Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21-04-2023

University of Guyana on Thursday opened a two-day open day and job fair at its Turkeyen Campus (Shaniece Bamfield

Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, on Thursday evening, received Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International

Norton says he enjoys full confidence of party members

of

NOTWITHSTANDING

the exit of a number of party members, and a failure to gain enough support to contest in even 50 per cent of constituencies at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs), Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton contends that he has full support of his party.

Questions of support for Norton have circulated after the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which is led by the PNC/R, saw the absence of a number of notable party members on Monday during Nominations Day, when parties submitted their list of candidates for the upcoming LGEs set for June 12.

Noticeably missing was current Mayor of George-

town, Ubraj Narine, and former party Chairperson Volda Lawrence, among others. Norton faced questions on this development during his weekly virtual press conference on Thursday.

“For me, the most important support is the support of the membership of this party, and the people on the road, on the ground, those support I have. As far as I know, I have the sup-

for

on Nomination Day

port,” Norton said. However things continue to look bleak for the party. According to reports, APNU is only contesting in 279, or 45 per cent, of the 610 constituencies, and 24 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) that are part of the elections.

Downplaying the situation during a press conference, Norton said that the party was contesting

in “virtually all” of the LAAs of which there are 70 Neighbourhood Democractic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities.

However, even in traditional PNC/R strongholds, the party failed to make an impact with its support on Monday, with its procession paling in comparison to that of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

The PNC/R also took a blow when it was revealed that several of its party stalwarts had also crossed the floor and are now supporting the PPP/C, which already has massive support at the central gov-

ernment level.

According to the PPP/C General Secretary for the LGEs, the PPP/C is contesting in all 610 constituencies and 80 LAAs, having submitted a list of 2,020 candidates and the signatures of over 26,000 backers.

The PPP/C is reportedly already on course to win no-contest victories in 283 out of the 610 constituencies by virtue of no other political party, voluntary group or individual submitting candidature for the constituencies.

PNC’s claims of contesting all constituencies for LGEs ‘deceptive’

–– Ministers Parag and Hamilton say

MINISTER of Public Service, Sonia Parag and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton has called out the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) for its “deceptive nature,” after the party’s leader declared that they are contesting all constituencies for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs).

During a television programme, The Thursday Agenda, the minister said that from what was observed on Nomination Day and the “wave of red” that was seen in the constituencies of Guyana, she is certain that the PNC/APNU was put in a state of frenzy.

“I am most certain it put them in a state of frenzy, and embarrassment and shame that they would go at any lengths to say that the PPP is doing this to get votes and the PPP is doing that to get votes, but no, people want development in this country,” she related.

Minister Parag added: “They (the people) are tired of being pushed and pulled and nothing was done for them from 2015 to 2020.”

She said that the PNC recognised that the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government is working for the people’s benefit and the country’s development.

“So, now he is coming to say, look you think you have us, no we have this, we contested this but it is all lies and then you have people on social media saying I have seen the list and I did not sign on as a candidate to that list…that is the APNU or PNC list,” Parag related.

She said that given the “shame and embarrassment,” she believes that they would act up in “any way and they would say things to their supporters, who they believe their supporters are… they would say things to them to mislead them.”

Additionally, Minister Hamilton said that after seeing what took place on Nomination Day, the APNU went into a “mode of disparaging people of African descent.”

“They had this field day of cursing every person of African descent who are supporting the PPP. More so, those who once supported the PNC who today as you have indicated, they want nothing to do with the PNC,” he related.

–– despite APNU contesting only 45 per cent

LAAs

LGEs, crossover members and absence of many

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton

‘A true representation of Guyana’

By Tamica Garnett

WITH the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) lists of candidates for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) comprising 42.5 per cent women, 30.3 per cent youths and almost 17 per cent AfroGuyanese, party General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the PPP/C is the only political entity to submit lists of candidates that “look like Guyana.”

Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo said that the PPP/C has submitted a total of 2,020 candidates, supported by over 26,000 backers for the upcoming LGEs.

He also emphatically debunked accusations being peddled by the main political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), of the

overwhelming support being received by the PPP/C being due to coercion and incentivisation.

Dr. Jagdeo referenced the passion and excitement of the party’s supporters that was on display on Nominations Day last Monday, when political parties submitted candidates for the LGEs.

“They don’t have to be paid, we have people calling asking where they can come to collect their [PPP/C] t-shirts and so on. We don’t need to pay people to do that. Go and talk to the people, you can’t buy enthusiasm, our crowd was enthusiastic.

“You go and see the group taking in the list in Georgetown or Linden. You would see that they all came voluntarily to the PPP/C,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

Georgetown and Linden have traditionally been two opposition dominated areas, however, the APNU, which is led by the

People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) have lost support in those areas at successive LGEs.

Aside from Georgetown and Linden, the PPP/C has also made inroads in a number of other opposition dominated areas, including New Amsterdam. Unable to explain losing ground in their strongholds, the opposition has challenged the authenticity of the support being received by the PPP/C.

However, Dr. Jagdeo credited the party’s overwhelming support to work that the party has been doing on the ground and development that the party has been bringing all across the country.

“They see our track record and that is why they are supporting the PPP/C. These are not sell outs these are smart, conscientious people who want to change their lives for the better. We like ambitious

people,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

The PPP/C is the only political party to have submitted candidates to contest all 610 of the constituencies across the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAA) being contested at the LGE, set for June 12.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, the PPP/C is already on par to win nocontest victories in 283 out of the 610 by virtue of no other political party, voluntary group or individual submitting candidature for the constituencies.

Detailing that his party’s demographic also includes 84 Amerindians, 187 mixed persons, and 1,408 Indo-Guyanese, Dr. Jagdeo accused APNU of failing to garner diverse support and submitting lists that lacked diversity in almost every area, noting that over 98 per cent of that party’s candidates are Afro-Guyanese.

He also called for all

accusations of forgery of signatures on LGE documents that were submitted to be thoroughly investigated, and appealed to persons who have been victims of such situations to make reports both to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the police.

At a separate press conference on Thursday, head of APNU, Aubrey Norton had said that his party was investigating reports of forgery of signatures.

“I agree with Norton on this point. That anyone who has committed any illegality in these elections

should face the full brunt of law,” Dr. Jagdeo noted. He said that the PPP/C as well has already begun to note reports where persons are coming forward to reveal that their names and signature have been affixed to documents they never consented to.

During his press conference, Dr. Jagdeo read from a document, which he said was a copy of a letter that has been submitted to GECOM by a resident of Linden, who says that their name was submitted as a candidate for the APNU even though they never consented to this.

Kumu, Moco Moco hydropower projects progressing smoothly

WORKS on the US$12.8 million Kumu and Moco Moco hydropower projects in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are progressing smoothly as the government continues its efforts of supplying clean and efficient energy to the national grid.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, was given an update on the progress during a visit to the areas on Wednesday.

The two projects will see the construction of a new 1.5-megawatt (MW) hydropower project at Kumu and upgrades to the defunct Moco Moco hydropower plant to some 0.7MW capacity. Both projects will increase access to electricity for the population in Lethem and nearby communities.

At Moco Moco, the Prime Minister said that the projects were set to transform Region Nine’s energy landscape in accordance with Guyana’s Low Carbon De-

velopment Strategy (LCDS).

He also stressed that the project will open avenues for advancement in the tourism and business sectors, as the government continues to invest in the vision of Region Nine becoming a hub for economic activity.

“You’re going to harness the energy, and you’re going to become producers and

sell your goods. Market this place. Tourists will come, and you will earn money. That is what I want, and that is why we are here.

“Work with us…the people, the government at all levels…can work hand-inhand and we’re going to improve how we do things in Guyana,” the Prime Minister said.

Phillips related that the government will continue to provide projects and programmes to train people how to utilise all the resources to improve their lives.

He also visited the 1.0-megawatt mega-scale solar farm facility at the Lethem Power Company, where he was assured that it has adequate capacity to pro-

vide a reliable power supply for the residents there, using the solar farm in addition to its present output.

These projects form part of the government’s commitment to fostering energy security and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Prime Minister Phillips was accompanied by

Chief

Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma, Mayor of Lethem, Mr John Macedo; Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock; Toshao of Moco Moco, Thomas George and Chairman of the Lethem Power Company Board, Rodger King, among others.

Works on the US$12.8 million Kumu and Moco Moco hydropower projects in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are progressing smoothly as the government continues its efforts of supplying clean and efficient energy to the national grid

General Secretary of the PPP/C, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

- Jagdeo says PPP/C’s lists of candidates boast widespread diversity

- affirms that anyone who commits electoral fraud should face full force of the law

Guyana-Suriname’s trade relations unhindered

- VP Jagdeo clarifies - countries’ Ministers of Foreign Affairs discuss enhancement of bilateral relations

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr

Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday clarified that trade relations between Guyana and Suriname are unaffected after a question was raised at a press conference concerning an alleged trade embargo imposed on Suriname.

“I wasn’t even aware that is happening, but we have phytosanitary standards to maintain too and I don’t know whether it is true or not because I have not seen it in mainstream media or I don’t think we have been notified formally,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd, yesterday met with Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International

Business and International Co-operation of Suriname to discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to a release on the Ministry’s Facebook page, the ministers reaffirmed the commitment of Guyana and Suriname to pursue the initiatives agreed to within the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

They reiterated the commitment of the Presidents of Guyana and Suriname to strengthen bilateral relations through enhanced and sustained dialogue, and practical and effective programmes for co-operation that would benefit the people of both countries.

The ministers also agreed on a strategy to advance dis-

Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Thursday, met with Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname, to discuss ways to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries

cussions in the coming months on several subjects.

In this regard, Minister Todd emphasised the two priority areas for Guyana which are of mutual interest and benefit to both countries, namely, fishing licences for Guyanese fisherfolk and the bridging of the Corentyne River.

The MoU establish -

Jagdeo condemns attacks on journalists

ing the SDCP was signed by Guyana and Suriname during a presidential visit to Suriname in November 2020 to enhance cooperation through the establishment of several working groups in several areas, including infrastructure, agriculture, security, health, trade, and the environment.

