Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25-05-2021

MONDAY 24th May, 2021

' No.106370

09 Over 100 North Rupununi residents tested, vaccinated against COVID-19 PAGE

State owed millions of dollars –– by contractors keeping duty-free vehicles in breach of contractual 03 terms, says VP Jagdeo PAGE

Two dead, one 08 critical following Timehri accident PAGE

Members of the Joint Services, on Sunday, rehearsed ahead of Guyana’s 55th Independence anniversary (Department of Public Information photo)

Understanding power relations key in addressing violence 02 PAGE

Dead: Delon Whitehead (left) and Pastal Dainty

800 pounds of food supplies distributed to flood-affected 07 Region Nine PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Understanding power relations key in addressing violence –– affirm stakeholders working to eliminate intimate partner violence VIOLENCE, particularly intimate partner violence (IPV), has been of great concern locally, emphasised by frequent, fatal occurrences, and stakeholders who work to eliminate IPV agree that an understanding of power relations is crucial to addressing this problem.

At a recent forum organised by the Guyana Association of Professional Psychologists, Coordinator of the Non-Governmental Organisation ‘Help and Shelter’, Colin Marks, postulated that power dynamics in relationships contribute to the manifestation of violence.

“When we talk about violence, especially in the Guyanese context, it is our social psyche being affected,” Marks said, adding: “When I look at the phenomena of violence, it’s being taught and if it’s not taught, it’s being

caught in the socialisation process.”

He continued: “Let’s not mince words, it’s all about power in the relationship... that is why many victims or survivors are women and perpetrators are men.”

For context, the World Health Organisation (2012) defines IPV as any behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in the relationship, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.

And according to the Guyana Women’s Health and Life Experiences Survey (2018), conducted by the United Nations (UN) Women, inequitable gender attitudes and the normalisation and justification of violence are often associated with increased rates of IPV. That study noted that

the respondents from Guyana believed that women have certain gender roles (such as taking care of the home).

It was also noted that behaviours intended to control women’s bodies, autonomy and contact with others were strongly correlated with an increased experience of IPV. TWICE THE RATE “Women who reported that their partner exhibited one or more controlling behaviours (such as stopping her from meeting friends, insisting on knowing where she is at all times, frequently getting jealous or angry even if she just talks with another man or checking her cell phone, among others) also reported experiencing economic, emotional, physical and sexual violence at more than twice the rate of women who did not

From left to right: Coordinator of the Guyana Help and Shelter, Colin Marks; Psychologist, Wil Campbell; and Gender Affairs worker, Diego Alphonso report any controlling behaviours,” the study noted.

These power relations, Marks noted, impact the life experiences of women, children and men too, though they are often the perpetrators of violence.

He explained that in a household a child may see or experience violence and may grow up internalising that violence is a way of dealing with disagreements. Eventu-

ally, that child may, in turn, either become a perpetrator of violence or accept when violence is meted out to him/ her.

According to the 2018 study, some women believed that there are instances where violence meted out by a male partner is justifiable.

These instances include going out without informing the male partner, neglecting the child/children,

arguing with him, refusing to have sex with him, burning the food, or if he suspects that she has an outside relationship.

BETTER ALTERNATIVES Marks, as well as local psychologist, Wil Campbell disagreed that IPV is justifiable. Instead, they See page 8

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State owed millions of dollars GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

–– by contractors keeping duty-free vehicles in breach of contractual terms, says VP Jagdeo

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has highlighted some glaring infractions on the part of contractors who benefitted from duty-free concessions under the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

“Some people connected to the [then] Government, if they have a contract from the Ministry of Public Works for $2 million, they get a Landcruiser for duty-free for the project,” Jagdeo told a press conference hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday.

He explained that when vehicles are acquired under such duty-free terms, there are certain guidelines that apply in relation to a person/ company keeping the imported item.

“When the project comes to an end, they are supposed to either… re-export it, or pay the taxes,” the Vice-President highlighted.

He informed that under the previous Government, the guidelines for returning/ keeping the vehicles were not adhered to. “Hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes are unpaid there, and these are friends of a lot of the [former] ministers, and the Members of Parliament now,” Jagdeo informed.

The Vice-President was at the time highlighting a number of controversial matters relating to APNU+AFC’s tenure in office [2015-2020].

He reminded that under the former Government, in excess of one trillion dollars were expended, with at least “419 million spent without parliamentary oversight”.

Jagdeo also pointed to several instances where sole and single-sourcing of medical supplies were implemented in a manner which benefitted “certain people”.

“We have cases where the people – facilities maintenance managers were told to allow… equipment to rundown,” Jagdeo told reporters.

He also lamented the fact that presently, the Georgetown Public Hospital has equipment that does not work, including the X-ray machine.

“We are using portable ones; we are trying to get people now to come in and service those,” Jagdeo said.

He also made reference to the dumping of billions of dollars’ worth of expired drugs that were still being stored away. “We are [still] cleaning that out; it will take a while,” the Vice-President

informed. He also made reference to the controversial D’Urban Park project, which was constructed, in a substandard manner, at a cost of $1 billion. That project remains under investigation.

Dr. Jagdeo also pointed to the controversial Sussex Street drug bond, which was being rented at an exorbitant cost of $12.5 million per month. It was only in April this year that former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, was slapped with a Misconduct in Public Office charge by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force.

Norton’s charges followed a December 2020 recommendation from the Auditor-General, Deodat Sharma, that the Guyana Police Force conduct a thorough investigation into the questionable

rental agreements.

The warehouse facility, situated at 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was rented from Lawrence “Larry” Singh to serve as an offsite medical storage facility for the MoPH and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). “One man got more money for renting a building as a drug bond, than the entire [medical] capital budget for Region Four,” Jagdeo said on Friday.

He reiterated the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to prosecuting public officers responsible for illegally tapping into the State’s coffers.

“A lot of people were asking me, ‘what are you going to do about all these illegalities? What will the PPP do if it gets into Gov-

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo ernment?’ I said to you then, that we will take action against the people who have siphoned off State assets,” the Vice-President posited.

Certain sectors to be reserved for only Guyanese

–– once Local Content Policy comes into force, says Jagdeo ONCE the Local Content Policy is passed and fully implemented, it will prevent foreign companies from competing with locals operating within certain sectors.

This is according to VicePresident, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who said that, under the previous A Partnership for Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, foreign companies were “taking over almost every sector”.

He said that, in its updated form, the Draft Local Content Policy provides more opportunities for growth and development for local companies. “There [are] some sectors that we are putting in the law, that you could only have Guyanese businesses competing against each other; there will be no foreigners to compete against,” the Vice-President said.

More specifically, he noted that areas such as landscaping, logistics, transportation, food supplies, cleaning services and rentals will all be reserved for only Guyanese investors and players.

In addition to the reserved sectors, Jagdeo said that Guyanese will also benefit from a guaranteed percentage of operation in almost all the other sectors. He said, too, that once the Local Content Policy becomes law, foreign companies operating in fields reserved for locals will have to “disengage”. “… they would have to do something else, if they are here,” Jagdeo said. He explained too that the new law will also seek to define what is meant by ‘local companies’ so as to ensure that only Guyanese entities reap the intended benefits.

Currently, the Draft Local Content Policy is in its consultation phases.

The document, as it is, includes a series of phased targets for improved local participation, benefits and general advancement across all sectors, which are expected to be achieved within the next 10 years, should the timeline remain unamended at the end of the ongoing national consultation exercise.

The overarching aim, as outlined by the Government,

is to create a policy which guides and regulates local participation in existing and emerging sectors. This policy and subsequent legislation must be responsive to change and provide the ‘space’ to accommodate expansions in an economy such as Guyana’s, where there has been an increase in investors’ interest.

The Government, in September, had established an advisory panel on local content. The panel was tasked with undertaking a review of all existing initiatives and policies pertaining to local content in the petroleum sector and to provide guidance for the development of Guyana’s local content policy and legislation.

The panel comprised Shyam Nokta (chair), Carl Greenidge, Anthony Paul, Kevin Ramnarine, Carville Duncan and Floyd Haynes.

While the panel would have done its part, the Government has committed to engaging the public and key stakeholders on critical components which should be included in such a significant document.

The Ministry of Natural

Resources, in March, had said that the purpose of the revised local content policy document, inter alia, is to guide the legal drafting process.

“Having realistic and pragmatic targets in place is crucial before any action is placed towards Guyana’s legislative framework. Essentially, these targets will serve as the schedule of the local content legislation,” the ministry said.

Reaching to this target would require a gap analysis study which is instrumental and critical in crafting the local content policy. However, so too is an extensive and broad-based consultation process with all relevant stakeholders and segments of civil society, which indeed shares similar methodology and outcomes, the ministry reasoned.

“Therefore, in the interest of time and the urgency in having a robust local content policy in place, which would then serve as the principal driver of the legislative framework, the ministry has opted for the broad-based

consultation process. The idea is for stakeholders to come up with both realistic and pragmatic targets. To date, this consultative process is ongoing,” the Natural Resources Ministry noted.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo was, on Friday, unable to specify a timeline by which the proposed policy would be fully implemented as part of the laws governing Guyana’s growing Oil and Gas sector.

The Draft Local Content Policy is currently in its consultation phases

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Belarus ‘diverts Ryanair jet to arrest journalist’

Monday May 24, 2021 02:30hrs - 04:00hrs

A Ryanair plane from Greece to Lithuania was diverted to Belarus for several hours on Sunday, with activists saying it was done to arrest a dissident journalist on board.

European nations reacted with outrage, accusing Belarus of “state terrorism”.

The ex-editor of the Nexta group, Roman Protasevich, was detained before the plane was allowed to resume its flight.

Belarus media said a MiG-29 escorted the jet to Minsk because of a bomb scare but no explosives were found.

The plane finally landed in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, its original destination, at 21:25 local time (18:25 GMT), more than seven hours after its scheduled arrival.

Arriving passengers said they had been given no information about the reason for the abrupt diversion to Minsk. One said Protasevich looked “super scared. I looked directly to his eyes and it was very sad”.

