2022, and, as part of the Budget 2022 process, parliamentary approval was granted for a total of US$607.6 million to be transferred during fiscal year 2022.

The ministry emphasised that this transfer was made in accordance with the strengthened legal architecture of the NRF Act 2021 and noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Mission Report that was released in September 2022, commended the PPP/C Government on the amendments made to the

NRF Act.

“The NRF Act was strengthened recently. After a thorough review, and while restraining the spending of the oil receipts, the authorities amended the NRF Act in December 2021. The recent amendments set clear ceilings on withdrawals from the Fund for budgetary spending …,” the IMF report highlighted.

The press release added that the PPP/C Government will continue to “work aggressively through sound and transformative investments of

oil resources from the NRF, utilising these resources in a clear and transparent

manner, to the benefit of present and future generations.”

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

Geeta Chandan-Edmond forced to resign as PNCR General Secretary

FOLLOWING weeks of speculation, Geeta Chandan- Edmond has officially tendered her resignation as General Secretary (GS) of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

This decision was made after clashes over several issues, including the direction the party was headed under the leadership of Aubrey Norton.

Chandan-Edmond, on Wednesday morning, sent Norton her resignation letter after being on leave for several months.

She had initially gone on leave in early August of this year. The former magistrate reportedly told the party that she would have been out for a few weeks but then extended her leave for an indefinite period.

This publication understands that ChandanEdmond resigned after growing concerns that she was not allowed to fully

function in her capacity as GS.

Several efforts to reach Chandan-Edmond, Norton and senior members of the party for a comment were futile

Sources familiar with “the situation” told

the Guyana Chronicle that Chandan-Edmond “endured” a lot before throwing in the proverbial towel.

Apparently, ChandanEdmond, who is a Member of Parliament (MP), put up some resistance to

Public Works Ministry successfully removes New Market St. vendors

PERSONS who were vending on New Market Street between Thomas and East Streets, opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), were removed on Wednesday morning by the Ministry of Public Works.

This is according to Minister of Public Works, Edghill Juan, who also told this publication that any person found vending in that area will also be removed.

The ministry had issued its final notice to vendors who were occupying the spaces just a few days ago and persons were advised to remove all erected makeshift stalls, sheds, carts, caravans, motor vehicles, and other receptacles used for vending.

The vendors were impeding the smooth flow of traffic in the vicinity of hospital which is the main public health institution in the country, the Public Works Minister said.

The ministry had served “Violation Notices” prior

to this, giving the vendors seven days to vacate the area.

Vendors were reminded that the seven-day period has expired and teams from the ministry would begin the removal process immediately.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, had reiterated that this type of illicit activity can no longer be tolerated, as vending in that area is a hazard and is causing serious traffic congestion.

“Health and safety must be a priority for all Guyanese, we have to try harder and we have to be conscious of what is [a] right practice

and what is a wrong practice… there are times ambulances and other emergency vehicles will be trying to enter the gates at GPHC and from the vehicles parking indiscriminately, to these vending stalls taking up the parapets, in its way. We cannot allow this to continue,” Minister Edghill said.

The New Market Street vendors were warned that if they did not remove the items listed in the letter, the ministry’s team would do so for them.

With the latter choice, the Public Works Ministry said that they would not be responsible for any damage or losses.

some of the tasks she was asked to carry out, which she and others thought were not in keeping with the vision that Norton had outlined when he was campaigning to become leader of the party.

Information suggests that a “shadow” in the person of Hazel PileLewis was appointed as the “administrator”.

“Pile was given terms of reference that overlapped with what Geeta was supposed to be doing. So right away we were able to see what was going on. Geeta is a hard worker but things are just not the way it should be right now,” this publication was told.

Further, Chronicle was told of “forces” that Nor-

ton kept in his inner circle who are not people-oriented and who had made Chandan-Edmond’s stint as GS “less than comfortable, to say the least.”

While this publication was not able to get its hands on the letter sent to Norton, a separate note sent to the Central Executive Committee of the party reads, “I take this opportunity to thank each one of you for your support, cooperation, and guidance during my stint as General Secretary of the PNCR. It has been an absolute honour and privilege and I shall remain committed to the ideals of the party…”

As news of the resignation quickly spread, many persons including

PNCR loyalist, Norman Browne, described Chandan as beloved.

He posted on Facebook that Chandan “was a favourite of members and supporters when the new leadership of the PNCR assumed office. She was hounded and eventually pressured out of that position. Edmond was never allowed to function as GS because forces in the party felt that the GS position should not be exclusively hers.”

He added, “If allowed, Mrs. [Chandan] Edmond would have been a remarkable GS. She stands committed to the PNCR and continues to have its best interest at heart.”

Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Cars are now parked in the area which was occupied by vendors

Why Disrupt The Peace?

GUYANA is a peaceful nation. There is a high degree of ethnic and religious tolerance and there is very little, if any, indication of racial animosity among the ethnic groups in Guyana. People of all ethnicities and religious persuasions go about their business with cordiality and respect.

Why then, one may ask, would anyone seek to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the country, especially at this time when President Dr. Irfaan Ali is working so hard to bring the nation together on his One Guyana platform.

One would expect that all men of decency and decorum would embrace the ideals of a peaceful and harmonious society. But not, it would appear, in the case of the Mayor of

Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, who in a rather bizarre display of political vulgarity, openly levelled accusations against President Ali of being a ‘racist’ and not wanting to work with him in his capacity as Mayor of Georgetown, because he the Mayor is a Hindu and President Ali a Muslim.

Such utterances coming from the mayor would have been dismissed as ludicrous and completely preposterous were it not for the fact that he holds the position of Mayor of Georgetown and as such is regarded as its Chief Citizen. What the mayor has in effect done, was to bring the Office of the Mayor to a state of disrepute. And as if that were not enough, he was reportedly arrested by police for inciting racial hostility which is a serious

offence under the Racial Hostility Act.

These are indeed totally unacceptable and unbecoming behaviour coming from someone who holds an important public office and who professes to be a man of the cloth. Not surprisingly, the actions of the mayor have resulted in protest actions by concerned citizens, civil society and members of private sector organisations who are united in their call for the mayor to go. The actions of the mayor were described as ‘vile’ and ‘insensitive’. The mayor was also accused of influencing efforts to obstruct the removal of carts, stalls and other encumbrances belonging to vendors who illegally ply their trade along New Market Street opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The actions of the mayor, it has to be said, fits into a false and misleading narrative of ‘racism’ and ‘discrimination’ made by the APNU+AFC coalition even though there is not an iota of evidence to substantiate such allegations. In fact, the PPP/C has been extremely even-handed in the manner in which the resources of the state are being distributed.

It is clear that both the APNU and the AFC are in a state of moral bankruptcy after their failed attempt to rig the 2020 general and regional elections. And with the impending local government elections around the corner, a way has to be found to delay the elections and to distract public attention from what is likely to be one of the most humiliating defeats at the forthcoming elections.

Every individual has a legitimate right to earn a living but such activities must be done within the framework of the law and not in a manner that is disruptive to public order and the safety of citizens. It is unfortunate that the APNU and the AFC in cahoots with the Mayor and City Council in seeking to make the vendors a political scapegoat in their attempt to score cheap political points.