GENERAL Secretary of

the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat

Jagdeo has condemned attacks on local journalists.

Davina Bagot, a journalist at Kaieteur News, was attacked by an unknown

“He (Norton) said, oh it might be illegal what she was doing… she was recording Carol Joseph. That is his takeaway from it, and even when she gave an apology, she basically doubled down on the fact,” he said.

person or group via a post on a Facebook page, Live in Guyana, while Tamica Garnett, a journalist at the Guyana Chronicle, was verbally attacked by the Chief Scrutineer of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Carol Joseph.

Jagdeo, addressing the issue of attacks on journalists, said that vile statements were made about Bagot which he strongly condemns.

He said that he does not recall a single Minister of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) or any Cabinet member or Member of Parliament (MP), in recent history, attacking a journalist.

“I can’t point to a single example… that was a disparaging set of comments that were made, and should have never been made and I condemn it,” the PPP/C General Secretary related.

Additionally, he said that Aubrey Norton, Leader of the Opposition, instead of condemning such actions, went on to point out that Garnett recording Joseph might be unlawful.

Jagdeo said that several persons connected to APNU, are constantly criticising journalists, such as Rickford Burke, David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye, and Sherod Duncan.

He said: “Almost on a daily basis, he (Duncan) criticises not only journalists, but women. I saw some female group being criticized; he talks about their hair, Gail Teixeira’s hair, her dress, about Priya, all of that in very personal ways, disparaging them openly on social media.”

Jagdeo lamented that this has been ongoing for some time, but there is no reports of condemnation.

“You cannot find a single PPP member of parliament or minister doing anything of that sort; we have made it clear that even though we believe that some of the questions are part of a political campaign, particularly from Kaieteur News, we will continue to deal with them,” Jagdeo related.

PPP/C General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Region’s education system needs to focus on more than academics

Skerrit says

RECRUITMENT grounds

for gangs will dry up with the reform of the region’s educational system, says Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit.

Speaking at the Regional Symposium on ‘Violence as a Public Health Issue – The Crime Challenge’, he highlighted the need for an urgent review of the Caribbean’s heavily-academic education system which he said leaves little time for helping to build socially-minded individuals.

“I believe that will help tremendously in helping to dry up the recruitment grounds for these violent behaviors, because we’re talking about guns, but we also need to focus on antisocial behavior, which sometimes leads to the extreme end of using guns and other weapons to advance violent behaviours.

“And so, we moved from seven subjects at CXC and GCE, to now 15 and 18 per student. The same five hours hasn’t been increased, but we’ve increased the number of subjects being offered

to our students. Sports and Physical Education have taken second place.

Extracurricular activities in the classroom no longer exist, and yes, we boast of the percentage of passes of CXC examinations and national exams, but we fail to pay attention to the 20 and the 30 per cent of those who did not get to the matriculation level. I think we are focusing on those who do well academically, but we fail to pay attention to the mental and emotional state of our children,” he said to the applause of those gathered at the Hyatt Regency of Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, he stressed that groups in society have been abdicating their responsibilities in helping to raise children.

“Now it is solely up to the Ministry of Education to educate our children. Where are our parents and guardians? Where is the clergy in its missionary work and its evangelical work? Where is the business community?

“In the business commu-

nity, we are more concerned about the dollar profits, and we only talk about crime when it affects our businesses, not because our children are dying. And I think that we need to get the different groups in the society to spend more time in terms of ‘what is my contribution to address the social challenges confronting our country?” Skerrit added.

Saying “a dramatic and urgent review of the school curricula” will proactively

help to reduce the number of youth joining gangs, he insisted it is time to focus less on exams and more on creating well-rounded individuals.

“We have many more opportunities now than we had in the 70s and 60s for our children to allow for us to focus less on the rigours of examinations. Many of us have children in primary school and look at the extent of the textbooks which have to be purchased. The

heaviness of the bags going to school and the volume of homework, all dealing with academics.

Nothing about the child’s wellbeing; nothing

about interaction with other groups in any community, the senior citizens and others to appreciate the importance of life,” Skerrit stressed. (Barbados Today)

Beware: False Flags Flying

HISTORY has shown, here and elsewhere, that whenever a warring party has its back squarely against the wall and cannot retreat but doesn’t want to surrender, its only last chance is to create a diversion. Same with opposition political parties that cannot win free and fair elections.

The current major opposition party and its sacrificial lambs have decades of accumulated experience in the art of stealing elections, first exemplified in 1964 when the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the United Force (UF) conspired and colluded to prevent the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) from taking

office, although it had won the popular vote.

Fifty-six years later, the PNC-led APNU+AFC coalition did the very same thing in 2020, this time actually refusing to leave office after losing the elections.

Three years later, the opposition coalition is today collapsing under heavy internal and external pressure, first with the AFC announcing its divorce and now melting from heat from within, the PNC leader now being accused by his closest peers of chasing good people from the party, yet crying when they leave.

The PNC/APNU leader is also being accused— again from within — of presiding

over the party’s demise, seen in such desperate moves such as senior party figures verbally insulting Indo-Guyanese members for daring to condemn racist attacks by their party’s coalition allies.

Similarly, the few but increasing number of Afro Guyanese turning their backs on the party are being insulted in similar racist and even canine terms, including and especially those who’ve taken the hard but principled decision to exercise their democratic right to switch sides.

This week’s indecent verbal assault on a Chronicle journalist (for only doing her job) by a very senior APNU/ PNC functionary, while not un-

expected, is another indication that with their backs against the wall across Guyana, the major minority parties are today simply overly desperate, having run out of all hope, even unable to show support anywhere on Nomination Day for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Once upon a time (not too long ago), it was unthinkable to even dream the PPP (or PPP/ CIVIC) could ever win a local government poll in the city of Georgetown. But look at the ruling alliance’s candidates list for LGEs 2023 and it’s quite clear, without any doubt, that even if the APNU+AFC and others were to contest, together or alone, none would

get anywhere near to mobilising support, far less winning.

The seismic shifts in Guyana’s political and economic fortunes since the PPP/C returned to office in 2020 – after the APNU+AFC coalition was legally forced to stop stealing the election results (again) –have resulted in bigger shifts of the tectonic plates that once supported their popular base.

In such a situation, desperation (like indecent assault) will be accompanied by false flags raised over concocted or manufactured actions, usually exceeding bounds of decency, custom or tradition – as they did in 2020 by claiming and swearing to have Statements of Poll proving the PPP/C stole

the election (in opposition), but which they’ve never been able to produce, whether in court or to the related Commission of Inquiry.

It’s now for all Guyanese voters who want to keep elections free and fair to remain eternally vigilant, on all our “Ps and Qs,” as we beware of the false flags being flown by the desperate elements in the opposition’s leadership, who also happen to most, although – luckily for Guyana – not all.

The buzzwords for voters’ attitudes to the opposition between now and Election Day must, therefore, include “Constant Vigilance” and “Mistrust” of the usual suspects!

Columnists hiding behind fake names have zero credibility

Dear Editor, NOT a day goes by without elements of the opposition calling for greater transparency and accountability. Yet, daily, top newspapers in the country publish the most asinine articles by columnists who lack the courage to put their real names to what they claim.

The most cursory review of recent articles by “Peeping Tom” is a case in point. Allow me to demonstrate my position with direct evidence.

Case No. 1: in his April 14 piece “Jagdeo is confusing himself,” Tom writes the following – “Jagdeo continues to insist that there was no private investor in the Marriot [sic] Hotel.”

In the next paragraph, Tom attempts to make a slamdunk case by stating – “Yet, he [Jagdeo] conceded earlier that his government had been seeking an equity investor and a loan for the hotel.”

Readers, including those from our grade six pupils, will see that the premise of Tom’s argument, and the evidence provided to support his claim have no relationship with each other. Could someone please

explain to Tom that an attempt to secure a loan does not mean that the same materialised?

May someone also remind Peeping Tom that the entire opposition (political parties and so-called civil society groups) were against building the hotel? All of them said it would be a failure. Now these same naysayers want the government to keep the thriving hotel.

Case No. 2: the April 18 column by Peeping Tom titled, “Jagdeo is wrong about Europe and natural gas” is a product of confusion and incompetence. The KN columnist mixes up the intent of EU declared policy on natural gas, with the reality of EU fossil-energy consumption.

Tom writes the following – “Jagdeo is…confusing investments in LNG terminals and storage infrastructure, intended to handle greater imports of LNG.” Peeping Tom misses the key point, which is EU consumption of natural gas, whatever the form it may take, and however it may be delivered is among the highest in the world.

Tom and his fellow naysayers such as Joly, Janki, and Bulkan need to live up to the fact

that the EU and North America that make the most noise about climate change are still the greatest per capita consumers of fossil fuels in the world, and that they continue to drill baby drill. Natural gas is a transition fuel in the context of the current world energy situation.

Note the following from Reuters (17/1/2023) – “Britain’s first oil-and-gas exploration licensing round since 2019 attracted 115 bids, up from 104 in the last round, with the licences likely to be awarded from the second quarter…”

According to the UK’s North Sea Transition Authority, 898 blocks and ‘part-blocks’ were offered up to potential investors for oil-and-gas exploration. That is correct 898!!

Case No. 3: on April 19 Tom decided to land a knockout punch with his piece, “A straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer.” Here is Tom – “Any person that has ever taken a loan knows the importance of the interest rate on that loan. The higher the interest rate, the greater will be the loan repayments.”

At one level, this is tautological, and therefore, has no

value added from a paid columnist. But worse, is the fact that it is tragically misleading. Peeping Tom takes the word “loan” as a generic financial instrument rather than differentiate among numerous types (for instance, consumer versus commercial), and other variables such as the amortization schedule.

These lasts are necessary when discussing interest rates and total costs. Tom also ignores the details of the explanation provided by Vice-President Jagdeo. On the oil-and-gas sector rates, the VP was keen on pointing out the multiple pressures against “easy money” that used to be available only years ago.

