Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27-12-2021

MONDAY 27th DECEMBER, 2021

No. 106587

Local content laws will be amended as more Guyanese are trained

Net zero carbon emissions - through solar-powered operations, the aim of ExxonMobil’s Ogle office

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Twins among 22 Christmas babies born at public hospitals Twins, Kyla and Kyle, were among seven Christmas Day babies born in Berbice

First Lady Arya Ali distributes hampers to mothers at the GPHC Maternity Ward on Christmas Day

Rohan Kanhai, Anti-Apartheid $400-$500M to be ‘the peerless hero, Archbishop invested to upgrade genius,’ is 86 Desmond Tutu dies healthcare infrastructure not out Christmas Day fires leave 13 homeless SEE PAGE

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- President Ali sends condolences to the Government and People of South Africa

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Rohan Kanhai, ‘the peerless genius,’ is 86 not out

By ALBERT BALDEO “No more technically correct batsman ever came out of the West Indies than Rohan Kanhai” – Michael Manley “To see Kanhai flat on his back – with the ball among the crowd beyond the square-leg boundary – after making one of his outrageous sweeps to a good length ball, is to watch a man capable of playing shots fit to lay before an audience of emperors” – James Scott, May 1966, on the occasion of Guyana’s independence “Kanhai discovered, created a new dimension in batting…He had found his way into regions Bradman never knew.” – CLR James “Some batsmen play brilliantly sometimes and at ordinary times they go ahead as usual. That one… is different from all of them. On certain days, before he goes into the wicket, he makes up his mind to let them have it. And once he is that way nothing on earth can stop him. Some of his colleagues in the pavilion who have played with him for years have seen strokes that they have never seen before: from him or anybody else” – Sir Learie Constantine to CLR

James, on Kanhai “Rohan Kanhai was a great player…and he was rated one of the tops…a good cricket brain…earned the respect of his players.” – Sir Garfield Sobers When the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Michael Manley, said, “The West Indies are Third World countries, but we belong, and are, in the First World of Cricket,” he defined what cricket supremacy means in a global context to the average Caribbean person.

Cricket is not only a religion in the Caribbean, but it best defines the Region in any context. Regional political integration has followed cricket as a unifying and defining force. We were kings until the doldrums came.

One of those knights who shone brightest was Rohan Kanhai. Like Cheddi Jagan, he shone for us, and for everyone! We must name a street, stadium or drive after Rohan Babulall Kanhai (forget his official middle name Bholalall, Babulall is what the crowds worship him as).

Give Kanhai his due!

No batsman has ever hit the ball with such splendour, nor in such sublime fashion, as Rohan Kanhai. He was romantically enthralling, imperious and flamboyantly gifted, and his shot selection bore the hallmark of thrilling improvisation, classic stroke play and sublime quality that can only come from a man blessed with genius and divine gifts--and knew it. There simply was no shot he could not play, or invent, dictated by his mood at that time. A vintage Kanhai had no equals.

When he was bored, he could throw his wicket away, but when he was challenged, he could rise to the occasion, and no bowler, alive or dead, could escape his genius. That is not to say that he did not let down his fans with such unpredictable temperament, but they knew that his type of gamesmanship had to be susceptible to sudden failures, and they savoured every moment he gave them at the wicket. Ian McDonald said it best when he wrote, “This explains the waywardness and strange unorthodoxies that always accompany great genius.”

My memory goes back to 1974. My father took us to Bourda to see Rohan Kanhai bat. He was 10 not out overnight against England. He was, most likely, playing his last test innings. He was 39 years old then, totally grey, which only enhanced his

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Rohan Kanhai aura. My father, like so many others, simply admired him, and the mere mention of his name commanded attention. Dad wanted us to come close to greatness. Kanhai was memorialised in cricket treatises, and romanticised in folklore. I thank my father to this day, and can tell others I saw Kanhai bat!

He made 44, before Derek Underwood spun one past his defence, but I had seen enough of the man to appreciate his genius. Underwood said later that was the best ball he ever bowled.

Those of us who are cricket aficionados can tell a batsman’s ability just from the way he holds his bat. In that brief innings, he played some trademark shots. He hooked, pulled, late cut, cover drove and slashed magnificently, enough to convince me that he was blessed with bountiful talents. He floated off the front and back foot with such ease, he was like a ballerina, dropping the ball just in front of him when he defended.

His style was unforgettable.

When Chris Old and Tony Grieg bounced to him, he struck like a cobra, sending them to the boundary.

He was one of my boyhood heroes, and was undoubtedly the most extraordinary batsman the West Indies has ever produced, blessed with such natural ability that he could eviscerate any bowling attack in the world when he controlled the impetuosity that raged within him. There was beauty in his craft, so much different in his method of annihilation, especially on the treacherous, uncovered wickets in his day. Whereas other batsmen could wear down an attack, Kanhai would dissect it with clinical precision. He was poetry, rather than prose.

Ballet, rather than dance.

Artistry, rather than sheer power, although this never compromised the force with which he hit the ball. He glided in riveting strokeplay, batting with the dexterity TURN TO PAGE 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

ExxonMobil’s Ogle office aims for net zero carbon emissions

- with proposed solar-powered operations IN a fast-changing world, where the preservation and protection of the environment are paramount, oil giant ExxonMobil has stepped up to join the global cause with the construction of an office at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, which will be powered by solar energy.

The establishment of such a complex is not only associated with the global shift towards renewable energy, but is also supplementary to the government’s plans to implement an updated LowCarbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which places Guyana at the fore of the fight against global warming.

Reports are that ExxonMobil’s office, which is being constructed on a greenfield 15-acre site comprising

two buildings and associated infrastructure, is slated for completion by 2023.

Once completed, according to President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, the facility will have net zero carbon footprint powered by solar energy.

The Climate Council defines net zero emissions as the achievement of an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere.

The World Green Building Council, which comprises a group of like-minded persons who are involved in the construction industry, had called on other stakeholders to take action to “decarbonise” the “built environment”, and inspire others to do the same.

The group’s purpose is to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector, which is responsible for 36 per cent of energy consumption, 38 per cent of energy-related carbon emissions, and 50 per cent of resource consumption.

To address those and other issues, it is not only important to incorporate lowcarbon initiatives into the construction of facilities, but it is also paramount to have structures that are powered by renewable energy.

ExxonMobil’s Ogle complex, in addition to being powered by solar energy, will have a surplus of power to dispatch to the national grid.

On a larger scale, there are plans to intensify the fight against climate change with an energy mix of solar,

wind, ‘hydro’ and natural gas. The integration of those energy sources, as reported previously, will provide Guyana with 400 megawatts of newly-installed power.

In addition to generating power to support this initiative, ExxonMobil announced its “Low-Carbon Solutions” business to commercialise its extensive low-carbon technology portfolio, which is initially focused on carbon capture and storage, and advance plans for multiple new opportunities around the world to enable large-scale greenhouse gas emission reductions.

“Over time, the business will include other technologies, including biofuels and hydrogen, as they mature to commercialisation. Already, we

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge have captured more CO2 us a competitive advanfrom human activity than tage in what is expected any other company in the to be a fast-growing marworld. Our experience, ket, which Guyana could expertise and ability to tap into,” Routledge had scale-up technology give said.

FROM PAGE 2 of a virtuoso, yet prone to Shakespearian tragedy at any time. Kanhai on the rampage was a mesmeric joy to behold, even for bowlers.

He did not have the superlative statistics nor the sheer all-round cricketing genius of Garfield Sobers, the awesome power of Viv Richards, Clyde Walcott, Clive Lloyd or Gordon Greenidge, the classical poise of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli or Frank Worrell, or the steadfastness of George Headley or Steve Waugh.

Nor did he have the impregnable technique or patience of Geoff Boycott, Jack Hobbs or Sunil Gavaskar, the insatiable appetite for runs like Don Bradman, the grace of Greg Chappell or Zaheer Abbas or the unruffled calm of Majid Khan.

Nor did his interaction with the game of cricket spawn changes to the socio-political structures of society and effect reforms of a radical nature as Learie Constantine’s and W.G. Grace’s did.

Nor did he attain superstar status like Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar, or batting statistics to propel him to the type of immortality attained by Sir Don Bradman, Lara or Tendulkar.

Yet, Kanhai possessed a combination of batting prowess, originality and sportsmanship above and beyond the reach of all of these great players to such an unparalleled degree that has

never been seen in the game of cricket and perhaps will never be equalled. His arrival to the wicket heralded both hush and expectancy. Bars closed as all rushed to the drama that was about to unfold before a Kanhai innings. You could not miss this!

His creative genius surpassed any other batsman in the game, and his flamboyance was spellbinding. There were times in his batting artistry where he touched heights of batsmanship beyond the reach of any batsman, such as in the execution of his unique “triumphant fall,” or falling hook shot, most times played off the eyebrows, the half-pull, half-sweep style stroke, the flick off the toes which dissected the on-side field, the reverse sweep off the leg stump, the magical late-cut or his majestic cover driving.

Cricketers like him invented and pioneered many innovations to the game, which have made it richer and dearer to spectators. Many batsmen may enter the same cathedral of batsmanship with Kanhai, but will not be allowed to sit in the same pew. In Michael Manley’s book, “A History of West Indian cricket,” Kanhai is photographed sitting with George Headley and Everton Weekes, and that is how they may all sit in the front pew of that West Indian proverbial cathedral, with Viv Richards, Brian Lara,

Gary Sobers and Frank Worrell.

However, in terms of originality, artistry and creative skill, he stands alone.

In his book “Idols,” Sunil Gavaskar, whose gigantic batting feats have not only eulogised him in calypso, but also immortalised him in a manner second to none, said this of Kanhai: “Rohan Kanhai is quite simply the greatest batsman I have ever seen. What does one write about one’s hero, one’s idol, one for whom there is so much admiration? To say that he is the greatest batsman I have ever seen so far is to put it mildly. A controversial statement perhaps, considering that there have been so many outstanding batsmen, and some great batsmen that I have played with and against. But, having seen them all, there is no doubt in my mind that Rohan Kanhai was quite simply the best of them all.”

Gavaskar continues, “Sir Gary Sobers came quite close to being the best batsman, but he was the greatest cricketer ever, and could do just about anything. But as a batsman, I thought Rohan Kanhai was just a little bit better.” In his book “Living For Cricket,” Clive Lloyd definitively said that he regarded Kanhai as “the finest batsman Guyana has produced.” In his book, “Willow Patterns,” Richie Benaud, one of the most respected cricketers

and commentators, confirmed that he “thought that Kanhai was just a shade over Sobers.”

Kanhai’s greatness lies to a great degree with his connection to history, and the way he overcame the social and political forces of British imperialism which subdued him and his countrymen in his time.

A captivating player, he carried the hopes and aspirations of the Caribbean people during a period of political deprivation in their collective history, where his sweet successes or bitter failures mirrored theirs during the shackles of colonialism. He became a symbol of hope, glorious expression and unrestrained freedom. We felt that we, too, could conquer, like him! When C. L. R. James wrote in the New World journal that Kanhai was “the high peak of West Indian cricketing development,” it is one of the greatest tributes paid to any West Indian hero, and focuses on the creativity Kanhai brought to cricket, and how he inspired others to do likewise.

We celebrated when Kanhai shone, brooded when he failed. In my boyhood days, he inspired youngsters like myself that, like him, we too could one day reach international fame.

With his showmanship and range of breathtaking strokes, few batsmen will ever attain the idolatry and heroism of Kanhai. He was a born favour-

ite, blessed with the fearless heart of a lion. His conquests of great bowlers such as Lillee, Thompson, Gupte, Trueman, Davidson, and others are legendary. When Charlie Griffith rocked back his stumps first ball with a no ball, he cut loose into both Hall and Griffith at Bridgetown during the Shell Shield mini-test between Guyana and Barbados, and smashed them all over Kensington fearlessly for a brilliant 108 with 17 boundaries. Joe Solomon said it was the best century he ever saw.