The citizens of Georgetown, and for that matter, the country as a whole, are much more discerning and are able to see through the political and ethnic smokescreen that the political opposition is attempting to place before them.

President Ali, on his part, has taken the moral high ground and has made it abundantly clear that

there is no place in Guyana for those who seek to divide this country along racial or religious lines. “I have zero tolerance for race-baiters and religious baiters. They must be called out and shamed. The time for this nonsense has come to an end and we must start from here,” the President said.

Mayor Ubraj Narine ought to do the decent thing and apologize to the President and the citizens of Georgetown for his recent outburst which borders on indecency and a lack of civility. But that may be asking too much given his close association with those who are lacking political morality and probity.

As the saying goes, “Show me your company, and I will tell you who you are.”

Norton, PNC relentlessly setting tone of obstruction, division along ethnic, religious lines

THE PNC-led APNU+AFC opposition has demonstrated time and time again that it is incapable of offering meaningful leadership to its constituents, or anyone for that matter, and is therefore in its familiar obstructionist mode, with racism being its primary tool of choice, according to the People’s Progressive Party.

In a statement last night, the party said that the latest manifestation of the Opposition’s poor leadership and racist tendencies was seen on Monday when Mayor Ubraj Narine “unleashed his vile, obnoxious,

and religiously offensive tirade” during an attempt to obstruct the removal of vendors encumbering the New Market Street entrance of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to the statement, the issue of vending in that area has been a sore one since 2015 when the GPHC made its first complaint. “Its pleas for intervention by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council fell on deaf ears, even as the number of vendors increased exponentially and the City Council collected thousands of dollars in

revenue from them,” the statement added.

It noted that it is clear that Mayor Narine and the Aubrey Norton-led APNU+AFC have placed the collection of fees from the vendors and the perpetuation of their “racist, obstructionist agenda” ahead of the lives and well-being of pregnant mothers, the sick and accident victims whose access to critical primary healthcare are being delayed by congestion of the pathways for ambulances and other vehicles transporting them.

“The blame for this uncaring, insensitive, obstruc-

tionist act should be laid squarely at the feet of PNC and Opposition Leader Mr. Aubrey Norton who has been unabatingly setting a tone of obstruction and division along ethnic and religious lines.

Instead of offering some sort of rebuke or reprimand, Mr. Norton doubles down on his racist incitement by daring to compare the attack and brutalisation of vendors at Mon Repos Market which he orchestrated and defended, with the removal of vendors encumbering the entrance to the country’s premier public health facil-

- PPP/C says

ity - a situation which puts lives at risk,” the PPP said.

As though Guyanese have short memories, Norton accused the PPP/C government of politicising the Guyana Police Force, the party said adding that “perhaps he is oblivious to the numerous revelations coming out at the Commission of Inquiry of his party’s shameless use of police ranks during their attempt to subvert the will of the electorate during the 2020 General and Regional Elections, but rest assured Guyanese are not.”

The statement said that the PPP unequivocally con-

demns the vile, obnoxious, and religiously offensive tirade by Mayor Narine and the racist, obstructionist campaign by the Aubrey Norton-led APNU+AFC.

“The party further calls on Civil Society and other national stakeholders, as well as all patriotic Guyanese at home and abroad to condemn Mr. Aubrey Norton and members of his cabal, on this most vexing and worrying matter, and the subtle as well as overt messages of obstruction, religious and ethnic division,” the statement said.

Editor - Navendra Seoraj

‘Teachers will not be left out’

THE Government of Guyana is progressively working to address the concerns of all categories of workers and teachers will soon receive salary increases, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said on Wednesday.

“We are working on a progressive plan to improve the overall welfare of every citizen. The welfare is not only a matter of salary. While we understand the importance of salaries, it’s [the] quality of life, quality of your healthcare, quality of your infrastructure, the cost of their water, the quality of their water,” he told reporters, while speaking

on the sidelines of an event.

While the president did not reveal a timeline for the increase, he noted that the government is working to address several anomalies citing health workers and nurses who were working for GY$98,000 and would from next month be earning GY$160,000.

“Everything is done in a very holistic way. We have to understand the functionalities of the economy and every category of workers will be addressed,” he said adding: “We are starting from critical areas where there are great anomalies. That is how we have start-

ed and we are progressing well.”

He stressed that the time for teachers will come.

“I value the work of the teachers tremendously, teachers are an important asset to our country, and my own parents were teachers so no one has to tell me the value of teachers,” he added.

Earlier this week the President announced that the revision to the salary scale of health workers will see over 5,000 persons benefitting from a disposable income by over $1.5 billion annually.

Additionally, ranks of

Ministers say Mayor Narine ‘unfit’ for office

SEVERAL ministers have said that the recent comments and actions of Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, have sullied his office and can easily be associated with his poor management of the city.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, said, in a press statement, on Tuesday, that Mayor Narine’s antics and public expressions were totally uncalled for and could have been resolved in a more dignified manner.

“The mayor … has completely disregarded his Oath of Office and has forgotten that the call to service is one that collectively and individually requires upholding the Oath of Office, and, more importantly, understanding the development shift and the development priorities. First, to the municipalities and town councils, and, importantly also, to the macro development agenda of the Government,”

he said before adding that the statements made by the mayor about President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, are outrageous, egregious and warrant legal interventions from the relevant authorities.

According to Minister Benn, Mayor Ubraj’s remarks were driven with “envy, malice, and religious and racial hatred.”

In calling for the mayor’s resignation or removal, he pointed out that his behaviour explains why the city is in its current deplorable state.

“It is my view that the actions and words of the mayor go a long way in explaining the deplorable state of the city of Georgetown, it’s critical public spaces and even the condition of City Hall and the services provided to citizens and visitors,” he said.

He called on citizens to publicly disassociate themselves from the hurtful words and actions of the mayor, which “could only have been

intended to promote racial and religious disharmony, the continuation of the illegal occupation of spaces in the city, and the violence which it promotes.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, in her statement, emphasised that President Ali being a man of faith bodes well for Guyana.

She said that telling lies, spreading untruths and nurturing mischief have long been the modus operandi of the People’s National Congress and all of its aliases over the years.

“Having despicably overplayed the race card, the heavily disgraced APNU+AFC has now descended to a new and untouched level of low. Whilst we can all agree that Guyana has a history of racial tensions, we have always been able to pride ourselves on being a nation that can genuinely be described as the epitome of religious harmony – accepting and appreciative of all reli -

More trouble in PNC camp

THE People’s National Congress/Reform’s (PNC/R)’s national treasurer, Faaiz Mursaline, has announced that he’ll be stepping down from the position.

In a short post on his Facebook page, Mursaline said: “Comrades all, after one year of serving on team Norton’s leadership, on the 23rd December 2022, I will discharge my last and final duties as

National treasurer of the P.N.C.R.”

He said a formal letter will be prepared and sent to the party leader’s office.

His announcement follows the resignation of the party’s General Secretary, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, and serves as a clear indication that there is increasing trouble in the PNC’s camp.

gions, faiths and spiritualties, and even the lack thereof,” she said.

