Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19 05 2017

Dr Norton hospitalised

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Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

No. 104917

FRIDAY MAY 19, 2017

Price: $80

$749M for village roads (VAT Inclusive)

… procurement entities award 24 multi-million dollar contracts

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Former GRDB ‘big six’ for court today One admits Pag e 9

to theft at Diamond bond Page 5

President for Saudi Arabia summit CDC rushes aid to flood-hit Region Eight Page 15

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Nigel Dharamlall, Badrie Persaud and Jagnarine Singh descending the stairs at SOCU headquarters after being interrogated on corruption allegations pertaining to the Guyana Rice Development Board (Adrian Narine photo)

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Dr Norton hospitalised SOCIAL Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, was on Thursday admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for observation, after complaining of feeling unwell.

President David Granger, accompanied by Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson visited Dr. Norton who appeared to be in good spirits.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Teacher found hanging in bathroom

–– boyfriend in police custody

By Rabindra Rooplall

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

A MASON is in police custody following the discovery of his girlfriend hanging in the bathroom of her home at Dairy, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Wednesday.

The 26- year-old teacher of La Grange Secondary School was identified as Tishauna Bess. The body is at

the Lyken Funeral Home and a post-mortem is expected to be done on Friday.

Reports indicate that after Bess’s relatives could not reach her on her cellular phone since Monday, they decided to visit her home to check on her, but the house was locked.

Police were then summoned and with the permission of the family, the door was forced open and the gruesome discovery was made.

Bess was found hanging and her body appeared bloated, suggesting that she had died days ago.

Relatives in an interview with this publication noted that Bess and her boyfriend Elston Sertima were in an abusive relationship.

This resulted in her leaving him and renting a house

recently in Dairy, La Parfaite Harmonie,WBD. The dead woman’s father, Kenneth Bess, told the Guyana Chronicle that he learnt of his daughter’s death after her mother visited her home and made the discovery.

Expressing grave shock, the father of four, who is a contractor, said his daughter’s boyfriend worked with him on a project as recent as Tuesday last.

“I called him and asked what happened to my daughter and he said he heard that she is dead, I said therefore you got to know what happen to she because is you and she is be together,” he reflected.

Adding that he had visited his daughter’s home on Wednesday when the gruesome discovery was made, Mr Bess said he could not

Dead: Tishauna Bess bear the pain of seeing his daughter dead and decided not to go into the bathroom.

“If I only go and see I might have died myself.

Based on the investigation, the police said she could not have hanged herself in such a position as she was found,” he said.

The father said the police contacted the abusive See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

$749M for village roads … procurement entities award 24 multi-million dollar contracts

AS part of its programme to help stimulate the economy, government will be spending close to one billion dollars to construct and upgrade community roads in three regions, Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Harmon, who is also Minister of State, said Cabinet noted at its meeting on Tuesday the award of 24 contracts valued $749,583,929 by the procurement entities and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in the area of infrastructural development.

The contracts are for projects in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three), Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) and Upper Demerara –Upper Berbice (Region 10) and are part of the Government’s ongoing programme to construct and/or rehabilitate

urban and miscellaneous roads in all communities countrywide.

Late last month, government announced that it will be investing $5 Billion in the housing sector for the delivery and construction of 758 housing units in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10 in a bid to boost the economy. Harmon had made the disclosure during a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency.

He had said then that Government was taking every step to ensure economic activities are revitalised and that money continues to flow into the economy.

Responding to questions on reports of the country in an economic slow-down, and talks by some sections of the business community of laying off workers, Harmon said these reports are taken very seriously by Cabinet. He explained that due to these reports, President David

Granger has at least on three occasions recently summoned some of the key sector ministers including finance, agriculture and business to look at options on how to address the slow-down. Harmon said in responding to the slow-down, the Government is moving to “pump huge sums of money into the economy” that would generate employment and economic activities. The money for construction of these units is projected to have a ripple effect across the economy. It is expected to create employment opportunities for thousands and increase the demand for construction materials.

“The economy is always on the forefront of our considerations -- not only in the Cabinet-- but in all of our Government undertakings.

The impact that the economy has on the people of this country is something which we are very careful about dealing with,” Harmon had said.

He pointed out that the

economic slow-down in the country has to be taken in conjunction with the economic reality of neighbouring countries such as Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago which are in deep recession, due to falling oil prices and other economic crises.

“These economic [realities] are not strange, people are reading, they are on the Internet and they understand what is going on internationally,” he said, adding: “We are doing our best to ensure that we do not have to go down the road, where some of these countries have gone.”

Also back in March Harmon had said that government was banking on its major investments in the housing sector and other areas to spur economic growth. He had said that in 2016, there was not enough implementation of government’s public sector infrastructure programme; however, this year it is expected to be different. “This year

as you can see, the contracts have started to reel off. We are better organised now and therefore all of the contracts which have been placed in this budget…we’re going to use that to ensure that the economy is basically better positioned,” Harmon told the media.

He said too that government will be encouraging private investments and re-committed to strengthening cooperation with the private sector.

“We encourage private sector involvement in the economy.

We are going to engage the private sector in a more meaningful and aggressive way so that this partnership between government and private sector can be used, that energy, that synergy which the two parties bring together, can be used to basically boost and move this country forward,” Minister Harmon said. In late 2016, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, presented the country’s biggest budget

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon of GYD$250 billion under the theme: “Building a diversified green economy: delivering the good life to all Guyanese.”

A number of measures were announced to stimulate the country’s economy and to create employment opportunities.

See Table on page 4

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Table from page 3

DATE: DATE: 26/11/2016 17/05/2017 26/11/2016 18/05/2017

08 14 01 12 11 18 16 19 17 28 26 14 02 N A 11

06 11 13 15

14 18

21 20

24 24

26/11/2016 18/05/2017

04 6

07 9

03 2

26/11/2016 18/05/2017

05 3

04 8

01 6

26/11/2016 18/05/2017 02 02 12 09

13 10

15 11 16 13 17 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Teacher found hanging ...

From page 2

boyfriend and he turned himself in to them.

FEELING Mother of the teacher, Angela James, said after she did not hear from her daughter for days she felt something was wrong.

The mother of three said she last saw her daughter Monday and the same outfit she wore on that day, she was discovered dead with on Wednesday.

“I felt sick from Tuesday, I was getting a pain that is similar to when I was in labour, my entire body was hurting and I said something was wrong to my daughter. I was feeling it deep inside my belly,” the mother explained.

She said immediately after she tried to contact her daughter on her two cell numbers but to no avail.

Sensing something was amiss, she then contacted her daughter’s father and told him of her feelings and he was also unable to get into contact.

“I told him I am not staying at work, something was wrong and I had to find my daughter on that same day! I went over to a cousin and tell her how I feel and me and she decide to go over to my daughter’s house,” she said.

Upon reaching the Dairy, La Parfaite Harmonie house, the mother explained that immediately after walking around the house, she sensed something inside her gut was wrong and she then visited the police station to seek assistance in getting into the house.

“When I walked around the outside of the house where the bathroom was, I felt the same baby pain and I know right there and then my daughter was in the house.

I knocked and called at the front and back door, but there was no answer,” she added.

She explained that with the aid of police assistance and her two sons and relatives, they managed to gain access to the house where the body was found.

The parents and relatives are calling on the police to do a detailed investigation to ensure whoever is the perpetrator, the person should face the full force of the law.

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One admits to theft at Diamond bond –– another resigns, several on station bail

By Svetlana Marshall AS investigation widens into discrepancies at the Public Health Ministry’s Materials Management Unit (MMU), one employee has admitted to stealing a quantity of drugs while several others have been placed on station bail.

In a statement on Thursday, Public Health Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Terrence Esseboom,disclosed that none of the employees who were initially taken into custody and later released has reported for duty.

“They are on strike,” a Materials Management Unit (MMU) official familiar with the incident, said Thursday.

On Wednesday, 15 employees from the MMU Bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara were arrested following the discovery of medical supplies that were allegedly stolen.

Officials had suspected that drugs were being stolen from the unit but did not have evidence. However, on Wednesday evening, an MMU officer observed drugs stashed inside the toilet of the MMU bond.

The officer did not raise an alarm but informed another trusted colleague and a sting operation was set up.

The MMU officials left

the bond but returned later when other MMU employees were about to leave in a bus, then ordered them out and conducted a search, during which the stolen drugs were discovered.

Items stashed included Clozole (an anti-fungal cream used for yeast infection); On Call Plus (used mainly by diabetics to test the blood sugar); Chlorophane (a cough medicine) and Ferrovite (a multivitamin product used to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron and vitamin B12).

The stolen items have been conservatively valued at US$500 (G$100,000).

Since then, one of the employees has admitted to the crime. The investigation has created a massive stir,

pushing one female MMU worker to the point of resignation. The female worker, who was among the 15 arrested initially in the drugs probe resigned “with immediate effect” an official has confirmed.

The MMU has been under fire since the commencement of the year. In January, a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the unauthorised disclosure of information on the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the Public Health Ministry had recommended that there be a major shakeup at the MMU. The Commission had recommended that the Western Scientific Company Limited be debarred from tendering for contracts, accusing a top official of the company of

conspiring with staff of the MMU to gain a competitive advantage over other suppliers.

In the report compiled by Commissioner Winston Cosbert, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ret’d), and dated December 12, 2016, it was further recommended that the MMU staff be transferred to a department suitable for their qualifications and skills and alternatively be trained in the area of procurement.

Moreover, it was recommended that the Ministry should “immediately” fill the positions at the MMU with personnel who have the requisite qualifications and skills set due to the fact that the department handles multi-million dollar contracts.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

Taking responsibility for our actions and development EVER so often, criticisms can be heard from citizens about their disappointment in the pace and quality of development in the society. Nothing is inherently wrong with this type of discontent, given that it can propel persons to participate in or take proactive decisions to bring about the development desired. Conversely, where opportunities and responsibilities exist to realise these, when they are ignored or flouted they hinder the very desire.

For instance, Guyanese bemoan, rightly so, the spate of road accidents and condemn those who are involved. At the same time, even as condemnation is fitting, those who condemn are themselves guilty of not obeying the traffic laws and good practices of the road. Undertaking, driving above the speed limits, and engaging in other acts of discourtesy while using the roads remain daily features.

The closing off of the road last Thursday between Liliendaal and Industry on the Rupert Craig Highway for the installation of the arch at Cummings Lodge brought to attention the disregard for proper road use. Albeit the chaos that resulted from this exercise and the apologies from those involved in the project, apparently it became justification for drivers to use the wrong carriage way, drive on the pavement and engage in other unlawful and discourteous road practices.

When the environment is littered with garbage, its unsightly presence and stench attract the ire of citizens. Among those who condemn are the ones who would throw their garbage around

rather dispose of it in a bin or keep it on them until it can be properly disposed of. When City Council and other Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) cannot adequately provide services, they are condemned. Again, among those who condemn are those who do not pay their taxes, which the NDCs depend on to do their work. The physical environment can look chaotic, and negative comparisons made, but to seek to bring orderliness by requiring adherence to some systems such as organised parking would too be ignored. Drivers will park in areas clearly marked no parking zones, and private property owners and businesses have taken control of the city’s parapets, determining who can or cannot park in front of their premises.

Guyanese have the advantage of not only observing from afar, but also travelling to countries where orderliness in traffic and the physical environment are admired. Such exposure also allows for comparison with what is happening at home and often condemned. Abroad, Guyanese will not grumble but bid their time waiting in lines, content to observe the prevailing etiquette.

The cleanliness of other societies is admired and Guyanese will take their cue in such environments by ensuring proper disposal of their garbage. They also do likewise when using these roads.

These practices are however not observed at home and it is not unusual to see the return to unacceptable behaviour soon after deplaning.