Although one never to chase after batting records, Kanhai nevertheless achieved an impressive array of memorable milestones. For example, although Tendulkar is the modern icon of batsmanship, he has never scored a test century in each innings of a test match as Kanhai did against as worthy an opponent as Australia, at Adelaide in 1960-61, nor top the batting averages in an English season as he did in 1975 with an average of 82.53, nor share in such high-wicket partnerships in first-class cricket as he did with J.A. Jameson-465*, Warwickshire v. Gloucestershire, 1974, second wicket and with K. Ibadulla-402, Warwickshire v. Notts, 1968, fourth wicket.

And who would not help but admire his one-day average of 55 runs per innings?

Or, notwithstanding the fact

Rohan Kanhai, ‘the peerless genius,’ 86 not out...

that statistics were always the furthest thing from his mind, appreciate that he scored 83 first-class centuries, and countless 90s, each innings a spectator’s dream? One must never forget that Rohan was one the best fielders in the world in his heyday, and a sportsman and gentleman who would recall a batsman to continue his innings when he felt that the umpire had given him out incorrectly.

Rohan opened the doors for others to follow. Perhaps “opened” is a mild word. Kanhai blasted the door open for other West Indians to follow.

After all, his book was aptly entitled, “Blasting for Runs.”

In fact, Gavaskar, Kallicharran and Bob Marley named their sons after Rohan Kanhai, and many West Indians all over the Caribbean are named after him, a testimony to Kanhai’s greatness. Gavaskar also hoped that his son Rohan would be at least half as good as the original Rohan Babulal Kanhai, which he said would make him very proud indeed! We will never see his like again…Remember the man!

Albert Baldeo, the 1st South Asian District Leader in NY, is President of the Liberty Justice Center and Baldeo Foundation, a community organisation dedicated to the fight for community improvement, justice, equal rights, public safety, dignity and inclusion in the decision-making process.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Obama joins tributes to South Africa anti-apartheid hero Former US President Barack Obama has joined the tributes being paid to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has died aged 90.

Obama described the churchman as “a mentor, friend and moral compass”.

A contemporary of Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Tutu was one of the driving forces behind the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had helped bequeath “a liberated South Africa”.

One of the country’s best known figures at home and abroad, Archbishop Tutu was awarded the Nobel prize in 1984 for his role in the struggle to abolish the apartheid

system enforced by the white minority government against the black majority in South Africa from 1948 until 1991.

Tutu’s death comes just weeks after that of South Africa’s last apartheid-era president, FW de Klerk, who died at the age of 85. Church officials in South Africa say a week of tributes is being organised. The plans include two days of lying in state to allow the public to pay their respects before an official state funeral on 1 January.

Obama said: “Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.”

“He never lost his impish sense of humour and willing-

Archbishop Tutu was a contemporary of Nelson Mandela and met Queen Elizabeth II on a number of occasions (GETTY IMAGES)

ness to find humanity in his adversaries, and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.”

President Ramaphosa said he was “an iconic spiritual leader, anti-apartheid activist and global human rights campaigner”.

He described him as “a

patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead”.

“A man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender

and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.”

In a message of condolence, Queen Elizabeth II said she remembered with fondness her meetings with him, and his great warmth and humour.

“Archbishop Tutu’s loss will be felt by the people of South Africa and by so many people in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and across the Commonwealth, where he was held in such high affection and esteem.”

US President Joe Biden said he was “heartbroken to learn of the passing of a true servant of God and of the people”.

“His legacy transcends borders and will echo through the ages.”

The Nelson Mandela Foundation was among those paying tributes, saying Tutu’s “contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies”.

“He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd.”

The Vatican said in a statement that Pope Francis offered “heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones”.

“Mindful of his service to the gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, his holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of almighty God.” Known affectionately as The Arch, Tutu was instantly recognisable, with his purple clerical robes, cheery demeanour and almost constant smile.

He was not afraid to show

his emotions in public, including memorably laughing and dancing at the opening ceremony of the football World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Despite his popularity, though, he was not a man who was loved by all. He was very critical of the African National Congress (ANC) government in the post-apartheid era, when, at times, he felt it was misrepresenting South Africa - even warning in 2011 that he would pray for its downfall over a cancelled visit by the Dalai Lama.

In response, the national police commissioner Gen Bheki Cele told Tutu to “go home and shut up”.

“He is not a vice-Jesus Christ,” he said.

Ordained as a priest in 1960, Tutu went on to serve as bishop of Lesotho from 197678, assistant bishop of Johannesburg and rector of a parish in Soweto. He became Bishop of Johannesburg in 1985, and was appointed the first black Archbishop of Cape Town the following year. He used his high-profile role to speak out against oppression of black people in his home country, always saying his motives were religious and not political.

After Mandela became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, Tutu was appointed by him to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up to investigate crimes committed by both whites and blacks during the apartheid era.

He was also credited with coining the term Rainbow Nation to describe the ethnic mix of post-apartheid South Africa, but in his latter years he expressed regret that the nation had not coalesced in the way in which he had dreamt. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Minister Mustapha President Ali expresses delivers on promise condolences to South to Victoria residents Africa on passing of

Archbishop Tutu

A water channel that has been cleared in Victoria

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu

An excavator at work in Victoria on Boxing Day

AN excavator dispatched by the Ministry of Agriculture to Victoria began work on Boxing Day to clear the drains in the East Coast Demerara village.

After years of neglect, the farmers of Victoria are now able to benefit from government’s intervention to improve farming in the village, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Last Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha visited Victoria to meet with farmers to discuss

issues affecting them.

During the meeting, farmers made requests for urgent drainage works to be done, as heavily-silted drains have been leading to severe flooding in the village for years.

Minister Mustapha had told the farmers that a machine would be made available within the next three to five days to commence emergency drainage works, and on Boxing Day, a national holiday, he delivered on his promise.

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali, on behalf of the government and the People of Guyana, has expressed deepest condolences to the government and the People of South Africa on the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu.

Archbishop Tutu contributed to a liberated South Africa.

President Ali, in a message to South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, said Archbishop Tutu was the embodiment of faith and dedication who contributed

his time and service to the well-being and goodwill of others.

“His immeasurable contributions to South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement will forever resonate with many around the world.

“The Government and the People of Guyana join in mourning a true patron, and our prayers are with the Tutu family, friends and loved ones. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” President Ali said in his message.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

A Brighter Future Beckons

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in his Christmas message to the nation said that the outlook for 2022 looks bright, but not without challenges. This is due primarily to the continuing adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a global supply chain crisis. This has resulted in rising prices for imported goods, supplies and transportation services.

As observed by President Ali, such a situation will require robust and strategic policymaking in order to mitigate the combined impact of the COVID-19 virus and adverse weather conditions due to climate change. On the one hand, there is some contraction of economic activities and, on the other hand, the disruption of production in the agricultural sector due to floods. Both rice and sug-

ar production levels were affected due to adverse weather conditions.

But, as the President noted, notwithstanding the challenges, ‘this festive season and Christmas itself teaches us lessons of hope over despair, sacrifices in overcoming challenges, faith in overcoming obstacles and trust in God as a means and source to achieving all things. It is the combination of faith, trust and hope that must ignite us into the future.’

These are indeed wise and comforting words coming from the Head of State who has demonstrated that with political will it is possible to overcome any challenge. The President led from the front and by way of example during the recent floods, waded through floodwaters and difficult terrain to lend a compassionate hand and support to those affected.

He was very proactive in ensuring an adequate supply of vaccines to prevent the deadly effects of the virus, even at enormous cost to the treasury. But for the President, the safety and well-being of the Guyanese people are primary and no cost is considered too high when it comes to the safety and well-being of the people.

The President urged every Guyanese to resolve to be ‘stronger, better and more committed to individual, family and development of country. Let these holidays be reflective of the life we have lived versus what elements are missing in making it better, and more importantly, the commitment to fixing those elements.’

Make no mistake about it. We are living in difficult times due to a combination of factors exogenous to us and beyond

our immediate control.

These include, though not limited to the devastating effects of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, a global economic structure that is skewed against developing countries and growing levels of poverty and inequity. There are still several areas of tension and conflicts in some parts of the world, resulting in hunger and starvation. Many have suffered the indignity of having to seek refugee status in other countries and many lives were lost in that process. Dictatorial rule and subversion of the democratic will of the people still prevail in many parts of the globe.

This is why we have to be thankful for our achievements, especially when seen against what is taking place globally. The global environment is full of challenges and Pope Francis used the opportu-

nity of his Christmas message to call for dialogue to address the numerous challenges facing mankind.

In his message, the Pope drew attention to the number of conflicts, tensions and disagreements in the world and urged dialogue and solidarity with those living in poverty.

Thankfully, we have in Guyana a President who genuinely cares for his people and who is open to dialogue. The President lamented the loss of lives due to the pandemic, but encouraged all Guyanese to take strength and be hopeful in the countless human sacrifices and the sense of community the pandemic has generated.

He also thanked the international and bilateral partners, all frontline workers, the national COVID-19 Task Force and the Joint Services for their selfless work in keeping the coun-

try safe.

The Head of State indicated that he will do everything within his power in supporting and implementing a balanced and strategic approach in the continued fight against the pandemic. He called on all Guyanese to get vaccinated, to take the booster shots and adhere to the all the required safety measures.

More fundamentally, he urged Guyanese never to lose hope in the future of Guyana, which he said is full of opportunities and new initiatives. Guyana, he said, despite the ravages of the pandemic and its consequences on the global economy, can be proud of a robust economy, positive growth, enhanced social services and greater benefits both in cash and in kind being passed down to the population.

Is the PNC capable of positive change under Norton?

Dear Editor, THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) last Saturday held its biennial congress in which several persons emerged into leadership positions. This crop of leaders does not enjoy the confidence of this letter writer.

The Aubrey Norton landslide victory leaves much to be expected. It was Mr Norton, then a PNC executive, who daily embraced and defended electoral fraud and ille-

gality in full view of this nation and by extension the world, during the infamous five-month rigging attempt.

Such is the historical nature of the People’s National Congress Reform of which Mr Norton boasts some 49 plus years of service. This leaves little to be expected.

Many Guyanese are wondering now if the replacement of Mr David Granger brings a different direction from the seemingly lost PNC, a political outfit whose track record both in and out of power is

far from impressive.

This new PNC leader is sure to be unelected at any national and regional elections. It would be a Herculean task for the PNC to regain its lost support. Most Indo-Guyanese and even others would never support Norton. For a multiracial country such as Guyana, the likes of Norton are grossly inadequate when it comes to being able to foster unity and harmony in this beautiful land. This is evidenced by his past actions and utterances.

It was the PNC’s lead Coalition A Partnership For National Unity and its puppet the Alliance For Change, who attempted the most daring electoral rigging in modern history, to the point of annexing power; violating the constitution; setting a world record; destabilising the business climate; disrespecting the Guyanese people and damaging the image of the country and altogether causing undue hardship and burdens in Guyana in the midst of a

pandemic.

What this new generation of young, educated Guyanese is interested in knowing is whether this new PNC leadership would accept the legitimacy of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government. This nation deserves a disciplined and responsible opposition and given the asinine statements that continuously emanate from the APNU+AFC combined opposition (in which the PNC controls) and their activists both home and abroad, it is

clear that the wait for such will be longer.

Any aspirations and or intentions of the People’s National Congress Reform regaining the reins of power, anytime, would be far-fetched and literally impossible. This is based on the PNC’s history and due to the fact that Guyana now boasts a more mature and educated Guyanese population, who are eager to be rid of divisive politics.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

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Local content laws will be amended as more Guyanese are trained GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo addressing members of the Private Sector Commission last week

By Rehana Ahamad ONCE more Guyanese are trained to fill the capacity deficits within the burgeoning oil and gas sector, the local content legislation will be amended to ensure that oil companies operating in Guyana are legally required to hire an increased percentage of Guyanese to fill existing gaps.

This assurance was given

by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during a breakfast hosted last week at State House for members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

“As we determine the competitive capacity of the country, that could be changed; the laws will be changed,” Dr Jagdeo affirmed.

