Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27-05-2024

27th May, 2024

- President Ali says pepper, honey production on the cards for Susannah’s Rust - aim is to empower households by making use of thousands of acres of unused land

ON Sunday, the Sheraton Hotel in Doha was lit with the colours of the Golden Arrowhead, as the Embassy of Guyana in the State of Qatar hosted its first Independence Day reception. In attendance were the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, HE Ibrahim Bin Ali Al Mohannadi; Director of MOFA Protocol Department, HE Ibrahim Yousif Fakhroo, along with other Qatari citizens, members of the business community, the diplomatic corps and the Guyanese diaspora. The programme included a main address from HE Ambassador Safraaz Shadood, who paid tribute to Guyana’s journey to independence and outlined the socio-economic initiatives of HE Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. This was followed by a cultural presentation by Ms Julia Theresa Kanhai and a cake-cutting ceremony with the dignitaries. Guests also enjoyed an exhibition hosted by the Guyanese community in Qatar and were treated to Guyanese cuisine, including the National Dish known as ‘Pepperpot.’ Mr Chris Persaud, Director of UMAMI, gifted samples of the native-made casereep sauce, while Diaspora Chef Ms Salmah Hack shared her customised recipe (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation photos)

Guyana to get first digital school

- as gov’t touts ‘technology-driven’ education

STRATEGIC investments are being made to facilitate the establishment of a ‘technology-driven’ education system in Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.

The Head of State made this disclosure on eve of Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary on Saturday, while addressing a mammoth gathering at the Mackenzie Stadium, Linden, Region 10.

Dr. Ali explained that soon the country’s first digital school will be established catering to both primary and secondary

system

education. The aim, he explained, is to build out a technology- driven education system, which ensures that every child is in a learning environment.

“Whilst we’re investing in bringing down the costs of data and making internet and data more accessible to every community, we are also working to not only build smart hospitals and invest in telemedicine, we want to create the first digital education system in this region and perhaps globally, and we want to do this eventually at a national scale,” the President said.

Since assuming office in 2020, the government has rolled out several initiatives to improve the delivery of education across

the country; these include the establishment of smart classrooms across a number of primary and secondary institutions.

The smart classrooms are equipped with an interactive, computerised, touchscreen whiteboard, and cameras which can be used to video the lesson by the teachers and a monitor connected to the cameras.

Teachers of any subject can utilise the devices to make their classes more interactive and attractive to students. This technology is deemed very necessary as the world moves forward to more technologically assisted methods of teaching.

The first smart classroom was opened by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government in 2015 at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, while the second was opened at the Queen’s College in 2020.

In the country’s 2024 fiscal package, some $135.2 billion has been budgeted for the education sector with huge sums being invested in the construction of new schools.

“When you look at our investment in education, we are investing for every single child $700,000 in education. For every single child, we’re investing $700,000. When you compare this to 2019, in 2019 we were investing less than $300,000 for every child,”

the President said while highlighting the efforts being made to improve the delivery of education.

Simultaneously investments are being made to ensure all teachers can be trained graduates.

“To our teachers, I want to assure our teachers tonight that you are important for us that we love you and we care about you; that this government will do everything within this financial means to ensure that you are treated fairly,” President Ali added.

Last year, he had held consultations with several educators. During that engagement, the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh were present and heard the concerns of the nation’s teachers.

Subsequently in November, the Head of State had announced increases to teachers’ salaries and other interventions.

These accumulated to a total of $1.9 billion.

Providing a scenario so persons could understand how the increases would apply, President Ali had said that a graduate Senior Mistress/Head of Department will now have their current salaries adjusted upwards from $243,069 to $262,917, and with the inclusion of the revision to education allowances, this represents an overall 12 per

cent increase compared to the previous minimum salary paid to such persons.

In the case of a graduate Senior Assistant Mistress working in the hinterland, the current minimum salary was adjusted upwards from $223,232 to $243,076, and with the inclusion of the revision to education allowances and Remote Areas Incentive (RAI), this will represent an overall 16 per cent increase compared to the previous minimum salary paid to such persons.

Outside of salaries and allowances, all teachers who hold a substantive appointment as a Senior Master/Mistress or above, and are within three years of retirement and have not previously received a duty-free concession on a motor car, are entitled to a duty-free concession for a motor car up to 1500cc. Most recently, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has led industrial action, which has seen the participation of some teachers. The body has called for educator’s salaries to be increased among other demands.

President Ali on several occasions have reaffirmed the government ‘s commitment to providing the “best welfare package” for teachers and other category of workers.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Major investments being made in Demerara River communities

- President Ali says pepper, honey production on the cards for Susannah’s Rust - aim is to empower households by making use of thousands of acres of unused land

By Shamar Meusa

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has said that over the last four year, the government has made major investments in communities in the Demerara River area and noted that with large lands available, the production of various crops is possible.

The Head of State made these remarks while visiting the Susannah’s Rust community along the Demerara River on Sunday, where he stated that although it is a small community, it has the production capacity given the thousands of acres of arable land which can be used for food production.

This, he said, is why the government continues to invest in the community and others like it.

“We invest in you because we care abo ut you. We invest in you because we believe in you and we invest in you because we know that you have the possibility of great productivity, great culture and a major part of ensuring our country achieve its full potential.”

Dr Ali noted that during his previous visits while in opposition, many residents of the community raised concerns about the flooding and even the Because We Care cash grant being taken away. He said these things

The small Demerara River community has its own primary/nursery school

stayed with him and as such it was ensured that when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) got back into office, they implemented measures that would bring immediate benefit to the people of the country.

Against this backdrop, he said that from an education standpoint alone, over $3.5 million has been invested in the community in the last four years and of that, $2.8 million has been put back into the pockets of the children.

Further to this, he added that if one is to look at the infrastructure works that have been undertaken in the village, some $12.8 million has been invested in

this. However, the largest of these investments happen to be in agriculture which saw an investment of some $107 million.

These types of investments, according to President Ali will continuously increase.

“This small community is connected to thousands of acres of land that were not in productive use. That is why we are investing now to convert thousands of acres of land into productive use so that you can earn and so that your community can earn and your life can get better,” President Ali added.

As he told residents that the outreach was set to be an interactive one, he noted

that they are looking to the future and to find innovative and resilient ways to empower all households in the community.

Against this backdrop, he said that he would like for all households to have a shade house with which the government will assist in its set up and provision of seed materials to start production.

President Ali said officials would want them to concentrate on doing peppers such as the hot pepper which Guyana already has a market for.

“We are going to help [with] the setting up but we have to agree on a price because we have one distributor that will come and

take all the pepper from here but that price must be viable for everyone,” he remarked. Further to this, he indicated that they want the entire Demerara River to get into honey production, along with high-value or value-added products that come with it.

Meanwhile, Dr Ali said that if one is to take the total investments made this far in Susannah’s Rust, it amounts to more than $160 million for the community which has 120 residents.

He added that these investments are made so that the government can make the lives of everyone in the community better.

President Dr Irfaan Ali addresses residents of Susannah’s Rust, Demerara River, during a visit on Sunday

The Irfaan Ali-led government has invested more than $160 million in the riverain community of Susannah’s Rust which is home to about 120 persons and is accessible by boat (OP photos)

President Ali and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapa with residents of Susannah’s Rust

Amelia’s Ward gets $338.4M in road upgrades

IN a bid to bolster community infrastructural development nationwide, the government expended a sum of $338.4 million towards the upgrade of vital thoroughfares in Amelia’s Ward, Region 10.

The significant investment aims to enhance connectivity, accessibility, and improve the overall quality of life for residents in the area.

Among the thoroughfares that saw necessary rehabilitation are Fourth Corner Main Street, Amelia’s Ward, undertaken by three contractors.

Section 1 of the crucial artery was executed by World Palm Beach Resort at a cost of $13.6 million while Section Two was tack-

led by Green’s Desilting and completed to the tune of $14 million. Similar works were undertaken by Petal Beauty Palace completed Section Three at a cost of $12.4 million.

Additionally, Al Precise Contracting Enterprise executed the major upgrading of Second Corner Main Street, Central Amelia’s Ward, at a total cost of $24.4 million.

Empire Drive Road received a much-needed facelift done by Orin’s Supreme Enterprise, amounting to $38.5 million, while Last Cross Street Empire Drive was rehabilitated by R and M Mining Investment Project Inc., totalling $47.8 million.

Major rehabilitation works were also ex -

ecuted Broad Money Street, Amelia’s Ward to the tune of $16 million by Al Precise Contracting Enterprise.