Another, Monika Simkiene, told AFP news agency: “He just turned to people and said he was facing the death penalty.”

There have already been calls for the EU and NATO to intervene.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned the “outlandish action” would have “serious implications”.

Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was beaten by Alexander Lukashenko in presidential polls last year widely denounced as rigged, was among those demanding Protasevich’s release.

Since August’s election,

Supporters of Roman Protasevich wait for his arrival at Vilnius airport (BBC photo) 66-year-old Lukashenko, who has ruled the country since 1994, has cracked down on dissenting voices.

Many opposition figures have been arrested or, like Tikhanovskaya, fled into exile.

Flight FR4978 was en route from Athens to Vilnius when it turned east to Minsk shortly before it reached the Lithuanian border. Greece and Lithuania put the number of passengers on board at 171.

In a statement, Ryanair said that the crew had been “notified by Belarus (Air Traffic Control) of a potential security threat on board and were instructed to divert to the nearest airport, Minsk”.

The flight path, visible on the Flightradar24 website, suggests the plane was actually nearer to Vilnius than Minsk when it turned.

Ryanair said checks in Minsk found “nothing untoward” and the aircraft left Minsk at 20:50 local time.

“We apologise sincerely to all affected passengers for this regrettable delay which was outside Ryanair’s control,” it added.

The Ryanair statement made no mention of Protasevich.

Nexta was the first to break the news of his arrest.

It said the plane and its passengers were as searched,

then Protasevich was taken away.

Belta, the state-owned news agency in Belarus, said Lukashenko had personally given the order for the plane to land in Minsk following the bomb alert and approved despatching the MiG-29 fighter jet.

The US ambassador to Belarus, Julie Fisher, tweeted that it was “abhorrent” Lukashenko had faked a bomb threat and sent fighter jets to arrest a journalist.

European Council Chairman, Charles Michel said EU leaders would discuss “this unprecedented incident” on Monday at a Council summit and it would not “remain without consequences”.

NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg said this was a “serious and dangerous incident”.

Both Latvia and Lithuania said the airspace over Belarus should be recognised as unsafe, with Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics saying it should be closed to all international flights. The UN’s agency for civil aviation, ICAO, said it was concerned about an “apparent forced landing” which could be “in contravention of the Chicago Convention” which sets out the rules on airspace and aircraft safety.

Poland’s Prime Minister

Mateusz Morawiecki said: “Hijacking a civilian plane is an unprecedented act of state terrorism that cannot go unpunished.”

Nexta is a media operation with a Telegram channel, and has visibility on Twitter and YouTube.

It played a key role for the Belarus opposition during the election and has continued to so in its aftermath, particularly with the Government imposing news blackouts.

Tikhanovskaya said Protasevich, 26, had left Belarus in 2019 and covered the events of the 2020 presidential election with Nexta, after which criminal charges were filed against him in Belarus.

She said he faced the death penalty in Belarus as he has been categorised as a terrorist.

Western leaders have backed Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory in the election before she was forced to leave for Lithuania. She had become a candidate after her husband was jailed and barred from running.

Tens of thousands of protesters thronged the capital Minsk for months last year, furious at Lukashenko’s declaration of victory.

There have been numerous cases of police brutality and some 2,700 prosecutions this year alone.

(BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

UG to offer courses in oil and gas, renewable energy from June

THE University of Guyana’s Institute of Energy Diplomacy (IED) has announced a suite of executive-level professional courses which are set to begin in June 2021, with courses in energy markets, oil-and-gas value chain, energy transport and shipping and crudeoil trading.

The institution in a press release noted that the courses will be taught by leading international academics and experts from universities around the world, with long track records in training for the energy sector.

“IED aims to certify several hundred persons across various disciplines in its first year of offerings, commencing from June 2021, as the university rolls out its programmes in an effort to help fill the performance gaps and expressed interests of professionals in Guyana and the Region,” the press release noted.

The courses are said to cover a range of upstream, midstream, and downstream oil- and-gas

activities, and also equip participants with wider energy training. Prospective participants are expected to possess an undergraduate degree, or at least five years of experience in a related field to register.

Each professional course is assessed by a 100 per cent final online exam and is taught over a period of 1 or 2 weeks. The press release also noted that a person may opt for an exam or no-exam mode, and that the certification and costs of the two options will differ.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed, has said that the courses underscore UG’s continued drive to ensure that Guyanese can take full advantage of the local-content requirements, as well as those spin-off opportunities that are emerging rapidly in the local market.

Additionally, she noted that the courses join the new offerings in the Faculty of Technology (Degree and Masters in Petroleum Engineering and Masters in

Renewable Energy), Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (Masters in Environmental Management for the Oil and Gas Industry), and SEBI (Masters in Management of Supply Chains and Procurement), all to be offered from September 2021.

The energy markets course provides fundamental knowledge of energy-market economics.

Some of the topics that will be covered are energy demand, oil and refined products, natural gas, electricity and renewables. The course aims to provide participants with an energy-specific toolkit, which will foster understanding of the broader economic concepts and issues in this sector.

The oil-and-gas value chain course provides participants with an overview of the key business aspects of the oil and gas business, with an emphasis on the upstream petroleum business. It explores the oil and gas value chain, key contracting and portfolio management, risks and

Four more COVID-19 deaths, 116 new cases THE Ministry of Health has announced that the country’s COVID-19 death toll has risen to 359 following the death of four persons and that 116 new cases were recorded for Saturday.

The latest victims are a 73-year-old man from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), who died on May 17 and three females: a 77-year-old of Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) who died on May 19 and a 78-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 42-year old of Region Five, both of whom died on May 21.

The Health Ministry on

Sunday reported that the victims died subsequent to being admitted with COVID-19 symptoms and while receiving care at one of its medical institutions.

Meanwhile, the ministry has recorded another 116 new infections for Saturday, May 22 from some 1,829 tests conducted. This takes the number of confirmed cases recorded in Guyana since the virus was first detected in March 2020, to 16,130.

The new cases were detected in Regions One (one case), Two (three cases), Three (13 cases), Four (62 cases), Five (five cases), Six (13 cases), Seven (one case), Eight (one case), Nine (nine

cases) and 10 (six cases), covering every administrative region in the country.

There have also been some 35 recoveries recorded. Of the 116 new cases, 55 are males and 61 are females. Additionally, there are 19 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Some 96 persons are in institutional isolation, 1911 are in home isolation and four are in institutional quarantine.

There have been some 145,654 tests conducted to date.

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A section of the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus (File Photo) challenges in the 21st century, among other things.

The energy-transport and shipping course provides fundamental knowledge of energy transportation and the tanker shipping market. It consists of six topics with an introduction of energy transportation, the world tanker market and operations, shipping contracts and freight-market economics, and international regulations in

shipping.

The crude-oil trading course seeks to provide fundamental knowledge of energy- trading economics. Areas covered include oil-pricing mechanisms, trading strategies, contracts and contract exposures, and risk management.

IED Founding Director, Alex Armogan, stated that the institute’s professional courses are optimised for

online delivery and a busy work life.

The institution has noted that it will deliver a minimum of two professional courses per month for the rest of 2021, and expects to accelerate its offerings in 2022. Interested persons can visit www.ugied.com or contact the institute directly at team@ugied.com or call 613-5776 for more information.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

SMEs And Economic Development SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are acknowledged worldwide as the drivers of socio-economic development due to their important role in GDP growth, job creation and entrepreneurship. These enterprises are said to be the engine of economic development as most of them are privately owned, are driven by innovation and are adaptable to change.

According to the World Bank (2021), SMEs account for most businesses worldwide and are important contributors to job creation and global economic development.

They represent about 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of employment worldwide. Formal SMEs contribute up to 40 per cent of national income (GDP) in emerging economies.

There is no doubt that SMEs have the potential to become the foundation of the domestic and global-sustainability agenda.

To successfully integrate sustainability principles and practices within the SME business culture, SMEs should understand the emerging opportunities and the relevance to them. In many cases, the message and narrative of the sustainable development goals have not penetrated SMEs, and often SMEs are not aware of brave sustainability decisions they already have been implementing. Research has pointed out that

SMEs struggle to identify how they could use sustainability as a force for growth and adapt to megatrends such as increased globalisation, digitalisation, the new industrial revolution, the changing nature of work and demographic changes. Integration into the global economy through economic liberalisation, deregulation, and democratisation is seen as the paramount way to triumph over poverty and inequality in countries with transitional economies. Important to this process is the development of an animated private sector, in which small and medium enterprises can play a central role. SMEs have a propensity to employ more labour-intensive production processes than large enterprises.

Consequently, they contribute significantly to the provision of productive employment opportunities, the generation of income and, eventually, the reduction of poverty. These enterprises aid in the vitalisation and development of Guyana’s economy because they create job opportunities, promote stability and development of the economy. It produces much of the creativity and innovation that fuel economic progress, promote competition and cooperation, and produce high value-added products. The critical importance of this sector warrants much more attention by all the stakeholders which includes government agencies, and multinational compa-

nies because of their vested interests.

The presence of a developed SME environment correlates with several economic factors, including the growth of national GDP. There are many acknowledged benefits of SMEs in growing an economy. Researchers have shown that SMEs are labour-intensive, providing job opportunities for low-skilled employees; are correlated with lower inequality in the income distribution; are an important part of the supply chain for multinational companies; are necessary for nations under the transitional phase from agriculture-oriented to industrial and service-oriented economies; are excellent for innovation and sustainable initiatives, due to their flexibility and risk-taking qualities; serve as a train of knowledge spillover; expand the competition for new ideas and human capital; and expand market diversity and productivity.

SMEs play a major role for achieving economic growth and development. SMEs are lead actors to economies and to vast eco-systems of companies. SMEs have an important role to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, fostering innovation and to decrease income inequalities not only in Guyana, but the world at large.

