Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 22-03-2023

‘Diversity is an asset we must cherish, value’

PG

Teams mobilised to address river defence breach at Grove

A ministerial team, on Tuesday evening, visited and assessed the situation at Grove, East Bank Demerara, where a breach in the sea defence had caused water to accumulate in yards, houses and business places in the area. The ministerial team was accompanied by technical officials from multiple agencies, who responded to the breach with the intention of sealing it before the high tide which was expected at 04:00hrs this morning. (DPI photos)

No annual returns filed in 29 years,

owed to state

— GHRA flagged by AG Chambers, questions continue to loom over financing, legitimacy of the organisation — several ‘small’ contractors awarded bridge contracts after completing procurement training

[Office of the President photo]

Gov’t continues to create opportunities for Buxtonians

By Cindy Parkinson

DESPITE the racist and divisive comments recently uttered by member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye, the government remains committed to upskilling all Guyanese so that they can positively contribute to their households, communities and the country.

A group of small contractors from the East Coast Demerara community of Buxton are among

— several ‘small’ contractors awarded bridge contracts after completing procurement training

the most recent beneficiaries of the government’s empowerment plans. After attending a workshop, they are now in a better position to bid for contracts.

During interviews with the Guyana Chronicle, Gladwyn Hamilton and Gordon Willis thanked President, Dr Irfaan Ali and his government for including the people of Buxton in their plans.

Hamilton recalled that residents were invited to a community meeting by the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and his team.

When he arrived at the venue, he said he realised that the meeting was held to give the young contractors who did not meet the requirements to bid for contracts, an opportunity to be part of a workshop that was being organised by the government.

According to Hamilton, the workshop included representatives of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and the National Tender Board, who explained the procedures and requirements that are needed in order to get themselves properly equipped to benefit from their skills.

“After the workshop, people were more knowledgeable, and we felt more comfortable knowing that they could go out and get the job done. Minister Edghill promised to come back to the community and identify the bridges that had to be fixed. We got a call, we showed up, and everyone was treated fairly and had the opportunity to push their hands in a bag and pull a number, and we were given a bridge,” he said.

Hamilton expressed his grat-

itude for the opportunity to be part of the country’s construction boom.

“I am very pleased with the contract that I received, and I know that my fellow contractors are as well. We know that the construction business is booming in Guyana, and with a government that is helping the different races and communities, you cannot go wrong with that. We see that the priorities of the government are to make sure that everyone benefits, and it is trickling down to the small man and their families as well as me and my family,” he added.

Hamilton further related that he had lived overseas for some years and returned to Guyana, but he was struggling to get work and contracts.

According to him, he was “stressed out and frustrated” and wanted to leave the country.

He told this publication that after the Ali-led administration took office, he received about four contracts.

“I can now afford to employ over two dozen workers as well as give my kids a good education. I am also proud that I am employing people of different races, both in and outside of Buxton. With President Ali, it is

not lip service. What makes me feel good about this government is that the people are seeing what they are doing, not just hearing it. The president is not just talking the talk; he is walking the walk, and as long as Mr Ali and his government continue with this and what they are doing for Guyana and the people, he has another 50 years in office. If we can vote for him to be there for that long, we will. He is doing what he says he will, and we are thankful,” the young contractor emphasised.

CREATING JOBS

Meanwhile, Willis related that through the government he is able to create jobs and take care of his family.

“I born and grew up in Buxton, and this village has never experienced this type of transformation ever. I get the opportunity to create jobs for the guys in Buxton, and they get the opportunity to provide for their families. My wife, who is a trained teacher, wanted to further her studies at the University of Guyana (UG), but I couldn’t do it for her before, but now she is going to UG because I can afford it because of President Ali and his government,” he said.

Both contractors said that they, along with the other contractors, are looking to help the young men in the village get themselves qualified so that they too can provide for themselves.

They said that a letter will soon be sent to the relevant government officials so that those residents can get the help that was extended to them.

The duo expressed confidence that those persons will receive the requested assistance.

Here a popular quote from Dr Jagan in 1995: “I don’t think I have reached the pinnacle of my life, for the presidency is only a means to an end, to attain the end is to attain a sane and safe world, to bring an end to exploitation, suffering and misery, to construct a New Global Human Order. The struggle will continue.”

This March marks the 105th birth anniversary and 26th death anniversary of the late former President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan

Buxton contractor Gladwyn Hamilton

Buxton contractors building a bridge in their community

‘Diversity is an asset we must cherish, value’

— President Ali says, urges newly sworn-in ERC Commissioners to rise above

of Guyana

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has underscored that diversity is an asset Guyanese must value and cherish, and reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance to any attempts to instigate racial animosity and racial violence within the country.

The Head of State reaffirmed the government’s position as he swore in members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Tuesday, during a ceremony at the Office of the President.

A total of 10 persons were identified to serve as Commissioners, with eight of them being present at the ceremony to take their oath before President Ali.

The approved persons who will serve on the Commission are from the religious bodies, Reverend Rodwell Alphonso Porter representing the Christian faith, Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma representing the Hindu faith, and Shaik Moen Hack representing the Muslim faith; from the cultural and ethnic bodies, there is President of the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF), Ashton Simon representing Amerindians; Deon Dick representing Afro-Guyanese, and Neaz Subhan representing Indo-Guyanese; from civil society, trade unionist Norris Witter will represent the labour movement; former Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, will represent the private sector; City Councillor, Dwayne Adams will represent the youth body,

while the women’s bodies will be represented by Chandroutie Saran.

Subhan, Simon, and Witter are returning members to the Commission, having served on the body from 2018.

The ERC is a constitutional body established by Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act No.11 of 2000, which amends Article 212 D of the Constitution to provide for the establishment of the Commission.

The individuals were appointed in accordance with Article 212A and 212B of the Constitution of Guyana, which states that there shall be a ERC comprising no less than five nor more than 15 members nominated by

entities utilising a consensual mechanisms determined by the National Assembly.

The members are appointed effective from March 21, 2023, and will serve for a period of three years and are eligible for reappointment.

Resolution No. 36 of 2022 approved the list of entities to be consulted for nominations to the ERC. An open nomination and consultative process with the approved entities was conducted and persons from the stated categories were approved as members of the

ERC established under the Constitution.

In brief remarks during the ceremony, the President challenged the Commissioners to insulate themselves from the divisions which it seeks to overcome in society,

“The work of the Commission is nonpartisan, it must rise above sectarian interests and work for the common good of our society and in doing so it’s worth will attract greater public confidence.

“No matter the colour of one’s skin, we are all part of

this common human family and each of us is equal in dignity and rights. I congratulate the members of the ethnic relations Commission who have just taken their oath of service,” Dr. Ali said.

The Commission’s functions include promoting harmony and good relations between persons of different ethnic groups; discouraging and prohibiting persons, institutions, political parties, and associations from indulging in, advocating for, or promoting discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity; investigating any issues, affecting ethnic relations, and promoting the elimination of all forms of ethnic discrimination.

The appointment of the ERC Commissioners came on the same day that the world celebrated International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD).

This year’s observance is of special significance as it falls during the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration for Human Rights and the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination.

“It is fitting that today’s reconstituting of the Ethnic Relations Commission is taking place on International

Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Commission can play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing ethnic discrimination and making recommendations for eliminating racial discord in our society,” the President said.

President Dr. Ali related his government’s commitment to promote harmonious relations rooted in respect for human rights, the multicultural character of society and equal dignity for all.

He condemned all attempts that provoke any racial conflict in society, noting that the government will ensure that those guilty are subject to the sanctions imposed by law.

“My government remains committed to the process of eliminating all forms of racial discrimination. We work daily, long and hard, through our One Guyana initiative to promote equality, compassion opportunities and stability for advancement of all Guyanese,” the President said.

He added: “I continue to urge all Guyanese to refute every tongue that utters threats and instigates hatred; in so doing we will ensure that no weapon aimed at dividing our people and pitting any segment against another shall prosper.”

sectarian interests, work for the common good

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Guyana Gov’t applauded for tackling human rights abuse, corruption — US report says citizens’ constitutional rights are respected

GUYANA’S Government has taken significant steps to identify, prosecute, and punish officials who have committed human rights abuses or are engaged in corruption, according to the United States (US) Department of

State’s 2022 country report on human rights practices.

It highlighted that significant human rights issues included credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings; laws that criminalise con-

sensual same-sex sexual conduct between adult men, which were not enforced; and the existence of the worst forms of child labour.

As it relates to freedom of expression, the report noted that independent news media were active and have expressed a wide variety of views without restriction.

However, it was pointed out that the rul-

ing party’s monopoly of State media created an imbalance in public discourse and tended to give the party a public affairs advantage since the Opposition did not have an outlet of its own.

With regards to internet freedom, the report said: “The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there were no

Guyana Gov’t applauded for tackling...

credible reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority.”

While noting that the country’s Constitution provides for the freedom of peaceful assembly and association, it was determined that the government generally respected those rights.

The US state agency found that Guyana’s government respected citizens’ legal right to freedom of internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation.

As it relates to the freedom to participate in the political process, the report explained that Guyana’s laws provide citizens with the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage. Elections also take place within indigenous communities, where members elect indigenous leaders every 33 to 36 months, it said.

It added that there are no laws limiting the participation of women or members of minority

groups in the political process, and they did participate.

On the issue of “Corruption and lack of Transparency in Government,” the report said that the “law provides for criminal penalties for corruption by officials” and the ruling party “generally implemented the law effectively.”

Against this backdrop, the US agency noted that there were isolated reports of government corruption during the year, and they were investigated.

“There remained a widespread public perception of corruption involving officials at all levels and all branches of government, including the judiciary and police,” it said.

It was explained that several domestic human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating and publishing their findings on human rights cases.

