Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21 07 2016

End the death penalty No. 104619

- experts urge

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THURSDAY JULY 21, 2016

Price: $80

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We will lend our voice to ask Guyana to advance forward and not go backward.” - Navi Pillay, Commissioner of the International Commission against the Death Penalty

New students 11 being overcharged for registration Page

-Ministry of Education specifies limits

Cost to send money from Page 6 U.S., Canada ‘unacceptably high’ - Greenidge

Guyana to seek renewable 2 energy help from Denmark Page

Navi Pillay, Commissioner of the International Commission against the Death Penalty Justice speaks at a press conference Wednesday calling for abolition of the death penalty. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Guyana to seek renewable energy help from Denmark GUYANA will be turning to Denmark for assistance in the development of its renewable energy sector, President David Granger said Wednesday.

His comments came after he accepted letters of credence from Denmark’s new ambassador to Guyana, Kim Højlund Christensen at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Describing Denmark as “an international bellwether” in the development of sustainable energy, President

Granger said “Guyana looks forward to working closely with Denmark to advance cooperation for the development of the renewable energy sector in order to build a ‘green’ and sustainable society.”

He said Guyana is ready to learn from Denmark’s experience with respect to its community energy models, noting that such experience can be a guide for Guyana in the implementation of its national “green” agenda.

“Guyana, like Denmark, is a small state. We are committed, unreservedly, to the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, especially those with regard to the settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means and for the avoidance of the threat, or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State,” the President added.

He pointed out that on May 20, 2016 Guyana ratified the Paris Agreement, and remains committed, to realizing, through international cooperation and national developmental initiatives, the ambitious objectives which have been set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda

“Guyana looks forward to working closely with Denmark to advance cooperation for the development of the renewable energy sector in order to build a ‘green’ and sustainable society.”

for Sustainable Development.

The country, President Granger said, will continue to be actively engaged on global issues, such as the mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change, with the aim of finding sustainable solutions.

“We are confident that your appointment as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will contribute to the further strengthening of the existing friendly relations between our two countries,” the President said.

Ambassador Christensen, in delivering brief remarks, said the relation between Denmark and Guyana has not only been longstanding but has been marked by mutual respect.

- President Granger

Like President Granger, Ambassador Christensen said efforts to combat climate change and its impact are particularly important to low-lying countries such as Denmark and Guyana.

“Our two countries have a lot of values in common – democracy and equality – as a foundation for modern society, Ambassador Christensen posited while adding that both Guyana and Denmark also aim to reduce poverty.

“Economic growth is necessary to eradicate poverty,” he added, but said due to the increase pressure on natural resources and high demand for food, energy and

water, the growth needs to be “greened.”

He also used the opportunity to extend greetings to Guyana on its 50th year of Independence.

Denmark established diplomatic relations on November 16, 1979. The relations between the two countries have been characterised by the principles of mutual respect, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and cooperation for mutual benefit.

In 2004, Denmark had cancelled all commercial debt that was owed by Guyana – a gesture the country remains appreciative of.

Kim Højlund Christensen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark and President David Granger share a toast at Wednesday’s accreditation ceremony

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

End the death penalty - experts urge

By Ariana Gordon THREE international experts on human rights and the abolition of the death penalty are in Guyana to engage all stakeholders, including the government and the judiciary on the need to abolish the death penalty.

The trio - Dr Ivan Simonovic, Professor Marc Bossuyt and Navi Pillay - are here as part of a Judicial Colloquium on the Abolition of the Death Penalty held at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston.

Pillay, Commissioner of the International Commission against the Death Penalty told reporters on Wednesday, that she is hopeful that Guyana would re-examine its terrorism legislation with specific attention being placed on the death penalty.

She said the Terrorism Act has 12 provisions relative to the death penalty.

“You don’t pass a law just because something terrible has happened; law is not done emotionally. The rule of law follows international standards and Guyana is very much a part of the international community, has passed many international treaties and so they are bound to pass laws that are certain and definite and not responding each time to terrorism acts committed here, France or wherever,” she said.

Pillay noted the importance of complying with international law and the many conventions to which Guyana is a signatory. She said it is important to not only have a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty, but to abolish it.

Guyana, like many other countries, has laws enacted to sentence terrorists to death, but she believes that the institution of the death penalty is inhumane.

Guyana’s law has been amended to allow the death penalty only in circumstances where members of the Joint Services or the judiciary are killed while on duty.

Her plea came just prior to the beginning of the judicial colloquium comprising local judges and magistrates.

“We will lend our voice to ask Guyana to advance forward and not go backward,” said Justice Pillay, who noted that Guyana should be proud that no executions have taken place here for the past 20 years.

She believes that the trio’s visit to Guyana is timely and said discussions have been held with both the Government and Opposition.

“We want to continue meetings with Government representatives the rest of today and early tomorrow.”

Justice Pillay reminded that the United Nations (UN) has specific requirements for counter terrorism measures, but must still comply with International Humanitarian Law. She believes Guyana should take the first step in formalising its position on the death penalty by outlawing it.

“Make it into law -- not just de facto moratorium -because if it is just de facto, it hangs over people all the time. I know in certain countries such as Gambia… as soon

From left to right: United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr Ivan Simonovic; Commissioner of the International Commission against the Death Penalty, Justice Navi Pillay; Emeritus President of the Constitutional Court of Belgium, Professor Marc Bossuyt; and Charge d’ Affaires, European Union Delegation Derek Lambe at a media conference on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston as there was a change in the President, he executed nine He said as chair of a working group on protecting human people in one day. This is what happens when you have to rights while countering terrorism in New York, it has been rely on something that is not written in law, so it can be discovered that there is no conclusive evidence that the death ignored by successive Governments.” penalty deters crime, including terrorism.

“It is the first period of human history where the majority RIGHT DIRECTION of member states have abolished the death penalty, so it would be good for Guyana to be on the right side of history.”

The commissioner said the statement by President David Šimonovi? noted too the fact that UN Secretary-General Granger that he would not be executing anyone is a step in Ban-Ki moon has spoken out against the death penalty should the right direction. be deemed significant in the eyes of countries such as Guyana.

She described the statement by President Granger as an He said in the past, other Secretaries-General were cauimportant one, but stressed that it has to be translated into law. tious when speaking about the death penalty and moratorium Justice Pillay said in examining some of the social issues resolutions. prevalent in Guyana, it should be noted from the statements made by President Granger that much has been tried to curb CRUEL AND INHUMANE instances of domestic violence, but to no avail.

She believes that what is needed is an integrated approach, The UN Secretary-General referred to the death penalty as community involvement and education that stresses on values. a “cruel and inhumane practice.”

“You don’t want what was forced upon you more than Professor Marc Bossuyt, Emeritus President of the Consti50 years ago… I address the young people of Guyana -- you tution Court of Belgium who agreed with his colleagues, said are not alone in the problems you face but each and every in a comparison of countries that have abolished the death one of you can do something to develop a Caribbean culture penalty, it was observed that “the more people are exposed to of values,” said Justice Pillay, who noted that Guyana is the information about the death penalty, the more likely they are lone country in South America that has not abolished the to move away from the death penalty.” death penalty.

He said human rights and anti-death penalty activists Meanwhile, United Nations Assistant Secretary- General, would very much like to see the death penalty removed from Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Ivan Ši- any legislation here. monovi?, said Guyana is not alone when facing the challenge Please turn to page 4 of terrorism.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

GTT supports liberalised telecoms sector -says economic, social benefits to be derived

By Ravin Singh THE successful passage of the Telecommunications Bill 2016 has paved the way for a competitive regime to be created in the sector, and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) company is in support of efforts to end its monopoly of the sector.

“We’re heavily in favour of breaking the monopoly.

We’re not asking for a monopoly to be put in place. We want the sector to be open,” Justin Nedd, GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said at a Wednesday morning press conference held at the company’s head office on Brickdam.

The Bill, which was

passed in the House on Monday evening after a rigorous debate, seeks to create a competitive environment by providing for an open, liberalised and competitive sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors. At the same time, it supports preservation of the activities of the current participants – both GTT and Digicel Guyana.

The Bill, as was described by Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Huges, will result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices, which will effectively benefit consumers. It also specifically addresses the expansion of telecommunication networks

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GT&T’s CEO Justin Nedd at Wednesday’s press conference and services into unserved and under-served areas, through the institution of a new universal access/universal service programme, in an effort to further national, regional, social and economic development.

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And despite holding the monopoly for over 20 years, GTT, through its CEO, has acknowledged that positive economic and social benefits will be derived from the liberalisation of this sector. But these aren’t the only benefits, Nedd said. He suggested that this will now allow for an accelerated rate of learning for all Guyanese, while providing clarity on the operation s of the sector.

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“Right now there are many grey areas that we are trying to resolve and we’ve been operating in those grey areas for several years. So, we are optimistic that with liberalization, they will be clear. Businesses need predictability; we could focus on driving the business, providing good service to the customer and getting things done right,” the CEO said.

He said the company is currently in negotiations with the Government, which he said is critical for the country.

“Doing the negotiations and respecting the rule of law contract is something that is critical for the country… because if any country wants Foreign Direct Investment, it’s important for investors to understand that if they have a contract with the government, it will be honoured,” Nedd explained.

And although he refused to get into details of the negotiations, the CEO said that it is necessary to ensure that existing contacts which GTT has with other services providers are respected.

When asked about the company’s support for net neutrality, which is listed in the Bill, Nedd did not specifically say if GTT was in support of it. He offered rather that the company supports the Bill which seeks to develop

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Guyana’s telecommunications sector.

Nedd was also asked by this publication about reports of GTT censoring its competitor’s – Digicel’s - website by redirecting traffic (users), who were trying to access http://digicelgroup.com, to GTT’s website. He said he was unaware of this issue.

Regarding 4G service which was introduced recently, the CEO fended off criticisms regarding the slothfulness of the service, boasting that this project was introduced with two weeks’ notice, while it is known to take up to nine months.

He also added that the company is still working out deployment of more services and teething problems which will take time to resolve.

In closing, he congratulated the Government on this landmark achievement and lauded the efforts which contributed to the Bill’s passage.

“This is great for the people of Guyana and GTT remains ready to work quickly with the Government to complete the path to market liberalisation.

Guyana will be very different with the development of the robust 4G broadband services that liberalisation will enable. GT&T intends to be a big part of that transformation,” he stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Gov’t: No across-the-board salary increases for public servants NEGOTIATIONS between government and the public service union are still ongoing, but government has made its position clear that there will not be across-theboard salary increases for public servants.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan made this position when he spoke with the Government Information Agency (GINA) recently.

“The union asked for across-the-board (increases); we said we are not going down that road,” Minister Jordan said.

Jordan believes an acrossthe-board increase would

widen the salary gap among groups in the public sector.

The finance minister believes a differentiated increase in salaries is the best approach.

Salaries form part of the negotiations between government and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) which began late last June.

“We have also offered to look at the allowances as soon as we are finished with the salary negotiations.

We have already named our members for the allowances’ committee, we have also offered to look at merit increment,” Jordan told the GINA.

These negotiations are the first of its kind for the David Granger administration which entered government mid-May 2015.

Turning his attention to salaries in the private sector, Jordan believes it is time for a revision of that sector’s minimum wage.

Some three years ago, the private sector minimum wage was set at $35,000.

That measure was geared towards ensuring private sector employees were guaranteed protection from exploitation.

Private sector salaries have, for the most part, been

No Cabinet discussion yet on Dataram report CABINET on Tuesday did not arrive at a conclusion on the report which was presented to Minister of State Joseph Harmon on the inquiry conducted into the allegations of self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram.

Dataram had accused officials of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) of engaging in corrupted activities.

On Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger said while the report was laid before Cabinet, a conclusion was not drawn. “It was not a significant matter that was discussed yesterday (Tuesday). It was laid before Cabinet but we have not discussed it or come to any conclusion,” the President emphasized.

Earlier this month, Minister Harmon was presented with the report by Brigadier Bruce Lovell, who had conducted the probe.

Brigadier Lovell had said that the allegations made by Dataram were very serious and as such it was incumbent on the Government to carry out an investigation.