Economic-policy strategies should foresee the changes in regulations, markets and technologies that happen internationally which may influence SMEs’ opportunities and conduct. SMEs’ development can assist economic diversification and flexibility mainly important for our country that is rich in resources that are vulnerable to commodity price variations. The contribution of SMEs to innovation dynamics has increased in late decades due to knowledge-based economies. SMEs part in the transformation to high sustainable patterns of production and consumption is decisive for the ‘greening’ of economic development. In many countries, innovative SMEs play a key position in the eco-industry and clean-tech markets. Trade and investment openness, protection of intellectual property, infrastructural and institutional quality are important factors for SMEs’ commitment to the global markets. Impoverished physical and ICT infrastructures halt SMEs to operate efficiently and to access global markets with competitive costs. The government’s policies should take into consideration upgrading of the workforce skills in SMEs and assist SMEs to acquire ICT and to ensure that they fully capitalise on the digital revolution.

Vic walked with kings and queens but never lost the common touch Dear Editor, EVERY once in a while someone comes along who bestrides the world like a colossus. Eshwar Vevakanand Persaud, CCH, was one such person. Vic walked with kings and queens but never lost the common touch. He appeared to be very egalitarian deep down in his soul. He seemed to be born for the role of director of protocol and was gifted as Adviser in Protocol Affairs.

His years in the Foreign Service at various overseas missions had prepared him for the moment. He reached the pinnacle of his long and illustrious career in the Public Service of Guyana with the distinction of having served nine Executive Presidents, starting with Mr.

L.F.S Burnham OE, S.C., followed by Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C., Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Mr. Samuel Hinds, O.E., Mrs. Janet Jagan, O.E., Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Mr. Donald Ramotar, Brig. David Granger M.S.M, M.S.S, and presently, Dr. Irfaan Ali. All those Presidents, except Dr. Irfan Ali, came and left, but Vic Persaud remained planted behind the revolving door of the executive presidency, keeping the machinery of government ticking with the Bible, the Quran, and the Bhagavad Gita, upon which the next Executive President would choose to swear to uphold the Constitution of Guyana and pledge to serve without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. Guyana was indeed fortunate to have this man as the custodian of its

‘Presidential Holy Books.’

This tribute is my portrait of Guyana’s ultimate Maestro of Protocol and diplomatic etiquette. Just over three decades ago, the towering figure of Vic Persaud confidently strode into the Department of Protocol in the Office of the President to replace the then Director of Protocol, Winifred Agard A.A., who was about to retire. He immediately made the indelible impression of suavity, elegance, and polish of manner, among the small staff of the department. His immaculate sense of style bespoke the confidence of the gentleman who was about to become our new director of protocol and Secretary- General of the Orders of Guyana. He came at a time of transition in Guyana.

It was the early to mid-80s.

Guyana was at its peak at

international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and CARICOM. Guyana’s presidential protocol was unique in the Caribbean, with the introduction of an Executive President as Guyana’s Head of State. Vic took on the role as Director of Protocol and never looked back. Significantly, Vic Persaud did not only serve honourably with nine Executive Presidents, but he also delicately handled each First Lady with utmost dignity, respect, and sagacity.

The whirlwinds of high politics swirled around him, but he was impervious to the vicissitudes of partisan politics.

He embodied the finest values of the Public Service: integrity, impartiality, and objectivity. He interacted seamlessly with politicians of every shade

across the political divide; local diplomats and foreign envoys, the military, police top brass, academics, legal luminaries, trade unionists, the private sector business leaders, the media, and religious leaders, all in the national interest.

His image at accreditation ceremonies for foreign diplomats presenting their credentials to the President had become a media staple. Vic became a friend to countless individuals, but he had a special place in his heart for artists. He was an ardent supporter of local artists whom he encouraged. Both established and up-and-coming artists, sculptors, and ceramicists, streamed into the office to have their works selected for purchase as presidential gifts. I recall artists such as Trevor Alfred, Andre Sealey, Desmond Ali, Winston Strict, Camo

Williams, Dudley Charles, Bernadette Persaud, Josefa Tamayo (Cuban-Guyanese), Philbert Gajadar and countless others who were lucky to have Vic purchase their works and present them as gifts to visiting Heads of States and governments or on presidential assignments around the world. It was classic art diplomacy and a very practical demonstration of support for an otherwise neglected sector of society. Many art works were acquired and are now part of the National Collection in the National Art Gallery, at Castellani House.

It was his seminal role as Secretary-General of the Orders of Guyana that Vic’s eye for detail was on full display.

He worked tirelessly with the Committee for the Orders

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

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800 pounds of food supplies distributed to flood-affected Region Nine

PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Saturday, visited Gunns Strip and Sand Creek, Region Nine, to have a firsthand look, and to make an assessment of the flooding in the region.

During the outreach, the Prime Minister also distributed over 800 pounds of foodstuff at Gunns Strip. The supplies number among the 2,000 food hampers the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) delivered to Region Nine as part of its ongoing flood-relief efforts there.

The Prime Minister ’s team also included Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and other government officials.

Speaking to DPI, the Prime Minister said: “Both Gunns and Sand Creek were affected by the flooding, water is still on the lands there, the farms are affected. I think I would say destroyed; the crops are destroyed. So, they will now have to depend on the efforts by the Civil Defence Commission.

And, as you know, the Director [General] of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, was deployed into the Rupununi area prior to our visit, and the CDC would have done their impact assessment and they would have already started to distribute relief supplies to those

affected communities. And the relief supplies, we are talking about food hampers, sanitation hampers.”

The Prime Minister noted that there are enough supplies in the CDC bond in Lethem to continue distribution. He also noted that water is receding from most areas, but there must be continued monitoring during the rainy season.

PM Phillips also said Region Nine is likely to experience more flooding if the waters in the Rio Branco and Rio Negro Rivers in Brazil continue to rise.

“They have passed the worst in the sense that the water has receded. However, we can see a lot of homes were affected by this flood.

We have a couple of families in the [Tabatinga Sports Complex] shelter,” he said.

The Prime Minister said villagers in Sand Creek and Gunns Strip were welcoming and are thankful for the relief items from the CDC. “I think that is what people expect in a time of disaster, that the government, whether it is Central Government or Regional Government, can quickly offer whatever relief efforts to help them to deal with the difficult situation that they are in right now.”

The PM said he is satisfied with the work conducted by the CDC and the regional authorities to date, to provide support and relief to villages affected by the flood.

Vic walked with ...

of Guyana to make sure all ‘citations’ were perfect for each national-honour recipient. He was the custodian of Guyana’s national honours system and was the driving force behind the production of all the ‘Instruments of Appointment’ and ‘insignias’ for Guyana’s highest honours, the Order of Excellence (OE), followed by the Order of Roraima (OR), Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), Golden Arrow of Achievement (AA), and Medal of Service (MS) as well as the Disciplined Service Medal (DSM), Military Service Medal (MSM), Disciplined Service Star (DSS) and Military Service Star (MSS).

Vic ensured that the names and citations on every ‘Instrument’ was calligraphed to the highest standards of excellence. He loved my calligraphy and motivated me as a young protocol officer, to excel in calligraphy, the art of beautiful penmanship. The protocol staff looked forward

to lunch or a snack which Vic would bring to the office from German’s Restaurant, or Betty’s black pudding or White Shop fried fish, when we worked weekends or overtime during the week in preparation for investiture or other national events and ceremonies. When I last saw Vic in 2018, I told him he needed to write his memoir for the benefit of the present generation of young public servants and for all Guyanese in general. I’m not sure if he got around to it.

His successor, Col. Francis Abraham, has been doing a great job as director of protocol for a number of years now with Vic as his mentor.

It would be a lasting tribute to Vic’s memory if a manual of presidential protocol and etiquette (The E.V. Persaud Protocol Manual) could be produced for posterity.

During his sojourn at OP, Vic ensured that all fallen members of the Orders of Guyana were honoured with a solemn

GET INOCULATED Meanwhile, the Prime Minister encouraged residents to get inoculated against COVID-19.

“I ask all the people from all the communities to come forward and take the vaccine.

We expect them to continue to observe the COVID-19 measures but, more particularly, to come forward and take the vaccine because we have enough vaccines.

Director General said the flood waters were high because the water had risen in the Ireng, Takutu and Rupununi rivers. He said with the increased rainfall as the wet season emerges, the water raised unusually high.

The CDC has already established a shelter to house at least 36 people in Lethem. The regional authorities have also established shelters at the Tabatinga Sports Complex, Arapaima Prima-

observed too, because of heavy rainfall, some of the homes, the walls, because of the type of structure, became saturated and a few of them collapsed.

But the waters are receding in most of the communities, but what you find, because of the saturation of the soil from the long period, it has an impact on cassava and other crops. So, what the farmers are doing, they are now harvesting very early

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips examines hampers prepared for Region Nine flood victims

We have adequate vaccines in the region for all the communities and we want all the people to come forward and take the vaccine.”

Additionally, the CDC FROM PAGE 6 vigil, as their remains lay in repose. A military officer would stand in silence with a cushion in hand bearing the medal which the departed member of the Orders had received. Now it’s Vic’s turn to have his vigil. A Military Medal Bearer will stand vigil with his Cacique Crown of Honour beside his casket.

Guyana can make sure to honour the memory of Eshwar Vevakanand Persaud by naming a Public Service building after him (similar to Ramphal House) or renaming ‘Fourth Avenue’ Subryanville, (the street where he lived all those years while he was at OP), the ‘Vic Persaud Avenue’ in recognition of Vic’s legendary service to Guyana. Life’s race well run, Life’s work well done, now comes eternal rest.

Yours sincerely, Standhope Williams Former Protocol Officer Office of the President

ry School and Culvert City Nursery School.

Lt. Col. Craig said agriculture was mostly affected.

“The main impacts are the farmlands. What we have

and they are trying to make farine and cassava bread, et cetera, for their families.”

Moreover, the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works conducted assess-

ments at the Pirara, Poke and Yupukari bridges to check for damages. Minister Indar noted that the Yupukari bridge is still under construction and is scheduled to be completed in two weeks.