“The law provides for an ombudsperson to investigate official government actions or actions taken by government officials in the exercise

of their official duties. Observers reported the ombudsperson operated independently of government interference, and they considered the ombudsman to be somewhat effective,” the report said. With regards to discrimination and societal abuse, the report emphasised that the country’s laws provide stringent penalties for rape, with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty. This led to the successful prosecution of domestic violence cases frequently, it said.

Regarding persons living with disabilities, the report noted that while Guyana’s public healthcare system is accessible to these persons, most public buildings are inaccessible. It was pointed out that new schools were being built with ramps and elevators to accommodate such persons.

Some information from the government was provided in accessible formats, including sign language, audio, and braille. The transportation system, particularly the privately owned minibuses, was not accessible

to persons with physical disabilities.

HARSH CONDITIONS

While noting that there were no reports of political prisoners or detainees, the report said that prison and jail conditions, particularly in the holding cells, were reportedly “harsh and potentially life-threatening due to overcrowding, prisoner-on-prisoner violence, physical abuse, and inadequate sanitary conditions.”

For this year, the government has set aside $5.5 billion for the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) to improve facilities and training for inmates to ensure their proper reintegration into society as productive people while curbing recidivism.

Some of the capital expenses for the GPS this year include upgrades to the Mazaruni, New Amsterdam and Lusignan prisons to the tune of $2.1 billion, and $15 million for the purchase of vehicles. Additionally, $175 million has been set aside for the provision of furniture, tools and equipment.

The Prison Headquarters will be housed at the new prison complex at Lusignan where a ‘prison school’ is being built to facilitate the inmates’ training and education.

The US report also raised the issue of lengthy pre-trial detentions which they said is due to judicial inefficiency, staff shortage and cumbersome legal procedures.

“The average length of pretrial detention was three years for those awaiting trial at a Magistrates’ Court or the High Court. This often exceeded the maximum possible sentence for the crime for which they were charged,” the report said.

To remedy this, the

government will soon be appointing the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and appointment of more judges. Additionally, the government plans to abolish preliminary inquiries (PI) in the Magistrates’ Court for indictable criminal offences in a bid to reduce the time persons facing capital offence charges spend on remand while awaiting trials in the High Court. With the abolishing of PIs, the long backlog of cases at the High Court and having persons languishing on remand in prison should be addressed. The State will also be strengthening the plea-bargaining legislation.

Water is Life!

MARCH 22 is World Water Day and this year’s theme is: “Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis,” and the day also coincided with the UN’s annual World Water Conference in New York, attended by most Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member-states.

Water continues to be the world’s most coveted resource, especially since the global drought conditions of 2019 confirmed the earlier 2015 designation of water as a necessary global resource.

Extreme climate and environmental conditions and the search for new areas for virgin investments have long led investors to actively pursue making water a

commodity to be traded on the free market like gold, or oil and gas.

Venture capitalists with foresight became veritable water lords within years after buying vast acreages of land to farm and harvest water for sale at home and abroad.

Today, where water has been monetised, there’s a noticeable contrast between city folk who can afford escalating rates and rural farmers facing lower production, leading to increasing agitation for returning water to become a free and necessary resource.

Farming water will become more of a global enterprise sooner than later, as world demand continues to outstrip supply.

But the Caribbean is also very well placed to farm and harvest water for today and tomorrow, which is why some regional and international partners, such as the Caribbean Water and Sewerage Association (CAWASA), have long been pressing ahead with ongoing plans to better protect and preserve the one resource everyone everywhere agrees is “Life.”

Rain water is plentiful across the Caribbean, but must of it still drains off roofs or goes unutilized, compared to what’s watering agriculture or being collected.

Caribbean water utilities are in the business of survival through rate charges not usually consistent with

production costs, or what they will have to charge to compete with private bottled water.

But the region’s citizens continue to treat water as if it will always be available, while the economic war has already begun between those who see the money behind it and those who hold that it should never be sold.

Caribbean people still watch news featuring millions affected by thirst and cattle drying up in faraway places for lack of water, and see nothing wrong with keeping their pipes running while washing vehicles or watering lawns, never once thinking each drop can be the first to save a life elsewhere.

Rivers are drying up,

but groundwater is still in abundance and only has to be brought out of its invisibility.

Interestingly, the monetisation of water is bringing environmentalists and investors together in some places, while pitting geologists against the water merchants elsewhere.

But while the debate continues, the Caribbean also needs to start thinking and acting now -- and quicker than ever -- to “accelerate the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis…”

The region must do all to trace and develop, save and share water, while also taking practical steps to farm and harvest the world’s most precious resource without pricing it out of anyone’s

reach.

Guyana has as much water for life as land for food; and President Dr Irfaan Ali, with a background in the nation’s water sector, well understands water’s role in guaranteeing food security. But getting Guyanese and Caribbean people to better understand why to always save every drop of water is not a pipe dream. Instead, it’s an ongoing task with more facets than faucets, which is why all will continue to be done by this administration to ensure that Guyana’s water situation improves as well and as fast as the nation’s liquid resources will allow. After all, water is Life!

The mediocre analysis of UWI’s economics lecturer (Part II)

Dear Editor,

In the previous article, I argued that the learned economist, Damien King’s prediction?that Guyana could become trapped in the so-called “natural resource curse,” is a classic demonstration of academic mediocrity.

The economist offered no analysis whatsoever or citation of any study that he might have conducted?from which he derived the conclusions that weak institutions in Guyana will necessitate corruption and political crimes and ultimately invite the resource curse.

WHAT IS THE RESOURCE CURSE?

For the readers’ benefit, the paradoxical resource curse is essentially a theory that describes countries with oil or other natural resource wealth; have failed to grow

more rapidly than others without. Wright and Czelusta (2004) contended that the resource curse hypothesis seems anomalous, since on the surface it has no clear policy implication but stands as a wistful prophecy. The authors argued that countries afflicted with the “original sin” of resource endowments have poor growth prospects.

HOW WEAK IS WEAK?

To assert that Guyana’s public sector institutions are weak?this is a subjective notion rather than an inference derived from an objective analysis of the evolution of public sector institutions in Guyana over time.

There was a study done in 1994 titled, “Improving Guyana’s public sector policy implementation capacity to facilitate private investment: an institutional analysis and technical assistance strategy”.

This study presented a comprehensive analysis of

the state of public institutions in Guyana almost three decades ago. In the introduction of the report, it was stated: “Guyana has only recently begun to emerge from the effects of more than 20 years of state-led socialism following independence from Great Britain in 1966. Guyana’s leadership closely controlled all economic activity, either directly through state-owned enterprises or indirectly through tight price, credit, and foreign exchange controls.

“The cost of economic mismanagement has been high: Weak economic growth (less than one per cent a year during 1966-89), massively deteriorated physical infrastructure, capital flight, lack of investment, a significant “brain drain” of human resources, increasing poverty, and a huge accumulation of debt compounded with debt servicing arrears. By the late

1980s, Guyana faced a crisis that its socialist leaders could no longer address with stopgap remedies. Fundamental changes in development strategy were called for, and the Government of Guyana turned to the international financial institutions for help.”

The report noted that by 1994, “Guyana has been quite successful in turning the economy around over the past five years (1989-94), largely as a result of reforms that eliminated the system of government controls that restricted economic activity”.

Another important element in facilitating the expansion of private sector investment, according to the report, was the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), which intended to provide the necessary supportive infrastructure to make private investment both effective and ultimately profitable.

Evidently, the 1994 study has shown that the public sector institutions in Guyana had undergone a complete overhaul in the early 90s, naturally so as to facilitate the transition from a socialist, centrally command economy to a market economy following the implementation of the Economic Reform Programme (ERP).

Another important point to note is that, historically?during the socialist years that span some two decades, Guyana had in fact been a victim of the paradoxical natural resource curse?under the stewardship of the former government, based on the foregoing description of the economic and political state of the economy at that time; which ultimately resulted in Guyana becoming a bankrupt state.

To this end, it is the incumbent government that successfully reversed the

economic prospects of the economy, inter alia, successfully steering the economy out of bankruptcy to economic stability?two decades later.

Worthy of note is that this outturn could not have been achieved over the years without the consistent improvement and strengthening of public sector institutions to facilitate the buoyant, and broad-based growth of the economy even before the discovery of oil.

Going forward, the Guyana government understands the developmental needs and challenges of the economy.

So far, the government is doing all of the right things to confront these challenges in order to achieve the developmental goals, economic diversification, and transformation of the country.

This includes the consistent improvement of and allocation of resources to continue

Continued on page 7

The mediocre analysis of UWI’s economics lecturer...

From page 6

strengthening public sector institutions and building the necessary capacity.

Of note, there are a number of institutional reforms and capacity building programmes being undertaken (too many to mention) such as improving the audit capacity of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Auditor General’s Office, Ministry of Natural Resources and other government agencies, investment in the information technology infrastructure to

modernise the entire public sector?that will aid the overall improvement in the provision of public goods and services in an efficient manner; and thereby improving the ease of doing business.

Additionally, there is also the creation of new institutions to manage the oil and gas sector such as the Local Content Secretariat, the Petroleum Commission which, among other things, will be established in due course.

These are just a few examples of some of the institu-

tional capacity building programmes that the government is actively undertaking?but which will take time and resources to develop.

CONCLUSION

It is against these underlying backgrounds that the learned Jamaican/University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer’s assertion that Guyana will suffer the natural resource curse because of weak institutions, is highly unmeritorious and unscholarly. More so, when in fact the

incumbent party has a proven track record of successfully delivering the Guyanese economy out of a historic era of the natural resource curse.