That investigation completed in two months.

“I am positive that the Government will find favour with the recommendations, as well as the conclusions and take the appropriate actions,” he said.

Earlier this year, Dataram spoke to reporters at HGPTV Channel 67’s Nightly News, confessing that he was involved in the drug trade and accused top CANU officers of being in cahoots with drug lords.

pegged against those in the public sector, which stands at a $50,000 minimum.

Jordan was however cautious in his pronouncements as he noted the domino effect of salary increases on the country’s economic system.

“Policy makers have to be wary of what it (salary increases) would do to the broader macro-economic fundaments of the country… and its impact on inflation and exchange rate deterioration,” the Finance Minister cautioned.

If not controlled against other elements of the economy, Jordan said this could “retard growth” which would negatively impact citizen welfare.

Two teens rescued from trafficking in Baramita TWO teenagers are currently in protective care, following a Trafficking in Person (TIP) rescue operation on Wednesday in the Barima-Waini Region. A woman is also in police custody.

After receiving reports of a suspected case of Human Trafficking, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) conducted a rescue operation on Wednesday in the community of Baramita, and the alleged victims were placed into protective custody.

According to confirmed reports, one of the teenagers is the daughter of a family friend. The woman is, however, claiming that the other teenager is her daughter but up to press time, the police were still trying to confirm this.

The Ministry of Social Protection TIP Unit has since been providing psychological support to the suspected victims.

Last Wednesday, Ranks of the Police Force descended on Rio Inn following reports that several young women were held against their will. The police removed 10 female Dominican Republic nationals and one Guyanese woman from the night club as they continue intense post-raid investigations.

End the death penalty

From page 3 Professor Bossuyt said too that Guyana has taken the first step through the statement of President Granger that no executions will take place here, but noted that the country can also “sign and ratify the second optional protocol which was adopted in 1989 at the General Assembly of the UN.” The protocol is aimed at the abolition of the death penalty. Some 81 states are party to the protocol and he believes that becoming party to it “is the best way of taking that commitment internationally.”

“If you look at the map of South America, Guyana is now the only country that has not abolished capital punishment…. so either you remain a particular island in the continent or you join the others in that direction.”

He stressed, however, that it is not a matter of criminal policy but a matter of human rights and the right to life.

“We value very highly the right to life and we think that executing people is contrary to the right to life which is the most basic of all human rights,” the Professor stated.

He noted that in those countries where the death penalty has been abolished, it was not a result of general consensus, but a matter of leadership of the political directorate who are cognisant of the fact that the death penalty “has no place in the civilised world of today.”

“One has to show leadership by abolishing the death penalty…. public opinion will, even if some people were opposed to it, they will understand that this has no place in modern society,” he added.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Six peoples, one nation

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NHERENT in this nation’s formation, i.e.

26th May 1966, is a land comprising six peoples. All six peoples at this date would have emerged with unique strands of historical experiences. This notwithstanding, among all groups are shared common experiences and strong bonds that have been established out of these diverse experiences to make us one.

Our quest for humanity, foremost, has evolved out of experiences of inequality. Where a level playing field was created in identifying all as equal, though it could not erase past horrid experiences, it nonetheless creates the space to see each other as one and treat each other with respect and dignity. This is the essence of humanity and which a new nation in 1966 set out to achieve.

Guyanese should continue to engage in seeking knowledge of the individual and collective self as far as possible, including what inspired our nation, its symbols, and contributed to making us who we are. It is that in 2016, designated ‘Year of the Renaissance,’ efforts are made, even as historical knowledge is acquired, to examine ways, including policies, laws and programmes to deepen and strengthen our oneness.

These should not be divorced from seeking knowledge of and being influenced by world affairs which also play impacting roles.

Recent global events, be they the war against terrorism, terrorist attacks, race relations between white police officers and black citizens, ethnic differences, clashes in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere, continue to serve as lessons for us here as people reach out to each other, unshackled by past horrid experiences, in the spirit of humanity. In the affected areas, where the bigoted and those stuck in the past hold to their preferred views, persons from both the victims and aggressor groups are speaking out against atrocities, and demanding actions that would bring about accountability, justice and fair play in the society for all.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Cost to send money from U.S., Canada ‘unacceptably high’ - Greenidge

M I N I S T E R o f F o re i g n A f f a i r s C a r l a reflection of the fact that many are Greenidge has criticised the high cost to economic migrants who try to improve send remittances to Guyana from North their well-being and welfare and in the America. process they also direct, channel reOn Wednesday, the minister said the high sources back to their countries in order cost to send money here from North America to acquire assets… house- building… is of great concern to the government. He was facilitating the movement of other famaddressing participants at the opening cereily members.” mony of a two-day Inter-Agency Workshop The minister said in examining the on remittances, being held at Cara Lodge, statistics of the Caribbean Bloc, it was Quamina Street, Georgetown. recognised that there has been a steady Being held under the theme, “Migration flow of remittances to Guyana from the diand Development in Guyana,” the workshop aspora over the years. In 2012, US$469M is geared at among other things, examining MINISTER of Foreign entered the country and this represented ways by which the high transferal fees at- Affairs Carl Greenidge 16 per cent of Gross Domestic Product tached to remittances can be lowered.

(GDP). In 2014, when the world suffered It was disclosed that 5.8 per cent of the as a result of the economic meltdown, the money coming from the United States to Guyana is lost country saw remittances in the amount of some US$332M to the money transfer agencies, while approximately 10.7 or 11 per cent of the GDP. per cent of the money coming from Canada fail to reach “16 per cent of the GDP is a very significant growth,” low- income recipients here. said the Foreign Affairs Minister. He said while Guyana The Foreign Affairs Minister described the rates as benefits from remittances annually, it is important to “unacceptably high” and said Government is looking at examine the impact of same on consumption, inequality, ways and means of having those fees reduced. investment and savings as they impact on the labour mar“Let us use this opportunity to find ways to ensure that kets and the quality of human capital. the cost of sending remittances to Guyana is reduced,” he “We are, as I indicated, one of the major beneficiaries told participants. of inflows from our diaspora ---but at the same …the He noted that while migration remains a significant average cost of sending remittances…from London, New global problem , Guyana heads a list of countries that has York and Toronto in December 2015 is roughly 7.73%.” migrants who send resources home regularly. Greenidge The Inter-Agency workshop on Remittances is aimed noted that remittances have proven quite beneficial to at helping government find ways to ensure that the cost the local economy in that it is a means of investing and of remittances would be reduced, so that the benefits of ensuring that those who are vulnerable have money in same can be maximised. their pockets.

The workshop is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign It also enhances the country’s economic perfor- Affairs in collaboration with the International Organmance. “Remittances have characterised movements isation for Migration (IOM) and is coordinated by the of people , the diaspora for over a century has been ACP-EU Migration Action.

In this environment, it is not unlikely to see a white person speaking out against an atrocity meted out to a black person, inasmuch as part of their historical experiences saw blacks enslaved and treated as subhuman by the white race. It is not unusual to see blacks call on fellow blacks to avoid acts of aggression against whites.

Equally, it is not unusual to find Muslims condemning acts of terrorism perpetrated on fellow Muslims or non-Muslims. Conversely, non-Muslims are also calling on fellow non-Muslims not to hate the Muslim community for acts of extremism.

This is the world we live in today, and it is a world Guyana cannot isolate herself from. In the same world, Guyana operates as a land of six peoples and through birth, marriage and other forms of association, there have been the fusion of the various historical cultures, which today we know as the Guyanese culture, i.e. lived experiences.

To ask any number of Guyanese if they see themselves as one nation, it is the belief that the answer will be a resounding yes.

But to ask any number of Guyanese if they think they are treated as equals, with dignity, respect, opportunity and justice in this society, the answers will vary, among which will be some resounding nos. Digging deeper into

the various reasons, some supported by evidence no doubt, will inform the negative responses. The negative responses would undoubtedly not be based on being Guyanese, but that of how one is treated in society by fellow Guyanese and the managers of the system of government, whether such perception is real or perceived.

The varied treatments have no bearing on being one nation for the purpose of birth, identity or historical experiences of forebears, but that of the here and now. Guyanese don’t generally dislike being Guyanese and being born in a land of six races. What they generally dislike are the negatives the country is associated with, such as poor race-relations, poor government, crime, poor performance of the economy, and so forth.

Fixing shortcomings has no bearing on, nor are they reliant on distancing self from the concept of one nation. Fixing these is reliant on strong institutions and leaders and the society being prepared to holding them accountable, regardless. These Guyanese need these as assurances and energies should be channelled to make them possible, for there exists no reputable contention about our oneness as a nation, but strong contentions about the manner in which citizens are treated and their affairs managed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

BOARD OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2013- 2016: Region Six

By Clinton Williams OVER the years 2013 to 2016, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has focused on intensifying the delivery of relevant occupational, technical and vocational skills training with a view to addressing entry-level occupational skills demand for current and emerging industries/Services i.e both the public and private sector. For this period, emphasis was placed o n v u l n e r a b l e g ro u p s such as School Dropouts, Youths from Depressed Communities (particularly including hinterland regions), Single Parents and the Differently-Abled. In addition, we shall continue our quest to implement cost-reduction strategies, thereby increasing intake via optimizing utilization of publicly-owned facilities such as technical and vocational institutions and Practical Instruction Centres (Ministry of Education) and recognised NGOs at the expense of privately-owned facilities. Indeed, key institutions in Region Six such as the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, the Guysuco Training Centre – Port Mourant and NGOs such as the national award-winning Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre, have enabled significant improvements in qualitative deliverance of programmes. We are convinced that these actions have not only positively impacted on employment generation, entrepreneurship and empowerment, but also have contributed to poverty alleviation and crime prevention. These programmes therefore should be viewed as vital socio-economic initiatives at this juncture of the current administration interventions to provide a good life for all of the people of Guyana.

We are pleased to report that for the years 2013 to 2015, a total of 6043 occupational skills have been generated countrywide with an anticipated number of 1609 skills to be generated in 2016. This brings us a total of over 20,000 Techvoc Skills from the inception of the NTYPE Programmes in 2006. As regards the traditional 105-year-old Apprenticeship Programmes,

97 highly skilled craftsmen skills have been produced and the number of Masters (Apprenticeship Service Providers) has increased from15 in 2013 to 17 in 2016. The NTYPE Programmes are executed in all of the regions in Guyana with the exception of Region Eight, which is expected to come on stream later this year.

The main skill profiles for which training was conducted were Engineering, Building Construction, Health Services, Home Economics and Forestry. As regards gender balance, the ratio of female to male graduates was 55:45 in 2015 and we continue to target those sectors for which demand was greatest.

Refocusing on the delivery of skills for the industrial sector ensured that training for the engineering and building construction sectors generated on average 40% of the total skills. In this aspect as well, gender mainstreaming was evident by the percentage of females in these traditionally male-dominated sectors increasing from 2% in 2013 to 12% in 2015.

In Region Six, BIT’s partnership with the UCITC on the Saturday class programme has focused on the development of technical competencies to now three batches of graduates, with a total of 347 persons benefiting from the progamme from its advent in 2014 to present. Region Six is also home to the Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre, an institution which the BIT and the Ministry of Social Protection has proudly collaborated with for more than four years. In addition to generating employable skills in pc repairs and maintenance, electrical installation and plumbing among others, the RBSTC also partners with the ministry on topical issues facing today’s youth, including suicide prevention, gender-based violence etc.

This holistic approach has been advocated by BIT and the ministry as a remedial measure to combat youth unemployment.