SJ’s Cambio and Variety Store also undertook enhancement works on Community Centre North Side Road at a cost of $30.3 million.

An upgraded road in Amelia’s Ward, Linden

Henry’s Road, Amelia’s Ward saw significant transformation valued at $25.9 million and was executed by RJ Enterprise and General Construction.

Similar rehabilitation works were executed on Well Road, Amelia’s Ward amounting to $47.2 million, by

Cordis Variety.

Also, the construction of First Left Obama Drive, Amelia’s Ward, was divided into multiple sections, each meticulously executed by Ray’s Infrastructure Development, R & R Construction Services, Shaun Duke Construction, Cabio Construction & Maintenance Services, and MSN Enterprise at a combined

cost of $68.3 million. These infrastructure upgrades are in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s manifesto commitment to improved road networks to facilitate a smoother flow of traffic and stimulate economic activity to foster community development. (DPI)

Water distribution networks at Karisparu 60 per cent complete

THE water distribution networks along with works on a trestle and catchment system are 60 per cent complete at Karisparu, Region Eight.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, made this disclosure during a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony in Karisparu to honour the lives lost during the Mahdia dormitory fire in May 2023.

He explained that a total of $60 million is being invested to execute overall works, thereby boosting the water coverage in the community and region.

Since last year, he explained that the government had planned to drill a well in Karisparu, but access to the area to transport a rig there was one of the logistical obstacles.

He then pointed out, “We then put in the trestle system where we are investing about $60 million overall…We are putting in a catchment to catch the water from your creek and then, we will run the distribution system. We are about 60 per cent works completed…By the midJune, we will implement that completely.”

Residents were informed that more water tanks will be added to the two tanks currently in the system.

Now that the airstrip has reopened, access has been enhanced and the contractor will be able to transport more materials to the area.

Government is aggressively pursuing its agenda in ensuring that every hinterland community has access to potable water by

the end of 2025.

Minister Croal further committed, “It is still my intention that we will, at some point, come back to drill a well.”

Over the three and half a year, $526 million has been spent to advance water access in the region. The investment is expected to increase to some $650 million by the end of this year.

With these investments, the region’s water coverage will move to about 90 per cent by year-end.

Overall, a total of $1.5 billion has been budgeted to improve water services in the hinterland regions for 2024.

“We are drilling a number of wells in Region Eight starting with firsttime access and then we will branch off…We are therefore investing to ensure that all communities have access,” he empha -

sised.

Some 361 residents from Kamana and Sand Hill are benefitting from new water supply systems worth $84 million.

Meanwhile, in the housing sector, 10 Karisparu families will benefit from the construction of 10 elevated houses under the hinterland housing programme.

Through this framework, the village council and the residents will identify the most vulnerable families in the village to receive a house.

Additionally, another village in the region will also benefit from this programme by the latter half of this year.

Joining the minister was Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal. (DPI)

The water system at Karisparu

Making dreams a reality

IN his stirring address commemorating Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary, President Dr. Irfaan Ali rekindled the nation’s aspirations and dreams, presenting a vision of a united and prosperous future.

Speaking at the Mackenzie Stadium in Linden, President Ali’s message of patriotism, solidarity, and perseverance resonated deeply with those in attendance, reflecting a leadership committed to inclusive development and national progress.

President Ali’s tribute to the two teachers who tragically lost their lives on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, alongside his homage to the nation’s patriots, set a tone of solemnity and respect,

underscoring the sacrifices made for Guyana’s betterment. His call for unity and collective effort was not just a reflection on past struggles and triumphs, but a forward-looking appeal to build a society where every Guyanese can realise their dreams.

The President’s emphasis on developing infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, tourism, and economic opportunities highlights a comprehensive approach to national development.

This holistic vision is crucial for a country like Guyana, which is rich in resources yet still grappling with challenges that hinder its full potential. By pledging to enhance these key areas, President Ali signals

a commitment to creating an environment where citizens can thrive.

One of the most compelling aspects of President Ali’s speech was his focus on inclusivity. His assurance that development will be equitable, regardless of geographical location, speaks volumes about his administration's dedication to ensuring that hinterland and riverain communities are not left behind. This is a crucial stance in a nation marked by diverse regions with varying levels of access to resources and opportunities.

The accomplishments of the past three years, as highlighted by the President, reflect significant strides in housing and healthcare. The allocation of over 30,000

house lots and improvements in health indicators, such as increased life expectancy and reduced child and maternal mortality rates, demonstrate tangible progress. These advancements provide a foundation for further growth and indicate that the government’s efforts are yielding positive results.

President Ali’s vision of a society that is “free and just” where the rule of law is paramount and cultural heritage is cherished, aligns with the aspirations of many Guyanese. His commitment to building a resilient, strong, sustainable, and competitive nation is not merely aspirational rhetoric; it is a blueprint for the country’s future. By advocating for high-quality education,

Petty, racist politics as Guyana turns 58

THE government successfully staged its flag-raising ceremony last evening which had all of the splendour, pomp and ceremony that Guyanese have come to expect over the years.

It was well attended and Lindeners showcased Guyana’s growth and development through several cultural performances before the 58th independence flag-raising.

Of course, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivered inspiring and futuristic plans for Guyana, particularly Region 10, as he sought to broker unity, oneness, and togetherness countrywide. Also, President Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government stood by their decision to move the yearly ceremony to different parts of the country, in keeping with the ‘One Guyana’ agenda, and to promote ethnic harmony.

After all, since it was announced that the independence anniversary event would be in Linden, the opposition party the People’s National Congress Reform and its regional officials had been spreading lies and false narratives about Ali’s government and the PPP. They have shamelessly engaged in petty and puerile politics aimed at dividing the people of our country, particularly Linden, along racist lines. Unfortunately, but understandably, the Regional Chairman Deron Adams and Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon joined the other known PNC foot soldiers trying to get the base to not only not attend yesterday’s ceremony, but also to show the government their backsides. They wanted to show the President and the PPP that they were in power in Region 10, and that the people of Region

10 belonged to them. So, the PNCR’s PR machinery went into overdrive printing a set of flyers, leaflets, and putting people on the airwaves, spreading lies and misinformation about what was happening on the ground in Linden.

They seemed, as PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo stated, to be pretending that the government was disrespecting Linden by not allowing its leaders to attend the festivities or not involving them in the planning or execution of the day’s event. Anyone who had any objectivity and uprightness would conclude after checking the facts that it was all a pile of rubbish and fiction to keep their base intact. It was all a sham and a very pretentious performance by the Regional Chairman, the PNC Mayor and the PNC. Spineless and vindictive.

Firstly, Guyanese must know the facts about some of the small-minded politicians and PNC leaders at Linden. They curse out the government every day about neglecting Linden and Region 10, then turn around and try to sabotage projects and initiatives that the government rolls out for Region 10. Once they are not in central government, Linden and Region 10 must be made to feel they are discriminated against because of their political choice. They must be isolated and feel neglected when the PNC and Regional Pharaohs know the truth, but are trying hard to hide it from coming to the light.

They do not want Lindeners to know or feel the wave that is gripping the country. For the first time, Lindeners and residents of Region 10 see that this government is trying to ensure that they are

healthcare, infrastructure, and prudent economic policies, he outlines a path to achieving these goals.

Moreover, the President’s focus on Linden and Region 10, with promises of significant investments in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, sports facilities, the bauxite industry, and tourism, underscores the potential for local development. These plans aim to transform the economic landscape and enhance the quality of life for residents, making Linden a focal point for regional growth.

The enthusiastic response from the crowd and the celebratory conclusion with a fireworks display and cultural performances reflect a nation that is hopeful and

supportive of this vision.

President Ali’s address not only celebrated Guyana’s independence but also charted a course for its future, emphasising that every citizen is an integral part of the nation’s journey forward.

As Guyana stands at the cusp of its potential, the leadership’s dedication to nurturing and realising the aspirations of its people is critical. President Ali’s commitments, if fulfilled, could indeed position Guyana as a beacon of development and opportunity in the global arena. The task ahead is formidable, but with unity, perseverance, and strategic action, Guyana’s dreams can indeed become reality.

involved, seen and consulted. The government is bringing development to the mining town through deliberate and calculated efforts to harmonise the country and make its citizens feel the progress of development. The face of Linden is changing to reflect its rich history and culture. It is not being left behind because of the politics of racism and discrimination.

