Guyana Chronicle Epaper 21 07 2017

$200M Lethem building crumbles Page 2

FRIDAY , JULY 21, 2017

Price: $80

Dr Roopnaraine withdraws resignation No. 104980

(VAT Inclusive)

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STEM Guyana team returns home

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Guyana can tap US$44M OPEC Fund Page 10

Duo charged in $85M cocaine bust Page 5

John DaSilva

First Lady Sandra Granger (third from right) with the STEM Guyana team after they touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) following an impressive showing at the recently concluded Global Robot Championship in Washington DC, USA

Guyanese miners killed in Venezuela

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Kevin Fitzroy

Gov’t seeks additional funds to boost prison system Page 15

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Guyanese miners $200M Lethem building crumbles killed in Venezuela

By Alva Solomon

Before-and-after images of the building LETHEM Mayor Carlton Beckles has rebuffed reports that a building which collapsed to pieces overnight on Wednesday at the Region Nine township was a result of flooding.

The double-flat building, which is owned by businessman Frank Satnarine, stood in the commercial district of the area. It was expected to be converted into an agro-processing facility.

There were no reports of injuries; however, several dogs which were in the building at the time were trapped beneath the rubble.

Sources at Lethem noted that the building was built at a cost amounting to more than G$200M. A resident in the area told the Guyana Chronicle that while there were showers of rains and thunderstorms Wednesday night, residents believe that the building’s foundation was weak.

Beckles noted that there are several other buildings in the vicinity of the rubble, and as such, flooding could not be the cause of the collapse.

He said while there is inundation in sections of the town, there are many other

buildings which over the years have withstood the test of time.

Beckles noted that while he sympathises with the owner of the structure over the loss, the businessman should carry out checks to determine why the building collapsed.

Lethem and communities within the region have been affected by floodwaters over the past several weeks. The rains have continued past the annual May/June season and this has affected several farms in the region.

THREE Port Kaituma, North West District miners met a brutal end following a robbery at a mining camp at the Venezuela border on Thursday morning.

Commander of Police ‘F’ Division Rabindranath Budhram confirmed that the men, Vernon Eudoxie, 63, Cologne Solomon, 23, an ex-policeman and Samuel Moses, 19, were killed during the incident.

Another man, Joel Paton, 19, of Supenaam, was injured and is being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being transferred from the Port Kaituma Hospital.

The incident occurred around 03:00hrs on Thursday at a Brazilian-owned mining camp at an area known as “Imatake Backdam” across the Venezuela border.

The area is located some five hours from the Five Star backdam outside Port

Cologne Solomon Kaituma.

Reports are that the men were robbed on several occasions by Spanish-speaking men prior to Thursday’s incident.

The intruders assaulted the miners as they slept and during the melee, several miners were forced to scamper into the bushes as their colleagues were assaulted.

The bodies of the deceased were brought out of the area on Thursday night and taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital mortuary.

Vernon Eudoxie Euxodie’s sister told the Guyana Chronicle that the family was shocked as news of her brother’s death surfaced. She said the family was told that five gunmen pounced on the mining camp and started firing gunshots at the sleeping miners.

The woman added that her brother and his colleagues were robbed on several occasions by suspected Venezuelan gunmen.

There have been reports of Spanish-speaking See page 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Dr Roopnaraine withdraws resignation

By Ariana Gordon

PUBLIC Service Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has withdrawn his resignation as a government minister and Member of Parliament, Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced on Thursday.

Dr. Roopnaraine, who held the post of education minister, was recently re-assigned to the Public Service Ministry, a new ministry created by President David Granger.

There was much speculation about his dissatisfaction with the move, but Dr. Roopnaraine has stated that he will serve at the behest of the head-of-state.

Speaking at his Post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), Harmon said President Granger met with Dr. Roopnaraine on Wednesday

President David Granger afternoon and had a “very fruitful” discussion regarding his portfolio, among other matters.

“It was clear after that meeting that Dr. Roopnara-

ine would continue to serve as a minister in the government, as a Member of Parliament and as a valued member of our Cabinet,” Harmon said.

He assured that the APNU+AFC coalition government values Dr. Roopnarine’s contribution to Guyana and noted that the President placed emphasis on same during Wednesday’s meeting.

“Dr Roopnaraine’s contribution to this country and his ability and capacity to continue to contribute is one which the President spoke about and was very happy that Dr. Roopnaraine has actually pledged to continue serving in the interest of all of Guyana,” said the minister of state.

Asked why Dr. Roopnaraine tendered his resignation, Harmon said the former education minister felt that

Youth succumbs to injuries from boat mishap

DENROY Henry, 19, who was hospitalised after a boat ferrying passengers to a funeral last Friday collided with a log in the Pomeroon River has succumbed to injuries he sustained in the accident.

At the time, the man and his relatives were attending the funeral of the late Ravin Piper, an 18-year-old who perished in a boat mishap near the mouth of the Moruca River last Friday night.

Reports are that Denroy Henry, a

Pomeroon resident, was among several passengers travelling along the river when in the vicinity of Grant Trial, Lower Pomeroon, the boat’s engine hit a submerged log.

Henry was flung from the vessel and reportedly hit the back of his head on the vessel’s engine.

He was rushed to the Charity Hospital for treatment in an unconscious state but was subsequently transferred to the Suddie Hospital, where he died.

Guyanese miners ...

From page 2 marauders robbing mining camps on both sides of the border in recent weeks. Reports are that there is a gang operating in the rough terrain of the Cuyuni, Region Seven.

For years, Guyanese miners have been operating on the Venezuelan side of the border. It is unclear whether they have been operating legally.

Miner Joel Paton at the Port Kaituma airstrip as he awaited an aircraft which later transported him to the city on Thursday morning

“his health situation was making it challenging for him to be able to contribute to the level with which he expected to contribute”.

Notwithstanding Dr. Roopnaraine’s submission, the President has given him all assurance that he will receive as much support as needed to ensure he continues to function effectively in his ministry.

Harmon told reporters that President Granger was “very happy that Dr. Roopnaraine has actually pledged to continue serving in the interest of Guyana”.

Meanwhile, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) confirmed that Dr. Roopnaraine who represents the party in the coalition government had resigned but declined to state the reasons for him tendering his resignation.

The party said it was

in full agreement with his decision.

“Dr. Roopnaraine consulted with the WPA prior to him submitting his resignation letter and he gave us his reasons and we are in full agreement.

Public Service Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

The decision is his and we fully support him,” WPA Executive, Dr. David Hinds told the Guyana Chronicle.

President Granger earlier Wednesday stated that he was in receipt of a letter from Dr. Roopnaraine but declined to state the content of the missive.

“I received a letter from Dr. Roopnaraine, the contents of which I will not disclose. But he cannot resign until I have accepted his resignation. And, as far as I’m concerned, I have not done so,” President Granger told reporters at State House.

At that time, the headof-state said he will have to meet with Dr. Roopnaraine to discuss “certain matters” after which “if he wishes to speak with the media, he [can] speak with the media. But right now Dr. Roopnaraine remains a member of the Cabinet”.

Kitty man found guilty of cocaine possession A businessman was on Thursday sentenced to three years imprisonment after being found guilty by City M a g i s t r a t e , L e ro n Daly, for trafficking cocaine.

J o s e p h R a m s e y, 45, of Kitty, Georgetown was convicted for having 25 ½ grams of cocaine in his posses-

sion for the purpose of trafficking on March 24, 2016, at Kitty. The father of one was represented by attorney, Adrian Thompson.

Police Prosecutor, Sanj Sing had called three witnesses in the matter. According to reports, on the day in question, at about 22:30 hrs, acting on informa-

tion received, the police went to Ramsey’s Railway Line, Kitty home and conducted a search on the premises.

The suspected narcotics were found i n s i d e R a m s e y ’s bedroom in a black plastic bag. Ramsey reportedly told the ranks that the drugs belonged to him.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Late diagnosis remains a challenge

--UNAIDS says four of five people with HIV in Caribbean accessing antiretroviral therapy MORE than four of five people living with HIV in the Caribbean who know their HIV status are accessing antiretroviral therapy, however, late diagnosis of HIV infection remains a challenge, according to UNAIDS. In its most recent report – Ending AIDS: progress towards the 90–90–90 targets, which was released ahead of the International Conference on HIV Science – late diagnosis particularly among men remains a major problem, in addition to access to treatment for young people and key populations.

“The percentage of people on treatment with suppressed viral load is also well below the global average,” UNAIDS noted, however, it stated that “Caribbean countries are using revised tendering and purchasing processes and pooled procurement to lower the

cost of antiretroviral medicines and to counter declines in external funding for AIDS responses”.

While there is a strong indication that the Caribbean could reach the testing and treatment targets that will put it on course to end its AIDS epidemic, UNAIDS emphasised that it must accelerate its response.

According to Ending AIDS: progress towards the 90-90-90 targets, in order to speed up progress, the region must improve strategies to ensure more people living with HIV are diagnosed and that there are higher levels of viral suppression among those on treatment.

“The region has achieved remarkable progress in expanding HIV services,” said UNAIDS Regional Support Team Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. César Núñez. “We need to continue work to ensure that we

UNAIDS representative, Dr. César Núñez

leave no one behind.”

The report gives detailed analysis of progress and challenges toward achieving the benchmarks set to help the world achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

These targets are for 90 per cent of all people living with HIV to know their status, 90 per cent of diagnosed people to access sustained antiretroviral treatment and 90 per cent of all people accessing treatment to achieve viral suppression by 2020.

GAP REMAINS The Caribbean has achieved strong progress related to getting people living with HIV on treatment and reducing deaths due to

AIDS, but gaps remain. In the region, 81 per cent of the people living with HIV who know their status are accessing antiretroviral therapy.

This means the region as a whole is doing a fairly good job at starting people on treatment following diagnosis. Haiti is the only country in the region to have achieved the second target--at least 90 per cent of diagnosed people on treatment.

HIV treatment coverage has contributed to a 52 per cent decline in AIDS-related deaths in the Caribbean over the last decade.

Another positive note is that the scale has tipped and more than half of all people (52 per cent) living with HIV in the region is on antiretroviral therapy. However, there is still a significant proportion of people (48 per cent) not yet accessing treatment.

The region is lagging behind on HIV testing and viral suppression. Progress must be accelerated for the Caribbean to achieve the 90-90-90 targets that will set it on course to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Thirty-six per cent of the people living with HIV in the Caribbean are not aware of their HIV status. It was noted that community-centred strategies are urgently needed to reach those who have not yet been diagnosed.

Calls are also being made for

the Caribbean to improve efforts to keep people in care, once they have started treatment and to ensure treatment is successful.

Only about half of people accessing antiretroviral therapy in the Caribbean had access to routine viral load testing. In 2016 one-third (33 per cent) of those on treatment were not virally suppressed.

“Viral suppression” means that people living with HIV have been treated to lower the level of HIV in their blood to undetectable levels. This protects their health while preventing transmission of

the virus. Notably, several countries are getting closer to reaching the target. Three of four people on treatment achieved viral suppression in Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Nunez emphasised that “community health workers and civil society are critical to securing early HIV diagnosis and successful treatment”.

The report called for greater community involvement in Caribbean health-care provision in order to reach the 90-90-90 targets.

Taxi driver shot in Stanleytown

A 40-year-old taxi driver from Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is nursing a gunshot wound to his left thigh at a West Demerara Hospital.

According to a police report, the victim alleged that about 19:30 hrs on Wednesday night, he was in the company of his girlfriend conversing on the

Stanleytown Public Road, when an identifiable male armed with a handgun discharged several rounds at him from a distance, one of which struck him.

The shooter then escaped in a waiting car.

He was rushed to the hospital and was admitted in a stable condition. No arrest has yet been made and an investigation is in progress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Gov’t working tirelessly to end corruption – says Minister Harmon

THE APNU+AFC coalition government has been working tirelessly to stave off corruption here, said Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Harmon told reporters on Thursday that several measures have been implemented to reduce levels of corruption and perception of same.

The Minister of State noted too, that the government tries to make public the facts with the intention of rebutting the perception and reminded that there is a “big gap between perception and reality, and depending

Duo charged in $85M cocaine bust

TWO Essequibo residents who were arrested following an $85M cocaine bust made by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard on a vessel on the Pomeroon River, were on Thursday charged.

John DaSilva, a 45-yearold farmer of Grant Strong Hope, Pomeroon and Kevin

John DaSilva

Fitz Gordon, 34, of Jim Housing Scheme, Essequibo were jointly charged with drug trafficking before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

Particulars of the charge alleged that the duo on July 17, 2017 at Pomeroon River trafficked 94.954 kilograms of cocaine. The men pleaded not guilty to the allegations. They were represented by Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron. An official of the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) explained to the court that investigation into the matter is incomplete.

The Chief Magistrate remanded the two men and transferred the matter to the Charity Magistrate’s Court for August 28, 2017.

According to reports DaSilva and Gordon were intercepted on July 17,

Haitians fined for overstaying TWO Haitians have been fined $30,000 each after they pleaded guilty to the charge of overstaying their time in Guyana.