Some of our other main accomplishments during this period were the following: * Prioritising of our shortterm objectives and goals by revamping our strategic plan

through the involvement of all the major stakeholders. * Establishment of closer collaboration with CRMA and TVET in order to obtain credible labour market data in the determination of realistic demand and by extension offering continuing career guidance to all of our Trainees. * Improvement of our collaboration and better coordination among the formal and non-formal Tech Voc Institutions, hence the reduction and/or duplication of a number of Tech Voc Programmes, while at the same time increasing focus on employment generation and empowerment. Our Heavy Duty Equipment Operation (HDEO) Programme has been leading in this regard with over 50 persons trained at the programme at the UCITC. Recognising the demand for HDEO in the region, the BIT is now collaborating with the NATI for a new HDEO programme which commenced on the 11th July 2016. As regards quality and reliability of our programmes, we have been forging closer collaboration with the TVET Council towards programme implementation and competency-based life skills and entrepreneurial skills training with a view to ensuring that all our graduates are certified with the recognised NVQ and ultimately with the CVQ Status when this comes on stream. * Intensification of our quest to implement cost-reduction strategies via optimizing the use of publicly owned facilities such as Technical Institutes, the Practical Instruction Centres (PIC’s) attached to the Ministry of Education, Guysuco Training Centre (Port Mourant) the Kuru Kuru Training Facility and internationally recognised privately owned NGOs, rather than the hitherto (limited resourced) privately owned facilities. * Intensify our collaboration with Regional Administrations as well as the involvement of those private sector companies that are adequately equipped with the capability and capacity in the provision of in-plant facilities. These relationships

have been vital in the realisation of a hands-on approach with respect to in-plant training and in the determination of the curricula and course content of the respective training programmes. * Developing an inclusive skills development programme, and implementing a model for training differently abled persons for employment and entrepreneurial skills training. * Finally, we are pleased to report that we were fortunate to acquire and now occupy our own facilities for the administration and execution of our work programmes countrywide. In addition, we were able with these newly-acquired

facilities to improve our overall governance and management performance through effective alignment and management of our human, information and capital resources via increased efficiency in the management-reporting process, implementation of MIS tailored to suit the needs of BIT,thorough and structured financial controls and administrative policies.

As regards the way forward, we are convinced that the actions and interventions we have taken will not only positively impact on increased employment generation, entrepreneurship and empowerment, but also contribute to significant improvement in the delivery

system and in particular the quality of our graduands with respect to their competency levels. This particular attribute will in turn serve us in good stead as we strive to upgrade our Techvoc programme from NVQ status to the recently accredited CVQ status.

That is why we continue to hold the view that our programmes have been and shall continue to positively impact on the socio economic systems as useful interventions to poverty alleviation and crime prevention and by extension meaningfully contribute to the current Administration’s policies and programmes, which are focused on providing a good life for all of the people of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

GHRA remembers Bishop Randolph George

THE Guyana Human Rights Association

(GHRA) has noted the indelible contributions of

PM mourns passing of Bishop George THE Office of the Prime Minister has issued a message of condolence on the passing of Randolph George, former Anglican Bishop of Guyana, who passed on Monday last, saying that he was “a knowledgeable, soft-spoken and amicable leader of the Diocese.”

“Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo wishes to express (condolences) to Mrs. Sheila George, the wife of former Bishop George, his four children – Gail, George, David and Christopher and Prime Minister, to the entire Anglican Moses Nagamootoo community,” the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister’s office noted that George served the Anglican community for twenty eight years (1980- 2008) and was bestowed with the Cacique Crown of Honour in 1994.

Bishop Randolph George, who died on Monday.

“The Bishop is said to have contributed significantly in the late 70’s and 80’s towards challenging the widespread repression and his courageous and unflappable spirit was also said to be reassuring to other human rights and political activists in times of tension,” the GHRA stated.

In a statement, the human rights watchdog said the Bishop’s willingness to be the voice of the voiceless was acclaimed to be unwavering in an era where the “Freedom of Expression” utterance was almost non-existent.

“Bishop George sought to defend human rights violations and his contributions were rooted in freedom of expressions, the independence of the courts and countering abuses generated by the supremacy of the then ruling party.

“He, along with Catholic Bishop Benedict Sigh, showed political courage to defend trade union demonstrations and denounce police actions taken against these demonstrations during the eco-

Bishop Randolph George nomic austerity calamity of the late 1980s,” the GHRA stated.

According to the Association, the Bishop endeavored to provide leadership in a more civilized and dignified manner as he attributed in the struggle for free and fair elections and that his role in the Guyanese Action for Reform

ad Democracy (GUARD) also showed his stature as a trusted national figure whose influence was not limited to the religious and civic community.

“His influence is deemed as one of a unifying nature due to his ability to surpass the ethnic divide and highlight his genuine interest in matters that

were requisite for all. He has also been attested to know many Amerindians by name due to his constant trekking in visiting interior Anglican communities,” the GHRA noted.

The Association noted that the Bishop is said to have spent almost the last two decades of his life in relative privacy, and this came as a result of the restoration of democratic space in 1992, “for which a man like him whose attributes to social justice was due to his larger religious calling rather than a political inclination.”

The GHRA noted that to those skeptical of the value of social and political activism which often felt more symbolic that substantive in that repressive era, the Bishop’s response was that, whether successful or not, without such activism the situation would have been much worse.

The GRHA extended warmest sympathy and condolences on the death of the late Bishop to his wife, Sheila, his family and to the entire Anglican Community.

No projects, payments affected by Ramayya’s absence - Ministry of Communities

THE Ministry of Communities Wednesday said that no project or payment is being delayed or affected in Region Six because of the absence of Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dr Veerasammy Ramayya.

The Ministry stated that Deputy REO (Finance) Bhadase Poonai is performing the duties of REO. Dr Ramayya is on vacation from July 18-31, 2016.

“The Regional Administration has indicated that there are no contracts on the desk of Dr Ramayya awaiting signature with respect to sweeper/cleaners, teachers or nurses,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry also noted that machine operators are employed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and are paid by the Region via warrants issued to the Region by the NDIA. “The NDIA Engineer in the region is presently verifying the works done by these operators for the month of June before these are forwarded to the Regional Administration for the processing of payments,” the Ministry stated.

Regarding the 300 cheques which were returned due to their stale date, the Ministry said that these were cheques issued in 2015 and were in the possession of the Sub-treasury Department, which has the responsibility for making these payments to suppliers/Contractors.

“The Regional Executive Officer cannot be blamed for

delayed cheques since he does not sign cheques,” the Ministry stated.

“In addition, the Regional Tender Board has met nineteen (19) times for the year and the last was held on July 7, 2016 where sixty-four (64) projects were awarded and twenty-nine (29) payments vouchers were approved.”

Vi c e - C h a i r m a n M r Dennis De Roop Monday claimed that some of Dr Veerasammy the sweeper/cleaners of the Ramayya schools are yet to be paid for June month. He also claimed that several contracts and machine operators were not signed.

The Ministry did not respond to the allegations of the unsigned contracts.

The matter of payment for workers is expected to be ironed out this week given the pronouncement of an acting REO. Regional Representative of the Prime Minister in Region 6 and Regional Councillor Gobin Harbhajan has demand-

ed an apology from DeRoop, saying that “to claim that he (Ramayya) has abandoned his post is a deliberate lie; a total fabrication.

“Instead of making enquiries from the Ministry of Communities to find out what the situation was, he (De Roop) in his haste to attack the REO, called a special press conference to spout that nonsense.”

“We hope that common sense prevails and he withdraws that statement about the REO abandoning his post,” Harbhajan stated.

In April this year, Ramayya had publicly accused DeRoop of abusing state resources in total disregard for rules governing the use of such resources.

“Mr Denis DeRoop is operating as if the PPP/C is still in Government. He is abusing the vehicle assigned to him; he is deploying machines on his own authority and he is deciding where he wants to work instead of operating as required from the Head office of the Council,” Ramayya had claimed.

Dr Ramayya had also accused De Roop of administrative sabotage and had limited the amount of diesel he could use.

“The Region has two Deputy Regional Executive Officers. There is an Accounts Department which is fully staffed and functioning so how come the work is being held up because Ramayya is not there?” Harbahjan questioned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Dr Stewart is Guyana’s civil society representative to CCM

Guyanese civil society representatives have elected Dr Dawn Stewart, the unopposed nominee of the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), as the civil society representative to Guyana’s Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).

Dr Stewart, who was elected last Friday, has replaced Renuka Anandjit, Programmes Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) who resigned after serving for five months.

The CCM was established as an oversight apparatus for the effective implementation of grants provided to Guyana by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The mandate of the CCM is to coordinate the prepara-

tion and approve proposals for submission to the Global Fund and to monitor the implementation of all approved grants.

The CCM focuses on performance by linking Global Fund resources to the achievement of clear, measurable and sustainable results based upon agreed monitoring indicators.

Membership in the CCM is broadly representative of a variety of stakeholders, each representing an active constituency with an interest in one or more of the funded disease areas - HIV, TB and Malaria.

The participation of communities, particularly those infected and directly affected by the three diseases, is critical for both the development of proposals and the imple-

mentation of the awarded grant funds.

Newly elected representative of the civil society constituency, Dr Stewart is the founder and current Chief Executive Officer of CPIC’s Monique’s Caring Hands which provides support to over 200 families from various regions in Guyana affected by HIV, provides women with empowerment sessions in various communities throughout Guyana, and overall works as a non-governmental organisation for sustainable development for women, single-parent homes and families.

She has years of experience in Public Policy, Health, Education, Nursing Counselling, Psychology, Risk Management and Business Management-- both in the

Dr. Dawn Stewart national and international arenas-- focusing on mostly health and education, U.S. foreign policy in the Caribbean and the role of the U.S. in international organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and financial

institutions.

Dr Stewart herself has conducted workshops on behavioural change for various entities and groups, including the Guyana Fire Service, prison officers and nursing students, estab-

lished the Guyanese Women Roundtable in 2014, and facilitated and coordinated human rights training programmes for women across Guyana, alongside her other responsibilities as CEO of CPIC’s Monique Caring Hands.

Now serving as the representative on the CCM for the civil society constituency, Dr Stewart pledges to work with other representatives for the betterment of all Guyanese.

“I also pledge to use my creative, energetic and visionary leadership with demonstrated experience in communication, management, advocacy, and community involvement to advocate on behalf of the affected communities and Guyana as a whole,” she added.

Increased networking needed to care for vulnerable children - Minister Lawrence stresses need for communication with parents, caregivers, homes

MINISTER of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence , has said that there are important lessons to be learnt from the two brothers, aged three and six, who perished when a fire engulfed the Drop In Centre on the night of July 10 last.

Approximately 30 children were being kept at the home.

Joshua George, 6, and his brother Antonio, 3, perished in the fire that razed the Hadfield Street, Georgetown, facility.

It was only the day before that the two boys along with their three other siblings had been taken to the centre by the Child Protection Agency.

In her remarks at the boys’ funeral on Tuesday, Minister Lawrence relived the gallant attempt by the younger of the two brothers to go back into the burning building to save his elder brother.

Antonio George Joshua George Painfully reliving the memory, Mindoing, he has left us an important message,” the minister ister Lawrence said: “Joshua and Antonio have been called to another place of abode, but there are stated.

She reminded the gathering: “We all need to be on the important lessons for us to learn from this tragic incident. look out for each other, wherever we are and whatever our Young as they were, we evidenced their love, care and supstatus in life. Moreover, within our family circles, we need to port for each other. ‘‘This selfless act of sibling concern that prompted work diligently to keep the family intact: upholding family Antonio’s search for his brother is, sad to say, not too often values and treasuring the family bonds and relationships; displayed in our society. And so, Antonio has demonstrated and he [Antonio] taught us that.”

Noting that the Ministry of Social Protection’s mandate to us that ultimate act of love, and I believe that through his is to protect all our children, she stressed, “And I can assure

you that we will not shirk from our responsibility.”

Minister Lawwrence said the ministry intends to rigidly embark on networking “involving all our homes, all our parents, caregivers and children and other important persons within society, who can resolve to ensure that the lines of communication are kept open and that they share and care for each other.”

She expressed gratitude to those who lent support, namely caregivers Sharon Fraser Jones and Mr. Rupert Hinds and the boys and girls at the Drop In Centre.

She thanked public-spirited neighbours who came out to lend a hand, and officers of the Fire Service, the police and security guards on duty.

Lawrence also thanked Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton for his ready support through all of the issues confronting the ministry, and the specialist at the Georgetown Hospital who initiated the provision of counselling and therapy for the three surviving siblings and the other children who were at the facility.