He said that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government will ensure that it partners with the private sector to accelerate and build capacity in areas where Guyanese may be lagging.

Of the 40 sub-sectors outlined in the Local Content Bill, oil companies are legally required by the end of 2022 to ensure that 100 per

cent of their ground transportation needs are satisfied

by Guyanese entities.

The same percentage applies to the provision of immigration support services, customs brokerage services, and visa and work permit services. Similarly, 90 per cent of services relating to the rental of office spaces, the provision of catering services, accommodation services, laundry and janitorial services, and legal services must be procured from local entities.

The minimum local content requirements contained in the legislation relate to engineering and machining, which secures only a meagre five per cent of opportunities for Guyanese workers in that field, followed by metrology and dredging services at 10 per cent and aviation and borehole testing services at 20 per cent.

However, once more and more Guyanese are trained in the latter-mentioned areas, the legislation could be amended to ensure that those persons are guaranteed increased employment opportunities. “Over the next

year, we want to work with you to build capacity; there would be a massive training programme that… will radically change the environment for our local people,” Jagdeo noted.

The proposed legislation which was recently tabled by government in the National Assembly contains specific penalties for foreign companies that fail to adhere to tenets of local content.

More specifically, it proposes a penalty of GY$50 million for companies that fail to outsource most of their services to entities owned and run by Guyanese.

“The ball is in your court now to ensure that you make full use of this,” Dr. Jagdeo charged.

The former President was also keen on advising businessmen and women to ensure that along the road to prosperity, their voices are heard and that their concerns are taken into consideration.

“We’re not asking that you slavishly support what the government is doing, but that you yourself assess where things work in your favour and you ensure your

voices are heard,” Dr Jagdeo emphasised.

TROJAN HORSES He also encouraged the business community to be wary of the “naysayers [who] want to stop everything under the sun and many of them are sometimes Trojan horses,” Jagdeo said, alluding to a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that has been advocating against Guyana’s petroleum development. “… NGOs that can’t succeed in their own countries to get policy-making through, but they want to keep the south constantly underdeveloped,” the Vice-President posited.

He went further to respond to the group’s climate-change arguments which suggest that Guyana should cease its oil operations owing to its impact on the environment, even as “their countries are busy pumping out greenhouse gases.”

“But, they believe that we’re the ones that have to save the world now, although our greenhouse gases are [just] a fraction of global emissions,” added Jagdeo, who has been globally recognised as a champion of the environment.

He told the PSC members that within the past 16 months, the PPP/C government had been focused on crafting and implementing the programmes and policies that would set the foundation for thriving private sector investments and raise the standard of living of all Guyanese across the length and breadth of the country.

Jagdeo noted that aside from the Local Content Policy, the future and advancement of the citizenry will be positively impacted by passage of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Act, which seeks to repeal the ‘inadequate’ NRF Act of 2019.

That legislation was hur-

riedly implemented by the former Coalition Government, even after it was toppled with the passage of a no-confidence motion in December 2018. The law in its current form has been heavily criticised by Guyana’s global financial partners, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Financial experts at home and abroad had also complained that the existing Act, among other things, gave too much power to the Minister of Finance, who is afforded the final say on how oil revenues are spent and how much could be withdrawn.

ARM’S LENGTH Jagdeo reminded attendees that under the newly proposed NRF law, the Finance Minister would be kept at arm’s length, and the private sector would be one of the parties who will have oversight of the fund, including how the oil revenues are spent.

As it is, Guyana’s NRF, which is lodged in a federal bank in the United States, contains an untouched U.S.$534 million, which is expected to see mammoth growth in the coming years.

The government in the new law is proposing that the oil monies only be used to finance developmental projects and/or respond to major natural disasters. Moreover, if the PPP/C government has its way, there will be specific ceilings attached to withdrawals, which could only be approved once there is parliamentary approval.

If the new law is passed, government, in the first instance, would be allowed to withdraw 100 per cent of the oil revenues, after which withdrawals would be capped at specific percentages.

The cap will take effect at 75 per cent of the second U.S.$500 million deposited into the NRF during the preceding fiscal year, followed by 50 per cent, then 25 per

cent, five per cent, and finally, three per cent of any amounts in excess of $2.5 billion.

Those caps, Jagdeo reminded the audience, were instituted as a means of ensuring that all Guyanese are better equipped to calculate how their country’s oil earnings are being spent.

Further, it also stipulates a penalty of 10 years imprisonment for any Finance Minister who fails to disclose receipt of oil revenues within a three-month period. “Monies received have to be officially gazetted,” Jagdeo said, as he referenced a situation where the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government failed to disclose and even denied receiving a signing bonus it had obtained from oil giant, ExxonMobil, in 2016.

Nonetheless, in briefing the PSC members on the critical amendments, Dr Jagdeo said that local businesses should not allow themselves to be guilttripped into supporting the policies that create positive conditions for Guyana’s growth.

He said that the PPP/C government has had a positive track record when it comes to private sector growth, not only since 2020, but also after it dethroned the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration.

“After decades of rule under [the] PNC, you had a situation where there was practically no private sector. The state had acquired over 80 per cent of the economy and played a dominate [sic] role… under the PPP/C, you saw a change… we had to bring our entire economy back to viability,” Jagdeo maintained, adding: “We are not ashamed of our record; [the] private sector has done well under the PPP/C in the past.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund and its importance for a sustainable future

THE issue of Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF) has resurfaced, following the final cargo sale of oil for this year-- one million barrels through Aramco Trading Limited, a unit of the Saudi Arabian oil company. Like many resource-producing countries, Guyana faces the challenge of managing an influx of foreign currency from the proceeds of oil sales, preventing the Dutch Disease and ensuring that government spending does not distort the local economy.

In 2019, the APNU+AFC-led government enacted the Natural Resources Fund Act 2019, establishing the NRF as Guyana’s primary SWF. The new fund acts as the depository for Guyana’s oil earnings. An SWF allows a country such as Guyana to amass an immense fortune that can then be used to sustain development over some time.

Guyana’s NRF is being held in the New York Federal Reserve Bank, a common practice for large U.S.- dollar accounts. Since its enactment by the previous government, however, the law has drawn criticism for not having sufficient guardrails and concentrating too much power in the hands of the Minister of Finance and for using a withdrawal formula that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has described as “too complicated.”

The current government has already announced a series of reforms and revi-

sions to the Act, with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo quoted as saying, “We want laymen to understand how much money you collect so that they can go to the Official Gazette once a year, the ministry’s website or Parliament’s website and know how much money there is and then how much comes to the budget.”

The recently introduced Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021 seeks to address some of the concerns of the previous legislation, most notably by simplifying withdrawals from the fund. Under the revised bill, after the first year the government will be allowed to withdraw 100 per cent of the first U.S.$500 million of deposits from the previous fiscal year and then a sliding scale of 75 per cent of the second U.S.$500 million, 50 per cent of the third, 25 per cent of the fourth, five per cent of the fifth, and three per cent of any amount over the first $2.5 billion U.S. of deposits paid into the fund in the preceding fiscal year.

To date, some U.S.$534 million has been deposited into the fund, including proceeds of oil sales from Guyana’s 50 per cent share of profit oil, as well as royalties collected from producers.

This sum would be immediately available for spending in the first year of the revised NRF under the current bill.

The legislation, if enacted into law, is also expected to add new safeguards to prevent corruption as the fund amasses substantial amounts of money that will

eventually dwarf the national budget. While the bill will simplify the process overall, debate over the specifics of how decisions will be made is likely to continue.

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) have emerged as the method of choice to avoid the negative effects of boomand-bust cycles, using the proceeds of non-renewable resources such as oil and gas to invest excess capital during times of prosperity, and in so doing transforming these resources into sustainable and stable future income. They pro-

vide a cushion for the volatility of oil and gas markets.

There are over 135 sovereign wealth funds globally, dominated by oil and gas producing nations such as Norway, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Malaysia. These state-owned funds comprise cash and currency and a wide selection of financial assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, precious metals, and other financial instruments.

The world’s largest SWF as of September 2021 was Norway’s oil fund with to-

tal assets reaching around US$1.37 trillion. It also holds real estate and fixed-income investments, owning almost 1.5 per cent of all shares in the world’s listed companies.

A Rystad Energy study estimated that Guyana’s total annual oil revenues could approach U.S.$30 billion within 10 years at a production rate of 1.2 million barrels per day.

To illustrate the magnitude of that figure, consider that just this year, the National Assembly passed the largest budget in history at some $383 billion Guyanese dol-

lars (US$1.83 billion). Those earnings could be transformational not only in the short term, but generationally.

It will be up to the government to reassure the public that they remain fully committed to transparency and responsible revenue management. Ensuring proper oversight and governance long term will be critical to Guyana’s reputation on the world stage and no effort should be spared to ensure that Guyanese reap the benefits of its good fortune.

Aubrey Norton and the PNC THE PNC’s elections have been over a week now, and though he won, Aubrey Norton seems to be still electioneering and trying hard to convince the public that he should be taken seriously.

He is already showing the signs of a confused politician when it comes to his policies and political strategies.

This is so when one considers what Norton has already said as leader of the PNC, and his track record in the party where he was considered an outsider or political rebel who was far too dangerous to the PNC’s image and the new path, down which the party was going.

Last week, he repeatedly stressed that he wanted unity and an end of the era of the maximum party leader. Well, surely Norton knows that those concepts are easier to say but harder to achieve. He has already started the factionalism by keeping silent on whether or not he intends to change the PNC’s representation in the APNU+AFC Coalition’s parliamentary seats. This strategic move

by Norton is classical tactics of the old PNC, while his team puts in place the arrangements and systems for a smooth transition. He is

also at loggerheads with the former party leader David Granger, who has unwillingly distanced himself from. Recall that it was Granger who continued the unspoken understanding of not choosing him for a parliamentary seat from 2011 to 2015, or a seat in government. Granger’s boys and supporters are now in a hard place with Joseph Harmon and Amna Ally not offering anything that could calm them down. So much for unity within the party!

Also, Norton’s toxic talk about the private sector and developments in the oil and gas sector is as telling as it is crass and highly offensive.

When he starts to flex his linguistic ability and comprehensive knowledge of the things related to the two institutions, one will realise that Norton is ignorant and not knowledgeable about the things he is saying. Putting it mildly, one could easily assume a crass and aggressive front from him as the leader of the PNC and a lack of understanding of correct policy articulation, development and adumbration.

Additionally, Norton faces President Dr Irfaan Ali’s government and party.

Seemingly, he has already offerred some glimmer of hope, because it seems he is

going down the road of consultation with the new PNC executive which is inexperienced. If they say continue the Granger-Harmon path of non-acceptance of the election results and race politics, Norton will more than likely concur.

Remember the PNC’S “Mo fire, Slow fire campaign,” which led to a faceoff of street supporters of the opposition and policemen in the 1990s and early 2000s.

A similar move, if agreed to

by Norton, will no doubt be met with stern resistance of President Ali and the PPP who will never let Guyana go backward to this type of ravenous politics. Norton’s close relationship with Rickford Burke and Dr David Hinds will be closely monitored by right-thinking Guyanese.

Norton has the chance to put this discrimination and racist politics behind him by admitting that the APNU+AFC Coalition lost the 2020 elections and tried to rig them. This move will be viewed as taking the PNC to new levels and removing it from the gutter politics associated with defeat. The PNC continues to hold strongly to this myth, despite the high display of resentment shown by its supporters who are a majority of Black Guyanese.

Instead, Norton should

seek to rationalise what the PNC did for its supporters while they were in office.

It’s anyone’s guess – nothing -- because Granger was busy practising politics of elites and marginalised his own grassroots support base. They didn’t listen to their farmers and instead imposed land rental increases of 300 per cent and VAT on items in the country. They neglected the small man in the Black villages across Guyana. They were corrupt, hardly did anything to accomplish their manifesto promises to Lindeners, Sophia, New Amsterdam and South Georgetown, to name a few.