The men: Herswoosley Martin, 36, and Berthany Louyeus, 28, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday morning at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that Martin between April 2, 2017 and July 17, 2017 at Georgetown, failed to comply with the condition subject to which a committal was granted for him to stay in Guyana from March 1, 2017 to April 1, 2017. Martin pleaded guilty to the offence.

It is also alleged that Louyeus between March 29, 2017 and July 17, 2017, at Georgetown, failed to comply with the condition subject to which a committal was granted for the Haitian national to stay in Guyana from February 28, 2017 to March 28, 2017. Louyeus pleaded guilty to the offence.

According to Police Prosecutor, Arwin Moore, the defendants who hail from Haiti entered Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, using their Haitian passports. They were each granted one month in Guyana. There was no extension of stay made.

In addition, Prosecutor Moore stated that on July 17, 2017, the police carried out a raid exercise at an abandoned house at Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, where the defendants were found. Both Martin and Louyeus showed the police their Haiti National Passports. It was discovered that they overstayed their time in Guyana, which resulted in the men being arrested and charged.

The two men were fined $30,000 each, and if in default will spend six weeks in prison.

Kevin Fitzroy while heading to Georgetown on a vessel but when they saw the Coast Guard boat they decided to turn around and tried to escape.

A substance suspected to be cocaine was found in the vessel.

They were intercepted about four miles off the mouth of the Pomeroon River. The men, vessel and suspected narcotics were handed over to CANU officers. Gordon was previously charged and placed before the court in 2015 for the possession of 1.0854 kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

He was acquitted on the charge but in June 2017 he was arrested by CANU ranks for possession of a large quantity of US currency and handed over to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

on where you stand, your perception becomes your reality”.

Additionally, the minister said the government is doing the best it can to ensure that its operations are transparent, as well as, have a tighter grip on corruption.

Guyana moved up by 11 places on the international ranking of ‘perceived corruption’ – from 119, with a score of 29, in 2015 to 108, with a score of 34, in 2016. This was revealed in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report for 2016.

However, Harmon not-

ed that the perception of corruption which obtains currently is as a result of the actions of the previous administration.

“We are now trying to work our way out of it,” he said, noting that under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, Guyana’s ranking on the Index was lower. “…the corruption index has moved in the right direction for us,” he said, noting that improvements can only mean his administration is doing something right.

Government, he said “is doing several things to ensure that it is higher”.

Moreover, the Minister of State said for the first time in years, government has presented a half-year report on the state of the economy in the National Assembly.

The early presentation of national budgets and the conducting of financial inquiries are also being done to ensure that any corrupt practices or perception of them can be corrected, Harmon stressed, while noting that he is confident that the coalition government will receive good ratings for its work in this area.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Protecting our elderly GROWING old for many is inevitable and with it comes concomitant concern and attention treating with the elderly. The cliché that the greatest measure of a society is how it treats its elderly is not without merit.

This demographic has rights, which include privacy, protection from abuse, access to quality social services, and to live in a safe, clean and healthy environment. Where societies today see greater movement of people, such impacts the elderly and by extension the environment in which they live and the services at their disposal. The family structure continues to be impacted, creating new ones, even as it brings new meaning and importance to the nuclear and extended units. The extended family, a featured characteristic of our society, is taking on new forms. Where parents have migrated, leaving their children in the care of grandparents, aunts and uncles to follow later, their parents are often left behind.

Where parents do not want to follow their adult children, preferring to stay in their original homes, such pose challenges to their off-spring meeting their pyscho-social needs. Where parents, having either migrated with their children or have their children follow, and want to re-migrate very often this results in having to leave their children and grandchildren behind.

There exist other challenges such as children being unable to provide the needed care for their elderly parents are left with the option of having them re-migrate or move into nursing homes or retirement communities. In Guyana, where the elderly reside alone or are sent to either of the named facilities, there exist the options of the state-owned Palms or non-governmental institutions. Elderly care has become a lucrative business. This market (product and services) is projected to reach U.S. $ 512.7 billion in 2020. Gone are

the days when to leave an elderly loved one in the care of ‘strangers’ was considered abandonment. This demographic has unique needs and where it is recognised that trained professionals (nurses, doctors, social workers, etc.) are better able to satisfy these, invariably at a cost, persons are favourably rethinking placing loved ones in the care of others.

The elderly-care business is growing in Guyana. Where factors such as safety, cost and climate are dictating the elderly returning, it creates the need to provide a service. Recently, a facility was opened at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast of Demerara, providing similar services and environment to what obtains in developed societies at competitive rates.

Then there is the young female re-migrant entrepreneur, recognised by the Barack Obama administration, for the home-care services she provides for the elderly.

Where competition and choice exist, these bring with it not only comparative analyses, but also expectations that service will meet an acceptable baseline. One such is that the elderly’s semblance of dignity would be maintained, irrespective of financial wherewithal. This includes respecting them as human beings who deserve to be treated with respect. Non-state competition or presence will also impact on and put pressure on state services to operate at comparative levels in the provision of basic services, treatment and environment. For instance, engaging in activities that would keep the cognitive skills of the elderly active, such as through games, outings and other social activities. The concept of shut-in, leaving the elderly alone or un-involved, has been found to be undermining their quality of life and longevity.

Advocates for the elderly have argued -- not without merit -- of the need for strong laws, including oversight

Financial injection for Suddie Public Hospital commendable Dear Editor RECENTLY, it was announced that the Government has signed a line of credit agreement with Export-Import Bank of India totalling U.S. $17.5 Million which will provide much-needed upgrading of three Public Hospitals, including the Suddie Hospital situated on the Essequibo Coast. The funds will serve to modernise the country’s primary health care systems, according to the subject minister.

Indeed, this is quite commendable and will strategically enable patients to be better served, especially in Region Two. The Public Hospital at Suddie has gained considerable

attention in recent times.

Constant and previous blackouts have severely affected the efficient functioning of key operational services, given that the institution’s main generator was non- operational. In fact, a new generator is required and there was much criticism as to the delay in acquiring same. I am aware however that every effort is being made by the regional administration to remedy the situation and restore normalcy.

However, much more has to be done to enhance the entity’s reliability, reputation and delivery of services. One such key area should be the modernisation of the Registry department which collects

data, stores and maintains patients’ records, as well as their ailment history.

Too much paper work continues to be done at the hospital and in many instances, patients have to endure long hours before same is processed and in some cases papers are either misplaced, stored in the wrong section or even lost. Such has led to recurring frustration and anger of patients, some of whom would travel from far,outlying areas including Wakenaam, the Pomeroon River and even from Region One.In other instances too, the hospital has been without sufficient medical supplies, which I am assuming is either a result of limited

storage facilities or poor record-keeping of medicinal stock. The institution therefore can become efficient once more and even enhance its credibility through perseverance, commitment from the staff and doctors and the Government’s 2020 vision, which is to modernise the health care sector in order to achieve desirable and positive impacts on the growing and ageing population. I am impressed therefore with the intended plans by the Government for the Suddie Hospital which is indeed welcome by the people of Region Two. Regards Elroy Stephney

agencies and services that would ensure this population continues to enjoy the highest quality of life possible, in an environment where dignity and respect are considered important factors. It needs to be said that to the extent where their appearance -- physical and environmental -- and treatment are healthy, such add living to their lives.

Dignity requires the elderly not being made to feel that having given of their best years that at this vulnerable phase of life’s journey, they are not deserving to be treated as discards. To be fair, sometimes such treatment is not the result of absence of love, but absence of knowledge caring for this demographic and in the presence of limited financial resources.

Shifting thinking and corresponding action is a process that requires nurturing which would come through lobbying to shape positive rethinking, realise the establishment of policies, programmes and laws.

The advantage to the society where private services are increasing, is that seeking to establish these consistent with international standards and expectations, it would gently be nudging the society in the right direction.

Kissoon column is misleading Dear Editor, I WRITE to correct some factual misrepresentations in Kissoon’s column of July 18, Kaieteur News. I was acting as Registrar when Rose’s contract was not renewed. I was responsible for recording the proceedings of the meeting, which did not renew Rose’s contract.

In Kissoon’s column he represents that Kirton was appointed Vice-Chancellor by the UG Council and that Rose was reappointed by administrative fiat. The fact is that Rose’s contract was not renewed by a majority of one. The meeting was attended by eight members, the required quorum. Sixteen members were absent.

That meeting by a vote of four for the non-renewal, three for the renewal and one abstention decided on

the non-renewal of Rose’s contract. Subsequent to that meeting, the Registrar, who was recalled from leave since I had travelled to attend a conference overseas, under the instruction of the Pro-Chancellor Prem Misir appointed Kirton as Acting Vice-Chancellor without any reference to the Council of the University. In a matter of days, a full Council was convened. That meeting revoked Kirton’s appointment and re-instated Rose as Vice-Chancellor. It is not my intention to comment on or contest the quintessential points of Kissoon’s column.

My concern is to ensure that the history and records of the university are not distorted.

Regards Vincent Alexander Immediate Past Registrar, UG

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21 2017

Sloppy road works in Agriculture Road Beware of Tender Scam Dear Editor, I have written several letters pertaining to the deplorable state of Agriculture Road. I was delighted to see this road is now under repairs about a week ago, but the road works I see here are not being properly done, it’s very poor and sloppy road works. First, I have noticed that they have graded the road up to NAREI. I also note with interest that they are throwing in some crushed brick or loom into these big pot holes; that is not the way to do this job.

First, they need to cut these holes deep and dig out all the moisture underneath and all the slush in the holes and allow it to dry before they put in any brick and cover it with bitumen.

They are just throwing some bricks into these holes to cover them and now they will throw bitumen or asphalt. One can clearly see this road has tons of holes on the edges and the edges are broken; they did nothing on the holes at the edges, thus these sloppy repairs they are doing will not last a month, because very heavy trucks, hymacs, container trucks traverse this road daily. This road

needs to be redone in a durable and competent manner and engineers should determine the weight of the vehicles that can run on it. I need to know who has the contract for Agriculture Road? What does the contract entails? How far will this road be built? What materials ought to be used for this road repairs and reconstruction? And who is the engineer overseeing this meaningless and sloppy work we will soon read in the press cost millions of dollars to rehabilitate.

This job I see currently on this road is very slow and lackadaisical; and now I am told that they will not reach NAREI and halfway the road where all the bigger and deeper potholes are. From the time I see them working they ought to pass NAREI by now and reach stock-farm at the back, but they are just dragging their feet on this deplorable, incomplete and incompetent job they are doing. I am now calling on Minister Patterson to send an engineer into Agriculture Road to stop this work until a proper contract is drafted for a more durable road.

The minister also needs to determine the types of vehi-

cles this road can accommodate by weight. It’s obvious that the road repairs I see here are more suitable for bicycles and not these huge trucks and heavy-duty vehicles I see here on this road daily. In my view, and those of residents and those administrators at NAREI, this sloppy road work in progress in Agriculture Road must be arrested now by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, or we will have a road this contractor will be paid millions to complete that will not last a month. I see many roads built here and destroyed in less than a month; that is exactly what I see will happen here in Agriculture Road. If they are going to build this road, it must be done properly with proper road materials and it must be tested by a proper engineer before taxpayers’ money is paid to this incompetent contractor.

I am calling on the relevant authorities to stop this road works here now until proper work can be done before this contractor is paid.

Regards Rev. Gideon Cecil

Dear Editor THE U.S. Embassy has been made aware of an ongoing tender scam fraudulently using the embassy’s name and logo to target businesses for the provision of solar generators and equipment. If your business receives a tender request from a “Ronnel Fisher, Tender Section of the Embassy of the United States” from the following email addresses: usa@em-

bassytenderdep.com or usa@ embassytenders.com or info@ embassytenders.com, please DO NOT ACT on this request and notify us immediately via email at: GeorgetownRSO@ state.gov.

U.S. Government procurement procedures follow strict regulations outlined in the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). If you receive an email from any company or individual claiming to represent the

U.S. Embassy Georgetown, be cautious. If you get an e-mail from a company or individual asking you to contact them and pay them money, be cautious. These messages are not from the Federal Government.

There is NO FEE to register for publicly advertised tenders by the U.S. Embassy Georgetown.

Regards United States Embassy Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

STEM Guyana team returns home

THE Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana team returned home to a warm welcome by the First Lady, Sandra Granger, Director of Sport Christopher Jones as well as several other Government officials at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Wednesday evening, after fierce competition at the recently concluded First Global Challenge in Washington, D.C. The young Guyanese team comprising Ryan Benschop (team captain), Anthony Frank, Arianna Mahase, Christopher Nelson, Sahief Poese and Vevekeanand Ramnarace, alongside Team

The achievement by the nine-member team is phenomenal, considering that they had only four months to prepare for a competition which was new to them.

However, their achievement is being celebrated by the Guyanese population.

Twenty-two-year-old Farnaz Baksh, team manager and one of the two lone females on the team, said that part of the team’s success came from observing their environment. She explained that during preparation for the competition, they had experienced some difficulties which were solved from engineering techniques used in Guyana for drainage and irrigation. Baksh stated that,

so what is the gear mechanism behind it so that it lifts all the weight so some of the students went and inspected it and saw how the gear works and which go where; so it was between turk and speed, so we needed more turk and less speed so that’s how come we used a larger sprocket and it actually helped us in all six matches we got out 20 points because of studying the koker system here in Guyana.”