The minister was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott, and other officials of the ministry. Representatives of child rights groups also attended the funeral.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Fire Service responds to generator fire at Woodlands Hospital A generator aback the Woodlands Hospital on C a r m i c h a e l S t re e t i n the city caught afire on Wednesday morning following a power outage but the hospital has since denied the occurrence, referring to the incident as a fire drill “after a long time.”

This publication responded to the blaring sirens of several fire trucks and a call was placed to the Guyana Fire Service around 11:15 am. It was reported that the firemen were responding to reports of a fire at the private medical institution.

Mr Compton Sparman, the officer in charge of operations at the Guyana Fire Service, confirmed that the fire service responded to the hospital’s call of fire, saying that the “generator was overheating.”

Roger Astwood , the hospital’s safety officer told reporters an hour later :“You are witnesses of our first after a long time fire drill, we thank you for your time.

Thank you”.

Staff members of the hospital reside in several buildings in a yard adjoining the medical institution.

A resident of Carmichael Street, whose home is also in the adjoining yard, told this publication that around 11:00 h , soon after a power outage , she observed thick smoke emanating from one of two generators which the hospital operates at two points within the compound. She said that several moments later, she saw hospital staff running through the alleyway with fire extinguishers.

According to the woman, the men were successful in extinguishing the fire while firemen arrived on the scene soon after. “After the blackout the current went on and off and it (the generator) started catching afire but

they extinguish it fast,” she said. “No, no, no they didn’t had no drill… the thing catch afire,” she added.

A porter attached to the hospital told this publication that he had just fin-

cordoned –off the area as firemen were seen aback the building taking statements from the hospital staff.

A photographer attached to this newspaper was barred from venturing close to the

Hospital staff and a fire official (partially blocked) stand close to the generator room ished attending to his duties when he heard reports of a fire. He said the hospital staff then sprang into action. “We had blackout and like the generator start smoke,” he said. A doctor who resides in the yard adjoining the hospital told this publication that she was unaware of a fire drill and according to her , staff were surprised to see fire trucks at the scene.

When this publication arrived at the scene, three fire trucks were parked in front of the hospital’s entrance as staff and customers stared around the compound while trying to find out what was happening. Police officers

One of the fire trucks which responded to the call

generator in question as the hospital’s safety officer informed that a fire drill was in progress.

The man then proceeded to inform the photographer on how to carry out his duties including suggestions that he should be covering an accident out of town. He said too that the media hardly covers corporate-social events which the hospital undertakes.

The Fire Service official told the Guyana Chronicle that indeed the Service assists with fire drills, but these are arranged in advance, and this was not the case Wednesday at the Woodlands Hospital.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

New students being overcharged for registration -Ministry of Education specifies limits RECENT investigations by the Ministry of Education have found that school administrators are requesting significantly large sums of money for the registration of new students to nursery, primary and secondary schools.

The Ministry of Education Saturday said administrators have been overcharging for registration under the pretext that such sums were previously agreed upon by the Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs).

“No students (sic) shall be denied registration to any school due to their inability to pay; children have a right to schooling and must be registered,” the Ministry of Education stated.

Added to that, the PTA of each school has been authorised to conduct fundraising activities to support school administration to offset non-budgetary costs, such as badges, PTA dues, report booklets and miscellaneous items.

“Such activities must be promoted to strengthen the partnership between schools and the community,” the Ministry advised.

“If the activities planned and executed by the PTA do not generate the income to offset non-budgetary costs, then the following guidelines should be followed:

a) For All Nursery Schools – not more than $2,500.00 a year b) For All Primary Schools – not more than $3,000.00 a year

c) For Secondary Schools – not more than $5,000.00/year d) For National Secondary Schools (Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High, St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s and St. Joseph) – not more than $8,000.00/year The Ministry stated that there must be no compulsion for students to purchase P.E. clothes, aprons for Home Economics, Lab Coats, and Tie-pin among others, from the school.

Also, the Ministry said that parents of nursery children should not be issued with any list of supplies to be purchased.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Surviving Cancer & other Potholes ‘Normal is an illusion. What’s normal for the spider is chaos for the fly’ - Charles Addams

‘Tell me O Muse…’

‘Tell me O Muse…’

‘Tell me….’

UGH. ‘WHY was this so frustrating!’ I thought, as I closed my book for the third time this week.

I had been trying (very) unsuccessfully it would seem, to get past the first few lines of Homer’s Odyssey. Ok, perhaps this was too heavy for my current short attention span, maybe I should stick to something I already know - I settled on Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets. Yes, my reading choices would suggest I’m a nine-year-old in the host body of a fully grown adult, but even a child could outread me at this rate.

I was now in my third cycle of chemotherapy and my body was adjusting better than I had expected it to, given the way I had started to feel after my second session. Turns out all I needed was to increase my intake of iron via channa and vitamins prescribed by my doctor.

With my body levelling out, it seemed something was now wrong with my cognitive functions. It wasn’t just hard for my brain to process new information, it seemed it was straining against processing too much, in the speed I was normally accustomed to.

‘Is this what is referred to as “chemo brain”? I tried to remember as I did a quick search on Goggle.com. As I read through various articles I could relate to some of the experiences shared of memory loss. Recently, I had found myself starting to forget information I would normally remember within a few minutes of discussing it with someone.

Events, names and dates were hazy at times. I would forget I had made plans with someone or I would make plans over my previous plans without being aware. The whole thing had become a mess in my head and it felt like stumbling around in a fog.

One article described “Chemo brain”as being “foggy,” thus making simple tasks like reading the newspaper, a challenge.

“Whew!” I sighed in relief. So I’m not losing it, this was “normal” as it pertained to chemo side effects. I was a fly amongst spiders. Or wait, was I a Spider amongst flies? Either way I was out of my element and I wasn’t alone.

According to The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Organization, “ Recently, the cluster of symptoms known most commonly as “chemo brain” has garnered medical attention in North America , initiating a wave of discussion. Important work is now being done to understand the condition and, more crucially, to help alleviate it”, according to The mystery of chemo brain.

The condition commonly involves cognitive changes including reductions in short-term memory and information-processing speed, and limitations or changes in an individual’s ability to organise information. The changes can be subtle and may be noticed only by the person experiencing them. Immune system changes, hormonal fluctuations, the specific side-effects of various drugs, crushing overall fatigue, chronic stress, psychological issues, and even the underlying effects of , all play a part in the spectrum of cognitive dysfunction that can manifest around cancer care.

Signs of “chemo brain” can include: * Trouble remembering names * Difficulty concentrating or paying attention * Lapses in short-term memory or being forgetful * Inability to find the right word for something * Problems with planning ahead and organising things ” I had been experiencing all listed above with the last two frustrating the daylights out of me.

My “chemo brain” was affecting my ability to enjoy activities and the company of other people.

I felt “on edge” whilst waiting on persons to tell me a story and essentially “get to the point!” - a phrase my mind screamed, as I listened to them drone on for what seemed like hours. It wasn’t even a minute - this is how bad my nerves had become.

To combat “chemo brain,” I began to employ some of the hints suggested. I played sudoku and other brain-training games to help to increase my cognitive function. Exercise became more frequent, but what worked best was just being truthful with the people I interacted with and letting them know if I felt anxious, frustrated or was having a hard time understanding what they were telling me.

A lesson in Cancer is a lesson in chemotherapy ; and chemotherapy is a lesson in patience. If there was anything this treatment was teaching me and the people around me, it was patience.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 21, 2016

Lindeners call for all elements of the 2012 agreement to be met

Stories and photos by Vanessa Braithwaite

Signing of the agreement in August 2012 with former Chairman Sharma Solomon signing on behalf of the region and former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds signing on behalf of the Government

The Linden community is calling upon the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government to honour the other elements of the 2012 agreement that has to date not been materialized. This call, which received positive response from the crowd, was made by former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon at Monday evening’s candle light vigil in remembrance of the three martyrs that were shot during the Linden struggle.

Mr. Solomon in his address posited that as a people they must ensure that those elements are met which includes the establishment of a technical team to investigate the electricity situation in Linden with specific terms of reference for the committee and the establishment of an economic committee with specific terms of reference for the committee.“Those were the struggles and the inking of an agreement that those young men died for and we must ensure that those are remained and maintained and eventually fulfilled, that this community does not only see not an increase in electricity but our economic programme developed, that we see our access to information and our right to our television station be handed over forthwith, those are things that were inked in an agreement with blood, sweat, tears and we as a people must ensure that they are main-

tained,” contended Solomon.

Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland told the Guyana Chronicle that he would support the people’s call to have the entire agreement honoured as he is cognizant of the importance of those two elements.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian in an invited comment posited that the economic and technical committee has been honoured in the form of the 5 year Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD).

He revealed that an economic committee has been established to man PARD which will see infrastructural, technical and technological developments in Region 10. “We are just waiting for the release of funding,” Morian said.

AGREEMENT Minister of State Joseph Harmon in 2015 told media operatives that his government is committed to honouring the 2012 agreement. “Now that we are in the position of the Government of Guyana, it is our intention to ensure that all of the commitments given by the Government under that agreement, that those commitments are met,” promised Harmon.

The Minister further stated that the Government accepts this agreement as almost being a final judgment and promised that “the people of Region 10 can feel satisfied and comfortable that in this Government they need not have to come to extract any concessions. We see

it as our obligation to provide a good life and a reasonable arrangement so that those people can enjoy whatever they need to enjoy just like (residents in) any other part of this country.”

The agreement between the Government and Region 10 was signed on August 21, 2012, between former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and former Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon.

TRANSMITTER The agreement detailed the following as agreed to by both parties: the establishment of a Region 10 Regional Land Selection Committee and; Region 10 to apply for a broadcasting license and the Government will facilitate the granting of that license in keeping with the law, along with the dish and transmitter that were given to the Linden community to be handed over to the Regional Democratic Council, the establishment of a technical team to investigate the electricity situation in Linden with specific terms of reference for the committee and the establishment of an economic committee with specific terms of reference for the committee. To date the television station has been granted a licence but it is the onus of the regional officials to put necessary measurements in place to have this materialized and the land selection committee was formed but is currently null and void.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday JULY 21, 2016

Outstanding performance from One Mile Primary at NGSA tried to utilize the resources available to attain maximum results. “Despite these challenges we still put our heads and shoulders together to do well…..but this year (the first year back in one building) we did better than all the other years with a pass rate of 89%,” boasted Fraser. The school snatched 8 places of the top 20 in Region 10 and two students gained spots in the country’s top 1%. The Head Master expressed appreciation to the four class teachers; Ferdinand Mc Cloud, Charlyn Duke, Sharon Murray and Larita Rose who worked in unison to achieve this historic performance. Of the 138 students that sat the examination, 13 were awarded places at the country’s top 5 schools while 33 were awarded spots at Mackenzie, High School in Linden. The top child, Emily Mackenzie was awarded a spot at The Bishops High with 536 534 marks. He will also be marks while Esan Marceano attending The Bishops High. topped the second spot with “I would like to express heartfelt congratulations to all the teachers who worked beyond the call of duty to make this achievement possible,” expressed the Head Teacher.

Succeeded despite hardships Isaiah Crawford who was awarded a place at St Stanislaus College with 522 marks was deemed the overall top performer at this year’s graduation exercise as he was awarded with the most prizes. He copped prizes for One Mile’s top debater, Best Social Studies student, 2nd best English student and 2nd best Literacy and Numeracy student.

Isaiah was highly praised for his performance as he lost his mother and grandfather while preparing for the examinations. With his dad working overseas and his older sisters working full time jobs and tending to their families, Isaiah had to overcome the challenges to be successful. “I just wish my mother was here to see what I did,” he sobbed.

The young lad expressed appreciation to his older Head Teacher Alister Fraser sister Sheneza Wilburgh

The students and teachers of the One Mile Primary School in Linden have risen above all stumbling blocks in an effort to achieve excellent results not only at the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment but at every academic and extracurricular level. The One Mile Primary school’s building is only a year old as the old building was gutted with fire during the 2012 protest.

For three years the students and teachers were hopscotching at three different venues that housed the children in the interim.