The government is oftentimes trying to defend itself against the racism and discrimination allegations which are made by these very same PNC officials who did nothing for Region 10, and its large population of Afro-Guyanese. The PNC/R

seems to be guilty of doing nothing for Linden during the years 2015 to 2020, but now knows every reason why Lindeners should still be upset with this government when it has done its best and will continue to do its best for the lives of Lindeners. Make it make sense, nah?

Secondly, the truth is, that Linden and Region 10 are getting their full share of development and growth in line with the opportunities that are given to all Guyanese. The entire situation with the increasing cost of living is gripping the entire country, not Liden and Region 10 alone, but the government is investing millions of dollars

TURN TO PAGE 9

58 years of the PNC’s relationship with Afro-Guyanese

THE destructive imprisonment of African Guyanese under two People’s National Congress presidents has few parallels in world politics. I will leave David Granger, Robert Corbin and Aubrey Norton out of the equation because I think the level of betrayal of African Guyanese by Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte were so horrific that it would be an analytical vulgarity to include the other three PNC leaders (cited above) in any comparison.

This is a complex topic to discuss in a newspaper article. What follows are brief notes intended for African-Guyanese to reflect on as Guyana celebrates 58 years of Independence. Within these 58 years, Granger, Corbin and Norton are part of the huge PNC failure to empower African Guyanese but failure is a mild word compared to what Burnham and Hoyte did to African Guyanese.

I think the collective African-Guyanese psyche has not recovered from the devastation brought on by the psychological make-up of Burnham and the cruel economics of Hoyte. For this reason, I will look at the era of Burnham and Hoyte and cut out the years of PNC leadership under Corbin, Granger and Norton.

At the time of privatisation in 1989 and onwards, it compelled African Guyanese

to ask themselves if Burnham ever did anything for them. The presidency of Burnham did not result in African empowerment. Burnham empowered himself through a gargantuan programme of nationalisation. State enterprises were administered by a stratum the PPP, WPA and other critics of the Burnham administration mistakenly described as a st ate bourgeoisie.

The bourgeois class owns assets. The stratum that controlled the countless state enterprises after nationalisation did not own anything but was simply a “stateist” middle class, and even this term is open for debate because the state-ist middle class was not rewarded with huge income. Professor Linden Lewis, in his recent biography of Burnham, cited the case where one of the members of the state-ist middle class refused a directive from Burnham to contribute a tenth of his salary to the PNC which all state administrators were required to do (page 129).

Burnham empowered himself through his hegemony over the massive state enterprises but his managers were in receipt of status and power and not income. So, when President Hoyte put up dozens of state companies for sale, by the time the sale was over, less than five per cent of the purchasers were Africans. Privatisation led to the pauperisation of the

state-ist middle class because the new owners did not want to keep them.

Burnham feared Walter Rodney terribly because Rodney found Burnham’s Achilles’ heel – Africans were not empowered. That explains the mesmerising penetration of African Guyanese by Rodney. One wonders what Burnham must have said in his grave as Hoyte sold off every state company that Burnham birthed and Africans were left in a state of unemployment.

If Africans did not fare under Burnham then Hoyte drove the last nail in the coffin. One of the best books written about Guyana is the moving, piercing account of the economics of President Hoyte. Titled, ‘Structural Adjustment and Good Governance: The Case of Guyana’ by Tyron Ferguson, the book was given to me by Kaieteur News (KN) journalist, Kiana Wilburg at around 14:00 hrs in KN offices. I went home and read rig ht away.

That book has left a lasting impression of me. Ferguson tore into Hoyte’s cruel policies of structural adjustment (SA) that almost killed off African Guyanese existence in this land. This is how I put it here but the way Ferguson described it through an array of impressive statistics, he meant it the way I have written it here – that is, SA was jeopardis-

ing the existence of African Guyanese.

Ferguson describes the West’s imposition of SA as the purest form at the time. He noted that two other similar SA programmes were imposed on Jamaica and Venezuela respectively and it led to massive uprising and widespread violence. Ferguson noted that in Guyana, this pure form of SA was simply implemented

without resistance. I will always remember what the Burnhamite power-house, Elvin Mc David, told me after he was dethroned by President Hoyte. Mc David took a liking to me and invited me often to his Queenstown house.

His house was typical working class and one day he said to me that all he has to earn a living was his hotel in New Garden Street. I vividly

recall his words; “Freddie that is all I have.” Burnham empowered Mc David with raw power but not money power. Hoyte pauperised McDavid through structural adjustment. He died a broken man in Jamaica.

What happened to African entitlement under Burnham and Hoyte? After 58 years of Independence, maybe African Guyanese should try Irfaan Ali.

Psychologists to be present at 2024 Olympic Games

In its mental health segment, NBC discussed an initiative by the host nation to make

As we celebrate mental health awareness this month, the American NBC news programme announced, last Tuesday, an innovative move by the French to address the mental health of their athletes.

psychologists available to members of its athletics team at the Olympic Games which will be held in Paris next month.

The move is seen as

timely and necessary as athletes not only face the pressure of performing at the highest level, but also separation from their families for prolonged periods and are constantly subjected to criticism over social media if they fail to perform as expected.

The French are therefore giving priority to curbing online harassment and cyberbullying, a concern which is also shared by the country’s tennis federation.

According to a study carried out by France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP), 15 per cent of athletes have shown signs of “high anxiety or depression, with the first signs of psychological difficulties beginning on average at 17”.

INSEP plans to work with other French sports organisations to raise awareness of risks associated with mental health among athletes, while France’s Sport Minister has acknowledged that “Athletes as well as our citizens are exposed to these risks”.

A ‘Safeguarding Officer’ from the French Olympic and Paralympic delegation, along with three welfare officers, welfare officers, will be onsite at the Olympic village to render assistance to staff and athletes alike.

The French Tennis Federation and Soccer League are also using an online application called Bodyguard to provide better online protection for athletes

and to monitor content coming into their private messages if they so wish.

France’s Secretary of state for Digital Affairs, Marina Ferrari, said, “The psychological stability of athletes deserves all of our attention. More than ever, they should feel safe and should be supported when they go through moments of difficulty or doubt or have need to express themselves”

In an article on the subject, Dr. Stacy L Gnacinski, remarked that she has been heartened by efforts being made over the past 5 – 10 years by athletic bodies in the US to bolster support for mental health resources.

The doctor, who holds a doctorate is in health sciences (specialising in sport psychology), pointed out that in an “ideal scenario” athletes should have access to mental health services prior to major meets so that a relationship can be established between the psychologist and the individual. “Any prior rapport or work conducted going into milestone events allows for more effective well-being or mental health intervention during those key events,” she observed.

This means that athletic organisations/ groups the world over should be making efforts to give mental health support to their athletes well in advance of important events, as well as providing the kind of assistance the

French plan to put in place during the Olympics.

Another strategy which can be adopted is one used by the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, which utilises what is termed the “4Rs” approach to athlete mental health and well-being – Recognise, Reach out, Refer and Remain supportive. Firstly, recognising the sign and symptoms that an athlete may be struggling. Secondly, reaching out to the individual at an opportune time and providing information on available help. Thirdly, checking out the referral process of relevant organisations and compiling a list of professionals who fit various types of mental health needs. And lastly, remaining supportive and maintaining contact with the athlete after referral to reduce anxiety and hesitancy in transitioning back to a training or competitive environment. If we want the best out of our athletes then we must be concerned about their mental health and put systems in place to give them the support they need and to encourage them to talk about their problems.

In a telling comment, heavyweight boxer, Tyson Fury, had this to say: “If mental health (problems) can bring somebody as big and strong as me to my knees, then it can bring anybody to the knees.”

Petty, racist politics as Guyana turns...

to improve the same.

Lindeners have seen double times investments and jobs since 2020. More men and women are working in Linden and around Region 10 since the government reopened the call centre, a functioning BIT programme, improved working relations with bauxite companies and other mining companies in Region 10 and started working on the Linden/Mabura Road construction.

Several initiatives aimed at the tourism sector, education, and Health Sector are currently being rolled out for the regions, inclusive of small business grants, an expanded nursing programme, and a school cash grant which goes to the education of schoolchildren.

Additionally, the government aims at creating a

whopping 1,400 house lots at Linden in the Mackenzie and Wismar areas, with over 115 Lindeners inking agreements of sale and 28 collecting cement-and-steel vouchers.

That is not all: construction of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge is set to begin in August at a whopping cost of US$35 million for the four-lane bridge. The Ministry of Public Works is also planning to invest a substantial sum of $1.3 billion to transform the community’s infrastructural network of the mining town of Linden.