She added that President Ali has successfully started dismantling the racial strain that our country has faced for decades and APNU+AFC is clearly running out of criticisms.

“They have resorted to stooping to what I believe, is their lowest yet, by attacking the religious harmony and freedom that Guyana is well-known for. The revolting utterances of Pandit Ubraj Narine, Mayor of Georgetown is nothing short of wicked and vile. As a man who purports to be of faith, Narine seems to habour much hate and resentment in his heart, perhaps too weak to separate his political bitterness from the noble practices of Hinduism,” she said.

Describing herself as a “proud” Hindu, Minister Parag said that she stands firmly in support of President Ali, and believed wholeheartedly that his dedication and efforts over the past two years are enough to dispel any of the baseless and abhorrent accusations that have been levied against him.

“On the contrary, the mayor continues to blatantly fail the people of Georgetown. In the years that he has been

at the helm of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Narine has done absolutely nothing to lend to the development of Georgetown. It was President Ali who had extended a hand of partnership to Mayor Narine in an effort to effectively serve the people of the capital city. Eventually, the Government was forced to bypass Narine’s gross incompetence to execute extensive road and drainage works to bring quick relief to citizens of the city, particularly in areas that were heavily neglected, even though they were considered to be APNU+AFC strongholds,” she pointed out.

She said she is therefore appalled that Mayor Narine would be brazen enough to cast stones at a President that has done so much for our country and in such a short period of time.

“I am certain that Guyana and all Guyanese are better off being led by a President who is God-fearing, as opposed to the APNU+AFC alternative who is conscienceless and lacks basic decency, let alone integrity. Moreover, the mayor’s attempt at an apology is pathetic and should perhaps be revised to at least give the illusion of sincerity,” she added.

Minister within the Min-

istry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, denounced the mayor’s comments on social media and called for his immediate resignation.

“You know, I thought that I heard just about some of the worst things come out from the mouths of people in the opposition. But it gets more and more disgusting every time any of them speak… It is our government that is building a ‘One Guyana’. It is our government that talks about unity. It is President Ali who talks about love and talks about uniting this country, and not only talks about it, but he also does it,” she said.

Minister Rodrigues emphasised that she was “disgusted” when she listened to Narine’s comments and called on Guyanese to condemn his utterances.

“I condemn this in the strongest terms. This mayor is unfit. This mayor should not be in a position. He should be removed, he should resign. Guyanese of all walks of life, religious communities, every single Guyanese should come out and speak out against this and condemn it because it is wrong what he said,” Minister Rodrigues added.

Flashback: Teacher Joycelyn Joseph, during a lesson with her nursery children during the COVID-19 era (Delano Williams photo)

- gov’t working around anomalies to give educators salary increases, President Ali says

Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

- his ‘distasteful’ behaviour a reflection of how he runs the city

the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Defence Force will also benefit from a $1 billion annualised increase to their salaries.

Faaiz Mursaline

Mayor Narine, Sherod Duncan on $100,000 station bail for racial remarks, obstruction

to attend court today

GEORGETOWN Mayor, Ubraj Narine and Opposition Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan were, on Wednesday, arrested and placed on $100,000 station bail for allegedly obstructing traffic and attempting to incite racial and ethnic disunity in Guyana.

According to a statement issued by the police, based on an investigation, a file was submitted for legal advice indicating that Mayor Narine and MP Duncan be jointly charged with obstructing traffic in relation to them laying beneath a motor lorry on New Market Street.

It was recommended that Mayor Narine be charged with the offense of obstruct-

ing traffic, in relation to placing a wooden pallet on New Market Street.

Further, it was recommended that Mayor Narine and MP Duncan be jointly charged with the offense of using a computer system to attempt to excite ethnic divisions on the ground of race and with the offense of attempting to excite hostility or ill will on the ground of race.

The charges stemmed from a standoff between police and vendors outside the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday night. They were given a final notice to remove their stalls and other encumbrances from the roadway which they

refused to heed.

Guyana Chronicle understands that the two will make a court appearance today.

On Wednesday, police ranks turned up at City Hall to arrest the duo and were blocked by a large crowd which included female vendors. One woman used her body to block the staircase while repeatedly saying that the mayor should be allowed to remain in his office to do his work.

It was later agreed that both Duncan and the mayor would go to the nearby Brickdam Police Station. However, several women stood in front of the officers and insisted that they were not going to allow

them to transport the men by vehicle.

Mayor Narine, Duncan, party members and the police surrounded by the large crowd proceeded to the police station on foot. Dozens stood outside the station for almost an hour until the mayor and Duncan emerged.

Late Monday night, Narine made his “reckless” comments while also influencing efforts to obstruct the removal of carts, stalls, and other encumbrances belonging to the vendors.

The mayor, who is a practicing Hindu Pandit, baselessly accused President, Dr. Irfaan Ali of attempting to cause a “religious fight” and attempting to create a “Muslim state,” among other things.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., during his “Issues in the News” programme, which was streamed on Tuesday night, on Facebook, condemned the mayor’s remarks.

“First of all, these are baseless allegations. The attack on the president and the attack on the Government of Guyana were complete without factual foundation and they were wholly unwarranted.

“These are dangerous. These are highly antagonistic statements to make. These are sacrilegious statements. They are divisive statements, and they are statements that will only excite racial hostilities and

religious animosities in our country. They must therefore be rejected and those who make them must be condemned…” he said during his programme.

The AG stressed that Guyana is a multi-religious and multi-cultural society where citizens live in harmony with their freedom of expression, which is guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.

“We have religious tolerance of a commendable degree in this country. We may have had racial problems which are exacerbated by politicians, but we have never had religious bigotry and what the mayor is doing is stoking religious strife and we will not tolerate that,” Nandlall added.

AG Nandlall pointed out that the mayor’s remarks amount to racial and ethnic discrimination and are therefore considered a criminal offense.

“We condemn it and, hopefully, the police will look at the file, carry out investigations, seek relevant legal advice, and be guided and advised accordingly. This is not the type of behaviour, this is not the type of utterances, this is not the type of reckless publications which we are prepared to tolerate.

“In a democratic society like ours, it is my duty as attorney general to condemn such hate speeches in the strongest possible terms. They have no place in a democratic, multi-

cultural, multi-religious society, and they have no place in the united and cohesive Guyana which we are seeking to build as a government and as a people,” Nandlall said.

Following Mayor Narine’s utterances, several concerned citizens who were protesting in front of City Hall called for the mayor’s resignation.

President Dr. Ifraan Ali, his ministers, and the religious and business community have strongly condemned the mayor’s attempts to promote racial, and religious hostility among citizens.

“I have zero tolerance for race baiters and religious baiters in this country. They must be called out and shamed. The time for this nonsense has come to an end and we must start from here,” President Ali said during his address at the Police Commissioner’s Christmas Breakfast, on Tuesday.

“We must not allow these irrelevant misfits in a modern society to have their way. And I’m very careful in my definition of them… they are misfits. Anyone who tolerates disorder and baits people using racism or religious affiliation are misfits in a modern society. And I didn’t say so, go back to every single religious text and it will tell you that they are misfits,” President Ali said.