Head Teacher for the school Alister Fraser revealed to this publication the struggle to keep the school together at a supervisory level as it was divided into three. “We were choked and cramped into three different spaces and supervision was very difficult,” he said. Despite these challenges however, the administrative body

One Mile Primary School gutted by fire

who worked with him tirelessly to achieve a top rated school. He also expressed appreciation to his teachers and peers for supporting him during the trying time.

Isaiah said that it was a great feeling to be back in a brand new school as there was more space and more resources to work with.

The One Mile Primary School was one of the 10 buildings that were burnt down in July 2012. Several persons were apprehended for the crime but were subsequently released due to a lack of evidence. It was reported that the around 03:15 hrs. a female security guard on duty was approached by three men armed with cutlasses who threatened to kill her if she did not remove from the location or if she attempted to raise an alarm.

After the security guard left the compound, the building was broken into and computers were stolen. The residents of Linden attempted to rebuild the school by means of self-help funding but this was not successful. The Government of Guyana took over the project and the school was completed

Overall top performer Isaih Crawford

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 21, 2016

Lindener in no position to pay increase in electricity tarriff – MP Jermaine Figueira

Four years have passed since the Donald Ramotar led administration had proposed that Lindeners pay an increase in electricity tariff from a subsidized $5 per kilowatt per hour to $65. Region 10’s Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira told this publication that Lindeners are still not in a position to pay such an increase given the economic situation of Linden and in extension Region 10. He argued that the willingness to do so is there but the question lays on how it will be paid as the people are in no position to do so. One of the paramount factors to this argument is the 70% unemployment rate in Region 10.

“If you raise the electricity tariff how are people going to pay the electricity when they don’t have jobs at the moment,” exclaimed Figueira. In addition he argued that Lindeners have earned their right to subsidized electricity given the fact that they have been exposed to decades of bauxite dust and smoke resulting in a series of health problems.

“Linden people have the most skin problems relating to the dust, you have a lot of lung infections because of the dust, now if you are being punished because of the dust and the bauxite why then should you impose an additional punishment by increasing the electricity

Linden protest tariff at a moment when we are not in a position to satisfy those increases,” questioned the MP. He however contended that the Government can give considerations to an increase in the future if the economic situation has changed but at this juncture that should not happen. Figueira also posited that his Government is doing everything possible to decrease the level of unemployment not only in Linden but Guyana at large. In Linden where there are limited unemployment oppoutunities, the Government has been promoting entrepreneurship and enterprising among young people. “We are of the view that Government is not the only avenue to create employment

opportunities, we are also promoting entrepreneurship for example Linden Enterprise Network has been a recipient of Government’s initiative to curb unemployment whereby young people can go to LEN and access small loans to open their own small businesses in an effort to create their own employment and provide other employment oppoutunities.”

Agro processing President Granger at his last visit to Linden urged Lindeners to pursue employment in agro processing and value added production rather than to migrate in search of jobs.

The President refuted the claim that unemployment is high in Linden contending that employment can be created right in Linden as there is rich

potential for this to happen.

“Employment is right here in Region 10 and if you have the education and you have the opportunity you will be able to seek employment, satisfying

employment and profitable employment right here. You can do this by agro processing; you can do this by value added production.” “This region is rich in potential but the wealth is leaving the country because we are exporting raw materials instead of processing those materials here, think about furniture factories rather than exporting raw wood you can export furniture,” he exclaimed.

Education is necessary For this to be successful, President Granger said that one must be educated and knowledgeable before mastering the skills of value added production or agro processing. “You can produce citrus, you can produce soursop, you can produce guava but make those products into guava jam and guava jelly and guava cheese, into soursop

Dust from the chimney

drink, and into passion fruit drink….you can stay right here in Region 10 and get rich.” The people of Region 10 should not focus on securing a Government job when there are many oppoutunities of self-employment within their midst.

These oppoutunities he previously alluded to which in his estimation, Region 10 is rich. He explained that Region 10 has in its possession resources that can garner prosperity such as timber, abundance in rich agricultural lands and beautiful touristic scenes. In addition, the region bordering several other regions such as 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 can be deemed well connected and advantageous. “Linden is the belly of Guyana and is well connected, well wired.”

“Why should you be poor?” asked the President.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday JULY 21, 2016

Tears flow as Lindeners reflect on 2012 struggle

NO Retreat, No Surrender!

These were words of motivation to Lindeners in July 2012 as events took a turn for the worst leading to the death of three innocent protestors and injury to scores. Four years after that historic period, Lindeners remain firm on the stand that they will not be retreating or surrendering to any form of injustice that may be meted out to them by the Government.

On Monday, Lindeners commemorated the lives of those who were martyred on that dreadful day in the form of a

wreath laying service and a candle light vigil. Showing support to the occasion was Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marsall, Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes . It was a teary day as relatives of the three martyrs Ron Somerset, Allan Lewis and Shemroy Bouyea reflected on their loved ones and the fact that the passing of four years have not healed

their wounds. Brother of Allan Lewis fought to hold back the tears as he gave a reflection of his brother. “Every time I come back here I don’t want to come but I got to come, there is a reason to be here, I got to come to support my mom because I thought I would of gotten two deaths when my brother died because he was very close to her and today I stand to reflect those very painful moments only God knows the pain we felt because he died so sudden….” Mr. Lewis cried.

Aunt of Ron Somerset said that two weeks before the death

of her nephew, she met him for the first time and they promised to always be in contact after then. “It was the first and it was the last,” she reflected. Uncle of Shemroy Bouyea in his short reflection said that he trembles at the thought that his nephew’s life was snuffed out in the blink of an eye. “The people them who do it, enjoying their life eating fat drinking and partying as normal and we the family got to stay with the pain in we heart until we time come to follow our brothers and our loved ones.”

Former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon in his reflec-

tion urged Lindeners to not only remember the events of the 18th but those that unfolded on the 12th and 14th of August where several persons were shot and though not killed, is still suffering from those wounds. “Mr. Wills at the moment almost lost his leg it was almost shot off….. still sits at home without a job unable to work because of his injury that almost cost him his legs, Mr. Tello was shot in the cheeks and all of this occurred after the 18th.” Solomon said that it is Lindeners responsibility to remember these ones and to show daily support to their families. “There is no religious value, there is no moral authority that say we should not be our brothers’ keepers, it is then incumbent on each and every one of us to be our brother’s keepers, it will always be my message that despite all the complications we arise at and all the leadership and all the misgiving and all the compliments and all the necessary things that go with what occurred on the 18th July 2012 the most important thing will always be the people……….it is not the responsibility of the Mayor or the Chairman of the past Chairman or the prestpator of the church but it is the responsibility of every single Lindener of Region 10 and it is the responsibility of every single Guyanese,” he exclaimed. Solomon articulated that as a result to the mobilization after the 2012 struggle that resulted in 32% of the coalition’s votes that gave them the victory and therefore

efforts and commitments into the town should be much more.

This was echoed by Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes who contended that the State should compensate for the right to life as the Commission of Inquiry only gave economic compensation. “The state must compensate the citizens anytime it unjustly takes the life of its citizens….I urge those in charge of the State tonight to consider all of the injustices that were put upon the people of Guyana and begin to take small steps towards rectifying all the injustices of the past,” argued Mr. Hughes.

The candle light vigil was held at the spot where the three Lindeners were shot while the wreaths were laid on their graves at the Bamia Cemetery. The candles were lit and placed in the form of the martyrs initials. In June 2012, Lindeners took to the streets to protest the increase cost for electricity from $5 per Kilowatt to $65 that was being proposed by the then Government. The protest actions escalated and the entire town was shut down while main roads became impassable. Three Lindeners were shot dead by law enforcement officers while many others were injured. Many public buildings and vehicles were burnt down while public structures were destroyed. The period of events were described as the Linden struggle. Presently, Lindeners continue to enjoy the subsidized payment of electricity of $5 per kilowatt.

Beauty of the week

Shanteal Alleyne This Linden beauty not only memerizes the opposite gender with her breath taking eyes, captivating smile and curvaceous body, but through a soothing and heartwarming voice that echoes through the radio of most Linden homes.

Meet Shanteal Alleyne, a 24 year old petite black woman who proudly flaunts the melanin in her skin. She is a Lindener by birth and is currently the host of the power up your morning show on 104. 3 FM in Linden.

Shanteal is wrapping up her undergraduate degree in

Communication Studies at the University of Guyana and has recently been honoured for her outstanding achievements in journalism by the For the Children’s Sake Foundation.

Though recently given the title of an orphan, Shanteal tries to wet her dry days by captivating others to overcome any obstacle that may be experienced. “When lime gives you lemons, you squeeze the juice on your problems and wash them all way,” is one of her favourite quotes. Shanteal’s life goal is to be a perfectionist at everything she does.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

Berbice man to be charged with rape of three stepdaughters

A Berbice man is expected to appear at the Fort Wellington Magistrate Court today to face his first charge of rape before Magistrate Alex Moore.

The defendant was expected to make his appearance at a Berbice Magistrate Court Wednesday but members of the Magistracy were engaged in a training programme.

Consequently, the 38-year-old man will make his first court appearance today, in relation to the sexual violation of three minors.

The unemployed father of five is expected to face a single charge of rape, committed on the 10-year-old girl. Charges against him for the rape of the two other sisters, ages five and seven, are expected to follow.

This newspaper had reported that the three sisters were found sleeping on the seawalls by welfare officials last week after they were reportedly beaten and thrown out of the house by their step-father. The sisters also claimed that they were raped multiple times by the step-father.

On Tuesday, the thirty-five year old mother of the girls was slapped with three counts of child neglect following her appearance before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Sisters Court, East Bank Berbice. The woman has 10 other children.

She had pleaded not guilty to the separate charges which alleged that on July 19 she wilfully contributed to her children being in need of protective intervention, causing harm to them.

Consequently, the mother was ordered to pay $50,000 bail on each count, totalling $150,000. She is expected to return to court on August 16 for report. Her bail has not been posted.

Thursday July 21th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday July 22th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Saturday July 23th, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

ARIES - Sometimes you’re unable to just power your way through a difficult situation, even though you might try anyway. However, knowing when to hold and when to fold could turn your day around. Prematurely walking away reduces the immediate pressure, but doesn’t resolve the underlying cause. Stay where you are, even if it’s uncomfortable. You can find brilliant solutions beneath the current stress -- but only if you’re willing to engage in the magical process of transformation.

TAURUS - You might wish you could become a hermit for the day -- but you can’t.

Although you may be confused about your role in a group activity, you don’t really want to push your friends away; you just hope the emotional drama will disappear without your involvement. However, interacting with others is also a major source of inspiration now and you count on your social network to support you when you need it. Fortunately, a solution isn’t required yet. Surprisingly, the tension begins to dissipate once you accept the temporary uncertainty and go with the flow.

GEMINI - You can talk your way in and out of problems today, but it’s no fun to be in a nearly constant state of stress. Steer clear of heavy fog instead of swinging into motion after you’re already in trouble. In other worlds, don’t drive if you can’t see the road in front of you. It’s better to slow down or even stop than to create a dangerous situation. There’s nothing to prove to anyone now. Nevertheless, once your clarity returns, be ready to hit the gas and make up for lost time.

CANCER - You know you are at a turning point yet you can’t imagine what might be around the next corner. The nurturing Cancer Sun has encouraged you to reconnect with those you love. But soon everything is about to change and you cannot stay in the nest just because it feels safe and cozy. The problem is you may not have a clue as to where you’re going next. Nevertheless, you must spread your wings and fly. Thankfully, the notion of leaving home is worse than the actual deed. Fear looks, faith jumps.

LEO - There is no time to waste since your show is about to start when the radiant Sun enters your expressive sign tomorrow. However, you were more certain about your relationship status last week than you are today. Don’t make any sudden moves yet because, most likely, very little has changed in the basic interpersonal dynamics. You will be happily surprised when the sky clears and you wake up with the sunshine on your face.