In sports, the government is also investing huge sums to finish the sports facility at Mackenzie, Linden after Christopher Jones and the whole PNC cabal had promised its completion in 2018 and 2019 during their terms in office. The government

finished building the facility with added, FIFA compliance lighting so the athletes in Linden and Region 10 could now play international football, train and play sports. Additionally, over $500 million has gone towards building stands and other sport facilities. And, don’t let’s talk about power and energy consumption, because Linden and parts of Region 10 get special treatment compared to the rest of the country, with the government having to stand a $5B in electricity subsidies.

Where is the light on these developments done by the PPP/C government?

Where is the discrimination? Where is the neglect?

Where is the Racism that Soloman, Adams and Aubrey Norton are speaking about with water in their mouths?

Thirdly, this victimhood mentality of these politicians must stop if Guyana is to progress at 58. This foolishness and sour-faced approach to development in Linden and Region 10 must stop. Adams, Solomon and the PNC would do the people of the region good if they stopped playing cheap politics with their lives and livelihoods.

They must become a more serious partner of development in the region and not a wall for development, creating hurdles and impediments that the government will always have to cross over to reach the people.

They are big-time politicians with small minds and no future in politics. The PNC’s big-wig politicians cannot hold the entire region hostage as people are slowly deciphering the truth about the government and the opposition's lie to keep them from changing alliances and sides.

Finally, as Guyana celebrates its independence, we must take pride in being Guyanese, first, as we work to cultivate an atmosphere of love, unity and togetherness. Guyana does not belong to one group of people more than another. It is our home and we must work harder to

end the racism and division that have paralyzed us for so long. The PNC will soon be a relic of the past if it does not change the petty and small-minded politicians of an era that is spent and is coming to an end.

Soon, Guyana will mark its 60th independence anniversary; let us work together on things that we can agree upon and unite us than things like the Wismar Massacre that potentially can still retard our growth and keep us in the past. The face of Linden is changing and Guyana is changing.

Happy Independence Day!

Farmers to soon access ‘agri’ extension services, training online - President Ali

FARMERS in Guyana, and by extension the Caribbean community (CARICOM), will soon be able to access agriculture extension services and training online, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.

The Guyanese Head of State, during a recent engagement in a farming community, told residents that, by the end of the year, the country’s agriculture ministry will launch these services online.

“Farmers can sign in at any time and get information and get training online,” President Ali said while explaining that the initiative is a part of a wider programme in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

“We are now invest -

ing in an innovation centre through the IICA programme that looks to continuous education of farmers and that will support farmers,” the President

said adding:

“We have to make things accessible. We have to make things easier for the people of our country; wherever they are, how -

ever they look, whichever community they are from, that is irrelevant. We are building a ‘One Guyana’ for every single Guyanese.”

Additionally, Guyana is

set to complete the development of a Regional Data Centre Analytic Simulator for agriculture and food production in the region.

That centre will combine modern technology, data and experts to efficiently support farmers and increase food production.

At the third regional Agriculture Investment Forum and Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Dr. Ali had said for the Caribbean region to attain its regional food-security goals, innovation and digitisation need to be adopted aggressively.

Leaders are hoping to reduce the region’s massive US$6 billion plus food-import bill by 2025. It is their hope that with proactive initiatives such as these, food production

and regional trade can be increased.

Since assuming office, the current government has been keen on using oil revenues to diversify the economy and not just have a country that revolves around oil and gas.

Aside from the data centre, Guyana will also establish a situation room to ensure that strategic investments are made.

With the sector’s growth in mind, the President highlighted the importance of undertaking meticulous data analysis to ensure targeted investments are made to adequately develop the country.

This, he reiterated, will enable evidence-based decision-making and proactive planning to drive production forward.

Warlock Café opened at Cotton Field

- over 1,000 cups of bubble tea, frappes sold in first two weeks

GERESH Bissessar, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Lima, Region Two, has successfully opened Warlock Cafe, a unique establishment offering bubble tea, frappes, and milkshakes.

In the first two weeks, over 1,000 cups of its specialty beverages were sold.

Returning to his homeland because of the positive economic developments in Region Two, Bissessar identified a unique opportunity to introduce bubble tea and frappes to the local market.

Drawing on his experiences in Canada, he decided to establish Warlock Cafe to offer a new and exciting

culinary experience to the residents of Essequibo.

The café which is located at Cotton Field has already gained popularity for its wide variety of delicious cheesecake flavours and toppings.

The Warlock Cafe has created employment for five individuals and has become a popular spot in the community as it offers unique and affordable flavours of bubble tea or other beverages.

Bissessar during an interview with this publication, expressed his intention to

expand the menu.

“I wanted to bring something different to the people of Region Two, especially in teas, and unique flavours were needed… the community is loving it.” Bissessar said.

He conveyed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from the Essequibo community and he invited everyone to follow Warlock Café on Facebook for updates and more information.

Young entrepreneur Geresh Bissessar

The Warlock Café at Cotton Field, Region Two

US Embassy hosts AI engineering conference in Guyana

- Public Works Minister says it’s timely, given the nation’s development

IN an effort to embrace and be more in tune with modern technological advancements, the United States Embassy in Georgetown hosted the Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence in the Engineering and Construction Industries Conference.

The event, which took place on Friday, was deemed timely and pivotal by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan A Edghill, who represented the Government of Guyana.

Minister Edghill emphasised the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in revolutionising Guyana’s infrastructure, particularly during a period of extensive development projects.

The conference, aptly themed, "Revolutionising Infrastructure," featured presentations from prominent industry experts at AutoDesk, its local partner GISCAD, the Director of Digital Business Development at Voyansi, and remarks from Daniel Gaines, Senior Commercial Officer of the US & Foreign Commercial Service.

In his address, Minister Edghill highlighted the extensive scale of infrastructural development currently underway in Guyana.

He noted that the technologies showcased at the conference have the potential to significantly support the government's efforts across various sectors, especially in infrastructural development.

"Let us use AI digitisation to gather sound data and to undertake modelling to make the forward movement of development effective. In this way, we are no longer doing guesswork, but we are using empirical evidence," Minister Edghill stated.

Reflecting on the sheer magnitude of development

projects, Minister Edghill provided a comprehensive overview of the ongoing initiatives. "Sometimes we are only viewed as the news decides to depict us, in terms of the magnitude of the work that is taking place in Guyana. However, if we really sit and analyse the various aspects that are being built out - 5000 community roads, more than 600 kilometres of hinterland roads, the New Demerara Harbour Bridge, the new bridge that will connect MacKenzie and Wismar in Linden, 48 other bridges along the Linden-Lethem corridor, the bridge across the Corentyne River, the hospitals that are being built, more than 30 schools under construction, health centres that are being modernised to introduce telemedicine, creating infrastructure to bring connectivity to 245 villages that are in the remote parts of Guyana, which entails both electricity and internet connectivity – we see that the magnitude and the scope of what is being done, all at the same time, has never been done before."

Minister Edghill further elaborated on the strategic use of AI and digitisation in managing these extensive projects.

"From where I sit as the Minister of Public Works, I know that the conversation is about digitisation in the management of projects, but I want to take a step back and see it as part of the design perspective; where we use digitisation and AI to gather sound data and to undertake modelling, to make the forward movement of development effective. In this way, we are no longer doing guesswork, but we are using empirical evidence,” he explained.

He also underscored the importance of a data-driven

Minister Edghill alongside various stakeholders during the Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence in the Engineering and Construction

approach in making development decisions that align with Guyana’s unique circumstances and developemenatal agenda.

Minister Edghill stressed that while new technologies are essential for progress, they must also respect and preserve the country's cultural heritage. "Let’s start thinking about how we can do new things, but we don’t change who we are. We have to be able to use new technology to drive us into the future, but that technology must be able to communicate that our values and the things that we really cherish will not be lost. It’s not just about being modern, but being modern in an environment where your own culture and your own niche is not lost,” he said.

Moreover, Minister Edghill highlighted the government's proactive steps in ensuring that the population is equipped with the necessary tools to manage these technological advancements.

"I am happy to announce that through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Guyana has just made it possible for our engineers, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers, and technicians who have to undertake contract management, to do special courses in understanding FIDIC applications, because with the changing technological landscape we must be on the cutting edge," he said.

The conference underscored the critical role of AI and digital technologies in advancing Guyana’s infrastructural projects. It also highlighted the government's commitment to integrating modern technological solutions, while preserving the nation’s cultural identity.