In view of the foregoing, I would like to urge the UWI lecturer to consider visiting Guyana to conduct an updated study?extending on the 1994 study

on the public institutional framework in Guyana: The efficacy of public sector institutional strengthening, development, and improvement in Guyana, and considering all of the current and medium-term institutional capacity building programmes within the public sector. This would

be a very good academic study, funded by UWI that could potentially help the goodly economist earn himself a promotion from an ordinary lecturer to professorship.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin

A dire need for an updated judicial sentencing guideline

Dear Editor,

Mr. LG made a poignant observation: “The Judiciary needs a complete overhaul.” LG identified, though anecdotally, the disparity in judicial sentencing. One Mr. AB of Grove, East Bank Demerara, for example, was initially charged with attempted murder for chopping his neighbour and had his charge reduced to felonious wounding. Mr. AB was given

a life sentence. And in January 2023 five men were sentenced to 66 years each for the murder of a carpenter in Corentyne.

In another case, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence of three men from 81 years to 45 years each. Also, a man was sentenced to 17 years for the murder of an inmate (this charge was probably reduced to manslaughter) while he was on remand for allegedly committing two other murders! One person,

Mr. CR had his 23-year sentence for rape reduced to 12 years by the Caribbean Court of Justice in February 2022. These examples show the disparity in sentencing delivered by different courts.

A massive challenge for the authorities is the number of unsolved cases, especially murders. A well-known case is that of the double murder of a pandit and his son in Georgetown where the accused was freed. The question arises: Who was/were the

killer(s)? Where is justice for this family and others who alone must share the burden of unsolved cases?

Several factors tend to influence judges/magistrates’ decisions: Nature (gravity) of offense, prior conviction, related circumstances, quality of presentation by the prosecution, the legal skill of the defense, offender’s remorse, and public interest. Mitigation factors in cases like murder include, but are not limited to offender acting in self-defense, under provocation, under duress, afflicted with mental instability, and entrapment.

However, these factors are being given different weights by different judges/magistrates, as existing laws allow them wide discretion in the sentencing process. These disparities and inconsistencies generate anxiety among the public who desire an alternative approach to sentencing that is characterised by objectivity, rationality, uniformity, and equity.

All sectors of Guyanese society are being modernised, a process that is fueled by the government’s innovative development path.

The force of change is fittingly captured by Karl Marx at his trial in Cologne in 1849, on a charge of conspiracy, when he proclaimed: “Society is not based on law, that is a legal fiction, rather law must be based on society; it must be the expression of society’s common interests and needs.

“The Code Napolean which I have in my hand, did not produce modern bourgeois society. Bourgeois society, as it arose in the eighteenth century and developed in the nineteenth, merely finds its legal expression in the Code. …. You cannot make old laws the foundation of a new social development any more than these old laws created the old social conditions.”

Old laws, processes, and procedures are not compatible with Guyana’s new socio-economic development. Some of these, including any judicial sentencing guideline, must be reviewed for relevance.

A sentencing guideline should draw upon two theoretical streams: Classical theory (Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, etc.) which posits that individuals are rational beings and commit crime of their own free will by weighing the pleasure and pain principle called hedonism.

If the pleasure is greater, they will commit the crime; if the pain is greater, they will not commit the crime. The school argues that punishment should be proportionate to the crime to ensure its deterrent impact and must not be viewed as retribution (revenge) but rather as an effort to restore societal order.

The other School of Positivism (Raffaele Garafalo and Enrico Ferri) holds that a person’s behaviour is influenced by both internal and external factors within his environment that go beyond free will.

Social and even biological factors could cause individuals to engage in criminal conduct. A person commits crime, for example, because of the internal factor of behavioural disorder.

External factors that could lead to criminal behaviour are social, economic, and political. By changing - through removing or neutralising the underlying negative social conditions - the source of crime would be eliminated or neutralised, thus reducing criminality.

It is incumbent for society to mitigate the damage caused by criminal acts and apply less punitive methods of sentencing to effect the reform or rehabilitation of the offender.

In formulating or updating any sentencing guideline, focus must be given to both approaches (Classical and Positivism) and extract the relevant and salient features to strike a happy Aristotelian mean.

Each type of crime, including its severity, should be given a numerical weight (as in the US) and a final score would be realized. Each level of score would relate to a particular sentence for a particular crime and its degree of severity. In this way, the judicial sentencing process would be modernised and reflect the goal of standardisation, uniformity, reliability, fairness, objectivity, and equity.

Yours respectfully, Dr Tara Singh

Guyanese have crucial role in safeguarding planet from negative effects of climate change

GUYANA’S Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) framework is designed to support a non-polluting, low-carbon development trajectory, that enables people, in particular those who live in the forested regions of Guyana, to develop jobs and economic opportunities—an undertaking that maximizes the synergies found in economic activity that prioritizes the protection of Guyana’s forests.

Tropical forest-producing nations have long pushed for the proper assessment of the ecosystem services provided by the world’s remaining tropical forests through public and private financing.

However, the majority of the low-lying coastal states, including Guyana, are susceptible to the disastrous effects of climate change, which is said to be the most significant environmental concern presently facing the world.

It is the single greatest challenge facing environmental regulators. This issue is worsening and affects the economy, human health and safety, the food supply, security, and other aspects of life.

With the persistent effects of global warming, catastrophic weather events, and rising sea levels, the infrastructure, habitations, and farms in the world’s low-lying coastal zones face complete devastation. Nevertheless, with Guyana being one of the fastest-developing countries in the world and with the resources for economic development, the country and the Guyanese people play a crucial role with regard to the resources that are needed to help safeguard the planet from the catastrophic consequences of a changing climate.

In 2021, as part of the Climate Changemakers Initiative, UNICEF Guyana and the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC), gave grants to several young Guyanese to carry out climate-action initiatives for World Children’s Day. In that meeting, the youths proposed, designed, and explained how they will execute the projects,

ranging from monitoring and advocating for the preservation of freshwater resources in the Rupununi Savannahs (Region Nine) to engaging young people on social media and raising awareness of climate change. These included:

* Protection of Freshwater Resources in the South Rupununi: proposed by Dan Rudolph, Aquila Fernandes, and Jacintha Realine, this project will monitor, raise awareness, and advocate for the protection of key freshwater sources in the South Rupununi.

* Youths for a Change: proposed by Shontay Hawker, this project will involve youth in Georgetown wards in raising awareness and taking action to promote environmental sustainability.

* Mangrove Restoration: proposed by Deopaul Somwaru, this project aims to find a more efficient way of replanting mangroves. This will involve exploring the use of a pioneer species of grass to set the foundation for the growth of mangroves on mudflats on the West Coast of Demerara.

* Ecospacegy: proposed by Suphane Dash-Alleyne, the main focus is utilizing social media to engage and raise awareness of climate change and its impacts, with the main audience being Guyanese youth.

According to Deopaul Somwaru, “Words cannot begin to describe how overjoyed I am; the restoration of mangroves has always been one of my goals. So being given the opportunity to do so is beyond amazing. I am very grateful and will carry out this project to the best of my abilities.”

Another beneficiary, DashAlleyne, explained, “I am elated to have received funds for my social media awareness campaign to educate Guyanese youths about climate change. This is an opportunity I plan to take full advantage of, and I promise to ensure all my aims and objectives are achieved. I believe a project like this is desperately needed because youth

like me are the ones who will inherit this earth, and it is imperative that they know all the facts about this ongoing crisis.”

The Deputy Country Representative, Mr Irfan Akhtar, who was a part of the event, said during his presentation, “UNICEF is delighted to support this group of exceptional young Guyanese. We hope it is just the start of their climateaction journey and will be an inspiration to other youth. At UNICEF, we recognize that the climate crisis is a child-rights crisis, and we are committed to helping young people take action to protect the future of our planet. “When we enable children and young people as agents of change, there is an unparalleled opportunity to address the climate crisis both in the present, among their peers, households, and communities, and in the long term, as these children become decisionmakers.”

UNICEF and the RCC’s Climate Changemakers Initiative aim to strengthen youth participation in climate action. Under this programme, Guyanese youth have benefitted

from training in climate change, advocacy, diplomacy, life skills, and digital platforms to improve their understanding of the climate crisis and increase participation in climate advocacy

and action.

The Government of Guyana continues to work with young Guyanese and developmental partners, such as UNICEF, to ensure that our

forests are sustainably utilized.

(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS.) The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@gmail.com

Contract awarded for the rehabilitation of Bartica Stelling

THE Bartica Stelling which serves as a gateway to various riverine communities will be rehabilitated. This follows the re-awarding of the contract for the works after much deliberation.

General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Marcelene Merchant, on Tuesday, said the stelling bid was

opened in November last year and it was awarded on March 15 this year.

The project has faced several setbacks, including delays and complaints about the quality of work from 2017 when the first phase was awarded, and the second phase which ‘wrapped up’ in 2019. The project was only about 30 per cent completed.

However, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office in August 2020, work still needed to be done to bring the stelling up to a satisfactory standard to ensure value for money.

The stelling project was retendered, and K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies was awarded the con-

tract for $553 million.

The retendering of the project was necessary to ensure that the work was completed to a high standard and within the 12-month timeframe.

This move is an important step towards improving the infrastructure and facilities at the stelling, and to ensure that it is safe, efficient, and able

to accommodate the needs of the people who rely on it for transportation.

The expectation is that the new contractor will

complete the project to a high standard and within the agreed timeframe. (DPI)

See full statement:

March 21, 2023, was declared by the United Nations as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The day is a call to action for individuals, organisations and all levels of government to work actively to end all forms of racial discrimination, injustice, systemic racism and hatred. It is useful to recall that, on this day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people during a peaceful protest against apartheid ‘pass laws’ in Sharpeville, South Africa.

The Guyana Peace Council (GPC) joins with the rest of the world in the condemnation of all manifestations of discrimination.

Discrimination strikes at the heart of being human.

Discrimination is harmful and perpetuates inequality.