Paying taxes, obeying the laws, and displaying public courtesy are civic responsibilities and important to the devel-

opment of every society. Societies would find it difficult to progress when these values are disregarded. The pursuit and maintenance of this help to explain why deterrence is built into laws -- such as stiff fines for littering -- in order to ensure obedience. It is not a case where Guyanese are incapable of doing the right thing, but there may be need for enforcement such as in increased policing and making the deterrence prohibitive enough to ensure appropriate behaviour. While some are prepared to uphold their civic responsibilities, where others are not so prepared, strong decisions have to be taken to bring about the needed behavioural change.

The clogged drains, garbage thrown around, discourteous drivers, tax defaulters, and other acts of flagrant disregard for laws and proper social conduct not only threaten a nation’s public health, they hinder the type of development the country deserves. This is an area government may find it useful to revisit laws and collaborate with stakeholders.

This government needs our support Dear Editor

THIS government needs our sympathy and support as they look for ways to clean up the mess that they have inherited from the PPP and get rid of the corrupt officials and supporters of the previous government, who are still in positions of authority and whose intent is to undermine the APNU+AFC administration.

I would like to commend this government for establishing the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the Bid Protest Committee.

Having said that, I am a veteran of the Guyana Defence Force where I served in excess of 30 years in different capacities and the security industry for close to 15 years, having worked with four different security companies in managerial and supervisory positions. I am now part owner of a start-up security company. During the time of the PPP government, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) was wont to deny start-up companies government contracts on the basis of lack of experience. Someone has, per chance, conveniently forgotten

that the so-called experience and professional companies who are, apparently, assured that they will continue to be awarded lucrative government contracts to the detriment of new companies were themselves once start-up companies.

There was a time when one security company was providing security coverage for the 10 administrative regions year in and year out. After that company lost the contract, two security companies with partisan loyalty to the PPP were each awarded five regions and they provided security services for some time and they would alternate between the large lucrative contracts and the not-too-large ones. This is not hearsay, an assumption or an allegation, but fact. Anyone who has been in the security industry as long as I have been, would have known of some of the skulduggery that was a way of life. It was a foregone conclusion, irrespective of how responsive you were, to whom contracts would be awarded.

How could the NPTAB logically explain the rationale of denying government contracts to a start-up company whose key personnel have in excess of 60 years experience

combined in the military and paramilitary organisations, as well as in a number of security companies where they function at senior levels? I often wonder if the people who have the responsibility to evaluate, recommend and approve the award of contracts ever read the bidders’ curriculum vitae. Perhaps there is a bias for the socalled experienced companies and a bias against the so-called inexperienced companies for obvious reasons.

To the best of my knowledge, most of the owners of socalled experienced companies never served in the Joint Services, or were never employed in security companies in senior positions prior to establishing their own security companies.

Based on the above, what experience does the NPTAB want and from whom?

Let’s focus attention on the supervisors, checkers and security officers. In relation to government contracts, there is continuity of employment for the supervisors, checkers and security offices in all the regions. Government contracts are for a period of time, and when it expires, the outgoing service provider would hand

over to the incoming service provider and the supervisors, checkers and security officers who were employed by the outgoing service provider would be hired to work for the new security provider at the same locations/sites and therefore it is not known to be true that successful bidders would take over sites with their own guards who are trained, disciplined personnel with past military and paramilitary experience.

Continuity of employment with regard to government contracts happens year in and year out; the outgoing provider cannot hire the supervisors, checkers and guards that were working with him; if, for example, the old provider was providing service in Region Six, where the complement of personnel for installation is 400 plus, where would he place them and by the same token, the incoming provider does not have the manpower to provide security coverage within excess of 400 new employees and that is easily discernible by residents of the community on the basis of direct observation; there is a change of uniforms but the faces remain the same. Same guards, but

different uniforms. Many of the guards have never served in the military or paramilitary organisations. It is important to note that a new company or an old one would be taking over the same guards.

Ask the present security provider in Region Six if he took over with 400 plus new guards with military or paramilitary experience; and if 50 per cent are male and are 18 and 55 years old or if his Team Leaders have: (a) 3 subjects CXC, trained with military backgrounds (b) secondary education, military backgrounds, (c) primary education, military or paramilitary backgrounds.

The majority or a large percentage of security personnel are women, most of whom are single parents with a multiplicity of problems, but nevertheless they are reliable, punctual and regular; they are just as good or even better than some of their male counterparts. I can attest to that because I have worked with women while I was in the army as well as in the security industry. It is easily discernible to the casual observer that women dominate the security industry. One doesn’t have to go far to see what I am saying is true. Check the Ministry of

Finance and NPTAB and you will see that all the security personnel are women.

To you leftovers from the PPP who are determined to maintain the status quo, I am putting you on notice that I will be taking my grievances to the Bid Protest Committee (BPC) if I believe I was treated unfairly and I will be insisting that bidders who were awarded contracts because of their so-called experience produce their CVs to the BPC, where you and them would have to prove that a start-up company like the one to which I am connected does not have the requisite experience, but the company that was awarded the contract has. You people believe you are dealing with fools.

Taking all the above into account, you should cease talking nonsense about experience; how much more experience do you want from a new company such as mine?

Incidentally, I was informed that documents from some bidders’ files have a habit of walking out and going to preferred bidders’ files.

Regards Concerned Bidder

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

Guyana Times determined to abuse press freedom Dear Editor, THE Opposition newssheet, Guyana Times, again tries to twist the facts in its obsession to tarnish the coalition Government. The latest “twist” is its banner headline story, “President Instructs AG not to apologise.”

I have listened to every single word of President Granger, as he was speaking to the media. He said that the explanations given by the attorney general addressed ‘The Complaints’ which were sent to him regarding the exchanges in the High Court. Justice Holder was then presiding in a matter

in which the Attorney General appeared for the Prime Minister who was named as a defendant.

At no time did I hear the President saying that he had instructed the attorney general not to apologise to the judge for remarks allegedly made by the attorney general.

Even the articles in the Times did not repeat the President making any such remarks which the headline falsely stated.

The Opposition propaganda sheet also said that the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, requested Justice Holder to recuse himself from the matter, and imputed

that this was interference with the judiciary. The prime minister is a party in the case, and he is entitled to counsel like all other citizens in any court of law. It is his right to make a request for a judicial officer to recuse himself/herself when the judicial officer refuses to hear his lawyer.

This is the basic right of the prime minister to an attorney.

The Guyana Times is determined to abuse freedom of the press in Guyana to promote its mis-guided and mischievous political agenda.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

Mayor, deputy missing at May Day rally Dear Editor LABOUR Day is a workers’ day and I was pleased to see the Guyana labour organisations -- the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FFTUG) marching together and then sharing the same platform at the rally in the Nationa Park.

The unity that was displayed augurs well for the trade union movement in Guyana and it is definitely a step in the right direction.

Contentious political issues were put aside for that one day

and it was a delight to observe so many distinguished Guyanese political leaders from both the Government and Opposition party engaging in the same activity that was identified with the proletariat on a day that is universally celebrated.

Every year we are also accustomed to witnessing the former mayor of the capital city Comrade Hamilton Green at our rally and this year he did not disappoint us. It is a clear indication of him understanding the protocol –- this is concomitant to holding such public office.

However, what was blatantly disrespectful for the workers of this great nation

was the absence of the incumbent mayor of the city / deputy mayor. One is forced to reckon with the idea of them being too grand or little to grace such an important event in our country; maybe they cannot associate and operate outside the domains of their comfort zone -- the chambers of City Hall. I cannot wait for the next Local Government Elections, so that this failure to recognise the working people of Guyana go her merry way.

Regards Disappointed Public Servant

Pradeep Bachan and Abel Seetaram were cut from the same bolt of cloth Dear Editor, WITH reference to a letter written by an AFC member captioned, “PPP Parliamentarian,Harry Gill is out to score cheap political points”, in which he courageously but foolishly tried to defend a former APNU+AFC RDC Councillor, I am amazed that some people are willing to risk exposure to defend the indefensible. And I wish to thank Pradeep Bachan for keeping the issue of the Carol Joseph drugabuse alive in the public domain, for the Minister of Public Health, the Hon Volda Lawrence, needs to put aside her loyalty to a fellow PNC comrade, and have this case thoroughly investigated by SARA or the Guyana Police Force. But before I debunk the nonsense written bythislatestCarolJosephapologist, let me repeat what I told his ‘buddy friend’ Abel Seetaram in a previous letter. When credibility is not part of one’s DNA, no one takes that

person seriously. And anyone with an ounce of brain or self-respect would know it is not wise to draw attention to oneself.

Just so everyone knows who we are dealing with here, Pradeep Bachan is a former pastor of the Church of Christ, but he is far from being a saint.

During the drought that affected parts of Region Five last year, Bachan allegedly visited residents in the Mahaica Creek, presenting himself as a Member of Parliament.

He is also known as promoting himself as the Chairman of the ‘Diamond Board’. Someone very close to Pradeep Bachan admitted, “If you know Pradeep, he is chairman for a lot of boards…The man tries to impress everyone that he has contacts… He and Seetaram were cut from the same bolt of cloth.”

Seems like the AFC is so hard up for members that there is no vetting process in place to reject some people.

The AFC will have to decide whether

they would allow the likes of Abel Seetaram and Pradeep Bachan to define the image of that party, or take the high ground and cut them loose now to protect what little image the AFC has left.

In his letter, Pradeep Bachan wrote that, “MP Harry Gill has beguiled the media houses and Nurse Sheriyn Marks to score political points for himself and the PPP/C and used both to his advantage in the Carol Joseph medical issue.”

He also added, “His manipulation is baseless, because the medical history of the patient Carol Joseph and the various surgeries of Carol Josepharestrictlyconfidentialfrom the various private hospitals. Her medical procedures also remain confidential. Also, psychological treatment from Government institutions for her physical illness over the years remains confidential.”

Regards Harry Gill

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

CDC rushes aid to flood-hit Region Eight villages

By Ariana Gordon, photos by Toshao Edward Mc Garrell FLOODWATERS washed away a house in Region Eight ( Potaro-Siparuni) as heavy rains battered several communities in the mineral-rich interior location.

On Thursday, the government of Guyana said that it is aware of the situation in the affected Region Eight communities of Chenapau, Waipa, Sand Hill and Kaibarupai located in the North Pakaraimas. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who has portfolio responsibility for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), said that, that body has been activated and is assessing the situation and will be providing assistance to those who requested. Preliminary information suggests that nine houses, six farms, and the airstrip are under water in Kaibarupai.

“The report was that at Kaibarupai, that is in the North Pakaraimas, that the village was under flood- waters. The entire village was flooded between 12-20 feet high,” he said, noting that the village has a population of about 100 persons.

The floods are in some respects as a result of the overtopping of several rivers, including the Ireng River, in the area. In the village of Waipa, the Toshao reported that approximately 95 per cent of the village was flooded with waters rising between 5-15 feet high. That village has a population of 329 persons.

Meanwhile, at Chenapau, Harmon said that village’s chairman related that 10 houses were half way flooded while one was swept away. That community has a population of 591 persons. The situation was no different at Sand Hill, where it was reported that the water is continually rising.

“It is important to know that some of these communities are in valleys and therefore when it rains heavily, the water comes down from the mountain and floods these villages.

The CDC has been activated along with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along with the Regional Democratic Council for Regions Eight and Nine and an aircraft left to have a firsthand look and proper assessment as to what the true situation in. CDC has taken steps to get relief to those who are there,” said the Minister of State. More than 30 trained officials of the CDC are in the region.

Additionally, a GDF patrol from a nearby village was on the ground assessing the situation and assisting villagers.

“Some of these floodwaters… we just have to wait until it recedes; it is not very much we can do except to provide for the comfort of the residents affected by it.”

Meanwhile, Harmon said President David Granger has been apprised of the situation and has given direction to both the CDC and the Regional Administration on action to be taken and support which the government will render to the affected families.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe told the Guyana Chronicle that she intends to travel to the region today to see how best assistance can be rendered.

The lower flat of this house was inundated on Thursday during massive floods at Chenapau, Region Eight

A resident of Chenapau, Region Eight, attempts to remove his possessions from his home as floodwaters rise

Inundated house at Chenapau, Region Eight, on Thursday

An elderly woman paddles a canoe alongside her house in Chenapau, Region Eight, on Thursday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Former GRDB ‘big six’ for court today SIX former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) board members will appear in court today after they were jointly charged by the Special Organised Unit (SOCU) for failing to make a proper entry into a register of a company.

This was following the findings of an audit into the finances of the GRDB. Those that will be charged are former GRDB head Ricky Ramraj; former General Manager Jagnarine Singh; former GRDB board members Dharamkumar Seeraj, From left: Former GRDB board member Badrie Persaud, former Deputy PermaBadrie Persaud, PPP Par- nent Secretary (Finance) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine and liamentarian Nigel Dha- their attorney, Sase Gunraj ramlall and former Deputy Manickchand, Sase Gunraj money was spent for the accounting log book.

Permanent Secretary (Fi- and Glen Hanoman. purpose it was disbursed, “They are being nance) of the Ministry of Former Attorney Gen- the international lending charged jointly for omitAgriculture, Prema Roop- eral Anil Nandlall said the agency would have only ting to record the particunarine. charges are frivolous and released monies having lar inflow of money into a The members of the vexatious, since the charge been satisfied that the acbook, they were supposed opposition People’s Pro- surrounds the failure to counting process were [sic] to be done at GRDB. One gressive Party (PPP) also make certain entries in complied with and that is would have expected that visited Eve Leary and gave relation to monies received because it’s a revolving they would have charged their fingerprints and were through a foreign-funded fund,” Nandlall explained. them for missing funds or later released on station project.

He said it is strange bail at the Brickdam Police “There is no evidence that members of the board Station. that this money was miss- are being charged and not Attorneys representing ing, that the money was the accountant, since it the persons charged in- not spent for the purpose it deals with an omission of clude Anil Nandlall, Priya was disbursed. In fact, the a ceremonial entry into an

for some type of fraud if there was any evidence of such,” Nandlall said.

He noted that public monies have to be better spent since the charges implemented will cost the State millions of dollars to prosecute, and in the end, it would never yield a conviction.

“A person charged in these circumstances would be advised to sue the State for compensation, because it is nothing short of malicious prosecution and public harassment of professional people that are

being dragged through the mud,” Nandlall contended.

He explained that if such scrutiny is applied across the board in the public and private sectors, thousands of persons would be charged and the criminal justice system was not created to sanction and penalise persons in such fashion.

SOCU, he said, enforces anti-money laundering laws, but when the agency goes about charging persons frivolously, it makes a mockery of itself.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Fort Wellington Hospital computerises inventory system

THE Fort Wellington Cottage Hospital, Region Five, is now utilising a fully computerised management system which tracks items in its stores and provides replenishment orders at established re-order points.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Steven Cheefoon said the inventory management system follows the acquisition of touch screen computers last year.

He disclosed that the installation of the stores inven-

tory software is the latest step by the regional health system towards the establishment of an electronic Hospital Management System (HMS).

This system will include Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) for all patients.

The vision and ultimate aim is to install an HMS at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, the other hospital in Region Five, and then the linkage of all the health centres in the region to two hospitals using Cloud Technology.

Another innovation at the hospital in using Information Communications Technology (ICT) in recent months was the establishment of biometrics, a system that tracks employee’s time and attendance.

“The use of biometrics as a booking in and booking out system, using their fingerprints, discourages theft of time by employees and is already in use and is presently ensuring maximum staff availability for patient care,” he said.

Dr. Cheefoon disclosed that the software is designed in such a way that at the end of the month there is a pop up which says that based on the average consumption of a particular item during the month, the hospital will be out of stocks of that item in 21 days as a specified timeframe.

“So you know that you have 21 days to order new stocks of that particular item; So you don’t ever run out,” he said.

The use of the items will be tracked via barcodes scanned into the computer network.

“The barcode on items is an essential element of the system so we have been working towards barcodes on items such as bags of sugar or rice which normally do not carry barcodes. But staff have been trained; the system is up and running well,” he said.

He disclosed that the hospital has obtained approval for the employment of a systems analyst who will be employed to put the other elements of the HMS in place and ensure their maximum up-time.

Meanwhile,Regional Executive Officer (REO),Ovid Morrison welcomed the ICT innovations by the hospital, stating that not only will patients benefit from better care but that these will prevent the use of “double dipping” on medications by some chronic disease patients.

Suspected rapists caught POLICE have arrested the three men who allegedly raped their 12-year-old relative multiple times between November 2016 and May 2017 in Berbice.

Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam told the Guyana Chronicle that those arrested include the child’s 46-year-old stepfather, her 18-year-old step-brother and a 22-year-old cousin. They had initially gone into hiding but were eventually arrested the following day and remain in police custody as the investigations continue.

Frustration forced the child to confide in an aunt, who then contacted the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) on May 11, 2017.

After questioning the child, the CCPA called in the police, who took her to a medical institution where a medical examination was conducted and which confirmed she was sexually active.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the 7th Grader lives with her mother, stepfather and two siblings, while her step-brother lives in another house in the same yard. According to information received, the young lady would usually assist with chores in both homes and whenever she visited the home of her step-brother to do the chores, he and his cousin would force themselves on her.

They reportedly threatened her to remain silent and after realizing that she did not tell anyone, they kept on raping her whenever she went to their home.

According to reports, the mother of the victim would be at work during the course of the day, while the stepfather, who is a cane harvester, would usually return home before the mother.

It is alleged that during this period, the man would sexually assault the child. Investigations are continuing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Woman charged with failing to declare over $9M

A BUSINESSWOMAN accused of failing to declare more than GY$9M to custom officials while at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan,at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Tracyann Todd, 35, of Robb Street, Lacytown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that

on May 4, 2017 at CJIA, Timehri,she brought into Guyana US$44,685 and failed to declare the money to custom officials at the airport.

The woman’s lawyer, Glenn Hanoman,told the court that his client supplies hardware and construction

Businesswoman Tracyann Todd

Youth remanded on illegal gun, ammo charge AN EAST Ruimveldt, Georgetown man who allegedly left an unlicensed firearm in a taxi, was on Thursday charged with illegal possession of a firearm and matching ammunition.

Jose Atwell, 21, of Mango Lane, East Ruimveldt appeared before Chief Magistrate,Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charges. It is alleged that on May 15, 2017 at Georgetown, Atwell had a 9mm pistol in his possession when he is not the holder of a firearm licence. It is further alleged that on the same date and location, he had 14 live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Arwin Moore told the court that the accused was a passenger in a taxi and after he was dropped at the location, the taxi driver noticed that the man left a firearm in the passenger seat of the car.

The taxi driver drove his vehicle to the Ruimveldt Police Station and reported the matter. The taxi driver took the police to the location where he had dropped off

the man.

According to Moore, when contacted by the police, Atwell admitted that the gun belonged to him. Moore

Jose Atwell objected to the accused being allowed his pre-trial liberty, citing the serious nature and prevalence of the offence.

He argued too that no special reasons were raised by the accused for bail.

Bail was denied and Atwell was remanded until June 7, 2017 when he will appear before City Magistrate, Fabayo Azore.

Cop charged with wounding A POLICE Constable attached to the Special Branch of the Guyana Police Force was released on self-bail Thursday for the offence of wounding.

Dwayne Dodson of Kaikan Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetwn, appeared before Chief Magistrate,Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he denied that on October 16, 2016 at the National Park, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm to Donald Mahadeo.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Arwin Moore made no objection to bail but revealed to the court that the accused is a police officer and the matter is currently before the Police Complaints Authority.

Moore further explained that the officer’s twin brother, Dwight Dodson along with other persons were also charged with the same offence.

The Chief Magistrate released the police constable on self-bail and adjourned the matter until May 22, 2017.

materials to St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore objected to the businesswoman being released on bail and stated that she is a flight risk.

Moore revealed to the court that the money was found in empty post cards

which were concealed among clothes in Todd’s luggage.

Guyana’s exchange laws require persons to declare any currency in excess of US$10,000. Customs is empowered to seize only large sums of currency equivalent to more than

US$10,000 at the airport.

The Chief Magistrate overruled the prosecution’s objection and released the businesswoman on $150,000 bail. The matter was transferred to City Magistrate Leron Daly for May 25, 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

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President for Saudi Arabia summit

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

PRESIDENT David Granger will on May 21 participate in the Arab Islamic American Summit to be held at the King Adulaziz Convention Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday.

The President has accepted the invitation by the King of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Salman Bin Adbulaziz Al Saud to participate in the summit, which will also see U.S. President Donald Trump attending.

The summit focuses on enhancing security partnerships to counter and prevent the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism globally, by promoting tolerance and moderation.

The President will be accompanied by Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, Director- General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddle. Director of Education at the Central Islamic Organisation, Moen-

President David Granger ul-Hack ,will also be attending the summit.

This is not the President’s first visit to Saudi Arabia; in fact, President Granger attended the Arab-South American Summit (ASPA) there. Asked whether the head-of-state is likely to have bilateral discussions with U.S. President Trump, Harmon replied, “I cannot speak to that…this is a meeting of world leaders, we do not have a specific agenda with

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo regard to meetings with our head of state and president Trump, but what I do know that the issues in relation to the Islamic Development Bank and the loans and facilities that are available to Guyana would be part of the engagements.”

Additionally, the Minister of State made it clear that issues relative to global threats will be discussed.

Guyana joined the Islamic Development Bank last year

Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan after becoming a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1998.

Becoming a member of the OIC is a prerequisite to obtain membership of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Guyana’s membership affords the country an alternative source of financing to highly concessional resources, which includes grants and interest-free loans.

The areas of intervention of the IDB include human

development, rural development and food safety, infrastructural development, trade among member countries and private sector development, research and development in Islamic economies, and banking and finance.

Several meetings were held in Georgetown between representatives of the bank and government on possible funding for projects. On Thursday, Harmon was asked whether the government is at all concerned about the pace at which Guyana has been able to receive assistance from the bank. “No, I would not say that we are very concerned about it, because there are processes which we knew had to be undertaken once we signed on to the bank and we became a member of the bank.

“It is not as if we expected things to happen immediately and it didn’t happen. These processes we are aware of and Minister of Finance Mr Winston Jordan is a member of the bank’s board and is representing Guyana’s interest in a very aggressive

way,” the Minister of State added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and wife Sita Namootoo will be travelling to Guadeloupe from May 19-22 for the 100th Anniversary Festival of the End of Indian Indentureship which will be held in Capesterre Belle, Guadeloupe. The festival will be hosted by the Guadeloupe Chapter of The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOIPO), with the objective of sharing with the Caribbean, the multi-cultural heritage of Guadeloupe and the French West Indies.

The visit by the prime minister and Mrs Nagamootoo are to promote friendly relations between Guyana and Guadeloupe.

As a result of President Granger, PM Nagamootoo and second Vice-President Greenidge being out of the country at the same time, third Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, will perform duties of President.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Freed murder accused bolts from courtroom LAWRENCE Wayne walked out the Georgetown High Court a free man after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the August 23, 2014 murder of Dexter Lindo.

Trial judge Justice JoAnn Barlow told Wayne after the verdict was announced, amid a crowded courtroom, that he was a free man and should stay out of trouble.

And on that score, she told a visibly relieved Wayne that he can step out the courtroom and leave.

Wayne’s handcuffs and footcuffs were removed and he ran out of the High Court onto the busy roadway with his relatives in tow.

After the not guilty verdict was declared by the forewoman after three hours of deliberation on Thursday, Wayne’s relatives cried openly, while the relatives of the deceased Dexter Lindo were in disbelief. They too cried.

The not guilty verdict was unanimous for murder and the not guilty verdict for manslaughter was in the

proportion of 11 to 1.

In the absence of defence counsel Stanley Moore and Maxwell McKay, attorney Eusi Anderson represented the defence, while the State was led by Shawnette Austin in association with Tameika Clarke.

The State had called 20 witnesses to take the stand in the August 23, 2014 murder trial of Dexter Lindo.

Government’s Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh testified that he performed the post -mortem on the body of Dexter Lindo which bore

Freed: Lawrence Wayne

multiple gunshot wounds.

Dr Singh gave the cause of death as haemorrhage and shock due to gunshot wounds.

It is alleged that around 13:15hrs on Saturday, August 23, 2014, two men armed with handguns entered the Wayne Beverage Paradise stall at Merriman Mall, Bourda, Georgetown.

Upon seeing the men, the female employee ran and raised an alarm, and a licensed firearm holder responded.

It was further alleged that the two armed men entered a waiting motor vehicle driven by an accomplice and were trailed by the licensed firearm holder in

his vehicle.

He subsequently saw the getaway car at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown.

The police said the firearm holder confronted a man who had exited the car and entered a shop in the area, during which the man whipped out a firearm and was shot to his abdomen by the licensed firearm holder.

The man, however, managed to escape on foot, but the unlicensed .32 Beretta pistol with four rounds that he had in his possession was recovered and handed over to the police.

The injured man was found at a private hospital where he later succumbed.

Man denies $9M Princess Casino robbery A MAN who was once charged with the offence of murder, pleaded not guilty to the multi-million dollar armed robbery committed on Princess Ramada Casino last year.

Jamil Junior Young, aka Jamil Charles, 29, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate,Ann McLennan on Thursday who applied the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) for summary hearing.

Young denied that on April 29, 2016 at Providence, East Bank Demerara while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Jamil Junior Young, Daniel Reynolds of aka Jamil Charles $9M, property of the Princess Ramada Casino.

The matter is adjourned until June 19, 2017 for statements;Young remains on remand. Three men, Wayne Griffith, Junior Stewart and Andrew Blackman, have also been charged with the crime. Their trial is currently ongoing before City Magistrate, Leron Daly.

According to reports, gunmen entered the casino and discharged several rounds. They allegedly relieved a security guard of his shotgun and ordered patrons and staffers to lie on the ground. It was reported that the armed men also held a cashier at gunpoint and made off with a quantity of local and foreign currency.

Young was previously charged with the murder of Randy Persaud but the matter was discharged by Magistrate Dylon Bess after a prima facie case was not established against him.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

Not burdensome … Legal advisers to get $15,000 per month

THE Ministry of Legal Affairs on Thursday called on former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall to retract statements suggesting that government will be paying over $6M to its recently-appointed Ministerial Council of Advisors.

In a statement, the Ministry said the appointment of the five persons:Justices Duke Pollard, James Patterson, Claudette Singh, Professor Harold Lutchman and Professor Rudolph James will not prove burdensome.

The Advisors will receive “a mere monthly honorarium of $20,000 for the chairperson and $15,000 for each member.

“Therefore, stating that the Council of Legal Advisers would incur a monthly cost of $6, 665,000 is grossly erroneous and misleading, and must be rescinded,” the statement continued.

The Ministry made it clear that the “highly decorated personnel” appointed by the President to assist Williams in the discharge of his official duties are “appointed as members of the Ministerial Council of Legal Advisors and not staff appointees at the Ministry of Legal Affairs.”

Meanwhile, earlier Thursday during a post-cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the presidency, Minister of State and Cabinet Secretary,

Joseph Harmon told reporters that the government sought to utilise local talent which is available.

Harmon made it clear that the appointees volunteered their services and will only be paid a “nominal sum.” “We have talent that is available in the country and …there are people who have actually been in the system who have served as judges, court of appeal judges and so on and who actually give their consent to act in that capacity.”

“I think it is something that any government will take and hold with both hands immediately. Those persons volunteered their services and I don’t know what the sum

is,but I am sure it will just be a nominal sum for the advisors,” continued Harmon. Earlier this month, Harmon announced that the five prominent legal minds were approved to sit on the Ministerial Council.

That Council is responsible for providing “legal analyses and advice on the development of the justice sector, the government’s legislative agenda and litigation matters, to have an input in legal policy design and to engage stakeholders with interest in the justice sector where appropriate.”

The Council will be assisted in the execution of its mandate by support staff from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

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Former magistrate heads GNNL board

FORMER Magistrate Geeta Chandan- Edmond has been appointed chairperson of the board of directors of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL), Minister of State,Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday.

At his weekly post-cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Harmon Newly-appointed chairsaid Chandan-Edmond is person of the Guyana joined by: Aaron Fraser, National Newspaper Hakeem Khan, former Limited, Geeta ChanDeputy Mayor Sherod dan-Edmond Duncan and Hilbert Foster. Other directors include Bert Wilkinson, Karen Davis, Ruel Johnson and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.

The directors are to serve from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

Who will it be?

--Guyana decides tonight @ the Marriott TONIGHT’S the night people!

It’s the moment of reckoning for the ten young ladies vying to be Guyana’s next representative at the Miss India Worldwide Pageant later this year.

And it’s all going down at the Marriott Hotel from 19:00hrs.

With all the advertising and pro-

of the opinions been brutal!

They will each go through the

buzz about the winner.

So, whoever she is, the new queen better brace herself for it!

But, in the meantime, all of these young ladies are going to have to push through all of that tonight; rise above

very, very courageous, and a welcoming person (not to mention a devoted bathroom singer).

Being self-motivated and independent is her greatest accomplishment. Whether she wins or not, she wants to leave an everlasting impression on everyone she meets.

Sangeeta Bahadur, 25

Cynthia Dookie, 23

moting, the buzz has really been growing for this pageant. The ten young ladies have been officially introduced since last month, so many have already gotten a chance to vet them, and in true Guyanese style, have already begun to start judging before the competition even really gets started. And, my oh my! Have some

opening introduction, evening gown, talent, and Indian wear segments, before the top five are selected and endure that terrifying final question.

With no outgoing queen (Last year’s queen was disqualified for misconduct, remember!), the new queen will be crowned by none other than the Miss India Worldwide 2016 queen herself, Karina Kohli, who has already arrived in Guyana ahead of tonight’s showdown.

Many patrons attend these pageants already knowing who they’re rooting for, so, regardless of who wins, tonight will probably see a lot of after

Shoshanna Ramdeen, 20

loves to let out her inner child, kid around, and do impressions.

When she’s not off being busy, she likes to catch up on her snooze.

DELEGATE 3: Alecia Jiwanram, 20 An aspiring diplomat, Alecia is currently pursuing a degree in International Relations at the University of Guyana. She loves to sing, swim, and cook.

She sees herself as being a great facilitator and a remarkably kind-hearted person.

DELEGATE 4: Shoshanna Ramdeen, 20 This aspiring doctor describes herself as a very dedicated person who works well under pressure, and

Rajnie Shiwpal, 23

opportunities. But the thing she enjoys the most is caring for children, as she has a strong belief in empowering young minds.

DELEGATE 6: Karishma Makwana, 20 This shy, trilingual young lady loves playing badminton, ground tennis and throwball. Her ambition is to make a difference in the lives of others who have disabilities. She strongly believes each and every person has

Alecia Jiwanram, 20

the negative and show which one of them has what it takes to be the last lady standing when the dust settles.

So, without further ado, Guyana, The Buzz refreshes you on the top ten ladies going for the crown tonight!

be an Analytical Chemist. A proud blood doner, her leisure activities include travelling and challenging new

DELEGATE 2: Sangeeta Bahadur, 25 A marketing and communications coordinator, Sangeeta says she’s pretty down-to-earth and simple. She

Kuldavie Samantha Chunilall, 20

DELEGATE 1: Cynthia Dookie, 23 Ms. Dookie has always admired pageants, and finds it all really, really amazing! She says she’s self-driven,

is very determined when she wants something. She loves getting dressed up and taking selfies! She’s also big on family.

Divya Singh, 18

DELEGATE 5: Divya Singh, 18 This West Coast girl wants to

Karishma Makwana, 20 Turn to Page 19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

The arts: Guyana’s illigitimate child THERE was a policy during the formative post-independence years which said that graduates had to do a year of National Service. This was done to shape their awareness to the urgency of appreciating a leadership understanding and a responsible line of command to counter the bureaucratic insensitivity and casualness that the office atmosphere cultivated in its functional majority of day-to-day operations, when upon graduation, the cadres would most likely enter the workforce in a leadership position.

This innovative mechanism was, as usual, protested against by the political opposition, and, in some cases, undermined by many of those designated to execute it.

Forbes Burnham understood then that if public office had to effectively support the efforts of medium and small businesses, it would require a different attitude of proactivity, guided by an awakened initiative rather than the dismissive attitude [which includes lying] to every encounter outside of a direct order, especially from areas that seem exotic, for example the arts.

We know the history of that experiment. And few of those graduates so oriented are in the system today. What I have realised through my career and engagements with officials across both private and the public sector is an absence of having any depth of understanding the arts, from its cultural aesthetics to its crucial importance to educational

aids for science, technology, social awareness and industry.

I understood, and was saddened by this, when, in 2013 at Enterprise Primary in Durban Backlands, a teacher told me that children did not need to do art at that level. I was instructing students to do posters on behalf of a member of the LIONS, and there she was, insisting that they would best do it at the secondary level.

My friend from the LIONS begged me not to respond to what he afterwards exclaimed was incredibly unbelievable. The sad thing is that there are people employed across the workforce that

Who will... equal rights, and is looking forward to making a positive impact on the lives of autistic children.

DELEGATE 7: Kuldavie Saman-

Sarah Rajkaran, 18

tha Chunilall, 20 Kuldavie describes herself as an open minded, passionate person who enjoys the simple things in life, and loves a good adventure.

She believes her participation in this pageant will open opportunities for her to influence persons in a pos-

itive manner, and to travel the world and represent Guyana.

DELEGATE 8: Rajnie Shiwpal, 23 This former St Joseph High girl is a professional kathak dancer, classical singer and senior dancer for the Jewan Ka Nritya. Better known as Mandy, through her business, “The Make Up Shop by Mandy”, Rajnie believes that the true essence of beauty does not only refer to the physical appearance but also to the personality of an individual.

DELEGATE 9: Sarah Rajkaran, 18 A young aspiring entrepreneur, Sarah likes giving, has worked with orphanages before, and hopes being a part of the pageant will open up more opportunities to continue her work with orphanages and schools, particularly advocating her platform.

understand, but they are swamped by the harmless and harmful clueless, and they are not in positions of authority.

It is not ministers of government that I fear in the current struggle as an advocate for the arts-based ‘Cultural Industries’; so far, the ministers have given their blessings.

But the obstructions come from those “sergeant majors” whose task it is to make policy a reality. They neither designate or themselves confront! The more prevalent approach is to apply the ‘middle finger’, which translates to the creole saying, “Send de fool ah little further” that provides a

From Page 18 DELEGATE 10: Ash Ramnauth, 21 An aspiring medical doctor, this former Miss World Guyana finalist and 2016 Top Model winner said she entered pageantry because she felt the need to be an inspiration for young

Ash Ramnauth, 21

women and children in society.

Apart from modelling and pageantry, she also enjoys dancing and interacting with family and friends.

regiment of excuses that amount to defeatist frustrations, in the hope that you, the victim, would believe that the minister didn’t mean what he said, and that he knows what is happening, when in reality, he doesn’t.

YEARS OF MIS-EDUCATION It is the flaws of 50 years of mis-education vomiting on the system, a system that is now facing a different world where miscarriages of mercenary and old-school indifference are damaging to new and innovative forms of development, in this case, of relevance to cultural industries not activated within our borders only to be exact.

If we pay attention, one clinical glance would reveal that the rest of CARICOM have arrested the fragmented muses that compose Cultural Industries, and have long past the incunabula stage to formidable mature expressions.

The president has advocated the development of new infrastructure, which means the inculcations

of new procedures and perspectives to empower expanded faculties to think outside of the box. Most of us outside of the ‘Bee Hive’ are already there.

The study guide for the ‘Public Bee Hive’ is not yet printed; perhaps if enough humility exists, we externals can conduct some workshops. Too long have the Arts, which nature produces at a not too generous ratio among the tribes of men, have been forced to survive by exiling themselves in other countries, among them the Islands.

The talents exist, and some of us are old enough to remember the old Department of Culture, which was then managed by talented and accomplished arts personnel. That period is responsible for the core of the functioning artists that occupy inspirational space in Guyana today, who are products of that sadly undocumented age [The Diaspora constitutes a greater volume of those talents] not so long ago.

Much is amiss in the development of the arts today, and it begins with giving fair value to creative

talents. And I’m not talking here of putting handouts on an empty table, but rather responding to the potential of the creative work already on the table.

My other apprehension is that our unsure “sergeant majors” have become accustomed to praising those credited overseas, but lack the consciousness and courage to recognise and ‘value’, in coin and spirit, what transpires locally, fearing, perhaps, that if in acknowledging what is accomplished on the table in their presence and its potential, then the next step will require the exploration of new precedents.

And there is a lack of WILL to enter the midst of practically supporting Cultural Industries, especially if it means to be led by those who have been there; those who are the State’s illegitimate children: Its artistic community.

And the question abounds, “Do such fears in today’s world reflect enlightenment and progress for our nation, or rather a retreat into the older Guyana, of the Land that Time forgot?”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017 The top ten finalists will compete in five categories to see just who is the best-of-the- best!

Tickets: $5000 regular, and $15,000 VIP.

Guyana, Timeka Marshall says you’re up 1st!! The Guyanese songstress is launching the video for her latest song, “Ben Mi Ova”, on the Bad & Sexy Riddim at Palm Court, and she wants you to savour the moment with her!

Everyone free before 22:00hrs! $2000 before 23:00hrs! Boom DJs will be in the place!

Head on down to Tower Suites Poolside for the “O.C.D FRIDAY AFTERWORK LIME”! Enjoy their Corona bucket special: Six Corona beers for only $3600 all night long!

Plus, get a free Wing Platter with a side of your choice with the purchase of every bucket! Or choose from any of their other platters for only $2000!

IT’S going to be quite a packed-out one this weekend, with events to carry you straight through from Friday to Sunday, as you look to kick back and unwind before the Monday labour begins.

From fashion shows to jump-up-and-throw- down sessions, to pageants, it’s the kind of weekend that encourages you to get out!

Two Guyanese singers have launches this weekend! Timeka Marshall’s video launch will cater to the soca-inclined, while Saiku’s launch over at the National Park on Saturday is all about that gospel vibe! Whichever one you go out to, go out and help support your own Guyanese talent!

Speaking of supporting Guyanese, you could check out the Miss India Guyana Pageant on tonight at the Mariott Hotel and go cheer on your pick to be Guyana’s next queen!

Over at Herdmanston Lodge tomorrow, it’s going to be an elegant evening with great comedy, or if you’re more looking to throw down this Saturday, Palm Court is having a multi-genre party, and soca and dancehall are at the top of the menu.

Then on Sunday, the Rotaract Club is hosting a fundraiser, and it involves a lot of food! 592Dresses is also having a fashion show, while DJ Marvelous is celebrating his birthday, and it’s happening at Club Monaco.

TODAY

Tonight is the night that Guyana will get to meet their next Miss India Guyana Queen, when the pageant goes down at the Mariott Hotel!

TOMORROW

Get ready for the biggest album launch by a Guyanese artiste as the launch concert of Saiku’s debut album, “YOU”, is on at the National Park with hits like “Pillow Could Speak”, “Mess to a Messenger” and “You”! The concert has an encouraging lineup of performers the likes of Jamaica’s Kevin Downswell and Prodigal Son; Ghana’s Atta Boafo; and Guyanese Anil Azeez.

Concert free with the purchase of an album, which costs $1500.

It will be a night of elegance, cocktails and laughter as the Rotaract Club of Stabroek presents 3Cs: Comedy, Cocktails and Catwalk, a fundraising event in aid of their Community Service Projects and Club Admin Account.

Come out and see Henry Rodney and other local comedians take the stage for the evening.

This event is sponsored by Herdmanston Lodge! Tickets: $4,000 with a complimentary cocktail.

It’s Maypole time again! HQ Bar in BV is going to be home to DJ Campy’s annual Maypole Show and Dance!

Gully Ras and Selector Diamond, Chiney Assassin, DJ Campy and Selector Tall Man, and Stitchie One Man Band the Vibes Machine will be turning it up the Maypole way!

What’s your addiction? Reggae? Soca? Dancehall? Well, it doesn’t really matter because whatever it is, it’s going to be in large supply at Palm Court at their “Addicted” party!

Come and enjoy a medley of genres, from reggae to hip hop, dancehall, soca and pop!!

DJs Energy, Akelo and Shizzle, and Selector Biggs will be shelling it down all night long!

SUNDAY

Join the Rotary Club of Georgetown for their annual signature fundraiser event: “Food Fiesta: A Taste South America” at their Camp Street office!

Experience the culinary delights and beverages for a worthy cause, in aid of the purchase of a “Bookmobile”, a mobile library that enables improvement in Basic Education and Literacy!

Contribution: $2000.

It’s going to be two days of high tea and fashion as 592Dresses presents, “Express Yourself: Fashion and Tea Fiesta” at the Tower Suites!

Featured will be some of Guyana’s top models showcasing design labels under the 592Drsses and Rare Findz Clothing lines! Lots of side attractions await! Tickets: $3500.

Club Monaco presents DJ Marvelous’ 10th Annual Birthnight celebration, “Green Crush: Money, Girls and Fun”!

So, wear your green and come out and represent DJ Marvelous!

Music by DJs Energy and Akelo, and Father Moey!

Region Five RDC meeting ends in chaos 21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

By Clifford Stanley

THE monthly statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) broke up shortly after prayers were said on Thursday, further deepening tensions between the political representatives sitting on that local government body.

APNU+AFC Councillors walked out of the meeting after they said that they observed that the Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal had refused to apologise to the clerk of the council for being disrespectful to him in a matter involving reports about wrongdoing by PPP/C Councillors in the Bath/Woodley park Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

The impasse between the regional chairman and the Clerk of the Council, Ovid Morrison, began at the last statutory meeting of the council in April. The impasse was triggered by the response of Chairman Ramphal to allegations made against the chairman and the vice-chairman of the Bath/ Woodley Park Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Earlier in that meeting, the AFC Councillor Abel Seetaram had made allegations that an excavator assigned to the NDC by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to do work in the Bath/Woodley Park area had been commandeered by the chairman and vice-chairman and deployed to do work to benefit lands the duo intended to use for their personal benefit.

Seetaram had complained to the meeting that the two men had used the machine for several weeks to do work for their personal benefit even when parts of Bath Settlement were under floodwaters, because several drains were clogged up with garbage. He then said that himself and the REO Mr Ovid Morrison had observed the misuse of the machine firsthand and had intervened and demanded that it be used for the purpose for which it was sent to the area by the NDIA. The two men Seetaram said complied with this demand but only briefly, since the machine was soon again observed to be engaged in work for their personal benefit. The trouble started when

Ramphal described the allegation as “vicious,” prompting councillors to suggest to him that he appeared to be taking the sides of the chairman and vice-chairman of the PPP/Ccontrolled NDC. The APNU+AFC Councillors said they grew stronger in suspicions of his lack of impartiality, when Councillor Seetaram offered to provide photographs of the misuse of the excavator and Ramphal rejected this evidence, reiterating that photographs could not be reliable and that he would need to do his own investigations.

Chairman Ramphal said that he had visited the area some time after and had seen much evidence of work done by the excavator for the benefit of the community, thereby prompting more accusations of being biased on behalf of the chairman and vice-chairman of the NDC with respect to the allegations of misuse of the excavator. At this point, Morrision objected to the trend of the discussion, saying that he had personally seen the misuse of the excavator and he felt that the “obvious skepticism”

MoTP flays dishonest Guyana Times headline THE Ministry of the Presidency has rejected what it described as the malicious and misleading headline in the May 18, 2017 edition of the Guyana Times newspaper, headlined: “President instructs AG not to apologise,” in which His Excellency President David Granger’s utterances were deliberately misrepresented.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said speaking to members of the press after the swearing in of the Justices to the Appellate Court, which was held at State House on Wednesday, May 17, the President responded to a question from Stabroek News Journalist Ms Zoisa Fraser, who asked, “In relation to the matter with Justice Holder, are you going to ask the Attorney General to apologise?’

The President, in his response to that question, said, ”The Attorney General has explained what occurred in the court and if the judge felt that his behaviour was in contempt, the Judge knew what he had to do and he did not cite the attorney general for contempt and as things stand, I feel that the explanation given to me by the Minister of Legal Affairs adequately deals with the complaint which I received.”

In a follow-up question, he was asked, “So you do not believe that an apology is in order?” He responded say-

ing, “Under the circumstances, I cannot see that there was anything that would have warranted him being cited for contempt of court and as I said, that’s the important thing. His behaviour was not contemptuous of the court so in that regard, there cannot be any justifiable call for an apology because his behaviour was not in contempt of the court.”

At no time did His Excellency say that he had instructed the attorney general not to issue an apology to Justice Franklin Holder. The headline appearing in the Guyana Times is dishonest and not supported by the facts.

This erroneous headline and lead were published despite the fact that the President’s comments were publicised via television, the internet and other communication platforms. The assertions carried therein have no basis in fact and the ministry is, therefore, calling for an immediate retraction.

While the Government of Guyana promotes and stands solidly behind press freedom, the Ministry of the Presidency calls on the Guyana Times and all media houses to pay attention to the ethics and responsibilities that ought to be observed in the profession of Journalism. It is also equally important that the media take the responsibility to provide accurate information to the members of the public.

of the chairman on the report amounted to an attack on his integrity.

He declared: “I am not a liar and if this trend in the discussion [of] this matter continues, I will have to leave the meeting.” At this point Ramphal told him that he was free to go, prompting not only Morrison’s withdrawal from the meeting, but an uproar from the APNU+AFC councillors who accused him of being disrespectful to the REO. The councillors also stormed out of the meeting immediately after.

Following the meeting in April, Morrison said that he had written to the chairman requesting an apology from him for him imputing that he may be lying against the PPP/C NDC councillors. Ramphal refused to write that letter, hence the early break-up of the meeting yesterday.

Morrison said yesterday: “I set up the agenda where he would have a call to order. We

had the prayer; the pledge; welcome and announcement.

Announcement was a venue to address the issue. He announced announcements, I sat down and waited for him and just when he was about to say that there are no announcements I got up; I explained to the council that I have the greatest regards for members of the council and in no way would I try to insult them, but until the chairman so answers to my letter and comply with the contents of it, I will not be able to be clerk of his council.

Then the APNU+AFC councillors all got up and walked out.”

In a comment on the impasse yesterday, Ramphal said that it was very unfortunate that for the second consecutive month, councillors from the AFC+APNU had staged a walk-out when there were many important issues in the region to be discussed. “I want to make it clear that at no time

did I disrespect the clerk of the council or anyone; all that I was doing was calling for an investigation into the matter.”

He added that he was willing to engage with the REO to discuss the way forward on the matter. Morrison however insisted yesterday that he would not function as clerk of the meeting until and unless Ramphal provided him with a written apology for the disrespect shown to him as clerk of the council/regional executive officer at the last sitting of the RDC Statutory Meeting, as well as a verbal apology to members of the council for his conduct to Councillor Seetaram.

This is the second time in recent months that the RDC meetings of Region Five have been disrupted, because of the alleged disrespect by the chairman for first the President of Guyana David Granger last year and now for disrespect of the REO.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 19, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

English Racing Tips Newbury 08:30 hrs Top Mission 09:00 hrs Westerland 09:35 hrs Shared Equity 10:05 hrs Desert Cross 10:40 hrs Alqalsar 11:15 hrs Nathan 11:45 hrs Manchego 12:20 hrs Fast And Hot Newmarket 08:40 hrs Wonder Of Dubai 09:10 hrs Passcode 09:45 hrs Lexington Times 10:20 hrs Selection 10:55 hrs Cartwright 11:25 hrs Tadween 11:55 hrs G K Chesterton 12:30 hrs Ancient Astronaut York 09:20 hrs Formidable Kitt 09:55 hrs Sibilance 10:30 hrs Dartmouth 11:05 hrs Gibbs Hill 11:35 hrs Dark Intention 12:05 hrs Dakota Gold 12:40 hrs Swiftsure Aintree 12:35 hrs Black Tulip 13:05 hrs Degooch 13:40 hrs Clondaw Kaempfer 14:10 hrs Whatmore 14:45 hrs The Road Ahead 15:20 hrs Southfield Vic 15:50 hrs Station Master Irish Racing Tips Cork 12:15 hrs Sioux Nation 12:50 hrs Burren View Lady 13:20 hrs Yolo Star 13:55 hrs Brave Display 14:25 hrs Venezuela 15:00 hrs Bee Queen 15:35 hrs Lucent Dream South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 10:40 hrs Believethisbeauty 11:15 hrs Ally Whoopee 11:50 hrs Sniper Shot 12:25 hrs Ostentation 13:05 hrs Kali’s Champ 13:35 hrs All Honesty 14:10 hrs It’s My Turn 14:45 hrs Edict Of Nantes 15:15 hrs The Conglomerate 15:50 hrs The Centenary American Racing Tips Pimlico Race 4 Lottie Race 5 Terris Promesa Race 6 Family Meeting Race 7 Shaman Ghost Race 8 Victory to Victory Race 9 Our Majesty Race10 Pay Any Price Race11 Moana Race12 Lady Allegra

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

Top aimers to compete at Independence Darts Cup tournament May 26 -28

By Rajiv Bisnauth A NUMBER of top regional and local aimers have confirmed their participation for the Independence International Darts Tournament, which will be held from Friday May 26 to Sunday May 28.

Organised by the Guyana Darts Association (GDA), the three-day event, first of its kind locally, will see participants compete in four categories, male and female singles, Luck of the

Draw and Mixed Nation.

During a press briefing yesterday at the Millennium Manor Hotel, located at 43 Hadfield Street, Georgetown - venue for the historic event - president of the GDA Sheik Yaseen confirmed that most of the logistics are already in place to host a tournament of this magnitude.

He said that his association would like to make an impact during the hosting of the event in order to bid

for the hosting of the 2018 Caribbean Darts Championship.

“This is the first time we are hosting such a tournament, but we hope that this is just the beginning; since we are aiming to bid for the 2018 Caribbean Championships,” Yaseen said.

He confirmed that while sponsorship is somewhat difficult, the association has managed to garner the support of three business entities, namely R. Ganesh

Mining Enterprise, Roosters Coconut Water and Millennium Manor Hotel.

Meanwhile, local and Caribbean darts male single and double champion Sudesh Fitzgerald, in brief remarks, pointed out that more than 40 competitors from Guyana have already confirmed their participation, both male and female, while 15 from Trinidad and Tobago have confirmed to take part, inclusive of six females.

However, participants from Barbados, Jamaica and Brazil are yet to confirm their visit.

Fitzgerald further mentioned that he expects a

keenly contested tournament, since the sport has evolved over the years.

Shondell Hyles, one of the eight females who have signalled their intention to participate locally, pointed out that the exposure will definitely be a challenge for the hosts.

Subsequent to this tournament players will be heading to either Japan or Germany to compete in an international tournament.

Participants will pay a fee of US$15 to enter each category. In the Mixed Nation category the top three finishers will walk away with US$600, US$300 and US$150 respectively.

Xtreme Clean ...

Continued from back page

FIXTURES: FRIDAY MAY 26 Agricola vs BV ‘A’ 19:00rs Festival City vs Albouystown - 19:30hrs Sophia vs Dave and Celina All-Stars - 20:00hrs Showstoppers vs Tiger Bay - 20:30hrs Broad Street vs West Back Road - 21:00hrs Sparta Boss vs Kitty 21:30hrs SATURDAY MAY 27 Tucville vs Melanie 19:00hrs Plaisance vs Alexander Village - 19:30hrs Bent Street vs Campbellville - 20:00hrs North East La Penitence vs Future Stars - 20:30hrs Gold is Money vs North Ruimveldt - 21:00hrs Back Circle vs Globe Yard - 21:30hrs Other playing dates are May 28, June 6, 8, 13, 15 and 17.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

Lehmann hopes no Ashes boycott, urges solution to pay row 18 and several players, including vice-captain David Warner and bowler Mitchell Starc, have hinted at a boycott of the Ashes series against England.

“I’m sure that (the boycott) won’t happen,” Warner told reporters in Brisbane.

“I have my views but I’m not going to share it.

I’m talking to both players and CA.” Lehmann said that he would talk to the players when the squad assembles prior to the Champions

Australia’s Steve Smith and head coach Darren Lehmann during nets.

(Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs Livepic)

(REUTERS) - Australia coach Darren Lehmann hopes the ongoing pay dispute will not prompt the players to boycott this year’s Ashes series and

urged both sides to resolve the matter.

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) rejected a pay offer from their governing body, Crick-

et Australia (CA) earlier this month saying “a win for cricket administrators but a loss for cricket”.

CA has threatened to not renew contracts for 2017-

English FA approves retrospective bans for diving

(REUTERS) - Players will face a two-match retrospective ban for diving from the start of next season after the English Football Association (FA) approved a new rule to combat simulation in an annual general meeting yesterday.

Under the new regulations, incidents involving players who deceive a match official into awarding their team a penalty or sending off an opponent can be reviewed

by a three-man independent panel.

“This process would be similar to the one used now for a red card offence (violent conduct/serious foul play/spitting at an opponent) which was not seen at the time by the match officials but caught on camera,” the FA said in a statement.

The FA will only be able to impose the ban if the panel’s decision is unanimous.

The panel will consist of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player.

“Should a charge of ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’ be admitted or found proven, the Independent Regulatory Commission will have the power to rescind the caution or dismissal received by the opposing player as a result of the simulation if it chooses to do so.

Da Silva’s House of Optics testing eyes of players & umpires DA Silva’s House of Optics has partnered with the Blairmont Cricket Club (BCC) to assist in maintaining and examining the eyes of club members and officials.

The eye care business entity has pledged to give

free annual examinations to the club members and officials, according to a release from the club.

Vice-president of BCC, Govindaraj Khan thanked Dr Randall De Santos for contributing towards the club initiative.

The BCC urged sister clubs, cricket boards and match officials to get players and umpires tested today to further improve their performances in the sport at any Da Silva’s House of Optics branch.

Trophy in June.

“You have to do that.

You have to keep it open and communication so we know what direction everyone’s going,” Lehmann said.

“Just getting together and working it out is the way to go. It always stays quite late in the negotiations – it happened last time and the time before that. You have those issues .... There’s no panic, it’s just about the two parties getting together.”

Captain Steve Smith will

join the squad after leading the Rising Pune Supergiant to Monday’s Indian Premier League final and Lehmann said that he maintained constant contact with the 27-year-old.

“He’s really looking forward to getting the lads back together. There have been a lot of emails and text messages around the place. He is (in good spirits). He’s been there for four months and hasn’t been home. But he’s ready to go.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF)

Extra Time

RUPUNUNI FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION APPOINTS REFEREE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

STAG ELITE LEAGUE “BIG FOUR TOURNAMENT” RESCHEDULED The Stag Elite League “Big Four Tournament” scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th May, 2017 has been rescheduled to a date to be announced.

According to the Guyana Football Federation’s Competitions Director, Ian Alves, this was necessary to facilitate preparations for GFF’s Congress, which is scheduled for Saturday, 27th May, 2017.

The Stag Elite League concluded on Sunday, 14th May with GDF FC leading the standings with 27 points followed by Fruta Conquerors FC with 25; Victoria Kings FC finished third with 14 points following a win over Monedderlust FC and Buxton United FC round off the top four teams with 13 points.

The top four teams of the league will be contesting the “Big Four” knockout tournament.

The “Big Four Tournament” will have a total of three million dollars up for grabs with the prize money distributed as follows: 1ST PRIZE - One & One Half Million Dollars ($1,500,000.00) 2ND PRIZE - Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) 3RD PRIZE - Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) 4TH PRIZE - Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00)

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: • NATIONAL U-17 CAMP – 19th – 21st May, 2017 As part of this camp, Former Golden Jaguars’ defender, Walter Moore, and his club coach Kristian Heames will conduct a Talent Identification programme in Guyana from the 19th – 21st May, 2017, which will result in potential players being identified for trials and possible professional contracts in Europe.

• REFEREES DEVELOPMENT OFFICER’ TRAINING – 20th May, 2017 • GFF CONGRESS – 27th May, 2017 • STARTOF THEGFF-PELE ALUMUNI FRANK WATSON INTRA-ASSOCIATION NATIONAL U-15 TOURNAMENT – June, 2017 • RESTART OF GFF-NAMILCO THUNDERBOLT FLOUR POWER NATIONAL U-17 TOURNAMENT – June, 2017

NEXT EDITION:

Friday, 25th May, 2017

A referees’ oversight body for the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) was installed and a Referee Development Officer appointed on the 21st May, 2017.

The oversight committee consists of the following eight persons, in no particular order, including the RDO, Vijai Simon.

1. Peter Isaacs (Deep South) 2. Courtney Peters (Annai) 3. Rowl Victoriano (Central) 4. Ronald Ignatius (South Central) 5. Chalwin Fiedtkou (East

Members of the Rupununi Football Association Referee Oversight Committee together with some Executive Commitee Members of the RFA

Central) 6. Elena Winter (Central) 7. Vijai Simon (Referees Development Officer) 8. Fabian Benedict This followed a Referees’ Beginners’ Course held at Lethem, Region 9, from the 12th – 14th May, 2017 by the RFA and facilitated by Guyana Football Federation (GFF). The course had a total of 56 participants.

A national roll-out of the new structure will be announced with a RDO appointed for each Member Association.

GFF PAYS COURTESY CALL TO COMMANDER OF POLICE 'A' DIVISION

The president of the GFF, Wayne Forde, along with some technical officers paid a courtesy call to Commander of "A" Division Marlon Chapman on Wednesday, 17th May, 2017.

The visit focused on technical support which the GFF is desirous of providing to the GPF's community relations programme, which is conducted weekly. As part of the visit, two balls were presented to aid in the playing of the games President Forde also offered words of support to some of the participating teams present: "We, at the Guyana Football Federation, are very pleased that the Guyana Police Force has taken this initiative.

I'm hoping that coming out of this, you will develop a better relationship with the Police Force... so see this as an opportunity to build rela-

GFF President Wayne Forde presents one of two balls given to the Commander of Police ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman in the presence of GFF's technical officers and staff

tionships among yourselves and the police. This is also a good opportunity to play a positive role in your community and try to eradicate the ills of society. Good luck to everyone, have fun; that's what football is all about."

He said it is his hope that the tournament can evolve into a structured and

competitive league with the GFF providing technical and other material support as necessary.

Technical Director Ian Greenwood, in brief remarks, extended his best regards to the teams and informed them that GFF will roll out a number of technical programmes in the coming months which will benefit football devel-

opment in Guyana.

As part of the GPF's community relations programme, weekly football games are played in the compound of the Brickdam Police Station by various neighboring community teams including those from Tiger Bay, Leopold Street, Charlotte Street, Albouystown and Central Georgetown.

Other GFF staff members present were Coaches' Education Officer, Lyndon France; Head of the GFF Refereeing Department, Stanley Lancaster; Technical Development Officer, Bryan Joseph; Interim Head Coach of the Senior Men's National Team (Golden Jaguars), Wayne Dover; Executive Committee Member, Keith Ojeer and Communications and Public Relations Officer, Debra Francis

PRODUCED BY THE GUYANA FOOTBALL FEDERATION INC. (GFF) AND DESIGNED BY THE GUYANA CHRONICLE

For further Information or should you have questions/comments , please contact: General Secretary Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 17 Dadanawa Street, Section “K” Campbelville, Georgetown TEL: +1 592 227 8758 ext. 102 FAX: +1 592 225 2096

e-mail: gff@networksgy.com WEBSITE: www.gffonline.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GuyanaFootballFederationInc INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/guyana_football_federation_inc/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/guyana-football-federation-inc LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guyana-football-federation-inc TWITTER: @GFF_Inc_

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

RHTY&SC cricket teams honour over 100 outstanding mothers DOZENS of outstanding mothers were honoured on Mother’s Day by the eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club M.S (RHTY&SC, MS) and the club’s Over-35 group.

Over 100 mothers received special food hampers

RHTY&SC has hosted an annual Tribute to Mothers Programme to honour outstanding parents as part of its Mother’s Day celebration.

The main objectives of the programme are to honour outstanding parents, who played major roles in the de-

them to say no to drugs, suicide, alcohol, teenage sex, crime and yes to education, religion, life and sport.

Foster spoke widely on the need for parents to spend time with their children and also the benefits that youths get from being involved in sport.

Some of the mothers with their hampers

from the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Metro Females and Gizmos and Gadgets Under-21 and First Division cricket teams.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who spearheaded the programme, stated that since 1991, the

velopment of their children, to encourage senior-citizen mothers to be role models to younger mothers and to promote the RHTY&SC Massive Say No/Say Yes Campaign.

The veteran sport administrator urged the attentive mothers to be their children and grandchildren’s best role model while making sure that they advised

The 2011 National Sports Personality Awardee also pleaded with parents with vast experiences to share them with their younger counterparts.

Noting that a good parent must have commitment, patience, discipline and a strong faith in God, Foster expressed disappointment that several parents are

poor role models while several mothers are forcing their young daughters into sexual activities for financial rewards.

Foster committed the RHTY&SC MS under the Patronage of H.E. President David Granger, towards continuing to invest heavily in the development of the family structure and to make sure that every youth in Berbice fulfils his/her full potential in education, culture and sport.

He again issued an appeal to other clubs and organisations across Berbice to get involved in social issues and in assisting the less fortunate.

The total investment for the programme was in excess of $250 000.

The RHTY&SC MS cricket teams and Over-35 group would like to express gratitude to the following companies and individuals for their input into the programme – Home Designs Construction, King Solomon Shipping, Guyana Beverage Company, Ansa McAl, Joseph Torrezao, Ray Document Centre, Julian Moore, Major James Fraser, Terry Pike, Joe Welding Shop, Mibicuri Community Developers, Food for the Poor, Clinton Pestano, Rana Persaud and Sunil Madrimootoo.

WADA says Russia making progress but much work ahead

By Steve Keating |

MONTREAL, Canada (Reuters) - Russia is making progress but more work lies ahead, including the removal of Yelena Isinbayeva as chair of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), before the country can be ruled compliant, the World Anti-Doping Agency said yesterday.

It has been nearly two

Yelena Isinbayeva - chair of RUSADA

years since RUSADA was ruled non-compliant and WADA said Russia will remain an outcast until four key demands are met, chief among them Isinbayeva’s removal from RUSADA and replacement by an independent chair and vice-chair.

Isinbayeva’s appointment last December outraged WADA, as the former Olympic pole vault champion was an outspoken critic of a decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations to ban Russian track and field athletes from international competition.

That decision, which was prompted by a series of reports by WADA that found

Russia had conducted rampant state-sponsored doping, kept the athletes, including Isinbayeva, from competing in the 2016 Olympics.

Rob Koehler, chair of WADA’s Compliance and Review Committee, did not mention Isinbayeva by name when giving his report on the Russian situation to the Foundation Board yesterday, but confirmed changes were coming when questioned by former WADA chief Dick Pound.

“Is this the person about whom everyone has complained,” asked Pound.

“To be clear, as of the 31st of May, the person will be gone,” said Koehler.

While Koehler pointed to progress, Pound has not been impressed particularly by Isinbayeva’s presence.

“They (Russia) are clearly jerking us around putting the pole vaulter (Isinbayeva) in charge,” Pound told Reuters. “That was Russia basically giving us this,” he added, holding up his middle finger.

“If you want to get back inside you better bloody well convince the people who you need to convince that you have turned the corner.”

Other changes being demanded by WADA include drug testers being allowed access to closed cities, where athletes continue to find sanctuary from testing, access to athlete biological passports and the implementation of a conflict of interest policy.

“RUSADA will be granted the right to test again when it has documentation that those four conditions have been met,” said WADA chief Craig Reedie.

Riflemen ready for the ranges again, following extensive rehab of the Timehri Range FULLBORE captain of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Mahendra Persaud has informed that the Caribbean’s leading marksmen are ready to return to active shooting ahead of the federation’s 150th anniversary in October this year.

Active shooting would have been on hold for the past few months as a result of extensive and highly rewarding works and upgrade to the Timehri Rifle Ranges to bring it in line with international standards, ahead of what is anticipated to be a huge competition, come

October.

Persaud, who has captained Guyana to many a Caribbean title over the years – Guyana are the current defending Short and Long Range Caribbean Champions - has disclosed that competing on home turf for the 150th anniversary as hosts of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships will be an honour.

He informed that the likes of Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Dylan Fields, Leo Romalho, Ryan Sampson, Terrance Stuart and others are getting ready

GuyanaNRA members carry out repairs to one of the target mechanisms.

to get back in the trigger groove as they get ready to welcome the top nations of the world including Australia, Great Britain and the Caribbean to Guyana.

“We have been hard at work over the past few months adding a different touch to the ranges at Timehri in terms of upgrade which has been very successful. The works would have been carried out by the shooters themselves in conjunction with the Guyana Defence Force and we are very thankful for their continued support.”

Noting that the shooters are now getting into

second gear, Persaud said that the first practice shoot this Sunday will be held at the 300, 600 and 1000 yards ranges on the eastern half the ranges.

“These are the banks that are almost ready for October. While the ranges are not 100% complete, the team must commence training now.

The GuyanaNRA wishes to express thanks to COS Brigadier Patrick West and the high command of the GDF for their support and assistance during the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Timehri Rifle Ranges.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

GBTI Open set to begin on June 2 Kirsten, Simons to help GUYANA’S premier tennis tournament, the GBTI Open, was recently launched by the Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA). The first serve-off will be on June 2 at the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) Sports Club courts in Bel Air. Celebrating its 7th year, the tournament will see Guyana’s top junior and senior tennis players go head-to-head, in the biggest tournament of the year.

GBTI recently handed over the sponsorship cheque for the event.

This year’s tournament will feature a total of 13 categories.

Outside of the Men’s Open singles and doubles, Ladies’ Open singles and doubles, there will be the Men’s Over-35 singles and doubles, Men’s Over-45 singles and doubles, Mixed doubles, Junior Boys’ Open singles, Junior Girls’ Open singles and Novices Medley singles and doubles.

The format for all categories, except Novices, will be best-of-3 sets. The Novices will play one set no advantage.

The Ladies’ Open singles draw this year will lose last year’s finalist Nicola Ramdyhan, who is currently training in Florida. However, the Men’s

select Proteas coach Gary Kirsten

GBTI’s Public Relations and Marketing Manager Pamela Binda, presents sponsorship cheque to GLTA’s VP, Grace McCalman (L) and secretary, Oswin Coggins (R).

Open draw will benefit from a coinciding visit from last year’s finalist Daniel Lopes, who is also attending college in Florida.

Defending champion Anthony Downes, is all ready to defend his title.

Having committed this annual tournament to the GLTA during 2010, GBTI still remains the sole sponsor of the

tournament.

As the tournament progresses, action will play out from 17:00hrs every weekday of the competition and from 08:00hrs on weekends. Entrance forms have been distributed via all clubs and the association’s facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/guyanatennisassociation.

The Tournament Coordinator Shelly-Ramdyhan can also be contacted at 642-5672.

The opening ceremony for the tournament is set for 16:30hrs on Friday, June 2 followed immediately by firstround matches. The general public is invited and all players and officials are expected to be present.

CRICKET South Africa (CSA) has confirmed former national team bosses Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons will be involved in the process to select a head coach for the Proteas.

CSA revealed yesterday it intends to have a new coach and management team in place by the start of September.

Incumbent Russell Domingo was informed in January that he will need to reapply for his position if he wishes to remain in charge of the team.

Kirsten, who enjoyed considerable success with South Africa as a player and coach, and Simons will be joined on the selection panel by CSA board members Norman Arendse and Rihan Richards.

The fifth member of the panel will be Oupa Nkagisang, the president of North West Cricket who serves on CSA's transformation and cricket pipeline committees.

CSA president Chris Nenzani said: "There has been uninformed negativity in the media about the board's decision to start a process to recruit a coach for the men's senior national team. But the reasons for our doing this were obvious and the committee we have appointed to oversee the process will make sure that we have all bases covered."

The CSA board also confirmed all members of the National Selection Panel will remain in place until the end of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. (Omnisport)

VICTORIAN all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been declared fit for the ICC Champions Trophy and will travel with several members of the Australia squad from Brisbane to London tonight.

Stoinis, who was forced to leave his stint with Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League early due to a shoulder injury, bowled today at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane and was passed fit by team support staff.

The all-rounder injured the shoulder diving for a ball while warming-up for Punjab’s match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 5 and, after undergoing scans in India, headed to the NCC for rehab in a bid to prove his fitness for the upcoming ODI tournament.

It was confirmed yes-

terday that the 27-year-old has done exactly that, with a Cricket Australia spokesperson saying “he bowled today and medical staff were happy with his progress”.

Australia’s first warm-up game for the Champions Trophy is in London on May 26 against Sri Lanka, before a second fixture against Pakistan on May 29 in Birmingham.

Their first match in the tournament proper is against the Black Caps on June 3, also in Birmingham.

With James Faulkner having been overlooked for a spot in the 15-man squad, Stoinis looms as a likely inclusion in Australia’s best XI, having played in Australia’s two most recent ODIs, against New Zealand on the tour across the Tasman in January-February. (CA).

Bronze for George and Hooper at Islamic Solidarity Games Stoinis cleared for Champions Trophy … Moore into women’s 400m final

ONE day after taking silver in the men’s 400m, Olympian Winston George finished with bronze in the men’s 200m at the Islamic Solidarity Games yesterday, and just moments later Natrena Hooper picked up the bronze in the women’s high jump.

Winston George

Braving an ankle injury and cold weather, Hooper, who recently gained a silver medal at the Penn Relay in

the same event, scaled over 1.77m, clearing the height on her third try. She ended behind Algeria’s Yousra Arar, who finished with silver after she bounded over the 1.77m on her first attempt.

Asian record-holder Nadiya Dusanova was the only athlete to negotiate the 1.80m height, clearing it easily on her first attempt, as she did all her other jumps.

An ecstatic Hooper noted her resolve not to return from the Games empty-handed, despite only one chance to do so, since the high jump was her only event.

“I was a bit nervous but I got over it because I was determined not to leave without a medal. It was great competition,” Hooper expressed from Baku yesterday, speaking to Guyana Chronicle via electronic messaging.

For the men’s 200m, it was also determination that saw George end another stint at the Games with two medals. George had participated at the Games 2013 hosting in Indonesia and copped silver

Natrena Hooper

in the men’s 400m and 200m.

This year, while he already picked up the silver in the men’s 400m with a time of 45.69 seconds, in the 200m his 20.62 seconds finish only landed him a bronze. It was a 20.56 seconds run from Bahrain’s Salem Yaqoob that earned the silver.

With a time of 20.08 seconds, Ramil Guliev landed another gold medal for Turkey, who are currently leading the medals table with a whopping 155 medals, including 60 gold, and 52 silver. With 59 gold, hosts Azerbaijan are just behind, though their silver and bronze tallies look thin, with their overall medal count standing at 116 up to yesterday’s end.

Guyana still have a

chance to improve their medal standings, with athletes Alita Moore and Emanuel Archibald having events remaining while the table tennis team events are yet to go off.

Guyana have a male tennis team as well as a female team at the event.

Shaking off a disqualification in the women’s 200m on Wednesday, Moore fared better in yesterday’s 400m where she finished third in her heats with a time of 55.36 seconds, and made it into today’s final.

The fastest heats’ time of 51.46 seconds was recorded

by Bahrain’s Oluwakemi Adekoya.

Archibald will be in the Men’s long jump today, coming in with an entry jump of 7.35m.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday May 19, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 27 stumpings (2) David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderbaad, 2016) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who made his first Test century in the first Test played at

Windsor Park, Dominica?

(2) Who delivered the last ball of the first game of IPL 2017?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, May 19, 2017

Kapil Dev picks England to win … astonished W.I will not Champions Trophy be part of tournament MUMBAI, India, (CMC) – Legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev said authorities should reconsider the rules of qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy, if it means West Indies will be .

The former Indian captain and world record-breaking fast bowler was astonished that the Windies will not be part of the tournament which takes place from June 1 to 18 in England and Wales.

For the eighth edition of the tournament, the top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings on September 30, 2015, qualified for

Legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev

the tournament.

The Caribbean side fin-

Caribbean triumph unforgettable, says retiring Misbah

Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq pose with series trophy last Sunday at Windsor Park.

LAHORE, Pakistan, (CMC) Retiring Pakistan Test captan Misbah-ul-Haq says the historic 2-1 Test series victory in the Caribbean last Sunday will remain one of the highlights of his career.

The 42-year-old, playing in his last international match before quitting the sport, led Pakistan to a dramatic 101-run victory over West Indies in the decisive third Test at Windsor Park.

For Pakistan, it marked the first time they had beaten West Indies in a series in the Caribbean since the two teams began their rivalry in 1958.

“It’s an honour for me, I’m grateful to the nation for all their prayers and support,” Misbah said on his return here Wednesday as a jubilant crowd gathered at the airport to welcome the team.

“I am happy with my performance. Winning in the West Indies will be something I will always remember.

“The credit for this accomplishment goes to the Pakistan Cricket Board, the players’ families, and the whole team.”

Pakistan won the opening

Test in Jamaica last month by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series but then collapsed on the final day of the second Test in Barbados earlier this month, to concede a 106-run defeat.

In the third Test that burst to life only over the last two days, Pakistan left it until late as Man-of-the-Series leg-spinner Yasir Shah removed number 11 Shannon Gabriel with the final delivery of the penultimate over of the match, to break the hosts’ stubborn resistance.

Misbah said the Test series win needed to be held up as the standard of achievement for future Pakistan sides.

“We have accomplished a feat many teams across the world only dream of,” said Misbah, who surpassed 5 000 runs during the series en route to being his side’s leading scorer with 271 runs.

“These sorts of victories will help bring fresh talent into the spotlight. It is crucial that we keep succeeding like this.”

The tour was a successful one for Pakistan overall as they also beat West Indies in the preceding Twenty20 and oneday series.

ished outside the top eight in ninth position on the cut-

off date and were nudged by Bangladesh, meaning they missed out on the tournament for the first time.

“It’s very hard to believe that West Indies will not be at the tournament,” he said. “I always follow West Indies cricket very closely because that was the best team in our time.

“If the West Indies team has declined in 20 or 30 years, we can say that the other teams have come up.

It’s sad to see the West Indies decline from where it was. There is no shortage of talent though. The West Indies winning the Twenty20 World Cup last year in Kolkata was fantastic.

“When someone makes a rule, they don’t think of things like whether this or that team will qualify. I, as a cricketer, lover of the game, think that the West Indies should be there all the time, but again I don’t write the rules.”

Kapil Dev has picked hosts England to prevail over the Bangladeshis, Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan teams in the tournament which will be played at the Oval in London, Edgbaston in Birmingham and Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

“I think of England,” he said. “For the first time

in 40 years, England has given me the impression that it is producing players for one-day cricket.

“They has a ruthless approach with players like Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes. They can win matches on their own.”

He said: “That’s the sort of the team [India] had at one time – Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag.

“For the first time though, I feel England has so many good players who on their own can win matches, so I make them the favourites.”

Thompson headlines galaxy of stars for Jamaica international meet

K I N G S TO N , J a m a i c a (CMC) – Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson will be the headline act for the Jamaica International Invitational tomorrow when she lines up for the women’s 200 metres, the final event on the schedule.

Thompson, winner of gold medals in the 100m and 200m at last year’s Olympics in Rio, has continued to stamp her authority on the sport this year.

She won the 200m in a time of 22.19 seconds at the IAAF Diamond League meet in Doha, Qatar, and followed up with a 100m victory in 10.78 at the DL meet in Shanghai, China.

Shericka Jackson, the 400m World and Olympic bronze medallist, has lowered her personal bests in the short sprints and could push her MVP clubmate, along with American challengers Shalonda Solomon and Candyce McGrone, as well as Bahamian Tynia Gaither.

A ding-dong battle is expected when Olympic silver

Elaine Thompson

medallist Andre De Grasse of Canada faces La Shawn Merritt of the United States in the men’s 200m.

De Grasse finished behind Usain Bolt last year in Rio and has had a cold start to the season, but he can expect to be pushed by Merritt, as well as local challengers Warren Weir, Nickel Ashmeade and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Dwyer.

Veteran sprinters Allyson Felix of the United States and Asafa Powell

of Jamaica are the notable names carded for the women’s and men’s 100m dash.

Felix’s biggest challengers look to be Rio 100m finalists Michelle-Lee Ahye and Christania Williams, as well as IAAF World Indoor tour 60 champion Gayon Evans.

Resurgent local hero Yohan Blake, American Mike Rodgers, fresh from his win in Guadeloupe last weekend, and compatriot Ronnie Baker, the only

man in the field under 10 seconds this season, look to be potential spoilers to Powell.

T h e w o m e n ’s 4 0 0 m features a clash between Novelene Williams-Mills, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Christine Day and Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby of Jamaica and Americans Natasha Hastings, Ashley Spencer, Courtney Okolo and Phyllis Francis.

Jamaica 400m champion Javon Francis will be under pressure to defend home turf in the men’s race with Tony McQuay of the United States looking to show his mettle.

Other big names looking to leave their mark on the meet include reigning women’s world 100 hurdles champions Danielle Williams and her sister Shermaine of the United States, compatriot Bershawn Jackson in the men’s 400m hurdles, and two-time world and Rio Olympic triple-jump champion Caterine Ibarguen of Colombia who will make her season debut.

Kapil Dev picks England to win Champions See page 31 Trophy

Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Futsal tournament launched … Twenty-four teams to compete for $500 000 first prize

By Rawle Toney TWENTY-FOUR teams, drawn from communities in Georgetown, Linden, East Coast Demerara and West Demerara, will compete in the inaugural Xtreme Clean and Maintenance Futsal tournament, set for the National Gymnasium from May 26 to June 17.

Reigning Futsal kings Sparta Boss will face their usual rivals in the competition that fetches a $500 000 first place prize. The second-placed team will pocket $200 000, third-placers $100 000 and the team finishing fourth will go home with $50 000.

West Front Road, North East La Penitence, Bent Street, Sophia, Tiger Bay, Broad Street Bullies, West Back Road, Back Circle, Dave and Celina All-Stars (Linden), Melanie ‘B’ (East Coast), Show Stoppers (West Demerara), Agricola Champion Boys, Kitty, Tucville, North Ruimveldt, Festival City, Albouystown

Organisers and representatives of the 24 teams at yesterday’s launch of the Xtreme Clean & Maintenance Futsal tournament.

(Delano Williams photo)

‘B’, Alexander Village, Plaisance ‘A’, Beterverwagting ‘A’, Campbellville, and Globe Yard are the other teams set to participate.

The tournament, which was launched yesterday at the Wind Jammer Hotel, will be held to commemorate the entrance of Xtreme Clean & Maintenance to the local market; a company that specialises in landscaping and also does garbage disposal. It

was founded in 2016.

“We already have sports and tourism, so how about sports and entrepreneurship.

I think it’s one of the things His Excellency President David Granger is talking about in Guyana, for young people to come together in groups and exercise their entrepreneurship skills,” stated Ivan Persaud, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

World Test rankings ...

Windies remain rooted at eighth after annual update DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – West Indies remained rooted at eighth in the World Test Rankings released yesterday following the annual update in which series results from 2013 to 14 are no longer included and outcomes from the 2015-16 series are weighted at 50 per cent.

The Jason Holder-led side have gained five points in the period under review and now have a total of 75, trailing sixthplaced Sri Lanka by 16 points and ahead of ninth-placed Bangladesh by six points.

West Indies lost their last three Test series against India last year on home soil, fol-

lowed by Pakistan last year in the United Arab Emirates and the recently-concluded series on home soil. Out of the 10 matches, West Indies registered wins in two matches, lost six and drew two.

India have retained the No.1 Test ranking, leading South Africa by six points, but only nine points separate third-ranked Australia from seventh-ranked Sri Lanka.

India has moved to 123 points after gaining one point.

Second-ranked South Africa however, now have the table-toppers firmly within their sights after vaulting from 109 points to 117 points. This jump

means the pre-update gap of 13 points has now been trimmed to just six points.

While India and South Africa have made upward movements, Australia, England and Pakistan have headed in the opposite direction.

Australia have retained their third place, but have plummeted from 108 points to 100 points; England have stayed in fourth position, but have slipped to 99 points after conceding two points;while Pakistan have dropped behind New Zealand in sixth place after conceding four points to sit on 93 points.

Speaking to the gathering of media and team representatives, Persaud stated that the NSC is more than pleased to play its part, more so since it involves a business entity, choosing sports to announce their entrance to Guyana.

“I’m glad that they (Xtreme Clean & Maintenance) understand from early their social responsibility as a business. I’m sure it speaks

for everyone in the sport community and the NSC is happy to be onboard and we will continue to support in any venture going forward,” said Persaud.

Meanwhile, it was announced by the organisers, that nightly, two lucky fans will kick for a chance to each win one pennyweight of gold, as well as there will be several other novelty events which will allow patrons to win

prizes.

The tournament will be played on a ‘win or go home’ (knockout) format on May 26 and 27, after which, 12 remaining teams will be placed in three groups of four and will play a round-robin to see who will be the teams advancing to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and ultimately the final.

Turn to page 26

Top aimers to compete at Independence Darts Cup tournament May 26 -28 See Page 26

From left, Luis Ramirez-Merlano (Double Caribbean Champion), Sheik Yaseen, Sudesh Fitzgerald and Shondell Hyles pose with a bottle of Roosters Coconut Water at the conclusion of yesterday’s press conference. (Adrian Narine photo)

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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017