Mayor Ubraj Narine being escorted to the police station, Sherod Duncan is pictured in the background

DPP discontinues attorney’s private criminal charges against SOCU officers

fraud.

Her cell phone was also taken away by the officers.

SOCU agents, Superintendent Krishnadat Ramana, Sergeant Navranda Persaud and Sergeant Winston Singh had charges instituted against them by Clarke’s attorney, Nigel Hughes.

provide her reasons for the discontinuance of the two charges.

THE private criminal charges which were brought against three ranks of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) by Attorneyat-law Tamieka Clarke were, on Wednesday, discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar

Ali-Hack.

On October 28, the former State Prosecutor said she was detained for over an hour by the SOCU officers for “obstructing the course of justice” because she told her client of his right to remain silent. Her client was under investigation for computer-related

On December 12, 2022, the DPP, by way of a letter to City Magistrate Annette Singh, who presided over the case, said that the matters were being discontinued.

“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, I hereby discontinue the charges in the above matters,”

She then proceeded to

“I have read the statement of Tamieka Clarke. It was included in the file in relation to the investigations done by the police. I also received a copy from Attorney-at-law, Mr. Nigel Hughes. I have considered it and found that the issues of Wrongful Arrest and False Imprisonment arise. These are issues of Tort and Constitutional breaches which are civil action,” the letter read.

Clarke has also commenced legal proceedings against the State seeking over $300,000 for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and breach of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Clarke is seeking several reliefs from the High

Court along with damages. Her legal team is arguing that her fundamental right to personal liberty was breached when SOCU arrested her for executing her job as an attorney.

Additionally, Clarke is asking the court to declare that SOCU’s seizure of her cell phone was unlawful.

The DPP noted that the issues raised by Clarke in her criminal charges will be addressed in the civil action.

Additionally, the DPP stressed that the allegations made against the three officers, who are all serving members of the Guyana Police Force, were for acts done in the course of their duties.

As such the three SOCU officers are protected by virtue of Section 14 of the Justice Protec-

tion Act Chapter 5:07. Further, they are charged under the Kidnapping Act Chapter 10:05. The intent and purpose of the Act are to provide for the punishment for the offences of abduction, wrongful restraint and confinement for ransom and other related offences and for matters incidental thereto.

“It is my considered opinion that the facts alleged by Tamieka Clarke at their highest, do not fall within the scope, purport and intendment of the Kidnapping Act; therefore, the charges filed under this Act is an abuse of process,” the release said.

In those circumstances, the DPP decided that she should discontinue the two private criminal charges filed by Clarke

Application, payment for tint permits online in 2023

The Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Guyana Police Force (GPF), is considering transitioning the application and payment for vehicle tint permits to an online portal in the New Year.

This effort follows the ministry’s recent collaboration with GTT’s Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) for payment facilities at the General Registers Office (GRO) and immigration services.

Subject Minister Robeson Benn, in an invited comment, told the DPI that the

GPF should be commended for taking the lead in implementing the services since, “tinting is a tedious job now in the way it is being administered”.

He said the new process, which the ministry hopes can become a reality in the new year, will reduce the inconvenience police officers face when dealing with drivers who either have too much tint or have tinted vehicles without permits.

“This inconsistency creates unwanted confrontation that is not needed and we

want to take away all of that” the home affairs minister noted.

He said the MMG payment portal would reduce the burden sometimes caused by the application process.

“What we are going to establish with MMG and our people [home affairs ministry] is to establish a way for people to put in their application online, verifying that application, having the payment being made for the application, and with a reduction in paper and [with the] verification of payment,

and the approval, which will then be forwarded to the police and the applicant, this [process] will also identify the period for which the tint permit is valid for [when approved]”, the minister said.

He added that, “The verification process tends to cause unnecessary delays because applicants fail to submit all the relevant information and, in many cases, submit incorrect information.”

The Motor Vehicle Traffic Act permits 35 per cent light penetration into the

GDF ousts Mayor Narine from National Reserve

OWING to conduct “unbecoming of a soldier,” former Staff Sergeant, Ubraj Narine, who is also the Mayor of Georgetown, was disembodied from the Guyana National Reserve of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), with effect from Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

According to a release from the GDF, Narine,

on Monday, was engaged in a civil protest action during which he uttered words that are considered to have promoted racial and religious intolerance, as well as political dissonance.

“Several disparaging comments were made against the Commander in Chief and his government. As a member of the Guyana Defence Force,

albeit Regular or Reserve, Mr Narine is required to conduct himself in a manner that uphold the professional image and integrity of the Force,” the GDF said.

It added: “Members of the army are required to adhere to the policies, regulations and protocols of the Force; the values and standards of the Guyana Defence Force are

examples of such. These require, among others, adherence to core values such as discipline, integrity and loyalty.”

Similarly, according to the GDF, it requires members of the Force to adhere to core standards such as responsibility, respect for the law, respect for others, correct conduct and appropriate social behaviour.

vehicle, which a tintometer can measure.

This permissible percentage of tint complies with the law, which requires that a person looking from outside must be able to recognise all individuals in the vehicle

without difficulty.

If a vehicle fails the required level or the light penetration, the certifying officer can revoke the tint permit, which could lead to the prosecution of the driver. (DPI)

Attorney-at-Law, Tamieka Clarke

over utterances that promote racial, religious intolerance, political dissonance

Gainful part-time employment for 200 Mahdia youths

AS part of the government’s drive to create employment opportunities across Guyana, 200 youths from the Mahdia Township in Region Eight are set to be gainfully employed under the part-time jobs initiative.

The initiative was conceptualised by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo to provide eco-

nomic relief to citizens. The programme was launched in the coastal regions and has expanded to hinterland communities.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, during a recent interview on Radio Mahdia said, “I would want to make an appeal to the young people, to the unemployed, that this would be an opportunity that would be open to you. We have on the ground, been encouraging those unemployed residents to consider taking up the opportunity.”

Minister Sukhai disclosed that application forms could be uplifted at the Mahdia Community Service Officers’ office.

“When we have a full complement, I believe we will be having a launch of it,” the minister related.

Successful applicants will be attached to government agencies within the region and will work for 10 days per month with a salary of $40,000.

Apart from the parttime jobs initiative, 2,500 hinterland youths and residents are ben -

efitting from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) which was discontinued by the APNU+AFC administration.

Upon assumption to office in August, the government reinstated the programme providing an avenue for employment of residents and youths in the hinterland region.

It is in keeping with government’s manifesto of providing 50,000 jobs in the first five years in government.

(DPI)

Man confesses to killing, stuffing wife’s body in barrel

SURAJ Verasammy, also called “Radesh”, on Wednesday, confessed to the brutal killing of his reputed wife, whose lifeless body was found in a barrel that was floating in a trench at Belvedere, East Berbice, Corentyne.

Verasammy, of Hampshire Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the Berbice High Court for the capital offence of murder.

However, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, which read that he murdered his reputed wife, 24-year-old Deveika Narinedatt, called “Vanessa” on April 9, 2020.

The state’s case was presented by prosecutor Nafeeza Baig.