Unfortunately, discrimination on the basis of race, religion and gender is still prevalent in several parts of the world. Some progress has been made globally in terms of suppressing discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender and politics

but more needed to be done to bring this scourge under control.

The GPC has noted with satisfaction the several initiatives taken by the current PPP/C administration, both at the legislative and executive levels to address the manifestation of racial discrimination including the passage of the Racial Hostility Act and the establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission.

The GPC has, however, taken note of some recent attempts by opposition politicians to sow the seeds of division along racial and political lines.

The GPC takes this opportunity to call on all Guyanese to reject any such attempts to divide the country along racial lines, which are intended to create a rift in the society and disrupt the peace and tranquility of the Guyanese nation.

The GPC also wishes to commend the PPP/C administration for the efforts it is making to create a peaceful, harmonious and inclusive society consistent with the One Guyana vision as articulated by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, MP, inspecting works at the Bartica stelling back in September 2022

Guyana Peace Council satisfied with government’s initiatives to build an inclusive society

No annual returns filed in 29 years, $38M owed to state

— GHRA flagged by AG Chambers, questions continue to loom over financing, legitimacy of the organisation

to bring to light its directors, reports from annual general meetings, accountability for money and other matters relating to general operations.

Previously, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, McCormack claimed he would not name the current directors, stat-

ing that he could not remember the names.

He also said that he wanted to protect the directors and requested that the Guyana Chronicle find a published report done three years ago that listed the directors.

McCormack had been

called out by Dr. Singh for taking a biased stance against the PPP/C government over the years, while giving the APNU+AFC a pass on national issues.

The GHRA had issued a press release, calling for a pause of the e-governance

programme and for it to be submitted to Parliament.

The Ministry of Finance believes that the GHRA’s contention is another show of the association’s politically partisan advocacy, and selective inflections.

THE chambers of the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Tuesday, said that the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) owes the State $38,649,600 for failing to apply for continuance under Part IV, Division B of the Companies Act.

In a release, the chambers said that the “defunct” GHRA which has been “masquerading” as an exemplary civil society organisation, continues to deceive the nation as it relates to its legitimacy.

“Contrary to the organisation’s claim of having all its “ducks in a row” the company has not been in good standing for nearly three decades,” the release said.

In a press statement dated March 20, 2023, the organisation stated that it had all its “ducks in a row as far as routine legal and financial matters are concerned.”

This was in response to a statement penned by the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who exposed the organisation as a sham and highlighted its partisan practices.

“…records prove that the organisation, which was incorporated on the 27th of September 1979, is not in good standing for failing to file its annual returns since incorporation. The company has failed to apply for Continuance under Part IV, Division B of the Companies Act and therefore owes the State some $38,649,600,” the AG’s chambers said.

Section 336 (1) of the Companies Act states that every former-act company shall within two years after the commencement of the Act (a) apply to the Registrar for a certificate of continuance under this Act; and (b) comply with the requirement of section 9. The commencement date of the Companies Act is September 27, 1991.

In accordance with Section 342 of the Act, when a former-act company fails to apply to the Registrar for a certificate of continuation within the time limited therefor under Section 336, then, after expiration of that

period (a) the company may not, without leave, sue in any court but may be made a defendant to a suit; (b) no dividend shall be paid to any shareholder of the former-act company; and (c) every director or manager of the former-act company shall be liable to a penalty of $600 a day for each day during which the former-act company carries on its undertaking thereafter.

From the date of failing to apply to the Registrar for a certificate of continuance to end-February 2023, 29 years and five months would have elapsed.

From the time of its incorporation, the company has had six subscribers. As such the chambers calculation of the penalty for GHRA is as follows:

6 subscribers x $600 per day = $3,600 per day for all subscribers

$3,600 x 365 days per year = $1,314,000 penalty for one year

$1,314,000 x 29 years = $38,106,000 for 29 years

October 2022 (31 days)

- $3,600 x 31 = $111,600, November 2022 (30 days) - $3,600 x 30 = $108,000, December 2022 (31 days) - $3,600 x 31 = $111,600, January 2023 (31 days) - $3,600 x 31 = $111, 600, February 2023 (28 days)$3,600 x 28 = $100,800

Total = $38,649,600.

For context, according to Section 25 (6) of the Act, a former-act company is one that was (a) incorporated under Part I of the former-Act; (b) registered pursuant to section 16 of the former-Act; or (c) incorporated or registered under the Companies Ordinance, 1864 or 1898.

Meanwhile, ‘former-act’ means the Companies Act immediately in force before the commencement of the Companies Act which commencement is dated September 27, 1991.

“The delinquent state of this organisation further reinforces the government’s position that it neither has the legitimacy nor moral standing to pass judgement of any type on any given issue as it arrogantly does,” the release said.

The Association, which is headed by its self-styled President of GHRA, Mike McCormack, is currently under scrutiny

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. and Mike McCormack, President of the GHRA

Historic $900M forestry revolving fund launched

-demonstrates Guyana’s intellectual leadership and global advocacy in climate action

THE $900 million forestry revolving fund for small and medium-sized loggers was officially launched on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

During a ceremony held to commemorate International Day of Forests, and to

mark the launch of the fund, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, emphasised the need for investments in the forestry sector, noting that forests remain an integral part of environmental conservation.

“It is significant that we chose the International Day of Forests 2023 to launch publicly this forestry revolving fund, which was an initiative of President Ali, where he recognised not only the importance of sustainable forest-based industry but also

some of the constraints faced by those operating in the sector,” he said.

The fund is part of the government’s commitment to increase focus on small, me-

dium and community loggers, and will see the government of Guyana contributing $300 million, while Demerara Bank Limited will provide the remaining $600 million.

“This initiative represents an important example of partnering with the private sector—in this case with a leading and pioneering commercial bank in Guyana,” he said.

The establishment of the fund is expected to address some of the challenges faced in the forestry sector in terms of the availability of easily accessible, low-cost financing, especially for small-scale operators.

It will be utilised to issue loans to individuals and companies operating within the forestry sector, for the purpose of increasing production and value-added products in the sector.

Demerara Bank Limited will oversee the process of selecting eligible persons.

(DPI)

Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, at the launch of the $900 million forestry revolving fund

Skills-training programmes launched at Mazaruni prison

IN keeping with the Guyana Prison Service’s vigorous rehabilitation drive, 12 inmates at the Mazaruni Prison have recently commenced training in electrical installations, carpentry and joinery.

Director of Prisons (ag),

Nicklon Elliot, said that the purpose of the courses is to increase inmates’ resolve by teaching them practical skills that they may hone in these classes at different levels and use to obtain employment after their release.

“That is why it is crucial to think ahead and to

prepare prisoners for their re-integration into society,” Elliot said.

Head of the Welfare and Corrections Department, Marielle Bristol-Grant, has launched a number of rehabilitation programmes during the first quarter of the year with the goal of

preparing offenders for reintegration into society.

More than 250 prisoners will graduate from various programmes throughout the locations in April 2023, according to Grant.

Recently, Minister of

Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, urged senior prison officers to put more effort into rehabilitating inmates so that they can be better re-integrated into society upon their release.

Training has also com-

menced in the areas of anger management, block making, tailoring, digital skills, cosmetology, animal and crop husbandry, yoga, aquaculture, family reconciliation along with culinary arts.

Some of the prisoners in class (Guyana Prison Service Photo)

STARR Computer donates 500 virus protection shields -to

STARR Computer, a leading IT solutions provider, has recently donated 500 virus and flu protection shields to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the University of Guyana.

The donation, valued at $19,900 each, will help protect workers from airborne contaminants, vapours, sneezing, limiting the spread of germs, and ensuring a safer work environment.

President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan, said the shields, which are easy to install without drilling, are built with a durable steel frame and Plexiglass shield and come with an adjustable mounting pole. They are lightweight, portable, and perfect for office workers constantly exposed to various germs and contaminants.

He said the donation is a testament to STARR

promote health, safety

in workplace

Computer’s commitment to promoting health and safety in the workplace. The shields offer a simple yet effective solution to prevent the spread of germs, which is especially important during a global pandemic.

Mohan said that the donation would undoubtedly positively impact workers’ health and safety by providing essential equipment that guards against and limits the spread of bacteria; STARR

Computer has taken a proactive step towards promoting a healthier and safer work environment.

He noted that the company has been in operation for three decades, and during this time, it has gained a reputation for excellence in customer service and product quality. However, the company’s success has not come at the expense of its social responsibility.

‘Suga’ gets life in prison for raping girl thrice

BERBICE taxi driver Basheer Mohamed called ‘Suga’ was on Tuesday handed three life sentences for raping an under-aged girl.

Mohamed, formerly of East Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh at the Berbice High Court.

In January, a 12-member jury found him guilty of the three counts of rape committed on a child under 16 years, which occurred between August 1 and December 7, 2020.

The judge in his sentencing remarks, said that Mohamed showed no remorse for his action, especially the emotional scars he has left the vic-

tim with.

As such, Mohamed was sentenced to life imprisonment on each count, which will run concurrently.

The state was represented by prosecutor, Nafeeza Baig.

According to reports, during the period mentioned in the charge, the child was left in the care of Mohamed. He committed the rape while her mother was out.

Mohamed told the child that he would kill her mother if she confided in her relatives. However, the victim’s aunt became aware of what had happened and reported the matter to the police.

(From right) Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG) Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin receives one of 100 Virus | Flu Protection Shields from Marketing Manager Penny Francis in the presence of President of STARR Computer, Mike Mohan

High standards, research-driven initiatives take agro-processing ventures to new heights

By Tamica Garnett

MANY small and mediumsized Guyanese agro-processors and food producers have been consistently upping their game over the past few years, not only improving on the packaging and aesthetics of their products but introducing new and innovative products into the market.