Industries Conference ( Ministry of Public Works photos)

UG launches course aimed at tackling mental, neurological, substance abuse disorders within Guyana’s prisons

THE University of Guyana’s Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security, and the Future (IHRSSF), on Thursday, launched a ground-breaking First Responders Course on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Abuse Disorders (MNS).

According to a press release, the launch was held in the Education Lecture Theatre at UG’s Turkeyen Campus and represents a collaborative effort between the University of Guyana, the Guyana Prison Service, and the University of Leicester, aimed at addressing critical gaps in mental health care within the prison system.

The training will be conducted in batches, with the first group of beneficia-

ries comprising 60 prison officers, which represents two batches of 30 each, the release said, adding that it was designed to build the capacity of prison staff to detect, intervene, offer basic support, and make referrals for inmates with MNS disorders.

The anticipated outcomes include cost savings for the prison system and other organisations and enhanced officer performance.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, in his remarks highlighted the historical neglect of mental health issues in Guyana and noted the shift towards a more humane and modern approach to addressing the issue. He acknowledged the societal cruelty towards individuals with mental health conditions and praised the current efforts to address these issues comprehensively.

"We have come to appreciate mental health issues, neurological issues, and substance abuse issues as medical conditions that require specialised interventions," Minister Nand-

lall was quoted as saying. He pressed the need for the enactment of modern mental health legislation and the establishment of a governance structure staffed with qualified personnel.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, encouraged all course participants to ensure a 100% graduation rate, highlighting the importance of completing the training to fully benefit from the initiative. She expressed gratitude to the government, the IDB, and other supporters and urged more individuals to take advantage of this vital training opportunity.

The release added that Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Mellissa Ifill, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that brought the programme to fruition.

She highlighted the partnership's origins in 2016 and the impactful projects completed, including documenting the history of the Guyana Prison Service and a four-

year research project on MNS disorders.

“This research formed the basis for the new course, which aims to train prison officers to effectively handle MNS disorders…Our goal is to ensure that all prison officers who interact with inmates affected by MNS disorders receive this training," Dr Ifill said. Meanwhile, Director of the Guyana Prison Service, Nicklon Elliot, expressed his delight at the launch of the course, underscoring the prison service's commitment to correctional reform and human rights best practices. He emphasised the need for ongoing training to meet current needs and improve public confidence in the prison system.

The launch of the First Responders Course on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Abuse Disorders marks a significant step towards improving mental health care within the Guyana Prison Service, the press release added.

Front row from centre to right: Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall; Director of the Guyana Prison Service, Nicklon Elliot; Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Mellissa Ifill; Project Manager for the Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS), Indira Anandjit; (second from left) Director of the Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security, and the Future (IHRSSF), Mrs. Debbie Hopkinson, along with other officials of the Guyana Prison Service and the University of Guyana, and the first cohort for the Responders Course on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Abuse Disorders (MNS) (UG photo)

Billions injected into support for parents, students in various programmes

- Manickchand

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand has said that the Government of Guyana has injected billions of dollars towards the support for students and parents through various programmes to improve access to education.

She made these remarks during a recent press conference where she provided updates on the state of the education sector.

According to Manickchand, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration had promised to improve the support of parents and homes to ensure that children are educated in its manifesto.

Against this backdrop, the Because We Care cash grant was reintroduced and from 2021 to 2024, she noted that some $27 billion has been placed in the hands of parents to support access to education among other things.

“I know all parents look forward to it but I don’t think people understand the cumulative effect of this grant and it's really giving back to our parents and the children of this country. $27 billion in the four years that we have been there,” she said.

Added to this, she said that shortly, the ministry will be putting out posters depicting what every child should have in their bookbags and textbooks that are needed among other things. With this, she disclosed that the textbooks and exercise books programme has

injected $8.2 billion into children’s bookbags.

Meanwhile, another investment the government has made she said is the breakfast and school feeding programme which by the end of the year would amount to some $9.9 billion.

Manickchand added, “All children across the country in Grades Five and Six and in the hinterland primary schools as well as the secondary schools in the hinterland receive either breakfast, a hot meal, juice and biscuit or lunch depending on where they are.”

The education minister told members of the media that the PPP/C administration has invested in the cash grants, breakfast programme and even boats and buses, with which more have been bought in three years than the former APNU government had done in five years.

“So, I just want you to understand that parents and children could access education so that they can avail themselves for the many opportunities we see coming their way,” she added.

Against this backdrop, she revealed that while the cash grant programme was abolished under the previous government which said they would give boats, breakfast, buses and bicycles, if one is to check, many children from various regions like Regions 10 and Two and even communities along the East Bank of Demerara did not benefit from this.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

Bosai expansion aims to triple production

- will transform mining sector, create 300 jobs

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and other ministers, visited the Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc on Saturday to oversee

ment opportunities in the region.

Minister Benn expressed optimism about the project's impact, stating, "This expansion not only triples our bauxite production capacity but also underscores our

Works ongoing at Bosai (Ministry of Home Affairs photos)

a significant expansion of the Metallurgical Bauxite Project (MAZ).

This ambitious initiative aims to increase bauxite production from 1 million tonnes annually to 3,000,000 (three million) tonnes per annum, marking a transformative phase in Guyana's mining sector.

The expansion involves several key components, including the construction of a new Bosai wharf and the installation of a 20-kilomtre conveyor belt system designed to transport bauxite efficiently from the mines directly to the wharf. The wharf, currently at 85 per cent completion, spans approximately 1,200 cubic metres and represents a critical infrastructure upgrade for the project.

This project is being executed by China Road and Bridge Construction Company (CRBC) in collaboration with the local partner Japarts, on behalf of Bosai.

The expansion is expected to significantly boost the local economy by creating approximately 300 jobs for residents, offering a substantial improvement in employ-

commitment to fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities for our people."

He highlighted the longterm benefits, emphasising the increased capacity for export and the strengthening of Guyana's position in the global bauxite market.

This development follows last year's improvements aimed at mass producing a higher grade of bauxite.

Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. (BMGG) announced an injection of US$115 million into a 'mass project' to advance its local operations. This was announced by the Managing Director of the Bosai Group, Yuan Zhilun, during the commissioning ceremony of a new rotary kiln #15 at the company’s mining site in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

The rotary kiln commissioning was a pivotal moment for the company, as it represented a significant upgrade in its processing capabilities. This kiln is designed to improve the efficiency and quality of bauxite production, aligning with Bosai's strategic

goals of enhancing production capacity and quality to meet growing global demand.

His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Phillips and Minister Benn alongside various stakeholders on Saturday

Local private sector urges ‘aggressive’ action to address regional trade barriers

HEAD of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission (PSC), Komal Singh, has emphasised the need for aggressive action to address the non-tariff barrier that exists and prohibits the trade of some goods across regional markets.

Singh, made this comment last week at PSC’s 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and just days after a shipment of

milk products from Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) was blocked from entering Trinidad and Tobago.

“We need to go and analyse those [non-tariff barriers] and work aggressively to make sure we have them removed as quickly as possible,” the private sector official said.

He added: “We do not want that non-tariff barrier to exist when our industries start growing rapidly from the manufacturing sector… Our private sector and other members will continue to review those non-traffic barriers and to look at means and ways, where we can remove and work with government and the other countries to have those removed as quickly as possible.”

He further stressed that with the ongoing assessments for the operation for a regional ferry which will operate between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to enhance trade, existing trade barriers must be addressed expeditiously.

The DDL issue was later resolved with representatives from the local private sector and officials from the twin island republic conveying a meeting.

Following this, Guyana’s Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had said that although vital sanitary regulations exist to safeguard the integrity of goods during shipment, these must not be used to “stymie” the flow of trade among Caribbean Community [CARICOM] member states.

“We’ve always been in the forefront of the fight for the reduction of trade barriers in our region. We have had a long-standing stable position that phytosanitary

restrictions must not be used to supplant tariffs …Going forward we will insist upon full reciprocity in matters of trade,” Dr Jagdeo said.

He related that Guyana is simply looking to be treated fairly in the trade of goods and this will be applicable to any state.

“All we want is our goods to be treated fairly in their market as their goods are treated here,” Dr Jagdeo said.

Back in February, Guyana’s President and current CARICOM Chairman, Dr. Irfaan Ali, sounded a call for the people of the Caribbean to hold their respective leaders accountable and address the existing barriers.

“We are continuing work to address the removal of trade barriers within member states and the people of CARICOM must put pressure on the leaders of CARICOM to remove the trade barriers. It is of no use and purpose for this region,” Dr. Ali had said, during his address at the opening ceremony of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government held in Georgetown. Trade barriers include any regulation or policy that restricts trade, especially tariffs, quotas and licences, among other things.