The matter has been adjourned until next month for the presentation of a probation report and sentencing.

According to investigators, on April 9, 2020, Verasammy and his reputed wife were having a heated argument during which the young woman expressed her desire to leave the relationship.

This caused Verasammy to have suicidal thoughts, but, after Narinedatt continued the argument, he, allegedly struck the woman to the head, knocking her unconscious. He continued to inflict blows to her face and the back of her head.

He then took a bed sheet and hung her in the house they shared at Hampshire, East Berbice, Corentyne.

He left the woman hanging for several hours then took one of two blue barrels in the yard and stuffed

Suraj Verasammy and Deveika Narinedatt

her remains into it. He then rolled the barrel out of the yard into a nearby trench.

On April 11, 2020, the body of Narinedatt was discovered partially submerged in a small trench at R & S Street in Belvedere, East Berbice, Corentyne, after it began to smell.

A neighbour, who went to investigate, noticed a foot dangling from the barrel and he raised an alarm. The police were summoned.

The next day, Verasammy was found hiding under the Canje Bridge, at the Dharam Shala, where he took shelter.

Cause of death was given as asphyxiation due to compound neck injuries and blunt force trauma to the back of the head.

The couple had moved into the area about five months prior to the murder and neighbours noted that they had frequent arguments.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai

Over 700 children receive gifts at A&S Complex Christmas Tree light-up

THE Annual Christmas tree light-up at A&S complex, in Charity, Essequibo, returned in full force after a lull due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hundreds of Guyanese came out to the Charity waterfront for what has become an annual tradition in that community.

This year’s turnout was so large that the complex managers were caught off guard.

Haimwan Beharry, Operations Manager of A&S complex explained, “We had to bring out more toys since we had only catered for 400 children”.

He added that this was the largest crowd they had ever had.

Every year, children in the area are treated to gifts, sweets, carols and a Santa parade. This year, more than 700 children turned up for the event.

Several parents from the riverain communities in Pomeroon said they are thankful to the proprietor, Alfro Alphonso, for giving the toys to the children. The

-

Man freed of father-in-law’s murder

ZAHEER Hossain called ‘Fine Man,’ who was on trial for the 2020 murder of his father-in-law, was, on Wednesday, acquitted of the crime by a 12-member jury.

Hossain was on trial before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall at the Demerara High Court.

He had pleaded not guilty to the indictment which read that, on June 25, 2020, at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he murdered 54-year-old Alexi Gomes.

He was represented by attorneys-at-law Jevon Cox and Dexter Smartt. Prosecutors Taneisha Saygon, Muntaz Ali and Simran Gajraj were on record for the State.

After deliberating for almost two hours, the jury found Hossain not guilty.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Gomes lived with his wife and grandson in the United States. Hossain shared a relationship with Gomes’ daughter and is the father of the child.

In March 2020, Gomes travelled to Guyana with his four-year-old grandson but was stuck here due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

According to reports, on June 21, 2020, there was an

altercation between Hossain and Gomes at Lot 6 Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, over the child.

It is alleged that Hossain armed himself with a piece of wood and lashed Gomes several times.

Th e injured man was

rushed to a private hospital and died while receiving treatment on June 25, 2020.

According to a postmortem report, Gomes died from internal bleeding and blunt trauma to the head.

Alphonso group of companies, including A&S Com

plex , sponsors the annual event.

FREED: Zaheer Hossain called ‘Fine Man’

DEAD: Alexi Gomes

The Christmas Tree and the crowd at A&S complex in Charity Essequibo

Williamson steps down as New Zealand Test captain

..Tim Southee named as replacement

Kane Williamson has stepped down as New Zealand Test captain, with Tim Southee named

as his replacement.

Williamson, 32, will remain as captain for the one-day international and

Twenty20 sides.

The batter was appointed Test skipper in 2016 when he replaced

Antetokounmpo leads Bucks to win over Warriors

GIANNIS Antetokounmpo

scored 30 points as Milwaukee Bucks beat Golden State Warriors 128-111 in a testy match between the NBA's last two champions.

The Warriors beat the league-leading Boston Celtics on Tuesday but this was their 12th loss in 14 away games.

Coach Steve Kerr earned a technical foul for his furious reaction after Stephen Curry appeared to be caught on the head as he made a three-point shot.

"I felt like we were on the bad end of things to start the game," he said.

"That needs to be called."

The Warriors were 14 points down early in the second quarter but briefly threatened to reel in the Bucks - whom they succeeded as NBA champions in June - as they closed to within six.

But the hosts proved too strong and Kerr pulled his

France

French solidity and coach Deschamps will be hardpushed make a change in that crucial defensive position on Sunday.

And of course, the narrative of Mbappe against Messi will come to a climax on Sunday as France try to repeat their 2018 triumph in Moscow when they beat Croatia in the final.

The under-stated Deschamp has put together a France team spearheaded by the brilliant Mbappe and they rode their luck at times.

France, however, are in another World Cup final and the 54-year-old Deschamps, who captained them when they claimed the crown on home soil in 1998, now has the chance to make history by winning the tournament twice as a coach.

MOROCCO'S NIGHT OF PRIDE

Morocco's players and coaching staff were giving a

starters out of the game in the final stages in order to prepare for their trip to Indianapolis Pacers yesterday.

Elsewhere Celtics got back on track with a 122-118 overtime win at long-time rivals Los Angeles Lakers.

Jayson Tatum scored 44 points for the visitors, who improved their NBA-leading record to 22 wins and seven defeats this season.

Anthony Davis scored 37 points with 12 rebounds and LeBron James added 33 points with nine rebounds

and nine assists but Lakers lost for the fourth time in their last five games.

The Lakers, who are 12th in the Western Conference, were subjected to stinging criticism from NBA great Charles Barkley.

"The Lakers stink," he told TNT. "We have to talk about the Lakers, but the Lakers are awful.

"We don't talk about any other 12th seeds. In the East, we don't talk about Washington Wizards, do we?" (BBC Sport)

current England coach Brendon McCullum, and has won 22 of his 40 Tests in charge.

"Captaining the Black Caps in Test cricket has been an incredibly special honour," Williamson said. "Captaincy comes with an increased workload on and off the field and at this stage of my career I feel the time is right for this decision."

Williamson led New Zealand to the World Cup final in 2019 and the T20 World Cup final in 2021, which they lost to England and Australia.

His side were then crowned World Test Champions as they beat India at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton in 2021.

Currently ranked number six in the World Test batting rankings, Williamson scored 3,331 runs as captain at an average of 57.43 - the highest of any New Zealand captain.

Fast bowler Southee, 34, has represented the Black Caps on 346 occasions and has led the T20 side 22 times.

He will become New Zealand's 31st Test captain when they begin their tour

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday December 15, 2022)

of Pakistan on Boxing Day, which consists of two Tests, three ODIs and five T20s.

"It's been a surreal few days and it's just a massive honour to be appointed as Test captain," said Southee.

"I love Test cricket, it's the ultimate challenge and I'm really excited by the opportunity to lead the team in this format."(BBC Sport)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Lance Gibbs (Adelaide, 1960-61)

(2) Merv Hughes (Perth, 1988-89)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What was the result of the second Test of the recent WI/AUST series?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match?

huge and prolonged ovation from their supporters, who have been a real highlight of this World Cup, when they went towards them to take the acclaim after the final whistle.