During the competition, the robot was required to battle against opponents in the competition’s simulation exercise, called ‘H2O Flow’.

Vevekeanand Ramnarace, who is one of the youngest members of the team, said that aim of the competition

First Lady Sandra Granger as she welcomes home Arrianna Mahase, a member of the STEM Guyana team

The STEM Guyana team which represented Guyana well on the international stage at the First Global Challenge in Washington, D.C. (Front row-from left to right) Team Manager Farnaz Baksh, Anthony Frank and Christopher Nelson. (back row-from left to right) Vevekeanand Ramnarace, Coach Ricky Chan, Public Relations Officer Horace Moseley and Sahief Poese Manager Farnaz Baksh; Coach Ricky Chan; and Public Relations Officer Horace Moseley,placed 10th after battling against 164 other countries from around the globe.

“one of the main focuses was our pull-up mechanism which was because of the weight of the bot, it was a little too heavy and then we thought our koker system in Guyana, those doors are way heavier,

was to promote global cooperation in one of the 14 engineering issues that the world is seeking to solve.

Water contamination is one of those issues.

Ramnarace explained that

they had to design a robot that is able to take contaminated water, sort the contaminant particle from the clean water and dispose of them accordingly. However, competing in such a major competition called for cooperation and support from each member of the team. Horace Moseley, public relations officer for the team, explained that upon seeing all the different robots from the various countries, the team was a bit skeptical about their chances.

Nevertheless, Moseley said the team all came together and put their best foot forward. “So, when we started and even the first day of the match, and we went out, we saw our bot moving really different from every other bot, way faster, way better

in performance and I was like wow to us, so our bot it really, really gave us a really good feeling right through the match, all the matches,” he stated.

First Lady Sandra Granger who was instrumental in introducing the STEM initiative to Guyana, said that she was overjoyed at the performance of the team, since robotics is fairly new to Guyana. Mrs. Granger highlighted that the feat by the Stem team demonstrates what can be achieved by the young minds of Guyana, once the opportunities are presented and all the necessary investments made.

Looking towards the future, Mrs. Granger pointed out that her main focus will be to ensure that every child across Guyana is involved in

robotics. Mrs. Granger explained that, “we are talking about setting up clubs and leagues and we start competing in communities and clubs, so that we start to build and grow our talents in robotics, it can only be beneficial to us… So, I see it as just pushing everything together and all the pieces of STEM coming together and moving us forward.

So, it is developmental on a personal as well as a professional-technical level.” STEM Guyana will now turn their focus to the next global challenge, which will be held in Mexico City in 2018. Their aim is to emerge on top of the competing countries and make Guyana proud once more. (DPI)

Key witness in Berbice carpenter’s murder reportedly poisoned A TEEN who is said to be a key witness in the murder of Berbice Carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, was reportedly poisoned and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital on Thursday morning.

The teen is said to be in a serious condition and according to relatives, his condition is “deteriorating.”

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the teen was reportedly fed poisonous food over the course of several days and subsequently

collapsed on Thursday.

Marcus Brian Bisram, 27, the man who is wanted in Guyana for the murder of Narinedatt, was recently caught in Queens, New York and remanded to prison pending extradition.

The 16-year-old boy is said to be friends with a relative of Bisram.

Ranks from the Guyana Police Force are investigating the report and according to information, a team comprising of two detectives from the Major Crimes Unit was sent to the region to

investigate.

Meanwhile, a relative of the teen told this newspaper that a relative of Bisram allegedly threatened to “slow-poison the boy”. He allegedly said that “if the bai dead it ain’t gon get no case”.

Bisram is wanted here in connection with the murder of Narinedatt whose lifeless body was found on the Number 70 Village Public Road, Berbice. It is alleged that on the night of the murder, Bisram was hosting an after-party for the Commu-

Murder accused: Marcus Bisram

nity Policing Group during which he reportedly made sexual advances to Narinedatt, who was present at the party, but was rejected.

Reports are that Narinedatt was urinating when the Guyanese/US-based businessman approached him and tried to touch his private parts. Narinedatt became angry and accosted the businessman and slapped him twice. The businessman then reportedly ordered one of his bodyguards to “get rid of him” and that he (businessman) “will deal with it”.

The carpenter was reportedly viciously attacked by the bodyguards and several others joined in beating him to death, allegedly in the presence of all at the party.

His body was placed on the public road and run over by a car to make it appear as if he had died by accident. Soon after, seven persons were arrested with two allegedly confessing that Narinedatt was beaten to death and fingered Bisram as the mastermind behind the act.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Partially educated nation unacceptable – President tells KKTC students during fact-finding visit

PRESIDENT David Granger on Thursday conducted a fact-finding visit to the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC) located on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The visit was aimed at meeting and interacting with students and instructors to ensure that the programmes being offered by the facility are adequately tailored to the developmental needs of the country.

The President was accompanied by Minister of Education, Nicolette

ensuring that every single child is literate and numerate and that every single person in this country is employed. This is our aim and despite the limitations that we have your minister, the Ministry and the staff of KKTC will continue to work to ensure that you get the best possible education.”

President Granger told the students that on January 1, 2018, the Government will be launching the Guyana National Youth Corps, which will be responsi-

With Guyana transitioning into a ‘green’ state, President Granger urged the students to pay particular attention to the way they treat the environment; noting that the environment can play a major role in creating the good life that citizens seek.

He also urged them to make a conscious effort to lessen their dependency on fossil fuels by developing their capacity to harness power for renewable sources of energy.

Following to the President’s remarks, the stu-

President David Granger urged students and staff of the Kuru Kuru Training Centre to develop their capacities to harness power from renewable sources of energy. In this photo, he takes a look at a solar panel, which was used by the electrical installation class to power a lighting system

President David Granger told students of the Kuru Kuru Training Centre that the Government will work to ensure that they are not placed at a disadvantage simply because they did not complete formal education.

Henry. This visit follows the President’s earlier engagement with the young people housed at the New Opportunity Corps. Over the next few weeks, visits will also be conducted at other institutions that cater to youth development.

The President explained that his Government is not interested in a partially educated nation.

“We will continue to improve this programme to make sure that more young people from all over the country can get back into the world of work by a form of assistance, which we will provide to the Ministry of Education.”

He added: “We are interested in seeing the maximum number of students attend the University of Guyana (UG), so that this becomes an education nation. We are interested in

ble for coordinating the youth programmes that are being administered through the various sectors, so as to ensure that they are being conducted in a manner that will offer Guyana’s youths the best opportunities for self-development.

DISADVANTAGE Speaking of the intrinsic link between education and gainful employment, the President noted that too many youths are at a disadvantage in the job market simply because they were unable to complete their formal education.

“We have been trying to get children to stay in school so that they are not deprived as adults. Without a formal education you are very likely to be unemployed,” he said.

dents were given the opportunity to speak openly of their experiences during their time at the centre. Many of them, who will be graduating tomorrow, have indicated their intention to pursue higher studies, which the President was extremely pleased about.

IMPACTFUL Chris Bowman, a student from the West Demerara, said when he enrolled at the institution, he knew nothing about electrical installation. Today, he is skilled in this area and he looks forward to pursuing higher education at the Government Technical Institute (GTI).

Another student, Colin Sealy said that he completely endorses the Presi-

dent’s call for the increased use of renewable energy.

Sealy, who described himself as “multi-skilled”, also plans to further his studies at GTI and subsequently, the University of Guyana (UG).

Charlene Junor, who hails from Mahdia, has completed the business course. She too plans to further her studies before setting up her own catering business.

Neilon Lewis, who is part of the motor mechanics class, said that in addition to gaining a skill, he has gained lifelong friendships, referring to his dorm mates as his brothers.

Lewis is now looking forward to joining the Guyana Defence Force’s Cadet Course.

The KKTC provides skills and vocational training programmes in a

number of areas including business studies, carpentry, electrical installation, joinery, masonry, motor mechanics, plumbing and sheet metal, welding and fabrication.

The programmes run for a duration of 10 months and cater for youths between the ages of 16 and 25, particularly those who were unable to complete their formal education.

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U.S. Embassy alerts to tender scam

THE U.S. Embassy on Thursday cautioned members of the public of an ongoing tender scam fraudulently using the embassy’s name and logo to target businesses for the provision of solar generators and equipment.

In a statement, the embassy said, “If your business receives a tender

request from a “Ronnel Fisher, Tender Section of the Embassy of the United States” from the following email addresses: usa@ embassytenderdep.com or usa@embassytenders.com or info@embassytenders. com, please DO NOT ACT on this request and notify us immediately via email at: GeorgetownRSO@state.

gov.”

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy noted that the U.S. Government procurement procedures follow strict regulations as outlined in the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

“If you receive an email from any company or individual claiming to represent U.S. Embassy Georgetown,

be cautious. If you get an e-mail from a company or individual asking you to contact them and pay them money, be cautious. These messages are not from the Federal Government.

There is NO FEE to register for publicly advertised tenders by U.S. Embassy Georgetown,” the statement added.

Caribbean bloc explores using Chinese currency

THE Caribbean bloc is currently exploring the use of Chinese currency, Renminbi, with the aim of facilitating deeper investment cooperation around China and the Caribbean.

Cabinet on Tuesday was briefed on this matter, following Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s attendance at a conference on the subject.

Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, told reporters at his post- Cabinet press briefing on Thursday that use of the

Renminbi was discussed at the conference.

And the discussion centred on the deepening of investment cooperation between China and the Caribbean, use of the Chinese currency to enhance straight facilitation of finance and banking relationships, as well as tourism.

It is unclear that if such a system is implemented, how it would work, but Minister Harmon made it clear that discussions are in the preliminary stage.

“I cannot provide you with all the details with how this will work. As you know, this is just preliminary -- was a conference to look at the issue… at the appropriate time once the decision has been made, then the details as to how it would work will be fleshed out and made public,” said the minister of state.

According to Harmon, given the large Chinese presence in some CARICOM member states, those member

states and China to better facilitate bilateral relations could agree to use the Renminbi.

“I can’t say that it is something that is approved all across the Region, but the sense I got from the brief provided by the minister of finance was that it was to facilitate bilateral trade at this point… maybe later on, it [will] probably elevate itself into something else, but that is the direction to which the conference went,” Harmon explained.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Guyana can access US$44M OPEC Fund GUYANA can now borrow up to U.S.$44M in loans immediately from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters on Thursday.

Harmon said subject minister Winston Jordan had briefed Cabinet on Tuesday about an agreement signed with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) recently.

The details of the agreement were not provided by the cabinet secretary.

However, in June, the Department of Public Information / Government Information Agency (DPI/GINA) reported that Minister Jordan was scheduled to sign the agreement on behalf of the Government in Vienna, Austria, on July 14, 2017.

“The agreement which caters for encouragement and protection of investment, would provide opportunities for Guyana to benefit from OPEC’s resources to advance private sector, trade finance and public sector operations,” DPI/GINA had

reported.

OFID is an inter-governmental, developmental finance institution established by OPEC to foster financial cooperation between its members and developing countries.

Guyana’s relations with OPEC began in 1977, when it was known as the OPEC Fund.

The objectives of the fund are to promote economic development by encouraging the growth of productive private enterprise and supporting the growth of local capital markets.

Under the OFID, loans are made to financial institutions for on-lending to small, medium and micro-enterprises, as well as directly to specific projects.

OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries, so as to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Media operatives benefitting from digital multimedia training

By Svetlana Marshall

JOURNALISTS, videographers and photographers from across Guyana are currently participating in a Digital Multimedia Workshop organised by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) in collaboration with the Guyana Press Association (GPA) and the Public

Health Ministry.

The three-day digital multimedia workshop is a first for Guyana.

During the opening ceremony on Thursday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. Jean Seme Fils Alexander, said the ‘Media Workshop for Journalists on Effective Writing and Reporting Techniques for Online and Photo Journal-

ism’ forms part of a series of workshops facilitated by the Country Office.

It was explained that since the revitalisation of the Media Awards for Excellence in Health Journalism in 2014, more than 100 journalists have benefitted from specialised training in the field that allows for effective reporting.

Dr. Alexander said following the 2016 Awards,

Multimedia specialist Ljiljana Hoffmann makes a point during the training on Thursday (Photo by Samuel Maughn) there was a clear need for training in online and photo journalism, and as such, the workshop was organised.

GPA President Neil Marks, in delivering brief remarks, said this is the first

time Guyana is having a comprehensive multimedia workshop. For that, he said PAHO/WHO Country Office ought to be applauded for continuously investing in the development of journalists here.

“The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) has been an ensuring partner with the Guyana Press Association,” he said.

According to Marks, the workshop is a timely one and will serve to enhance the skills of journalists, videographers and photographers.

“The work that you do is very, very important, as a journalist myself, I can tell you that you can really screw things up if you don’t know what you are doing or you can really make an impact if you know what you are doing,” Marks posited.