H e s a i d e m e rg e n c y works are ongoing at Mango Bridge after reports were made that the bridge was shifting. He also recommended that the road from Annai to Lethem be upgraded. Minister Indar also said repairs are needed on all 38 bridges from Linden to Lethem.

The Minister of Amerindian Affairs also engaged Tabatinga residents affected by the flooding. Minister Sukhai assured them that the government would continue to support them during the flooding.

In total, 12 villages have already benefited from relief hampers. These include Shea, Aishalton, Baitoon and Katoonarib.

Some 2,600 food hampers have been prepared.

Of that sum, 2,300 have been handed over to the region. Some 300 of the hampers were purchased by the Regional Democratic Council. The CDC has also procured 2000 sanitation hampers to be distributed in Region Nine.

The water purification tablets and locally made cloth masks that were promised by the CDC have also been provided to the region.

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Two dead, one critical following Timehri accident

TWO friends are now dead and one is hospitalised in a critical condition following a horrific car accident on the Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara, on Saturday evening.

Dead are 24-year-old Pastal Dainty of Unity Place, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and

32-year-old Delon Whitehead of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Their injured friend has been identified as 25-year-old Michael Kendall of Block X Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

According to a police report, around 20:30hrs on Saturday, Dainty was in the driver’s seat of the blue

new model Toyota Premio bearing registration number PXX5129, and was proceeding north along the western side of the Timehri Public Road.

It is alleged that the driver was proceeding at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the car and ran off the road in a north westerly-direction

before colliding with two electrical lamp posts situated on the western side of the road. The vehicle then toppled several times and ended up on a concrete fence situated on the western parapet.

As a result of the collision, extensive damage was done to the car, fence and lamp posts, while the driver

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Dead: Delon Whitehead (left) and Pastal Dainty (right) and occupants received injuries about their bodies, the police said.

The occupants of the vehicle were picked up in an unconscious condition by the police and public-spirited citizens and escorted to the Georgetown Pub-

lic Hospital Corporation.

Dainty and Whitehead were pronounced dead on arrival, while Kendall was admitted a patient in the Intensive Care Unit.

A police investigation into the accident is in progress.

Understanding power relations key in ...

From page 2

emphasised that resolving disagreements can be done in other ways than resorting to violence and abuse.

Importantly, Campbell highlighted that the occurrence of IPV has an impact on children too. Often, he said, that impact can be long-lasting.

“We, unwittingly -- for the most part, teach violence to our children. When that child gets into a situation, where they are unable to control somebody by any other means or they have not learnt how to resolve that, that child who might now be an adult, might now resort to violence,” he said.

He said efforts must be placed on relearning conflict resolution through dialogue and managing one’s emotions and behaviours.

“We have to teach conflict resolution skills. Children should be able to see that mommy and daddy can disagree but they are able to resolve the issues,” the psychologist explained.

Marks also noted that a concerted effort has been placed on offering men a space to “offload” and interrogate the violence they might have normalised. He also noted that women who accept this violence must be supported and given space to realise that it is not right.

Campbell, however, explained that people who are exposed to traumatic experiences over a long period of time, moreso if those experiences are unresolved, develop emotional or cognitive defects. In fact, he underscored that every form of interpersonal abuse results in psychological distress.

Meanwhile, a gender affairs worker, Diego Alphonso, agreed that men should be given the space to talk about their experiences and feelings.

“Over the years, we’ve been listening -- in my field, my profession -- there are men out there, the very perpetrators too, they’re in need of real help,” he related.

Importantly, in a previous engagement with this newspaper, women’s rights activist, Danuta Radzik, highlighted that gender inequality and gender discrimination, which are some of the root causes of domestic violence and gender-based violence should be addressed in order to stymie their occurrence.

She said: “These persons who are abusers of women, [who are] domestic violence abusers, they didn’t drop from the sky. They were created by our society here and every single country of the world because of the way persons are socialised from birth.”

She also lamented that there is little progress being made on transforming gender relations, which results in the perpetuation of gender stereotypes and the policing of women’s bodies, extending to their sexual and reproductive health.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Over 100 North Rupununi residents tested, vaccinated

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–– following collaboration among Iwokrama, Health Ministry and the National COVID-19 Task Force

OVER 100 residents of Region Nine have benefitted from COVID-19 testing and vaccination services through collaboration between the Iwokrama International Centre, the Ministry of Health and the National COVID-19 Task Force.

The tests and first dose of vaccine were recently administered from three locations in the Iwokrama Forest, namely the Iwokrama River Lodge, Iwokrama Mill-site and Fair View village.

In December 2020, Iwokrama had reopened its tourism business which was closed since March 2020 and implemented a comprehensive Hygiene and Health Protocol, which was recently updated to include vaccination

for all its staff. This, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Iwokrama, Dane Gobin said would help provide more comfort to visitors to the Iwokrama Forest.

Fairview’s recently elected Toshao Bradford Allicock, said he was pleased that the Health Ministry provided the outreach services as it made it convenient for community members to access these services in an area where transport costs were expensive. He encouraged other communities not to listen to the rumours questioning safety of the vaccine and to take advantage of similar outreach services, so that all community residents could be protected from the pandemic.

Gobin noted that Iwokrama was very pleased to part-

ner with the Health Ministry to support this exercise. He noted that Iwokrama’s staff from several locations in the forest, 90 per cent of whom come from the 21 communities of the North Rupununi, also benefitted from this exercise as did the staff of MMC who operate the ferry crossing at Kurupukari.

The CEO also reminded all visitors to the Iwokrama Forest that they must provide a negative antigen or PCR test (not antibody test) before visiting the forest. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony noted that the ministry is pleased to have collaborated with Iwokrama to host the mass testing and vaccination outreach. He reminded residents that everyone has his/ her part to play in flattening

Residents of Fair View Village waiting to be tested and to receive their vaccine during the joint recent Iwokrama / MoH medical outreach exercise to the village

the curve and events such as these are always welcome.

While it is important to know one’s status, the most important key to ending this pandemic is vaccination.

Dr Anthony is therefore calling on all business entities to encourage vaccination among their staffers while they continue to support government’s effort in attaining herd immunity.

An Iwokrama staffer receiving her vaccine from a member of the MoH outreach team at the Iwokrama River Lodge, Kurupukari, Essequibo River

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

I want my child

IT is odd how two people who were once intimate, sufficiently so to bring forth a child, can grow to dislike each other immensely.

When love turns to loathe, children become trapped in warfare that can affect their development and sense of well-being.

In these highly emotional circumstances, most adults do not care how their decisions, emotions, words, deeds and actions affect their children. They might even use their children as pawns to distress and frustrate their ex-partner without thinking about what the child is thinking or feeling.

‘Access cases’ are handled by social workers and other welfare officers in Guyana. It can be difficult to decide how children will get access to their parents when they separate. The officers guide parents, and arrangements are made in the best interest of the child.

When parents cannot come to a decision, the matter goes to court, where a judge sums up reports and may award primary control and custody to one parent and regular access to the other.

Many access cases brought to the Childcare and Protection Agency(CPA) have parents on both sides wanting to be heard

and supported. This fact makes some cases challenging because parents fail to understand that access is not purely for their benefit.

They criticize each other, turn up when they please for the child and cause disorder, argue about how much access is allowed or denied by one parent to the other or they get upset about situations they cannot control such as their ex’s new partner. The list of complaints is endless.

However, access is negotiated between adults to enable children to continue (or build) their relationship with their parents. Most adults overlook this salient

point, and CPA officers have to explain that access is in the child’s best interest, not the parent. Every child deserves to know and spend time with both parents, unless a parent is mentally ill, proven to be unfit or a paedophile. Therefore, parents must show a united front and communicate openly and peacefully. The welfare of their child is at stake if they behave hostile, belligerent, aggressive or unreasonable.

When parents separate, it is tough on children; even if they do not seem to be affected physically -emotions could overwhelm them that they do not under-

stand. They may feel their parent has separated from them and harbour the pain of rejection or abandonment or blame themselves for the separation.

Some children feel loyalty towards one parent more than the other, and some adults instigate where such loyalty should lie, through their actions and words.’ You father don’t care about you; he gone his way and left you. He having his fun’. Or, ‘You mother ain’t got time for alya children, look how she does treat you? When last you see she? What she bring and give you? She’s a waste of time, believe me’.

It takes two adults to make a child, and the child is half of each parent. Children love and need both parents in their lives. They do not know how to divide their loyalty, and parents should not expect them to choose between them.

The younger the child, the more they will be affected by parents separating.

Depending on age (5 to 17) and access arrangements, it would not take long for a child to learn what to say and what not to say to each parent. Or to work out how to play one parent off against the other. Children should not be placed in these precarious situations or need to develop skills to manage the complex terrain created by two feuding adults; adults who were once closely connected and supposedly in love.

The love that brought forth a child or children should ensure a stable upbringing for them, despite the separation – why not co-parent sensibly? Children deserve the best of both parents, not the worse; they strive better, are more confident and secure with positive input from both sides. Parents should decide on a set of rules and regulations that suit their

circumstances and comply to them in each household.

This will allow their child to feel at ease between them and confident about the arrangement.

If a child is studying for an exam, he/she should do so in both households.

Not study in one home and sit down for the whole day watching movies in the other. Consistency and communication are essential to successful co-parenting as well as having an interest in what the child is doing when he/she is not in your care.

The Covid 19 pandemic has caused an influx of cases (at the CPA) where access is denied to one parent by the other. Measures were not implemented and working well beforehand, and now they have reached an alltime low. As usual, it is the children who bear the brunt of this breakdown in communication. They are missing out on a balanced childhood involving both parents.

Each parent brings a unique quality into a child’s life, but jealously or leftover pain from the separation blurs clear vision and stagnates progression. In some cases, it affects child development.

Parents need to be less selfish when it involves their children’s lives and well-being.

They need to see their emotional hang-ups for what they are, well-placed obstacles.