Finally, if Norton desires to make his mark on the PNC and the history of Guyana, he will have to make difficult and unpopular decisions. He will have to put a hold on the GrangerHarmon ways of doing things and start engineering a new path of handling things in the party and country. He cannot go back to the confusion and the levels of deception that he is displaying now, or the old type of activism to which he is accustomed. Norton must change the spots of the PNC by not creating a new movement, but by ensuring the change of politics to a more charismatic, developmental, and highly democratic one.

Happy holidays.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Check your skills at parenting

THERE are only four days left until the new year when people make lots of resolutions. Those who have overeaten will join the nearest gym (for a while anyway), while others who are aware of their shortcomings will strive to do better. New Year resolutions may be: I will try to be considerate to my girlfriend when she is angry; I will make quality time for my children and wife; I won’t get stressed out, I will find time for me; I will read a book each month to improve my vocabulary.

Whatever your new year resolution may be, why not do some retrospection and identify areas where you could improve your family life. If you are a parent, you can do it because it makes sense to empower your family. You must show care and consideration for your young ones as they grow and develop. Think about the role you play in their lives. Are you fair, wise, reliable and a good role model? Try our quiz to see how your parenting skills are rated. Can you get eight out of eight, correct?

1. Which one of the following is the most important in a parent-child relationship?

a) Dressing alike and looking stylish and trendy b) Having the same likes and dislikes when it comes to food c) Having good communication and understanding

2. Children need discipline in their lives because a) Through discipline, they can gain material wealth b) Through discipline, they learn acceptable behaviour and self-control c) Through discipline, they can make new friends

3. Comparing a child negatively to their sibling can make the child a) Feel sad, resentful and unhappy b) Feel more affectionate towards their siblings c) Work harder to get in their parents’ good books

4. Which of the following is the best way to teach morals to children? a) Tell them, do as I say and not as I do, and they will go far b) Let them use you, the parent as an example and role model c) Give them a book on morals and test them on what they have learnt

5. Your child is eliminated from a spelling competition in the first round.

Do you? a) Tell your child you admire his efforts and give him a hug b) Tell him you are surprised he failed after practising for weeks c) Tell him the only point in entering a competition is to win 6. The way you treat your child; allows your child to: a) Be disrespectful and lazy b) Practise adult behaviour prematurely c) See themselves through your eyes 7. Children make mistakes and sometimes behave out of context. Do you? a) Tell them you must punish untoward behaviour because they should know better b) Explain to them why their behaviour is wrong and unacceptable c) Show them you are angry by scolding them on the spot, regardless of where they are 8. What is an essential quality a parent should possess?

a) Thoughtfulness b) Decisiveness c) Patience

ANSWERS (1) C: If parents want a good relationship with their children, they need to communicate with them on every level (e.g. physically, emotionally, morally) – starting when they are young. It is never too late to build communication skills and work towards an understanding relationship with children.

(2) B: Children welcome discipline in their lives; it helps them feel secure. When boundaries are set and upheld, children know what they should and should not do and the expected type of behaviour. Children need guidance from loving parents with whom they can interact comfortably.

(3) A: Parents tend to compare their children hoping that the ‘wayward’ child will change and imitate their ‘flawless’ sibling. Children should not have to live up to a sibling’s or parent’s ideal; they are individuals each on their journey. They need to be themselves and should not have to fake their personalities to gain favour

from parents.

(4) B: Children learn more from adult behaviour than from adults’ rules and regulations. If fathers are loving, honest and fair-minded, children will learn these qualities naturally. Parents are always a child’s first role models.

(5) A: Children need praise and encouragement from their loved ones – even if they are unsuccessful at events and competitions.

When parents belittle their efforts, it can prevent children from trying in the future. Parents should teach good sportsmanship, how to lose gracefully and how to win modestly.

(6) C: Children see themselves through their parents’ eyes, so if treated with disrespect and loathing, their behaviour will portray the same. It is also likely they will experience low selfesteem. When parents are loving, and considerate children tend to be confident and contented.

(7) B: When adults make mistakes, there is hardly any reprimand; but when children make mistakes, sometimes

adults punish them. Instead, adults should explain unacceptable behaviour and the consequences thereof to children. It is not the child who is intolerable but their behaviour; parents should not confuse the two. Children should always feel loved and appreciated by parents; even when they’ve done wrong.

(8) C: Parents need to be patient with children at every stage of their development.

Calmness and self-control are essential attributes of parenting, allowing for logical, unemotional and balanced decision-making. Children need room to make mistakes and learn from their actions – this process leads to their growth and development.

A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS 2022 TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY 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.

Women and Gender Equality Commission repeats call for paternity leave THE Women and Gender Equality Commission has again called on the government to draft paternity leave legislation.

This was among 28 recommendations listed in the Commission’s eighth and ninth annual reports, which were tabled in the National Assembly on December 14.

The enactment of a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace, enforcement of Indigenous Peoples rights, gender equality and opportunity; enactment of a Climate Change, Women and Forest and Gender Action Plan; and the establishment of community counselling for social

problems are among the other recommendations.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), paternity leave is defined as a leave period, paid or unpaid, reserved for fathers in relation to childbirth or leave that can be used exclusively by fathers as paternity leave; it does not include parental leave provisions that can be used by the father or mother, or parts of maternity leave entitlements that the mother can transfer to the father.

Paternity leave generally allows men to get more directly involved in child care; get a break from work, gives their wives a break from parenting,

and changes the perception of dads.

The Commission first raised this issue in 2015, and used the opportunity to emphasise the benefits it will bring to men, their partners and their child.

“Not only must women be charged with the responsibility of taking care of children, but we believe that their male partners must also have that responsibility, hence, the need for paternity leave for both persons,” Women and Gender Equality Commission Chairperson Indranie Chandarpal said.

Should Guyana ‘greenlight’ paternity leave, this

country would be the latest addition to the long list of countries which have adopted a similar measure.

In Japan, men get 30 weeks of leave when their wives are at the stage of childbirth. South Korean men get 15 weeks; Spain, 12 weeks; Sweden,11 weeks; Iceland, nine weeks; Canada, five to eight weeks; Mexico, one week; and in the United Kingdom, two weeks.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS In February 2020, staff of the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) started benefitting from paternity leave, and the introduction of pension and medical schemes through a

two-year Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) between the organisation’s management and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU).

Following the signing of the agreement, the GPSCCU became one of only two organisations in the country that offers paternity leave, something that was last year recommended in a report by the Women and Gender Equality Commission.

GPSCCU Chairman Trevor Benn, who was at the time head of the union’s Interim Management Committee (IMC), had disclosed that the paternity leave will be granted for one month, and will be paid by the union, pending

certain criteria.

“For me, the icing on the cake is the introduction of the paternity leave,” he had said before adding, “We’ve made it clear that the paternity leave is meant for those persons in a stable relationship with one partner, and has taken responsibility for the offspring.”

The staff will also be required to give prior notice that their partner is expecting, and subsequently produce copies of the child’s birth certificate, which must show that they are recorded as the father.

In Guyana, maternity leave, which lasts for 91 days, is catered for by law, with payments made by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

$400-$500 million to be invested to upgrade healthcare infrastructure

By Richard Bhainie THE government is looking at upgrading Guyana’s healthcare system so that each Guyanese, irrespective of their locality, can benefit from worldclass healthcare services.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during an interview on Friday last, disclosed that the government will be investing around $400 to $500 million on public infrastructure alone, to facilitate the upgrading

of the healthcare system.

This could see some six new hospitals being constructed across the country, including a new state-of-the-art children and maternal hospital, new psychiatric hospital, and upgrades to the existing health facilities, Jagdeo said.

“We’re working on the plans now,” he related, while highlighting that healthcare is “crucial” for the nation. He explained that the aim is to ensure Guyanese in Essequibo, Linden or Berbice can have access

to quality services, and without having to travel to Georgetown for those services.

“We are not just looking at access, but quality of care,” the Vice-President said, noting that the government is looking at procuring quality equipment, which is built to last, from well-known manufacturers.

In November this year, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with Vice-President Jagdeo and Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony met with an executive team

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

from the renowned New York-based Mount Sinai Health System at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where discussions centred on the modernisation of Guyana’s healthcare system.

In New York, the hospital network is structured around eight hospital campuses, and includes more than 6,600 primary and specialty care physicians, and 13 ambulatory surgical centres.

The visiting delegation included Mount Sinai’s international President, Szabolcs Dorotovics; Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs Richard Amiraian; Executive Vice-President Arthur A. Klein; and Manager Amar Dhanraj.

“One of the most sophisticated investments the country needs to make in its people is healthcare, and we are here to work with the President in defining a plan in the development of more sophisticated healthcare, also healthcare access improvement; what we can do not only in Georgetown, but in the rest of the country,” Dr. Klein said at the meeting.

UPGRADING HEALTH SECTOR LEGISLATION Since assuming office in August 2020, the government has already taken steps to upgrade

the legislation governing the health sector. The government has since presented the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Bill to the National Assembly, a revolutionary piece of legislation to enable organ transplantation in the country.

If passed in the National Assembly when it comes up for debate this week, the legislation will provide the regulatory framework which will enable Guyana to perform cadaveric transplantation.

This is the transplant of tissue from brain-dead individuals, or cadavers as they are referred to, to living persons.

“This legislation is very significant for the entire country in terms of everyone who has kidney failure,” Dr. Kishore Persaud, Head of Department, Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment last week.

Earlier in the year, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony related that several pieces of legislation tailored for the enhancement and modernisation of the public health sector have been submitted to Attorney-General and

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, for revision.

“We have identified about 21 pieces of legislation that we would want to look at. Some of them are existing legislation that would have been quite dated; some going back to 1934 and beyond. And so, a lot of those things have no relevance in what we do currently, but, nevertheless, they are on the books, and they are quite outdated,” Dr. Anthony said.

The Antibiotics Act is also up for revision.

Dr. Anthony had explained that there are many provisions within the said legislation that are no longer in use, and the government is looking to develop a Pharmaceutical Act that would look at the current types of medication that are in use.

On request from the Medical Council of Guyana, the Medical Practitioners Act is on the list to be amended. The Council requested that aspects of the Act be revised to allow for the registration of specialisations, the minister explained. He also highlighted that legislation in relation to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is also being developed, as none currently exists.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Taxi driver dies in Berbice accident A twenty-eight-year old taxi driver of Number 78 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, succumbed to injures he received in an accident on the Bush Lot Village, East Berbice, Corentyne Public Road on Friday morning.

Dead is Ajay Caramchan, who was driving a white Toyota Spacio motorcar bearing registration number HC 9648. Vishal Rabinchan, 26, the driver of the other motor car involved in the accident, a silver Toyota Fielder wagon HC 4263, sustained injuries about the body.

According to reports, at around 07:20 hrs, Rabinchan was proceeding east along the northern side of the Corentyne Public Road at 65 kmph while Caramchan was proceeding west along

the southern side of the said road at a fast rate of speed.

He overtook an unknown vehicle which was proceeding in the said direction.

In doing so, he ended up in the path of Rabinchan, who tried to swerve left to avoid the collision; however, motorcar HC 9648 collided with the right side of the vehicle.

As result of the impact, both drivers received injuries. They were subsequently taken to the Port Mourant Hospital by public-spirited citizen. Due to the severity of his injuries, Caramchan was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed at around 13:00 hrs.

According to the mother of Caramchan, Ghushmattie Caramchan, he usually leaves his home at around

Dead: Ajay Caramchan

Correction ON December 25, 2021, the Guyana Chronicle carried a news article from the Department of Public Information (DPI) headlined, “Each business can earn US$5M annually – with passing of Local Content Bill, says VP Dr Jagdeo.”

Subsequent to the publication, this newspaper was informed that the Vice-President was misquoted.

What the Vice-President said was that passage of the Local Content Bill could see Guyanese-owned businesses earning as much as US$500M annually.

05:00 hrs to ply his trade.

However, on Friday morning he left a bit earlier without saying goodbye, which she said was rather unusual.

The woman related that she later received a dreadful telephone call indicating that her son was involved in a car crash and he died, followed by another call minutes later saying that he was at the New

Amsterdam Hospital.