“Instant Cook up” by Taz Foods, “Pepperpot in a Box” by Ashdel’s, “Only Coconut” line of products by Precision Global, and “Country Style Plantain Chips” by Wade Enterprise are just a few of the more recent additions that have been making serious waves in the market.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Chief Invest Officer and Head of the Guyana Office for Invest (GoInvest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, shared that the massive investment and support on the government’s part have been yielding fruits, especially considering the way in which local entities are stepping up to the challenge for increased production of agriculture and value-added food products.

“There’s a push to get our products into the Caribbean. Our main sales manager is the President [Dr Irfaan Ali] himself. The more we produce, and the more we step up our standards, the more he is marketing our products throughout the region,” Dr. Ramsaroop said.

He added: “There’s a drive from His Excellency on the agriculture sector, pushing for more products to be developed both at mega farms and with agro processors. There’s the initiative with the 25 by 25.”

As Lead Head of Government in the CARICOM QuasiCabinet with responsibility for Agriculture, Food Security and Agricultural Diversification, Dr. Ali has been spearheading the region’s efforts to achieve food security within the Caribbean region, pushing for regional nations to produce and consume more domestic food products.

The initiative 25 by 25, put forth by President Ali, strives to see the region reduce its food import bill by at least 25 per cent by 2025.

Encouraged by the commitment from most of the Caribbean nations to do their part in the food security initiative, smaller businesses have been taking up the mantle.

With Guyana being seen as having a central role to play, the government, led by President Dr. Ali has been putting its money where its mouth is, not shying away from making necessary public sector investments to ensure entrepreneurs in the food production business feel supported and encouraged to expand and innovate.

“They feel that it is not just them doing it alone. They

know that they have the support of their government. With coordination from the Bureau of Standards, the Guyana Invest Office, and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) marketing the products, the agro processors know that there is help from government and we will continue to help push their products from the government side,” Dr. Ramsaroop said.

While agro processing is by no means a new occurrence for Guyana, over the years, the improvement of the standard and quality of the products has been a big impediment against locally produced food products becoming viable and competitive for the local and export markets.

Hence, this has been a key area where much focus has been going into over the past few years.

“Sometimes when a product doesn’t get on the shelf it doesn’t mean that the quality is bad, it could be simply that it doesn’t fit with the other products on the shelf. So, those are the learning areas that these agro processors are becoming aware of, and are making themselves much more competitive. In the packaging, how to put together the labels and even the type of containers to use,” Dr. Ramsaroop related.

REDUCING ENERGY COST

More than just support to entrepreneurs, the government has also been working on the infrastructural side, with moves to reduce Guyana’s energy costs by as much as 50 per cent with the realisation of a gas powered power plant being part of moves to vastly improve the capabilities of the manufacturing businesses in Guyana.

“If we can master these products at the higher energy cost and still be competitive, much less when we meet our commitment as government in reducing energy cost by 50 per cent. How much more they will be able to deliver and profitability will be able to increase,” Dr. Ramsaroop noted.

The Go-Invest has also been working around the clock to collaborate with the producers and manufacturers to promote the products internationally.

With the improved quality, the products have been gaining steam not only on the local market, but the major investments made to improve on product packaging has opened up the export possibilities beyond the borders of Land of Many Waters.

“We find that the producers are doing the research. They are looking at the needs in both the local market and the Caribbean. There are even other distributors that have

taken up many products to the diaspora in New York, Toronto and other places,” Dr. Ramsaroop said.

The fruits of those efforts were evidenced by the amazing feedback received by several Guyanese producers while their products were on display at the 2023 Barbados Agro Fest that was held from February 24-26 at Queens Park, Bridgetown.

Guyana’s participation at the event was aimed at partnering with the Government of

Barbados to boost agricultural production and contribute to safeguarding the Caribbean’s food security plan. A total of 42 Guyanese companies participated at the event including farmers, agro-processors, arts and crafts producers and jewellers.

Emerging from interactions at the event, Taz Foods out of Linden attracted the attention of the Barbados Manufacturing Association to provide ration packs for their disaster initiative using

their innovative “Cook Up in a Cup” which was launched last year.

Handicraft producers specialising in Amerindian craft made arrangements to work with the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados to use Guyanese art pieces on the Tourism frontier, while

An agreement was signed between Precision Global, producers of the Only Coconut products, and Armstrong Company for the distributorship of the Only Coconuts products.

“The fact that Only Coconuts could’ve signed a distribution deal with one of the largest distributor in the Caribbean is testament to the fact of how they have stepped up on the packaging, and the quality,” Dr. Ramsaroop said.

Arrangements were also made for Guyanese companies to assemble clothing for the garment manufacturers, Prosecure, a distributor of international branded clothing for chefs, housekeeping and the healthcare sector.

FARMSUP donates speedboat to Akawini schoolchildren

FARM Supplies Limited

(FARMSUP) donated a 25foot wooden boat with a 60-hp four-stroke Mercury outboard engine and 40 life jackets to the school children of Akawini Village, Region Two. Speaking during the simple

handing over ceremony was Minister of Local Government and Regional Development

Nigel Dharamlall, who thanked FARMSUP for its donation and said he looks forward to working together in the future on more projects of a similar

nature across Guyana. Similar sentiments were echoed by the Region Two Chairwoman Mrs. Vilma Da Silva and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ms. Susanah Saywack who expressed their gratitude on behalf of the vil-

lage. They also expressed their appreciation to the company for staying true to the promise made of the boat donation towards the school, which was made at the Essequibo Branch’s opening back in November 2022.

The timely donation, according to Toshao Rudolph Wilson, will ensure that the students from the various settlements will be safely transported to the schools only accessible by boat.

He noted that these children travel miles from their village to the Akwani Primary and Nursery Schools and that the boat and life jackets are certainly welcomed. He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the parents whose children will be using the items.

The Managing Director of FARMSUP, Renger van Dijk, expressed his enthusiasm at

being able to make the muchneeded donation to the Akwani village.

He noted that FARMSUP and Mercury recognise the importance of education and understand that access to education, especially in these areas, is crucial for children; after all, they are the leaders of tomorrow. He reinforced the company’s commitment to its corporate social responsibilities, which are demonstrated through various projects such as these.

In addition, he mentioned the strategic choice of donating a four-stroke engine because this type of engine has reduced fuel consumption which will be better in terms of operational expenses. It is also known for fewer emissions, which furthers FARMSUP’s commitment to a green initiative.

19-year-old labourer dies in freak accident at ‘tyre shop’

POLICE are probing an alleged incident which resulted in the death of 19-year-old Joshawn Allistair Sevon Goddard, a labourer of Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

The incident occurred at Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, on Tuesday, at approximately 13:20 hours.

According to Maverline Johnson, a 69-year-old pensioner residing at Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Goddard was a family friend employed as a labourer in her family’s vulcanising shop for the past year.

According to a police press release, Johnson recalled that she was upstairs in her home while her granddaughter, Feneta Johnson, 25, was inside the “wash bay” about 30 meters from the workshop.

“Joshawn was in the ‘tyre shop’ attending to a truck tyre when Johnson said she heard a loud explosion from the vulcanising shop” the press release

stated.

It was further stated that she looked through her window and heard her granddaughter scream and when she rushed into the workshop, Goddard was laying lifeless with a wound to his neck and what appeared to be blood gushing.

The matter was reported to the Police, and when ranks arrived on the scene, the body was observed in a pool of blood, clad in short black pants, a green jersey and black slippers.

The body was examined, and a gaping wound was seen in the centre region of the neck. Several tyres, rims and tyre shop tools were also discovered around the body.

The man was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. The body is at a mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Schoolchildren of Akawini Village, Region Two, using the 25-foot wooden boat, with a 60HP four-stroke Mercury outboard engine

Munroe elected...

stakeholders”, President Munroe posited.

Meanwhile, K.A. Juman-Yassin, who thanked various distinguished persons for helping him during his elongated tenure as the GOA boss, was the first to congratulate the new GOA executive and wished them the best.

The council voted for Aliann Pompey’s eligibility to run as vice-President and she was deemed ineligible 24-11 via secret ballots. Hence, there were only three nominees for the three vice-President positions on the executive. Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, along with Cristy Campbell and Phillip Fernandes, were automatically elected to the VP positions.

Attorney-at-law and Pres-

ident of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, was elected the new General Secretary, edging out Dr. Karen Pilgrim and Keavon Bess. In the tie-breaker between Dr. Pilgrim and Persaud-McKinnon, the latter overcame 18-15.

Garfield Wiltshire was re-elected unopposed as the Treasurer. His deputy will be Mike Singh, who got the Assistant Treasurer nod 2114 over Deion Nurse.

Deion Nurse was also up for re-election to the position of Assistant General Secretary but Emilia

Ramdhani had a landslide victory with 22 votes while Nurse had six (6) and the other candidate, Latoya Herbert, snagged seven (7).

Government keen on grass-roots...

successful sport and one where Guyana can compete at an international level, and be good as or even better than their competitors.

As such, investing in facilities is a key factor going forward with facilities in Anna Regina, Mckenzie, and Albion, among other areas, soon having their respective cricket venues.

The move is an important part of the Government’s plan to not only manage but ensure the sport of cricket and sports generally, is on a rapid, upward trajectory and widespread across Guyana.

Ramson further lauded the various relationships which have been fruitful over the past two and one-half years between the government and the various sports associations/ Federations.

The Minister then noted that it was important for the aforementioned (Associations/ Federations) to have a good understanding of the Government of Guyana’s involvement in the sports sector.

He added that the newfound relationships between government and governing sports bodies, has resulted in a more transparent, close-knitted bond between the entities.

The Minister said the tournament and the partnership between the GCB, government, media and players have a big

role to play in the continued progression of cricket locally and internationally.