Quantitative tightening in the US (followed by the same elsewhere), combined with the Euro-American (undeclared) policy of squeezing Third World oil-and-gas exploration, has made interest rates almost punitive.

The only thing left for the US and EU and UK to do is sanction lenders who provide development capital to Third World countries seeking to develop oil and gas. As for the Marriott Hotel – the proof is

in the pudding. The hotel will be sold at a profit, higher than normal interest rates incurred, notwithstanding.

Case No 4 – In his April 16 deposit – “Local Government Elections will solve nothing,”

Peeping Tom, in full hiding, declared that “David Granger demonstrated the greatest willingness to make [sic] Local Government Elections work.”

This is the same David Granger who, according to some press reports, watched on at the helm as his party executed the most brazen assault on free and fair elections for five months in 2020.

The said column by Tom lacks focus, dashing in and out of issues, much like an East Bank minibus driver on steroids. For instance, Tom cannot make up his mind on a series of questions including basic ones such as – is local government a good thing that needs support, or is it so bad, it should be abandoned.

At times, the problem for Tom is one of money, while at other times it is one of lack of qualified staff. And then to top off the nonsense Tom comes up with this – “The problem however goes much deeper. Local

government is incompatible with our central political system.” Yes, you just read that.

So let us focus here. Peeping Tom, who thinks David Granger was the best hope for local government, himself believes that local government, based on our political system, is useless. This means that Granger is most qualified for the one thing that Tom believes is unworkable!

With supporters like Peeping Tom, Aubrey Norton’s PNC, and Ogunseye’s WPA, are bound to fail. This particular Tom (if there is indeed more than one) is a disaster not only for his credibility, but for the undeclared, yet well-known support he provides the opposition through his column.

Those who want transparency and accountability must look after their own house first. The anonymous columns by Peeping Tom(s), the letters to the editor that are signed with fake names, or those that hide behind the sign “civil society,” lack the basic minimum of transparency and accountability. I encourage Tom to come out.

Yours sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud

Police issues wanted bulletin for couple over death of constable

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday issued wanted bulletins for reputed couple, Naqeeba Zahid Zafarali and Thakurdial Samaroo in relation to the murder of Quincy Lewis, a police constable.

The couple’s last known address is listed as Lot 7 Ogle Front Road, East Coast Demerara.

If seen, or anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the said wanted persons, contact the police on 225-6940, 225-8196, 226-7476, 2252317, 225-8196, 2271149 or the nearest police station.

Detectives from the GPF’s Major Crimes Unit on Wednesday found the skeletal remains, suspected to be those of missing Lewis, in a shallow grave at an area along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Lewis disappeared in 2020 after leaving his La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home for work.

However, the case was cracked wide open after investigators arrested two individuals who allegedly identified a married couple as the prime suspects.

The couple, Zafarali and Samaroo allegedly lured Lewis to their home on the East Bank of Demerara, where he was shot and killed. The couple then transported his body to the vicinity of Splashmin’s Resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, where they dumped it.

This newspaper was informed that the couple has since fled the jurisdiction. On Wednesday, after combing the Madewini Sandpit area, police found the remains. The investi-

gators have taken samples for DNA testing.

Lewis, who was a serving member of the

Guyana Police Force since 2015, was stationed at the Agricola Police Station, East Bank Dem-

erara.

This newspaper reported that Lewis was last seen alive on the

afternoon of June 19, 2020, when he left in his friend’s car, PTT 7541, to report for work.

Region Five residents report cases of intimidation by PNC

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has reported that it was notified by several residents of Region Five that operatives of the PNC/APNU, namely, Member of Parliament (MP) Vinceroy Jordan, Carol Smith-Joseph, and Darren Wade, have reportedly resorted to tactics of intimidation to influence persons to withdraw their names from lists submitted for the Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to a statement from the PPP/C, there are reports that PNC members are visiting the homes of persons whose names appear on the PPP/C Backers’ List and intimidating them, forcing them to withdraw their names by signing preprepared documents.

“Those persons related that they are now scared for their lives and that of their families,” the PPP/C said.

One of the Party’s Candidates for Union\Naarstigheid LAA, Region Five, Rosaline Carmichael issued a statement testifying that the signatures were obtained voluntarily and lawfully.

“During the month of January 2023, I obtained, voluntarily, the requisite

signatures of residents in my community in support of my candidacy for the June 12, 2023 Local Government Elections. At no time did I engage in any unlawful conduct in obtaining the said signatures,” Carmichael said.

The PPP/C, in its statement responding to reports of intimidation, said: “We believe that these actions are being done to divert attention from the fact that the PNC/ APNU is unable to compete in 55 per cent of the constituencies and 24 Local Authority Areas (LAA) across the country, and to the mask the glaring shortcomings of its lists, which include, among others, a lack of diversity in age and ethnicity.

“The party condemns in the strongest possible terms these acts of bullyism, which is typical of the PNC/APNU, particularly in the case of the notorious Carol SmithJoseph,” the PPP/C said.

The party urged residents across the country to be vigilant, and to resist any such further attempts, as the matter will engage the attention of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Foreign Secretary lobbies for China to import more local non-oil products

THE Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, on Thursday met with a delegation from China’s Shandong Province to discuss areas of co-operation and trade and investment between Guyana and the province.

In his remarks, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the delegation and urged greater collaboration I n areas of agriculture and industry, and assured them of Guyana’s continued commitment to address global issues such as poverty reduction.

While noting that exports to China have been in-

creasing due to rising shipments of oil, he challenged the delegation to increase imports from Guyana, especially as it relates to trade in non-oil products.

Baiwei Chen, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People’s Government led the delegation and spoke of the commitment of the province to strengthen cultural and economic relations with Guyana.

Among areas for cooperation discussed were strengthening the work of

the China-Caribbean Development Centre, located in the capital city of Shandong, Jinan, the hosting of a Caribbean Products Exhibition in Shandong later this year, and cultural exchanges between youths at the World Youth Conference in China.

Shandong Province is the third largest in China in terms of GDP, standing around US$1.8 trillion and is the biggest industrial producer and one of the top manufacturing provinces. It is also one of the leading provinces in terms of agricultural trade.

Hybrid system allows UG to

By Faith Greene

VICE CHANCELLOR of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed has said that the university, over the past three years, has undergone drastic fundamental changes, most of which relate to the fact that many programmes are now being delivered online.

The radical changes, according to the Vice Chancellor, are not yet expressed in the public domain, but entails the university adopting both online and face to face methods of education delivery.

She added that these changes have allowed the university to expand the scope and size of their offerings, not just locally, but also to international markets as well.

Dr. Mohamed, in her address at the launch of a two-day job fair, related that one of the benefits of going online is the number of people in the diaspora who are now attending university.

She said: “(So) we have, I would say about four to five per cent of our students now within those three years who are children of people within the diaspora, as well as people who live in the diaspora. And we only discovered this is an unintended effect of course, of going online.

“We discovered this when we started to say we’re coming back faceto-face and then this big petition went out and we couldn’t come back faceto-face.”

The Vice Chancellor related that this allowed the university to recog -

nise how many students in the online class rooms live abroad or in the diaspora.

Aside from tapping into the Guyanese diaspora, Registrar of UG, Dr. Nigel Gravesande, said the university has also been attracting students from Guyana’s neighbours and those within the Caribbean who are seeking opportunities here.

He said: “And we are proud, that we now have close to 200 regional students pursuing courses and programmes. Leading to bachelor’s and master degrees, right here within the walls of this university.”

Persons will have the opportunity to explore more of what the university has to offer during the ongoing open day and job fair at the Turkeyen Campus.

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud met with a delegation from China’s Shandong Province, on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to discuss areas of co-operation and trade and investment between Guyana and the province

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed (Shaniece Bamfield photo)

Registrar of University of Guyana, Dr. Nigel Gravesande (Shaniece Bamfield photo)

explore new opportunities

- university boasts more enrollments from persons in the diaspora, over 200 regional students

The Mission of China’s Diplomacy: Building a community with a shared future for mankind by practising the three global initiatives

By Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of China to Guyana

TODAY, human society is facing unprecedented challenges. The global economic recovery remains sluggish, the development gap is widening, geopolitical confrontation is intensifying, the Cold War mentality is lingering, and ecological environment is deteriorating.

Some countries, out of their selfish interests, are peddling the so called “democracy versus authoritarianism” false narrative and creating confrontation in the international community. Such practices are very dangerous and go against the trend of the times of peace and development and the interests of all peoples in the world. Peaceful development and win-win co-operation are the right paths for mankind.

Development is the right of all countries in the world, the collective rise of developing countries is unstoppable, and the profound evolution of the international landscape is a trend that will not bend to the will of any individuals or states.

In this process, it is inevitable that various forces, thoughts and rules will collide, and the key is how to deal with them. “What kind of world to build, how to build this world?” is a question of this era faced by all countries.

Ten years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the major idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, advocating common values of all humankind, true multilateralism, and extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in global governance.

This vision has garnered broad consensus and strong synergy of solidarity and cooperation at the international level, and has been written into the UN resolutions many times. Since 2021, President Xi has put forward three major global initiatives, which have become important basis for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The Global Develop -

ment Initiative (GDI), aiming to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals worldwide, focuses on promoting international cooperation in eight key areas, including poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change

the question of our times and are important public goods provided by China to the world, demonstrating China’s commitment as a major developing country and its dedication to pursue progress for the world.

and green development, industrialization, digital economy, and connectivity.

The Global Security Initiative (GSI) calls on countries to stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, take the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, peacefully resolve differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, maintain security in both traditional and non-traditional domains, advocating adaption to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and response to the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset.

The Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) calls for respecting the diversity of civilizations, advocating the common values of humanity, valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, strengthening international peopleto-people exchanges and cooperation, and advancing the progress of human civilizations via inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations.

The vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the three global initiatives are China’s answers to

The vision and the three initiatives are deeply rooted in traditional Chinese civilization. With a history of more than 5,000 years, Chinese civilization cherishes the value of promoting “harmony among all nations”, “common good” and “universal peace”, and has embedded the traits of peaceful development into China’s cultural genes. Like most developing countries, China suffered from foreign invasion and humiliation in modern history. We must learn from history and never let the historical tragedy of the strong bullying the weak repeat itself.

The vision and the three initiatives embody the tradition of China’s independent foreign policy of peace. This year marks the 70th anniversary of China’s initiation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. These principles are not only the cornerstone of China’s foreign policy, but have also long been the basic norms of international relations.

To defend the common interests of all developing countries and promote a fairer and more equitable international political and economic order, we should never allow international law and basic norms in international relations to be trampled upon.

China is both an advocate and practitioner of the vision and the three initiatives.?Over the past ten years, we have made comprehensive and groundbreaking achievements in building a community with a shared future for mankind. GDI, GSI and GCI have been warmly received by the international community.

Recently, President Xi paid a state visit to Russia and demonstrated China’s willingness to play a positive role for the political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

Leaders of France, the European Union and Brazil visited China, and “independence”, “high-quali-

ty development” and “constructive role” became buzzwords, highlighting that fostering world peace, stability and prosperity is the expectation of all peoples, and seeking common ground while resolving differences, advancing win-win, and open cooperation is in the interest of all peoples.

China has facilitated the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, contributing to the security and stability in the Middle East.

The establishment of

diplomatic relations between China and Honduras fully?proves?that standing up for the oneChina principle is a correct choice that follows international justice and meets the trend of the times.

All countries should jointly shape the future of the world, write international rules, manage global affairs and ensure that development outcomes are shared by all. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the way forward for all the people.

China is willing to

work with all peace-loving countries, including Guyana, to focus on people-centred and peaceful development, adhere to win-win co-operation, uphold true multilateralism and the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively practise the three global initiatives, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, and an open, inclusive, clean, beautiful world on lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

More than 600 Regions One, Two residents certified through BIT

SOME 503 residents of Region Two are now fully equipped with technical skills after being certified by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) on Monday.

BIT provides free training programmes countrywide as part of its drive to strengthen and upskill Guyanese with the requisite skillsets and knowledge to capitalise on opportunities in all sectors.

The graduates were trained in several areas including block-making, motor vehicle servicing and repairs, heavy-duty equipment operation, general office administration, cosmetology, solar installation and repairs, joinery, information technology, small engine repairs, and carpentry.

Minister of Labour,

Joseph Hamilton, re-emphasised the importance of providing relevant training programmes for Guyanese to develop new skills, which he believes will improve their livelihoods and communities.

“That is the reason why the Board of Industrial Train-

ing exists, to ensure that persons can do a programme without all of the fancy requirements of life…All of us have to develop support mechanisms to ensure that we can do better in our lives and our families’ lives,” the Labour Minister said.

Work programme being crafted to address Ann’s Grove drainage issues

THE National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is expected to create a plan to remedy drainage issues experienced by residents and farmers of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara.

This was announced on Tuesday by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha who was at the time conducting a ministerial outreach to the village to address the concerns of farmers and residents of the area.

A common concern raised by residents was that of flooding in the area which occurs whenever there is excess rain.

According to a farmer, Otis Gulliver, the problem lies within a canal in the village that does not allow for the smooth flow of excess water off the land.

He said that officials, in the past, went into back dam area to clear that canal but it was not the one that needed immediate attention.

“The amount of hymac that go in the back dam and dig, the problem ain’t lie in the back dam, it’s in front here, to get the water to come out,” he said, noting that the koker in the community is not functioning

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is expected to create a plan to remedy drainage issues experienced by residents and farmers of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

as it should.

After hearing those and other concerns, Mustapha said that NDIA will visit the area and will work along with the farmers to commence work in the areas of concern first.

The Agriculture Minister said that that team will do a work programme on how they will start the work in the community.

He related that every village must have an adequate number of people trained with the requisite skills to execute any work.

“So, that the money can be paid to the villagers and the money can be utilised in the village,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, 123 residents

from several communities in Region One also graduated from several technical and vocational programmes.

This will help the beneficiaries on their path to becoming entrepreneurs or gaining employment.

For the first time, training was provided to Waikrebi Village, a community in the

Barama River.

In both regions, trainees were provided with the relevant safety gear and tools.

BIT’s CEO (ag), Saskia Eastman-Onwuzirike, Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka, Yvonne Pearson, and other officials were present at the ceremonies. (DPI)

“We can’t do all the canals at one time... but I will ensure that y’all prioritise it and I will do it for y’all. So, in another two weeks, I assure you that as soon as we get the work programme… the team can start,” the minister said.

He went on to say that all other issues raised will be dealt with by the relevant agencies.

Some of the graduates in Region One

Limited vending allowed in designated zones at Kingston Seawall

THE Ministry of Public Works, through its Sea Defence Board, has issued a statement restricting vending activities in certain areas at the Kingston Seawall, due to several issues.

The areas prohibited are the Foreshore between Fort Groyne and Camp Road, the Water-Front Promenade between NCERD Road and the Seawall Tarmac, the WaterFront Promenade and ramp adjacent to the Seawall Bandstand and the Seawall Bandstand and surrounding Seawall Road.

“Unauthorised vending activities have contributed to encumbrances, congestion, noise pollution, and extreme levels of littering around the seawall

bandstand and adjacent areas,” the release stated.

The restriction is also due to the vendors blocking the seawall promenade and also vandalising infrastructure and amenities installed by the government for public use.

While remarkable transformation is also taking place at the popular leisure spot, the stern intervention by the ministry will help to advance the ongoing beautification project at the bandstand area.

The project is a collaboration between the Office of the First Lady, and the Ministries of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and Public Works.

A revitalised environment further aids in adding value to the country, specifically, in

the tourism sector.

With Guyana blooming as one of the most interesting travel destinations, tourists will have an eco-friendlier socie -

ty to dwell in while visiting and taking in the beauty and scenic views of our country.

In 2020, $5 million went into making the Kingston Seawall a

‘tourist hub.’ Meanwhile, strict enforcement measures will be taken by the government to foster the enhancement of the initiative.

The Ministry of Public Works, through its Sea Defence Board, has issued a statement restricting vending in certain areas at the Kingston Seawall, due to several issues

Over 60 activities planned for Linden Town Week

By Cassandra Khan

APPROXIMATELY 60 events ranging from parties to competitions have been planned for the upcoming Linden Town Week, which is set for April 23, 2023, to May 1.

This was according to the Chairman of the Region Ten tourism committee, Devin Sears, who said that Linden Town Week will be celebrated under the theme, “Re-envisioning Linden.”

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Sears said the three major events to look forward to this year are the All Black, All White, and Milk and Honey-themed parties.

Also, among the activities planned are impromptu speeches and debating competitions along with a parade honouring Linden’s athletes while the Interschool Kayaking National competition

is set for April 30.

Sears shared that there will be participants from every region of Guyana coming to take part in this competition, noting that the events are well coordinated and organised.

Aside from those activities, there will also be aerial tours of Linden, which is said to be one of the most exciting activities of the Town Week celebrations, since it will give persons a chance to travel over the mining town in planes.

The tourism committee chair further added that rooms at hotels and guest houses have been com -

event would be used to give back to the community.

“…that is good money whereby an organiser, promoters and those beneficiaries can give back to the community so that we can see a transformational project or projects being birthed out of Linden Town Week,” he said

Sears said that he has noticed the significant development ongoing to transform Linden into a major trade hub. However, they are lobbying for the rehabilitation of the Linden airstrip.

“We’re hoping that this could be considered very soon and see that going in the right direction, but for now what we have to do is ensure that we educate every Lindener and prepare for the great development that is presumably on stream,” he said.

Sears related that Linden Town Week means a lot to the residents of Linden, as it is a time when families would come back home to reunite with their relatives.

Not only is this a fun

pletely booked for over two months.

He added that they have been working with the Guyana Tourism Authority to propose training for capacity building for persons to do customer service training to ensure that the quality of service provided in Linden is second to none.

Sears said hotels being fully booked is a clear indication that Town Week is again drawing a large crowd of both locals and foreigners.

He added that they are hopeful that revenues received from the week-long

time for families, but also a chance for the people of Linden to showcase what they have to offer.

“It also allows us to showcase what we have to offer too, especially along the lines of agro-processing, agriculture, some of the services that we offer here with regards to tourism…” he said.

Series added: “We have tourists who come in for that period and economically, new money coming into the town means a lot for us, especially given the fact that we have a seemingly high unemployment rate.”

Chairman of the Region 10 Tourism Committee, Devin Sears

735 drivers prosecuted using e-ticketing system –Traffic Chief says

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has prosecuted some 735 errant drivers from December 2022 to date, utilising the eticketing system that was operationalised

expected to encourage drivers to follow traffic laws, promote greater discipline on the roads and lower the number of accidents caused by dangerous driving.

Superintendent Ste-

along the Eccles to Mandela Highway in September 2022.

The system uses cameras and other technology to accurately monitor traffic, check speeds, and read licence plates, as well as track any traffic violations to ensure efficient ticketing.

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dennis Stephens, made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday.

“We are currently enforcing the laws … as it relates to speeding and persons failing to wear seatbelts. So far, we would have prosecuted a total of 735 persons for exceeding the speed limit and failure to wear seatbelts,” Superintendent Stephens said.

This system operates 24 hours and is

phens explained that the traffic department utilises the safe city initiative, where CCTV cameras are placed in various parts of the country to identify errant and reckless drivers on the roadways.

“As it relates to persons committing themselves on the roadway where we have CCTV cameras, we would extract…in fact, traffic ranks are placed at the centre and observe traffic violations and we prosecute persons as it relates to that,” the senior police officer told DPI.

The e-ticketing system forms part of the administration’s policy to modernise and improve the lives of citizens. It is expected to improve efficiency in the drafting and dispatching of tickets, as well as the enforcement of penalties and fines.