He also used the opportunity to recognise the representatives from the community radio stations in Mabaruma, Lethem and Annai, in addition to Radio Paiwomak.

Meanwhile, communication lecturer and head of the Public Health Ministry’s Public Relations and Health Promotion Unit, Terrence Esseboom, underscored the need for continuous training, positing that journalism is a dynamic field.

“Training is important because untrained employees are unhappy employees.

Untrained employees are mistake-prone and they un-

derperform…they cost the company time, they cost the company money,” Esseboom told the journalists present.

He added too that untrained employees can also cost a company its customers, and as such, training is critical.

Turning his attention to journalism, the public health official pointed out that people process photos faster than they process texts, stressing that photos are critical in the story-telling world.

“Images have high entertainment value, because they captivate and they motivate,” he posited.

The Digital Multimedia Workshop is being facilitated by experts in the field who are primarily based in the U.S. They include Ljiljana Hoffmann, a multimedia expert, digital media strategist and lecturer Ary Silva, a video producer, photographer; and David Spitz, a videographer and photographer.

Ahead of the interactive sessions with the participants, Hoffmann said as journalism continues to evolve, it is important for journalists to adapt to various changes, especially in this the technological age.

Participants present were drawn from the Guyana Chronicle, Kaieteur News, NCN, Nightly News, the Department of Public Information, Guyana Times, News Room, and a number of community radio stations, among others.

Kitty man walks free on causing death charge NOEL De Freitas of Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown was on Thursday found not guilty after allegedly causing the death of Murices Nurse by dangerous driving in late January of this year.

Fifty-four-year-old De Freitas appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on Thursday and was told that he was free to go since there was not sufficient evidence linking him to the death of Nurse. Thus the matter was dismissed.

The father of two was charged with causing the death of a pedestrian by dangerous driving last January along Mandela Avenue. It is alleged that on January 24, at Nelson Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, Dé Freitas drove motorcar HC 4295 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Nurse.

The Prosecutor stated that on January 24, 2017, the now dead Nurse, was a pedestrian when he was hit by De Freitas whose vehicle was proceeding in a fast manner on Nelson Mandela Avenue.

The taxi driver was represented by Attorney at Law, Marcel Bobb who stated that his client rendered assistance to Nurse and took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

De Freitas cooperated with the Police while they were conducting their investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Mabaruma residents sense robbery cover-up –– call for investigation of police’s conduct

By Alva Solomon

RESIDENTS of Mabaruma, Region One, are worried that attempts may be afoot to cover up a robbery which occurred in the Sub-region One on Tuesday last.

Police in the Region One town arrested three persons on Tuesday following a robbery which was committed on the home of gold dealer Geoffrey Hercules at Wanaina Hill, a small community outside the town.

The man’s son who was the only occupant of the house at the time, was beaten and gun-butted by the men during the mid- afternoon robbery.

Residents of the area

told the Guyana Chronicle that three men, who were dropped off by a taxi driver near Hercules’s home, were seen entering the yard of the businessman.

Following an alarm, residents were told that the men had attacked and robbed the businessman’s son.

On Thursday, residents noted that the entire situation appeared pre-planned.

They recounted that less than an hour before the incident, Hercules had left the area by boat for Port Kaituma, another section of the region.

Also, at the time, most persons were travelling to Mabaruma to witness the regional finals of the Digicel football tournament which

Duo accused of possessing illegal gun, ammo granted bail AFTER almost two months on remand, two men who were charged with the illegal possession of firearm and ammunition were granted bail by City Magistrate Annett Singh on Thursday.

Jamie Marks, 27, a taxi driver, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara and Mark Griffith, 19, a miner of One Mile Wismar, Linden, were charged separately in May and were initially refused bail after

Jamie Marks and Mark Griffith denying the charge when it was read to them by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

It is alleged that on May 19, 2017, at Duncan Street, Georgetown, they had 9 mm pistol along with nine matching rounds in their possession without being the holders of firearm licences.

Marks was additionally slapped with another charge, which alleged that on May 19, 2017 at Duncan Street, Georgetown, he fraudulently placed a fake licence plate, PNN 1154 on a motorcar, which is registered under PVV 3532. He denied the charge.

The matter was transferred before Magistrate Singh who released the men on bail on Thursday. Marks was released on a total of $ 250,000 bail, while Griffith was granted $175,000 on the two charges. The matter will be recalled on August 4, 2017.

According to reports, acting on information received, police trailed the men after suspecting that the registration plates on the car were false, and subsequently intercepted them on Sheriff and Duncan Streets, Georgetown.

A search was carried out on the vehicle and the unlicensed gun and ammunition were found.

attracted hundreds of residents. Wanaina Hill is located some six miles from Mabaruma.

Moments before the robbery, a taxi driver, who was later arrested in connection with the incident, was seen sitting at a wharf at Kumaka, the main business communi-

ty at Mabaruma.

The man had allegedly transported three men to Wanaina Hill and they were later seen entering Hercules’s yard.

Reports are that the police arrested several persons following the incident, including a suspect who was found with a gun.

The men, whose aliases were given as “Mikey”, “Kelly” and “Uglyman” were

picked-up by police.

Another man, said to be of Venezuelan nationality, escaped from the police.

Reports are that pieces of rope and duct tape were later found at a farm close by.

Residents told the Guyana Chronicle that one of the men remains in custody, while the alleged gunman was walking around freely at Kumaka on Thursday.

“Is only a matter of time

before it sweep away, because money already pass,” a concerned member of the business community noted.

“I just see one of the men who they hold in Kumaka and like I get cold right away,” the woman said.

Members of the business community have called on the authorities to investigate the conduct of police ranks stationed at Mabaruma.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

IMF assessing Govt’s oil-and-gas policy

A TEAM from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Guyana conducting a scouting assessment of government’s policy direction relative to the oil-and-gas sector.

Cabinet Secretary and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told reporters on Thursday that the IMF team is in Guyana following a request by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, for technical assistance and advice in relation to capacity-building to manage anticipated rev-

enues from the oil-and-gas resources.

“The mission leader of the team informed Cabinet that Guyana had become eligible for assistance from the IMF under a donor funded trust fund and explained that the team would make a scoping assessment of government’s policy direction and meet with the persons and agencies that would be involved in managing revenues in the oil-and-gas sector,” said Harmon.

The minister of state not-

ed that the IMF assessment would enable the institution to determine areas where assistance is needed and could be provided.

Additionally, a note providing the details of the IMF assessment and forms of assistance would be presented to the government at the end of the mission.

Meanwhile, the IMF in its June 28 publication on the 2017 Article IV Consultation, welcomed Guyana’s continued economic growth, the improvement in its exter-

nal position, and its positive medium-term outlook, which is supported by the expected start of oil production in 2020.

The executive directors of the Fund noted that the local economy is vulnerable to external shocks, and domestic challenges remain but underscored the importance of preserving macroeconomic and financial stability, while making growth more broadbased and inclusive.

“Directors welcomed the authorities’ plans to establish a comprehensive framework for managing oil wealth, and stressed the importance of having a transparent and rules-based framework in place before oil production

starts,” the report stated.

In like vein most of the directors supported staff’s recommendation for a moderate fiscal consolidation to slow debt accumulation and safeguard against adverse shocks before the onset of oil production.

However, a few directors considered a more gradual consolidation appropriate in light of the country’s development needs, the report stated.

In 2015, Exxon Mobil made a significant oil discovery offshore, which is estimated to hold between 800 and 1,400 million barrels of oil. Commercial production is planned to commence by mid-2020, with an output of

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon 100,000 barrels/day.

And, the IMF described the oil sector as “fairly isolated from the rest of the economy, with no significant spillovers at this time”.

The Fund noted that oil will have a large impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but a much smaller impact on GNP (Gross National Product).

It is believed that as Guyana grows richer, it could lose access to grants and concessional financing, which are projected to taper off with the start of oil production.

Moreover, the IMF report states that the development of oil resources and public investment will support medium-term growth.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

Gov’t seeks additional funds to boost prison system IN THE WAKE of the devastating fire that destroyed the Georgetown Prison Minister of Finance Winston Jordan is to approach the National Assembly to approve supplementary funds to deal with emergency expenditure.

Jordan told the Department of Public Information that his ministry is currently awaiting the financial figures from the Public Security Ministry, “They’re to put a plan that involves the emergency expenditure and other short-term expenditures. The other long term or medium-term expenditure will be provided for in the 2018 budget, so we’ll just deal with the emergency expenditure for now, which we’ll return to parliament for shortly.”

The Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Public Security have been utilising their existing resources to meet emergency expenditure required to fund rehabilitation works at the Georgetown Prisons. Both

ministries will be refunded even as they seek additional funds for other areas they will have to meet, Minister Jordan explained.

Following the July 09 fire, which gutted the wooden sections of the Georgetown Prisons, just over 1,000 prisoners were transferred to the Lusignan, Timehri, New Amsterdam and Mazaruni Prisons. This necessitated additional spending by the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Public Security as additional infrastructural works had to be undertaken to facilitate the temporary holding facility at Lusignan and rehabilitation works on the Camp Street concrete prison.

Meanwhile, a programme steering committee will oversee the implementation of measures that will tackle the problem of prison overcrowding in the country, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General, Basil Williams has said. He gave the comments during an update with the Guyana

Chronicle Wednesday on the recently cancelled “Support for the Criminal Justice System” launch. The project which is expected to work to significantly reduce prison population through ‘pre-trial liberty’ and ‘alternative sentencing’ was cancelled one day after the country’s main prison facility, at Camp Street was destroyed by fire.

Williams told the newspaper that despite the cancellation, the ministry, its Inter-American Development Bank partners who were already in the country at the time of the unrest and other stakeholders were able to go ahead with their work.

“We were able to meet,” Williams posited, before noting that the project will be, “managed by a sectoral committee.”

The Attorney General’s office had noted in a public missive that the establishment of the sectoral team is to provide oversight and strategic functions as a ‘Project Steering Committee’. The Ministry of Le-

gal Affairs, Supreme Court of Judicature, Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Social Protection; and the Ministry of Finance were all key stakeholders of the project. It was noted that important issues coming out of the engagement involved the establishment of a Legal Aid pilot project which will provide legal assistance to persons accused of minor, non-violent offences in pre-trial detention. Enhancing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and police prosecutors’ capacities to handle their cases before they proceed to trial; building capacity enhancement at the Magistracy Level to expedite cases and address alternative sentencing were also discussed.

The Legal Affairs Ministry said since the 2016 prison unrest and fire at the Camp Street jail, “The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has been as-

Attorney General Basil Williams siduously moving apace to address the issue of overcrowding at the prisons.”

The ministry said that the government has therefore secured US$8m from the IDB to fund the support for the criminal justice system project. Guyana’s prison population is said to be at 256 per 100,000, which is above the world average of 146 per 100,000. The cur-

rent IDB-funded project is designed to complement a previously approved citizen security programme targeting high-crime neighbourhoods.

Four million of the US eight million dollars allocated to the project is financed via the IDB’s ordinary capital, has a 30-year amortisation period and an interest rate based on Libor.

The remaining $4 million is through the IDB’s subsidised lending arm. It has a 40-year amortisation period and a fixed interest rate of 0.25 per cent. Last Monday’s prison fire completely destroyed wooden structures at the Camp Street prison. One prison warden was killed by escaping prisoners, while several others were injured. While no prisoner was harmed during last Monday’s unrest, 17 died in 2016 when inmates had lit their mattresses.

They said they were fed up of overcrowded prison cells, poor food and long trial dates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

‘Nothing to worry about’ –– says GCAA as Dynamic Airline files for bankruptcy protection

By Zena Henry

THE local aviation authority has expressed confidence in the ability of U.S.-based airline, Dynamic International Airways LLC to continue service in Guyana, despite the company’s voluntary pe-

tition in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday.

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Director-General (DG), Captain Egbert Fields told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that Guyanese could breathe easily since the authority does not

believe local passengers will be impacted by the airline’s recent developments.

Fields explained that based on information available, the filing of the Chapter 11 petition was done to specifically deal with the company’s debt, which involves non-payment

for service involving another destination where it operates.

“We have no problem whatsoever with Dynamic’s operation since the Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy is more for protection rather than them not having money to operate or them being unable to service

debts.”

The GCAA head said the agency does not believe the filing of the Chapter 11 petition will impact safety or the company’s ability to service Guyana.

“There is nothing to worry about pertaining to this,”

Fields said.

Roraima Airway’s boss and local Dynamic representative Gerald Gouveia, said in a statement the charter carrier, which offers chartered flights to regional cities in China, filed for bankruptcy protection to stabilise its business, which

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

GCAA, Director-General, Captain Egbert Fields has been facing legal, and management issues.

The North Carolina-based company filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition with the

U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of North Carolina, Greensboro Division, to allow it space in legal and book-keeping issues.

“The airline’s decision to file follows upon litigation matters resulting from Hajj flights the airline operated in 2014 for Air India. It also follows the entry of a judgement in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, affirming an arbitration award against Dynamic International issued by the Canadian Arbitration Association in April 2017, which determined that Dynamic international was in

breach of contract by failing to pay commissions to BKP Enterprises in connection with the Hajj flights.”