Regarding the U19 tournament, the Minister said this commitment between the government and the GCB will be a long-term investment for years to come.

Reflections of such undying loyalty has been showing with the Guyana Harpy Eagles who have been doing well during the ongoing Regional 4-Day Tournament.

Minister Ramson, in acknowledging the national team’s progress, hailed them for their efforts, adding that Guyana continues to be a hotbed and is expected to undergo a bigger boost as the proposed cricket facilities will be usable and accessible in a matter of months.

Meanwhile, GCB president Bissoondyal Singh, along with executives of the board who were present at the launching, thanked President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Minister Ramson Jr. and by extension, the government for their support and continued role in ensuring the sport reaches its full potential.

Singh said “The GCB is extremely grateful to President Ali and Minister Ramson as this investment sets the stage for cricket to be catapulted to a higher level”.

Mannie’s 6 wins Ministry of Amerindian Affairs feature dominoes

MANNIE’S 6 led from the start to finish to emerge winners of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs-sponsored dominoes competition, held recently at the Everest Cricket Club pavilion. With Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, witnessing the entire proceedings and presenting the trophies at the end, Mannie’s 6 never surrendered the lead, finishing on 77 games, with Movement Foundation of Region Eight placing second on 71 and Hot

Shots failing to fire any shots, ending in the cellar with 64.

Selwyn Prescott of Mannie’s 6 registered the maximum 18 games for the winners and received valuable support from Ariel D’Oliviera (16), Tony Alli (13) and Manniram Shew (12).

The top markers for Movement Foundation were T. Daniels and N. Jeffrey with 15 games each while W. Waldron had 14. S. Henry, with 16, led the way for Hot Shots with Martin Pestano recording 12.

The three “lovebirds” were Hilbert “Bumpy” Ali of Mannie’s 6 and O. Matherson and P. Nelson of Movement Foundation.

Minister Sukhai, who met all three teams prior to the feature game, also gave them a ‘pep’ talk at the end of the proceedings, while congratulating them for participating in the event.

Trophies were awarded to the winning and runners-up team, and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Selwyn Prescott of Mannie’s 6.

Mbappe replaces Hugo Lloris as captain of France national team

PARISs St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been named as the new captain of the France na-

Mbappe, 24, has 66 caps for France since making his senior debut in 2017.

“Kylian meets all the

Sunday.

“On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Deschamps had named Mbappe as captain and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann as vice-captain on social media on Tuesday. Mbappe was the top scorer at last year’s World Cup as he helped France reach a second straight World Cup final, where they were beaten by Argentina.

Kylian Mbappe has scored 36 goals in 66 appearances for France

tional team. He succeeds Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who retired from international football in January.

requirements to have this responsibility,” France manager Didier Deschamps told French TV channel TF1 in an interview to be aired on

He scored two goals in the 2018 final against Croatia and was named as the tournament’s best young player as France were crowned world champions for a second time.

Deschamps’ side play the Netherlands at the Stade de France in their first Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday, before facing the Republic of Ireland on Monday. (BBC Sport)

American Racing Tips

Gulfstream Park

Race 1 Rita Marga

Race 2 Bullet On Tap

Race 3 Law Machine

Race 4 Mr Cellular

Race 5 Nantasket Beach

Race 6 Crazy Passion

Race 7 To A T

Race 8 Lookinassah

South Africa Racing Tips

Scottsville

08:05 hrs Radicchio

08:40 hrs La Dreamer

09:20 hrs Dongherrari

09:55 hrs Mccartney

10:30 hrs Sleek As Silk

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, with members of the three participating teams following the completion of the game

ICC World Cup 2023 likely to start on October 5 and end on November 19

..The final is set to be in Ahmedabad; 11 other Indian cities shortlisted as venues by BCCI

By Nagraj Gollapudi

THE 2023 ODI World Cup is likely to start on October 5 and end on November 19. ESPNcricinfo has also learned that BCCI, the host for the 10-team marquee event, has shortlisted at least a dozen venues, with the final scheduled to be at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

in advance, but this time it has also been waiting for the BCCI to get the necessary clearances from the Indian government. This includes two key issues: getting a tax exemption for the tournament, and visa clearance for the Pakistan team, which has not played in India except at ICC events since early 2013.

At the ICC’s quarterly meetings last weekend, held in Dubai,

ICC (and all its commercial partners involved in the tournament) secure tax waivers.

Last year the ICC was informed by the Indian tax authorities that it would be charged a 20% tax order (excluding surcharges) for its broadcast revenue from the 2023 World Cup. In a note distributed to its members - state associations - the BCCI pointed out that any tax “in-

Ahmedabad aside, the shortlist comprises Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Indore, Rajkot and Mumbai. In all the tournament will comprise 48 matches including three knockouts across the 46-day period

The title bout aside, the BCCI has not specified venues for any games as yet, or the two or three cities where teams will play the warm-ups. The delay in finalising the venues is due to the complications posed by the monsoon season receding at different points in different parts of India.

Usually the ICC announces World Cup schedules at least a year

the BCCI is learned to have assured the global body that visas for the Pakistan contingent will be cleared by the Indian government.

As for the tax exemption issue, the BCCI is expected to update the ICC soon on the exact position of the Indian government. The tax exemption has been part of the host’s agreement the BCCI signed with the ICC in 2014, when three men’s events were awarded to India: the 2016 T20 World Cup, the 2018 Champions Trophy (later changed to 2021 T20 World Cup, which was moved to the UAE and Oman due to the pandemic) and the 2023 ODI World Cup. As per the agreement, the BCCI was “obligated” to help the

curred” by ICC would be “adjusted” against the Indian board’s revenues from ICC’s central revenue pool.

In the note, the BCCI listed the ICC’s estimated broadcasting income from the 2023 World Cup at USD 533.29 million. It said the “financial impact” it would suffer for a 10.92% tax order on that would be around UDS 58.23 million (the BCCI’s note listed the figure as USD 52.23 million, which appears to be an error given the percentages listed). That would more than double to roughly USD 116.47 million if the tax component were to be 21.84%, as desired by the Indian tax authorities(Cricinfo)

Nadal out of world top 10 for first time since 2005

RAFAEL Nadal has dropped out of the world’s top 10 men’s tennis rankings for the first time in almost 18 years.

Nadal has been in the top 10 ever since April 2005, but on Monday fell to 13th in the ATP rankings after injury forced him to miss Indian Wells.

The 36-year-old’s run came to an end on the same day that teenage compatriot Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed his number

one spot from Novak Djokovic after beating Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s Indian Wells final.

Nadal is yet to recover from the hip injury that has hampered him since his Australian Open exit to Mackenzie McDonald in January.

Though the 22-time grand slam winner could return to the top 10 once he is back in action, it will not be in the next month as he has also

withdrawn from the Miami Masters.

The latest ATP rankings saw Djokovic drop to second place, while Medvedev moved from sixth to fifth, Felix Auger-Aliassime leapt from 10th to sixth, Hubert Hurkacz nudged into the top 10 as he moved up two places to ninth, while Taylor Fritz dropped from fifth to 10th. (Sportsmax)

A general view of the Narendra Modi Stadium, where the World Cup final is likely to be held • Getty Images

Nidamanuru hits 110 not out from No. 7 to give Netherlands unlikely win

TEJA Nidamanuru’s unbeaten 96-ball 110 from No. 7 did the job for Netherlands as they pulled off a come-from-behind three-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Chasing 250 for victory in the first of three ODIs, Netherlands were staring down the barrel at 110 for 6 in the 32nd over before Nidamanuru first wove partnerships with Shariz Ahmadand Paul van Meekeren and then finished off the game with some fireworks.

Nidamanuru walked in after Richard Ngarava and Wellington Masakadza had dismantled Netherlands’

top order. Colin Ackermann was still there, though, and put up a 46-run stand with Nidamanuru, but Masakadza knocked Ackermann over for 50 in his final over.

It was the bottom few left then, and Nidamanuru and Shariz picked up a boundary each in the first ten balls of their partnership before a quiet period left Netherlands needing 108 off 72 balls. They found the odd boundary, and Nidamaduru went past 50, but it wasn’t till the 43th over that things started to get a bit desperate.

Zimbabwe bowled five

GCB’s Inter-County Cricket

Third day washed out without a ball being bowled

THE third day’s play of the final round of the GCB Inter-County four- day cricket tournament was washed out

yesterday at Bourda without a ball being bowled

At Lunch on day two Essequibo were 28-2 replying to Demerara’s

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday March 22, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 GARNETT STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE, GEORGETOWN (TEL: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) WI 1; SA 1; 1 Abandoned

(2) Shai Hope & Heinrich Klaasen (Jointly) Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when did the WI & SA first play a T20 International game against each other? (2) Who were the captains involved?

in tomorrow’s issue

430-7 declared before rain stopped play for day.

If there is play on today’s final day, Demerara, one point behind Essequibo, will need to

bowlers between the 43rd and the 48th over but the rotation didn’t work in terms of stemming the flow of runs. It did, however, involve Shariz being run out for 30 to end a 110-run stand off just 94 balls.

Nidamadaru brought up his century in the 48th over, with a four off Ngarava and with van Meekeren hitting another four in the same over, Netherlands needed 19 from 12. That became just four from the last over after Nidamadaru smacked a six and van Meekeren a four in the 49th over, bowled by Blessing Muzarabani. It went down to the penultimate ball, before van Meekeren hit Brad Evans for six to finish the job.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe were put under the pump after being asked to bat. Fred Klaassen and van Meekeren removed the top three cheaply in the first powerplay. Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza got off to starts but Madhevere was run-out in the 11th over.

Brandon Glover, Vikramjit Singh and Shariz

chipped away to leave Zimbabwe languishing at 98 for 7 in the 21st over, before Masakadza joined Clive Madande to repair the innings.