VIRGO - You’re ready to shake up the status quo, but you’re worried about making changes that actually set you back. The truth is that your judgment may be slightly off today and your less-than-critical thinking could prompt you to make a bad decision. Don’t assume that your new method is an improvement just because you can see the results you want in your mind’s eye. Continue to explore the possibilities now without committing to any one path.

LIBRA - You crave more freedom in a relationship now and are considering bringing the subject up in a conversation. Unfortunately, a discussion may not follow your ideal script today; the more you talk, the more elusive the truth. However, avoiding the subject won’t further your cause. Rather than announcing to your partner what doesn’t work for you, focus on what does. Any forward movement is healthy as long as you allow nature to follow her own course. Planting a seed is more effective than trying to prematurely harvest the entire crop.

SCORPIO - You might be stuck between a rock and a hard place today with no apparent way out. But your current dilemma is likely of your own making, especially if you’re holding onto the past too tightly. There’s a wave of new energy heading your way, but you must be ready to receive it. Letting go of old feelings makes room for new ones. Joseph Campbell wrote, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek.

SAGITTARIUS - Your friends are willing to put up with your idiosyncrasies because they know how brilliant you are when you’re on a roll. But you can’t get away with pretending to be so certain of the future if you’ve come untethered in the present. Instead of pushing your relationships further and further off the deep end, bring your feelings back to the here and now. You can travel anywhere in your imagination once your feet are solidly on the ground.

CAPRICORN - You sound like you’re expressing yourself on a profoundly deep level today, but your words may stir up more confusion than resolution. It’s not necessarily your intention to mislead anyone, but language is more like a smokescreen now that obscures reality rather than exposing it. Unfortunately, you might believe you’re getting your message across when nothing could be further from the truth. As Confucius said, “Silence is a true friend that never betrays.

AQUARIUS - Although people may be exceptionally nice to you now, their current motives are not fully transparent. On one hand, you can just accept someone’s good deed without asking any questions. Or you might fearfully reject an individual’s honourable behaviour without waiting to learn your assumptions were wrong. Jumping to conclusions is dangerous today. Your mind is powerful, yet it will steer you wrong unless you take the time to exercise your brain.

PISCES - Your anger could bubble to the surface now, creating a little mess you will need to clean up. One simple emotional outburst won’t fix anything; in fact, it could send you in a wrong direction, especially if you’re looking for love, truth and beauty in all the wrong places. Observe your inner processes while you can still see them. So many things are about to change and what was easily visible today could vanish by tomorrow. As Lao Tzu wrote, “He who knows himself is enlightened.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, July 21, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 21, 2016

Digicel National Schools Football Championships

Defending champions Samuels, Taylor take top WICB/WIPA honours Christianburg/Wismar advance on penalties

By Stephan Sookram

“Five! Five! Five Five! Five!” those were the chants of the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School as they moved on to the quarter-finals of the Digicel Schools Football Championships yesterday and on course for their fifth title.

Playing North West Secondary School at the Mabaruma Settlement ground, the touring Linden and four-time defending champions continued on their mission.

From the opening minute, the Linden side looked the better of the two, utilising the compacting style of their midfield and sending balls over their opponents’ defence.

They seemed the more likely to score after testing the goalkeeper on several occasions with one shot flying wide of the crossbar.

However, the half ended scoreless.

On the return, the Linden side had their most clear-cut chances after Brian Johnson wasted his one-on-one chance with the keeper. The over 700 persons gathered on the day held their breath as the NWSS keeper collected Johnson’s finessed shot at the left corner.

There were several other chances in the second half including a set piece from the corner which the goalkeeper managed to push out but it had to come down to penalties to determine the team who would move forward.

Kicking first, the Linden side opened the scoring to which their opponents responded. The NWSS keeper blocked the second and then returned to score his team’s second to send them ahead with success continuing for both sides up until Christianburg’s fourth shot which was also blocked.

Heading to sudden-death penalties, both teams scored before nerves got the better of NWSS’ Zendon Solomon who skied his spot kick, sending the defending champions into the next round.

The Linden side now face Tutorial Academy of Berbice on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in other matches yesterday Vergenoegen were beaten by Annai 3-0 at Leonora, Mahdia at home beat Bush Lot 4-3 on penalties in Mahdia, DC Caesar Fox beat Charity 1-0 at Mainstay.

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:45 hrs Justash 09:20 hrs Ronnie Rocket 09:55 hrs Spring Dance 10:30 hrs Vee Man 11:05 hrs In The Loop English Racing Tips Sandown 09:00 hrs Her Terms 09:30 hrs St Michel 10:05 hrs On Her Toes 10:40 hrs Natural Scenery 11:10 hrs Furiant 11:45 hrs Tripartite Newbury 12:35 hrs Obboorr 13:05 hrs Deningy 13:35 hrs SPIRITOUS 14:10 hrs Ravens Quest 15:10 hrs Bay Of St Malo 15:45 hrs Oat Couture Doncaster 12:50 hrs DanishDuke 13:20 hrs Samharry

13:50 hrs Raven’s Corner 14:25 hrs Gravity Flow 14:55 hrs Sainted 15:25 hrs Island Flame 16:00 hrs Bertie Moon Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 13:00 hrs World War 13:30 hrs Power Struggle 14:00 hrs Promise To Be True 14:35 hrs Churchill 15:05 hrs Kadra 15:35 hrs My Manekineko American Racing Tips Gulfstrean Park Race 1 Cowboy Princess Race 2 Daddy Duke Race 3 Determined Lady Race 4 El Gran Joyful Race 5 To Your Health Race 6 Garden Goddess Race 7 It’s Time To Laugh Race 8 Phish Fan Race 9 Antoine’s

MARLON Samuels was named the ODI Player-of-theYear and Cricketer-of-the-Year in WICB/WIPA annual awards function in Antigua on Tuesday night.

Samuels has scored 859 runs in 22 ODIs since 2015, including three centuries. With 258 runs at an average of 36.85, he finished as the second-highest run-getter behind Australia captain Steven Smith in the tri-series in West Indies last month.

Prior to that, Samuels had played a starring role in West Indies’ World T20 title win in India. He smashed an unbeaten 85 off 66 balls in West Indies’ chase of 156, which fetched him his second Man-of-the-Match award in a World T20 final.

Stafanie Taylor scooped the Women’s T20 Player-ofthe-Year and ODI Player-of-the-Year awards. Taylor, who was appointed captain in September 2015, led West Indies Women to their first World T20 title in April. She was the leading run-getter in the tournament, with 246 runs in six matches, including 59 in the final against Australia Women.

Her ODI form since the start of 2015 has also been excellent: 491 runs in 10 matches at 70.14.

Darren Bravo was named the Test Player-of-the-Year while Dwayne Bravo took the Caribbean T20 Player-ofthe-Year award. Chris Gayle, meanwhile, bagged the T20 Player-of-the-Year award.

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who collected six wickets on Test debut against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval in October 2015, was named Emerging Player-of-the-Year.

Shimron Hetmyer, who led West Indies to Under-19 glory in Bangladesh earlier this year, won the Under-19 Player-of-the-Year award. He made 158 runs in six matches in the tournament at an average of 26.33.

AWARD WINNERS Under-19: Team-of-the-Year - Guyana Under-19: Player-of-the-Year - Shimron Hetmyer First-class Team-of-the-Year - Guyana PCL 50-over Player-of-the-Year - Jason Mohammed PCL Four-day Player-of-the-Year Veerasammy Permaul Caribbean T20 Player-of-the-Year - Dwayne Bravo ODI Player-of-the-Year - Marlon Samuels Women’s ODI Player-of-the-Year - Stafanie Taylor Test Player-of-the-Year - Darren Bravo T20 Player-of-the-Year - Chris Gayle Women’s T20 Player-of-the-Year - Stafanie Taylor Emerging Player-of-the-Year - Jomel Warrican WICB Lifetime Achievement Award: Clarvis Joseph WIPA Lifetime Achievement Award: Ralston Otto Women’s Player-of-the-Year - Stafanie Taylor Cricketer-of-the-Year - Marlon Samuels

Guyana Boys beat Jamaica 3-2

THE Guyana Boys’ team landed a 3-2 win against Jamaica, yesterday, as they began the defence of their title at the ongoing Caribbean Junior Squash Championships currently being held at the South Sound Squash Center in the Cayman Islands.

The boys got off to a good start as Boys’ Under-13 champion Shomari Wiltshire opened with a win against Tobias Levy. Next up, Alec Melville took down Tahjia Lumley for 3-1.

Benjamin Mekdeci won his match against Stephan Morrison before Daniel Islam yielded to Sebastian Levy and Alex Cheeks lost to Jonathan Walker.

Meanwhile, as the Girls team took on their second match against the Cayman Islands Girls, Girls’ Under-19 Caribbean champion Larissa Wiltshire won her match.

The Guyana girls were up 3-1 up to last evening as matches continued.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday JULY 21, 2016

Froome nails rivals to move closer to third Tour title

By Julien Pretot

FINHAUT-EMOSSON, Switzerland (Reuters) Britain’s Chris Froome took another big step towards a third Tour de France title when he dropped his main rivals in the finale of the 17th stage, a 184-km mountain trek won by Russian Ilnur Zakarin yesterday.

Froome (Team Sky) attacked inside the final two km in the last ascent, a punishing 10.4-km climb at an average gradient of 8.4 percent and Dutchman Bauke Mollema, second overall, as well as last year’s runner-up Nairo Quintana, could not follow.

The Briton finished on the wheel of former teammate Richie Porte (BMC), the Australian emerging as a potential podium finisher in Paris.

Yellow jersey leader Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain reacts on the podium.

(Reuters/Juan Medina) Froome, who stayed behind Porte in the final straight, extended his lead over Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) to 2:27 and compatriot Adam Yates (Orica) to 2:53.

“There was no real need to get on the front tactically, obviously it was the first day of a four-day block, tomor-

row is going to be critical,” said Froome, referring to today’s 18th stage, a brutal 17-km uphill time trial from Sallanches to Megeve.

Colombian Quintana (Movistar), who has been lacking his usual stamina in the long climbs, is fourth, 3:27 off the pace after losing

28 seconds to Froome when he was expected to attack.

The decisive move was made by Porte, who jumped away from the favourites’ group about 2km from the line, with Froome the only rider able to follow him thanks to a short but brutal acceleration.

Porte climbed from seventh to sixth overall, 4:27 off the pace, but his recent form suggests he will continue to move up the GC (general classification), taking sole leadership at BMC after teammate Tejay van Garderen cracked in the penultimate climb of a gruelling day in the Swiss Alps.

Frenchman Romain Bardet (AG2r-La Mondiale) continued his fine Tour, moving up one spot to fifth, 4:15 off the lead.

CRAZY HOUR A 14-man breakaway,

featuring world champion Peter Sagan and his Tinkoff teammate Rafal Majka, the polka dot jersey wearer, took shape after a crazy first hour of racing during which the peloton covered 51.8km.

They reached the foot of the penultimate ascent, a 13-km climb to the Col de la Forclaz at an average gradient of 7.9 percent, with a 13-minute advantage.

Majka was the first at the top, strengthening his lead in the mountain classification.

The main bunch was quickly skimmed down to about 20 riders and American Van Garderen, who was targeting a podium finish in Paris, was dropped midway through the ascent.

Q u i n t a n a ’s t e a m mate, Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, also fell behind in the last climb, losing all

reasonable hope of repeating his third-place finish of 2015.

Majka (Tinkoff) and Colombian Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling), winner of the 15th stage, attacked the leading group in the descent.

They were joined in the final climb by Zakarin (Katusha), who jumped away 6.5km from the finish, followed by Pantano.

The Russian went again with 5.8km left and never looked back, his medallion tapping on his bare chest until he managed to zip up his jersey before crossing the line, his face a mask of pain, for a first Tour stage win.

“I’m really happy, I want to thank my teammates. I gave everything.

It’s really, really big for me,” said Zakarin, who is back at the top after a horror crash in this year’s Giro d’Italia.

Dant, Better Hope clash in Saturday’s Caribbean Sensation final

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – In 2014, Dant entered the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and made an instant and unprecedented impact, winning all the major titles at stake in the Conference A, a feat never before achieved in the history of the league.