Gouveia stated that while the debtor has filed a notice of appeal and intends to challenge the judgment and award, Dynamic has no immediate recourse to stay the judgment, promoting the commencement of the Chapter 11 case.

It was noted that Dynamic, will nonetheless, “continue its normal operations and has arranged for a credit facility to facilitate both its operations while in Chapter 11 and also its ability to reorganise”.

Guyanese have had their

fair share of negative experiences with Dynamic in the past given numerous delays and flight cancellations that have had significant effects on passengers.

Dynamic’s CEO Paul Kraus was quoted as saying

that, “Operating under the protection of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court will enable us to continue to serve our customers, keep our team employed and work with our vendors while we navigate through the challenges

presented.”

He said once the re-organisation process is completed, Dynamic is expected to emerge a stronger company “with a sound financial structure that is appropriate not only for today’s level of business activity, but also for the future.”

Dynamic provides chartered and contract commercial passenger air travel services to various ports around the world. It is a licensed and certificated air carrier authorised by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Dancing with a difference...

EDC hosts debut production IT’S been a long time coming, and it’s finally here, as Euphoria Dance Crew (EDC) hosts their first production called, “Summer Get Down” tomorrow at the Theatre Guild, showcasing some of the newest members of the EDC family.

With the popularity that Euphoria has been garnering through the years, this show is one that’s well anticipated, and the group, comprising Carlus Persaud, Jemal Ellis and Seon Douglas, is promising that they are going to deliver and live up to all your expectations.

“This is going to be the first ever of all our hip hop/ afrohouse/dancehall show that Guyana has ever had.

The style of dance is different,” Carlus explained when he gave The Buzz the 411.

“As far as we know, dance shows are normally contemporary, modern, Indian, African and ballroom genre. So the show is going to be different from the whole traditional shows Guyana normally has. It’s a more modern set of dance styles, with new faces and new talents we are putting forward.”

Holding a show like this is something that has been on the books for Euphoria for quite a while now, ever since they began gaining popularity with their astounding break-dancing and krump-style performances.

While they’ve always done it for the love of it, the boys would love nothing more than to see their passion become a business.

“It has always been one of our biggest goals and dreams to do a show, because it’s only dance companies and dance groups that are very professional.

There are only three or four dance companies that do shows like this, so we really wanted to reach that level,” Carlus pointed out.

It all came to a head when the boys won first place at E-Networks/RED Entertainment’s talent show, ‘The Spotlight’ last December, and grabbed that $2.5M grand prize that went along with it.

“What happened was that during The Spotlight competition, we realised that we did have a lot of potential, more than what we thought we had, and the competition helped us to grow so much more; think

Jemal Ellis, Carlus Persaud, and Seon Douglas with some of the Euphoria Dance Crew kings and queens

much more about the future,” Carlus said, adding: “Rather than just thinking about dancing, dancing, dancing, instead we were thinking more business-wise and to make it something huge.”

So, shortly after the win, the boys opened their own dance studio, and were just oh-so overwhelmed by the response and support.

“After we won The Spotlight, we were like, ‘You know what? It’s time we start pushing to put ourselves out there, because if we don’t do something for ourselves, no one is going to do anything for us.’

“So that’s when we decided to invest in ourselves, and invest in a dance studio,” Carlus said.

However, the boys have put a pause on the dance classes since May, as they began focusing on working with just a few selected students to be a part of their show.

If you’re there at Theatre Guild on Saturday night, you’ll get the chance to judge for yourself just how good teachers the boys have been, when the students step out. And don’t be afraid to tell it like it is.

The boys selected 14 of their best students, and have welcomed them into the EDC family; the protégés are called kings and queens.

You’ll be seeing six queens and five of those kings on display tomorrow night.

How the night’s show is going to go is that it’s going to be divided up into four sections.

“One section is a medley of different music, just showcasing the different styles of dance that we do.

The next section is “Fantasies”, and, well, the name speaks for itself,” Carlus said, adding: “The third section is “Dance Saved Us“, so it’s mostly surrounding concepts where dancing helped us in some way. And the final section is the whole summer get down, where we have a kind of beachvibe, party-vibe going down. It has a lot of drama inside so it will be interesting.”

You can also prepare to see performances from GTT Jingle Song Competition winner, Calvin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21 2017

The prison crisis...

Political necromancy

--on the painful birth of a new Guyana IT was inevitable that after almost three decades to address the massive loss of semi- skilled employment at places like the Rice Board, Transport and along the Water front belt followed by the Bauxite Industry; that when the international oil crisis of the 70s strangled nations like Guyana, and smuggling, suit-case trading supplemented incomes, and businessed like reconditioned vehicular imports became active in Guyana, that the economy had to be driven by fresh business initiatives, which were encouraged, despite internal political sabotage from the early seventies to the change of government during the latter days of the Hoyte administration.

The problems started after 1992 with the change of government. That started a process to politicise along party and ethnic lines the right to do business.

The destruction of the Public Works, the cancelling of the Guyana National Service all facilitated the destruction of standards and possibilities with the sole intention to create the political clique possession of the resources of the state, clueless and careless that the result would be, the creation of a vast vacuum of hopelessness in the face of a doppelganger mimic society.

That vacuum was filled by the creeping marijuana then cocaine trade as the suitcase traders vanished.

The drug trade initially was aimed at overseas, but as the wisdom of the proverb warned us, “Yuh can’t guh crab dance and nah get mud”.

Thus the drugs inevitably planted its destruction in our streets and villages, and not to forget the “Back-Track” cartel of a select few.

Loss of legitimate jobs, working systems and a sincere political philosophy after 1992 were replaced with illegitimate hustles, obviously leading to a larger prison population, and quickly so, under the last administration, the seeds they had planted propelled and doubled and took on an escalating trend of mass criminality of fatal violence, traumatising and applying a severe ruthlessness, invoking a macabre trade of conspicuous extravagance at the price of all social conscience, resulting in the decline in the value of human life as a nationwide propensity.

To state that Royden ‘Smallie’ Williams is the mastermind of the Camp Street destruction in the media is either evident of cluelessness, or intended to placate and keep the incident within a comfortable environment of awareness.

Then ‘Fineman Rawlings’ was the mastermind of the commando attack against Bartica, and Satyadeow Sawh’s murder that resulted in so much intensity to have gang member ‘Biscuit’ poisoned upon the inclination that he was willing to purge his conscience.

The same happened to Christopher ‘Ninety’ St Hill who was executed a week after Ronald Waddell was assassinated upon his whispers of dissent about who was really behind it .

RECENT UPHEAVAL This recent prison upheaval is based on the same formula as the jail-break in 2002. Whether a career criminal, or like Linden ‘Blackie’ London who applied his skills in the service of both business and political criminal covert missions to become today’s tool to be disposed of tomor-

row, the philosophy about the uses of the Lumpenproletariat remains the same. And worse, more so, when the secret element of race and belief dogma is directing the music of the flute towards the self-serving quest to preserve ill-gotten territory, the masterminds can achieve the probable average of between 15 to 25% of success before the disposables fade away.

True, the prison was vulnerable, understaffed, over populated; its inmates drowned in ‘Hemp-Hashish-marijuana’, natural and synthetic, an implosion had to be expected.

But do not narrow what transpired on Sunday, July 9 as the master-stroke of Royden Williams. Though of opposite gravities, the same error was erroneously attributed to Ronald Waddell over his position concerning his involvement with the armed young men, after the 2002 jailbreak that evolved onto the peripheries of an insurrection that became centred in the Buxton backlands.

I conducted an art class in the prisons in 1996-7, and prisoners were whispering of authorities who were giving them quotas of merchandise to sell, including marijuana. I did contain that information, but remain focused on my mission, which, however, due to the classes with its limitations, was able to gain five traceable success stories.

The difference with this recent jailbreak is that no absolute high-accommodating authority, save finances and those who have benefitted from those immense finances, is its patron.

Guyana, like every other country, has had its fair share of business and domestic assassins, political-ethnic hate crimes, and opportunistic vendetta murders. The pre-in-

dependence story is saturated with such scenarios and acts.

But nothing since the 1840s is dwarfed by the period between the years 1996 to 2010. This period produced the casual ease through which a businessman can enter a south Georgetown district of struggling citizens and obtain assassins who are provided with weapons by a publicly mentioned political-criminal business class thug, who incidentally was a former policeman.

The deed was done, the

assassins arrested, but the masterminds were never charged. Other cases mirror this one, in the past and present.

It cannot escape anyone who pays close attention to our modern social history that every time a particular political management attains power that the shroud of unprecedented violence and fear becomes evident.

The current political administration is the first effort to address the masterminds of malevolent

mischief that has paved the way for the creation of assassin employment at the vulnerable impoverished grass-root level. The fuel of this problem rests with the amassing of immense illegal wealth through which desperate needs can be exploited, and the creation of mercenary souls achieved. The escapees must be captured ALIVE, and persuaded to assist in documenting the July 9, 2017 jailbreak and conflagration as much as they were allowed to know.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Courtney Noel to launch new single today YOU know him as the ‘Arrowhead’ singer, but Courtney Noel has decided to step outside of his comfort zone and produce a Chutney-soca single called “Chutney Gyal!” which he will be launching today.

“I wrote the song a few years ago, but I never felt confident in a genre new to me,” Noel said. His confidence was boosted, however, when he met fellow Guyanese singer, Terry Gajraj, who was enthusiastic about collaborating with him.

After getting familiar with each other, Noel and Gajraj were able to record this single in October 2016 while in New York. However, the song was kept “under wraps”, according to Noel, because he wanted to release the song just before the video is filmed.

According to him, the song has an upbeat rhythm, with verses showing admiration for this girl, but both he and Gajraj will be singing some lyrics in Hindi.

It will be released today on NCN Channel 11 at 10h00.

“I didn’t want to release it until we get the video part going,” the singer said. He “Chutney Gyal”, he said, is about two lads fighting for the love and attention of a local beauty, and this will be portrayed in the music video.

Moreover, the video seeks to present the beauty of Guyana and its people, and to showcase that two sons of the soil, who, though they are of different races, can collaborate to make something special.

The musician highlight-

Courtney Noel

ed that he is very patriotic, despite living abroad, and showcasing that there is unity among Guyanese is a step in the right direction for him.

While the song is being

Terry Gajraj

released today, the video will be released in about three weeks. In fact, Noel is currently visiting Guyana not only to release his song, but to film this video.

“I’m co-producing this video along with local producer Darrell Pugsley, and I’m trying to showcase as much of the Guyanese culture as I possibly can,” Courtney stated.

He sought to incorporate local beauties in the video, since, as he puts it, “Nothing beats Guyanese girls.”

This video is expected to be a ‘mini-film’, and would serve as a precursor to a film project Courtney has been working on for more than 10 years.

When the overseas-based Guyanese spoke to the Guyana Chronicle earlier this year, he explained that the film, like the song, is about an inter-racial love story that starts in Richmond Hill, New York and ends on the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway here in Guyana.

The working title of this film is, “Similar differences”.

A remix of “Chutney Gyal”, he said, will be released with the video, but he did not go into details.

While currently without sponsors for his video, Noel has highlighted that he would like local corporate entities to come onboard, not to sponsor him, but to promote the Guyanese sounds.

Though trying to promote this new song, Noel implored all to listen to more of his songs.

“Arrowhead is not the only song I’ve sung; I have lots and lots of other songs,” Noel said, adding: “Creation of a Nation and Unite Guyana, are some of the really special songs I wrote for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations last year.”

‘Art of War’ set for GFC Ground IN WHAT is promised to be a night of musical warfare, Mackeson & Empire Media Inc. is once again set to host the highly anticipated Art of War 2017 on Saturday, July 22 at the GFC Ground, Bourda.

This event, which is in its second year, has already created a social media craze with fans all hyped and ready for the

battle.

Art of War will feature nine of Guyana’s elite DJs and Selectors who will do battle for $750,000, one trophy and one year bragging rights.

Competing DJs and Selectors are: Defending champions Platinum & Skinny Hype, Dillon & Charley, Turf Teacha & Tall Boss, Antsman, Keston, Mystro, Dauren (Ber-

bice) Chinese Assassin (Essequibo) and Spotlight Sound (Linden).

The clash will last four rounds.

ROUND 1: Declaration of War (Anything goes, including dubplates) 2 Elimination – 10mins.

ROUND 2: Engage the Enemy (Anything goes, including dub-plates) 2 Elimination – 8 mins.

ROUND 3: Dead Artiste Round (Only the music of dead artistes can be played; no dub-plates) 2 Elimination – 10mins.

ROUND 4: Final Round: Tune-for-Tune, vocal artistes only. First to 5; no dub-plates.

The Art of War clash will be judged by the fans, while the rules will be enforced by the Host/ Emcee.

The audience will be asked to judge by a show of hands; not by voice or noise.

Early juggling will be provided by Father Moey Determine Immortal Sound, Frequency Sound, DJ Unruly, DJ Supreme and TRS Sound.