“I hurry and go to hospital and when I reach them tell me he in operating theatre.

About 15 minutes after, a nurse call me and them other family that was there and say he had internal injuries and was bleeding heavily and when they start operate on he, he died.”

In tears, the woman re-

lated that her son was very caring and hardworking. His death now leaves her with three daughters as both her sons have died a year apart of each other.

Meanwhile, when the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene, cases of broken Heineken bottles littered the roadway and in the car driven

by Caramchan. This publica-

tion understands Caramchan was at the time transporting several cases of Heineken in his car. It is unclear where or whom he was headed to at the time of the collision.

His mother said that her son’s wallet which contained cash was not recovered from the accident scene. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

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Garfield Newton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Two murdered in Albouystown on Christmas Eve

A 40-year-old bodyguard attached to Beharry Group of Companies and a 28-year-old Middle Road, La Penitence man were gunned down in separate

incidents in Albouystown on Christmas Eve night.

According to police reports, the bodyguard, Garfield Newton, of 545 Mandela Avenue was shot in

Campbell Street at 22:00hrs, and was later pronounced dead at the scene, while Deon Charles was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was shot on James Street at 23:50hrs.

Newton, police said, was shot during a robbery involving three unidentified males, moments after he left a goldsmith with jewellery he had taken to get cleaned. The jewellery included one silver hand band, one gold chain and two gold finger rings, the value of which is unknown.

The items were not found on him at the murder scene.

A firearm with ammunition, property of Beharry Group of Companies, as well as a cellphone that Newton would have had on him were also not found.

According to the police, Newton had left the goldsmith and was walking to his car when he was shot to his left side chest.

“He [was] walking on Campbell Street heading in a northern direction to motor van # GPP 7505 (owned by the company he is employed with) which he parked on Sussex Street, Albouystown.

About five minutes later the goldsmith was informed by a teenager that the person that collected the jewellery was shot and lying on the street.

As a result the goldsmith went out and saw Newton lying motionless on his abdomen in the street,” the police said.

Newton was examined

by EMT doctors from GPHC who pronounced him dead at the scene, and the gunshot wound was observed.

According to the police, investigations revealed that three males in a motorcar were seen fleeing the scene shortly after Newton was shot.

Meanwhile, two male suspects in Charles’ killing also remain at large.

According to the police, investigations revealed that Charles was standing on the southern side on James Street when a white Axio motorcar, of which the registration number is unknown, came from an easterly direction and stopped in front of him.

“Two males exited the back seat of the car (one was identified) and approached Charles and a loud explosion suspected to be that of a gunshot was heard. Charles fell to the ground and the men immediately re-entered the car and made good their escape.

Charles was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was seen and examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival,” the police said.

Charles was shot to the left side of his head.

“Efforts were made to locate the killers but without success. Investigations are in progress,” the police added.

Deon Charles

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Christmas Day fires leave 13 homeless

The Ankerville, Port Mourant house that was burnt to the ground on Christmas Day

By Nafeeza Yahya THREE separate fires on Christmas Day have left a total of 13 persons homeless after their homes were completely destroyed, leaving millions of dollars in losses behind.

The fires occurred in Rose Street, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Friendship, East Coast Demerara; and Ankerville, Port Mourant, Region Six. According to information received, the first fire took place early on Christmas Day at 08:50hrs when the Lot 169, Rose Street, Ruimveldt home of Jewel Anderson and her family was completely destroyed.

“The purported cause of the fire was a lit mosquito coil left unattended; same ignited a window curtain and spread to the entire building.

The building and its con-

tents were completely destroyed, leaving four persons homeless,” a report from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) stated.

According to the Fire Service, three water tenders from the Central and West Ruimveldt Fire Stations responded to the fire and attempted to put out the blaze at the one-flat wooden and concrete building, but they were unable to save the home, given the advanced stage of the fire.

At Friendship, the fire there also left four persons homeless. A two-storey wooden and concrete building was destroyed in the blaze that occurred at Lot 45, Company Road, at 21:32 hrs.

The top flat of the home was occupied by Estwick Leitch and Edorl Leitch, while the ground floor was occupied by Carlton Leitch and Odette Cummings.

“The purported cause of the fire is said to be an overloaded electrical circuit which fed back to the distribution panel; same arced and sparked and ignited nearby combustible materials. The building and its contents were completely destroyed, leaving four persons homeless,” the GFS said.

According to the Fire Service, two water tenders from the Melanie and Campbellville Fire Stations responded to calls from residents.

However, the GFS was unable to save the building, while a silver-grey Honda motorcar, PMM8427 owned

by Carlton Leitch was also completely destroyed, and a red-and-black Honda CG150, CE4927 owned by Lincoln Leitch suffered severe damage to the seat and electrical wiring.

BE EXTRA CAREFUL

“The GFS is urging citizens to be extra careful during the holiday season, and to take the necessary precautions to avoid these tragedies.

Prevention and safety tips can be found on our Facebook page; please follow them to protect you and your loved ones during this time,” the report said.

Meanwhile, an Ankerville, Port Mourant family is now contemplating their next move after a fire of unknown origin ripped through their home, destroying everything they owned in the process.

The fire also caused damage to two nearby houses.

Ravi Rashaney, a labourer attached to the Albion Estate, told the Guyana Chronicle that he is extremely stressed after looking at the aftermath of the blaze.

His wife and three children, aged one, eight and 13, are now homeless, and he

does not know how he will rebuild.

Still in an emotional state, Rashaney recalled that he and his family left their Lot 193, Ankerville, Port Mourant home sometime after 12:00 hrs to visit his father-in-law at Number 19 Village.

Minutes after 17:00 hrs, he received a call from a neighbour informing him that his house was on fire.

“By de time meh reach here, everything gone; it done bu’n down. Nobody couldn’t ah save nothing; was a big fire. I feel so sad; like meh ain’t know what to do now,” the father of three said amidst tears.

While he is unable to estimate his losses, he mentioned that it would be in the region of millions, as the two-storey wooden house was fully furnished.

He is seeking any form of

assistance, and can be contacted on telephone number 613-8131.

Additionally, as a result of the fire, a one-flat woodand-concrete building located at Lot 166, Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice owned by Chandrawattie Deokharan was also affected by the blaze.

Six louvre panels and 10 meters of PVC guttering were slightly damaged due to radiated heat from the building.

A one-flat wood-andconcrete building located at Lot 195, Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice occupied by Andy Dhanessar and his family of five also sustained damage to louvre panels on the northern side of the building.

Meanwhile, the GFS has reported that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fires.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

FROM BACK PAGE

South Africa Under-19s beat...

Smith struck three fours and two sixes off 43 balls in a 56-run opening stand with Cunningham who counted three fours and a six in a 44ball knock.

Once they were separated, however, South Africa Under-19s failed to build any meaningful partnerships and the innings lost its way.

In reply, openers Shaqkere Parris (5) and Matthew Nandu (9) perished cheaply with only 20 runs on the board in the eighth over before Auguste rebuilt the innings in a 50-run third wicket stand, first with Bishop and then with Rivaldo Clarke.

Bishop retired hurt in the 19th over and Auguste followed in the 22nd, and Depeiza and Clarke breathed fresh life into the innings before the collapse ensued.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA U19s

WEST INDIES U19s

J Smith lbw b Mahase 34 E Cunningham c Auguste b Mahase 30 K Valentine st R Clarke b Mahase 10 B Dewald c Auguste b Mahase 14 G Van Heerden c Mahase b Carmichael 18 C Michael c Mahase b Carmichael 2 K Solomons b Amory 9 A Simeline c Depeiza b Amory 14 M Boast c Auguste b Amory 0 *+L Alder not out 1 K Maphaka b Carmichael

0 Extras (b2, w7, nb5) 14

S Parris st Solomons b Alder M Nandu b Maphaka T Bishop b Dewald A Auguste run out M Clarke c Van Heerden b Simelane G Depeiza run out A Mahase lbw b Dewald J Carmichael run out R Clarke lbw b Simelane *+J Layne c Simelane b Dewald O Amory not out

TOTAL (all out, 34.2 overs) 146

TOTAL (all out, 34.3 overs) 128

Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-78, 3-89, 4-98, 5-101, 6-127, 7-141, 8-144, 9-145, 10-146.

Bowling: Layne 3-0-17-0, M Clarke 4-028-0, Mahase 10-2-33-4, Nandu 3-0-13-0, Amory 9-1-34-3, Carmichael 5.2-0-19-3.

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-20, 3-70, 4-121, 5-123, 6-124, 7-125, 8-127, 9-127, 10-128.

Bowling: Boast 7-1-16-0, Alder 10-2-40-1, Maphaka 4-0-13-1, Michael 3-0-12-0, Dewald 7.3-0-36-3, Simelane 3-0-5-2.

5 8 24 27 13 39 2 1 1 0 0

Extras (b6, w2) 8

TTFA normalisation committee granted one-year extension by FIFA

The FIFA-appointed normalisation committee has been granted a one-year extension

by FIFA to complete its mandate. The Robert Hadad-led administration now remains at the helm of Trinidad and Tobago football until March 31, 2023.

This was confirmed by the governing body’s general secretary Fatma Samoura on Friday.

Initially, the normalisation committee’s tenure was scheduled to end on March 26, 2022.

But, owing to an array of legal drawbacks stemming from the TTFA board of directors’ disagreement with the committee’s appointment in 2020, partnered with pandemic challenges, FIFA has opted to extend the committee’s reign for an additional year to assist them in achieving their core objectives.

The FIFA statement read, “The Bureau (of the FIFA council) took note that the actions taken by members of the former board of directors of the TTFA (TT Football Association) greatly hindered and significantly impacted the work and mandate of the normalisation committee, as it had to devote considerable effort to countering such actions.

“In addition, that the tasks assigned to the normalisation committee were subsequently delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and sanitary restrictions imposed by the government of TT. The Bureau also took note that there were certain issues that led to the backlog in the normal operations of the TTFA, including finance.

“This contributed to the inability to appoint an independent auditor, which in turn meant that no audited financial state-

ments could be prepared (and thus presented); the inability to make payments directly to the TTFA’s bank account due to a high risk of garnishment, thereby restricting the TTFA from making immediate payments when necessary and having more freedom with regard to the use of the funds; and the budget cuts imposed due to the multiple claims and payment demands from creditors.”

The Bureau also acknowledged that in November, due to the current total debts of the TTFA, the normalisation committee notified the office of the Supervisory of Insolvency of its intention to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act of TT. They then partnered with a licensed trustee under the Act to manage the debt proposal process.

“Under the above-described circumstances and considering all the urgent and complex challenges the TTFA is still facing, the Bureau decided on December 17 to extend the mandate of the normalisation committee until 31 March 2023 at the latest.”

In March 2020, the normalisation committee, comprising Hadad, Nigel Romano, Judy Daniel and Nicholas Gomez, was appointed by FIFA after the William Wallace-led executive was removed by the governing body owing to mounting debt and mismanagement.

The normalisation committee was then given a mandate to run the TTFA’s daily affairs, to establish a debt repayment plan that is implementable by the TTFA administration, to review and amend the TTFA Statutes

(and other regulations where necessary), and ensure their compliance with the FIFA Statutes and requirements before duly submitting them for approval to the TTFA

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Congress, and to organise and conduct elections of a new TTFA executive committee for a four-year mandate.

(Newsday)

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19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Bowlers headline Australia's dominance on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test than Lyon took a good, low catch. Stokes, like Root, got a start once again but failed to capitalize, falling for 25.

Green then troubled Buttler too with his lines, but it was Lyon who scalped Buttler with a poor shot just on the brink of the break, looking to break the shackles as England slipped further.

With the wickets of Root, Stokes and Buttler before

Tea, Australia were sitting pretty with the visitors on 128 for 6. It didn't take Australia long thereafter to bundle out England.

Yet, Bairstow kept England in the hunt, keeping the runs coming. Mark Wood then was trapped leg-before after the break to give debutant Scott Boland his maiden Test wicket. Bairstow was the key

wicket if Australia needed to keep England to a small total. He gloved one against a Starc short-ball to get an outside edge that was taken at gully. Ollie Robinson added vital runs down the order striking three fours in his 26-ball 22 before Lyon wrapped up the tail to finish with as many wickets as Cummins with three.

(Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD

Australia had plenty to cheer about at the MCG

AUSTRALIA dominated the opening day of the Boxing Day Test with an allround outing in Melbourne.

Returning captain Pat Cummins made all the right calls on Sunday - right from the toss to his bowling changes on a wicket that had lots of green as Australia's bowlers knocked England over for 185.

The openers then took Australia past fifty at a runrate of over 4 before David Warner fell for a quickfire 38 off 42 balls late in the day as Australia went to stumps on 61 for 1, trailing by 124.

Marcus Harris had his fair share of struggles in the middle, but with an in-form Warner at the other end, he found his feet gradually.

Warner struck five fours in his knock before pok-

ing at a delivery outside off from James Anderson. Harris then needed treatment on his index finger after a Ben Stokes's delivery struck him flush on the hand with blood oozing out.

Harris and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon ensured no further damage was done despite a few late questions.

At the start of the day, after a delayed start due to rain, Australia's bowlers were right on the money bagging three wickets in the first session before as many crucial ones in the middle session. England captain, Root, reached his third fifty in the series, but couldn't make it count once again, after erring in the same manner as he has in now five innings. He fiddled with a delivery that should've been left alone and

ended up with an edge to be caught-behind, much to his fury.

Stokes and Jonny Bairstow then forged a stand that was rather enterprising, where they kept the runs ticking without taking too many risks. Stokes was using his feet, advancing down the track to unsettle the bowlers' lines and lengths and it was working even as England seized control, albeit briefly, and were successful in keeping Australia at bay.

Cameron Green was impressive in the middle period with some tidy bowling.

After seven overs, he was rewarded with the wicket of Stokes, who arched back in the crease to play the cut shot against a shorter ball.

However, it went straight to the fielder at point where Na-

ENGLAND 1st innings Haseeb Hameed c Alex Carey b Pat Cummins

0 Zak Crawley c Cameron Green b Pat Cummins

12 Dawid Malan c David Warner b Pat Cummins

14 Joe Root c Alex Carey b Mitchell Starc

50 Ben Stokes c Nathan Lyon b Cameron Green

25 Jonny Bairstow c Cameron Green b Mitchell Starc

35 Jos Buttler c Scott Boland b Nathan Lyon

3 Mark Wood lbw Scott Boland 6 Ollie Robinson c Scott Boland b Nathan Lyon

22 Jack Leach c Steven Smith b Nathan Lyon

13 James Anderson Not Out 0 Extras 0b 4lb 1nb 0pen 0w Total (65.1 overs) 185 all out

Fall of Wickets : 1-4 Hameed, 2-13 Crawley, 3-61 Malan, 4-82 Root, 5-115 Stokes, 6-128 Buttler, 7-141 Wood, 8-159 Bairstow, 9-176 Leach, 10-185 Robinson

Stokes' ultra-defensive approach not helping England - Ponting IT was the same old story for England as they continued their horrendous run in Ashes 2021-22. Trailing 2-0 behind the five-match series, the Three Lions are standing in a must-win game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG).

However, they didn’t get the required start. Batting first in the Boxing Day clash, the Three Lions were bundled out for a paltry 185 as the visiting team batters couldn’t showcase application in the challenging track.

While Joe Root top-scored for England with a 50, Ben

England all-rounder Ben Stokes

Stokes and Jonny Bairstow failed to play an impact knock after getting starts. Speaking of Stokes, the left-handed batter

slammed 25 off just 60 deliveries. While many reckoned the southpaw tried to showcase resistance, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting isn’t happy with Stokes’ approach.

Notably, Stokes has never finished a Test series with a lower strike-rate than his mark of 29.50 in Ashes 2021-22.

Ponting is disappointed by the same. “He’s looked ultra-defensive. He hasn’t looked like the big, physically aggressive presence at the crease that opposition teams have feared to bowl to in other series,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“You can understand why

5

– the batting conditions haven’t been easy in any game and he’s coming up against some good bowlers. But I think if you just sit back and wait, and don’t put pressure on great bowlers, they’re going to get you out,” he added.

Further explaining why Stokes’ lack of intent is not helping England, Ponting cited the example of his playing days. “We always used to say in teams that I played in that the better the bowler, the more risks you had to take as a batter, because you simply don’t get bad balls. You have got to find a way to jump on anything that’s

Bowling : Mitchell Starc 15 - 3 - 54 - 2 (1nb), Pat Cummins 15 - 2 - 36 - 3, Scott Boland 13 - 2 - 48 - 1, Cameron Green 8 - 4 - 7 - 1, Nathan Lyon 14.1 - 3 - 36 - 3. ..........................................

AUSTRALIA 1st innings Marcus Harris Not Out 20 David Warner c Zak Crawley b James Anderson

38 Nathan Lyon Not Out 0 Extras 0b 1lb 2nb 0pen 0w 3 Total (16.0 overs)

61-1

Fall of Wickets : 1-57 Warner To Bat : Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Boland Bowling: James Anderson 5 - 1 - 14 - 1, Ollie Robinson 5 - 0 - 23 - 0 (2nb), Mark Wood 4 - 0 - 15 - 0, Ben Stokes 2 - 0 - 8 - 0.

a little bit bad, rotate the strike as much as you can,” he added.

Meanwhile, England now need to play out of their skin to bounce back in the contest.

Australia, in response to En-

gland’s 185, finished Day 1 at 61/1, reducing the deficit to 124 runs. Hence, England need to restrict the Aussies to a mediocre total to stay in the contest.(CricTracker)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday December 27, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Mudassar Nazar (PAK vs IND, Faisalabad, 1984) (2) Shivlal Yadav Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest innings total in Tests to date?

(2) What is the lowest innings total in Tests to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Rahul ton headlines India's dominant start in Centurion Test KL Rahul's patient century helped India take a commanding position in the first Test, as they moved to 272 for 3 at Stumps on Day 1 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.

India's decision to bat on a wicket that had ample assistance for the pacers worked out well, with the new-ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi squandering the chance by not attacking the stumps enough in the first half an hour of play - either straying a bit too wide or a bit too short. Rahul and Mayank Agarwal's patience was tested but they were content, and with good application, to not fiddle with deliveries outside off.

At the same time, they were quick to latch on to the scoring opportunities, especially Mayank who was severe against debutant leftarm pacer Marco Jansen, without taking any risks.

Jansen did have a chance to dismiss Mayank in the 18th over, when he caught the outside edge of his bat, but Quinton de Kock couldn't hold on to the catch despite making a good diving effort

to his right.

The opening duo played out the testing morning session without damage and went on to stitch 117-run stand - the seventh century-partnership for Indian openers outside Asia this year, a feat they hadn't achieved all of last decade.

South Africa's decision to leave out Duanne Olivier seemed to backfire with the pacers not putting the Indian batters under pressure. Ngidi was the only bowler to return with wickets - scalping all three to fall on the day.

On a day dominated by the Indian batters, there was a brief moment in which the hosts managed to claw back, with Ngidi dismissing Mayank and Cheteshwar Pujara off successive deliveries. The opener was struck on his pads while playing across. Even as the on-field umpire declared him not out, the decision was overturned on review.

Pujara's poor run with the bat continued as he inside edged the first ball on to his pads, which lobbed in the air and was caught by a forward diving Keegan Petersen at

forward short leg. From that moment of Pujara's second career golden duck (both at Centurion) South Africa tried to build pressure but a watchful stand by Rahul and Virat Kohli saw India through that.

The duo stitched an 82run stand before Kohli ran out of patience after a series of dot balls and went for an expansive drive. The ball caught the outside edge of his bat and was pouched safely at

slips by Wiaan Mulder.

The out of form Ajinkya Rahane could have well followed that route when he attempted a similar shot of the second ball of his stay.

The uppish drive was in the air for quite a while, but went through a vacant area. However, he got through the early period of his stay safely with the older ball not causing as much trouble.

Rahul also made good

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1st innings Lokesh Rahul Not Out

Mayank Agarwal lbw Lungi Ngidi Cheteshwar Pujara c Keegan Petersen b Lungi Ngidi Virat Kohli c Wiaan Mulder b Lungi Ngidi Ajinkya Rahane Not Out

122 60 0 35 40

Extras

4b 4lb 7nb 0pen 0w

15

KL Rahul became only the second Indian opening batter to score a Test century in South Africa

Total

(90.0 overs)

272-3

use of that period. Having started slowly, he unleashed a bit of his wristy and power game to pick quick runs en route his seventh Test century.

However, once the hosts took the second new ball, it started zipping again, and even offered

Fall of Wickets : 1-117 Agarwal, 2-117 Pujara, 3-199 Kohli To Bat : Pant, Ashwin, Thakur, Shami, Bumrah, Siraj Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 20 - 5 - 51 - 0 (7nb), Lungi Ngidi 17 - 4- 45 - 3,Marco Jansen 17 - 4 - 61 - 0, Wiaan Mulder 18- 3 - 49 - 0, Keshav Maharaj 18 2 58 0 3.22

some uneven bounce. But much like with the first new ball, South Africa kept tempting the Indian batters outside the off, but not with much success. Rahul and Rahane added 73 runs more to help the visitors to retain their strong position in the match. (Cricbuzz)

Ray Illingworth - Yorkshire and England great dies at 89 FORMER England and Yorkshire captain Ray Illingworth has died, aged 89.

The all-rounder, who led England to an away Test series victory over Australia in 1970-71, had been undergoing radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Illingworth played 61 Tests for England between 1958-1973, scoring 1,836 Test runs at an average of 23.24 and claimed 122 wickets at 31.20; he was captain 31 times, winning 12 of those matches.

He helped Yorkshire win seven domestic titles in nine years from 1959-1968.

"We are deeply saddened to learn that Ray Illingworth has passed away," wrote Yorkshire County Cricket Club on Twitter in paying tribute to "the club's most successful modern day captain".

"Our thoughts are with Ray's family and the wider Yorkshire family who held Ray so dear to their hearts."

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom

Former England and Yorkshire captain Ray Illingworth

Harrison said in a statement: "It's always incredibly sad to lose a person who has given so much to the English game, and to the sport of cricket in general.

"Ray was a superb cricketer, and his deep love, passion and knowledge for the game meant he continued to

contribute long after his playing days had finished.

"We send our sympathy and warmest wishes to Ray's friends and family at this difficult time."

Leicestershire said on Twitter: "Everybody at Leicestershire County Cricket Club are deeply, deeply sad-

dened to hear of the passing of former captain.

"Our thoughts are with Illy's family and friends at this difficult time."

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), of which Illingworth was an honorary life member, said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of his death.

Born in Pudsey - between Leeds and Bradford - on 8 June 1932, Illingworth began playing at his local club in Farsley, where he would reside for nearly all of his life.

Illingworth continued to prepare wickets for Farsley well into his 70s and the club tweeted that cricket had "lost a great".

They added: "Absolute LEGEND of a man you will be sorely missed by many!"

He started his first-class career in 1951, two months after his 19th birthday - and it continued for a decade after he played the last of his 61 Tests, before retirement finally came in 1983, aged 51.

Illingworth played for Yorkshire during one of their most successful periods and was an influential player in their run of seven County Championship titles in nine years, including three successive triumphs from 1966.

He also helped Leicestershire win their first County Championship title in 1975.

In 787 first class games,

Illingworth scored 24,134 runs at an average of 28.06 and took 2,072 wickets at 20.27.

He moved into television commentary before taking over as England's chairman of selectors in 1994 and combined that with the job of national team coach for a controversial spell from 1995-96.

When he was England captain, Illingworth demanded more power in selection decisions. However, when he was coach, he would not allow skipper Michael Atherton the same privileges and the pair frequently clashed.

Illingworth had a heart attack in 2011 during his second year as Yorkshire's president, and revealed in November 2021 that he was receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer.