The two absorbed the pressure by turning the strike over and were not perturbed despite scoring only five boundaries in their 99-ball partnership. They put up 70 runs when Masakadza became the second run-out victim of the innings.

After that, 32 of the 66 runs between Madande and Ngarava, who smashed two sixes, came in boundaries. Madande reached his fifty in the 41st over and carried on before being the last man out for a 98-ball 74. It was a heroic effort, but could not stop Netherlands from earning their third win of the ODI Super League . (Cricinfo)

get at least four wickets to go past Essequibo and retain the title they won in 2014, the time local cricket at level was played.

Yesterday, although there was hot sun after lunch, the damage was already been done as overnight and morning showers created puddles on several sections of the ground.

Today, Demerara would hope for some play today to prevent Essequibo from lifting their first Trophy at this level. (Sean Devers)

Teja Nidamanuru scored a match-winning century from No. 7 • (Getty Images)

The Bourda sward at anoon yesterday

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, (CMC) – West Indies’ gallant bid for their first One-Day International series win over South Africa in three decades fell flat here Tuesday when they slumped to a four-wicket defeat at Senwes Park.

Defending 260 in the series finale after Brandon King top-scored with a run-a-ball 72, West Indies lost their discipline with the ball, allowing the Proteas to speed to their target in the 30th over with Man-ofthe-Match Heinrich Klaasen carving out a brilliant, unbeaten 119 off 61 deliveries.

The visitors were in with a shout when the outstanding Alzarri Joseph struck twice early to reduce the run chase to 36 for two in the fourth over, and again when the innings slipped to 87 for four in the 13th over.

But Klaasen proved the difference, blasting 15 fours and five sixes and combining with David

Miller (17) in a 55-run, fifth wicket stand and then with Marco Jansen (43) in a 103-run, sixth wicket partnership, to erase any chance of a West Indies win.

Joseph earned three for 50 with his pace while left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein ended with two for 49 but the West Indies attacked proved expensive; seamer Jason Holder leaking nearly 9-½ runs per over from his seven-over spell and pacer Odean Smith and leg-spinner Yannic Cariah both also sending down costly overs.

“They clearly outplayed us today. I thought we batted well in parts but definitely didn’t execute with the ball,” said Captain Shai Hope.

“We just didn’t hit our straps. We have ourselves to blame. In a situation like this, we can’t expect to concede [264] in 29 overs so we have ourselves to blame here.”

He added: “I still thought we were in the game [after posting 260]

Klassen ton sees Proteas beat Windies inside 30 overs

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES

B King b Ngidi 72

K Mayers c Ngidi b Jansen 14

S Brooks run out 18

*+S Hope c Miller b Fortuin

16

N Pooran c Ngidi b Jansen 39

Markram 10-0-30-1 (w1)

SOUTH AFRICA

+R Rickelton c Mayers b

Joseph 3

T de Zorzi lbw b Hosein 21

R van der Dussen c Mayers b

Joseph 14

out in the 49th, Hope failing with 16 when he clipped left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin (2-46) to Miller at mid-wicket in the 27th.

but again, we didn’t bowl as well as we needed to.”

Sent in, West Indies were handed a strong start by King, the right-hander putting on 39 for the first wicket with Kyle Mayers (14) before adding a further 71 for the second wicket with Shamarh Brooks (18).

Mayers perished at the end of the seventh over to pacer Marco Jansen (2-46), brilliantly taken by Lungi Ngidi running back from mid on while Brooks was run out at the end of the 19th over when he slipped mid-pitch and failed to regain his ground in time, after being sent back by King over a single.

King, who struck 11 fours and a six, reached his fourth ODI fifty off 60 balls and appeared in command when he chopped on to a short delivery from pacer Ngidi in the 22nd over.

R Powell st Rickelton b Fortuin 2

J Holder st wkp Rickelton b Markram 36

Y Cariah c wkp Rickelton b Coetzee 6

A Hosein c Ngidi b Coetzee 14

O Smith b Parnell 17

A Joseph not out 1

Extras (lb10, w15) 25

TOTAL (all out, 48.2 overs)

260

Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Mayers, 2-110 (Brooks), 3-120 (King), 4-152 (Hope), 5-160 (Powell), 6-187 (Pooran), 7-206 (Cariah), 8-221 (Holder), 9-244 (Hosein), 10-260 (Smith)

Bowling: Ngidi 6-0-45-1, Parnell 5.2-1-30-1 (w3), Jansen 9-0-46-2 (w4), Fortuin 8-046-2, Coetzee 10-0-53-2 (w3),

Former captains Nicholas Pooran (39) and Jason Holder (36) both tried to rally the innings but

*A Markram c wkp Hope b

Mayers 25

H Klaasen not out 119

D Miller c & b Hosein 17

M Jansen c Brooks b Joseph

43

W Parnell not out 4

Extras (lb6, w8, nb4) 18

TOTAL (6 wkts, 29.3 overs)

264

Did not bat: B Fortuin, G Coetzee, L Ngidi

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Rickelton), 2-36 (van der Dussen), 3-73 (Markram), 4-87 (de Zorzi), 5-142 (Miller), 6-245

(Jansen)

Bowling: Joseph 8-0-50-3 (w5), Holder 7-1-66-0 (w1, nb2), Mayers 2-0-12-1 (w1), Smith 2-0-32-0 (nb2), Hosein 7-0-49-2, Cariah 3.3-0-49-0,

their efforts were in vain as West Indies disappointingly lost their last six wickets for 100 runs to be all

Left-hander Pooran struck a four and three sixes in a 41-ball knock before top-edging a pull at Jansen to fine leg in the 35th, while Holder was beaten in flight and stumped off part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram in the 44th after counting three fours in 43 balls at the crease.

The hostile Joseph gave West Indies the ideal start, forcing Ryan Rickelton (3) to fend a snorter to Mayers at first slip in the third over before getting Rassie van der Dussen caught by Mayers running around behind the ’keeper after the batsman gloved another short ball in the fifth over.

Markram (25), leading the side in place of the injured Temba Bavuma, propped up the innings in a 37run stand with Tony de Zorzi (21) but when both perished in the space of nine balls with 14 runs added, the game was wide open once again.

The right-handed Klaasen took the game away, however. He launched a calculated attack on the West Indies bowlers en route to his half-century off 30 balls in the 19th over, before reaching his second ODI hundred in the 27th over off just 54 balls – the fourth fastest by a South African.

Economic impact of Hero CPL passes US$200 Million in 2022

THE 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) generated a huge economic impact for the countries who hosted matches with a total figure of US$200,935,772, a 47 per cent increase on the amount generated during the 2019 tournament, the last time the Hero CPL travelled around the region.

The total direct economic impact on the region from Hero CPL 2022 was US$134,686,551 with an additional US$66,250,232 in sponsorship value as a result of the Hero CPL broadcast which was watched by over 700million viewers in 2022.

The four countries who held Hero CPL matches were St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. St Kitts & Nevis also hosted the first running of the Massy Women’s CPL (WCPL) and the SKYEXCH

6IXTY. The tournament has created jobs and generated income in all of these countries as the Caribbean continues to be central to the success of the Hero CPL.

The rise in economic impact has, in part, been driven by the change to the tournament structure that now sees all six teams, TV production crew and tournament staff travelling around the region as one cohort, spending more time in each of the host countries.

With more matches being played per host country, travelling fans are now offered even greater value to come and watch the Hero CPL and as a result there was a significant increase in international arrivals across the tournament in 2022.

This figure was generated by independent, world-renowned research company,

YouGov Sport. This figure takes into account the total spent by Hero CPL to put on the 2022 event, the value

of media exposure for the country from the broadcast of matches and the money spent with local business by

those who travelled around the region for the tournament

The Hero CPL was responsible for filling 54,702 hotel nights across the region, with players, TV crew, CPL and franchise staff and other visitors all helping to generate further revenue for local businesses and suppliers.

The total viewership for the 2022 Hero CPL was a record 721.8million, a record for the tournament. This is the third successive year that the tournament has generated a viewership figure of over half a billion. This increase in viewership gave even more exposure to host countries throughout the tournament, adding further value to hosting Hero CPL matches.

Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO, said: “The value that Hero CPL brings to host countries has been long established but for the economic impact of the tournament to pass US$200million for the first time is another milestone in the decade long history of the event. Hero CPL creates jobs, fills hotel rooms, boosts tourism and attracts visitors into host countries, both during the tournament and beyond. We are very excited to see this Caribbean product continue to grow its global reach while still hugely benefiting the region.”

Heinrich Klaasen smashed the fourth-fastest century by a South Africa batter in ODIs (AFP/Getty Images)

The Jamaica Tallawahs celebrating their 2022 title

OCSL ensures Open title remains at home

…Latiff steers NYSCL to Masters crown

AFTER witnessing their Over-50 and Over-40 counterparts going down in both of their finals to Regal Legends and New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) respectively, the Ontario Cricket Super League (OCSL) Open All Stars team ensured a victory for the home side in a hard-fought final versus Titans when the three- day OCSL tournament climaxed at Barnett Park on Sunday.

The final, which was billed as the feature event of the day,

batting first.

The innings never got going as Titans lost wickets frequently with Hemant Persaud hitting three fours in a top score of 24.

Rohit Dutchin, who caused the early damage, finished with the impressive figures of three for 12 from 3.3 overs.

Delroy Perreira scored a patient 30 which was decorated with three fours and a six while Dutchin crowned a fine allround performance, spanking a four and three sixes in an unbeaten 27 when victory was

and Greg Singh (Kingsmen) received the prizes for scoring the most runs and grabbing rhe most wickets respectively. The man-of-the-match in the final was Dutchin, who incidentally was playing his first game of the tournament.