And it was completely deserved after yet another performance of talent and character which showed exactly why they have been such a glorious surprise package at this World Cup.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui could have been forgiven for feeling the fates were against them after losing crucial players before and shortly after kick-off, as well as going behind.

NOT A BIT OF IT

Inspired by the magnificent Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco redoubled their efforts and were so close to restoring parity when El Yamiq's effort was kept out by a combination of the post and Lloris.

Morocco also had a clear

penalty appeal waved aside in the first half when goalscorer Hernandez flattened Sofiane Boufal in the area. Not only was the spot-kick not given but Boufal was mystifyingly shown a yellow card.

Still Morocco pushed after the break but they wasted opportunities with a reluctance to shoot, a failing that left them vulnerable to a second France goal, which duly came.

Morocco may have finally been beaten but what a ride this has been for the World Cup and for African football as they beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal - three of the global game's elite - on the way to the last four.

This is a wonderful platform to build on and Morocco have given their fans World Cup memories they will treasure for ever after this campaign in Qatar. (BBC Sport)

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

hrs Total Commitment 13:05 hrs Politics

Chelmsford City 13:30 hrs Tagabawa

14:00 hrs Kileummin

14:30 hrs Kingsley Pride

15:00 hrs Tarbaan

15:30 hrs Mountain Road

16:00 hrs Revolutionise

16:30 hrs Brains

Warriors coach Steve Kerr came close to being ejected as he continued his protests over a possible foul on Stephen Curry

Tim Southee (right) will replace Kane Williamson as Test captain on their upcoming tour of Pakistan

First Test in Chittagong

Bangladesh start brightly but India recover

(REUTERS) - India's Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer combined in a 149-run stand for the fifth wicket to help the tourists overcome a top-order wobble and reach 278-6 against Bangladesh on the opening day of the first Test in Chittagong.

Iyer finished day one on 82, a fine knock that included 10 fours, at stumps, having lost Axar Patel to the last delivery of the day from spinner Mehidy Hasan.

Earlier, India's decision to bat backfired and they slumped to 48-3 in the morning session with stand-in skipper KL Rahul and stalwart Virat Kohli among the

dismissed batters.

Pujara, who made 90, and Iyer joined hands to prop up India, aided by the reprieves they got. Pujara was dropped

on 12 by Bangladesh wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, who also spilled an edge when Iyer attempted a cut shot against Shakib Al Hasan.

Leading the side in the absence of India's injured skipper Rohit Sharma, Rahul won the toss and elected to bat and Bangladesh drew first blood inside the first hour, thanks to Yasir Ali's excellent anticipation.

With no fielder behind the square, Shubman Gill (20) attempted a paddle sweep against left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (3-84) only to scoop the ball behind him. Yasir, standing at first slip and watching Gill shape up to play the shot, had enough

time to run across to leg slip and take the catch.

Bangladesh did not have to wait long for a second wicket. Rahul made 22 before dragging an Ebadot Hussain delivery onto his leg stump, trying to hit the seamer through the off-side.

India slumped to 48-3 when Taijul returned to remove Kohli lbw for one.

Kohli, trying to work the ball to the leg side, was beaten by turn and wasted a review in his unsuccessful bid to overturn the decision.

Next man in, Rishabh Pant, threw caution to the wind and counter-attacked to lift the pressure.

The left-hander stepped

out to hit Taijul over long-on boundary for a six to signal his intention and scored at a run-a-ball rate.

Taijul had his revenge in the second session when Pant, after clobbering the spinner's previous delivery for a six, dragged a ball onto

his stumps to depart for 46. Pujara and Iyer ensured India did not lose another wicket in the second session and led their recovery with their risk-free accumulation of runs, before Axar fell in the final over to leave the Test evenly poised.

Lokesh

3-48, 4-112, 5-261, 6-278.

Bowling: Ebadot Hossain 17-1-63-3 (nb-2), Khaled Ahmed 12-2-26-1, Shakib Al Hasan 12-4-26-0, Taijul Islam 30-8-84-3, Mehidy Hasan 184-71-2.

Perry, Harris, bowlers help Australia go 2-1 up

ELLYSE Perry's 47-ball 75, Grace Harris's quickfire 41 off 18 and a disciplined performance with the ball helped Australia go 2-1 up in the five-match series with a 21-run win in the third T20I against India at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai yesterday.

Australia posted 172 for eight and India ended up with 151 for seven despite a 41-ball 52 by Shafali Verma.

Although Smriti Mandhana struggled to get going at the start of the chase and was eventually dismissed by Darcie Brown for one, off 10, Shafali and Jemimah Rodrigues struck regular boundaries to ensure India did not fall behind during the powerplay. Rodrigues, however, fell to Brown after striking three fours off Annabel Sutherland.

Shafali increased her

pace of scoring after the first six overs, striking a six off Alana King followed by three fours in a Nicola Carey over. Gardner was also hit for a six by Shafali while Harmanpreet Kaur was reprieved by a missed stumping in a King over as India moved to 79/2 at the halfway stage of their innings.

Harmanpreet made the most of the missed chance by striking two fours in the next

Flintoff airlifted to hospital after car crash during filming

"Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morningwith crew medics attending the scene immediately," the BBC said in a statement.

"He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course."

"Filming has been postponed for now and all anyone cares about is Freddie recovering."

Flintoff's co-star Chris Harris, who presents the show along with Paddy McGuiness, was also present at the test track.

King over, while Shafali also chipped in with a boundary. Australia hit back with

of Harmanpreet in the 17th over when the Indian skipper mistimed a slog sweep.

as she handed a catch to cover to depart for 30 off 22.

Vaidya also had Ashleigh

ANDREW Flintoff, the former England all-rounder, has been airlifted to hospital following a car crash during the filming of an episode of the BBC show, Top Gear.

The accident occurred on Monday, when Flintoff, 45, was filming in icy conditions

Flintoff's injuries are "not life-threatening", according to The Sun, which added that he had been "driving on the track as normal" and was not going at high speeds.

"All the usual health and safety measures were in place for filming too," a source told The Sun. "Freddie was taken to hospital by air ambulance shortly afterwards.

In 2019, Flintoff survived a 125mph crash during the filming of another episode of Top Gear, declaring himself "absolutely fine" as he walked away from the accident.

He said at the time: "I go to great lengths to make sure I do well in Top Gear drag races but, on this occasion, I went a few lengths too far. It will look more ridiculous than dangerous when you see it on TV."

(Cricinfo)

Ellyse Perry scored a 47-ball 75

quick wickets as Carey had Shafali caught at deep mid-wicket while Gardner picked up the wickets of Devika Vaidya and Richa Ghosh in the same over. Harmanpreet, meanwhile, was dropped at long-off and the ball travelled to the boundary, bringing down the equation to 51 off the last four overs.