Shanae Herber is the new Bartica Regatta Queen The journey to the crown

By Cindy Parkinson

AMBITIOUS, determined, and down to earth are just a few adjectives that can be used to describe the recently crowned Miss Bartica Regatta 2023, Shanae Heber.

In an interview with this week’s Buzz, the 21-year-old beauty shared her journey to the Regatta crown.

Herber, a born Bartician grew up in close knit community of Bartica (CuyuniMazaruni) but moved a lot around between her home and the capital city Georgetown, Region 4, due to her parents who were living separately. She attended the Beach View Nursery School in Bartica for two years, then transferred to St. John’s Baptist Primary and later to Three Miles Secondary, where she spent two years.

Due to her unconventional upbringing, Herber moved to Georgetown and continued her education at the School of the Nations for two terms, but due to some family and financial issues, she had to move back to Bartica and once again enroll at Three Miles Secondary. Even though she didn’t like the idea of going back and forth with her parents, she didn’t have much of a choice.

Herber’s mother, Auset Gaia, wanting the best for her daughter, finally made the tough decision of sending her to live in Georgetown in the hope of her getting a better education and better opportunities so that she can have a successful life.

When she was in third form, she moved back to Georgetown and attended Mae’s Secondary, where she completed her secondary education and gained 12 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

After successfully completing her CSEC Examina-

tion, Herber said that she felt lost for a moment and wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to explore, but one thing was sure: she wanted to further her education.

Initially Herber wanted to study chemical engineering, but the University of Guyana (UG) wasn’t offering that programme so she opted to study petroleum engineering after considering Guyana being one of the fastest growing economies in the world due to the oil and gas sector.

In 2019, the Bartician beauty with brains started her university studies in petroleum engineering, completed her Associate of Science in 2021, and is presently on the verge of completing her Bachelor of Science. Even though Herber has so much

going on in her life at the moment, she is also pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration at the UG.

“As a little girl, I always saw my mom, who was a fashion designer, designing different gowns for girls who were a part of the same pageants. I saw that and envisioned myself being on the stage and competing. My mom also competed in the Miss Bartica Regatta in the 90s, and she was the first runner-up, and I believe my interest in pageantry stemmed from those days of seeing all of that,” she said.

While she was a student at the Three Miles Secondary School, Herber wanted to compete at a pageant that the school was supposed to have had but for some un -

foreseen reason the pageant was cancelled. After that, she decided that she would apply to be a contestant in the 2019 Miss Bartica Regatta, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her dream was once again shunned.

She thought maybe pageantry wasn’t for her after being disappointed more than once, but according to her, last year she saw a young lady who competed at the Miss Jamzone 2022 pageant, and that reignited her interest to try once more, which she did after making a promise to herself to follow her dreams.

Earlier this year, the coordinator for the Bartica Regatta reached out and asked Herber if she was interested in participating in the pageant, and she agreed, even though it was very challenging for her. Having to focus on her studies

and work, Herber travelled from Georgetown to Bartica every weekend so that she could be a part of training and rehearsals. She explained that the major cons that she was faced with leading up to the pageant were, of course, having to travel the long distance, which was not only tiring and stressful, but it was also very expensive, and having to study and stay focused on her work.

She also noted that she reminded herself that she made the choice to enter the pageant, and she must deal with all the challenges that came with it rather than complain about them.

According to Herber, “this pageant allowed me to enhance my skills and my strengths in communications, as well as meet with the different girls and realise that they share the same passions as you and are just as determined to impact social change in society. I also recognised that we were given an opportunity to advocate for issues that you believe affect your

community and the country as a whole.”

Finally, Herber said that she has always been passionate about seeing women come to the forefront of today’s society. According to her, this pageant gave her the opportunity to lend her voice to what she believes in and what she wants to advocate for.

In sharing some advice to other girls who want to follow in her footsteps, she said, “I know that there are a lot of stigmas attached to pageantry, especially in the recently concluded one, where people criticised me for one reason or another because I won. I would like to let other girls know that everyone is not going to like you and when you are doing things for yourself, you are going to be faced with haters and people who just don’t like you for their own reasons. But I want to say to any young woman or girl who is working hard to get themselves accomplished: when you are at the top, you become the topic, but you have to put on your alligator skin and focus on your goal and where you want to be.”

Herber hopes to continue being a part of pageants, but her career goal is to be a production engineer and work with ExxonMobil or Schlumberger in the oil and gas sector.

“I want to be at Guyana’s forefront when it comes to natural resources and development, and being a production engineer will give me an opportunity to produce those resources and also ensure that we use them for the benefit of our country and the people. Generally, I just want to fulfill the purpose or purposes that I was created for in my life, and we as women are capable of achieving so much more than just being housewives or childbearers,”she said.

Miss Bartica Regatta 2023, Shanae Herber

‘When it is our time to win, we will’ –

Newly crowned ‘Miss Mash Queen’

to represent Guyana in Antigua at ‘Miss Jaycees Carnival Queen’ in July

By Telesha Ramnarine

MIRIAM Alexander can still remember the first pageant that she participated in at five years old; not because she won – because she didn’t – but because ever since then, it left her with the sort of confidence and other qualities needed for entering much grander pageants.

The 19-year-old, who just copped the ‘Miss Mash Queen’ title, grew up in Tucville, Georgetown, and attended The Bishops’ High School. Growing up, she was always actively involved in the arts, both in school and at church.

Miriam started dancing at the age of three, and in high school, she joined the National School of Dance and took part in sports, drama competitions, and impromptu competitions. She also danced at the school’s prize-giving and graduation ceremonies.

She can still remember that nursery school teacher who observed the level of confidence she had and gave her an opportunity to participate in the

school’s pageant. “My nursery teacher, Ms. Jinelle Washington, after seeing the confidence I had when I danced, entered me in the school’s pageant. I didn’t win but that clearly did not discourage me. My teacher and I still have a very close relationship and I am very grateful that she gave me that little push because look at where it led me to today,” Miriam expressed in an interview with Buzz this week. She believes that her love for pageantry stems from her love for the stage. Aside from being a dancer, she’s also a model, having started this aspect of her career in 2021. Having done her first runway show in August 2021, she has since been “privileged” to work with quite a few designers. On top of that, she has also been able to receive mentorship from some of the country’s top models.

“I love pageantry because it allows me to combine the things I love and allows me to advocate for the change I want to see,” Miriam shared, adding, “Becoming ‘Miss Mash Queen’ was a journey that taught me never to give up on myself, and

it reminded me that with hard work and commitment, anything is possible. It showed me that we may lose; keep going and when it is our time to win, we will.”

Miriam will be representing Guyana in Antigua at the ‘Miss Jaycees Carnival Queen’ pageant in July. “I am honored to be representing my beautiful country and I have started the necessary training to be able to perform at my absolute best. I am thankful and excited for the journey ahead.”

Offering a bit of advice to young girls like herself, she said: “I’m sure you may have heard all the negative things persons may have to say about pageants, but pageantry helps you to become a well-rounded and confident individual. I would encourage you to participate in a pageant. It’s not just about winning, but it is a fantastic learning experience.

“My advice is to stay focused and keep working hard. Whatever you may want to become; whatever you may want to do, always remember that the sky is the limit.”

—

Miriam will be representing Guyana in Antigua at the ‘Miss Jaycees Carnival Queen’ pageant in July

‘Miss Mash Queen’ Miriam Alexander

Guyanese bartender returns

home to ‘shake things up’ — aims to help young Guyanese find their true potential in the bartending craft

By Trina Williams

FOR Colin Campbell, bartending is much more than ‘mixing drinks’. Sure, the pay is great, but for this young and vibrant entrepreneur, it is all about customer satisfaction.

The Guyanese-born ‘drink master’ who operates a bartending school in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), ‘Riddim Up Bartending,’ recently teamed up with an associate in the United States of America, 1-800 BARTEND Bartending School to share his expertise with budding bartenders in Guyana.

“Well, every great thing starts at home,” Campbell told this week’s Buzz as he explained how bringing his services back home was a definite “must”.

He recently held an extensive training course at the Altitude Bar, in Georgetown where he engaged several young enthusiasts like himself.

The one-week course was composed of two parts, theory and practical. Campbell, in his teaching, emphasized that before one could even think about trying to compose potions, one must learn about the industry.

“Mostly what I’m focusing on is the younger people; to actually provide jobs for them,” Campbell said.

noted that he had obstacles growing up when it came to deciding what he wanted to do with his life. Given his parents’ abrupt relocation to the BVI, he said at first, it was tricky because he was so used to Guyanese culture—from the cuisine to the people and everything else. But the young bartender remarked that because the island is both small and family-oriented, he rapidly adjusted and learned to love his new home.

“You could actually be trained within a week… and then you could actually use that material to go out and get yourself a job. It’s not about bartending; it’s about customer service,” he added.

Explaining further that it is the service that transforms the experience, he said: “Making customers want to come back to your location... that is what we [bartenders] drive the interest in”.

Additionally, during the bartending course, Campbell taught his students how to make their own liqueurs.

“Guyana is a melting pot full of fresh fruits and fresh ingredients,” he remarked while pointing out that because of Guyana’s diversity, bartenders are well-supplied and can make their own cocktails in addition to their own liqueurs.

Bartending, he said, is one of those prospective careers, as not everyone wants a regular

“white-collar” job; some individuals prefer something they can start in a few months.

Attempting to dispel the myth that bartending is a lowclass profession, he said it requires more than shaking and pouring drinks and it is a true craft requiring meticulous attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills.

In a tribute to the Guyana Chronicle’s Buzz, Campbell prepared “The Chronicle,” a brand-new cocktail which he will feature on his menu to demonstrate what a ‘real drink’ should taste like.

He stated that a ‘real drink’ is not blasted with ‘booze’ but features an array of flavors to spark taste buds.

The bartending course has received tremendous support from Altitude Bar’s owner, and the pioneer of Guyana’s rum festival Yannick David.