Dant’s Hemnarine Entering last year ob- Chattergoon after his viously a confident bunch, entertaining knock in Dant however found the Saturday’s semi-final going tough and were forced to wait until the final day formances in the 2015 seaof the season to cart off the son, which also included Champion of Champions defeat at the hands of New trophy with a thumping win York Enforcers in the Toover archrivals Caribbean ronto Cup final, Dant came Sensation who had previ- out with renewed vigour this ously defeated them in the year and have been unbeaten Conference final. to date in all three tournaUndaunted by their per- ments (10/10, 15-over and

the 20-over regular season) and look set to capture all three like they did in their debut season.

The first attempt will be made on Saturday when Dant oppose Better Hope in the Caribbean Sensation-sponsored 10/10 final, set for the Ashtonbee ground, Scarborough, starting at 09:00hrs.

The final also forms part of the OSCL annual Family Day and will also see defending champions Caribbean Sensation battle with East Coast in the Consolation final.

On their way to the final, Dant got past top teams Caribbean Sensation, the much-vaunted Rems and Sunshine in last Saturday’s semi-final and should start as firm favourites to stop

Better Hope in their tracks in the tournament which was played with white balls last season but has since reverted to Supreme.

Led by former Berbice player Loaknauth Ramsuchit, Dant include the likes of vice-captain and opener Hemnarine Chattergoon, the hard-hitting Damodar Daesrath, Shaun Deonandan and Riaz Kadir while the evergreen Satrohan ‘Blade’ Balkarran lead the bowling attack.

The return of Aftab ‘Maxie’ Shamshudeen after a self-imposed exile, has also helped to bolster the batting and bowling.

Not to be outdone, the Better Hope players are confident they are capable of upstaging their opponents.

Skipper Sunil ‘Skadachie’ Ramkissoon, who is expected to play a major role with both bat and ball, has been very consistent during the season and will be hoping that form continues on Saturday.

Better Hope will also depend heavily on batters Amernauth Sukhoo, Amit Arjun, Suresh Persaud and Jairam Ramoutar with Gavin Singh and Shamir Latif playing key roles in the bowling department.

Meanwhile, in last Saturday’s semi-final, played at Glenobles Public School ground, Dant defeated Sunshine by 23 runs in a high-scoring game.

Winning the toss and taking first strike, Dant reached a challenging 114 for five in their allotted 10 overs with

Chattergoon leading the way with an aggressive 30 which included three sixes and two fours. Daesrath (17), Ramsuchit (17) and Deonandan (15) supported with useful contributions. Avinash Sukhdeo claimed two for six from two overs.

Sunshine, in reply, were restricted to 91 for five when their overs expired with Anil Etwaroo clobbering three sixes in a top score of 26 while Imran Khan made 17.

Shamshudeen grabbed two for nine in his two overs.

The Consolation final between Caribbean Sensation and East Coast has also evoked much interest with both teams looking to salvage some pride following their exit from the main draw.

O’Keefe ten-for crushes Sri Lankan XI

AUSTRALIA’S spinners will move into the Test series wellheeled and confident, after setting in motion a dramatic collapse that yielded seven wickets for 33 runs on the third and final day of their tour fixture, at the P Sara Oval.

On a surface that had begun to take fast turn, Steve O’Keefe collected his second five-wicket haul of the match, in only 6.5 overs. At the other end, Nathan Lyon tuned up with 2 for 14 from five overs; Sri Lankan XI were

dismissed for 83 as Australians completed an innings-and-162run victory.

“We’ll definitely take a lot of confidence out of the victory,” Lyon said after the match. “Steve Smith came in today and said: ‘Let’s really make a statement.’

Taking nine wickets in a session to close out a first-class win is a pretty big statement.”

Having become Australia’s highest scorer as well, in a morning session in which he

shared a 58-run stand for the tenth wicket with Jackson Bird, O’Keefe was especially effective against the right-handers in the Sri Lankan side.

He pitched on middle and leg, then spun the ball past the defence of Asela Gunaratne to rattle off stump and claim his first wicket.

Later in that over, Shehan Jayasuriya was out sweeping to Bird at deep square leg.

Dasun Shanaka was caught behind off O’Keefe and the tail-

enders fell lbw or bowled to his straighter, quicker deliveries. In addition to the 78 not out with the bat, O’Keefe collected match figures of 10 for 64, raising Australia’s likelihood of fielding a dual-spin attack for the first Test.

Lyon was more subdued in the match, and had actually been expensive on the first day, when he was reported to have fallen ill. Despite his figures, he said he was bowling well, and felt well-prepared for his second

Test tour of Sri Lanka, which he begins now as a senior player.

“I’m the only one to have played Test-match cricket over here out of the bowlers,” Lyon said. “It was good for all our bowlers to get out here and adapt to conditions. A lot of us are coming off white-ball cricket. It’s good to spend some time out there and get some long overs under our belt. I’ve felt I’ve grown a lot on and off the field since that 2011 tour to

Sri Lanka. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

The Sri Lankan XI will be disappointed at the abject collapse, and Milinda Siriwardana will perhaps reflect most on the missed opportunity. He was caught for 2 off Lyon, but will have wanted at least a half-century to firm up a place in the Sri Lanka Test squad. Shanaka has not made a strong case for inclusion either, collecting middling returns with both bat and ball.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 21, 2016

Sir Viv expects balanced Antigua pitch

CRICKETING legend and former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richard, is hoping for a balanced pitch when the regional squad hosts India in the first of a four-Test series here at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket

Ground starting today.

Regarded as one of the finest batsmen to have played the game, Sir Viv shared his concerns over the lack of quality pitches in the past, but said indications are that both players and fans are in

for a pleasant change this time around.

“I was speaking to the groundsman recently and he told me that he is looking to make some changes, where he is hoping to have some more bounce on the track itself.

Hoping that he could have this sort of a wicket that produces the pace and bounce that I think, maybe, would be of help. And not just maybe, to the bowlers but also to batters,” he said.

“If the ball is going to bounce around like that, batsmen do like to know that the ball is coming through so long as it’s even. But having said that, let’s wait and see what the pitch offers up.”

India arrived over the weekend and are preparing for the well-publicised match.

Sir Viv, who amassed 8 540

runs in 121 Tests, urged the public to turn out in numbers for the important opening match.

“It’s not going to be like when England tours or anything like that with the barmy army because they bring a huge volume in terms of bodies.

“But I just hope that maybe, because of how hard the Ministry of Sports would have tried to make sure and secure that we have a match here, that the people do (justice) in terms of the support,” Sir Viv said.

Sir Viv met with a number of the touring India players on Monday night, wishing them luck in their upcoming series.

Following the opening Test, the series moves to Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica on July 30 before the third Test starts on August 9 in St Lucia at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

The fourth and final Test will be played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Barbados from August 22.

(First published In The Antigua Observer)

Ramdhanis suffer mixed fortunes at Junior Pan American badminton championships Lodha Committee secretary warns The Indian team had practised in the morning at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and in the evening they had a chance to interact with the Legend himself.

BCCI and states against violation

ENTRUSTED with overseeing the transition at the BCCI, the Lodha Committee aims to ensure that all the recommendations approved by the Supreme Court are carried out by both the board and the state associations concurrently.

In the following six months, both the BCCI and the state associations will need to clean up their house and refurbish it based on the various recommendations.

Secretary of the Lodha Committee, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, warned that if the BCCI or the states were to violate any of the rules laid out in the Lodha report, they would be guilty of contempt of court.

“If either the BCCI or the state associations choose to take steps now which are inconsistent with the letter and spirit of the committee’s bylaws which have been approved by the court, then they will be guilty of contempt of court,” Sankaranarayanan told ESPNcricinfo.

“The duty cast upon the Lodha Committee, the BCCI as well as all the state associations commenced yesterday with the judgement.”

In a historical verdict on Monday morning, the twojudge bench of the Supreme

Court, comprising Chief Justice of India TS Thakur and Justice Ibrahim Kallifullah, accepted most of the recommendations made by the Lodha Committee.

The court said the recommendations were binding not just on the BCCI, but also on the state associations, and both had up to six months to implement the recommendations.

This, it could be interpreted, will render possible forthcoming state association elections in contempt and should they be held at all, their results null and void.

Office-bearers and officials at both the BCCI and the states have been slow to react, stating they would study the order before deciding the next step. That next step, it is understood, might not be theirs anymore - the Lodha Committee is likely to go into the minutiae of every state association in order to ensure that every recommendation will be adhered to and due administrative changes are put in place by the time the six-month deadline is completed.

The committee would not want to be seen as being slow by merely observing what the BCCI and the states are doing in the next six months. The resulting message that could

go out to the states is that the only way they could remain Full Members is by adhering to the new rules laid out in the Lodha report and carrying out the constitutional amendments ordered by the court. So if Delhi and District Cricket Association wants to continue to be a Full Member, it will need to get rid of proxy voting, the biggest malaise affecting one of the oldest cricket associations in the country.

Similarly, if any state association is holding elections before the court deadline expires, the Lodha Committee has the powers to dictate to the state whether it can actually go to polls, or if the results can be frozen, if the candidate(s) qualify to stand for elections or not.

There have been questions on whether the BCCI and the states might need to rewrite their respective constitutions and bylaws.

However, it is understood the Supreme Court has already approved both the memorandum of rules as well as the bylaws that were written and submitted to it by the Lodha Committee, which appears to indicate that the BCCI will, as party to the judgement already made, accept a new constitution. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA’S top male and female badminton players Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani suffered mixed fortunes at the Junior Pan American badminton championships currently underway at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Lima, Peru.

According to a release, both players are faced with high altitude and cold conditions as it’s Peru’s winter period but four-time Pan American medallist Priyanna Ramdhani started in great form by winning her first-round matches in both Under-15 Girls’ singles and Girls’ doubles.

In the Girls’ singles competition, Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Beien Trocoso of Chile 21-11, 16-21, 21-16, while in the Girls’ doubles she reached the quarterfinals, teaming up with Sara Michelle Barrios Chiong of Guatemala to defeat Andera Flores and Ariana Airi Moromisato of Peru 21-12, 21-8 Narayan Ramdhani seeded No.2 in the singles draw, due to a muscle injury, lost his match to Nicardo Reid of Jamaica.

According to the release, Narayan won the first game 21-14, but during the second game, leading at 14-6, he picked up a muscle injury and lost 21-6.

In the third game, although he tried mentally to get back in the game his physical injury prevented him from achieving success.

Continuous training for him was hampered due to the unavailability of both

Part of the action at the Junior Pan American badminton championships playing halls (Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the National Gymnasium) due to the CBU Basketball Championships).

The release pointed out that at these high level tournaments like Pan Am, you have to be fully prepared especially when you have to play at the highest level against world-ranked players in the Under-19 events.

The next match Narayan had to play later in the evening was the Mixed doubles with his sibling, Priyanna, but again he could not overcome his injury and lost to Sane Wilson and Alana Bailey of Jamaica: 21-11, 21-11 The tournament con-

tinued yesterday with Priyanna Ramdhani set to do battle with Adriana Bernales Pinillos in singles and Narayan Ramdhani and Shea Martin of Barbados playing against Ailton Josue Correa Martinez and Francisco Rafael Trevino of Mexico in doubles.

The Guyana Badminton Association would like to thank the Guyana Olympic Association and National Sports Commission, Mr Yesu Persaud of Demerara Bank, Mr Philip DaSilva, Mr Neville Osman and Continental Group of Companies (SUNBURST) for their contributions to help make Guyana’s participation possible.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday JULY 21, 2016

Moore satisfied with U-15s preparation

By Rajiv Bisnauth

DESPITE the lack of valuable turf practice, coach of the national Under-15 team, Julian Moore, has expressed satisfaction regarding the squad’s preparation for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional tournament set for Grenada from July 27 to August 3.

The squad ended their encampment period yesterday after a stint at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara, and Moore indicated that much emphasis was placed on the physical conditioning and the technique of each player.

Moore revealed that the players went through the fundamentals of batting, bowling and fielding in

addition to the basic fitness routines during the camp.