At the time of his death, he was the oldest player to have featured in a one-day international, having led England against Australia in the world's first ODI in 1971. (BBC Sport)

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Joshua, Usyk rematch likely in April 2022 – Hearn

EDDIE Hearn has revealed that Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk will most likely be in April 2022.

The Brit was beaten comprehensively by Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September and handed over his WBA, WBO and IBF titles to the Ukrainian..

Joshua, though, has subsequently triggered a rematch clause and is set to return to the ring in the first quarter of 2022 in a bid to regain his belts.

There has been suggestions Joshua could give up the Usyk rematch to enable him to fight Fury.

Bob Arum, Fury’s veteran co-promoter in the US, also mentioned to talkSPORT a step aside deal had been mooted between the two sides.

But Hearn insists plans are in the

Anthony Joshua looked one-paced with Usyk more often the aggressor in their September showdown

works to reschedule the fight and April has been mooted as the most

likely month for the rematch.

“Obviously not much other than

Manchester City recover from Leicester scare to move six points clear

we got to get together and decide a date,” Eddie Hearn told iFL TV said on trying schedule the rematch.

“April is realistic for that fight and where it’s going to be.

“Joshua is the type that fights twice a year, and sometimes we feel like it would be nice to fight three times a year. We’ve had offers from around the world, but I think the UK will stage that fight.”

Hearn insists proper discussions will get underway now as he said AJ isn’t the type of fighter step into the ring just once in a year – like he did in 2021.

He added: “We have to sit down with [Usyk’s manager] Alex Krassyuk, and we’ll get Christmas out of the way and we’ll start moving forward with that because it’s time to start planning for that.

“Obviously, there were a couple of discussions about step asides and those kinds of fights. So we’ll have to see. But that looks very unlikely now because obviously of the Dillian Whyte situation, which AJ is pleased about.

“He didn’t want to have those conversations unless I presented them to him. So if that’s not the case, he moves forward with what he wants, which is the Oleksandr Usyk rematch.

When quizzed further if if the Joshua vs. Usyk step aside deal hasn’t come up, Hearn comprehensively said: “No, no.

“Once the Dillian Whyte fight was called [by the World Boxing Council], really, he comes into that situation and he’s got to be respected in that situation as well.”

(Talk Sport)

Africa Cup of Nations:

Players can now stay with clubs until January 3

Rahim Sterling's first-half penalty meant he has scored in four successive Premier League games for the first time since September 2017

MANCHESTER City held off a dramatic fightback to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a breathless 6-3 victory over Leicester.

The free-scoring champions raced into a 4-0 lead inside 25 minutes at the Etihad Stadium but the visitors fought back to 4-3 in a Boxing Day classic at the Etihad Stadium.

It took a further goal from Aymeric Laporte and a late effort from Raheem Sterling, his second of the game, to finally kill off the Foxes’ unlikely comeback.

Sterling had been on target from one of two penalties awarded to the hosts in the first half, with former Leicester star Riyad Mahrez scoring the other. Kevin De Bruyne had opened the scoring, with Ilkay Gundogan also getting on the scoresheet.

Leicester’s replies came from the impressive James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanaco early in the second half, but the injury-hit visitors ultimately could not maintain the momentum.

Yet it was of great credit to the Foxes that they managed to make the game such a contest.

It looked like being a bad afternoon for them as City hit them with a storm early on.

They were already without several players, and star striker Jamie Vardy was only deemed fit enough for the bench, when substitute Ryan

Bertrand suffered an injury in the warm-up.

Things got even worse as De Bruyne struck after five minutes. The Belgian had already had one shot on goal blocked when he coolly controlled Fernandinho’s lobbed ball into the box and curled beyond Kasper Schmeichel.

The hosts doubled their lead with the first of their penalties nine minutes later after Youri Tielemans was deemed to have bundled over Laporte in the box.

Mahrez, up against his former club, made no mistake as he thumped into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Leicester briefly rallied with first Maddison having a well-struck free-kick palmed onto the crossbar by Ederson. Ayoze Perez also forced a save from the City goalkeeper.

Yet the home side were soon back on the front foot and their third goal came with just 21 minutes gone after Joao Cancelo drilled a low ball into the box. Schmeichel pushed it away from goal but Gundogan was on hand to tuck home the rebound from close range.

City’s fourth came after they were awarded another penalty shortly afterwards. Tielemans was again the guilty party as he tripped Sterling and this time Chris Kavanagh had no hesitation in making the decision.

Sterling stepped up to score himself with another firmly-hit effort. (PA Sport)

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Edouard Mendy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Maxwel Cornet and more will be gone for several weeks

FOOTBALLERS can now play for their clubs until 3 January before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations, says the Confederation of African Football.

FIFA rules state that clubs have to release players by 27 December for the tournament, which starts on 9 January.

But a letter from FIFA to the World Leagues Forum said CAF had agreed players can turn out in official games for their clubs up to 3 January.

"This decision is taken in the spirit of goodwill and solidarity," said FIFA. It means Liverpool will be able to call on Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, Senegal winger Sadio Mane and Guinea midfielder Naby Keita for their game on 2 January at Chelsea, who will have Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy available.

Algeria players Riyad Mahrez and Said Benrahma can play for Manchester City and West Ham respectively, while others will

also benefit.

The Africa Cup of Nations runs until 6 February, with Leeds United, Newcastle United, Norwich City and Tottenham the only Premier League teams not losing anybody for the tournament.

In a letter from FIFA deputy general secretary Mattias Grafstrom to the World Leagues Forum and the European Leagues grouping, world football's governing body said the decision had been taken "with the affected clubs in recognition of the fact that they, like all members of the football community, have been adversely affected by the onset of the Covid pandemic".He added: "It is also assumed that a spirit of mutual cooperation remains between CAF and all relevant stakeholders in this regard, including related to the release of players and the provision of sporting exemptions to travel and quarantine restrictions if required in the future." (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

A roller-coaster, so a typical Boxing Day: First four games produce 22 goals EVERY year the 1963 Boxing Day results get plastered all over social media but maybe next year the 2021 scores will join them.

There were 26 goals in Sunday's first five matches, an average of 5.2 per game.

There were 66 goals in 10 fixtures 58 years ago (the last year with a better ratio), including a 10-1, an 8-2, two 6-1s, a 5-1, a 4-4 and two 3-3s.

This year could be hindered by the lack of games - with three called off because of Covid - but Manchester City's 6-3 win was one for the ages.

Arsenal hammered hosts Norwich 5-0, Harry Kane joined Robbie Fowler as the king of Boxing Day as Spurs beat Crystal Palace 3-0 and Southampton won a 3-2 thriller at West Ham. Chelsea came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the 17:30 GMT game.

"It was a roller-coaster, so a typical Boxing Day game with a lot of goals," said Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

That game was particularly remarkable, with Manchester City going 4-0 up within 25 minutes. Just 12 days ago they beat Leeds 7-0 and a repeat looked on the cards.

"The manager warned us at half-

time," said City's Raheem Sterling - who scored twice. "At 4-0 up you have to kill the game."

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers told the BBC: "It was so important not to unravel physically and mentally. At half-time we said to the players can we win the second half?"

They did - and at one stage they threatened to win the match.

Kelechi Iheanacho set up two goals and scored himself in the space of 10 minutes - he had only had 14 touches at that stage - to reduce the deficit to 4-3.

Manchester City went 5-3 up but even then Leicester missed two huge chances to get it to 5-4 before Sterling's late second.

You might have expected Guardiola to be furious at letting the opposition back into the game, but he said "absolutely not" and "it was a nice game to watch".

"We're lucky at the end with set-pieces we scored a fifth and sixth or else there would have been problems to the end," he said. "I'm not disappointed in my team because the opposition had good actions and good quality. Overall the game was really good."

It was the highest-scoring Boxing Day game in the top flight since 1991

First One-Day International USA vs Ireland cancelled

THE first One-Day International in the Dafabet USA v Ireland Men’s International Series scheduled for Boxing Day has unfortunately been cancelled due to a positive COVID case in the umpiring team of match officials during the ongoing testing as part of the series’ COVID managed environment.

This has left all four of the umpires unavailable for the first ODI with the three negative tested umpires being deemed as close contacts to the one positive case.

The second and third ODIs, currently scheduled for the Tuesday and Thursday will go ahead as planned, with an alternative match official group if required.

USA Cricket would like to thank all fans and supporters for their continued support and understanding.

All ticket holders for the first One-Day International may re-use their tickets for any additional match in the series. Alternatively, if you are unable to re-use your tickets, please send an email with your proof of purchase to media@ usacricket.org and your full fee will be refunded within seven working days.

Tickets continue on sale online now for the second and third One-Day Internationals.

Men’s Confirmed Final Schedule D/N = Day Night Floodlit Fixture 22 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 1st T20I (Florida; start 2pm local time) USA WON BY 26 RUNS 23 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 2nd T20I (Florida; start 7pm local time) IRELAND WON BY 9 RUNS 26 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 1st ODI (Florida; start 10am local time) MATCH CANCELLED 28 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 2nd ODI (Florida; start 10am local time) 30 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 3rd ODI (Florida; start 2pm local time) D/N. (USA Cricket)

Harry Kane and Lucas Moura scored the opening goals in quick succession

when Manchester United won 6-3 at neighbours Oldham.

The only other time a Premier League team scored six on Boxing Day was also against Leicester, Arsenal winning 6-1 at Highbury in 2000.

England captain Kane gave Spurs the lead against Palace as they went on to win 3-0. He has scored in all six of his games the day after Christmas, with nine goals in those six games.

Robbie Fowler is the only other player to score as many in the Premier League on Boxing Day, one ahead of Alan Shearer and Robbie Keane.

"We are talking about a top-class striker and a player that for us is very important," Spurs boss Antonio Conte told BBC Sport. "Today I had the possibility to give him a bit of rest

and for him to play only 60 minutes for us was important. Kane is a player it is very difficult to decide to put in a rotation."

Spurs captain Hugo Lloris, 35, also made some history with a Premier League record seventh birthday appearance. The question is does he get presents two days in a row?

And then there was the biggest win of the day, as revived Arsenal thrashed struggling Norwich 5-0, with Bukayo Saka scoring twice at Carrow Road.

The Canaries have lost seven consecutive Boxing Day Premier League fixtures - beating the top-flight records of West Ham (1924-1930), Derby (1979-1996) and West Brom (1985-2010).

"I have used a tennis terminology in the dressing room to describe our performance - it was littered with unforced errors," Norwich boss Dean Smith said.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "It's a very satisfying result because in this festive period we have to keep performances to a high level.

"We looked really sharp and committed. It's a big win for us."

Southampton won a topsy-turvy game at West Ham, with the Hammers twice coming back but eventually losing 3-2.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "We were nervous about keeping the lead and gave it away two times. But we had the right answers to come back for what is a big win for us."

After his side's comeback win over Villa, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel complained about having to play continually through the festive period with plenty of Covid problems.

"Europe has a winter break but we play through and put it on the players' shoulders," he said. "They make us play all the time even if we have Covid. We have new injuries and it won't stop. People at the green table, in offices make these decisions." (BBC Sport)

Munro and Marsh make it six out of six for Perth Scorchers

All-conquering Perth Scorchers continued to march through this BBL season after once again defeating Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium.

Having defeated Renegades by 21 runs at the same venue just four days ago, Scorchers were even more clinical in their sixth straight victory. They restricted Renegades with a stifling effort with the ball before cruising in their chase as Mitchell Marsh continued his purple patch.

(Scores: Perth Scorchers 2 for 152 (Munro 58*, Marsh 42*, Maddinson 1-5) beat Melbourne Renegades 8 for 151 (Harvey 45, Behrendorff 2-19, Mills 2-36, Agar 2-38) by eight wickets) The game was shifted from Optus Stadium in Perth due to Western Australia's strict Covid-19 border controls, which has anchored Scorchers permanently on the road.

Disciplined Scorchers relish bowling first Scorchers had dominated their opening five games through a well-worn formula: Win the bat flip, post a strong total and then defend it with aplomb. But their preferred strategy was upended when they lost the bat flip for the first time this season and had to bowl.