Campbell, who grew up in a typical Guyanese household,

Campbell has been working behind the bar for the past 18 years and what began as a simple “gig” to earn an income in the BVI, gradually evolved into a passionate craft which he hopes to share with the entire Caribbean region.

Colin Campbell displaying his craft

Colin Campbell and some of his supporters for the bartending course

“The Chronicle” - a brandnew cocktail!

Trio recalled as Australia name WTC final, Ashes squad

Allrounder Mitchell Marsh

is back in the frame for Test cricket for the first time in four years having been named in Australia’s 17-man squad for the World Test Championship Final and the start of the subsequent battle for the famous urn.

Marsh has endured several frustrating summers battling injury but performances in his sole first-class outing of the season (a rapid-fire century against Tasmania) and in the white-ball formats against India more recently underscored his potential to swing the outcome of matches

World Test Championship

Final and Men’s Ashes squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

As expected, the national selection panel has retained the core line-up that carried Australia to the WTC Final against India through consistent performances over the past two years, with Marcus Harris included as the auxiliary opener behind David Warner and Usman Khawaja.

The squad includes four specialist quicks – captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh

Hazlewood and Scott Boland – supplemented by the seam bowling of allrounders Cameron Green and Marsh, as well as spin pair Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy

Australia’s plans to unleash ‘wild thing’ fast bowler Lance Morris were scuppered with the Western Australian suffering a back injury upon his return from the Test tour of India, while Matthew Renshaw’s performances for Australia A against New Zealand A this month ensured he kept his place.

Cameron Bancroft did not win a recall despite finishing the summer as leading runs-scorer in the Marsh Sheffield Shield, and missing from the 18-man squad that lost 2-1 to India earlier this year are spinners Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Swepson and Ashton Agar, as well as middle-order batter Peter Handscomb.

The squad, which will assemble in England in late May, will be trimmed to 15 on May 28 as per ICC requirements for the World Test Championship Final against India at The Oval (June 7-11).

The 17 players named today will then begin preparations for the first two Tests of the subsequent Ashes campaign at Edgbaston (June 16-20) and Lord’s (June 28-July 2) before selectors revise the group for the last three Ashes Tests at Headingley, Old

Trafford and The Oval.

It will be a maiden Ashes tour for Test incumbents Alex Carey and Green, as well as paceman Boland, off-spinner Murphy who excelled in his debut series in India earlier this year and England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis who is the only uncapped member of the squad.

“The World Test Championship is the culmination of more than two years of consistent performance at Test level by the team and the individuals involved, leading into an Ashes series which is always highly anticipated,” national selection panel chair George Bailey said today.

“The UK is a very different assignment from our most recent tour of India and some of the changes are based upon the conditions we are anticipating

“Marcus (Harris), Josh (Inglis, reserve keeper) and Mitch (Marsh) return to the squad and will provide valuable depth and flexibility within their respective skillsets.

“We see value in revisiting the squad following the second Ashes Test given the short turnaround between the WTC Final and the first Ashes Test, along with the length of the tour.”

Marsh has played just one first-class in the past two years having missed virtually all of the previous domestic summer

after undergoing ankle surgery, and his most recent Test outing was the final match of Australia previous Ashes tour in 2019.

But the 31-year-old provided a reminder of his explosive talent by bludgeoning an unbeaten 108 (from 111 balls) in his sole Shield match of last summer before dominating in his new role as opener in the limited-overs matches that followed the Test series in India

In recent weeks, Marsh has returned to bowling with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.

Warner regains his place having missed the last two Tests of the recent Qantas tour of India after suffering a hairline fracture of the elbow when struck by rival quick Mohammad Siraj while batting in the second match at Delhi.

The 36-year-old scored just 95 runs from his five Tests of the 2019 Ashes series at an average of 9.5, and was tormented by veteran England seamer Stuart Broad who dismissed his rival seven times in 10 innings.

But it’s less than four months since Australia ’s second-most prolific Test opener (behind Matthew Hayden) plundered a memorable double century against South Africa’s pace attack in his 100th Test and has posted three half-centuries from his five knocks to date for Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

England Test coach Brendon McCullum to face no action over betting adverts

ENGLAND Test coach Brendon McCullum will face no further action from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over his involvement with betting company 22Bet.

New Zealander McCullum is also ending his association with the organisation.

He joined the company as an ambassador in January and has appeared in advertisements online.

The ECB said last week it would talk to McCullum, 41, about his relationship with 22Bet.

On Wednesday, an ECB spokesperson said: “Discussions have been ongoing with Brendon over the last

few days, and the matter has been considered from an employer and regulator perspective.

“We can confirm that

no further action will be taken.”

Former New Zealand captain McCullum took over as England Test coach at the start of last summer and, in conjunction with captain Ben Stokes, sparked a dramatic upturn in results.

England have 10 victories in their past 12 Tests, having won only one of the previous 17. McCullum is due back in the UK at the end of May, before England’s first Test of the summer against Ireland on 1 June. (BBC Sport).

Australia have revealed their squad for the World Test Championship final and first two Ashes Tests with Marcus Harris, Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh earning recalls

If, as expected, Warner and Khawaja (also 36) are reunited at the top of the batting order they will become the oldest first-wicket combination deployed in an Ashes series since England’s Geoff Boycott (40) and Mike Brearley (39) opened at Edgbaston during the 1981 campaign.

Selectors have opted for another left-hander, Harris who played the most recent of his 14 Tests against England at the SCG in January 2022, as the additional specialist opener for the first half of the two-month England sojourn.

He has been preferred to the Shield summer’s leading runs scorer Bancroft (945 at 59.06), with Bancroft’s most recent Test appearance coming at Lord’s during the 2019 Ashes series before he was dropped and replaced by Harris.

When Harris was named among the 24 players who earned Cricket Australia contracts earlier this month, selection chair Bailey noted the 30-year-old boasted a “really good, strong record in England”

Despite losing his place in Australia’s Test squad during the recent summer, Harris finished the Sheffield Shield season with 601 runs at 37.56 (including two centuries) and has started well for Gloucestershire in division two of England’s county competition where he’s averaging 103.

Since being recalled to Australia’s line-up for the final Test against South Africa last summer (and then as a concussion substitute for Warner at Delhi), Renshaw has not reached double figures in his three innings.

However, he averaged 50plus (including an unbeaten double hundred) during the Shield summer and was the stand-out batter for Australia A in New Zealand earlier this month which he finished as leading runs scorer with 332 at 83.0 with two centuries.

England captain Ben Stokes recently revealed his wish for fast, flat pitches throughout the five-Test Ashes battle, to better enable his team to enact their

ultra-attacking ‘Bazball’ batting model brought in by coach Brendon McCullum.

Australia will look to counter that ploy with a fleet of fast bowlers, as was the case in 2019 when they rotated five quicks through as many matches (Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle) and did not deploy Starc until the fourth Test at Manchester.

The notable addition since that series, which ended in a 2-2 draw, is allrounder Green who scored his maiden Test century during the recent tour to India and whose bowling could prove a handy weapon with the Dukes ball in English conditions.

Equally significant will be the capacity of Australia’s top-order batters to deal with England’s bowling attack led by ageless duo James Anderson (40) and Broad (36) who between them share more than 1250 Test wickets

Of the likely top five Australia take into their Ashes defence, the only batters to average 30 or more against England in the UK are Steve Smith (65.08 from 26 innings) and Marnus Labuschagne (50.43 from seven) with lefthanders Warner (26.04 from 25), Khawaja (19.67 from 12) and Travis Head (27.29 from eight).

Australia have held the Ashes since 2017-18, but despite retaining the urn with a 2-2 drawn result in 2019 they have not won a Test campaign against their historic rival on England’s turf since 2001.(Cricket.com.au)

2023 Qantas Tour of the UK World Test Championship

Final: Wednesday June 7-Sunday June 11, The Oval

First Test: Friday June 16-Tuesday June 20 , Edgbaston

Second Test: Wednesday June 28-Sunday July 2, Lord’s

Third Test: Thursday July 6-Monday July 10, Headingley

Fourth Test: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: Thursday July 27-Monday 31, The Oval

Brendon McCullum played 101 Tests for New Zealand

DERBYSHIRE head of cricket Mickey Arthur will lead Pakistan at this year’s ICC Men’s World Cup.

Arthur, 54, turned down the offer of a second spell as Pakistan coach in January, having signed a contract extension with Derbyshire until 2025.

The South African started

Derbyshire’s Arthur head to Pakistan side at World Cup

The 50-over World Cup takes place in India in October and November.

Arthur, who was in charge of Pakistan from 2016 to 2019 when they became the top-ranked Test side, will also lead Pakistan during a three-Test tour of Australia and a home series against West Indies this winter before returning to Derby.

a consultant role with Pakistan earlier this month but has now agreed to be their team director alongside his Derbyshire role.

“I need that adrenaline rush,” Arthur told BBC Radio Derby.

“I’ve found the long winters hard here because I wake up for matchday.”

“The lure of them wanting me to help them was too good to turn down,” he added.

“I wouldn’t have done it if I couldn’t have given Derbyshire 100% commitment, which Pakistan have agreed to.

“It doesn’t affect my role at Derbyshire at all and wouldn’t affect any perfor-

mance.

“If I didn’t feel I could give Pakistan the same level of commitment I certainly wouldn’t have taken it. I’ve looked at schedules and it’s very doable.”

Arthur has met up with the players in Pakistan during New Zealand’s ongoing white-ball tour of the country, before he returns for Derbyshire’s next County Championship Division Two game against Durham on 27 April.

He said he is already “heavily involved” in Pakistan’s selection, as well as having put together their support staff.

Former Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq left

Rafael Nadal does not know when he will return from injury

RAFAEL Nadal says he is in a “difficult” situation as he does not know when he will return from his injury lay-off.

He was initially ruled out for six to eight weeks with a hip injury but has now not played since 18 January.

Nadal confirmed he will miss the Madrid Open, which starts on 25 April, and there is doubt over his participation at the French Open in May.

“The injury still hasn’t healed,” the 36-year-old Spaniard said.