India, however, ended up well short of the target as Australia kept the hosts in check, with Schutt bagging the important wicket

Earlier, Perry was the backbone of Australia's batting effort after the visitors were asked to bat. Perry, the No.4 batter, came in as early as the second over as Renuka Singh and Anjali Sarvani bagged the wickets of Alyssa Healy and McGrath respectively. Australia were 5-2 at that stage and Perry and Beth Mooney staged the recovery through a 64-run partnership.

Mooney, who was looking good to register her fourth successive fifty against India, fell to Vaidya's lack of pace

Gardner out stumped but Perry wasn't deterred by the quick wickets as she continued positively, bringing up a 33-ball fifty and later struck a four and a six off successive deliveries from Radha Yadav.

Perry found an able ally in Harris who struck sixes off Sarvani and Rajeshwari Gayakwad to get going. They put on a brisk half-century stand before Sarvani ended Perry's stay in the 17th over when the batter fell to a miscued sweep. (Cricbuzz)

at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.

Shreyas Iyer was a positive presence at the crease reaching an unbeaten 89 at the close (AFP/Getty Images)

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff joined Top Gear as a host in 2019

Three more junior cricketers benefit from Project ‘Cricket Gear’

GOPAUL Ramchand, Udesh Jaikarran and Munesh Outar, three Under-15 players of East Coast, Demerara-based cricket clubs, were the latest young players to benefit from the ‘Cricket Gear for young and promising players’, a joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry, former Berbice left-handed all-rounder.

The youngsters are currently participating in the Demerara Cricket Board Under-15 Inter-Sub Association Championship which will be used to select the County team to participate in the 2023 Inter-County Tourna-

ment.

The tournament was halted due to the consistent heavy rainfall. The three recipients received one cricket bat, three pairs of batting gloves, three pairs of cricket shoes and one white cricket shirt. Ramchand is a wicketkeeper/batter, Jaikarran a seam-bowling all-rounder and Outar an opener/rightarm off-spinner. They are all attending secondary schools.

At a simple ceremony, held recently, the three youngsters expressed their gratitude for the gear and promised to continue to work hard to further improve. The project is happy to be part of the development of young

and talented cricketers in Guyana.

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $290 000 in cash, two trophies, 12 cricket boots, 20 pairs of batting pads, 25 bats, 17 pairs of batting gloves, 20 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pad, three arm guards, two boxes, six cricket bags and three helmets. In addition to the above, $600 000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicketkeeper/batter.

To date, 47 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from three junior gear bags, two trophies, three arm guards, 18 bats, two boxes,

three helmets, 16 pairs of cricket shoes, 10 pairs of batting pads, one thigh pad, one bat rubber and 15 pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area collected two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC received two boxes, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the Town of Lethem also benefited.

Cricket-related items,

used or new are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important char-

acteristics of the recipients.

Talent-spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist in identifying the recipients.

Messi says World Cup final will be last career game

ARGENTINA captain Lionel Messi says Sunday's final will be the last World Cup game of his career.

The 35-year-old forward scored his fifth goal

"Everything I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina.

"There are a lot of years from this year to

Mexico.

Messi has won the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the world's best player - a record seven times and been named FIFA Best Men's Player once.

Other honours include four Champions Leagues, 11 top-flight titles and Copa America glory with Argentina in 2021.

The World Cup is the one glaring omission, Argentina having lost to Germany in the 2014 final in Brazil.

“We are going to do our best, as we have done up until now, so that this time it really happenswe really win it," said Messi, who retired from international duty in June 2016 before reversing his decision two months later.

doing. They shouldn't doubt we are giving absolutely everything."

Messi, who plays for French giants Paris St-Germain, is one of only six men to have appeared in five World Cups, along with German Lothar Mat-

thaus, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Antonio Carbajal, Andres Guardado and Rafael Marquez of Mexico.

Currently leading the Golden Boot race in Qatar alongside France's Kylian Mbappe, Messi became

the first Argentina player to score in four World Cups and also became their record World Cup scorer with 11 goals.

He made his Argentina debut at the age of 18 in 2005 and has scored 97 goals in 172 games.

Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun hits century on first-class debut

ARJUN Tendulkar, the son of Indian great Sachin, hit a century on his first-class debut. The 23-year-old scored 120 from 207 deliveries for Goa against Rajasthan.

of Qatar 2022 and helped set up two others in Tuesday's 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.

Playing in his fifth World Cup, Messi has never won the game's biggest prize.

"I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying," he said.

the next one. I don't think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant."

Argentina will play France, who beat Morocco yesterday, at 19:00hrs GMT, in the final, when Messi is set to make a record 26th appearance in a men's World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and

"I have been enjoying it the past few years, being with the national side. I am really enjoying everything that is happening to us.

"To get the Copa America, to reach the World Cup with 36 games unbeaten, and to finish all that trajectory in a final is just incredible.

"I hope the people in Argentina enjoy themselves and what we are

Tendulkar junior is primarily a bowler and was batting at seven, but he struck three figures to help Goa reach 493 for eight in the Ranji Trophy.

His father is the most prolific run-scorer in the history of international cricket and scored a century on his own senior debut aged 15 in 1988.

Arjun emulated his dad's debut century 34 years later as he smashed 16 fours and two sixes on day two at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim. His ton came off 177 balls.

The left-hander scored

his century in the same competition in which Sachin scored his first three-figure score, for Mumbai against Gujarat.

Tendulkar senior retired in 2013 with exactly 100 international centuries - 51 in Test cricket and 49 in ODIs.

Arjun

yet to play a game

He moved to Goa this season in search

has played for India Under-19s and signed for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but has

for the franchise.

of regular cricket.

The three junior cricketers pose with their gear

Arjun Tendulkar struck 107 from 207 deliveries for his team Goa

Lionel Messi confirmed that the Qatar 2022 final will be his last World Cup game for Argentina

GFF boss visits Suriname team ahead of today’s opener

GUYANA Football Federation (GFF) president, Wayne Forde, yesterday morning took some time from his busy schedule to pay a visit to the SVB Academy football team, who are being housed at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) dorms, ahead of the KFC Goodwill International Tournament.

Forde and Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca, were well received by the Surinamese team who arrived in Guyana last Sunday.

“This is the first time that an international team is staying at the National Training Centre,” Forde revealed to the Surinamese

team yesterday morning.

“Over the years, there’s been a really, really warm relationship between GFF and Suriname’s Association. We have a really good relationship, but we, however, suspend that relationship for 90 minutes,” Forde added, which was received with laughter from the SVB players.

In his bid to make the team feel welcome and to keep them in the loop about the path their presence in Guyana will pave for future tournaments going forward. the GFF president shared a bit of his vision for the format established by Petra Organisation.

“There's a shared vi -

sion between GFF and Petra Organisation, that Troy represents, to be able to host a National School Championship in Guyana and we will be pursuing that aggressively in the next year or so. So, very likely the model will turn out to be one where once we have commitment from a few more countries, like Suriname, Trinidad, Jamaica, the hosting of this can move around.”

“It makes sense if we're able to have the players experience the different environments,” the GFF Boss further stated.

As such, Forde articulated his expectation for the tournament, which is

set to commence at the NTC, Providence today, December 15.