Tickets are $1,500, and will be available soon at Nigel’s Supermarket Depot, White Castle Fish

shop and Korner Kick Restaurant and Bar. Gates will be opened from 18h00 and the Clash starts at 21h00.

For more information, you can like our Facebook page, ‘Empire Media Inc’; follow us on Instagram @empiremediainc; or call David Williams on 687-0989, or Eusi Davis on 862233-0494.

National Hip Hop and Poetry Finals on tonight AFTER over 40 entries and two preliminary sessions, the National Hip Hop and Poetry Night competition has been weeded down to the final 15 acts: Two singers, eight poets, four individual rappers, and a duo rap group.

They will all now battle for the $150,000 grand prize when they face-off tonight.

Those making it to this finals are, singers Trevaun Selman and Ruth Wilson.

The other acts include Rondel “Disi” Holder, Quason Kevon Paul, Eden Corbin, Keon LaRose, Pearlita Richardson, Gabrielle Mohamed, Mark

Luke Edwards, Nicarla Anderson, Alexia Waterman, Kareem Lewis, Chinva Peters, Hanani Ben Lewi and Abdul Rahman Salam.

During their performance tonight, the participants will be judged on a number of aspects, including audience appeal, lyrics, originality and creativity, as well as their stage presence, outfit, theme that they choose for their piece, how relevant the theme is, and how they put it across. Their pronunciation and enunciation will also affect their final score.

Things get started from 19h00.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21 2017 Tickets: $2000.

The National Hip Hop and Poetry Night finals are here, and it’s on tonight at the 704 Sky Lounge!

Fifteen final entries, including eight poets, two singers, and five rap entries, all battling for the grand prize of $150,000!

TOMORROW

THIS weekend is going to be a little busier than normal, as the summer feting starts kicking into gear!

You can prep for Saturday by getting tipsy up at Giftland, or taking in some amazingly cheap cocktails in Kitty.

Also, the National Hip Hop and Poetry finals goes down tonight, and from past experience, that’s going to be one packed- out event!

Anyway, if you’re looking for a whole new atmosphere, taking a trip to Region One for the ‘Moruca Expo’ just might be what you need!

And, come Saturday, your options get a little wider. Another boat cruise let’s you party the night away on the Demerara River, or you could head on down to Diamond for a pool party where a “bumper inspector” will be on site.

Then there’s a heated war set for GFC Ground. But don’t worry; you don’t have to enlist! Just catch the battle from the side line! Or you could spend the night as a “Soca Soldier” over at the Palm Court.

Hikers Hockey Club is rolling out another retro party. On Sunday, you can mellow out at the Ramada Princess Hotel pool with some barbecue.

TODAY

There’s going to be cocktails, and there’s going to be girls at World of Cocktails on David Street Kitty today!

It’s the “Island Fete,Video Shoot” where cocktails are $500, and there’s going to be free shots and non-stop vibes.

The 13th Annual Moruca Expo starts from today in Santa Rosa Village, at Moruca, in Region One! Discover and enjoy this beautiful indigenous community and their culture, as you indulge in any of the host of activities planned for the two days, including crab catching competition, swimming, road race, Miss Moruca Pageant, football, volleyball, calypso Competition, crab-quake making, craft display, archery, piwari drinking competition, aquatics and much more.

Get ready to get tipsy! Pulse Entertainment presents “Tipsy Friday” at the District Ultra Lounge, at the Giftland Mall!

Music by DJ Ryan and DJ Country Boy. Party starts at 20h00. Ladies free before 22h00pm.

Back by popular demand, another boat cruise on the Demerara River, and this one is the “Summer Night Rider”!

Boat sets sail from T&HD wharf in Kingston and heads up the Demerara River, partying to the vibes of Stitchie Vibes Machine, Atlantic Star One-Man Band, Fusion, Stereo Sonic and Determined Sound System, while enjoying the breathtaking view of the Georgetown riverline!

Boarding time: 19h00 – 21h00! Ticket: $2500.

It’s going down at GFC Ground and it’s going to be loud, as Empire Media brings back “Art of War”!

Nine of Guyana’s baddest and bravest DJs will do battle on 1 Night, 1 Stage for 1 Trophy, 1 Year Bragging Rights and $750,000 cash prize!

Calling all “Soca Soldiers”! Break out your best soldier-esque outfit and get ready to be a party animal all night long!

Future Entertainment presents “Camouflage Fete” at Palm Court! Training by the BOOM DJs: Gully Ras, Selector Diamond, Selector Carl & Dj Shizzle! Prizes for the best dressed camouflage outfit and crew! Ladies free b4 22h00!

You’ve been asking for it, and who are we to deny you the ULTIMATE Retro Party!

Hikers Hockey Club presents the return of Into The Night!

This July, the Everest Cricket Club will rock with vibes from the 70s, 80s and early 90s, and a line-up of popular DJs and our Signature Cocktail Bar. Tickets: $2,000.

Everything wet up at Mark Pool (Brazilian pool) at “First Bridge” Diamond Scheme tomorrow!

With the massive girls’ time pool party, it’s skimpy dimpy! Black stone family, and Gully Ras & Diamond will shell it down pool party style!

“Bumper Inspecta”, Jumo, scheduled to take the stage! Hot girls free before 21h00!

SUNDAY

It’s Sunday Barbecue! Bring your family for an Afternoon of Fun at the Ramada Georgetown Princess and enjoy our Heat to the Meats Tenderized BBQ Lunch Buffet Special at our splendid poolside, with relaxing music! BBQ: $4000.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 21, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

‘Multi’ steamroll Kwakwani 5-1 to win Region 10 title

By Rawle Toney THE Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, popularly known as ‘Multi’, continued their dominance in this year’s Digicel Schools Football tournament, winning the Region 10 Zone finals yesterday as they conquered Kwakwani Secondary 5-1 at the Wisburg Secondary football ground.

The team’s prolific forward Omar Brewley netted

a double, while Jehu Regis, Andre Mayers and Kevin Dare scored a goal each for ‘Multi’ who also won $100 000 and will now play Mahdia in a playoff on Sunday in their attempt to reclaim the title they relinquished to Chase Academy, after holding on to it for four consecutive years.

Playing in conditions not too conducive for a game of football, ‘Multi’ showed why they are the tournament’s most decorated team, displaying their superior skills and taking the lead seven minutes into the contest when Brewley scored from point-blank range .

Mayers made it 2-0 with his goal in the 13th

minute as the Lindeners entered the second stanza with a two-goal cushion.

Just after the resumption, Regis, who has scored in every game for the champions, netted from close range to make it 3-0.

Despite the game basically being reduced to Water Polo because of the flooded outfield due to the heavy downpour, Kwakwani Secondary didn’t allow ‘Multi’ to have their way, as Ivan La Rose, in the 55th minute, scored the best goal of the game; a free-kick from approximately 30 yards out.

While the Linden custodian could be blamed for misjudging the ball when it was airborne, La Rose’s

goal certainly brought life to the Kwakwani team.

Nonetheless, five minutes later, Dare made it 4-1 when he collected a pass from Brewley and wasted little time in hammering a right-footed volley that the Kwakwani keeper had no chance of stopping.

In the 65th minute, Brewley converted a penalty and added his double to lead the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary to their 7th Regional title.

The team played in every final of the country’s most prestigious schools football tournament, only losing in the inaugural final and last year to Chase Academy.

Johnson lobs Ashes grenade at beaten England

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - England’s abject display against South Africa in the second Test shows they are a side struggling for consistency and Australia should be able to exploit their lack of cohesion in the upcoming Ashes series, former paceman Mitchell Johnson has said.

South Africa thrashed England by 340 runs in Nottingham on Monday, levelling the four-match series and consigning Joe Root’s men to a seventh loss in 10 Tests.

With the first Ashes Test set to begin on November 23 in Brisbane, Johnson said England’s preparations had suffered a setback with the defeat.

“It’s only one game, but it’s the way they got beaten,” Johnson told Australian media in Sydney yesterday.

“They’ve got a few issues coming to Australia. Australia are a huge chance. “(England) probably haven’t got that consistency at the moment; they’ve changed their team a little bit so they’re trying

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to find the right squad,” added Johnson, a principal architect of Australia’s 5-0 whitewash of England in the last Ashes Down Under in 2013-14.

“It’s getting close to an Ashes series so you want to try and lock that in. It’s going to be hard for them now because they’ve just been beaten.

“It’ll be a great series but there are some scars there as well.”

Johnson wrote his name into Australian sporting folklore by plundering England for 37 wickets at an average of 13.97 to be named man-of-the-series in the 2013-14 Ashes.

Although having retired from international cricket in 2015, the left-armer said he would relish the chance to bowl at England’s Gary Ballance, who has failed to surpass 34 runs in his past 11 innings.

Johnson said the Zimbabwe-born 27-year-old was not good enough to bat at number three.

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the best players in the team, if not the best. I don’t think he is,” Mitchell said.

“If you’re a bowler and you see Gary Ballance at number three you actually get a lot of confidence from that, so I think Australia will have a lot of confidence.”

A protracted pay dispute between Australia’s players’ union and the national cricket board has yet to be resolved four months out from the first Test in Brisbane but captain Steve Smith has played down fears of an Ashes boycott.

Johnson said even if a deal were done, the relationship between players and board had soured and would take time to heal.

“I think it’s going to be very ordinary. Even if it gets sorted, the damage has already been done,” he said.

“There have been big personal insults thrown around about the players being greedy and those kinds of things, which is not the case, and much more.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Froome safe in yellow as Barguil wins on Izoard BRIANCON, France (Reuters) - Tour de France leader Chris Froome remained rock-solid on a thrilling Col d’Izoard climb yesterday and now looks unstoppable in his bid for a fourth title in Paris.

Fans, wedged onto the 2 360m sun-bleached summit, roared home Warren Barguil as the Frenchman broke clear to win the iconic stage, but it was not the story most of the home fans wanted.

They had arrived hoping to see Romain Bardet make a

decisive attack on the seemingly unflappable Froome and snatch the yellow jersey on the last day in the Alps.

The AG2R La Mondiale rider did beat Team Sky’s Froome over the line at the end of the 179km stage which culminated in a brutal 14km ascent of the iconic Izoard - hosting a summit finish for the first time in Tour history.

But his third place, behind Sunweb’s Barguil and Colombian Darwin Atapuma, only allowed him

Chris Froome began the final big day of climbing in the Alps with a 27-second lead over Bardet and Rigoberto Uran.

Everest Masters to host Central Trinidad in T20 clash on Sunday EVEREST Masters of Guyana will host Central Trinidad on Sunday in a T20 fixture at the Everest ground.

The one-off encounter is jointly sponsored by Trophy Stall and Professional Printing Services of Trinidad and Tobago and will commence at 13:00hrs.

Former senior national players Rabindranauth Seeram, Lennox Cush and Rohan Sarjoo will spearhead the Everest Masters to be captained by Rajesh Singh and will include Sahadeo Hardaiow, Richard Sukhdeo,

Basil Persaud, Saheed Mohamed, Imtiaz Sadik, Rakesh Gangaram, Ronald Jiasingh, Satyendra Khemraj, Sudesh Persaud and Johnny Azeez.

Lennox Cush is best known and is the only regional cricketer to have claimed two hat-tricks during his career while Rabindranauth Seeram is remembered to have been an elegant middle-order batsman and former national coach.

They will join forces with the aggressive Rohan Sarjoo and consistent run-getters Ba-

sil Persaud, Saheed Mohamed and Sahadeo Hardaiow in rolling back the years..

Meanwhile, Central Trinidad will be led by Rajendra Mangalie and will include Narine Bidhesi, Shazan Babwah, Richard Ramkissoon, Avidesh Samaroo, Clifton Rajkumar, Amardoe Lutchman, Harrynaribe Nandaram, Mukesh Persad, Jodhan Manohar, Hermant Balkai, Navin Munroo, Abraham Sammy and Hafiz Mohamed. Lochan Bagraj will serve as the visitors’ manager. (Elroy Stephney)

to shave four seconds off Froome’s lead as the British rider finished just behind him in fourth place with Rigoberto Uran fifth.

One-time race leader Fabio Aru’s hopes disintegrated as he suffered in the stunning Alpine scenery and slipped from fourth to fifth in the overall leaderboard behind Froome’s team mate Mikel Landa, who looks capable of a podium finish in Paris.

“I gave it my all,” said Bardet, who looks like finishing second behind Froome as he did last year.

“I risked everything. I have nothing to regret.

Now we have the time trial but the Tour is already a success.”

Everything that happened during the ride from Briancon, including the category one Col de Vars, was a prelude to the eagerly anticipated final act on Izoard -- a climb that is part of the folklore of the Tour, up there with Mont Ventoux.

A large breakaway group of some 54 riders had gradually splintered by the time the stage leaders reached the start of the Izoard climb.

Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko was the first man to attack before he was overtaken by Darwin Atapuma with 6km remaining.

But it was to be Barguil’s day as he sewed up the polka dot jersey. He timed his move to perfection and with 1.5km to go

he burst past Atapuma and powered to victory.