“I can’t work out what I need to compete. I was training, but now a few

days ago we decided to change course a bit, do another treatment and see if things improve to try to get to what comes next,” he explained in a video posted on his social media channels.

“I can’t give deadlines because if I knew I would tell you but I don’t know. This is how things are now.”

Nadal, who won his 14th French Open title last year, was diagnosed with a tear in his left psoas muscle after losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner added: “I have no choice but to try to have the right attitude throughout this

time, try to give myself the opportunity to compete in one of the tournaments that remains of the clay season and I have no choice but to work and be with the right mentality.”

The French Open starts on 28 May.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Belinda Bencic says she will miss both Madrid and Rome’s clay tournaments because of “discomfort” in her hip.

The Swiss said she was struggling with the injury throughout the WTA Tour’s United States swing, despite still making the Charleston Open final. (BBC Sport).

the role earlier this year after his contract expired and is now New Zealand assistant coach.

Former Black Caps international Grant Bradburn is coaching Pakistan for the New Zealand series.

Pakistan were beaten by England in the final of the Men’s T20 World Cup in November and then had a poor season at home where they won only one match.

They were swept 3-0 by England in their Test series, drew both Tests with New Zealand and then lost the oneday international series 2-1 to the Black Caps.

Arthur, who has also coached South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka, did

not have his Pakistan contract renewed in 2019 after the side failed to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Derbyshire chief executive Ryan Duckett said the county would remain Arthur’s “main focus”.

He added: “A coach of Mickey’s calibre will naturally attract attention; however I am delighted by his continued dedication to his role, the group of players and club as a whole.”

Arthur said Derbyshire is “a really special project” that he sees as a “long-term commitment” and that he has not yet “even scratched the surface” of where he wants to take the club.(BBC Sport)

Ex-England batter Gary Ballance retires four months after Zimbabwe switch

FORMER England batter Gary Ballance has retired from cricket, saying he “no longer has the desire to dedicate himself” to professional sport.

The 33-year-old played 40 times for England, including 23 Tests between 2014 and 2017, and later six times for Zimbabwe - the country of his birth.

He signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe in December after being released by Yorkshire amid the racism scandal.

“It is now time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life,” he said.

“I had hoped my move to Zimbabwe would provide me with a new-found happiness for the game and I will always be thankful to Zimbabwe Cricket for providing me with an opportunity to return to

international cricket and welcoming me into their team.

“However, I have reached the stage where I no longer have the desire to dedicate myself to the rigours of professional sport and this would do Zimbabwe Cricket and the game itself a disservice, should I carry on. I wish them every success going forward.”

In November 2021, Ballance admitted using racist language towards his former Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq.

Ballance apologised to Rafiq and accepted a charge of bringing the game into disrepute by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

In February he became the second person to hit a Test century for two countries after making 137 not out for Zimbabwe against West Indies.

He scored 157 runs in five ODIs at an average of 39.25 for Zimbabwe

earlier this year - his last international appearance coming in March.

The left-hander played for Yorkshire between 2008 and 2022, win-

ning the County Championship in 2014 and 2015.

In 2020 he took a break from cricket to manage “some heightened

feelings of anxiety and stress” and missed much of the 2022 season to focus on his mental health after admitting he was responsible for some of the allegations made by Rafiq.

Ballance scored 1,019 runs in his first 10 Tests, making him the ninth-fastest man to reach 1,000 Test runs, but faded afterwards and played his last match for England in 2017.

“I have been fortunate to have some incredibly memorable moments in cricket, winning County Championships with Yorkshire and gaining the ultimate honour of representing England and Zimbabwe,” Ballance said.

“I want to thank all of my clubs, coaches, support staff, team-mates and supporters for their guidance and encouragement over my career, it has been a privilege.”(BBC Sport).

Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy under Mickey Arthur

Rafael Nadal has won the French Open 14 times

Gary Ballance played one Test and five ODIs for Zimbabwe, with his last appearance in March

Guyana draw, other Englishspeaking CFU sides struggle

MIAMI, Florida – All but one of the English-speaking Caribbean Football Union teams that played in CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship on Wednesday, endured losses.

Guyana was the only CFU side that escaped defeat when they drew 0-0 with hosts, the Dominican Republic, in their Group C contest, but Dominica, Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and St Lucia all went down in their matches.

It was a hard-fought duel between the Guyanese and the Dominican Republic at the Estadio Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, but the result earned the home team the top spot in the group.

Both sides had their chances in the first, but the two goalkeepers proved to be outstanding, with Nya-Grace Young of Guyana and Paloma Pena of the Dominican Republic(DR) making a series of impressive saves in the first 45 minutes.

The home team intensified the pressure in the second half and had the bulk of chances, but Young refused to be beaten, and with goal difference in their favour, the scoreless draw was enough to send through the DR.

In the day’s first match, Suriname edged Dominica 2-0 to earn their first win of the tournament.

Damarez Williams opened the scoring for Suriname in the 19th minute and the lead was doubled when Samanie Loe-A-Foe netted in the 65th minute.

At the Rignaal Jean Francisca Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao, Guadeloupe overcame a sending-off right before the hour mark to beat the Cayman Islands 3-0 for their first win of the tournament in Group D.

All three goals came in the second half, with 16-year-old Mymithye Bironien scoring her first in the 53rd minute.

Guadeloupe goalkeeper, Sephora Cabarrus, was sent off in the 59th minute, but they were unfazed and sealed the win with another two goals from Bironien in stoppage time to complete her hat trick.

In the nightcap in Willemstad, Puerto Rico crushed Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 to nail down first place in the group and their place in the CWU20.

Kennedy Garcia scored in the 27th and 83rd minutes, and Enasia Colon tallied in the 31st and 76th, while Ashley McMahon added a 51st minute item to pace the Boricuas to the victory.

At the Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua, Guatemala pounded St Lucia 5-0 in Group F.

Waleska Franco led the way with two goals in the 60 and 90 minutes, while Karen Gonzalez scored in the ninth minute, Betzael Contreras netted in the 17th, and Flor Perla tallied seven minutes from time.

In the second match of the day in the group, Nicaragua beat Belize 3-2.

With Group C and Group D wrapped up, only two matches will be on the docket today, both in Group F in Managua.

St Lucia and Belize will be seeking their first win of the tournament to start the day’s action, while the nightcap will feature a heavyweight battle between Central American sides, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Warner hits half-century as Capitals edge past KKR for first victory of the season

DELHI Capitals finally picked up their first win of the Indian Premier League season as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by four wickets on Thursday.

The Capitals had previously come out on the wrong side of all five of their matches, but an impressive display with the ball edged them to a nervy win to alleviate their early-season struggles, while Kolkata have now lost three on the bounce.

After a rain delay, David Warner won the toss and put the Knight Riders into bat, a decision that quickly paid dividends as his bowlers tore through Kolkata’s top order to leave them three wickets down in the powerplay, though opener Jason Roy hung in to add 43 from 39 balls before he was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav.

Delhi’s bowlers continued to dominate as the Knight Riders’ innings crumbled, with Anrich

Nortje (2-20) and Ishant Sharma (4-19) leading the charge as Kolkata were all out for just 127. Warner reached his half-century off 33 balls to take Delhi to 93-4, before he was dismissed in a wicket maiden from Varun Chakravarthy in the 14th

over, giving the Knight Riders some hope.

Those hopes were boosted as Delhi picked up just 23 for the loss of two wickets in the next five overs, but needing seven off the last, Axar Patel did just enough to get his team over the

line.

Knight Riders’ powerplay struggles continue Kolkata lost three wickets within the first six overs to severely hamper their innings, and not for the first time, with the Knight Riders’ 15 wickets lost in the powerplay in this season’s IPL the highest of any team.

The target they set was just too small, despite a last-ditch effort from their bowlers, and Kolkata have work to do with the bat if they are to end this losing streak.

Warner plays a captain’s innings

Warner’s 57 runs off 41 balls means he is now the leading run scorer against Kolkata in IPL history, while he also moved to eight half-centuries against the Knight Riders, tied for the most alongside Suresh Raina.

The Australian went at a strike rate of 139 on his way to a fourth score of 50 or more in this year’s IPL.(Sportsmax)

Du Plessis and Siraj star as RCB beat Punjab Kings

AN impressive knock from Faf du Plessis was followed by a strong performance with the ball from Mohammed Siraj as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Punjab Kings by 24 runs in the Indian Premier League.

An opening partnership of 137 from the first 16 overs between Virat Kohli (59) and Du Plessis (84) put RCB on their way to setting a target of 175.

Kohli was dropped by Jitesh Sharma on 58, but the wicketkeeper made amends in the next over as he superbly reached the ball to his left after an attempted sweep from Kohli nicked a delivery from Harpreet Brar.

With one came two as Glenn Maxwell hit Brar straight to Atharva Taide for a golden duck, before Du Plessis was finally removed when he followed up a six with another big hit against Nathan Ellis, only to leave it short for Sam Curran to catch.

It was an eventful start to the reply, with Atharva clipping Siraj for four from the first ball, before Siraj trapped him lbw with the second after a successful review.

Matthew Short (7) came in and smashed a big six before being bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga, and Siraj again claimed an lbw after a review, removing Liam Livingstone (2).

Siraj was leading the charge, also superbly running out Harpreet Singh Bhatia (13), while Hasaranga managed to do the same to Curran (10) as the Kings sat on 77-5 at the halfway point.

Prabhsimran Singh was at least putting up a fight for his team before he was bowled by Wayne Parnell having hit 46 from 30 balls,

while Jitesh was also not willing to give up as he came in and hit 41 from 27.

Siraj bowled Brar (13) and Ellis (1) to halt that momentum though, and Harshal Patel wrapped things up by claiming Jitesh in the final over as the Kings were all out for 150.

No Faf from Du Plessis

It was a big effort from Du Plessis, with the South African smashing five fours and five sixes, with Kohli (one) the only other RCB batter to hit a maximum.