The child’s welfare must come first, and all problems are resolvable if adults choose to resolve them.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

$75M in infrastructural works for Leguan – Minister Dharamlall

SOME $75 million has been allocated to build a heavy-duty bridge, a reinforced concrete culvert with sluice doors and other works in Leguan, Region Three.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, made this disclosure on Saturday, during an outreach to the island.

riculturally dependent and so we have noticed that some bridges have to be repaired in one area at Thierens. We are going to be doing a heavy-duty bridge. There is evidence of the bridge sinking, there is evidence of erosion. So, that is something that we have to do very soon and we have since tendered for it, and a contract will be

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall Speaking to DPI, the minister said the works would improve access for farmers, reducing both time and costs as they go about their business.

“Leguan is heavily ag-

signed to have that done shortly,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall said since taking office, the PPP/C Government has made significant investments to ensure that

the country becomes an agriculture powerhouse.

This led to the removal of value-added tax in the poultry industry among other measures, which the government promised while on the hustings.

The works are among many interventions the government will provide to not only benefit farmers, but all citizens.

“The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority as well, they’re doing a bridge a bit further up for the entrance to the cultivation area in an area called Henrietta. We also have a reinforced concrete culvert with sluice doors on the culvert or the tube would be constructed – that too will aid in the proper drainage. To a large extent, there has to be some revetment work to be done as well,” he added.

To this end, Minister Dharamlall commended the Agriculture Ministry for the support it has provided to farmers. Following the completion of these works, he said Leguan will experience massive transformation, as expected by the government.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and his team inspecting bridges in Leguan, Region Three Additionally, $2 million worth of crusher run will be provided to both Wakenaam and Leguan to

aid in the maintenance of their roads.

Roads at DeWillem, Goed Intent, Stewart-

ville, Tuschen and Parika, among others, are expected to be constructed and rehabilitated. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Smart classroom commissioned at Moraikobai –– ‘no community must be left behind,’ says Min. Rodrigues

MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, on Saturday took the government’s 20,000 online scholarship programme to Moraikobai, Region Five, as the administration continues to provide equal access to education for all.

The minister also commissioned a smart classroom at the primary school there, which will allow students to participate in virtual learning through the Guyana Learning Channel. Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally accompanied her.

Minister Rodrigues said the scholarship programme is the fulfilment of a manifesto promise by the government, noting that the 104 programmes are all geared

at building the capacity of Guyanese.

“If we want to move ahead, to move forward as a country, no community must be left behind. We are determined as a government to ensure that no community is left behind,” the minister stated.

She added that the onus is on residents to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the government.

“You have to play your part as well, and this is why with every programme that we have, every project, every policy that we develop that will be delivered to our people, we ensure that it is delivered equitably, that everybody can benefit and that as a country, we move forward together,” the min-

ister said.

Minister Rodrigues said the community’s ICT Hub would be upgraded to ensure that persons granted scholarships could study without Internet issues.

Moraikobai’s Toshao, Derrick John, said the scholarships would build the capacity of his people and lift them out of poverty.

“It is a good investment the government has brought to Moraikobai, and we welcome it with both hands. I think the young people are very excited because now they have access to tertiary education,” John said.

Shawn Smith, 20, said he is interested in the programme, since he could not complete secondary school due to financial issues. The

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues and Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally, handing over streetlights to Moraikobai Toshao, Derrick John young man said he wishes to pursue a certificate in motorcycle service and repair.

“It is going to be beneficial for me because at least I am going to start something there in my life that will benefit me,” Smith said.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues cuts the ceremonial ribbon to commission the Smart classroom

Meanwhile, the headteacher of the primary school, Salome Calistro, welcomed the Smart classroom.

“With virtual teaching, yes, it is definitely a great help for us in this pandemic.

The children are really ex-

cited over this programme here, so they come very early so they can access the channel.”

The community also received several solar LED streetlights from MP Jaffarally. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Celebrating tea is celebrating peace, culture and hope –– FAO calls for greater sustainability of the tea sector in times of COVID-19 and beyond

GLOBAL demand for tea has seen a remarkable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a new momentum to build a sustainable and resilient tea sector while preserving its unique character of bringing people together.

This was a key takeaway from a FAO-hosted, virtual high-level event to mark International Tea Day 2021.

“Celebrating tea is celebrating peace, culture and hope,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in his opening remarks.

“Tea can play an important role in our journey to build back better. Being the most widely consumed drink in the world after water, tea brings people together to share stories and ways of life.”

Despite the key role tea plays in ensuring rural incomes, livelihoods and food security, the sector faces a number of challenges, the director-general warned. He reminded the audience that tea can only be produced in narrowly defined agro-ecological conditions, and therefore, the impact of climate change and extreme weather events is one of the most pressing issues that require urgent attention. Other major stressors for the tea sector include increasing competitiveness in the beverage sector and declining returns for small-scale farmers.

In addition, the global trade in tea in 2020 was affected by logistics issues and measures imposed to

contain the COVID-19 pandemic. However, increasing in-home consumption of tea more than offset declining out-of-home consumption in many instances. During the first weeks of lockdown in several countries, in-home tea sales surged, increasing by 75 per cent in some consuming countries.

The director-general reflected on the need to balance growth and sustainability at all stages of the tea value chain. To achieve this, he called for greater sustainability through strategies for climate-change adaptation and mitigation, enhanced market transparency and sustainability.

He also spoke about the importance of policies for sustainable production that targets smallholder growers.

TEA IS A SOURCE OF LIVELIHOODS The production and processing of tea provide employment and incomes to millions of smallholder farmers and workers in developing countries.

Smallholder tea growers are responsible for 60 per cent of world tea production.

“Tea is a significant source of ingredients, incomes and inspirations and can help alleviate some of the burden resulting from the economic downturn, particularly for the rural poor,” the director-general noted, pointing to the need to improve the smallholders’ business ecosystem.

For example, in light of

gation, the Republic of Kenya; Maneesh Gobin, Attorney-General, Minister for Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mauritius; Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary, India; and Shabnam Weber, President, Tea and Herbal Association, Canada.

Preparation of a Chinese green tea (Xi Hu Long Jing Supreme) in a Rome tea shop the current pandemic and day brought together the its impact on the tea trade world’s top tea-exporting and tea-supply chains, it and importing countries, is crucial to adopt new as well as major producbusiness models and tech- ing countries.

The participants echoed nologies to ensure access to markets for smallholder the director-general’s call farmers in this new reality. to boost sustainable tea The director-general production, address the referred to the International challenges the smallholders Day as an excellent op- face and untap the sector’s portunity to renew global full potential in building commitment to building an back better.

The high-level speakinclusive, sustainable and ers included Inam resilient tea sector.

During the event, the Karimov, Minister for participants extolled the Agriculture, Azerbainumerous health benefits jan; TANG Renjian, Minthat tea offers, including ister for Agriculture and its anti-inflammatory, an- Rural Affairs, China (via tioxidant and weight-loss video message); Stefano Patuanelli, Minister effects.

World per capita con- for Agricultural, Food sumption of tea increased and Forestry Policies, by three per cent over the Republic of Italy (via the last decade, driven by video message); Hamadi rising per capita incomes Boga, Principal Secreand population growth in tary for Crops Developdeveloping and emerging ment and Agricultural Research, Ministry of markets.

Agriculture and IrriHIGH-LEVEL PARTICIPATION The observance to-

ENDING POVERTY Closing the high-level segment, FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero Cullen, stressed that tea lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, contributing to such objectives as ending poverty, eradicating hunger, and enhancing the sustainable management and utilisation of natural resources.

He re-affirmed the FAO’s continuous support and commitment to working with all partners for a better future for the tea sector “from field to cup.”

The opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion on ways to empower smallholders and enhance sustainability of the tea sector. The discussion featured Rachmat Badruddin, Chairman of the Confederation of International Tea Smallholders (CITS) Indonesia Tea Board; Prabhat Bezboruah, Chairman of Tea Board India; Peter F. Goggi, President, Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc; Sharon Hall, Chief Executive, UK Tea and Pavithri Peiris, Director, Promotion, Sri

Lanka Tea Board.

The director-general participated via video message in the International Tea Day observance in China -- the world’s biggest tea producer and consumer. At the event, attended by TANG Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, the director-general expressed FAO’s willingness to promote better policies, further innovation, increased investments and greater inclusiveness in this important sector.

Azerbaijani and Georgian teas also took centre stage during an online celebration hosted by the FAO and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), on the eve of the Day. Both countries are part of the world’s northernmost tea-producing region. The event highlighted the unique characteristics of tea produced in the Caucasus with almost zero chemicals, as well as the region’s potential to carve out a wider space in the international tea market.

On 19 December, 2019, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 May as International Tea Day, following an initiative by the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea. The Day aims to raise awareness of the tea sector’s socio-economic relevance, as well as its contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda. (FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Region 2 Amerindian communities get cash grants from RDC

By Indrawattie Natram THE Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Wednesday presented $30,000 cash grants to nine Amerindian village councils to help offset expenses related to this year’s independence celebrations or any community-enhancement project of their choice.

The village councils that benefited from this

timely initiative are Wakapoa, Akawini, St. Monica/ Karawab, Kabakaburi, St. Denys, Mainstay/Whyaka, Capoey, Mashabo, and Bethany.

The cash grants were presented by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt during a meeting held with the newly elected toshaos and deputy toshaos in the RDC’s Personnel Department boardroom.

The village leaders

were told that the money is to be used to enhance the community for the upcoming celebrations and in any way the respective councils desire.

During the meeting, Ramdatt emphasised the need for constant communication and the strengthening of collaborative efforts between the region and the nine villages.

Ramdatt challenged the leaders to seek innovative and transformative ways

to build their communities, so that they can aid in its development and improved livelihoods of residents.

He also pledged the regional administration’s support in providing training, particularly in the field of capacity-building for village leaders, secretaries, and treasurers, so that they can understand their functions and roles at the level of the council.