He explained, “We expect to see some good

football, I will come out and try to enjoy a couple of games. Play hard, play well, take care of yourself and we hope that

when you leave here, you don’t only leave with good experiences on the pitch, but you make some good friends.”

FIFA to re-think 2026 format, to face spoiling winning recipe

next year.

They are, according to FIFA’s head of global football development, Arsene Wenger, 12 groups of four teams, with the best third-placed teams advancing with the top two, or another option to split the World Cup into two separate halves of 24, each featuring six groups of four teams. The winner of each half would meet

in the final.

Given how dramatic and exciting some of the four-team groups were concluded in Qatar, that seems a more viable proposition.

But that will mean a substantive increase in the number of games. The 32-team World Cup in Qatar has a total of 64, completed in 29 days, and, for now, the 2026 finals will be 80

games over 32 days.

With four-team groups, there would be 104 matches, requiring at least an extra week.

There, FIFA run the risk of tilting the delicate balance of all-consuming excitement that the World Cup has proven in Qatar into a drawn-out affair that loses its lustre with the quality of entertainment diluted.

More matches, however, would mean more television rights money and as the World Cup brings in some 90% of FIFA’s revenue its leaders will be tempted.

The World Cup in Qatar has earned $7.5 billion in rights and sponsorship revenue, one billion more than for 2018 finals in Russia, FIFA said last month.

DOHA (Reuters) - Having just delivered the most exciting group stage ever seen at a World Cup, with a tried and tested format that keeps hundreds of millions of fans enthralled, FIFA now faces the prospect of ripping it all up.

Instead, they risk a turgid fortnight of drab games and dead rubbers, plus the possibility of unwanted controversy, as they try to accommodate 48 teams at the 2026 edition in North America.

It means world football’s governing body are re-thinking the format for the next World Cup as their original plans to have 16 groups of three teams in the first phase, with two from each advancing to the next stage, now look dangerously dull, as well as potentially courting unsporting behaviour.

As things stand now for

2026, when Canada, Mexico and the U.S. jointly host the World Cup, there is a risk of many ‘dead’ matches - for example if the last group game was between two teams who had already won one each and were therefore already qualified - or contrived results.

FIFA conceded earlier this year they were concerned about the possibility of contrived results where two teams could engineer a positive result for both, that would eliminate the third group team not playing.

“It’s an issue that has been raised,” FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani in March said.

The 2026 format has the 48 teams reduced to 32 after the group phase and then the tournament becomes a knockout affair. Alternative formats are now on the table, with the FIFA Council, the organisation’s all-powerful cabinet, to decide

Excitement galore at Senior Bodybuilding Championships on Sunday

ships

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the president of the Federation, Keavon Bess, said the athletes are up for the challenge and want to produce a strong showing with well-defined packages.

Additionally, the Federation has added a Wellness category that will give exposure to those who would have surpassed Miss Bikini.

The other two categories would be Bodybuilding and Men’s Physique.

At least 25 athletes should take the stage as the category winners will secure a spot on the country’s team to attend 2023 Central American and

Caribbean (CAC) Championship in Aruba.

Noting that there are numerous changes happening to rules, Wellness, is a requirement for more mass on the lower bodies and shoulders as Ms Bikini is more of a “beach body” but toned.

At this year’s Central American and Caribbean Championships in Barbados, Rosanna Fung won the overall Wellness Class and a coveted International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Elite Pro Card.

In 2021, a well-defined

Darious Ramsammy, won his first Mr Guyana and the other winners were Emmerson Campbell, who won an unprecedented fifth Men’s Physique title, while Fung remained Miss Bikini champion.

Tickets cost $2 500 per adult.

THE Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation will host its Senior Champion

at the National Cultural Centre on Sunday from 18:30hrs.

Wayne Forde (4th left) and Troy Mendonca take a photo-op with the SVB Surinamese team

Officials from the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation along with athletes at the Guyana Olympic Association headquarters on Wednesday

FIFA head of global development Arsene Wenger

France edge past Morocco

2-0 to set up Argentina final

FRANCE were pushed all the way by World Cup wild card Morocco before the holders sealed a place in Sunday's final against Argentina.

The first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final refused to buckle despite suffering the early blows of losing key defender Nayef Aguerd to injury after he was named in the starting lineup, and then going behind to Theo Hernandez's scrambled fifth-minute goal.

France, for all Morocco's endeavour and spirit, were more clinical and substitute Kolo Muani ensured they will defend their crown against Argentina and Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when he turned in Kylian Mbappe's deflected shot 11 minutes from time.

Morocco also lost the clearly unfit Romain Saiss to injury before half-time but, roared on by their fanatical support, they came close to

drawing level, especially when Jawad El Yamiq's overhead kick was kept out by a combination of the post and France keeper Hugo Lloris.

France, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate outstanding, kept their composure in the hothouse atmosphere of Al Bayt Stadium and had chances of their own, Olivier Giroud striking the post in the first half.

Didier Deschamps' side always threatened on the break and so it proved as the lurking Muani finally broke Morocco's resistance late on with his first touch, 44 seconds after coming on, for his maiden France goal.

FRANCE STAY COOL ON ROAD TO GLORY

France needed to keep their nerve to stay on course to become the first country to retain the World Cup for 60 years following Brazil's triumphs in 1958 and 1962.

They faced a wall of sound from Morocco's sup-

port, with ear-splitting whistles every time they had possession, and while it was not

a classic performance, France remained organised and got the job done to set up a final

of two giants to conclude this Qatar World Cup.

Konate, in for Dayot Up-

amecano who was short of match fitness, epitomised

ENet fully supports Region Ten for One Guyana President’s Cup

ENET – Guyana’s fastest internet provider, number one television provider and soon, the first 5G VoLTE cellular network in the country –has given its full support to Region Ten’s football team

who are competing in the ongoing One Guyana President’s Cup.

A leader in Guyana’s telecommunications industry, ENet expressed in a recent statement, “success and sport

are synonymous with Region Ten, and it was a welcome honour to be supportive of grassroots sports in the region on a national journey.”

The investment is not just for sport. The only local-

ly-owned telecommunications provider launched its 4G, 5G and OnFiber internet services in Linden late last year.

Decked in the orange colour of ENet, Region Ten is one of the favourites to reach

the final four, who then battle for a spot in the final set for January 1, 2023.

Player maker, Tyric McAlister, expressed, “it is an honour to be supported by ENet” and the aim is to play to the

best of their abilities given the opportunities that await.

According to President Irfaan Ali, the football tournament is geared at creating a pathway to Guyana’s qualification for the expanded World Cup in 2026.

The Head of State announced that 75 of the best players from the competition will be selected and filtered into an academy. a squad of 25 has been selected to represent each administrative region.

These players will be subjected to constant training and fine-tuning of their skills, while being also able to earn through part-time jobs.

The lads from Upper Demerara/Berbice played their first match last night at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, against Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

Region One (Barima/ Waini), Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) are the other teams grouped with Region Ten.

Messi says World Cup final will be last career game

France players celebrate reaching the final Credit: (Reuters Photo)

Chief Executive Officer of ENet, Vishok Persaud; Marketing Coordinator, Ashley John, along with Region Ten squad which will contest the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup