Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-06-2023

PPP/C secures nine seats in Bartica - chosen candidates will execute development plans, ensure transparency and accountability at council level

THE People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) coveted a historic win in Bartica, Region Seven, in this year’s Local Government Elections (LGEs).

The elections were held on Monday, June 12, and according to the results declared by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the party secured 1,784 votes, while A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) secured 1,601. Both parties secured nine seats.

In an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Ewrin Ward, leader of the PPP/C’s candidate list, said while no representatives have yet been shortlisted to serve

on the council, the party intends to keep the promises it made during its vigorous campaign leading up to the polls.

“The way we intend to operate, we will visit all those consistencies and they will determine what they need and then we will have to sit with them and prioritise, so they will actually have a big say in terms of what are their needs. We are not going to sit in office and say this is what we are going to go do it will have to come from the different constituents,” Ward said.

He noted that frank discussions will be held with all candidates to select the best representatives for the town council.

“It’s a democratic process where we will sit and have frank discussions as to who will be on the council.”

Further, he said that history has been made in what was considered an APNU/PNC [Peoples National Congress] stronghold.

“It is history and something that we have to cherish. I can tell you all of us really feel good about it. It was hard work and consistency. We have never won Region Seven and the town…it’s a wonderful feeling of what you can do once you work hard as a team and remain focused on your plan. We put in a lot of work,” he added.

As of now, the two

major parties will share seats equally at the council which consist of 18 seats. Previously the APNU held 13 seats while the PPP/C held five seats. With shared governance, Ward anticipates

only progress.

“We have to work together in interest of Bartica and we must come up with a formula that says we must reach the people. We must do the work as required by the people. So as of now, I don’t foresee any resistance because it is development and I don’t expect anybody to resist development,” he said.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, rubbished claims of bribe for votes in the various townships.

Several opposition members, including its leader Aubrey Norton made allegations of bribery, stating that many citizens were paid by the triumphant party for votes

prior to Monday’s polls.

“You can’t bribe people to be enthusiastic… people came out because they saw a better future with us in their communities. The people in Bartica too did that,” Jagdeo said on Thursday during his weekly press conference.

In fact, he pointed out that no hard evidence of bribery was provided by the opposition to support its claims.

Jagdeo further maintained that vigorous campaigning across the country led to the party’s success in many Local Authority Areas (LLAs).

Countrywide, the party won 66 LAAs, while APNU recorded victory in 14.

PPP/C’s landslide victory demonstrates citizenry’s gratitude for development

- European Commission VP says while congratulating party on its performance at the LGEs

FIRST Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), Frans Timmermans, on Wednesday, congratulated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its landslide and historic victory in this year’s Local Government Elections (LGEs), where the party secured 66 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

Timmermans described the win as an illustration of the citizenry’s high level of gratitude for the level of development that the PPP/C has been bringing to the country at the central government level.

The highest-level European Union (EU) official to ever visit Guyana, Timmermans opened with the commendation when he delivered remarks during the signing ceremony for an agreement between Guyana and the EU for a mangrove protection and restoration project along Guyana’s coastline.

“Let me start by congratulating you [the PPP/C government] on the election results you achieved earlier this week. I think it shows the level of appreciation of the people for the efforts the government is undertaking to take Guyana into the future.

“Let me say how thrilled I am to be a witness of a country in such huge strides forward in its development

and for the European Union it is important that we strengthen. our bilateral ties that we look for ways to cooperate,” he said.

Guyana held LGEs on Monday, 12 June, when Guyanese took to the polls to select the local government councils for the 80 LAAs, which includes 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10

municipalities.

Of the 10 municipalities, the PPP/C won majority seats in seven of them, while picking up majority seats in 56 of the NDCs.

This has been described as cataclysmic win for the party which already holds majority seats at the central and regional government levels.

The PPP/C won majority votes in the municipalities of Mabaruma, Anna Regina, Corriverton, Rose Hall, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem. Lethem was an uncontested LAA, after the PPP/C was the only party to submit a list of candidates.

The PPP/C trounced the main political opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity, which earned majority seats in only 14 of the 80 LAAs across the country, marking a decline for the party from the 23 LAAs that they won majority seats in when LGE was previously

held in 2018.

Included in the PPP/C’s LGE achievements this year is an almost 100 per cent increase in votes in the capital City Georgetown, where the party is expected to pick up as much as 11 seats in the 30 seat Council. This is a further incremental increase over the seven seats that the party had picked up in 2018, and more than triple the three seats that the party had in the 2016 LGE.

At this year’s LGE the PPP/C has seen a significant increase in votes in several of the townships across the country. In Bartica, a stronghold for the APNU, the PPP/C surpassed APNU and clinch the Proportional Representation (PR) popular vote, as well as nine seats. This is a four seat increase over the five seats the party won in 2018.

According to results released by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

in the PR component of the elections in Bartica, the PPP/C picked up 1,784 votes, surpassing the 1,601 votes picked up by APNU.

The PPP/C increased its PR seats from three to five, and after winning two constituency seats in 2018 this year, the party won four. APNU lost previously held seats in Constituencies One and Seven of the municipality.

Comparatively, in 2018 APNU had picked up 1,521 PR votes, compared to 1,145 picked up by the PPP/C.

The PPP/C saw another massive increase in votes in Linden, another APNU stronghold. In Linden, the PPP/C experienced a 512.9 per cent increase in supporting votes garnering 2,464 votes in 2023, a massive increase from the 402 that the party had at the 2018 LGE. This is according to results released by GECOM.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Frans Timmermans, First VicePresident of the European Commission (EC) who was on a two-day visit to Guyana (Latchman Singh photo)

Ewrin Ward, leader of the PPP/C’s candidate list in Bartica

Man acquitted for killing ex’s new boyfriend

NIGEL Thomas, who was on trial for the 2019 murder of South Ruimvedlt man, Kyle Chase was, on Wednesday, acquitted of the crime by a jury.

Thomas formerly of James and Victoria streets, Albouystown

was on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence which read that on, December 30, 2019, at Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, he allegedly murdered Chase.

After deliberating for almost two hours, the 12-member jury found Thomas not guilty.

Thomas was represented by attorneys Dexter Todd, Jevon Cox and Donette Anthony, while the State

was represented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Simran Gajraj, Rabina Christmas and Madana Rampersaud. According to reports, Thomas and Chase were known to each other since they were at separate times

DEAD:

involved with a certain young lady.

Mansfield added that on the day in question around 23:00 hours, Thomas and two other persons were at the time at the same young lady’s house and

neck and other part of his body with a screwdriver.

He was picked up and rushed to the Davis Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The matter

an argument erupted which allegedly escalated into a fight which later led to Chase sustaining injuries to his

was reported. An investigation was launched and Thomas was arrested and later charged.

FREED: Nigel Thomas

Kyle Chase

Guyana’s Corum Restaurant Group Inc. sells minority stake to Jamaican financial firm

JMMB Jamaica, one of the Caribbean’s largest investment banks has bought a minority stake in Guyanese-owned Corum Restaurant Group Inc.

According to a press release, Corum Restaurant Group owns and operates some of the world’s leading quick service restaurant franchises in Guyana such as Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum Brands.

Corum Restaurant currently operates eleven Pizza Hut

locations across Guyana with plans for more store openings throughout Guyana and the Caribbean.

The release added that the JMMB transaction will help develop the group’s newest subsidiary, Caribbean Fusion Holdings Inc, which owns and will soon operate the P.F Chang’s franchise in Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, Barbados, and Cayman Islands.

“We are excited about our new partnership and strongly

believe that this move will bolster us as we continue to build on Corum’s success.

The JMMB partnership is also part of the strategic positioning, consolidation, and expansion of Corum Group into the regional market, where we intend to become a dominant player in the QSR and fast-casual restaurant space,” Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Corum Group, Clairmont B. Cummings was quoted as saying.

Cummings confirmed that he will remain the majority shareholder and continue to serve as Chairman and CEO.

The Cornell Business School graduate and young business executive believes that the partnership will enable Corum to swiftly adapt to the changing market dynamics, competition, and growth opportunities that come with Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector, the release said.

Partnerships integral to fostering development – PSC Chairman

GUYANA’S current economic landscape has positioned the country as a premium hub for investment.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Komal Singh has stressed that the establishment of partnerships is a key aspect in achieving a platinum position in the socioeconomic arena.

The chairman was speaking during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

“Many of our local business partners have joined hands with foreign companies who have the requisite knowledge, financial capacity, and experience to support the country’s development,” the PSC chairman stated.

He added that these partnerships also extend to the country’s diaspora, and this group provides a valuable reservoir. The government continues to engage members of the diaspora on the opportunities for investment in

Guyana.

The PSC chairman explained that, “The diaspora also has a wide range of experts. These persons have a wide range of experience, they may not have the financial capabilities, but they have the technical skills, and we need to tap into those, and work with them, and I can safely say to you, from a private sector standpoint, we are doing a lot of that.”

During a recent visit to the United Kingdom, His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali engaged the Guyanese diaspora and outlined the

administration’s agenda for development.

He stressed that the diaspora is an important source of investment, expertise, and ideas that

could help drive the country’s growth and development.

The PSC Chair added that infrastructural development creates massive avenues for employment, which augurs well for the country’s economy.

“Government is on a massive development campaign throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. In almost every single village in this country, you will see development taking place. That is an excellent move that the government has made. It creates a host

of employment opportunities, and opportunities for expansion of service industries within those villag -

es and communities so that everyone can benefit in some form of fashion,” he pointed out. (DPI)

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Corum Group, Clairmont B. Cummings

Komal Singh, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission

Enmore Martyrs

IT has been over seven decades since the shooting to death of five sugar workers at Enmore, East Coast Demerara.

To be precise, it’s 75 years since Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry, paid the ultimate price in 1948 while struggling for better working conditions for sugar workers. June 16 will always evoke memories of their selflessness and a very sad page in the annals of our nation’s history. They have been deservedly elevated to the status of martyrs given that their ultimate sacrifices were generally for the betterment of others and, by extension, the country as a whole. In reflecting upon their

lives and struggles, one should not lose sight of the fact that, at the time, social and economic conditions were appalling and workers were burdened by poor wages and living conditions on the estates.

In addition, the workers had desired to be represented by the then, Guyana Industrial Workers Union, (GIWU). Wanting a union of their choice, better pay and working conditions were deemed justifiable; hence, the strike action in 1948.

The context of what transpired then must not be forgotten. The five were representative of ordinary workers who stood up for their rights and what they believed in. More so, they

were very cognisant that their efforts and sweat were significant in helping to enrich the colonial masters who seemed unconcerned over the difficulties the workers faced.

That, in itself, must have had a significant impact on their mindsets and morale given that their own advancement was stymied despite toiling arduously in the back-breaking task of cutting cane.