The importance of addressing this issue is amplified by ongoing efforts of the Caribbean leaders to slash the region’s exorbitant food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

PSC Chairman Komal Singh

Scenes from Guyana’s 58th Independence

Scores of Guyanese flocked the Mackenzie Stadium in Linden on Saturday night to usher in there was the much-anticipated military parade and a cultural presentation featuring dancing and singing which

Independence Anniversary festivities at Linden

in Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary. In addition to President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s address, which was well received. These Office of the President and NCN Guyana photos capture some of the fanfare

India’s President extends warm Independence Day greetings to Guyana

IN a heartfelt message commemorating Guyana's 58th Independence Anniversary, Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, has extended her greetings to President,

progress in India-Guyana relations, stating, "We have witnessed a strong momentum in our bilateral relations in recent months, and new areas are opening up in our expanding bilat-

Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the people of Guyana. This gesture underscores the longstanding and cordial relations between the two nations.

The High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Guyana also joined in celebrating this momentous occasion, conveying their best wishes to their friends in Guyana.

President Murmu highlighted the significant

eral partnership. We are thus building on our traditionally warm and cordial relations. I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for your good health and well-being, as well as for the continued peace, progress, and prosperity of the friendly people of Guyana."

India and Guyana share a deep-rooted connection that dates back to when Guyana got inde -

pendence in May, 1966. The relationship has consistently been characterised by mutual un -

derstanding and warmth, unaffected by changes in the government of either country.

President Murmu's message not only reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, but it also celebrates the shared values and aspirations of both countries.

President of India, H.E. Droupadi Murmu

Pompey fights today Pompey to fight today in final Olympic qualifier in Thailand

Williamson’s Olympic dreams dashed as he loses to Colin

By Sean Devers

GUYANA’S Joel Williamson traded blows with Mauritius’ Louis Richarno Colin yesterday but, when the dust had settled, it was the three- time Olympian Colin who emerged with a unanimous points decision to end Williamson’s dreams of becoming an Olympian in the Parris Olympics which set to start on July 24.

Williamson who hails from Berbice, fighting in the 63.5kg class, enjoyed a few brief moments in the fight but the more experienced was always in

control of a contest he was overwhelmingly favoured to win easily.

Williamson now joins fellow Guyanese, GDF’s Desmond Amsterdam, who suffered a unanimous points defeat against Christian Javier Pinales of the Dominican Republic on Saturday.

With both pugilists failing to qualify for Parris, Super Heavyweight Emmanuel Pompey will hope to join Keevin Allicock with a win in his first fight when he comes up against Georgia Kushitashvilli today.

Pompey is coming off a successful outing in the GBA’s Developmental Boxing tournament last March at the National Gymnasium in Guyana when he beat Suriname’s Leandro Dongo in what was the fight of the night.

But this contest is a different level since his 28-year-old Russian opponent is six feet four inches tall and has won both of his fights since turning Pro in February 2022.

Allicock who won is only Pro fight, fought in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and moved one step closer to par-

ticipating in his second Olympics after he won his first bout in the round of 32. He will enter the Ring tomorrow for his next fight

Charles bashes aggressive 69, bowlers star as West Indies...

FROM BACK PAGE

games, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie seemed set for a similar haul after two exceptional overs. He was brought on immediately after the powerplay, and displayed good changes of pace to have de Kock trapped lbw, as the latter played a reverse sweep too early and was given out. In Motie's next over, Matthew Breetzke hit the

ball back over the bowler's head. It looked like a clean strike but wasn't timed as well as he intended, and Shamar Joseph took a good catch inside the boundary rope to end a disappointing tour for the CSA T20's top run-scorer for the 2023-24 season.

Motie's figures after two overs were 2 for 5, but his day didn't finish as well as he hoped. He conceded 11 runs off his final over, as Rassie van der Dussen hit him for two sixes and he wasn't used again.

Rassie van der Dussen attempts a reverse sweep, Afghanistan vs South Africa, World Cup, Ahmedabad, November 10, 2023

van der Dussen's final say

Excluded from South Africa's T20 World Cup squad but asked to captain them in this series, van der Dussen has not had the easiest few months. But he had a strong last say on this tour. Van

der Dussen scored a 30-ball fifty to take South Africa from 50 for 4 to 163 for 7, and demonstrated strong hitting skills straight down the ground. All five of his sixes were scored in the V between long-off and long-on, and his 77-run fifth-wicket stand with Wiaan Mulder was the difference between a South African collapse and a semblance of competitiveness.

Mayers missed and then didn't

Van der Dussen's knock could have ended on 9 when he dragged a Hayden Walsh Jnr delivery from outside off to long-on, where Kyle Mayers was waiting for the catch. He took it cleanly but misjudged how close his back foot was to the boundary rope and stepped over it with the ball in hand. Van der Dussen was the first to gesture that he had earned six.

Six overs later, Mulder mis-hit a McCoy slower ball to long-on, where Mayers

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday May 27, 2024)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Jos Butler-2 (RR)

(2) Abhishek Sharma-41 sixes (SRH) Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who effected most wicketkeeping dismissals in the preliminary stage of IPL 2024?

(2) Who took the most catches in this round

was ready to take the catch two-handed, with more than enough space behind him to tumble, hold on and avoid giving away a boundary.

With the bat, Mayers cracked four sixes in an

unbeaten knock of 36, helping wrap the chase up after Charles had laid the foundation. But Mayers remains a reserve player in the West Indies T20 World Cup squad. (Espn Cricinfo)

Joel Williamson

Emmanuel Pompey

Matthews eyes continued growth as Windies Women build towards T20 World Cup in October

WHILE all the excitement is rightly around the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, West Indies Women’s captain, Hayley Matthews and her team are steadily building towards their own global T20 showpiece, which is scheduled for October.

Having lifted their first and only T20 World Cup title in 2016 when they defeated favourites, Australia, by eight wickets in Kolkata, Matthews, who was 18 years old at the time of that accomplishment, is hoping to repeat the feat in five months time, but for now, her immediate focus is on their build up to the tournament.

The Caribbean women are set to tour Sri Lanka for three One-Day Internationals

and three Twenty20 Internationals, from June 15-28, and those encounters Matthews said will kick start their preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup to be staged in Bangladesh.

This upcoming tour follows the West Indies Women’s successful outing in Pakistan where they won both the ODI and T20 series, losing just one of eight matches played.

“Everyone would have had a nice month or so at home, so it’s about getting ourselves into tip top shape before we head off for a camp in Sri Lanka before the series,” Matthews told Barbados TODAY, shortly after a presentation to the Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club at Friendship.

“(Winning) the T20 World Cup is probably the main goal for the year, but at the same time on the Sri Lanka tour, we have ICC Championship points to play for that would help our qualification for the 50-over World Cup next year. So I think that both the 50-over and the T20 aspects of this upcoming tour are going to be pretty serious and we’re going to want to do really well in both the formats,” she added.

On a more personal note, Matthews, 26, expressed delight that her hard work behind the scenes have been bearing fruit in terms of her remarkable performances over the past year, in particular.

The Barbadian, who is currently the number

MATTHEWS:...Hopefully

I can continue to grow, get better and have an even better 2024,” she shared

one ranked women’s T20 all-rounder in the world, recently became the first female to be named Wisden’s Leading Twenty20 cricketer in 2023, following a run of

eight consecutive T20 match awards, in which she averaged 88 with the bat.

Last year, in 14 T20 internationals, Matthews recorded 700 runs from 14 matches at

an average of 63, and snared 19 wickets at an economy rate of 6.84. Across men’s and women’s T20 – domestic and international – her tally of 1,551 runs was topped only by England’s Jos Buttler.

But, amidst all the accolades, Matthews is eyeing further improvements for the remainder of the year and beyond.

“I am truly grateful. From the time I was 10 years old I knew I wanted to be a professional cricketer, and anytime you set out those dreams and want to do something so big, when success comes you’re obviously grateful for it. Hopefully I can continue to grow, get better . (Sportsmax).

Southampton beat Leeds to return to Premier League

SOUTHAMPTON beat Leeds in the Championship play-off final to secure an immediate return to the Premier League and the £140m to go with it.

Adam Armstrong scored the decisive goal with a clinical finish after being put clear by Will Smallbone.

Leeds substitute Dan James clattered a bouncing ball against the crossbar late on as they pushed for an equaliser but Russell Martin's men saw out almost 12 minutes of time

Saints' 11-year spell in the top flight came to an end after a wretched campaign last time out but, despite finishing one place and three points behind Leeds in fourth, it is they who join Leicester and Ipswich in going up.

added on.