It didn't affect them as Scorchers exacted revenge on Aaron Finch and Nic Maddinson, who had been rare batters to cause the league leaders pain this season. They had spent the days between games devising plans for Maddinson and attacked him by bowling full and straight. It did the trick as a frustrated Maddinson erred when presented with a shorter delivery from Tymal Mills.

Scorchers then ran through the middle order but they would have been disappointed with a lacklustre ending where they went through the motions and perhaps looked a little overconfident. They leaked 42 runs in the last three overs but it only proved a brief lapse.

Renegades' batting appears flimsy Renegades had hoped the dashing return of Finch last start would be the turning point for a season spiralling out of control. The T20 World Cup winning captain, however, could not replicate his big-hitting antics, falling early with a big blow that almost hit the closed roof - which would have counted as a six - only to land safely in the hands of Marsh.

With Maddinson failing to fire this time, Renegades' batting fell away; youngsters Jack Fraser-McGurk and Will Sutherland underwhelming once again while veteran Mohammad Nabi's wretched season continued.

Mackenzie Harvey, who again impressed with a top-score of 45, unfathomably was run-out to a direct hit from Laurie Evans, the batter far too casual in completing a single.

Scorchers again dominated the power surge - taking their customary three wickets - only for Renegades' tail to wag at the death.

Marsh steers comfortable Scorchers chase After being close to Ashes selection, Josh Inglis has struggled so far this season but he was determined to emerge from that rut tonight. He smoked two early sixes off quicks James Pattinson and Reece Topley in a confident start with fellow opener Cameron Bancroft also pressuring Renegades with

sharp running between the wickets.

Inglis, however, could not build on his promising start as he failed to pick star spinner Zahir Khan's wrong'un and was stumped while Bancroft departed shortly after. There was no reason to panic for Scorchers with Marsh continuing his red-hot form and he combined well with belligerent Colin Munro, who mostly shed the pyrotechnics until shifting gears with victory in sight.

Marsh combined trademark power with sweet touch to again thwart Zahir and underline his growing maturity which has propelled him into being arguably the in-form T20 batter in the world.

He fittingly hit the winning runs to wrap up the game at 12.15am local time.

Renegades' season is slipping away Renegades had worked on their plans to try to do the seemingly impossible and halt Marsh with a slew of slower paced deliveries.

He did misjudge one from Sutherland, which cannoned into his helmet, but other than that adjusted well to put on a match-winning 99run stand with Munro.

Last season's wooden spooners remain anchored at the bottom of the ladder with just one win from five games. Their attack desperately missed veteran Kane Richardson, who was out due to illness, and there was a worrying malaise about them in the field, as if the Scorchers had just sapped their spirit.

In another potential headache for Renegades - and Australia - Finch moved around gingerly in the field having only just returned from a knee injury.(Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Curry hails 'huge win' for the Warriors over the Suns on Christmas Day

STEPHEN Curry hailed the Golden State Warriors' win against the Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day as "huge" given the number of players missing.

Against a comparatively healthy Suns squad, the Warriors were without Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Damion Lee and Moses Moody (health and safety protocols), along with several assistant coaches, and Andre Iguodala (knee), Klay Thompson (Achilles/ ACL) and James Wiseman (meniscus) still out with injury.

Curry was available but has previously struggled on Christmas, averaging just 13.1 points in his eight career games on the festive day. That ranked as his worst average points haul on any date he has played on more than twice.

Stephen Curry excelled with a game-high 33 points in Warriors 116107 win

However, the Warriors' star

Dowrich seeks redress from CWI over loss of retainer contract

guard excelled against the Suns on

Saturday, achieving a game-high 33 points in the 116-107 win.

Otto Porter Jr also impressed in a rare start for Golden State, with a late flurry helping to see his team home as 13 of his 19 points came in the fourth quarter, making several clutch shots.

Speaking after the game, Curry said: "It's nice to win on Christmas, nice to win on the road against the best record in the league, short-handed. All the other context of the situation, a huge win.

"Everybody stepped up. It was a great atmosphere. Just toughed it out at the end, and obviously, Otto took over down the stretch, so that was huge all the way around."

Steve Kerr's Warriors now move half a game ahead of the Suns, with a league-best 27-6 re-

cord.

Kerr was delighted with the showing from his depleted side, making special mention of how Curry rose to the occasion despite being one of their only star men available.

"Steph was amazing," he said.

"Facing that defense with so much attention on him, missing three of our best shooters, for him to see that type of defense and find his way to 33 points - he was a plus-24 - so even when he was not making shots, he was still impacting the game just by pulling the defense over towards him.

"Steph was brilliant, so was Draymond [Green]. I thought [Kevon] Looney did a hell of a job, as well, so it was a great team win."(Sportsmax)

Man. United striker Anthony Martial tells club he wants to leave

FRENCH striker Anthony BARBADOS and West Indies wicketkeeper-bats- Martial has told Manchester man Shane Dowrich has retained an attorney as United interim manager Ralf he seeks redress over the process used by Cricket Rangnick he wants to leave.

Rangnick said he "spoke at West Indies to deny him a renewal of his contract. length" on Wednesday with the The matter came to light earlier this week when 26-year-old, who told him "it's Barbados Cricket Association President Conde Rithe right time for a change". ley revealed that he had received a letter from the Martial has started just two player’s attorney on the Mason and Guest sports Premier League games this talk show.

In May 2021, Cricket West Indies announced season, scoring once.

Despite his desire to leave the players who had been retained for the next cycle Old Trafford, Rangnick conand Dowrich was not among them. Dowrich, 30, last firmed the club had not yet replayed in a Test for the West Indies from December ceived an offer for the forward.

2-5, 2020, against New Zealand.

The player's agent Philippe In the early stages of that tour, Dowrich suffered Lamboley confirmed earlier a finger injury but later asked to be released from the this month Martial wanted tour citing personal reasons. However, according to his lawyer Philip Nichols, after being given leave to leave the club in January, from the West Indies, CWI then claims that he was adding he would "speak to the not offered a new retainer contract because he had club soon".

Rangnick said: "He exnot played the requisite number of games to qualify plained to me that he's been at for the said contract.

Manchester United now for the This is the bone of contention for the player, who last seven years and he feels it's at the time when he left New Zealand, was the firstthe right time for a change, to choice wicketkeeper/batsman for the West Indies. go somewhere else."

Dowrich was subsequently replaced by Trinidad Martial signed for United in and Tobago’s Joshua da Silva, who has, for the most 2015 from Monaco for £36m, part, acquitted himself well representing the West making him the world's most Indies as its wicketkeeper/batsman.

Following the New Zealand tour, CWI failed expensive teenage footballer at to follow up with the player to determine whether the time.

He has scored 79 goals in he had managed to put his ‘personal issues' behind 268 appearances for the Red him and was now ready to return to representing the Devils but has become a fringe regional side. player following the arrivals Nichols tells Sportsmax.TV that his client hopes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson to have the matter resolved amicably as it is not his Cavani and Jadon Sancho. intention for the matter to end up in court.

He not featured in any of Dowrich has played 35 Tests for the West Indies scoring 1507 runs at an average of 29.07. He Rangnick's games in charge has scored three hundreds and nine fifties in that so far and has made just 10 appearances in all competitions time. (Sportsmax)

Anthony Martial has appeared 10 times in all competitions this season, scoring one goal

this season.

"I think in a way it is understandable," added Rangnick.

"I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it's also important to see the situation of the club. We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be.

"So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay."

'Vaccine status could be consideration for new signings' Rangnick also said he shares Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's concerns over signing players who are not

vaccinated against coronavirus.

Klopp recently said a player's vaccinated status would be "influential" in the club's decision to sign them.

"I think it could be a consideration," Rangnick said.

"This is an issue the clubs seriously have to think about.

If you sign a player knowing from the first day that he has not been vaccinated, you have to be aware he might not be available."

"Not only for 10 days, but this could happen regularly in Covid times."

United had to shut the firstteam section of their Carrington facility due to a Covid outbreak and have had two Premier

League games postponed in December.

The Premier League said 84% of players are on their "vaccination journey" according to recent figures, leaving 16% unvaccinated.

The figures are in line with comparable age groups across society in the UK. Rangnick used the example of Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich as evidence players should get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The Germany international, 26, recently said he regrets not being vaccinated after suffering a lung problem as a result of Covid-19. "[Kimmich] was extremely hesitant at the beginning and I think in the meantime he has realised it might be a good idea to get vaccinated," Rangnick added.

"He caught Covid and still has some problems with his lungs. I think this is an issue where of course everybody can, and should have, his free will. But in football, especially at this level we are playing at, we need to try to convince our players to get vaccinated.

"It should be in the interest of the players to be vaccinated, but in the end it's a decision that each club has to take by themselves and find the best possible solution."

(BBC Sport)

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 27, 2021

Left-armer Anderson Mahase grabbed a four-wicket haul

South Africa Under-19s beat West Indies Under-19s in opening Youth ODI KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – A late order collapse sent West Indies Under-19s to a disappointing 18-run defeat to South Africa Under-19s, in the opening Youth One-Day International here Sunday.

In pursuit of a modest 147 for victory at Cumberland Playing Field, the hosts were coasting at 121 for three in the 31st over before collapsing to lose their last seven wickets for eight runs off 25 deliveries, and crash to 128 all out.

Giovonte Depeiza top-scored with 39 and it was his 51-run fourth wicket stand with Rivaldo Clarke (13) which appeared to put West Indies Under-19s on course for a simple

victory. `Ackeem Auguste had earlier chipped in with 27 and Teddy Bishop, 24 to repair the innings after the openers fell cheaply.

Sent in, the visitors posted a paltry 146 before being dismissed in the 35th over, Jade Smith top-scoring with 34 and Ethan Cunningham supporting with 30.

Left-armer Anderson Mahase snared four for 33 to lead the hosts’ attack while off-spinner Onaje Amory snatched three for 34.

TURN TO PAGE 18

TTFA normalisation 'Drastic changes needed for Windies committee granted cricket' – Deryck Murray one-year extension …wants CWI to look to governance reports West Indies wicketkeeper, Fourteen years ago, former Jamaica Prime

by FIFA 18 FORMER Deryck Murray, believes drastic structural Minister PJ Patterson, Sir Alister McIntyre, PAGE

TTFA normalisation committee chairman, Robert Hadad

changes must be implemented in order for the team to have any hope of regaining its place among the elites of international cricket.

Earlier last s week regional cricket governing body Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the decision to replace lead selector Roger Harper and Miles Bascombe, following a disastrous showing at the ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year, and subsequent fruitless tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

For Murray, however, the decisions may not run deep enough in tackling the substance of the issue.

“Yeah, they’re going to change the selectors, but are they going to exchange some for others or is it going to be a real radical change in the way West Indies cricket is run,” Murray queried on the Mason and Guest radio program.

“If our cricket is ever going to improve, the first thing to do is to get the board structure

Former West Indies vice-captain and wicketkeeper Deryck Murray

right. The way the board is constituted now, at least three reports have been absolutely clear, The Patterson report, the Caricom Report, and the Wehby report all have said exactly the same thing, the structure, and composition of the West Indies board has to change,” he added.

“The way it’s constructed at the moment, all you are going to get is people vying to get people picked who are their friends or come from the same territories and we’re not going anywhere.”

and Dr. Ian McDonald produced a Governance Report, which listed 65 recommendations to improve West Indies cricket.

At the time, the document was dismissed as not relevant by the then administration. In 2015, a Caricom Governance of Cricket report was submitted by a panel chaired by Professor V Eudine Barriteau, which included former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice Sir Denis Byron, Murray, Warren Smith, and Dwain Gill.

Two years ago, another report, conducted by an independent task force led by former Jamaica Senator Don Wehby, which also included Sir Hilary Beckles, O.K Melhado, Charles Wilkin QC, and Murray, produced 36-pages of recommedations that also pointed to the need for structural reforms. The majority of the recommendations from any of the three documents are yet to be implemented. (Sportsmax).

Curry hails 'huge win' for the Warriors over the Suns on Christmas Day 23 PAGE

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2021