He assured the leaders that the RDC will be working collaboratively with them to ensure that community projects are of a high standard.

Toshao of Capoey, Ralph Hendricks, extended gratitude for the cash grant which will be used by his council to clean the community’s cemetery yard. He said the money came at an opportune time for his village.

Toshao Hendricks used the opportunity to commend the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for the recent allocation of grants that have been used to undertake several transformative projects in his community.

Other toshaos also expressed similar sentiments, saying that their projects are near comple-

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt presenting the grant to Toshao Yvonne Fredericks of Mainstay/Whyaka tion, especially the establishment of ITC hubs.

On February 3, 2021, 10 Amerindian communities in the region received a total of $105 million to help boost economic activities, to generate income among residents and to execute infrastructural development projects in the respective communities. The money came from a special COVID-19 investment fund, which was created to help Am-

erindian communities prepare for the devastating economic impacts of the pandemic.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Susanna Saywack; Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Yuvette Tfares; Regional Engineer, Kawan Suchit; Regional Education Officer, Nichola Matthews and Senior Personnel Officer, Tageanindra Kishore.

Toshaos and deputy toshaos who attended the meeting

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Waikrebi Toshao leads by example with first COVID-19 ‘jab’

TOSHAO of Waikrebi Village, Region One, Eric Williams, on Thursday led by example when he took his first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and called on residents of the Moruca sub-region to do the same.

Before Williams, only the community health worker (CHW) and headmaster of the primary school had taken the vaccine.

The toshao said he wants his entire village of approximately 2,000 residents to be vaccinated against the deadly disease.

“I am glad the COVID-19 vaccines are out.

I want everyone in my vil-

lage to be vaccinated. You are free to get vaccinated since it is important for your health,” he told villagers.

Another villager soon followed the toshao, taking her first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Waikrebi was one of several areas visited last week by a specialist medical team headed by the Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo. He encouraged residents to protect themselves and their families against the deadly disease. Dr. Mahadeo assured them that the government remains committed to providing proper health care for all Guyanese, re-

Toshao of Waikrebi Village, Eric Williams

gardless of where they live.

Meanwhile, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region One, Dr. Steven Cheefoon, said Waikrebi is among the few vaccine-resistant communities because of misinformation. He noted, however, that it would not stop the vaccination teams from doing their work.

The RHO said Toshao Williams’s example was progress made.

“Today we gained success, we managed to convince the toshao to take the vaccine, and after he took his vaccine, another resident came up and took the vaccine also. We think that this is a success and hope

with his influence, more and more persons take the step towards being vaccinated,” Dr. Cheefoon said.

He added that because of its location and logging trade, Waikrebi residents frequently interact with coastlanders and therefore need the added protection.

The government last week secured another consignment of the Sputnik V vaccines purchased from Russia. Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony had also announced that another 600,000 doses of vaccines were being acquired to fully vaccinate the country’s adult population. (DPI)

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Verstappen takes title lead National Cycling Championships 100-miler from Lewis Hamilton with win ends in controversy ―Winner to be decided after input from International Cycling Union

PROTESTS of an infraction on the finish line resulted in the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF writing to parent body, the International Cycling Union (The Union Cycliste Internationale UCI), to decide on the path forward and, in essence, the winner of the 2021 National Cycling Championships.

Top-rated cyclist in Guyana, Briton John, crossed the finish line first in the gruelling 100-miler from Georgetown to the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and back yesterday morning, but he did so, according to the other podium finishers, while riding outside of his lane.

Paul DeNobrega and Romello Crawford lodged an official complaint and the executive of the GCF decided to forward the information, which included both front and back camera footage, to the highest authority in cycling, the UCI, for them to make a decision.

Third vice-president of the GCF, Enzo Matthews, said that the decision was made because “in a very Guyanese manner, everybody seems to know the rules and when you’re in a position of that state, it means we need to send it to the proper authority, the UCI, which is the governing body for cycling.

“We will be sending off this information to the UCI, and depending on their decision, that will be final…at this time, we do not have an official winner.”

This is the second time for this month that the explosive John has been criticised for his finish. At the Team Alanis 60-mile road race from Georgetown to Half-Way Tree, Mahaicony and back, on Arrival Day (May 5), he was relegated to second place for a similarly accused infraction on the line.

The Nationals, however, follow UCI rules, hence the need for guidance.

BRILLIANT BATTLE Though the alleged infraction marred the coveted championship prior to the finish, the race was a battle of wits and proved the importance of teamwork.

The cyclists battled the rain, the wind and each other.

For a while, Deoraj Gharbarran, Walter Grant-Stuart and Adealie Hodge had enjoyed a comfortable lead in the race, but their four minutes lead disintegrated and they were consumed by the peloton, which included the cream of the crop of riders. John, his namesake Jamual John, US-based cyclist, Raynauth Jeffrey, Crawford, who just returned from competing overseas, and Team Evolution riders-- DeNobrega and Griffith-- were all playing cat and mouse with each other.

After the junction off the highway, it was Griffith and Grant-Stuart who attacked and soon Briton John and DeNobrega followed.

Defending champion, Jamual John and his New York Foundation Cycling

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:40 hrs We All Chomies 09:17 hrs Winter Waves 09:55 hrs Deerupt 10:25 hrs Matadora’s Parade

Club teammate, Jeffrey slowed down before eventually dropping out. Jeffrey, who won the National Time Trials on Saturday, said that initially, they agreed to ride as a team, but the partnership never progressed.

The partnership that progressed was between DeNobrega and Griffith.

Fan favourite, Crawford, stayed with the second pack and seemed out of it as the quartet surged ahead.

S o o n a f t e r, a m p u t e e Grant-Stuart, (missing an arm), was pushed 30 seconds behind and it became a tactical battle between the Team Evolution riders and Briton John from We Stand United Cycling Club.

On numerous occasions, John attempted to pull away, but either DeNobrega or Griffith chased him down. The tactics to take control resulted in the riders not giving it their all, which saw the determined Stuart returning to the pack.

The race got tense at Eccles, when, out of nowhere, Crawford appeared. The five cyclists then stayed together until the final 200M when John took off with Crawford and DeNobrega close behind.

After John, Crawford crossed the line a split second ahead of DeNobrega, while Griffith crossed the line fourth and Grant-Stuart fifth.

Next week a race with juniors, masters and females cyclists will conclude the 2021 National Championships.

Wolverhampton 08:30 hrs Sunstrike 09:00 hrs Aldrich Bay 09:30 hrs Raabeh 10:00 hrs Motawaajed 10:30 hrs Join Forces 11:00 hrs Fast Moon

Irish Racing Tips Ballinrobe 11:30 hrs Sevenna Star 12:00 hrs Palm Beach 12:30 hrs Highstreet Roller 13:00 hrs Listenheretomejack 13:30 hrs Big Debates 14:00 hrs Ciankyle 14:30 hrs Kilbarry Chloe

Windsor 12:45 hrs Newton Jack 13:15 hrs Windseeker 13:45 hrs Lion Ring 14:15 hrs Cape Columbus 14:45 hrs Hey Mr 15:15 hrs Bad Company 15:45 hrs Suns Up Guns Up

English Racing Tips Brighton 09:10 hrs Good Earth 09:40 hrs Pure Charmer 10:10 hrs Arceus 10:40 hrs Tanglewood Tales 11:10 hrs Genesius 11:45 hrs Lady Susie 12:20 hrs Elusif

American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Talespin Race 2 Delware Destiny Race 3 Flying Emperor Race 4 Honorable Emperor Race 5 Chillinwithfriends Race 6 Sul Candy Race 7 Irish Valor Race 8 J P’s Song

RED BULL’s Max Verstappen took a dominant victory in the Monaco Grand Prix to wrest the championship lead from Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

The Dutchman controlled the race after pole-sitter Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari broke down before the start.

Hamilton finished in seventh place, frustrated and angry after Mercedes’s pre-race plans fell apart.

He lost places to two drivers over the pit-stop period as Mercedes reversed their intended strategy.

Adding to a bad day for the world champions, Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas retired when mechanics were unable to remove his rightfront wheel at his pit stop when the wheel gun stripped the nut.

Bottas was running second

to Verstappen but had been losing ground before his stop and his hopes of victory had evaporated and turned into concerns as to whether he could protect second place

It is the first time in his F1 career that Max Verstappen has led the world championship

from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

The Spaniard finished in a comfortable runners-up spot, with McLaren’s Lando Norris taking the final podium place, fending off late pressure from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who drove a strong race to recover from qualifying ninth.

Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel - who, along with Perez, passed Hamilton during the pitstop period - was fifth, ahead of Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly and the Briton, who made a late pit stop to secure the point for fastest lap.

Verstappen’s second victory in five races, coupled with a bad day for Mercedes, moved the Red Bull driver into a four-point championship lead, while Red Bull have taken first place in the constructors’ championship from Mercedes by one point. (BBC Sport)

Milwaukee Bucks & Brooklyn Nets win first NBA play-off games

THE Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 109-107 with 0.5 seconds remaining in overtime in the first round of the Eastern Conference play-offs.

Khris Middleton followed up his 27 points with a pullup jump in the final moments to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead in the seven-game series.

The Heat came close to a late victory through Jimmy

Butler but he was blocked by Jrue Holiday as time expired.

Elsewhere, the Brooklyn Nets claimed a 104-93 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Brooklyn’s ‘Big Three’ of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden combined for 82 points in just their ninth match together.

“I liked the way we fought,” said Harden, who

notched 21 points.

“It just shows every game isn’t gonna be perfect.”

In the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-103, while the Portland Trail Blazers won 123-109 against the Denver Nuggets.

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks . (BBC Sport)

Bangladesh survive Hasaranga assault to win ODI series opener BANGLADESH were, pretty much, clinical in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The team, led by Tamim Iqbal, won by a big margin of 33 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the threematch ODI series.

For Lanka, a lot needs to be pondered upon in order for them to make a comeback.

The pitch was slow, without a doubt, and their batters looked a tad clueless in the middle overs. Their bowlers were unable to build much pressure as well.