Back down the road Bardet, whose AG2R team had tried valiantly to wear down the Team Sky train from halfway up the Col de Vars, finally attacked Froome on the lunar landscape of Izoard. But he could make no impression.

It was Froome who separated himself from his rivals with a devastating burst of speed that looked terminal for Bardet and Uran before they hauled themselves back to the man in yellow.

Bardet crossed before Froome for a small time bonus but remains 23 seconds behind with Uran at 29.

Only an extraordinary meltdown or a crash seem likely to stop the Briton taking a fourth Tour title as today’s 222km-stage towards the Mediterranean is relatively simple and tomorrow’s is a time trial in Marseille in which Froome will be confident of extending his advantage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Pietersen slams England top order after South Africa rout LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former captain Kevin Pietersen has criticised England’s top-order batsmen for being too passive and has called for the inclusion of Jason Roy and Dawid Malan in next week’s third Test against South Africa.

Opener Keaton Jennings has totalled 44 runs in his four innings in the first two Tests of the four-match series, which is tied at 1-1, while number

Kevin Pietersen

three Gary Ballance has failed to score a fifty in his last 11 innings.

England cruised to a comprehensive 211-run win in the series-opener at Lord’s but new captain Joe Root was given a rude awakening in the second Test when South Africa won by a massive 340 runs at Nottingham to square the series.

“They picked a poor Test-match team,” Pietersen told Sky Sports after scoring 52 off 35 balls in his return to domestic cricket for Surrey in the NatWest T20 Blast on Wednesday. “I know they won at Lord’s but that was the brilliance of Joe Root.

“There are individuals wh0 are brilliant, but the col-

lective don’t fire as much as they should and there are some holes in that batting order.”

R o o t , w h o re p l a c e d Alastair Cook as England’s Test captain, scored a splendid 190 to set up England’s win.

While Cook has looked solid during the series, the left-handed opening batsman has in the past been criticised for his defensive approach.

“You cannot have a topthree that bat as the top-three bat or have poor technique, you cannot have that,” said the 37-year-old Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England.

“You’ve got to change that up, get them striking, get bowlers thinking ‘Goodness, if I don’t bowl this ball

in the right place, I’m going to get whacked,’ Malan and Roy are my choice.”

England will have to make at least one change to their batting line-up for next week’s third Test at The Oval as Ballance has been ruled out with a broken finger.

Roy has been a regular member of England’s limited-overs squads but was not selected for the 50-over Champions Trophy at home last month.

Malan improved his chances on his England debut last month in the deciding Twenty20 international against South Africa in Cardiff, where he starred with a series-winning 78 off 44 balls.

Entries close today for KMTC’s pre-Emancipation meet fixed for July 30 RACE horse owners and trainers have until today to register their animals for the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Pre-Emancipation Day seven-race meet, which is billed for July 30 at the club’s facility Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, beginning at 13:00hrs.

The feature event on the day’s card is open to horses classified B2 and Lower Special Weights over a distance of eight furlongs and the winner will earn for its owner $1M, while the other top three performers will receive $500 000, $250 000 and $125 000 respectively. Entrance fee for the event is $110 000 per animal.

The main supporting event is a five-furling race for horses classified `E Class non-winners and F and Lower open.

The winning stable will receive $400 000, while the other top three finishers will earn $200

000, $100 000 and $50 000 respectively.

A five-furlong race for animals classified `L’ non-winners and the winner will earn $110 000, while the second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $55 000, $27 000 and $13 000 respectively.

Also carded are two seven-furlong races, one for horses classified H1 and Lower with the winner earning $250 000, while the other top three performers will be rewarded with $125 000, $62 000 and $31 000 respectively.

The other seven-furlong race is open to Guyana-bred threeyear-old and older horses and has as a first prize $240 000. The second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $120 000, $60 000 and $30 000 respectively.

There will also be two six-furlong races, one for hors-

es classified `K’ non-winners and `L’ open and the winner will earn $120 000. The second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will collect $60 000, $30 000 and $15 000 respectively.

The other six-furlong event is open to animals classified `J2 and Lower’ The winner will receive $140 000 and the other top three performers will draw down $70 000, $35 000 and $17 000 respectively.

These races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and entries closes on June 21. No late entries will be entertained.

To enter horses for the event today, horse owners and trainers are asked to contact Fizal (657-7010), Nikita (6624668), Dennis (640-6396 or 609-9143), T. Jagdeo (618-7278) Justice Kennard (623-7609) or Daloo (689-0629).

Grasstrack meet set for Essequibo tomorrow

The first-ever day/night grasstrack meet will be staged tomorrow at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

THE first-ever day/night grasstrack meet will be staged tomorrow at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground from 16:00hrs.

In an invited comment yesterday, chief organiser Sheik Yassin indicated that a total of 27 daredevils are

expected to compete across three different categories.

There will be five Professional races (12 laps per race); three Novices (10 laps per race) and two for Newcomers (10 laps per race).

Meanwhile, according to Yassin, 2016 champion An-

drew Wong is set for a return.

He noted that with Wong’s return, current leader Steven Nobrega will definitely face a tough challenge.

Further Yassin indicated that the venue is in excellent condition. Admission to the venue is $1000 for adults and $500 for children.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Digicel Schools Football Tournament Region # 6

By Colin Bynoe Jr THE Region 6 leg of Digicel Schools Football tournament will culminate with its grand Regional final set for today at the Burnham Park ground.

It started with twenty teams who were drawn from the Region 6 area. Most of the matches were keenly contested. Teams battled their way to victories even in unfavourable weather conditions. It’s now down to two teams, first time finalists Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) and 2014 Regional Champions Vryman’s Erven Secondary (VESS).

Both teams are highly favoured and a ding-dong battle is expected.

For BEI, they kicked their way into the final by defeating a stubborn Corentyne Comprehensive High (CCH) on Tuesday in the first semifinal.

The match was played at Burnham Park; due to overnight rain the pitch was somewhat soggy. BEI fought their way to a 1-0 lead by halftime, compliments of a 24th minute goal off the boot of Cleon Smith.

At the resumption of

the second half, Corentyne Comprehensive High (CCH) wasted early opportunities to penetrate the goal. BEI capitalised and ran the game at a faster pace. They added two late goals in the 82nd and 88th minutes. By this time CCH’s hopes had faded as it was evident on the faces of the players. The final whistle blew to give BEI the win 3-0.

In the second semifinal which was played yesterday Siparuta Academy fell short to be defeated 2-1. The game was highly rated in the first half; the battle to score was on. Vryman’s Erven Secondary scored first goal in the 7th minute, off the boot of Alex Ogleton.

By this time the players from both units were hustling and bustling on a muddy Burnham Park. Siparuta Academy responded nicely in the 15th minute to equalise.

At the half-time stage the score was one-all.

Most of the players at both ends of the field were visibly covered in mud; this showed their determination. The whistle blew for the resumption of the second half with the score locked at one. Sipraruta had multiple ball possession

African Nations Cup to be moved to June/July from 2019 RABAT (Reuters) - The African Nations Cup will move from January to June and July from its next staging in Cameroon in 2019, and be expanded from 16 to 24 teams, the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided on Thursday.

The change of timing will be welcomed by European club sides, many of whom have lost players at vital periods of the season in years gone by because of the time slot.

The changes were approved at a meeting in Rabat as the executive committee adopted recommendations made at a wide-ranging symposium in Morocco earlier in the week.

Other decisions taken at the meeting included the awarding of the 2021 and 2023 Nations Cups to the Ivory Coast and Guinea respectively.

Major changes have also been introduced to Africa’s Champions League and Confederation Cup tournaments, which will now run from August to May, like the UEFA Champions League, rather than over the course of a calendar year.

This week’s symposium

was called by new CAF president Ahmad and was aimed at overhauling the game in Africa.

CAF hold a congress in Rabat today to pass changes to the body’s statutes in order to bring it in line with recent FIFA changes.

The expansion of the Nations Cup puts pressure on 2019 hosts Cameroon, who have denied claims that they are behind in their preparations.

“I would like to reassure the national and international opinion that the government is fully committed to fulfilling the CAF’s specifications and to date, no CAF mission has reported any delay in preparations,” said Cameroon sports minister Ismael Bidoung.

African football chiefs are due to inspect Cameroon’s tournament preparation in September, with Morocco on stand-by as a potential back-up host if needed.

“Morocco will not hesitate for a second to respond favourably to any invitation to host this Nations Cup,” said their football association president Faouzi Lekjaa when asked.

opportunities in their half, to spark periodic excitement amongst the fans, but they wasted them.

In a manner that snuffed the gas out of Siparuta, Vryman’s Erven received a freak run of play. The ball was cleared to striker Alex Ogleton as he received it then worked his way towards goal.

Three Siparuta defenders were evidently put off by a soggy section of the pitch. The ball landed in the area giving Ogleton a perfect sight of goal.

He blasted in his team’s second goal in what remained the winning moment of the match. For Siparuta it was a sad way to end their exciting campaign. Vryman’s Erven Secondary were all smiles as they moved towards the final today at Burnham Park from15:00hrs.

It is expected that a large crowd will witness the encounter. Both teams are from the New Amsterdam area.

Who will it be?

The two teams that will battle it out today in the Region 6 Digicel final

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Preparations heat up for Guyana Cup LABELLED the largest horse racing event locally, the Guyana Cup is expected to feature almost all of the country’s best horses, and as such, preparations for the August 13 event are moving apace.

prolonged inclement weather, organisers have been busy putting all logistics in place in order to make the event another successful one.

The event, in its 11th year, is billed for the Rising Sun Turf Club on the West

Eight races have been confirmed for the day’s event, with the racing programme having the B Class event as the main attraction.

This race is open to all imported and Guyana-bred B class horses and covers

Flashback! The Guyana Cup always attracts the country’s best horses as well as thousands of racing fans.

In an invited comment yesterday Promotional Manager of the Guyana Cup, Roy Jafarally, said that despite the

Coast of Berbice, and unconfirmed reports suggest that over $20M will be up for grabs.

a distance of 2 000m for a whopping $2M first prize.

The second prize is set at $1M, third $500 000, fourth

$250 000 and fifth $125 000.

There is the E and Lower 1500m race for all imported and Guyana-bred three-yearolds and up and those rated E class and Lower for a $1.2M winner’s purse.

The G & Lower Guyana and West Indies-bred racehorses will cover a distance of 1500m with the winner carting off $700 000.

The H3 and Lower race for Guyana and West Indies-bred horses has a $400 000 payday over a distance of 1100m.

The two-year-old Guyana-bred horses will run over a similar 1100m distance with $350 000 set for the winning stable, while the three-yearold Guyana-bred and I1 and Lower class event has a winning price tag of $300 000 over 1100m.

The J2 and K and Lower class animals will be battling for a $250 000 purse, while the L & Lower non-winners will contest for $200 000, both events also over 1100m.

Race-time is set for 11:30hrs. Registration is ongoing, and is expected to close on August 6.

Digicel Senior National Squash Championships

Arjoon, Nicolette Fernandes in quarter finals clash

Nicolette Fernandes

DEFENDING men’s champion Alex Arjoon effortlessly disposed of Jonathan Antczak on Wednesday night. But his next match will be anything but stressfree, after he moved into the quarterfinals to set up a match against pro women’s player, Nicolette Fernandes, who also made it into the quarterfinals of the Digicel National Seniors Squash Championships at the courts of the Georgetown Club.

Formula One ‘halo’ is a mistake, says Lauda LONDON, England (Reuters) - Formula One’s decision to introduce a ‘halo’ cockpit protection device next year is a mistake, according to former champion Niki Lauda.

tection. None has convinced 100 percent. You have to make the right decision in such a situation. The halo is the wrong one,” he said.

Lauda, a triple world champion who retired from

Niki Lauda

The Austrian, who is non-executive chairman of world champions Mercedes, told Germany’s Auto, Motor und Sport yesterday that he recognised safety had to be improved where possible.

However, a convincing solution had yet to be found to protect drivers’ heads from debris.

“We tested the Halo, the Red Bull Aeroscreen and Ferrari’s Shield as a cockpit pro-

racing in 1985 after a near-fatal fiery crash in 1976, said the halo destroyed the “DNA of a Formula One car”.

“The FIA ​​has made Formula One as safe as it gets.

Also the danger of flying wheels is largely eliminated, because the wheels are always more firmly attached. The risk to the drivers has become minimal.

“We are just trying hard to get new fans for the sport with

fast cars and getting closer to the spectators, and now this is destroyed by an overreaction.”

The governing FIA announced on Wednesday that the halo would be introduced for 2018 rather than the transparent ‘shield’ tested at Silverstone last week.

The halo, which is fixed to the car at three points including a central pillar in front of the driver that supports a protective loop above his head, has been widely criticised on aesthetic grounds.

Some have compared its appearance to the toe strap of a flip-flop. Former Dutch F1 racer Giedo van der Garde posted a photograph on Twit-

ter of himself holding a sandal to his head as an example.

Commentator and former racer Martin Brundle said it was ‘plain ugly’.

“I expect F1 Halo will cause as many problems as it fixes and further hides the gladiators away,” he added on Twitter.