Defeat for Leeds consigned them to another season in the Championship and meant they have now lost their past three finals at Wembley without scoring and been unsuccessful in all six of their play-off campaigns.

Saints' promotion means that all three playoff finals this year were won by the team who had

finished lower in the league table, with the team who had finished higher failing to score in all three.

Both teams came into the game off the back of comprehensive second-leg wins in the semi-finals, Leeds beating Norwich 4-0 and Southampton easing to a 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

There was nothing be-

tween the two sides for the first quarter of the game before Armstrong put Saints in front with his 24th goal of a prolific campaign.

Chances were few and far between thereafter, an oddly off-colour Crysencio Summerville shooting wide for Leeds and Samuel Edozie wasting a fine chance on the break for Southampton.

James twice came

close to sending the match to extra time but Alex McCarthy made an excellent full-length save from his low 20-yarder after the bar had earlier denied the Welshman. The win gives Martin, who had been discarded at Norwich as a player in Leeds boss Daniel Farke's spell at Carrow Road, his first promotion in management.(BBC Sport)

Shaheen Afridi rejects Pakistan vice-captaincy offer

SHAHEEN Afridi was offered the vice-captaincy of the Pakistan T20 side ahead of the World Cup squad announcement, but rejected the chance to take up the position.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the PCB selection committee raised the prospect of officially naming Shaheen as Babar Azam's deputy for the 2024 T20 World Cup, but were told that the fast bowler did not want the role. In the end, the World Cup squad, which was named hours before the ICC deadline to submit the final squad, did not officially have a vice-captain.

Though Shaheen had opted to put the matter of being stripped of the T20 captaincy

after one series behind him, a sense of injustice continues to linger. The player has never felt the reasons for his dismissal were ever adequately explained to him,

and having been unceremoniously dumped from one leadership position, he was understood to not be keen to jump into another.

The latest development in the PCB-Shaheen saga only further demonstrates the challenges that lie ahead in mending a relationship that was put under severe strain a few weeks ago. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted at a press conference in March that Shaheen may be replaced, and once he was, the PCB put out a statement on their website containing remarks from Shaheen offering Babar warm words of encouragement.

It would emerge that Shaheen never said the words

attributed to him, and once he planned to make that public, Naqvi rushed to Kakul, where the players were undergoing a military training camp. While Shaheen remained thoroughly unimpressed and betrayed by the manner of his dismissal, an uneasy truce was understood to have been reached.

That Shaheen turned down another chance at a leadership position, though, demonstrates how uneasy that truce still is. Shaheen is among the core leadership group of the T20 side, but is understood to feel he does not need to take up an official role delineating it, particularly as the role is a demotion on the position he held just weeks ago.

While Shaheen was their first choice, the PCB selection committee also discussed other alternatives. Shadab Khan - who has served as vice-captain before - was one of the leading contenders, though his struggles with the ball and Pakistan's tendency not to use him with the bat in the top order means his place in the XI is not necessarily guaranteed. The possibility of nominating Mohammad Rizwan as Babar's deputy was also raised, though ultimately rejected, with the committee wishing to appoint a younger player in the position.

The approach to Shaheen was made before the selection committee's meeting to finalise the squad, where the issue of the vice-captaincy

came up once more. Despite other names being discussed, there was relative unanimity on the PCB's final decision not to announce a vice-captain, with six of the seven members believed to be in favour of the move.

"During Friday's selection committee meeting, discussions on the vice-captaincy took place," the PCB said in a statement. "However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offer was made to any player. The side is fully united, committed and keenly looking forward to the upcoming matches in the UK and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024."*(ESPN Cricinfo)

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi

KFC

Elite League Police arrest Western Tigers as round two of season six kicks off

THE Police Football

Club who held third place at the conclusion of the first half of season six of the KFC Elite League got their second-half campaign off to a glowing start with a 4-2 stoppage of Western Tigers on Saturday at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre as league action resumed.

After the opening whistle, police’s Jamar Harrigan found the back of the net, 19 minutes into the clash for the early lead.

Western Tigers’ Randolph Wagner found the equaliser in the 22nd min-

ute before his teammate and Tiger’s talisman Andrew Murray made it 2-1 on the verge of the break in injury time of the first half.

Police’s Neron Barrow led the investigation of Tigers defence and upright before finding success in the 65th and 76th minutes for the equaliser, then the go-ahead goal.

Former Elite League top goal scorer Nicholas MacArthur, who is steadily returning to his prolific goal-scoring form, scored in 90+ 2 minutes to seal the victory 4-2 as the police side look to a make second-half run for the

top position in the league table.

Meanwhile, the opening match of the double header saw Santos upsetting Fruta Conquerors 2-nil after goals from Stephon Reynolds and Andrew Simmons.

The encounter saw a sedate first half between the teams before second-half goals from Reynolds in the 52nd and Simmons in the 85th minute brought the clash alive and gave Santos the advantage which they held on to for the victory.

The league also includes defending champion Guyana Defence Force

Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition

Could Bullets go all the way?

WHO will it be is the question on every lip of aficionados planning to witness tonight’s final of this year’s Linden segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition which is scheduled to be played, at the Retrieve Hardcourt.

After four riveting nights of action in the Mining Community, the curtains will come down this evening with

the semi-finals and final for prize monies totalling more than $1.5million along with trophies.

Along with the reality of a new champion being crowned following the exodus of three- peat champions, Swag Entertainment, in the quarterfinals, the chance of an automatic berth to the nationals in July has also served as an added incentive

for the excitement being felt throughout the community.

Two-time champions, Silver Bullets, who was responsible for booting the defending champions out of the tournament, must start as the overwhelming favourites to add another trophy to their cabinet.

However, their opponent, Spaniards, has shown, throughout the tournament,

that it is just as adept in the format and has also demonstrated a level of determination opposing teams fear.

In the other fixture, Turf Presidents tackle Hardball Management and this encounter is anticipated to set the tone for what is expected to be an exciting showdown among the surviving teams.

Both teams are coming off impressive wins with

the former dispatching Pro Ballers 3-0 in the quarters, while the latter was equally efficient in their 2-0 triumph over Excuse the Rush.

Fans have turned out in their numbers, and this is despite the inclement weather;

t herefore the Organisers are confident that another large turnout will be seen on the final night of competition.

Once again there will be the usual giveaways for the loyal fans along

running from May to August.

The clubs are battling for cash prizes of $2,000,000, $1,200,000, $800,000, and$500,000 for 1st to 4th along with trophies.

The league continues next Thursday with Buxton United playing Monedderlust FC and Den Amstel meeting Ann’s Grove United at the GFF NTC at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

with the presence of the security apparatus that has been retained to ensure that the night’s proceedings run smoothly. The winning team will cart off $500,000 and a trophy, while second, third and fourth placed finishers will take home $400,000, $300,000 and $250,000 respectively.

Colours Boutique that provided the beautiful uniforms adorned by the teams is also on board as a sponsor.

Celtics stage late comeback to lead Pacers 3-0

THE Boston Celtics came from 18 points down to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-111 and take a 3-0 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Game four is in Indianapolis today with no NBA team having ever come from 0-3 down to win a best-of-seven play-off series.

Despite the absence of star guard Tyrese Haliburton with a hamstring strain, the Pacers led 84-66 with six minutes to play in the third quarter.

They also led 109-101 with two minutes, 39 seconds remaining in the final quarter.

But Boston scored 13 of the game's final 15 points to steal the win.

A three-point play by Jrue Holiday put them 112111 up with 38.9 seconds to play – their first lead since the opening moments of the second quarter.

He then came up with a steal from Andrew Nembhard and made a pair of free throws to extend the advantage before a three-point

attempt by Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith bounced off the rim as the buzzer went.

Holiday, who has played 15 years in the NBA, was only cleared to play 45 minutes before tip-off as he struggled with a fever which left him in bed for most of the day.

"I didn't feel too well," he said after finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

"I guess I just figured if I got a good day's rest or tried to sleep through it, that

would help me.

"It's Game Three in the Eastern Conference finals, so I wasn't going to miss this game."

Jayson Tatum top-scored for the Celtics with 36 points and also had 10 rebounds and eight assists while Jaylen Brown added 24 points.

The Eastern Conference winners will face either the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA finals with Dallas leading their Western Conference series 2-0.