After electing to bat first, the hosts lost Liton Das for a golden duck to Dushmantha Chameera. Shakib Al Hasan started with two glorious fours before gifting his wicket away to Danushka Gunathilaka.

Mohammad Mithun’s dreadful run continued as he fell for a golden duck.

Tamim Iqbal, on the other hand, scored a 70-ball 52 after which Wanindu Hasaranga nipped him out. The southpaw also completed 14,000 runs at the highest level. However, it was a partnership of 109 runs between

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah that steadied the ship for Bangladesh.

Mushfiqur went on to score 84 off 87 balls and then got out to Lakshan Sandakan.

Mahmudullah also contributed with 54 runs, hitting two fours and a six. In the end, Afif Hossain’s 27* and Mohammad Saifuddin’a 13 not out helped the Tigers to 257. For Lanka, Dananjaya de Silva picked up three wickets.

The Lankans started the run-chase in an attacking mode after scoring 30 runs in five overs courtesy of Gunathilaka’s attacking batting in the powerplay.

But after Mehidy Hasan

Kusal Perera, in his first stint as the Lankan skipper, managed a laborious 50-ball 30 with one four before Miraz castled him. Pathum Nissanka and Dananjaya de Silva couldn’t get into double digits.

Ashen Bandara and Dasun Shanaka couldn’t make much impact either.

But it was Wanindu Hasaranga’s 60-ball 74 that kept the visiting team in the game for a brief while. His knock was laced with three fours and five massive sixes. Once Mohammad Saifuddin dismissed him, the writing was on the walls for the Lankans.

Isuru Udana also tried to play second fiddle with a 23-ball 21 before Mustafizur Rahman accounted for his wicket. Sri Lanka, e v e n t u a l l y, were shot out for 224 in 48.1 overs.

Miraz For the Tigers, Medismissed him hidy and Mustafizur for 21, the visstood out with four itors’ innings and three wickets rec a p s p e c t i v e l y.

Mushfiqur Rahim hit 84 off 87 (CricTracker) sized. balls for Bangladesh

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Taylor drops Ramírez twice to unify all four junior welterweight belts

LAS VEGAS — Josh Taylor gingerly held a microphone in his left hand, which was swollen about 50 percent more than its normal size and appeared to have been broken, as he spoke Saturday about the biggest night of his professional life.

Taylor won the undisputed super lightweight championship and stamped himself as one of the greatest fighters in the world by capturing a unanimous decision in a pitched battle at the new Virgin Hotel over Jose Ramirez.

The reason Taylor’s hand was grotesquely swollen was evident on Ramirez’s face when he spoke about the fight moments earlier.

Both Ramirez and Taylor met the moment, putting on a sensational battle befitting their roles entering the bout as undefeated unified champions.

Taylor wound up with all of the belts after winning a 114-112 decision on all cards.

The difference in the bout turned out to be knockdowns Taylor scored — with his left hand — in the sixth and sev-

enth rounds.

There was a little bit of controversy surrounding the bout. Taylor felt the scores were far too close, and the

happy with referee Kenny Bayless for several reasons, but most notably about the seventh-round knockdown.

They were exchanging

Josh Taylor lands a left hand on José Ramírez during Saturday’s fight

bout would have been a draw without the knockdowns.

The Ramirez team was un-

blows on the log in the middle of the ring. They briefly clinched and Bayless tapped

CWI says camp continues despite Mindley positive test GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has said the high performance camp here will continue in small groups today despite fast bowler Marquino Mindley testing positive for COVID-19.

The 26-year-old Jamaican was the only positive test among those carried out among players and management on Friday, as part of the camp which is taking place at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in preparation for the two-Test series against South Africa.Mindley, who returned the positive result on his second test but has remained asymptomatic, will now undergo self-isolation in his hotel room while being supervised by

CWI’s medical team.

“All other members of the training squad and coaching team were re-tested and isolated in their rooms, with training cancelled for

Jamaican fast bowler Marquino Mindley

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Taylor’s left glove, as if to let him know not to hold.

As he stepped back, Taylor ripped a massive uppercut that dropped Ramirez.

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S: Courtney Walsh-135 wickets (38 Tests) Glen McGrath-110 wickets (23 Tests)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

What are the best Test innings bowling figures by a WI against AUST to date?

What are the best Test innings bowling figures by an Australian against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

the weekend,” CWI said in a statement Sunday.

“All of these training squad and coaching team members have now tested negative following their repeat tests and the squad will train in small groups starting on Monday, May 24 …”

In keeping with the country’s Ministry of Health protocols, Mindley will have to return two consecutive negative results before ending isolation.

Thirty players assembled here over the last week to tune up for the upcoming series against the Proteas, which kicks off a heavy home schedule that will see Australia and Pakistan also arriving for a combination of Test and white ball series.

The camp is being conducted in a bio-secure bubble amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with social distancing, repeated COVID testing and increased sanitisation measures being employed.

As of Sunday, St Lucia had 238 active cases of COVID-19 with nearly 5 000 recorded overall since the start of the pandemic, along with 77 deaths.

South Africa is scheduled to arrive here on June 1 for two back-toback Tests starting June 10.

The Ramirez team felt Bayless should have broken the fighters, but Ramirez was

gracious. “You have to learn how to lose,” Ramirez said.

“I don’t want to take anything away from the fight.”

Taylor was humble and soft-spoken throughout most of the post-fight news conference. He said he had apologized to Ramirez for all of his trash talk before the bout.

The two also had gotten into a shoving match on Friday by the hotel elevators.

Taylor said he was just trying to get into Ramirez’s head and get him out of his game plan. “I have nothing but love and respect for Jose Ramirez,” Taylor said.

The only time he changed from that stance was when he discussed the scoring. Judges Steve Weisfeld, Dave Moretti and Tim Cheatham each had the bout six rounds to six.

That appeared to raise the new champion’s ire just a bit.

Had Weisfeld given Ramirez the 12th, which Moretti and Cheatham did, he would have had the bout a draw, 113-113.

“Basically, without the knockdowns, that fight was a draw,” Taylor said. “Really?

That’s a farce.”

The bout was sensational from start to finish, but Taylor did his best work in the middle of the fight. Ramirez was aggressive and scoring well to the body early. He hurt Taylor in the third round with a body shot and followed with a combination to the head. At one point during the flurry, Taylor’s knees appeared to buckle.

But the bout turned in Taylor’s favor in the middle.

He won Rounds six through eight on the cards of Moretti and Cheatham and Rounds five through eight on Weisfeld’s. He built a five-point edge in those three rounds according to Moretti and Cheatham and had a six-point edge from five through eight according to Weisfeld. It was game, set and match at that point, though few knew it.

The fight was contested in front of a crowd of about 1,000, but deserved to be in front of 50,000 or more, given its significance and the heart and soul the fighters poured into it. (Yahoo Sports)

Eight teams to battle for supremacy at SCCA Memorial Weekend cricket festival

By Frederick Halley

WHEN the Schenectady Softball Cricket Association (SCCA) annual Memorial Weekend cricket festival bowls off on Saturday, eight teams will battle for supremacy in the two-day extravaganza, a brainchild of Guyanese-born Onkar Singh.

Known more for his prowess as one of the top commentators in the softball arena, Singh told Chronicle Sport that his association is all set to stage the two-day affair at Central and Grout Parks in Schenectady after last year’s version was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s tournament will feature eight teams in the Open Division with four coming from Queens, New York and the other four from the SCCA. Among the top names expected to feature are Manoj Balchand, Amar Singh, Kevin Persaud, Jake Wessels, Mike Balkarran, Gairy Singh and Vicky Persaud.

Singh pointed out that teams from Canada have also

been invited but the continued border closure will prevent any of them from attending.

The teams will be divided into two groups with the two top teams, points wise, clashing in Sunday’s final at Central Park. Prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner-up teams, as well as MVPs for each game, MVP of the tournament and members of teams in the final.

Guyanese-born Onkar Singh

According to Singh, who has been at the helm of the SCCA since its inception some 16 years ago, after leaving Queens to reside in Schenectady, he saw a need

to organise the tournament in his hometown. It originally started with four teams in 2005 and featured 12 in some instances.

While this year’s tournament is strictly for Open teams, previous years were also open to Over-45 players. Singh disclosed that the tournament has received the blessings of City officials and strict COVID-19 guidelines will be adhered.

Singh also disclosed that the SCCA, in conjunction with the City, are in the process of upgrading and modernizing Grout Park.

Last year marked a significant milestone for Singh, the self-made commentator, who celebrated 20 years since he “accidentally” ventured into a career which has since branded him as a cricket commentator with a difference.

Singh is not heard on radio or television but his on-thespot coverage of softball cricket has caught the attention of many, prompting him to describe himself as “the pioneer of on-field coverage”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 24, 2021

Asher-Smith beats star-studded field to cart off 100 metres in Gateshead

B R I TA I N ’ S D i n a A s h er-Smith blitzed to 100m victory in Gateshead to beat American star Sha’Carri Richardson in her first real test of 2021. Asher-Smith powered home in 11.35 seconds in difficult conditions, 0.11 seconds clear of in-form Richardson, the fastest woman this year.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Jamaican world champion ShellyAnn Fraser Pryce were also left trailing by Asher-Smith.

Both Asher-Smith and Richardson intend to run the 100m-200m double in Tokyo.

Asher-Smith hardly raced in 2020, restricting herself to three low-key outings on her home track in Bromley. Instead the 25-year-old concentrated on building her strength and technique with recent training sessions featuring 300 reps of abdominal strengthening exercises.

That extra power was clear as she held off Richard-

son, who has dipped under world record-holder Armand high jump as Poland’s Kamila 10.80 three times already this Duplantis in the instalment Licwinko triumphed. season, in the final 20m. of their pole vault rivalry.