Austrian Alex Wurz, chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), agreed the halo was not good looking but defended the decision.

“On the positive, please consider that safer cars mean we can race much faster and harder in the future,” he said.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 21, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)` Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets (2) South Africa won by 340 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match in the recent SL/ZIM one off Test?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match in the recent ENG/

SA second Test?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Alex Arjoon

The two were set to match racquets last night, when the competition continued. Arjoon had come into the competition anticipating a match against the 34-yearold.

“I feel good; it’s going to be a good tournament. A lot of good players for good competition, and I’m really happy to be here, to give it 100%,” Arjoon noted at the beginning of the competition.

The match against Antczak was Arjoon’s first after a bye in the first round. He trounced Antczak 11-1, 11-2, 11-2.

Fernandes, who is seeded 5/8 in the men’s draw, played Nicholas Narain, for her spot in the men’s quarterfinals. Fernandes had a close first game against Nicholas Narain winning it 12-10 but then easily won the next two games 11-2, 11-1.

But Fernandes was also faced with her own challenge

last night, with back-to-back matches.

Fernandes, who is also in the women’s open, was scheduled to start her bid in this category with a quarterfinals match against Makeda Harding at 18:30hrs.

Her match against Arjoon was at 19:00hrs.

In other men’s open matches on Wednesday night, Nyron Joseph lost concentration and dropped the second game 4-11 after winning the first game 11-0 in his match against Peter Michael De Groot. He then restored order winning the next two games 11-4, 11-4.

Two five/eight seeds however lost to lower-seeded players. Jean Claude Jeffrey beat 5/8 Ben Mekdeci in three close games 12-10, 11-8, 11-7 while Shomari Wiltshire beat 5/8 Regan Pollard in five competitive games 10-12, 11-5, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4.

No. 2 seed Richard Chin proved too good for Adam Alves winning 116, 11-4, 11-2. Three/four seeds Kristian Jeffrey and Jason Ray Khalil also had easy wins. Kristian Jeffrey thrashed Javid Rahaman 11-2, 11-1, 11-3 while Jason Ray Khalil took care of Alex Cheeks 11-4, 11-4, 11-4.

As the matches in the women’s open got started on Wednesday night, Harding, who had to fight hard for her quarter finals spot, took on Abosaide Cadogan, winning 11-4, 13-11, 7-11, 11-3.

Victoria Arjoon defeated Kirsten Gomes 11-5, 112, 11-5, while in the other women’s match Sarah Lewis bettered Madison Fernandes 13-11, 11-9, 11-9.

In the men’s veterans 35-49 Allan Downes beat Medhi Ramdhani in four games 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.

Joe Mekdeci then crushed Robin Low 11-3, 11-1, 11-5.

In the men’s veterans Over-50 Joe Mekdeci overcame Steven Persaud 11-3, 11-6, 11-4.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 21, 2017

Australia out of Women’s final after Kaur’s Cup carnage DERBY (United Kingdom): Harmanpreet Kaur produced one of the greatest-ever ODI knocks in women’s cricket as India stormed into the ICC World Cup final, demolishing Australia by 36 runs in the semi-final yesterday.

It is only the second time that India have entered the summit clash of the global event, having lost to Australia in the final of the 2005 edition.

Skipper Mithali Raj and senior pacer Jhulan Goswami were part of the Indian team which had lost then in Centurion.

The ‘Women In Blue’ will meet hosts England in the final at the Lord’s on Sunday.

The Indian vice-captain smashed her way to a career-best magical 171 off 115

Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 171 off 115 balls with 20 fours and seven sixes.

(Photo: ICC Women’s World Cup | ESPN Cricinfo)

balls, leaving the Australian bowlers in a daze as India put up an imposing 281 for 4 after rain reduced the match to 42-overs a side.

This was India’s highest-ever total against the Southern Stars and proved to be match-winning even as Alex Blackwell’s power-packed 90 took them to 245 in 40.1 overs.

The day belonged to Harmanpreet as her innings could well be termed one which will be remembered for years to come. It drew comparisons with Kapil Dev’s historic 175 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells during the 1983 campaign with members of the men’s team, including skipper Virat Kohli, showering accolades on her.

Harmanpreet’s third ODI century was embel-

lished with 20 fours and seven sixes.

It was also the second-highest individual score in ODIs for India behind Deepti Sharma’s unbeaten 188 against South Africa earlier this year.

With enough runs on the board, confident Indian seamers Goswami (2-35 in 8 overs) and Shikha Pandey (2-17 in 6 overs) came up with brilliant opening spells.

Opener Beth Mooney and skipper Meg Lanning were cleaned up by Pandey and Goswami respectively.

Ellyse Perry (38) and Elyse Villani (75) added 105 runs for the fourth wicket but it was always a catching-up game for the title contenders.

Blackwell, however, gave some jittery moments, hitting 90 off 56 balls with 10 fours

and three sixes before she missed the line off a Deepti Sharma (3-59 in 7.1 overs) delivery, much to the delight of the Indian team.

The Derby ground proved to be a happy hunting one for Mithali Raj and her team as they won all five matches here.

It was out of the world power-hitting by the girl from Moga district in Punjab something that has made her a stand-out player for India.

The milestone from 51 to 100 was reached in 26 balls while she raced to 150 from 101 in mere 17 balls. The sixes flew from her bat with monotonic regularity as the Aussie bowlers had no clue as to what hit them.

After a dry run during the better part of the league stage, India’s most

sought-after T20 cricketer stepped up just when it mattered most.

What worked to Harmanpreet’s advantage was her experience of playing the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for Sydney Thunders - her familiarity with the current Aussie attack was much more than any other player.

After a useful 60 against New Zealand in the virtual quarter-final, Harmanpreet upped the ante like never before.

She batted like as if there was no tomorrow as she repeatedly hit the troika of left-arm spinner Jess Jonasen (0-63 in 7 overs), off-break bowler Ashleigh Gardner (1-43 in 8 overs) and leg-spinner Kirsten Beans (1-49 in 8 overs) with utter disdain. (PTI)

USA advance to a ninth CONCACF Gold Cup semi-final … to play Costa Rica for place in decider

Usain Bolt

Bolt keen on staying close to sport after London farewell MONTE-CARLO, Monaco (CMC) – Superstar sprinter Usain Bolt says he hopes to remain involved in athletics even after retiring following the London World Championships next month.

The Jamaican will compete in his final Diamond League here today before also bringing an end to his glittering career at the August 4-13 showpiece at the Olympic Stadium.

“There are a lot of directions I could go, but one thing I know is that I’ll definitely be close with track and field,” the 30-year-old told reporters here.

“I’ll try my best to stay as close as possible to sport, stay in sports and try to educate young athletes coming up and what it’s all about to be a champion.”

Bolt will walk away from the sport as the most decorated sprinter ever after dominating every Olympic Games and World Championship since shooting to international stardom in 2008.

And after winning unprecedented double sprint titles at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympiads and also having similar success at the Berlin, Moscow and Beijing World Championships, Bolt said it was time to call it quits.

“I’ve done everything that I possibly can in this sport,” he said, before recalling a conversation he had with great former American track star Michael Johnson.

“I asked (him) because I was surprised when I heard he retired. I said, ‘Why did you retire? You were dominating so much.’ And he said, ‘I’ve done everything I wanted to do, I’ve accomplished all my goals.’ And that’s how I feel at this point. I decided that it’s just time.”

Bolt’s retirement has coincided with the rise of the exciting South African Wayde van Niekerk, the reigning World and Olympic 400 metres champion and record-holder. van Niekerk is tipped to dominate the 200 metres in the future but Bolt said the 25-yearold had arrived on the scene too late to forge a rivalry.

“I think that’s one of the most disappointing things in my career now. He came along at this late stage and I didn’t get to compete against him, because I think he’s one of the best now,” Bolt said.

“I’m never afraid, I live for competition. But for me it’s too late now, I’m at the end of my career. We’ll never know what could happen.”

THE United States advanced to a ninth successive CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final thanks to a first-half blitz and 2-0 win over El Salvador.

USA – semi-finalists in 2015 – had two unlikely players to thank, defenders Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj, for the quarter-final victory in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Boosted by the reinforcements of Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, as well as captain Michael Bradley, it was Gonzalez and Lichaj who scored quick-fire goals to sink a spirited El Salvador outfit.

A towering header from Pachuca centre-back Gonzalez gave hosts USA the lead with four minutes of regulation time remaining in the first half.

And USA put the result beyond doubt in the second minute of additional time after Lichaj combined with Dempsey – looking more like a forward than a full-back as he doubled the lead.

Bruce Arena’s USA will now meet Costa Rica for a place in the tournament decider in Santa Clara on July 26, though he will be

hoping for an improved performance defensively.

USA named a completely different XI following their final Group B game against Nicaragua – a 3-0 win last week.

B r a d l e y, A l t i d o r e , Dempsey, Tim Howard and Darlington Nagbe came into the line-up, along with Gonzalez, Lichaj, Justin Morrow, Matt Hedges, Paul Arriola and Gyasi Zardes.

T h e re w a s j u s t o n e change for El Salvador. Having booked their spot in the last eight as one of the best third-placed teams thanks to a 1-1 draw against Jamaica, Eduardo Lara selected Alexander Larin with Ruben Marroquin making way.

USA and Lichaj made a shaky start. The Nottingham Forest defender’s attempted back pass fell short and Rodolfo Zelaya pounced, but Howard was quick off his line to stop the El Salvador forward in the third minute.

The Americans had a great chance themselves four minutes later. Gonzalez’s shot inside the six-yard box was

USA ease past El Salvador to reach Gold Cup semi-finals

somehow saved by Derby Carrillo on the line then eventually blocked for a corner after Hedges’ follow-up effort.

It continued to be a lively affair as Altidore received the ball from Nagbe and turned his opponent inside the area but Carrillo was up to the task.

Fouls crept into the niggling contest. However, El Salvador continued to match it with their highly-fancied opponents, that was until USA’s quick-fire double before halftime.

Gonzalez pushed up for a set-piece and rose highest to head home Bradley’s freekick and break the deadlock in the 41st minute.

El Salvador were left shellshocked in first-half stoppage

time when Lichaj – in an advanced position on the edge of the area – was played through following a stunning turn by Dempsey and coolly slotted the ball through the legs of Carrillo.

El Salvador emerged from the break with plenty of tenacity – Denis Pineda dispossessing USA and firing a powerful low effort agonisingly wide of the post seven minutes into the second half.

The El Salvadorians then wasted a great two-on-one opportunity as they broke forward on the counter-attack. And USA continued to live dangerously as Pineda got in front of two opponents and headed over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

Westley to make England debut in third South Africa Test (REUTERS) - Essex batsman Tom Westley will make his international debut for England in next week’s third Test against South Africa, replacing injured Garry Ballance at number three in the 13-man squad.

Westley has enjoyed a prolific season for Essex in the County Championship, scoring 478 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 53.11.

The 28-year-old righthander also scored an unbeaten 106 for England Lions last month against a full-strength South African bowling attack.

Middlesex’s middle-order batsman Dawid Malan, the other new face in the squad, could also be handed a debut if England choose to play an extra batsman in the Oval Test, which starts on July 27.

Tom Westley

South Africa levelled the four-match series at 1-1, on Monday, thrashing England by 340 runs on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test.

England squad: Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Liam Dawson, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Toby Roland-Jones, Ben Stokes, Tom Westley, Mark Wood.

Australia out of Women’s See final after Kaur’s page 31 Cup carnage

Digicel’s Otrain Bowen makes a presentation of uniforms to captain Omar Brewley.

‘Multi’ steamroll Kwakwani 5-1 to win Region 10 title

Multi goalscorers (L-R) Omar Brewley, Jehu Regis, Andre Mayers and Kevin Dare

See page 26

The Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School players celebrate after Brewley’s penalty.

CPL tickets go on sale today TICKETS for the Guyana leg of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are scheduled to go on sale today at the CPL Guyana Office located at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown.

According to a release from CPL Guyana Inc., patrons can purchase their tickets from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs,

Mondays to Fridays and 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturdays, according to a release from CPL Guyana.

Tickets are expected to cost $5 000 for the Red and Green Stands; $3 000 for the Orange Stand and $2 500 for the Grass Mound.

Corporate companies/ organisations wishing to purchase tickets can contact the

ticketing office for further details on how to do so.

Four exciting and high-quality matches are set to be played in Guyana, with the host team (Guyana Amazon Warriors) taking on the Jamaica Tallawahs on August 17 from 20:00hrs; Trinbago Knight Riders on August 19 from 12:00hrs; Barbados Tri-

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

dents on August 20 from 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars on August 22 from 18:00hrs.

This year the organisers have put in place many security features to prevent counterfeiting and, unlike some other venues, tickets for the Guyana National Stadium are numbered to match the seat numbers which will eliminate the possibility of

overcrowding.

For further information on ticketing contact the CPL Guyana office on 231-5344, 231-2035 or 225-5840 and by e-mail – cplguyana@gmail. com.

Patrons are asked to make early purchases so as to avoid the rush as we get closer to match days, the release concluded.

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017