That, more than likely, would have further compelled the industrial action they took, and rightfully so. To therefore lose their lives in that just cause, is callous and beyond tragic.

Their deaths were also significant for another reason; profoundly impacting

a then young Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Having already established the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which supported the industrial action, Dr. Jagan, his wife Janet and others, helped to raise much needed funds to assist the workers and their families.

In addition, Dr. Jagan was so touched by the deaths of the five workers, it is reported that on the day of the funerals, he made a silent pledge to dedicate his life to champion their cause and better the lives of Guyanese. That pledge was momentous, for Dr. Jagan stayed true to his words and relentlessly led the struggles for workers’ rights and an independent

Guyana.

Having founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950, he, along with his wife and others, paid the price of incarceration in the process of advancing the cause of Guyana and Guyanese. In 1992, those efforts eventually bore fruit, as democracy was returned and Dr. Jagan sworn in as Guyana’s third Executive President. That was also momentous.

Similarly, just prior to the no-confidence motion in December 2018 to August 2, 2020, our democracy was tested by a deluge of unconstitutionality by the APNU+AFC Coalition government.

As a result of their blatant attempts to subvert

the will of the Guyanese people, the PPP/C, through its General-Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, led the struggles to safeguard our freedoms and to prevent the imposition of a dictatorship. His and the party’s valiant efforts to resist that imposition, and the struggle to preserve our democracy might have been a resulting inspiration by the actions of the Enmore Martyrs, their co-workers and that of Dr. Jagan. That speaks to not only a beacon of strength to draw from, but a lasting legacy of selfless actions and sacrifices for the betterment of others. That epitomises the Enmore Martyrs.

Attempts to split PPP/C leadership will fail

Dear Editor, WHILE many of Kaieteur News’ editorials are thoughtful and substantive, the one on June 15, 2023, is nothing short of plain mischievousness.

The editorial follows a popular street-level line of discourse that says Vice President Jagdeo is too visible in the current administration.

Kaieteur News could have been more responsible by acknowledging that Dr. Jagdeo’s recent presence in the media is due to his role as General Secretary of the PPP, and his obvious duties as party leader during the LGE campaign, and its immediate aftermath.

While the editorial assumes the posture of distance

from everyday politics, no one who follows the media should be surprised that KN has doubled down in attacks against Jagdeo. That is a predictable occurrence where the “waterfall” newspaper is concerned.

But the editorial takes a further step by insinuating that President Ali is somehow sidelined in his own administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, the President has been so visible, people across all sections of society have been asking how he manages to keep up what can only be described as an astounding level of public engagement.

These engagements are not only with citizens through outreaches, but with foreign

delegations, NGOs, multilateral institutions, the diplomatic corps, academics and artists, the disciplined forces, and foreign heads of state.

The editorial incorrectly states that cabinet ministers have also been less visible and are not given the opportunity to respond to issues that fall under their respective ministries. Dr. Ashni Singh was singled out for mention.

Yet only days ago the same Dr. Ashni Singh was the one who penned a detailed response to Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, who made some charges of underfunding. The record shows that while Newsroom, INews Guyana, and Guyana Chronicle (among others) carried Dr. Singh’s response,

Kaieteur News chose to publish a letter by so-called elder Hamilton Green in which Minister Singh’s response is attacked (see “PPP using tricks and propaganda,” KN, June 13, 2023).

I can assure Kaieteur News that President Ali and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh do not need any reminders of the offices they hold, or how to go about their daily business of governing this country. As for their visibility, allow me to reproduce a post from Facebook that went up only hours ago.

Here is the text – “Last evening, in the presence of President Dr Irfaan Ali, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni K. Singh signed a financing agreement on be-

half of the Government of Guyana, with the European Commission for the protection and restoration of Guyana’s mangrove forests, at State House.

Signing on behalf of the European Commission was its First Vice President, Mr. Frans Timmermans.” And just in case we need an image to prove the point, look the one attached to this article.

No one in the PPP/C administration should go to this extent to set the record straight, but given Kaieteur News’ persistent efforts at attempting to split the PPP leadership, we do have to go to this ‘ridiculous’ level.

A counternarrative on the street about Vice President Jagdeo’s visibility should be

of great interest. Many have heard it before, but it is worth repeating, namely, that someone at Kaieteur News’ is intensely worked-up about Jagdeo’s popularity, and about his fine working relationship with President Ali.

For the record I can tell you that during press conferences, Vice President Jagdeo routinely defers to President Ali when there are questions that should be properly directed to the Head of State.

Numerous attempts have been made to split the PPP/C leadership. They have all failed, and so will this latest attempt via an editorial.

Sincerely, Dr.

Randolph Persaud

The APNU’s alternative facts will eventually lead to the PNC’s demise

Dear Editor, I SAT at a home in Success on the East Coast of Demerara as the results poured in for the June 12, 2023, local government election on Monday.

Despite both sides claiming victory, that night, I, like, thousands of Guyanese waited on the results from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The results showed the Guyanese voting resoundingly for the People’s Progressive Civic (PPP/C) and rejection of the Peoples National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity (PNC/RAPNU).

I think that the ruling PPP/C must be overjoyed after making major breakthroughs in the PNC/R-APNU stronghold communities and towns such as Bartica, Lethem, New Amsterdam and Plaisance to Industry areas.

I think the biggest and most surprising area where the PPP/C made inroads was

in the Georgetown communities. The PPP had double times the votes they had in 2015 and 2018 thereby achieving eleven seats in Georgetown, seven out of 10 Towns, and 66 other NDC and LAAs.

I think this is good political work with structured planning. Now is the time to celebrate every victory made by the PPP/C campaign and one-Guyana mantra. I believe that most if not all of Guyana is on board for progress, development, and growth to continue changing the face of Guyana for the better.

Sadly, the opposition leader Aubrey Norton appears defeated even as he seeks to spread his usual alternative facts. I was not only surprised but in shock because I could not believe it when he said that his party was victorious in the face of the very clear and undisputed GECOM results that were in the public domain by the next day of the local government elections.

Norton, much to my annoyance and disbelief, held out that the results were allegedly a rejection of the PPP/C and an endorsement of the APNU. Something is wrong with the mind of any person that tries to twist the reality and figures of these polls. Something must be wrong with the APNU supporters and those who believe APNU’s alternative facts and half-truths that they spewed at press conferences and on social media.

I have compiled a dossier of lies and deceptive or alternative facts that Norton, other opposition MPs, and the political opposition commentators were using to get votes or make sure their supporters stayed with them. No less than 127 lies were told to date by the APNU for the period of local government elections. I have found the APNU and their political allies, particularly Cathy Hughes, Christopher Jones, former president David Granger, Ubraj Narine and

Derron Adams told blatant lies 200 times to the public and further have no integrity or moral standing with me and many of the voters.

Using and knowing the truth, the APNU used the whisper and race campaign to hold back the PPP/C from totally winning their strongholds in many of the places in Bartica, Linden, Kwakwani, New Amsterdam, Georgetown and other communities. We are big, but not stupid! We might even be slow but we know Mathematics and could count! We know when Norton is bluffing his way like a Cheshire Cat. This is not Alice in Wonderland. This is Guyana and it is real! Norton should know that I am not buying the garbage and nonsense he is peddling, choosing to hide from the shameful facts by saying ‘a team’ is analysing the statistics.

Again, he is being misleading by hiding the effect of thrashing behind alternative facts like Donald Trump

did with the figures of his second inauguration, and the fact that he lost the elections to President Joe Biden.

I would respect him if he just accepted a defeat at the polls following the results which was declared by GECOM but he continuously denies losing and is insulting the public’s intelligence.

Conclusively, APNU lost the overall election when they decided they do not have money to compete with the PPP in all LAAs, NDC areas, Towns and Municipalities. They lost again to the PPP/C on nominations day as they allowed the ‘Red Wave’ to take over and had the non-support of MPs and a few big wigs. They lost time and time over in the informal campaign debate that was taking place in the lead-up to the polls. Now, they have suffered a humiliating, painful and massive defeat at the polls.

And, that’s Norton’s legacy apart from the peddling of alternative facts, mistruths,

and race-baiting and discrimination. Norton is the only opposition leader who has had infighting and political fires happen so often from the time he ran in the PNC to right now. Is this the end of the PNC’s legacy and its demise as a once-trusted political unit?

I hope not but in American literature, a poem called "The Masque of Pandora" (1875), by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has a character of Prometheus who speaks the phrase: Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.

A string of madness, a false sense of consciousness and political blindness is running through APNU and Norton’s minds. I believe one must know when to go. The people have spoken and voted for the PPP/C. Now, resign and retire quietly. Withdraw and save face!

Yours Truly, Michael Younge

Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed’s victory is positive for the residents of Eccles

Dear Editor, EARLIER this year, prominent city businessman, Mr. Nazar Mohamed, on his own volition, decided to be a councillor in the June 12 Local Government Elections (LGE) for the Eccles/Ramsburg district.

It was the first time he entered the political arena on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civics’ (PPP/C) ticket. However, throughout most of his adult life, Mr. Mohammed has always had love for people, country, and politics, but he has never indicated to anyone that he would run for office.

As such, his candidacy for councillor in his home borough of Eccles/Ramsburg has surprised many.

Likewise, his landslide victory on June 12 in the upper middle-class Afro-Guyanese PNC district has also surprised many but not the philanthropist whose the call name is “Shell” Mohamed. Because of his hard work and dedication to develop the community, he knew that many Afro-Guyanese would have switched party lines and voted for him.

As a resident of the community, Mohamed served as the Chairman of the Republic Park Community Group, and over the years he has developed a keen interest in local politics and the development of his neighborhood.

For decades, the business-

man became a strong community activist who advocated for proper drainage system, better roads, and projects to improve the lives of seniors in the district.

Shell Mohamed, who came from humble beginnings, was born in the tiny village of Johanna Cecelia on the Essequibo Coast but moved to Eccles more than four decades ago.

Since then, he has been involved in several community projects and as a result he has gained the trust, respect, and confidence of the people, especially the youths who appreciated him for sponsoring many of their sporting activities.

Mr. Mohamed is known for his cool and calm personality and his understanding of politics at the local and national levels is second to none. But his depth of knowledge of his community and the country, coupled with his integrity and love for people could enrich and uplift his municipality and make it a model for others to emulate.

He is very conscientious of the dishonor that the public has placed on politicians, but he has decided to become a counselor for his village because he wants the best for the residents of his community.

Well loved by the residents of the Eccles/Ransburg community, Shell Mohammed is intelligent, honest, trustworthy,

and dedicated, and is a remarkable person, but would not tolerate any type of illegal practices or corruption at any level.

The election of Mr. Mohamed as counsellor is a positive step in the right direction for the Eccles/Ransburg district

because he is a people’s person which makes it easier for the residents to communicate with him.

He is also a pioneer and an innovator with a vision to elevate municipal politics and develop the district to levels never

seen or experienced before.

There is no doubt that as a counsellor, Mr. Nazar Mohammed could bring about changes and produce tangible results for the taxpayers. He would make the residents of the village and the PPP/C

proud because of his ability to get things done. And finally, his resounding victory suggests that he is an asset to the PPP/C or any political party.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Asquith Rose

APNU refuses to accept ‘thrashing’ it got in Georgetown, other areas -

is on a mission to distort facts, Jagdeo says

WITH a 75 per cent increase in the number of seats at the local government polls when compared to the 2018 elections, Party General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has expounded on the massive victory that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)

has achieved, and expressed pity that despite there being credible records, the Opposition is still bent on spreading lies.

Calling out the leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton for attempting to distort the truth, Jagdeo maintained

that the PPP has made significant gains in Opposition strongholds.

Remarking that, “APNU can’t change facts,” he stated that the PPP secured 906 out of the 1,220 seats at the polls, which is an increase from 779 seats in 2018.

In addition to this,

Jagdeo claimed that the Opposition has suffered a tremendous defeat, because APNU, when merged with the Alliance for Change (AFC) in 2018, only got 390 seats.

Furthermore, he stood firm on the position that his party will

TURN TO PAGE 14

PPP General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams Photo)

Hate like this has been rejected in LGE 2023

I APOLOGISE for the absence of my column in the print edition yesterday but it was in the online edition with the title “LGE 2023: Journalism that is deceiving and politicised.”

In that column, I ended with these words; “I will describe evil ignorance when a man who writes a daily letter in the Kaieteur News (KN), Stabroek News and Demerara Waves, an outfit he owns, (and he is closely connected to the two newspapers), yelled out that the PPP did badly and that the results show the PPP has to fear for the future. This man says he is a devoted Catholic. Maybe God needs to teach him to read figures.”

It is these kinds of expressions of hate that had a direct impact on the results of LGE 2023 where the PPP pulled in substantial multi-racial votes. It is only a hatefilled person smothering in insanity can look at a comparative, statistical outlay between LGE 2018 and LGE 2023 and not see prodigious PPP inroads into traditional PNC territories.

Some of the results border on the unbelievable. In Plaisance, the PPP has been a traditional loser in central and municipal elections. In 2023, the NDC there will have a PPP chairman. Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton lives in Plaisance. In Bartica and Georgetown what was unthinkable came into reality – the PPP won in the former and generated immense additions to what it had in 2018.

There is the opposite side of the coin. In LGE 2023, the PPP did not see diminishing numbers in its historic fortresses. Yet this hate-

filled man has made two conclusions. The PPP did badly while the PNC maintained its natural physiology. Secondly, the outcome of last Monday’s poll has thrown the PPP’s 2025 victory in doubt. What analysis can you use to describe such a mind?

The depravity gets deeper when you consider that within the PNC’s leadership there is a crescendo of anti-Norton sentiments since Tuesday afternoon that may see the banishment of Norton before 2023 passes into history.

So, even the PNC’s hierarchy is worried about the LGE 2023 results but the influential man at Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, Demerara Waves who writes a daily letter in both newspapers have declared a defeat for the PPP.

Looked at from any angle this is a hateful mind. But this kind of mind-set has been rejected at the LGE poll last Monday.

The more poison these people generate, the more they fall by the wayside and the Guyanese people see them as comical or insane or toxic. This is the problem the PNC and their surrogates and the Catholic daily writer has. There is a brand new generation in Guyana. It is called the post-1990 children who have grown up.

Almost 75 percent of this nation can be described as young if you use the benchmark of 38 years as a young age. In this generation, there are African Guyanese who are breaking with the past. It will not come overnight but in LGE 2023 the psychological metamorphosis has started.

There will be a

steady increase in political consciousness of young African Guyanese as President Ali deepens his community politics. These young African Guyanese are living in a more pronounced multi-racial landscape and from that horizon will come the crystallization of the superiority of class consciousness, and patriotism over mindless ethnic loyalty.

In February this year, I went to the emergency wing of the Georgetown Hospital for my knees. I saw a school of young African and Indian technicians intermingling. That is the changing racial landscape right before our eyes. And it will gradually achieve its zenith as Guyana gets stronger in its economy.

The signs of an inviting future are there. And it is not there because one man or one woman that is super-human. The future will be there because money will pour in from our oil economy and there will be enough to secure that future.

I heard Professor Clive Thomas, the dyein-the wool critic of the PPP, said last week, that in years to come, there will be so much money from oil that the government will be dazed and unable to know how to use it. It is this kind of economic development that will transform our racially driven architecture.

What the daily letter-writer, the PNC leaders and their surrogates are doing is spewing hate that turns people off of them. Their obsession with hate has backfired. It has galvanized people to turn their backs on them.

The 2023 LGE results is mountainous proof of that.

‘We are encouraged by the votes to work harder’ - Jagdeo

IN keeping with their commitment to better the lives of citizens, regardless of where they are from and who controls the constituency, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has assured that the party will keep the promises it made during the campaign trail.

“Once again I wish to thank all of the people who work to deliver these results...” he said during his press conference held on Thursday at Freedom House.

“The reason we went out to join the campaign, is to give people the assurance that every promise made by the candidates of the PPP will be kept. We stand behind those promises,” he added.

The PPP General Secretary then highlighted the outstanding support received during the just conclude Local Government Elections (LGEs).

“We’re encouraged by the results; we’re encouraged to work harder. In every area, in Kwakwani, Linden, New Amsterdam, South Georgetown, North Georgetown, Bartica, Mahdia, the PPP strongholds, Lethem, everywhere else... areas we did not even contest, we’re encouraged to

work because of these results.”

In order to refute the A Partnership for National Unity's (APNU) claims that the low turnout at the polls is an indication of the rejection of the PPP, Jagdeo emphasised that the local government participation is historically low, but it was even lower during the time the APNU+AFC coalition held office.

“They should be worried that with such a turnout we trounced them,” he said adding that it is unimaginable what the aftermath would have been if there was a higher voter turnout.

When regards to choosing the best PR candidates, Jagdeo disclosed that the party is working hard in this regards.

“Right now, today, the entire party machinery has had to go around the country, to work with the LAAs to select our PR candidates.”

Furthermore, Jagdeo remarked that there is much excitement within the party, not only for the outright victories but also because of the fact that the PPP was able to secure votes in APNU strongholds.

Owing to great success, he said: “Our members are ready to work even harder.”

According to the actual results published by the

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the PPP secured five of the 15 constituencies, with a whopping 12,553 votes, almost double the number of votes in 2018 in Georgetown. With significant increases such as in Constituency One, where the PPP saw an almost 500 voter increase as compared to 2018.

In addition to keeping Constituencies Two (Kitty North, Central and South Subryanville) and Three (Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Prashad Nagar, North East and North West), the party has also gained new footholds in Constituencies One (Kingston East and West, Thomas Lands, Non Pariel Park, Cummingsburg), Four (Lamaha Gardens, Newton, Campbellville, Section K Campbellville, Bel Air) and Seven (Bourda-Stabroek Central Lacytown).

At this year’s local government polls, the PPP/C garnered approximately 2,464 votes in Linden, securing them two seats at the municipality level. The APNU on the other hand raked in 8,002 votes which has given them 14 seats.

In 2018, the PPP/C had garnered 402 votes securing them one seat in the Region 10 township.

AG, Exxon added to gas-to-shore environmental permit challenge

HGH COURT Judge, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry has granted the Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., and ExxonMobil, through its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the status of a party in the ongoing legal proceedings to challenge the environmental permit granted to the gas-to-energy project.

The permit was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ExxonMobil Guyana (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited- EEPGL) for the project and associated activities.

The court ruling comes in response to an application made by the Attorney General and EEPGL seeking to join the case.

The challenge was originally filed by Vanda Radzik and Elizabeth Hughes, who argued that at the time of the permit's issuance on November 25, 2022, EEPGL did not possess the necessary permission to carry out activities on the designated lands for the gas pipeline route to the power plant.

In his application to be added as a party, Nandlall highlighted the substantial interest of the State in the

decision being challenged. He added that a judgment quashing the permit would have adverse consequences for the Government of Guyana, as it is a party to multiple contracts related to the project.

The Attorney General stated that such a ruling could result in the government being in breach of existing construction contracts and incurring liabilities.

Against this backdrop, he argued that the public interest, fiscal interests of the State, and Guyana's developmental trajectory for low-cost electricity and a lower cost of living would be disrupted.

ary interests of the State in the project and recognised the Attorney General's role as the guardian of the public interest.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry conducted a hearing on May 11, 2023, where oral arguments were presented by the AG, counsel for the applicants, and EEPGL.

Following the hearing, the judge ordered the parties to submit written submissions by June 1, 2023.

On June 12, after reviewing the submissions, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry upheld the Attorney General's arguments and ruled in favour of adding both the Attorney General and EEPGL as parties to the legal proceedings.

The judge acknowledged the significant public, economic, and pecuni-

"Given the State’s substantial public, economic and pecuniary interests in the GEP and its benefit to the Guyanese public, I find that the AG has demonstrated a sufficient interest to intervene in his capacity as guardian of the public interest. I find further that the AG, because of his unique position as the government’s principal legal advisor, may be privy to relevant facts and information (of which the Respondents/Applicants are in no position to speak) and may be able to offer a different, useful or practical perspective which this court ought to take into consideration in determining the issue raised.

“I find that this of itself counterbalances any delay or prejudice caused to the respondents/applicants. I therefore find that the AG ought to be given the opportunity to participate fully in the proceedings and place before the court, for its consideration, evidence which he believes will vindicate the State’s interest,” the judge said in her ruling.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall

Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

Stakeholders partner to create Bird Guide Accreditation programme

GIVEN that avitourism, also known as bird watching, is one of the fastest growing attrac -

tions within the global tourism industry, the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS)

will be partnering with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and other stakeholders to help de-

sign and pilot an accreditation programme for bird guides in Guyana.

According to Neal Millar, Programme Coordinator of the SRCS, it is estimated that US$9.3 billion is spent on the global industry annually and the number of people engaging in avitourism has been increasing year-on-year.

As Guyana is considered to be a global birding hotspot and home to over 800 species of birds, at -

“They stressed that they have a lot of knowledge and are passionate about birds but have no formal qualification that they can use to seek further employment. We therefore thought this Accreditation Programme could give them something to work towards and could fill this gap,” he related.

Over the years, tour guides have benefitted from multiple trainings that have been offered by

ating an Accreditation Programme for bird guides in Guyana. The first is that it will help to identify and recognise the experienced, skilled and qualified bird guides in Guyana,” Millar said.

They are hopeful that the programme will attract more bird watchers to Guyana and improve their confidence knowing that their bird guides have been accredited.

Moreover, he said that

tracting hundreds of thousands of tourists, Millar said that it is anticipated that this figure will continue to increase over the coming years as the country further advances its status as a leading tourism destination.

“To start the process for creating the Accreditation, SRCS facilitated an initial workshop with relevant stakeholders including GTA, Leon Programme Moore Nature Experience, Ron Allicock Bird Tours and Visit Rupununi,” Millar said.

At the workshop, suggestions were given for how the programme should be designed and what the process to be accredited should involve.

“The framework for the programme will continue to be shared with other key stakeholders and refined until a final version that is supported by all stakeholders is approved by the GTA. It is hoped that this will be achieved by the end of July,” he said.

Millar said that the idea was created through conversations with rangers who work on wildlife research and monitoring projects throughout the South Rupununi.

the GTA to help bolster their skills to meet the international standard of tour guiding.

Additionally, the GTA has helped to regulate the sector by creating a tour guide licensing system to ensure that the individuals leading national and international tourists around Guyana are qualified and approved to do so.

While the tour guide licensing system is essential and beneficial, Millar said that it does not distinguish bird guides from other tour guides who do not specialise in bird guiding.

“Bird guides currently are unable to receive the recognition that they merit for their bird guiding skills and abilities. Also, tourists find it difficult to identify bird guides who meet the standard they require for their trips or to find high quality bird guides who do not have a good online presence,” Millar explained.

The aim of the Accreditation Programme is to provide local, national and international accreditation for bird guides in Guyana to help them to be formally recognised for their skills and abilities.

“There are numerous proposed benefits of cre-

there are many people interested in tourism and bird guiding that do not have the qualifications to pursue a traditional degree or diploma; however, this programme will give individuals the opportunity to receive accreditation without needing a secondary level education or higher education.

Millar related that while there are not many examples of a bird guide accreditation programme across the world, the creation of a programme in Guyana would help to demonstrate global leadership in formal tour guide certification and highlight Guyana's burgeoning tourism industry.

Further, Kamrul Baksh, Director of the GTA, noted that Guyana continues to exemplify tourism leadership in the region, this time through a formal accreditation programme for bird guides.

“Raising the profile of the tourism product requires higher standardisation of service delivery and this programme will create a system that develops and maintains a high-quality experience for travellers,” Baksh said.

From left to right: Neal Millar (SRCS), Jeremy Melville (SRCS), Ron Allicock, Leroy Ignacio (SRCS), Melanie McTurk (Visit Rupununi), Leon Moore, Bevan Allicock, Michael Patterson (Visit Rupununi) and Clyde Edwards (GTA)

‘Stewie’ remanded for murder of Coast Guard Lieutenant

ONE week after Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard lieutenant Rondel Anthony Douglas was fatally shot

manded to prison for the murder.

Parris, a 25-year-old labourer of Sophia, Greater Georgetown appeared

He was not required to plead to the capital offence which alleged that on June 8,2023 at Cul-de-Sac Street, North Ruimveldt, during the course or furtherance of a robbery, he murdered Douglas.

Parris was remanded to prison until a later date.

According to a police report, Douglas, a licensed firearm holder and resident of Bagotville, would usually use his motorcar, a Toyota Feilder wagon bearing registration # PZZ 703, to do part-time work as a taxi driver with Allading Taxi Service, which is located at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The owner of the taxi service told police that on the day in question, an identifiable male went to the taxi base and hired the victim to transport him.

out his window.

He reportedly saw a white Feilder Wagon motorcar heading out of the area at a fast rate of speed and a person lying on the ground, in a pool of blood.

Two wounds were visible on his chest and head.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Parris and another suspect, who is currently in police custody, allegedly confessed to being hired by a man to steal Parris’ car.

during a robbery, his alleged killer, Joshua Parris called “Stewie”, was, on Thursday, re -

before Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

According to a resident of Cul-de-Sac Street, at around 22:30 hours, he was at home when he heard a loud explosion suspected to be a gunshot which caused him to look

Rondel Anthony Douglas

Joshua Parris

APNU refuses to accept ‘thrashing’ it got...

FROM PAGE 8

not stand by and allow the Opposition to spread lies and mislead the population, given the recent claims in the media by APNU members.

Underscoring the

bizarre assertions by APNU, Jagdeo said: “They are saying to people in this country that they’ve won these elections, and they made great inroads, and that the PPP did not

achieve what it set out to do.”

While relating the evident victory of securing 66 out of 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs), Jagdeo said: “By any definition, any-

where in the world, 75 per cent is a massive win.”

DEBUNKING THE LIES

Among several lies being peddled by the Opposition, in an effort

to cushion not only the dwindling support, but also the massive defeat, Jagdeo quashed the claims that APNU won Plegt Anker in East Bank Berbice, which is traditionally a PPP stronghold.

Despite APNU winning by a narrow margin of five votes, he noted that there were five ballots that were tendered, which is why the PPP requested a recount.

Jageo remarked: “So, if GECOM accepts this that Plegt Anker constituency will be tied, then you’ll probably have to have a runoff.”

Jagdeo further revealed that what APNU failed to mention is that although they won Kortberaadt East in the 2018 polls, they lost it in the 2023 elections. He also disclosed that in the 2023 polls, while the PPP secured 39 of the Proportional Representation (PR) votes, APNU only secured 21 in Plegt Anker itself.

“They didn’t make major inroads in Plegt Anker; in fact, we flipped one of their constituencies, Kortberaadt, easily,” he said.

Additionally, the PPP General Secretary debunked the delusion that APNU had a "whitewashed" victory in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), arguing that the PPP had won several of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in the area.

In an effort to illustrate the major success of the PPP, Jagdeo reflected on the fact that in 2018, while his party only secured two votes in the No. 5 Village, which is a traditional APNU stronghold, in the 2023 polls the PPP got a whopping 206 votes.

Along with the increase in seats in 'C' Field, Jagdeo also dis-

cussed how, despite his party's inability to field candidates in places like Blairmont and Hamlet/ Chance in 2018, they were able to gain votes in the 2023 elections.

Additionally, he stated that the PPP made significant gains in strongholds like Constituencies One and Two in Buxton.

“So, we picked up even in their strongholds,” the PPP General Secretary affirmed.

Jagdeo then talked about the massive victory by his party in Georgetown, a traditional APNU stronghold.

Based on the results published by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the PPP/C has won five of the 15 constituency seats on the 30-seat Georgetown Council.

The PPP/C gained two more seats than the three it won in 2018, which is a step forward for the party in local government in Georgetown.

In addition to keeping Constituencies Two (Kitty North, Central and South Subryanville) and Three (Bel Air Gardens, Bel Air Springs, Prashad Nagar, North East and North West), the party has also gained new footholds in Constituencies One (Kingston East and West, Thomas Lands, Non Pariel Park, Cummingsburg); Four (Lamaha Gardens, Newtown, Campbellville, Section K Campbellville, Bel Air); and Seven (Bourda-Stabroek, Central Lacytown).

“You got a thrashing in your stronghold,” Jagdeo said before explaining that the Opposition should be worried about the decrease in votes and support, especially with the higher turnout.

PPP’s message on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs Day

ON the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs shooting, the People’s Progressive

were continually being ignored by the sugar producers.

Instead of their demands being met, riot

vancement of Guyana and Guyanese. Having founded the PPP in 1950, Dr. Jagan, despite being incarcerated and deprived of his rights during the decades of his unremitting struggles, never succumbed to the atrocities meted out to him and his followers by the oppressive forces.

leadership, strangled our people through harsh and unjustified economic policies and when in full view of the world, they shamelessly tried to steal the March 02, 2020, elections in defiance of the

will of the Guyanese people.

Their efforts have imbued in us that profound sense of the value of our freedoms and the need for them to be safeguarded from those with a penchant

for totalitarianism and constitutional transgression.

The PPP will continue to honour the memory of those martyrs so as to ensure their sacrifices will not be forgotten.

Party (PPP) wishes to remind of the selfless sacrifices of the five slain sugar workers, Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry and the profound relevance of the incident today.

In 1948, having been strangled by social and economic hardships, the burdensome “cut and load” cane harvesting system and being deprived of having a union of choice to represent them, sugar workers were forced to mount protest actions after their fair demands

police fired on the poor, simple workers killing five in the process. They died in their quest for a better life for all the workers and their struggles and horrific deaths significantly impacted Dr. Cheddi Jagan. On that unforgettable day of their funerals, he silently pledged to dedicate his life to the cause of the Guyanese people and to free them from bondage and exploitation.

Fortified in his belief and determination, he was unrelenting in his struggles for the ad-

The struggles of the Enmore Martyrs and Dr. Jagan were guiding forces during that ominous period when thousands of sugar workers were coldheartedly fired and plunged into economic despair through the politically motivated closure of estates by the APNU+AFC coalition.

It was also a source of inspiration when the APNU+AFC government, through its visionless and inept

Investors plan to construct $2B plaza at Vreed-en-Hoop

GUY-CAN Investors Group Inc. plans to construct a state-of-theart plaza called SPECTRUM at Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara, in order to meet

the growing demand for residential, commercial and entertainment spaces.

According to the project summary submitted to the Environmental Pro -

tection Agency (EPA) for review, the plaza will be located at 14 Coglan Dam, Vreed-en-hoop, which is next to the busy Vreed-enHoop shopping area and the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore

Base.

SPECTRUM hopes to provide safe, comfortable and professional residential, retail and entertainment spaces in an efficient and effective manner for

its customers, catering to the needs of the community and the high demand in the area, the company said.

The project entails the construction of multiple buildings, each serving various purposes such as

market, was expected to start May 1, 2023 and be completed by December 10, 2023.

This project will generate direct employment opportunities for 50 plus persons during the construction phase and 500

dining, recreation, entertainment, and retail. These buildings will include a restaurant, supermarket, rooftop bar, pool hall, office space, gym, retail outlets, and a hotel.

The project will be done in phases over a period of time estimated to be four years. Construction is expected to be completed by December 1, 2026.

The first building, a roof top bar, was expected to start in February, 2023 and be completed by August 31, 2023, while the second building, a super-

plus persons during the operational phase.

“Our research indicates that there is a greater demand for modern professional services in Guyana; especially in Vreed-enHoop community where there will be massive business opportunity in the Oil and Gas field,” the company said.

The project will be designed to attract more of a retail and entertainment setting, which caters for the huge demand caused by the many off shore businesses.

A satellite image of the site

‘Blood Bank’ records 10,000 donors to date

- aims to achieve 12,000 donors for 2023

THE Ministry of Health’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has achieved a massive goal of 10,000 voluntary blood donors to date.

This was revealed by Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, on Wednesday, during the World Blood Donor Day 2023 ceremony, at Banks DIH, Thirst Park, Ruimveldt.

“We have achieved and sustained a 100 per cent voluntary donation in our country. Not only did we achieve that, but we were one of the regional leaders in a 100 per cent voluntary donation, in terms of developing countries,” Dr Ramsammy disclosed.

He said that based on samples of 1,000 people, the blood donation rate in the country has increased to 16, which is the average for high-middle-income countries.

Due to the increase, a sufficient amount of blood is now always available for persons in need, especially those with chronic diseases.

However, as the ministry expands its drive to implement life-saving products and undergo life-sav-

ing procedures, more blood is needed.

“Whilst today we celebrate 10,000 donations, we will need to move immediately to 12,000, and I believe that is the 2023 target. But quite rapidly we have to shift to 15,000,” Dr. Ramsammy said.

Director of the NBTS, Dr Pedro Lewis urged persons to come on board and donate blood, noting that one unit of blood can save three lives.

Meanwhile, persons and organisations, who donated blood on numerous occasions were awarded for their contributions.

One of the persons who were diagnosed with a medical condition, Candy Lambert expressed her gratitude to the donors.

“My immune system attacks and destroys my red blood cells, so without a blood transfusion, that destruction continues. So, I would like to say that I appreciate all the donors and I thank you very much,” the young woman expressed.

World Blood Donor Day is being celebrated under the theme: “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” (DPI)

Director of NBTS, Dr Pedro Lewis delivering remarks to the audience at the ceremony

Pioneering the arts at Annandale Secondary just for the love of it —

Renita Dindyal tells her story

By Telesha Ramnarine

RENITA Doodnauth Din-

dyal may have spent many of her years training as an English Language teacher, but the love rooted deep in her heart for acting ever since she was a child going to church, won out, and allowed her to

step to the fore.

The 36-year-old ‘East Coast’ girl who hails from Enterprise, started drama when she attended church as a young girl, which fostered the passion and love for the craft that continues with her to this day.

“It was my go to for re-

laxation and entertainment,” she told Buzz this week.

Even as a trained teacher, and as a mother of three (sometimes five when she cares for her deceased sisterin-law’s children), Renita still makes the time to pursue her career in entertainment.

Having attended the Uni-

versity of Guyana, ‘copping’ her degree in English Language, she recalls having to work on plays, novels, and different pieces of literature. This blended in well with her background of sharing in drama at church.

After graduating and starting to teach literature, Renita was offered a place at the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama where she spent roughly six months pursuing a diploma in the arts.

“The contributions I

make to acting even when I am not acting make me feel fulfilled. I walk with my head held high knowing I would have put out there the best of me...out of pure love... and it feels really good,” she expressed.

With ‘Old Toy Train’ as her first film, Renita also does radio and television productions and within the next five years or so, plans to explore more with films, rather than live stage performances.

“The pieces that I partici-

pate in, I really want them to be impactful pieces so even though I have been offered quite a number of roles, the few I have taken are pieces I find significant to what I believe in. I choose the roles I take up wisely,” she shared.

After she graduated from ‘Drama School’ Renita’s headmistress saw the flair in her and encouraged her to take up teaching drama,

DRAMA TEACHER

Renita Doodnauth Dindyal

At the National Drama Festival awards ceremony in 2016 with Allia George. Renita’s story won “Best Expression of a Guyanese Folktale”

‘Dedication to Daddy’ is back this Sunday

AFTER a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Fathers’ Day cultural extravaganza ‘Dedication to Daddy’ is back with its fourth edition, which is slated for Sunday, June 18, 2023 at the National Cultural Centre from 20:00 hours.

According to Director/ Producer Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, an award winning thespian, the musical drama is expected to be the best one yet, as it features exceptional vocalists, talented actors and energetic dancers all of whom will be intertwined in an evening of rich entertainment for the entire family.

The performers include Delisha Wright, Jolyan Harry, Mosa Telford, Simone Dowding, Keisha Sam, Marissa Morgan Bonie, Romel Edmondson, Lee Leong, Paul Budnah, and Kreative Dance Troupe, among others.

Additionally, five fathers will be honoured to show appreciation for their steadfastness and dedication to their respective families, and a complimentary glass of wine will be offered to all males in attendance.

The event is sponsored in part by the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, Modern Grafix, Hans Landscaping, and the National Communications Network (NCN).

Sheron, well known as ‘Mother J’ from the popular series “Agree to Disagree” which rocked local television

back in the days, is originally from Albouystown, Georgetown, and has succeeded in acting to the point where she has secured several awards including Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Director, Best Original Guyanese Play, and Best Costume.

Her first play in 1992 was called “Rope and the Cross” but the one she enjoyed doing the most was playing a 16-year-old blind girl who was sexually violated in

“Why didn’t he ask Cora?”

Explaining how her acting career began, Sheron told this publication in a previous interview that she had participated in a year-end concert at Critchlow Labour College which was highly praised. At the end of the show, she brushed off suggestions that she should join the Theatre Guild.

“One day I was home cleaning and doing chores

and not even thinking about what that person said to me. But I suddenly thought to myself that I should check out Theatre Guild.” She did and has never looked back since.

Sheron started to direct plays and won the National Drama Festival with “83 Million G’s”, “Watch the Ride”, and “Till I find a Place 3”. “I think I have achieved quite a lot in the industry. I never thought I would be able to produce and direct,” she said.

Sheron views acting as another avenue of addressing social issues.

“There are so many societal issues. We have so many books, conferences. People go sit down, fall asleep and whatever. But to me, when you see certain things played out before you, live on stage, it hits home deeper.”

To her, acting is definitely not just about the money.

Pioneering the arts...

She enjoys seeing the impact the classes have on her students and she feels proud watching them excel in the field.

“In the inception, I did it because of my love for it. It’s still the same today. Whenever I go an extra mile, I do it because I just love it. Every now and again I come across a past student and see what they’re doing and I feel proud. It feels good.”

Meanwhile, even though she is not getting to act as much because of teaching, Renita still ends up having to write a lot of content.

Backstage

From page 20

“When I started teaching drama at the school, it sparked the interest of children who did not like reading as much. I shifted my focus from literature which had them reading all the time and I started to engage the weaker ones who were shunning the literature class,” Renita recalled.

and took a quick snap with her family even getting her the syllabus to do so. Since then, she was shifted from the English Language department and became the head of the Allied Arts Department at the Annandale Secondary School, simply because she pioneered that subject area there.

“I have done one significant piece which was written for the 2016 Drama Festival. The piece won. I was encouraged to document lost tales from my village; lost stories, old stories that were told to me by my grandparents. I am working on my first collection and I already have a title for it: The world according to my nana,” she shared.

of “The Tides of Susanburg” when Renita was in costume for the role of ‘Savitri’

Director/Producer Sheron Cadogan-Taylor

Sheron (at centre) with some of her colleagues in the entertainment industry

Oliver Samuels looks at future of Jamaican theatre

LONG hailed as Jamaica's king of comedy, Oliver Samuels gets serious

when discussing stalwarts of theatre. Many of them, he noted, get little

respect from the country's internet generation.

Samuels, currently

starring in playwright Patrick Brown's ‘Guilty With Explanation,’ says Jamaican youth have minimal knowledge of achievements of giants like Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley and Ranny "Maas Ran" Williams.

"Our culture unfortunately celebrates persons with little contribution to our country. Wi don't even begin to write the history of Miss Lou, Lois Kelly-Miller, Maas Ran [Williams], and Charles Hyatt, which is sad," Samuels told the Jamaica Observer.

Kelly-Miller was a contemporary of Miss Lou, Williams and Hyatt. When she died in 2020 at age 102, it closed the chapter on actors who helped shape theatre in pre-Independence Jamaica.

Samuels rubbed shoulders with Kelly-Miller, Miss Lou, and Williams in the 1971 national pantomime, Music Boy, his first major production. Over the years, his respect for their humility and dedication to

the craft grew even more.

That respect, he stated, is lacking in many Jamaican youth.

Still, Samuels is pleased, in large part, with the growth and advances in local theatre, but laments that the words of National Hero Marcus Garvey ring true, "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."

"Unless they [youth] become a part of the movement they can never know what goes into a produc-

tion to bring it to a level where viewers can come and enjoy our creativity," said Samuels.

The veteran comedian continues to fly the flag wherever he takes the stage and hopes that the richness of the Jamaican culture will continue to be celebrated.

‘Guilty With Explanation,’ which opened last year, also stars Lekeisha Ellison and Tesfa Edwards. The comedy closes Sunday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

After a frustrating three-year break due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, this production marked Samuels' return to the stage.

Being away from theatre for an extended period was not easy, but he is pleased with the response to Guilty With Explanation.

"Is a laugh-a-line play, an Jamaica love a bellyful a laughs," he said. (Jamaica Observer)

Gyptian tours with ‘Only Room For Two’

REGGAE and dancehall star, Gyptian, hits the road in support of his new singles ‘Only Room for Two’ and ‘Hot Gyal Walk Out’.

The ‘Only Room for Two’ tour started in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on June 10, and moves through the US and Caribbean, with a stop in South America along the way.

Among the 14 announced dates, which run from June to August, are performances in Georgia, New York, and Jamaica.

Additional UK shows will be announced soon.

Last month, Gyptian shared competing fantasies on his two new songs and their accompanying joint music video via VP Records.

He's remained busy, performing at shows, and giving a presentation at the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Plantation, Florida, where he gifted the museum with a gold plaque for his hit ‘Hold You.’ (Jamaica Observer)

Oliver Samuels

Gyptian

Disney sets date for new 'Star Wars' film, delays 'Avatar' sequels

WALT Disney Co (DIS.N), on Tuesday, announced that a new "Star Wars" film will reach theatres in 2026 but said it would postpone the release of the next three installments in James Cameron's blockbuster "Avatar" series.

The studio also pushed back the scheduled release dates for "Thunderbolts" and "Blade," two Marvel films that have been disrupted by the ongoing strike by Hollywood writers.

"Avatar" producer, Jon Landau, wrote on Twitter that the filmmakers needed more time to complete the third, fourth and fifth installments in the science-fiction series set on the fictional moon of Pandora.

"Avatar 3," originally scheduled to debut in December 2024, is now set for release in December 2025. "Avatar 4" is slated for December 2029 and "Avatar 5" for December 2031.

"Each Avatar film is an exciting but epic undertaking that takes time to bring to the quality level we as filmmakers strive for and audiences have come to ex-

pect," Landau wrote. "The team is hard at work and can’t wait to bring audiences back to Pandora in December 2025."

A new "Star Wars" movie was scheduled for December 2026, one of two in the space saga that will be released that year.

"Blade" starring Mahershala Ali was postponed by

five months to February 2025. "Thunderbolts," previously set for July 2024, was moved to December 2024.

One Marvel movie, a "Deadpool" sequel starring Ryan Reynolds, will be released sooner than expected. It will reach theaters in May 2024, rather than November 2024. (Reuters)

Scottish camper, 74, is TikTok hit

well let's do some camping and I've enjoyed every minute of it."

His channel has found greater success after it was promoted by musician Kristian Keenan on TikTok.

Keenan wanted to promote a channel with "little to no views" on YouTube. His video about Pat has now been viewed more than 12 million times.

The number of subscribers to Pat's YouTube channel has jumped to more than 400,000 as a result of the endorsement.

FOR two years Scottish pensioner Pat McErlean has been posting videos about his camping trips on YouTubewith limited success.

But the 74-year-old's Wander with Mac channel has gone viral overnight after catching the attention of an influential TikTok account.

In his whimsical films, he takes viewers on tours of the countryside near his home in Dumfries and Galloway.

One TikTok promoting his videos has been viewed 12 million times.

Pat told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland that he enjoys his new nickname of "grandad" from the "young yins" who watch his videos on TikTok.

"I got a message from one of the guys that has a holiday home in my village saying 'Pat get on to your YouTube channel, something's happening'," he said.

"I think they like the way I put things. Instead of being called an old git or something they say 'that's my grandad'."

Pat's lifelong passion for camping was inspired by the gift of an Ordnance Survey map when he was 10 years old.

He created his channel two years ago to document his camping trips with his dog, Morag, with a storytelling style inspired by Scottish film maker John Grierson and presenter Tom Weir.

"I've been in camping off and on since I was a laddie," he said.

"When I was 10 years old I lived near Edinburgh and I used to disappear up the Pentlands at night and go for long walks."

Now retired and living in Garlieston, he said: "I wanted to do something - something different, something that I'd enjoy - something that was a bit of an adventure so I thought

Pat has now set up his own TikTok account, also called Wander with Mac. It already has more subscribers than the creator who promoted him.

Pat has since been in touch with Kristian Keenan who was equally surprised by the success of the video.

"I'm not that tech savvy but I managed to get on TikTok and find out who the guy was, he said.

"I contacted him and we've exchanged messages and he was gobsmacked as well.

"He thought 'I might get this old guy 500 or maybe a couple of thousand extra subscriptions and get his channel monetized'. He couldn't believe it either."

Pat has had to put his camping hobby on hold recently due to health problems, so Keenan has helped raise more than £1,000 to help with the cost of running a campervan. (BBC)

A Star Wars popcorn box is seen during the "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" movie opening night fan event in New York City, U.S. on December 19, 2019 (REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/FILE PHOTO)

The Wander with Mac YouTube channel now has more than 400,000 subscribers (WANDER WITH MAC/YOUTUBE)

Brazil forward Vinicius Jr to lead new anti-racism committee, FIFA says

By Fernando Kallas

BARCELONA, (Reuters)

- Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr will lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee made up of players who will suggest stricter punishments for discriminatory behaviour in football, president Gianni Infantino told Reuters on Thursday.

Brazil forward Vinicius was racially abused by fans when Madrid played Valencia in May, the 10th such incident involving the 22-yearold that LaLiga has reported

to prosecutors this season.

Infantino told Reuters that as well as applying disciplinary and competition punishments, FIFA will also pursue legal action against abusers in countries where racism happens in football matches.

"There will be no more football with racism in it. The games should be stopped immediately when it happens. Enough is enough," Infantino said on Thursday, after meeting Vinicius and the Brazil national team, who play Guinea in Barcelona

on Saturday as part of an anti-racism campaign led by the Brazilian FA (CBF).

"I asked Vinicius to lead this group of players that will present stricter punishments against racism that will later be implemented by all football authorities around the world.

"We need to hear the players and what they need to work in a safer environment. We are very serious about it.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

"It's impossible to tolerate it anymore. We need the help and support from the authorities because the racists need to be identified, detained and banned for life from any stadium in the world.

"And it's not only in stadiums, in social media too. It's also very serious and needs the same punishment."

RACING TIPS

Brazil

"We will implement very blunt and strong punishments to end once and for all with the problem of racism in football. We can't tolerate racism anymore. As president of FIFA, I feel I needed to talk personally with Vinicius about it."

(Friday June 16, 2023)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD

-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Melbourne, 1876-77

(2) ENG won by 45 runs

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the captains involved in the very first ENG/AUST Test match?

(2) Who was the top-scorer in that game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

LaLiga and the Spanish FA (RFEF), the country's top football authorities, are under pressure to do more to combat racism after Vinicius received support from across the world following the abuse he suffered in Valencia.

Infantino, however, stressed that measures should be taken globally to eradicate discrimination in football and that political authorities and local prosecutors in every country also need to tackle racism with more determination.

"Unfortunately, racism is not a problem that exists

only in Spain. It exists in many, many other countries. That is why we need to take collective measures to fight against it all over the world," Infantino said.

"We need the governments to understand that they need to educate children in school (about racism) because it's a social problem, but it's a football problem too.

"We need to stop the games, apply disciplinary and competitive measures and all of it needs to be coordinated with local authorities and governments.

"An act of racism is a criminal act... From now on, FIFA will take legal actions with local authorities too, we will join complaints filed in local justice.

English Racing Tips York

08:50 hrs Westernesse

09:25 hrs Travel Candy

10:00 hrs Pink Crystal

10:25 hrs Shining Blue

11:10 hrs Cool Run

11:45 hrs Motagally

12:21 hrs Balhambar Sandown

08:30 hrs Kingswood Flyer

09:05 hrs What’s In The Bag 09:40 hrs Inner City

10:15 hrs Armaic 10:50 hrs New Dayrell

11:25 hrs Bell Song

12:00 hrs Trooper Bisdee Aintree

12:15 hrs Copper Beach

12:50 hrs Two Past Eight

13:25 hrs Landen Calling

14:00

hrs Parting Glass

13:00 hrs Go Athletico

forward Vinicius was racially abused by fans when Real Madrid played Valencia in May

Ebadot, Shanto lead Bangladesh into ascendancy

...Bangladesh sped at nearly six runs an over after deciding against enforcing follow-on

By Mohammad Isam

BANGLADESH overcame an early morning hiccup to sit on a 370-run lead at the end of the second day of the Dhaka Test against Afghanistan.

On a 16-wicket day, the home side sped to 134 for 1 in 23 overs at stumps, having bowled out the visitors for 146. Bangladesh had earlier been bowled out for 382, losing their last five wickets for nine runs.

(Scores: Bangladesh 382 and 134 for 1 (Shanto 54*, Zakir 54*, Hamza 1-27) lead Afghanistan 146 (Zazai 36, Jamal 35, Ebadot 4-47) by 370 runs

The day's honours would go to two fast bowlers. Nijat Masood took 5-79 in Bangladesh's first innings. He be-

came the second Afghanistan bowler to take a five-for on Test debut. Ebadot Hossain's 4-47 was his best figures at home, but he missed out on a five-for after the Bangladesh spinners took the last three Afghanistan wickets.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan were the unbeaten batters at stumps, having both made 54 off 64 balls each. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who made a half-century in the first innings, fell for 17, after which Shanto and Zakir added 116 runs for the unbroken second-wicket stand. Both reached their fifties with boundaries off successive balls.

Shanto took off in the second innings from where he left off in the first dig. Masood dropped him off his own bowling when the left-

hander was on nine. Shanto shook it off to drive freely, while Zakir used the pull shot to good effect.

Bangladesh batters were able to play this freely mainly because of how their bowlers fared in the afternoon. Ebadot used the extra bounce on the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch to pick up four

wickets. He had the short delivery rearing at Abdul Malik's gloves, who handed a catch to Zakir at third slip.

Rahmat Shah was caught in two minds, switching between the pull and the flick, before miscuing the ball to Taskin Ahmed at mid-on.

Ebadot used his bounce again to get rid of Afsar

Zazai, who top-edged a pull and got caught at deep square leg for 36. It was the short ball again that served Ebadot well when he had Amir Hamza caught at short leg.

Shoriful Islam had a good outing too, taking the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, either side of the lunch break.

Zadran was caught behind, while Shahidi edged to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at fourth slip.

Mehidy and Taijul Islam also took two wickets each, mopping up Afghanistan's lower half. Mehidy broke the 65-run stand between Zazai and Nasir Jamal by trapping the latter lbw for 35. Mehidy completed his 150th wicket in Tests when he had Karim Janat stumped for 23. The innings ended with Bangladesh

gaining a 236-run lead and they chose to bat again.

Earlier in the morning, the home side were bowled out for 382 runs within 45 minutes of the start of play. They collapsed from 373 for 5 in just 4.5 overs and added 20 runs to their overnight total.

Mehidy and Mushfiqur Rahim, who had added 83 runs for the sixth wicket, fell within six balls of each other. Yamin Ahmadzai had Mehidy caught at gully while Masood had Mushfiqur fending a short ball to third slip. Both got out in the forties. Masood removed Taijul who popped a catch to short leg before completing his five-for by uprooting Shoriful's offstump. (Cricinfo.)

Australian trio 1-2-3 in ICC Test batting rankings

AUSTRALIA have a onetwo-three at the top of the ICC Test rankings for batters, with Travis Head moving three places to third spot, behind Marnus Labuschagne at No. 1 and the second-placed Steven Smith.

The last time three batters from the same team occupied the top three places in the Test rankings was in December 1984, when Gordon Greenidge (810), Clive Lloyd (787), and Larry Gomes (773) from West Indies were at the top.

Head top-scored with a match-defining 163 against India in the World Test Championship final at The Oval. He came in at 76-3 on the first day and lifted Australia to 469.

Smith, who also scored a hundred in the first innings, and Head put on a 285-run stand for the fourth wicket to give Australia a strong total. India eventually fell short by 209 runs as Australia clinched their maiden WTC title.

Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who scored a valuable 48 and 66 not out down the order, gained 11 places to occupy the 36th position. India’s top-ranked batters from the current lot are Rohit Sharma at 12th and Virat Kohli at 13th, while Rishabh Pant is 10th.

Among bowlers, off-spinner Nathan Lyon‘s five wickets in the match helped him move two places to jointsixth, with England quick Ollie Robinson. Though Lyon

bowled only four overs and picked up a wicket in the first innings, his 4-41 in the second innings helped bowl India out for 234. His team-mate Scott Boland moved up five places to 36th, four spots ahead of India’s Mohammed Siraj, who picked up five wickets in the final.

R Ashwin, despite being left out of the XI, remains the No. 1 Test bowler. There were no changes in the top 10 of all-rounder rankings where Ravindra Jadeja is on top and Ashwin second.

The only other Indian in the top 10 is Axar Patel (fourth) and the two Australians in the top lot are Mitchell Starc (eighth) and Pat Cummins (10th). (Cricinfo).

Nijat Masood bagged a five-for on Test debut

Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head

Dindyal to lead Guyana in CWI Rising Stars U-19 tournament

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced a strong national Under-19 team to participate in this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Regional Under-19 tournament to be played in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from July 2, 2023.

The Junior Selection Panel, led by Chairman Andre Percival, has named a 14-man squad with 10 players returning from last year’s regional tournament where Guyana finished in third place in the Three-Day version. Last year’s tournament did not feature a Super50

format.

The regional tournament this year welcomes the return of the Super50 format which gives play-

ers an extended opportunity to showcase their talent.

Outstanding performances during the tour-

nament can ensure players stake a claim for selection in the West Indies Under-19 team that will be selected to participate in next year’s Youth World Cup.

Talented batsman Mavindra Dindyal has been appointed captain of the team this year with Jonathan Rampersaud as his deputy. The squad also includes gifted opening batsman Rampertab Ramnauth, who has already scored centuries for Guyana at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels.

Express West Indies Under-19 pacer, Isaiah

Thorne, is also in the squad, along with Shamar Yearwood who scored a senior Inter-County fourday century earlier this year. Yearwood was also the leading run-scorer for Guyana at last year’s Under-19 competition.

The four newcomers are wicketkeeper batsman Shaahid Vieira, fast bowler Joash Charles, left-arm spinner Aryan Persaud and batting all-rounder Thaddeus Lovell.

Andre Percival will return as the Head Coach, and Budhesh Chatterpaul the Manager.

The team will commence encampment short-

ly.

FULL SQUAD: Rampertab Ramnauth, Shaahid Vieira (WK), Mavindra Dindyal (Captain), Alvin Mohabir, Jonathan Rampersaud (Vice-Captain), Zachary Jodah, Thaddeus Lovell, Aryan Persaud, Joash Charles, Zeynul Ramsammy, Shamar Yearwood, Jeremy Sandia, Rivaldo Phillips and Isaiah Thorne.

RESERVES: Myheim Khan, Chanderpaul Ramraj, Ezekiel Wilson, Kevin Kisten, Nityanand Mathura, Krishna Singh and Sachin Balgobin. (Press release from the GCB).

Sensational Surrey pull off biggest County Championship chase in 98 years

SURREY completed the second-highest successful run chase in County Championship history by reaching 501 to beat Kent on Tuesday.

Dom Sibley’s marathon, unbeaten 140 – from 415 balls and spanning 580 minutes – underpinned a sensational effort from the champions as they eclipsed their previous highest chase of 410 in 2002.

In finishing on 501 for five Surrey achieved the highest winning target in the County Championship since Middlesex chased down 502 to beat Nottinghamshire in 1925.

Ben Foakes (124) also completed a century on the final day while Jordan Clark hit the winning run shortly after tea.

Elsewhere, Sam Cook,

Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter helped Essex record a 196-run victory over Somerset.

Fast bowler Cook grabbed two wickets in two deliveries with the new ball before Harmer took two more to claim match figures of eight for

178 and Porter rounded off the tail.

Somerset needed to bat out 151 overs, or reach 466 to win, but they were eventually bowled out for 269 with two sessions to spare.

Lancashire made short work of scoring the 92 runs they required to

clinch a six-wicket victory against Hampshire in just over an hour’s play on day four.

An unbeaten 64 by Red Rose captain Dane Vilas steered his side to a first championship win of the season before lunch.

Joe Clarke turned his

first red-ball century for 21 months into a maiden double-hundred as Nottinghamshire denied Warwickshire victory.

Thanks to Clarke’s unbeaten 229, spanning eight hours and 38 minutes, Notts clawed back a deficit of 416 on first innings after following on.

In Division Two, Worcestershire fell agonisingly short of their target of 386 in a tense draw with Sussex.

All four results were possible with two deliveries of the match remaining, before Joe Leach needed five off the final ball but a swing and a miss left the visitors stranded on 381 for eight.

Chris Wright and Callum Parkinson took four wickets apiece as Leicestershire dismissed

Gloucestershire for 202.

That left the Foxes needing 221 to win and they got home for the loss of five wickets with Rehan Ahmed hitting a rapid 71 and Colin Ackermann making 78 not out.

Yorkshire celebrated a championship victory for the first time in 14 months as they knocked off 65 to beat Derbyshire by three wickets.

Shan Masood’s unbeaten 95 off 112 deliveries and a run-a-ball 41 not out from Dom Bess saw the visitors home after Dawid Malan had fallen to the first ball of the day.

Chris Cooke (134 not out) and Timm van der Gugten (52 not out) batted Glamorgan to a draw at Durham with an unbroken stand of 153. (Sportsmax).

Talented batsman Mavindra Dindyal will lead the Guyana Under-19 team

Express West Indies Under-19 pacer Isaiah Thorne

Ben Foakes (left) and Dom Sibley chased down a mammoth total (Mike Egerton/PA)

Stokes has confidence he can bowl for England against Australia

ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes says he has "real confidence" he can play his part as a bowler in the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston.

Stokes has bowled only one over in competitive cricket since February as he manages a left-knee issue.

But the all-rounder has bowled a spell in practice on each of three days leading up to today’s series opener.

"I've run in with more intensity day by day. I'm in a really good position to be able to bowl," said Stokes.

Stokes, 32, did not bowl in England's win over Ireland at the beginning of the month and, prior to that, sent down only one over during his spell with Chennai Super Kings at the Indian Premier League in April and May.

The injury appeared at its most severe in England's defeat by New Zealand in Wellington in February, when he bowled just two overs in the first innings and not at all in the second.

But Stokes, with his knee heavily strapped, bowled for be-

tween 20-30 minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Edgbaston, spells of around five overs.

His ability to bowl is likely to be crucial on what is set to be a very flat pitch and

with England having to include off-spinner Moeen Ali for his first Test for nearly two years following an injury to Jack Leach.

"I definitely feel in a better place than I did in Wellington,"

said Stokes. "What I have done in the last three days - bowling three spells - has been a real confidence boost for me."

Doubts over the amount Stokes is able to bowl are a contributing factor in the selection of Stuart Broad ahead of Mark Wood to join James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the seam attack.

Whereas Wood offers high pace, he would have only been able to bowl short spells and has his own historical fitness issues.

Broad, 36, is England's all-time leading wicket-taker in Ashes cricket and has a superb record against Australia opener David Warner, whom he dismissed seven times in the same series four years ago.

And Stokes admitted he would be "lying" if he did not admit Broad's hold over Warner was not a reason for the selection.

"Broady's record against Australia is incredible and it's very hard to look past someone like that, in the opening game of the series," he said.

"I'm very happy with the team we've ended up picking."

Moeen, 35, retired from

Test cricket in September 2021

and has not played a first-class match since.

But he was messaged by Stokes after Leach suffered a stress fracture in his back and the Warwickshire man will make his Test return on his home ground.

"Mo is the life and soul of every dressing room he comes into," Stokes told BBC Sport. "It is fantastic to have him back.

"I had to think hard about who we would replace Leachy with. A player like Mo, who I have seen put in some unbelievable match-winning performances, albeit a long time ago, was something I couldn't look past.

"That was a stomach and a heart feeling, rather than my brain. Generally, I have stuck with my heart and my gut throughout my captaincy so far."

England have not won an Ashes series since 2015 and have not held the urn since relinquishing it to Australia down under in 2017-18.

They were beaten 4-0 away 18 months ago, but are riding the wave of 11 wins in 13

Tests since Stokes took over as captain.

The prospect of England testing their swashbuckling style of play against an Australian side that was crowned Test world champions as recently as Sunday has created levels of anticipation not matched since England's epic series win in 2005.

"Every day that we edge closer to the start of the series, we are wishing it starts tomorrow and now that day is finally here," said Stokes.

"What we have done over the past year is show how we want to play. We have found a way to get the best out of the team and the individuals.

"We get asked a lot if we are going to continue to play this way against this opposition or that opposition and we have made it clear that this is how England play their cricket against any opposition, because it's worked more than not.

"There's no question around how we are going to go out and play our cricket, even though it's against Australia."(BBC Sport)

Nepal, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe impress ahead of CWC Qualifier

THE second and final set of warm-up fixtures ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier produced some big performances and statement results

The tournament gets underway in Zimbabwe on Sunday, but all ten teams were involved on Thursday in a full round of warm-up matches.

Netherlands beat Ireland by two wickets

The Netherlands clung on to win a low-scoring encounter against Ireland thanks in large part to the outstanding Wesley Barresi.

The first innings saw Lorcan Tucker hit his second half-century of the warm-up matches to rescue Ireland after a flurry of early wickets.

Helpful early bowling conditions, which could be a trend throughout the next few weeks, saw Ireland slip to 58/5.

But the resolute Tucker held the innings together with a fine 90-ball 74, while Gareth Delany’s quickfire 46 from 25 and Graham Hune’s 34-ball 30 helped the Irish to 193 all out in 39.2 overs.

Six of the seven Dutch bowlers picked up wickets,

with Logan van Beek (2/23 from seven) and Clayton Floyd (2/36 from nine) the stand-outs.

And in reply Netherlands looked in complete control on 94/1 before slipping to 114/6 and leaving the match hanging in the balance.

Barresi’s outstanding 90 did much of the work, and a gritty 65-ball 30 low down the order by Shariz Ahmad took the Dutch to the cusp of victory.

And they reached their total with two wickets remaining, with star bowler Ben White (5/61) the pick of the Irish attack.

Nepal beat Oman by two wickets

Nepal pulled off a stunning win over Oman in Harare, chasing down 267 with wickets to spare.

An outstanding century from Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood had helped his side to a decent first-inning score of 267 all out, with the final wicket falling with four balls of the innings remaining.

But Kushal Bhurtel’s brilliant century at the top of the order led the charge for Nepal in reply, with the opener retiring after reaching triple figures.

All of Nepal’s top six reached double figures, with Bhim Sharki the next-highest scorer with 56.

And, as wickets fell in a flurry with the target almost within reach, Lamichhane Sandeep made the result safe with a six off his first ball faced.

Aqib Ilyas was the pick of the Oman bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/42 from 7.5 overs.

Nepal had been hopeful of restricting the first-innings target significantly when they ran through Oman’s top order at the start of the day, having them 7/4 after 6.2 overs.

But the outstanding Maqsood led the fightback with his outstanding 109 from 106 balls, and was aided by decent contri-

butions from Shoaib Khan (38) and Ayaan Khan (56).

Sompal Kami was the star with the ball for Nepal, taking 5/57, including three of those four early wickets and the scalp of Maqsood. Lamichhane bagged 3/66, while KC Karan and JC Pratish also picked up wickets.

Zimbabwe beat Scotland by six wickets

The tournament hosts crushed Scotland in a dominant display in Harare

Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept Scotland tied down throughout their first innings, limiting the score to 163 all out.

Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe and Sean Williams all took braces of wickets, with Tendai Chatara, Brad Evans, Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza all taking one apiece.

Matthew Cross and Brandon McMullen got Scotland off to a reasonable start before the wickets tumbled, with Jack Jarvis and Chris McBride the only other batters to reach double figures when they came in at eight and nine respectively.

And Zimbabwe made easy work of their chase, reaching the target in just under half

the allotted overs, finishing on 166/4 in 24.5.

Sri Lanka beat USA by 198 runs

Qualification favourites Sri Lanka put USA to the sword, racking up a formidable 379 in Bulawayo before running through the American batting line-up.

Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne scored outstanding centuries, with the latter retiring on 111 and Mendis dismissed for 105.

And quickfire efforts from Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka boosted the score as runs flowed late in the innings, with Asalanka’s 62* coming off 37 balls and captain Shanaka hitting a 30-ball 61*. It was the fiery Matheesha Pathirana who stood out with the ball, taking 4/23 to help bowl USA out for 174.

Kasun Rajitha 2/28 and Wanindu Hasaranga 2/32 also proved tricky for the USA batters to deal with, with only captain Monank Patel 68 and Shayan Jahangir 63 not out among the runs as the reply ended in 33.2 overs.

(ICC Media)

England captain Ben Stokes

Kusal Mendis Dimuth Karunaratne

Powell 105, Cariah 4-58, propel Windies to victory in final warm-up

HARARE, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – Vice- captain Rovman Powell and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah got into the groove and powered West Indies to a 114-run win against United Arab Emirates in the second and final series of warm-up matches for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier on Thursday in Zimbabwe.

Powell slammed 105 from 55 balls and led a brutal assault on the UAE bowling after pacer Muhammad Jawadullah undermined the top order batting of the Caribbean side before they recovered to reach 374 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs in the 50 overs-aside match at the Takashinga Cricket Club.

“It’s very important to score runs and score runs right before the big show starts,” Powell said. “It’s the World Cup qualifiers, and it’s important to get a little bit

of runs under your belt. You know once you score runs, with it comes confidence, and you know it’s just to get good preparation going into the qualifiers.”

Cariah followed up with a destructive spell of four for 58 from his allotted 10 overs, and West Indies defied

an undefeated 122 off 108 balls from Basil Hameed and restricted the Emiratis to 260 for nine from their 50 overs.

The Caribbean side failed to ease concerns about the consistency of their top order batting as Jawadullah grabbed three for 50 in eight overs and had them wob -

bling on 114 for four after 16 overs.

Former white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran hit 74 from 67 balls and dominated a stand of 82 for the fifth wicket with Keacy Carty to add some meat to the total.

Pooran and Carty, who made 24, were two of three

wickets that fell for two runs in the span of 10 balls and had West Indies rocking on 198 for seven after 32 overs.

An electrifying stand of 139 for the eighth wicket between Powell and Keemo Paul enabled the runs to flow freely for the Caribbean side in the final 18 overs.

Paul made 54 from 50 balls before he fell in the 48th over, and Powell followed with two balls remaining in the innings.

“I think it was a proper innings, and I started pretty slowly and I gave myself some time because you know that’s something I wanted to do for a long time now, so it’s just for me now to try and replicate that,” Powell added.

“I think it was a good batting (pitch), and batting second, especially, there was not a lot of movement, nothing at all. It’s a surface for batters, and batters have to get themselves out, so definitely the guys will be looking to cash

in next time on such a nice (pitch).”

West Indies met resistance from the UAE in the chase when Vriitya Aravind made 54 and shared 74 with Hameed, whose innings included nine fours and nine sixes.

Lanky pacer Jason Holder supported Cariah with two for 26 from seven overs, and the target always appeared out of reach for the Emiratis.

The World Cup Qualifier opens on Sunday, and West Indies face United States at the same venue in their opening match.

On the prospect of the Caribbean side finishing in one of the top two positions in the qualification tournament and reaching the World Cup later this year in India, Powell said: “I think our chances are as good as any. Once we play good cricket, and play good cricket for long periods, we should be OK.”

Rest key to preparation, says rejuvenated Shepherd

HARARE, Zimbabwe, (CMC) – All-rounder Romario Shepherd believes his rest for the recent United Arab Emirates series was pivotal in his preparation for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers starting this weekend.

The 28-year-old displayed an early glimpse of form, blasting a swift 53 off 34 deliveries in Tuesday’s opening warm-up, as West Indies easily brushed aside Scotland by 91 runs at the Harare Sports Club here.

“[The rest] was more mentally. When the skipper called me and told me I was going to get an opportunity to take a rest for a couple days, it was really refreshing for me to go home and spend some time with the family,” Shepherd said.

“I really enjoyed those

10 days and to come back here on the grind again, I’m ready.”

Shepherd appeared on top of his game against the Scots, producing a typically flamboyant innings laced with five fours and three sixes at number nine.

He helped rally the Caribbean side in a 73-run, eighth wicket stand with Roston Chase (30) after the innings slumped to 154 for seven in the 36th over.

“I came out looking to spend some time in the middle because I’ve

been playing a lot of T20 cricket and this is my first opportunity to play 50over cricket in a while,” Shepherd said.

“So, basically when I went out to bat with like 15 overs remaining, I said if I can set myself up to get

some runs at the back end [that would be good], and I did that easily today because the pitch dried out, and it was quite easy to bat at the back end there.”

He continued: “Also with the ball, I wanted to bowl more overs but unfortunately I didn’t get to get the amount of overs that I wanted because we all had to participate in the match.”

Shepherd sent down three overs of pace which cost 10 runs.

Shepherd was one of two players with half-centuries, Captain Shai Hope top-scoring with 57 in a 77-run, fifth wicket partnership with Keacy Carty (32) which helped pull West Indies around from danger at 45 for four in the 12th over.

And Shepherd praised Hope’s leadership, both

with the bat and in the dressing room.

“First of all, as a leader and as a captain, the guys have been buying into all the plans that he’s set out so he’s leading on and off the field, because he’s a hard worker and everyone tries to follow him,” said Shepherd, who has played 18 One-Day Internationals and 26 T20 Internationals.

“And also with the bat, he’s been our best batsman over the past couple of years and also one of the leading batsmen in the world, and some of the young batsmen coming up can take a page out of his book.”

West Indies face United Arab Emirates in their final warm-up on Thursday before taking on United States on Sunday in their first group game of the qualifiers.

Rovman Powell slammed 105 from 55 balls

All-rounder Romario Shepherd

ExxonMobil U-14 boys and Girls Schools’ Football Finalists ready for showdown

THE 2023 edition of the ExxonMobil U-14 Boys and Girls Schools Football Tournament will conclude this weekend with the final for the both classes.

During a press briefing on Thursday, co-director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, contended that the tournament, up until this phase, has been hugely suc-

cessful for them.

With Region One's Waramuri top in both finals, Mendonca added that the Georgetown-based sides need to up their games.

“It sends a serious and a massive message that Guyana is not just Georgetown or region Four and I think the stakeholder need to sit down and come up with a plan to

integrate these teams more into the country."

He further congratulated the Finalists in both the males and female categories as they get ready to battle for

the trophy.

In the girls’ final, President’s College will face Waramuri while Bartica Boys will take on the Waramuri Boys.

CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims kick off today with great expectations for Caribbean sides

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, (CMC) – The road to the CONCACAF Gold Cup starts for six Caribbean Football Union teams when the first round of the preliminary stage kicks off today in the United States.

This round features Suriname, Martinique, Curacao, and Grenada -- the four teams that finished third in League A of the CONCACAF Nations League; Guadeloupe, Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda, and French Guiana -- the four teams that finished second in League B; and St Maarten, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, and Puerto Rico, the four teams that finished first in

League C.

Six of the 12 teams will take to the field at the DRV PNK Stadium for the single elimination matches, meaning that it is win or go home every time a team takes to the field.

The opening match will bring together the CONCACAF 19th ranked Guadeloupeans and 20th ranked Antiguans in a contest between two sides with plenty of recent history before 12th ranked Gold Cup regulars Martinique meet 24th ranked debutants St Lucia, and 14th ranked Curacao square off with 21st ranked St Kitts & Nevis in a clash between two sides with a penchant for the dramatic.

The day’s opener between the two closely ranked sides is expected to be a cracker because the two teams were a part of Group A in the Nations League B cycle and finished with nine points each.

Antigua & Barbuda, affectionately known as the Benna Boyz, also won both head-tohead matches 1-0, and they will be hoping they could be fortunate for a third time to redress the imbalance in the head-to-head that the Gwada Boyz lead 4-2.

The Antiguans got into the preliminary stage fortuitously after Central American side Nicaragua were sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in

eight matches, including against Trinidad & Tobago, whose protest was upheld.

T&T was elevated to direct qualification for the group stage, and the Benna Boyz, by virtue of being the team with the highest points overall in League B not to have qualified, replaced the Soca Warriors.

Antigua & Barbuda are making their debut in the tournament, but Guadeloupe have appeared on four previous occasions, making the knockout round twice, including a run to the semi-finals 16 years ago.

On record, Martinique are highly favoured against the St Lucians because they have be-

come quite familiar with the tournament after they qualified for four of the previous five Gold Cups and have won matches at three of them.

In addition, the French side have won six of their nine matches against the St Lucians, and this will be a step up in class to what their opponents faced in the Nations League.

St Lucia will still take confidence from entering this stage of the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record in the Nations League and never trailing in any of the matches, and the majority of the Martinique squad have fewer than 10 caps.

In the final match of the

day, this will be the first meeting between these two sides, and the Dutch side appear to hold the edge.

Four years ago, they got into the knockout stages of the tournament and gave the United States a really tough game in the quarterfinals and that will provide them with the inspiration for another run.

St Kitts & Nevis, known as the Sugar Boyz, are coming into the tournament after an unbeaten run in the Nations League, and nine goals from eight different players giving proof that a match-winner could come from anywhere on the field.

Waramuri (Boys) Top Brown Makayah Holmes and Bartica’ Rondel Washington Waramuri Top in Burgundy Aaliyah Henry PC- Kimora Edward