The meeting marked the Asher-Smith, who won The pair took turns to hold return of world-class athletics 100m silver as well as the 200m umbrellas over each other as to Gateshead for the first time title at the 2019 World Champi- steady rain made conditions since 2010. The venue stepped onships in Doha, played down tricky in Gateshead. in when Rabat was unable to any psychological impact the Norway’s double Eu- host the first Diamond League result could have on her Olym- ropean champion Jakob In- of the season because of coropic rivals. gebrigtsen, 20, produced a navirus restrictions.

“I think all in all today commanding performance to The north east predictwas more of an experiwin the 1500m in 3:36.27, ably proved colder and ence,” she said. “The while world champion wetter than north only thing that can Mariya Lasitskene saw a Africa, but a socialindicate Tokyo is the 14-event ly-distanced sell-out Olympic final itself. winof 2,000 fans were “I feel really good. ning loud and enthusiastic reConditions were far from run gardless. ideal for sprinting but come Cindy Sember providthe most important to an ed them with anoththing is to come end in er British victory to away with a good t h e cheer as she took the result and a win 100m hurdles ahead and I was very of sister Tiffany Porhappy to do ter in fourth. that.”

(BBC Sport) E l s e where, American world champion Sam Kendricks beat Swedish Dina Asher-Smith celebrates her success in Gateshead

Roach wraps up Surrey stint with five-wicket haul, Joseph tastes defeat LONDON, (CMC) – West Indies and Barbados fast bowler Kemar Roach brought the curtain down on his County Championship stint with a superb five-wicket haul as Surrey earned a draw with Middlesex in an exciting finish to their contest Sunday.

Asked to chase 290 for victory on the final day of the rain-hit affair at the Oval, Middlesex made a fist of it thanks to Nick Gubbins’s 124, before ending on 250 for six in fading light.

With the visitors in the driver’s seat at 219 for two, the 32-year-old Roach claimed five for 86 with a telling burst which all but ended Middlesex’s victory bid.

Lam wins Female Chesskid competition

THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Pooja Lam played unbeaten to emerge champion of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Female Chesskid competition, which was held virtually on Saturday afternoon.

Over a dozen young players competed in the first-ever girls’ online competition, which went over five rounds.

Lam, a second form student of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School in Cornelia Ida, finished with 4.5 points.

She claimed four wins and a draw. The draw was against Italy Ton Chung.

National players, Maliha Rajkumar and Anaya Lall finished in second and third respectively.

Rajkumar finished with four points and Lall on 3.5 points.

Adia Alphonso and Naomi Barkoye were tied on three points each, while Italy Ton Chung and Naila Rahaman finished with 2.5 points apiece. Areanna Singh followed with two points with Alayna Ally and eight-yearold Katelaya Sam registering 1.5 points each to round off the top 10.

The girls varied in ages from teens to as young as eight.

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach finished with a nine-wicket haul

Pooja Lam played unbeaten in the competition

Phil Mickelson becomes oldest major winner in history with two-shot win PHIL Mickelson defied the odds to become the oldest major golf champion in history as he overcame a nervy back-nine to clinch a memorable two-shot victory at the 103rd PGA Championship.

Mickelson was five shots clear of the field until mistakes at the 12th and 13th offered hope to Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen, but the lefthander was not to denied his place in the record books as he had his name etched on the Wanamaker Trophy for the second time, and matched the six major hauls of Sir Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino.

The long and punishing Ocean Course at Kiawah Island was tamed by

a man just over three weeks shy of his 51st birthday, although he was given a helping hand by some uncharacteristic mistakes from playing partner Koepka, while Irish duo Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry both closed with 69s and just missed out on a podium finish.

Mickelson made par at only one of the first seven holes, but three bogeys and three birdies - including a trademark chip-in from the sand at the short fifth which set the pulses racing - were enough to keep him at seven under with Koepka dropping three shots at the two par-fives on the front nine. (Sky Sports)

Phil Mickelson became the oldest major champion in history

23

The performance left Roach with a nine-wicket match haul following his first innings four for 61, and with 22 wickets from four matches.

Last month, he claimed a career-best eight-wicket haul in a ten-wicket match haul against Hampshire at the Oval.

Resuming the day on 135 without loss, Surrey lost Mark Stoneman without adding to his 74 but captain Rory Burns stroked an unbeaten 104 to get the hosts up to 259 for two declared in their second innings.

The left-handed Burns struck ten fours off 160 deliveries in a shade over four hours, putting on 71 for the second wicket with South African Hashim Amla (43) and 53 for the third wicket with Ollie Pope who blasted a 20-ball unbeaten 37.

Surrey then maintained the advantage when Roach worked over 21-year-old Jack Davies before having him brilliantly caught by

Pope at gully for two at 18 for one.

Sam Robson followed for 32 to left-arm pacer Reece Topley to leave Middlsex on 47 for two but the left-handed Gubbins and captain Peter Handscomb (70) combined in a 172-run, third wicket partnership to turn the tide Middesex’s way.

Gubbins belted 13 fours and two sixes off 145 deliveries in just under 3-½ hours while Handscomb faced 94 balls and counted seven fours to end a wretched run of form.

Their efforts left Middlesex with 74 runs to win from 13 overs but a break for rain saw the equation tighten to 74 required from eight overs.

Roach then put on display all his experience, getting Australian Handscomb to hole out to Pope at deep cover in the first over after the resumption before bowling wicketkeeper John Simpson for four in his next over.

The Barbadian struck the critical blow for Surrey when he claimed the all-important wicket of Gubbins, skying a full length delivery to Burns at deep cover at 243 for five, with 47 runs required from four overs.

With only four runs added, Roach bowled Martin Andersson off his pads for seven to complete his 17th five-wicket haul in first class cricket.

He is now expected to return to the Caribbean to prepare for the two-Test series against South Africa bowling off in St Lucia on June 10.

At Bristol, rain allowed only 32 deliveries on the final day but it was enough time for Kraigg Brathwaite’s Gloucestershire to crash to 27 for six in reply to Somerset’s 300 for eight declared.

Brathwaite, unbeaten overnight on 13 with his side on 16 for two, topscored with 15 before he was fifth out with the score on 21.

At Trent Bridge, Alzarri Joseph tasted defeat when his Worcestershire slumped to a heavy innings and 170-run loss to Nottinghamshire.

Resuming on 53 for six in their first innings, Worcestershire were dismissed for 80 with seamer Luke Fletcher ending with seven for 37.

And following on by 320 runs, the visitors were rolled over for 150 with Fletcher picking up another three and fast bowler Dane Paterson claiming four for 49.

Joseph managed only four runs in each innings.

National Cycling Championships 100-miler ends in controversy SEE PAGE 21

Walter Grant-Stu ar outstanding in th t was e race

By Rawle Toney IN 2017, as a 15-year-old, Deshanna Skeete wrote her name in the annals of track and field in Guyana, when she became the first and only Guyanese to win gold at the South American Youth Games, doing so in the 400 metres.

Fast-forward three years later, Skeete will depart this evening to compete for the New Mexico Junior College on the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division One circuit.

“This is like a dream come true for me because it’s something I’ve always wanted,” Skeete told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview.

Skeete is known for her dominance over the years at the National Schools Championship, where she competed for District 10.

“I’ve worked really hard for this. I mean, it took a long time, but I finally got it and I’m happy,” Skeete, the 2018 CARIFTA Games 400m bronze medallist said.

SEE PAGE 23

New Mexico Junior College is ranked Number One by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association among the NJCAA D1 schools, and according to Skeete, she’s more than ready for the competition which lies ahead.

“It’s a good school and I know it’s going to be top competition there, but I’ve been working hard. Honestly, when I got the news that I’m going to college, it actually helped me to believe in myself because I was ready to give up on Track and Field,” Skeete said.

The former McKenzie High School student-athlete spoke of the many times she wanted to throw in the towel on track and field and focus on other aspects of life, like helping her mother, Nicketa Weekes, a single parent, with sustaining the family.

“My mother was behind me and told me not to give up because she said it’s important for me to leave and seek a better life and education,” Skeete noted.

A MOTHER’S SACRIFICE PAYING OFF When Skeete won Gold in the girls 400m at the South American Youth Games in Chile, on the surface it seemed like just another first place and medal for Guyana, but, for Skeete’s mother, it was ‘pay back’ for her hours of walking around the community of Linden, asking for donation to help realise her daughter’s dream.

The South American Youth Games, held every four years, never heard the Guyana National Anthem until Saturday, October 7, 2017, given the fact that Guyana had never won gold at the event.

After crossing the finish line with a time of 57.28 seconds to finish ahead of Brazil’s Jessica Moreira (57.54) and Ecuador’s Andreina Valencia (58.81), Skeete palmed her face as tears started to flow; those tears, however, came with a sorrowful story behind it.

“I want to thank God for blessing my daughter with this scholarship, you know, because I prayed for it, I

Briton John (le ft) ce line first, but Pa lebrates crossing the finish Romello Crawfo ul DeNobrega (middle) and They both accu rd (right) are seen protesting. sed him of ridin g out of his lane at the finish (E (Ellvviin n Croker photos)

FLASH BACK! Deshanna Skeete competed for District 10 at the National School’s Championships (Samuel Maughn photo)

know she worked hard for it and I sacrificed a lot to ensure that she didn’t give up,” Weekes said.

An emotional Weekes told Chronicle Sport that since Skeete’s father died when she was just 11 years old, as a mother, she did everything possible to ensure that her talented daughter is given a chance at excelling in Track and Field and make a life for herself from the sport.

“It was tough, you know; very hard sometimes. It’s not easy being a single parent but I’m happy for the support I get for Deshanna. People help out and I would sell at wakes and funerals and so on to catch my hand. So, I’m very happy she’s leaving and I wish her all the best,” Weekes said.

Guyana’s 800m (1:59.47) and 1500m (4:17.91) national record holder, Marian Burnette, along with US-based Guyanese, Donald Archer, were listed among the people who were behind Skeete since her history-making run in 2017 in Chile.

Asher-Smith beats star-studded field to cart off 100 metres in Gateshead

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MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021