FC, Slingerz FC, Den Amstel FC, Ann’s Grove United FC, Monedderlust FC, and Buxton United FC with games

Al Horford and Jrue Holiday celebrate Boston’s victory [Getty Images]

Santos goal scorers (left to right) Stephon Reynolds and Andrew Simmons

Trinidad SpeedJam Motorsport Festival…

Matthew Vieira reigns supreme as accident curtails event

- Both injured spectators listed as stable

By

Stephan

Sookram in Trinidad, compliments of the NSC, Darthan Investments, AJM, Unisource, YUDIFAT logistics Inc, Trini Auto Works, Source Auto Sales, Cyril’s Transportation Services

WHAT was shaping up to be redemption day for the Guyanese drivers ended pre-maturely, as a racing incident curtailed the feature day of SpeedJam’s Motorsport Festival in Trinidad and Tobago.

The three-day event at the Frankie Boodram Wallerfield International raceway was cut short after a competitor in the unlimited class (Estaban Jimenez) ran through a barrier and into the pit area, injuring two spectators.

A father-son duo from Trinidad who were injured, was stabilised and taken to hospital. According to organisers, they were later listed as stable.

Following that, the or-

ganisers were forced to call a halt to the event, owing to the fact that the medical personnel and ambulances had to escort the injured to the hospital.

In the earlier part of that race, the second of the two twenty-lap contests, Guyanese Mark Vieira (Mazda RX8) was in second position to the host’s Zachary Boodram (Lamborghini Hurcan) when the race was red flagged.

Vieira tried to carry the

fight to Boodram but could not keep up with Trinidad’s latest high end race car acquisition.

In the earlier race, Vieira also picked up a second-place finish after holding off a strong challenge from the host’s Kristian Boodoosingh and his Honda Civic.

Danny Persaud had a DNF (Did Not Finish) due to mechanical issues while Gavin Guyadin and Harold Hopkinson had DNS (did

not start)

Meanwhile, it was smooth sailing for Matthew Vieira who was able to add another win to his tally, continuing his clean sweep in the superbike class.

Vieira, who started on pole by virtue of his win on Saturday, converted that pole to a first place finish, opening a gap on the competitors.

Heeranand (Nicholas) Boodram held off the challenges of Rossi Joseph for

the first four of the eight-lap races but could not hold it to the end, eventually finishing third.

Keil Abaram (Trinidad) finished fourth ahead of his countryman Abdul Ali with the Guyanese trio of Dowayne Casear, Alain Hopkinson and Ray Cappell. The day also included drifting and drag racing exhibition as well as a meet and greet for drivers. The Guyanese begin returning home from today.

Matthew Vieira waves the chequered flag, his second of the weekend

The Trinidad drifters put on a show

The car meet brought drivers and fans together for an on-track photo opportunity.

The bikers who represented Guyana pose for a photo

Estaban Jimenez’s Subaru after being pulled from the pit

Race Ending! The Subaru Impreza of Estaban Jimenez’s in the pit box of Trinidad’s Franklyn Boodram

Kolkata thrash Sunrisers to win third IPL title

KOLKATA Knight Riders (KKR)won the Indian Premier League after a thumping eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

Mitchell Starc set the tone for a brilliant KKR performance when he bowled Sunrisers opener Abhishek Sharma with a beauty in the first over.

Sunrisers never recovered and were bowled out for 113, the lowest total in an IPL final.

Every KKR bowler took a wicket with Andre Russell claiming 3-19 and Starc and Harshit Rana getting two apiece.

Venkatesh Iyer then blitzed an unbeaten 52 from 26 balls in a stand of 91 with Rahmanullah Gurbaz as Shreyas Iyer's side raced to their target in 10.3 overs.

Having finished top of the group, victory in Chennai secures a third IPL title

for KKR and their first since 2014.

Sunrisers, led by Australia captain Pat Cummins, must wait another year to try and add to their solitary IPL triumph in 2016.

Unfancied KKR seal title in style

When this year's IPL began a little over two months ago, few were predicting that KKR and Sunrisers would be contesting the final.

Sunrisers had appointed Cummins captain, his first time skippering a side in T20 cricket, while KKR's decision to pay a record 24.75 crore Indian rupees (£2.3m) for Starc was also being questioned.

The Australian left-armer had not featured in the IPL since 2015 and when he went wicketless in three of his first four games - recording figures of 0-53, 0-47 and 0-29the questions only got louder.

KKR were still winning, though, with England opener Phil Salt impressing at the top of the order before he departed, and as the tournament progressed, Starc provided an answer.

The 34-year-old added an exclamation point with the fifth ball of the final - a

fast, late-swinging delivery that whistled past Abhishek to clip off stump.

By the time he took his second of a superb opening spell, Vaibhav Arora had removed Travis Head first ball and Sunrisers were in trouble at 21-3.

Any attempts to count -

er-attack were swiftly shut down by a relentless KKR bowling unit and, despite their heroics through the competition, Sunrisers hopes appeared over at the halfway stage.

Cummins removed Sunil Narine early in the chase but Venkatesh went four, six, six

to start his next over and by the time the powerplay was over, so was the contest.

'It means so much' - what they said

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Andre Russell: "I don't have the words to explain right now. It means so much with all the fans supporting us throughout since the start of the season and we as the players going game after game and getting the job done.

"All of us were disciplined and just wanted the same goals. This franchise has done so much for me, helping with my fitness. This is a big gift to all of them, I'm so happy."

Former IPL batter Abhishek Jhunjhunwala on BBC Test Match Special: "What a win. We knew this was going to happen - KKR have been the best side throughout the tournament."

Charles bashes aggressive 69, bowlers star as West Indies sweep Proteas 3-0

THE West Indies swept the three-match series against South Africa to conclude their T20 World Cup preparation in the most commanding way possible before the tournament starts next week.

South Africa, on the other hand, have won just two of their last 11 completed T20I matches since the last T20 World Cup and have lost series to West Indies twice and Australia once, and enter the global competition on the back foot.

(Scores West Indies 165 for 2 (Charles 69, King 44, Mayers 36*, Peter 1-27) beat South Africa 163 for 7 (van dur Dussen 51, McCoy 3-39, Motie 2-21) by eight wickets)

If there's any consolation, it's that none of South Africa's powerhouse middle

order of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs were part of this series, but all will return for the World Cup. Still, there remain concerns over Quinton de Kock, who scored 64 runs in three innings and had a poor BBL, SA20 and IPL, while also

appearing to pick up a back injury on Sunday; and Ryan Rickelton, who managed only 43 runs in three innings.

Equally, Anrich Nortje's economy rate of 12.16 through the series and the absence of any wickets to his name asks questions over his readiness for internation-

al cricket after an almost nine-month absence as he recovered from a lower-back stress fracture. But he is part of South Africa's final squad for the World Cup, as they travel to the United States for their opening matches.

West Indies head to Trinidad to play Australia in a warm-up match before their first World Cup match in Guyana, and they appear as ready as they can be. They've won four out of five series since the last T20 World Cup, and beat South Africa 3-0 for the first time in this one. After defending totals of 175 and 207 to win the series, they were made to chase and hunted down 164 inside 14 overs to ease past South Africa again.

Obed McCoy, added to the T20 World Cup squad in the place of the injured

Jason Holder, was the most successful bowler in the final match with 3 for 39, while stand-in captain Brandon King finished as the series' leading run-scorer and captained the team to victory on his home ground Sabina Park, which will not see any T20 World Cup action.

Gudakesh Motie removed the in-form Josh Inglis, Australia vs West Indies, 1st ODI, Melbourne, February 02, 2024

The redemption of Johnson Charles

It was against South Africa, 15 months ago, that Johnson Charles made the case to reclaim his spot in the T20I squad with 118 off just 46 balls in a T20I in Centurion. But since then, it has been lean going for him. Charles went 10 innings without crossing fifty, and

questions over his T20 World Cup-squad involvement were more than just whispers. But he silenced that with a knock of complete assurance and authority to bring up his fifth T20I half-century, and set the platform for another West Indies win. Charles' takedown of South Africa's fastest, Nortje and Gerald Coetzee, was most impressive. He scored 25 runs off just 10 balls from Nortje, and 22 off four from Coetzee, including three successive sixes. Only three of his 69 runs came in singles, with 66 in boundaries, and even though he was dismissed in the seventh over, he had already put the result beyond doubt.

Motie makes the most of it

After taking three wickets in each of his last three

TURN TO PAGE 36

Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL for the third time with a dominant win over Sunrisers Hyderabad

Johnson Charles hit 69 off just 26 balls • ( Getty Images and Cricket Australia)