“The batsmen worked on their shot selection, while the bowlers when through their delivery strides and lengths. The players also did some improvised fielding drills, so overall I am happy with the preparations,” Moore said.

The former Guyana youth player also disclosed that he was satisfied with the team’s fitness level and general preparation.

Moore continued: “We have a group of talented players, a group that I am confident will make Guyana proud and I know once they stick to their game plan and play to their abilities, we can easily defend our title.”

Further the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) came in for high praise from

… commends GCB for extended training camp

Julian Moore Moore.

“I must commend the GCB for the extended training camp. This is the first time that we had such a long camp leading up to the Under-15 tournament, and I must commend them (GCB)

Ann’s Grove, Eagles advance to quarter-final round ANN’S Grove and Eagles United booked their places in the 21st Annual Mayor’s Cup football tournament on Sunday evening when they defeated Cougars and Uitvlugt in the last-of-16 round of the competition at the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara.

The East Coast team Ann’s Grove edged Cougars of Berbice 2-1 through a 28th minute goal from Hikosie Denny and a Quincy Johnson’s 32nd minute goal.

Mark Wong pulled one back for Cougars in the 70th minute.

In the other game of the double-header card, Eagles of Linden also edged Uitvlugt of West Demerara 1-0 through a Jameel Allicock 53rd minute.

The event will continue on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) with four matches beginning at 13:00hrs.

In the opening game, Guyana Police Force will match force with Sun-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday July 21, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Roger Harper (2) Omar Khan Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest individual score made at the Kensington Oval, Barbados in Hero CPL 2016?

(2) What is the highest team score made at the Kensington Oval, Barbados in Hero CPL 2016?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

burst Camptown in an all-Georgetown affair, while from 17:00hrs, Santos of Georgetown take on Beavers of West Demerara.

From 19:00hrs, Riddim Squad tackle Pouderoyen in an all-West Demerara affair. The feature match brings together Western Tigers of Georgetown and Den Amstel of West Demerara.

The winners of the competition will receive $700 000 and the Mayor’s trophy which has been donated by Aruwai Resort while the runners-up will be rewarded with $300 000 and the Ansa McAl trophy.

The third-place teams will earn $200 000 and the John Fernandes trophy while the fourth-placed will collect $100 000 and the Minister of State trophy.

The player scoring the highest number of goals in the tournament will be rewarded with a threepiece suite, compliments of AH&L Kissoon’s Furniture Store.

for that,” Moore said.

The Guyanese captured the title last year on home soil by topping the points table, following victories over Leeward Islands, Jamaica and Windwards, and in spite of no-results against Trinidad

& Tobago and Barbados.

The tournament – in its 21st year – will be contested under a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of matches with the team accumulating the most points being declared champions.

The Regional Under-15 tournament commenced in 1996 with then-hosts T&T taking the inaugural title.

They hold the record for the most titles with seven, also winning the title in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2013.

Reigning champions Guyana have claimed the top prize four times comprising back-to-back titles twice – in 1998 and 1999, and again 2014 and last year.

Jamaica have won the title on four occasions (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and Barbados have won three times (1997, 2004, 2012).

Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, leaving Leewards yet to win the title.

Sachin Singh will lead the Under-15 squad while the other members of the squad are: Seon Glasgow, Yeudistir Persaud, Mohamed Shoaib Shaw, Jarron France, Lance Roberts, Gevon Schultz, Amos Sarwan, Dwaine Dick, Nickeen Noble, Sheldon Charles, Leon Swamy, Nigel Deodat and Daniel Paul.

The squad will depart for Grenada on Sunday.

GCF names five-man team for 2016 Junior Caribbean Championships

THE Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) recently announced a five-man team of cyclists to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the Junior Championships to be staged in St Lucia on July 30 and 31.

According to a release, the five-member team is spearheaded by national junior time trial and road race champion Christopher Cornelius of Team Evolution and includes the experienced quartet of Team United’s Andrew Hicks and Raphael Leung along with Jornel Yearwood of Linden Bauxite Flyers and the lone juvenile Zaman Khan of Flying Ace Cycle Club.

Apart from the road race, the Guyanese will also contest the time trials.

The GCF named two persons to accompany the team in the form of Randolph Roberts as coach and Marc Sonoram as manager.

The local pedal-pushers who are `firing on all cylinders’ will be opposing their counterparts from Barbados, United States Virgin Islands,

Raphael Leung

Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Martinique and Puerto Rico.

The 10K time trial for Boys 15-16 years old juveniles, and the 20K for Juniors will all be held on

July 30 in the afternoon on the Millennium Highway, while the road race will be contested the following day.

The juveniles will cover a distance of 62.2K while the juniors will race for 100K.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 21, 2016

India, Windies face contrasting challenges in Test series

will be played in Jamaica (July 30- August 3), St Lucia (August 9-13) and Trinidad (August 18-22).

By Andrew Both (REUTERS) - India’s Test ranking has long been based on their formidable home form but the side aim to impress new coach Anil Kumble by showing they can adapt to conditions outside the subcontinent in a four-Test against West Indies starting in Antigua today.

For the hosts, however, the task is more straightforward -- simply proving they can still be competitive in the long form of the game.

Since last touring West Indies in 2011, when they ground out a 1-0 Test series victory (with two draws), India have lost six consecutive series outside of Asia – two each in England and Aus-

Virat Kohli

Jason Holder

tralia and one each in South Africa and New Zealand.

Their record in that time is one win, 15 defeats and five draws. That does not include a 2-1 series victory in nearby Sri Lanka last year, where conditions are

typically similar to those encountered at home.

Former leg-spinner Kumble was recently appointed head coach of the Indians, who are second behind Australia in the Test rankings, after pitching a plan to fix

that miserable away record.

And while he has already moved to tighten discipline, introducing a fine of $50 for being late, he shies away from being branded a strict disciplinarian.

“All I know I am a cricket coach and whether I am strict or lenient, you will probably have to ask the team,” he said recently.

Kumble could hardly ask for a better chance to start the job on a winning note than against a West Indies team weakened by administrative conflict and the unavailability of several key players, with fast bowler Jerome Taylor the latest to retire from the Test format.

While West Indies excel in the Twenty20 format,

they are eighth of nine nations in the Test rankings, ahead only of minnows Bangladesh.

Kumble has stressed his team must demonstrate patience throughout the series, a sentiment shared by West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite.

“We expect to face a lot of spin against the Indians in this series, so it is about playing the waiting game,” said Brathwaite, who blasted four sixes in a row against England to seal West Indies’ World Twenty20 triumph in April.

“We need to look to spend long periods at the crease so we are preaching that in the dressing room.”

After the first Test in Antigua, the remaining Tests

SQUADS: We s t I n d i e s : J a s o n Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels I n d i a : Vi r a t K o h l i (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Rohit Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

USACA goes to court to stop CPL matches in Florida

THE USA Cricket Association (USACA) has filed a lawsuit in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Broward County, Florida attempting to stop six Caribbean Premier League matches from being played in Lauderhill.

The matches were to be played at the Central Broward Regional Park from July 28 to 31 and the USACA argued that the CPL did not go through the proper sanctioning process to be able to stage games in the USA. ESPNcricinfo had access to the court filings that were made on the afternoon of July 18, showing the defendants as Broward County, Broward County parks & recreation, CBRP parks and recreation manager Duncan Finch and Lauderhill Mayor Richard J Kaplan.

Along with USACA, the plaintiffs in the filings are listed

Six CPL matches are scheduled to be played at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida (CPL/Sportsfile)

as former USACA executive secretary Kenwyn Williams and current USACA vice-president Owen Grey. The court documents showed that Williams directly filed them with the 17th Circuit Court, listing himself as ‘Managing Director’ of USACA. In a sworn affidavit included in the court filings, Williams claimed to have been managing director of USACA since March 2015 and that he reports directly to Grey.

However, the USACA has no formal paid or board position by that title and Williams is not listed as a current staff or board member on their website.

Lawyers representing USACA had sent Williams a cease and desist notice last month after he threatened to sue Broward County over the CPL staging, claiming he did not represent the interest of USACA, which was suspended in 2015.

However, Grey and Williams have been longtime allies

since Williams’ time on the USACA board in 2012. Grey offered his support to Williams last month after the cease and desist letter was sent to Williams and Grey’s status as a co-plaintiff in the case is an indication of conflict within the board. Grey has signed a sworn affidavit in support of the suit dated July 13 and included in the court documents.

In the filings, Williams stated that USACA is seeking an emergency injunction to stop the matches, claiming that the board is the sanctioning authority for cricket in the USA and that the CPL had bypassed them to reach an agreement with Broward County.

Williams also argued that Broward County’s actions to partner with the CPL “tortuously interfere with USA Cricket’s prospective economic relationship, causing irreparable injury to petitioners’ revenue

potential and reputation” and that the revenue is “desperately needed to promote and develop amateur cricket among its thousands of members.”

However, USACA’s sanctioning authority was stripped by the ICC in June 2015 under the terms of USACA’s administrative suspension.

As part of support documents in the court filings, Williams submitted a letter dated June 6, 2012, written by then ICC Americas regional development manager Martin Vieira, stating that the ICC “recognise USACA as the sole governing body for the sport in the United States of America and can confirm that they are in good standing and in compliance with all rules and regulations of the ICC.” Vieira has since retired and been replaced by Ben Kavenagh and the letter predates USACA’s suspension by three years.

WICB Regional Women’s T20 tourney bowls off today COACH of the Guyana Women team Andre Percival believes that his batters need to show more application in order to put enough runs on the board for their strong bowling attack to defend, when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Women’s T20 tournament bowls off today, with three matches at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Guyana will battle Lee-

ward Islands under lights from 19:00hrs, and Percival, who represented Guyana in 31 firstclass matches, feels that there is enough talent and ability within the squad.

To this end, Percival is calling on his experienced players, especially his batters to step up to provide the needed runs in order for the bowlers to have sufficient totals to defend.

“Over the years our batting has been the concern, and I’m

stressing on the batters again to put good runs on the board because we have a good bowling unit but we just need to get the runs and defend,” the 41-yearold pointed out.

Meanwhile, Percival, a former national all-rounder feels Guyana have the experience to adopt to the T20 format, despite the limited on-field action during the Super50 tournament.

“We had only two games during the 50 overs tournament.

Those games were reduced to 20 overs, but we have a lot of experienced players, it’s just to have them up their game a little more over the next few days.

“I think we have the allround strength in the team so we expect anyone to deliver for us,” he concluded.

In the other two matches scheduled for today Barbados will play Trinidad and Tobago from 09:00hrs while Jamaica will clash

with Windward Islands from 14:00hrs.

GUYANA: Melaine Henry, Latoya Smith, Shemaine Campbelle, Kavita Yadram, Shakiba Gajnabi, Heema Singh, Tremayne Smartt (C), Akaze Thompson (VC), Plaffiana Millington, Subrina Munroe, Erva Giddings, Mandy Mangru, Lashuna Toussaint, and Kaysia Shultz. The manager is Carol Nurse and the coach is Andre Percival.

LEEWARD ISLANDS: Shawnisha Hector (capt.), Saneldo Willett (v-capt.), Amanda Edwards, Jenisen Richards, Terez Barker, Eldora Sylvester, Sherma Jackson, Grace Persaud, Melicia Clarke, Jasmine Clarke, Davanna Claxton, Rozel Liburd, Kimberly Dookhan, and Kerisha Powell. The manager is Kattian Baltimore and the coach is Percy Daniel. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

USACA goes to court to stop CPL matches in Florida

(See Story on page 27 )

Digicel National Schools Football Championships

Defending champions Christianburg/ Wismar advance on penalties

(See Story on page 23)

The victorious Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School pose for a photo.

Samuels, Taylor take top WICB/WIPA honours

(See page 23)

NWSS’ Zendon Solomon skied his spot kick, sending the defending champions Christianburg/Wismar into the next round of the Digicel Schools Football Championship. (Stephan Sookram) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Marlon Samuels (right) and Stafanie Taylor pose with their trophies after sweeping the top awards at the WICB/WIPA Awards Ceremony Tuesday night.

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016