Meanwhile, a sensible and somewhat cautious undefeated 41 from Richard Latiff steered New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) to a comfortable four-wicket victory over the Ontario Cricket Super League (OCSL) in the final of

GCC to host Alvin Kallicharran at birthday function tomorrow

20, which included two fours. K. Karran (two for 22 in two overs) and M. Bodhoo (two for 25 in 3.2) were the best bowlers for Orlando.

Earlier, Orlando’s innings lacked momentum after losing early wickets from which they never really recovered. Bodhoo, showing his all-round skills, hit a top score of 28 which included a solitary boundary while R. Jawahir scored 23. Ian Sanichar ended with three for 22.

NYSCL took home the winner’ s trophy and $3000

BERBICE, Guyana and West Indies batting maestro, Alvin Issac Kallicharran, who celebrated his 74th birthday yesterday, will be the special guest of honour at a belated birthday function, tomorrow from 18:00hrs at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion. He is one of 16 players from the GCC to play Test cricket.

The older brother of Derick Kallicharran and uncle of Mahendra and Vishaul Naga-

legend or wishing to purchase a copy of his book are invited, with the dress code being elegantly casual.

Kallicharran’s books will be sold for $15(US) with 30 per cent of the proceeds going to the GCC, the oldest cricket club in the West Indies.

The left-handed icon, who is one of 64 Guyanese to play international cricket, registered 12 centuries between1972 and 1981 from 66 Test matches

Kallicharran, one of the best players of spin, made his debut as captain of the Guyana Under-16 team in 1966 before making his first class debut in 1967, batting in a pair of short pants.

Kallicharran, who played in the first two World Cups, which West Indies won in England, played 31 ODIs and scored 87 hundreds and 160 fifties from 505 first-class games.

after Titans sprung an upset with victory over the star-studded Kingsmen of New York in Saturday’s semi-final, simply did not lived up to expectations.

Batting first, Titans, who hail from Schenectady, New York and was featuring in their first international tournament, failed to replicate their performance of the previous day and were shut out for exactly 100,

achieved in 13.1 overs. Opener Sachin Singh also supported with 21 (two fours and a six).

The win earned OCSL a trophy and $4000 (US) while the players were recipients of medals. The losing team also collected the runners-up trophy.

Rookesh Mahase of Orlando was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) while Vikash Dhaniram (Hueeicanes)

the Masters Over-40 category. Set a tricky 132 for victory after limiting the home team to 131 for seven in their allotted 20 overs, NYSCL reached the required target in 17.1 overs, losing six wickets in the process with the experienced Latiff standing tall as wickets fell around him. He struck two fours and an equal number of sixes. K. Narine supported with

(US) while all the players collected medals. Losing finalists Orlando received the runners-up trophy. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award of the category went to Puran Bhira of NYSCL, Amar Singh of OCSL carted off the prize for the player scoring the most runs, Sanichar the most wickets and Latiff, the man-of-the-match in the final. (Frederick

Halley)

mootoo, who all played firstclass cricket, with Mahendra playing five Test matches, will autograph his book ‘Alvin Kallicharran, Guyana’s Pocket Dynamo Little Giant’ and take photos with those present.

Persons desirous of meeting the Guyanese cricketing

Kallicharran is one of 18 players from Berbice to play Test cricket and one of seven Guyanese to captain the side following his appointment for the 1978 tour to India when Clive Lloyd took an almost full team to the ‘Packer Series’ in Australia

The “little master” from the village of Port Mourant, Corentyne, is one of four Guyanese players of East Indian descent to captain West Indies at Test level after Rohan Kanhai became the first in the West Indies to do so. (Sean Devers)

Harpy Eagles, Scorpions, Red Force all boosted by return of Test players

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – THE Guyana Harpy

Eagles have been strengthened further for their fourth round clash today with bottom-ofthe-table Jamaica Scorpions, as they take aim at their first West Indies Championship title in three seasons.

The unbeaten hosts enter the penultimate round on 49 points, a lead of nearly 12 points over the second placed Windward Islands Volcanoes, who clash with Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Harpy Eagles will be bolstered by the Test pair of left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul and leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie, both having recently featured for West Indies on the Test tour of South

Africa.

Chanderpaul, the son of Test legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul, has been in excellent form of recent, scoring a Test double hundred away against Zimbabwe.

Motie took 19 wickets in that two-Test series and will be a massive addition to an already potent Harpy Eagles attack.

Harpy Eagles, unbeaten for the campaign, enter the contest against Scorpions at the Guyana National Stadium high on confidence especially after crushing Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 143 runs in the last round.

Winless Scorpions, with two defeats in three outings, have also received a boost with the inclusion of Test vice-captain and marquee batsman, Jermaine Blackwood.

Barbados Pride, meanwhile, have suffered a late blow with the withdrawal of Test captain, Kraigg Brathwaite.

He was initially named in the squad to face Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval but has since been replaced by uncapped 20-year-old left-hander, Rashawn Worrell.

Still, Pride will welcome the return of fast bowler Akeem Jordan and West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Jordan, Pride’s leading wicket-taker, was a member of the Test squad in South Africa but did not feature in either of the two Tests.

Red Force, still without a win in the tournament, have been lifted by the inclusion of Test wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva and West Indies speedster Anderson Phillip,

who has returned from injury. Red Force have made three changes, also calling up the uncapped Kamil Pooran while dropping Jeremy Solozano, Keagan Simmons, and Justin Manick.

Hurricanes lie third on 34.2 points, Pride are fourth on 31.2, with Red Force fifth on 24.8 and Scorpions last on 15.4 points.

SQUADS:

GUYANA HARPY EAGLES – Leon Johnson (captain), Antony Adams, Kevlon Anderson, Ronsford Beaton, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Nandu, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemol Savory, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith

JAMAICA SCORPIONS –Paul Palmer jr. (captain), Jermaine

Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Tevin Gilzene, Derval Green, Nicholson Gordon, Patrick Harty, Leroy Lugg, Abhijai Mansingh, Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Ojay Shields, Aldaine Thomas

BARBADOS PRIDE – Shane

Dowrich (captain), Camarie Boyce, Dominic Drakes, Jonathan Drakes, Chaim Holder, Akeem Jordan, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Shayne Moseley, Roshon Primus, Jomel Warrican, Kevin Wickham, Rashawn Worrell

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED

FORCE – Darren Bravo (captain), Bryan Charles, Joshua Da Silva, Jyd Goolie, Amir Jangoo, Imran Khan, Jason Mohammed, Vikash

Mohan, Uthman Muhammad, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Kamil Pooran, Tion Webster

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES – Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Colin Archibald, Larry Audain, Sheeno Berridge, Rahkeem Cornwall, Karima Gore, Montcin Hodge, Kofi James, Jeremiah Louis, Kieran Powell, Akeem Saunders, Javier Spencer, Devon Thomas

WINDWARD ISLANDS

VOLCANOES – Alick Athanaze (captain), Sunil Ambris, Teddy Bishop, Keron Cottoy, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Johan Jeremiah, Ryan John, Shermon Lewis, Preston McSween, Tevyn Walcott.

Orlando Open All Stars players pose with their winnings

The victorious NYSCL Masters side. NYSCL President Eric Ferrier poses with the winners trophy

Guyana and West Indies batting legend Alvin Kallicharran

Munroe elected President of new-look GOA -Equipment sponsor and high-performance facility high on agenda

By Calvin Chapman

THE long-anticipated election for the new executive body of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) was held last night at Olympic House, Lilliendaal, where former vice-president, Godfrey Munroe, ended K.A. Juman-Yassin’s 26-year reign at the helm of the body.During his first speech as president, Munroe thanked K.A. Juman-Yassin for his long-serving human service to sports in Guyana through his commitment and work at the GOA.

“The first order will be to communicate the entire agenda to the committee… We have simple, realistic and pragmatic goals. We will be looking to acquire an equipment sponsor, build a high-performance facility and collaborate more with ministries, embassies and other

Government keen on grass-roots / youth cricket development, following GCB U19 launch-- Minister Ramson

By Clifton Ross

MINISTER of Culture Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr. during yesterday’s launch of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 schedule of upcoming tournaments, praised the board for its continued efforts while cementing the Government of Guyana’s ongoing cause to ensure the country’s contribution to the sport, locally and internationally, will continue.

An U-19 Boys National Inter-Club, U-19 Boys Inter-County Super-50 , U-19 Boys Inter-County 3-Day tournament were all officially launched yesterday at the Providence National Stadium, where Minister Ramson, and executives from the National Sports Commission (NSC) along with GCB president Bissoondyal Singh and his team, broke ground for the aforementioned upcoming competitions.

The essence was captured during Minister Ramson’s in-depth overview of the current state of cricket along with future plans.

The key areas discussed were primarily grass-roots cricket development which was arguably a big topic. Other areas such as structure and communication, player-commitments and more specifically a unified partnership between the Government of Guyana and the respective federations/associations, were also discussed.

With the focus being on U19 cricket currently, the Minister revealed that he’s aware of what regional youth cricket did for the sport back in his day as a young upcoming cricketer.

The Minister added that cricket has been the country’s most

GOA’s new executive seated L-R: Phillip Fernandes(VP), Steve Ninvalle(VP), Godfrey Munroe (President), Cristy Campbell (VP). Standing L-R: Emilia Ramdhani (Asst. G.S.), Mike Singh (Asst. Treasurer), Garfield Wiltshire (Treasurer) and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (G.S.) (Adrian Narine photo)

Outgoing head K.A. Juman-Yassin (left) congratulates Godfrey Munroe on becoming new President of the GOA (Adrian Narine photo)

Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr. (centre) surrounded by players as he presents the sponsorship cheque to GCB president Bissoondyal Singh in the presence other board members and NSC executives during the U-19 launch yesterday at Providence (Clifton Ross Photo)