Du Plessis struck a season-high 84 runs from 56 balls, which was his fourth score of 50 or more in this year’s competition, the

joint-most by any batter along with team-mate Kohli). This was also his ninth 50+ score against the Kings, second to only David Warner (12) in the competition’s history.

Stunning Siraj

If Kohli and Du Plessis had laid the table, Siraj cleared it up with 4-21 from his four overs – his best ever IPL figures – including 13 dot balls and wickets in key moments, with Brar arguably the most significant as he and Jitesh threatened to make a late flurry.

He logged a bowling strike rate of 6.0, the joint-best such rate by any bowler in an innings in this season’s IPL, as well as producing the brilliant run-out of Bhatia. (Sportsmax).

David Warner strokes 57 runs off 41 balls

Mohammed Siraj (left) picked up four wickets and Faf du Plessis struck 84 in the RCB victory (Photos: Associated Press/BCCI)

GCB, GOG, MYCS 3-DAY U-19 cricket

Trio of fifties take Essequibo home to victory at Bourda

U-19 three-day Inter-County cricket tournament at the GCC ground, Bourda yesterday.

After an hour’s late start due to seepage on a section of the pitch due to early morning rain, Essequibo began the final day in brilliant sunshine needing 162 to win with nine wickets in hand and a trio of fifties rallied them to 233-5 with over a session to spare.

Vieira’s even 50 lasted 144 balls, 160 minutes with four boundaries; Myhiem Khan also made 50, from 72 balls, 92 minutes with seven fours and Theddeus Lovell made an unbeaten 67 from 96 balls, 86 minutes decorated with four fours and three sixes.

Man-of-the-Match, Aryan Persaud who took two five-wickets hauls in the game retuned with the bat and contributed a crucial unbeaten 28 from 90 balls and 98 minutes after Ronaldo Schouten made 22 to help the Essequibian’s cause.

ship before Rajendra Ramballi (3) was lbw to Ramraj to leave the score on 94-3.

Vieira, who started the day on 19, played some good shots before he was removed at 134-4 to break the promising 40-run stand before Ronaldo Schouten was lbw off Ramraj at 140-5 and at Lunch the Select X1 were still in the fight with Essequibo on 146-5.

After the interval, Persaud joined the aggressive Lovell and together they built a solid partnership with Persaud, who used his feet nicely to the spinners, played the supporting role against a defensively set field which allowed easy singles while Lovell played the big shots.

Lovell became the third to reach fifty but unlike the previous two, he ensured that he kept going until the end as the pair shared in an unbroken 93-run stand.

By Sean Devers

on the third and final day of the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board

Linden’s 9th annual Guinness

THE 9th edition of the Banks DIH sponsored Linden ‘Guinness Greatest In the Streets’ football competition kicks off this evening at the Silvercity Hard Court in Wismar, Linden with 10 matches slated, starting from 18.30hrs.

The tournament was launched on Wednesday night at the Golden Taste Sea Foods Shop in One Mile, where

third place winner collects $150,000 and fourth place finisher $80,000. Speaking in the presence of Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 (Upper Demerara / Upper Berbice) Regional Executive Officer Mr. Dwight John and the captains and players of the 32 teams listed to play in this straight knockout competition, which runs for four days, Grant said:

32 teams and prize money and prizes totalling $1M. We thank the players and the teams for being part of this 9th edition.”

The Banks DIH official emphasised: “We ask that discipline play a key factor in the games as the referees’ decision is final and we ask that everyone play their part and there is no entrance fee for the teams participating and admission is free.”

One of the tournament organisers, Rawle Gittens informed that all the entry forms from the 32 teams, which have been submitted are in but on the day in question each player must be 18 years or older and that would have to be substantiated by a birth certificate if questions arise about a player’s age.

The Communications Officer for the Organising Committee, Kellon Josiah, conducted the draw for the opening night explaining that all 32 teams are drawn from Linden, Region 10, including Ituni, Kwakwani and Aroiama

(GCB), Government of Guyana and Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport

Chanderpaul Ramraj took 2-43 from 21 overs Khan on 46 overnight, reached his 50 but was soon dismissed at 89-2 to end a promising 85 runs partner-

The competition continues tomorrow with Demerara facing the GCB Select X1 at the Enmore ground, while Berbice and Essequibo clash at Everest. Both second round games are scheduled to commence at 10:00am.

Guyana women head to St. Kitts for Regional Super50, T20 Blaze

the beverage giants Banks DIH’s representative Shawn Grant announced that over $1M will be up for grabs with a winner’s purse of $400,000, as the runner-up team gets $300,000,

“we are looking forward for a great tournament and we are asking for all teams to be disciplined during the tournament. This tournament consists of four playing dates with

The opening night’s matches are Gennaysd versus Street Lights, DC Ballers against Dark Side, Top Strikers against Aroiama, Universal ballers oppose Coomacka, YMCA face Presidential, Street Warriors collide with Top Form, Exodus challenge Team Good Luck, Street Ballers meet Golden Stars, Silver Bullets collide with One Syde FC and Hi Rollers match skills with Ballers Empire in the final game.

St. Kitts and Nevis will host this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Super50 and T20 Blaze tournaments from May 7 – 30.

On Monday last, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) announced the squad led by the experienced Shemaine Campbelle with Shabika Gajnabi as her deputy.

Other experienced players in the squad include West Indies players, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond, Kaycia Schultz and Katana Mentore, along with West Indies under-19 captain, Ashmini Munisar and talented opening batter, Releanna Grimmond.

Clive Grimmond is Head Coach while Tremayne Smartt is the Assistant Coach/Manager.

At the last Regional tournament, hosted by Guyana, the ladies finished fourth in the T20 Blaze and were knocked out of the semi-final by Jamaica in the Super50.

Squad: Shemaine Campbelle (Captain), Shabika Gajnabi (Vice-captain), Cherry-Ann Fraser, Katana Mentore, Analesia D’Aguiar, Sheneta Grimmond, Plaffianna Millington, Kaysia Schultz, Niya Latchman, Talleya Madramootoo, Mandy Mangru, Realanna Grimmond, Ashmini Munisar, Cyanna Retemiah.

Reserves: Hema Singh, Letisha Gordon, Selina Khan, Naomi Barkoye, Leurene Williams, Nafeeza Sabar, Anita Hendriks, Meliane Dover, Trisha Hardat.

HALF-centuries from Shaahid Viera, Myhiem

Khan and Theddeus Lovell helped Essequibo to a five-wicket victory over the Select X1

Theddeus Lovell hit an unbeaten 67 to help Essequibo to a five-wicket win (Sean Devers photos) Shaahid Viera scored 50 Myhiem Khan scored 50

`Greatest in the Streets’ 1M$ football kicks off tonight …with matches at Silvercity Hardcourt

From left, at the launching: Sitting are Kellon Josiah, Shawn Grant and Marion Gordon

FLASHBACK! Guyana women at the last Regional tournament

$4.3B Sport budget

Anderson makes bold statement with maiden first-class hundred

The National Sports Commission (NSC) commends the 2023 National Budget presented by the distinguished Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, which includes the largest-ever allocation for the sports sector. The provision of $4.3B surpasses the prior allotment with a substantial increase

of $1.1B. This unprecedented allocation must be extolled as it highlights, inter alia, this H.E President Irfaan Ali-led government’s continued commitment, vision, and direction for the development of sports and sportsmen and women.

With the largest ever allocation

for the National Sports Commission, Budget 2023 paves the way for Government’s continued transformation in our sports facilities –something that is critical to the development of world class athletes and for the hosting of international tournaments which would have commenced in the previous year.

Sports headed in right direction with $4.3B allocation

By Calvin Chapman

THE Government of Guyana continues to show their commitment to sport with H.E. President Irfaan Ali overseeing a total of $9B invested thus far in sport since taking office.

This year’s mammoth budget of $4.3B for sports, which was announced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, during Monday’s budget presentation, eclipses 2022’s $3.2B by over Meanwhile, there will be, “Construction of stands and grass mounds in Regions Two and Six, extension of the Squash court at the National Racquet Center and procurement of sports gear,” Dr. Singh continued.

JCA CEO blames weak domestic system and complacency for Scorpions struggles

The allocation also allows for the development of our sportsmen and sportswomen with the National Sports Academy – the first ever in Guyana and the Region – launched last year and has already started to change the landscape of sports in Guyana.

The National Sports Com -

mission is unshakeable the presented the leadership Culture, Honourable MP, sport will transform forever.

West Indies Test Squad for two-Test Series in Zimbabwe

…Gabriel, Warrican and Motie recalled to 15-member

ST JOHN’S, Antigua –The Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel Tuesday announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test Series in Zimbabwe, starting on 4 February. The Selection Panel recalled experienced fast bowler

Fourth T20I called off due to hailstorm in Rawalpindi

Test against

last year with 21 of those being outfitted with lights, has been allocated another $250m this year for the continued improvement of com munity grounds across the country.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Community Ground Enhancement project, which benefitted 54 communities

President’s Ali promise of making Guy ana a regional hub for sports began to take massive strides in 2022. Dr. Singh mentioned that, “Beyond the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022, we saw at the Regional level the return of the Inter Guiana Games to these shores after a five-year hiatus.”

Dr. Singh also mentioned that the partnership be -

last international appearance was also in Sri Lanka in December 2021 when he played in both matches in the Test Series. Motie made his Test debut for West Indies in Antigua in June 2022 in the first

Phillip is also unavailable due to injury.

Trio of fifties take Essequibo home to victory at Bourda

Lead Selector, The Most Hon Dr. Desmond Haynes said: “This is the start of the international calendar for 2023 and we will hope to start with a win. We appreci-

ate ment other play soil port looked anticipate have spinners Australia, rican.

Bolt missing millions from investment accounts

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.

Kashif Muhammad Chateram Ramdihal Cristy Campbell Dellon Davidson Phillip Fernandes Bissoondyal

Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the

Shannon

Jamaica Cricket Associaton CEO, Courtney Francis

A hailstorm interrupted the fourth T20I • Getty Images

Kevlon Anderson celebrates his 100 against Headley XI in Antigua on Thursday