Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 28-11-2022

Leopold Street belongs in national development

CONTINUING his mission to have gov ernment reach Guy anese where they are to advance development and defeat hatebased narratives from the political opposi tion, President Irfaan

Ali on Sunday met residents of Leopold Street, Georgetown, to hear their concerns and invite them to be part of national development.

(See full story on page 3)

Wales gas-to-energy project declared environmentally sound

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently gave its approv al for the historic Wales Gas-to-Energy project following reviews of Environmental assess ments, moving govern ment’s plans forward for diversifying Guyana’s energy mix.

The EPA, in a public notice dated November 25, 2022, stated that the Gas-to-Energy Project, which includes the devel opment of a Natural Gas Transport Pipeline, Ma terials Offloading Facility and Natural Gas Liquids Plant has been approved in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act.

In its notice, the EPA said the Environmental Assessment Board re

viewed the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Im pact Assessment (EIA) for the project, and declared both acceptable in ac cordance with section 11 (13) of the Environmental Protection Act.

“The EPA is satisfied that the project can be conducted in accordance with good environmental practices, and in a manner that avoids, prevents and minimizes any adverse effects which could result from the activity,” the notice said.

According to the agen cy, technical reviews, rec ommendations from ex perts and views expressed by members of the public during the consultation process, along with the submitted EIA, all indi

cate that the project is in the public interest and environmentally-sound.

Earlier this month, President, Dr Irfaan Ali announced that Cabinet had given its ‘No Objec tion’ to CH4/Lindsayca for the construction of the 300-megawatt gas-to-en ergy plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Some nine firms were, earlier this year, prequal ified to bid on the EPC contract and a Request

for Proposals (RFP) was issued to the prequalified bidders. At the closing date of September 13, some five bids were re ceived.

CH4/Lindsayca was ranked number one to construct the 300 MW combined cycle power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant.

It was noted that the ‘No Objection’ from Cab inet paved the way for negotiations to proceed to

conclude an Engineering, Procurement and Con struction (EPC) contract. This will be supervised by a global supervision firm, Engineers India Limited.

Among the key con siderations before the se lection was made was the expected delivery of the plant by December 2024, which both companies confirmed as the deadline.

The power and NGL plant will be owned by the Government of Guyana and, prior to the conclu sion of construction, an international firm will be selected to operate the project to international standards.

ExxonMobil Guyana is expected to deliver the completed pipeline to the power plant by the fourth quarter of 2024, and to have commissioning and testing of the Plant by the end of 2024.

The project is set to deliver power at less than half of its current cost, President Ali had said. The Head of State noted that ordinary fam ilies will see a substantial reduction in the cost of electricity.

The planned Natural Gas Plant for Wales (EEPGL photo)

Leopold Street belongs in national development — President Ali

CONTINUING his mission to have gov ernment reach Guyanese where they are to advance develop ment and defeat hatebased narratives from the political opposi tion, President Irfaan Ali on Sunday met residents of Leopold Street, Georgetown, to hear their concerns and invite them to be part of national devel opment.

Accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who has now been designat ed as the Cabinet mem ber to engage Leopold Street residents regular ly, President Ali invited youths of the commu nity to get involved in government’s aggres sive housing-construc tion projects which he said previously are in need of labour.

“We need people to be trained in car pentry, in masonry, in welding… we want to come here to get our young people actively and positively involved for the development in our country, for the transformation of our country to live a hap pier life,” President Ali said.

The Head of State told the Leopold Street residents that Minis ter Benn would return and lead efforts in the area to find the young people who need to be trained.

One young resident came forward and said that he has a list of some 50 youngsters who have the skills needed for construction and more.

President Ali imme diately indicated that the home affairs minis ter will coordinate with them to ensure results.

— Drainage, road issues to be addressed

— Housing challenges to be resolved — Youths to get skills training — Minister Benn named gov’t ‘rep’ to community

The upcoming meeting with Leopold Street residents will include representatives of the private sector who are interested in recruiting skilled labour.

“This is your op portunity; you don’t have excuses anymore. We are coming to find you to be trained to give you the necessary skills to be part of the development,” His Ex cellency said.

“The roads in the community need re pairs…the plan is to engage young people, who will work along with us on fixing the drainage and the roads at the same time, we are going to use the concrete roads,” the President indicated.

President Ali said the cooperation be tween government and citizens will send a message that every community can con tribute positively to development of the country.

“It is a plan that comes from the heart, from the programme that we went to the elections with, and that programme is to bring prosperity to every body; that plan is to give every single per son an opportunity to live a better life re gardless of which com munity you are from, regardless of the cir cumstances that shape your life,” Dr Ali told Leopold Street resi dents.

He said govern ment will create op portunities to give every person a fair chance to live a better life, further urging residents to ensure that all of their chil dren are receiving an education.

Despite the rain, Leopold Street residents gather around President Ali to be engaged on community needs (Office of the President photo)

President Ali underscored his government’s mission to bring all communities into the development fold (Office of the President photo)

No legal basis for APNU+AFC’s biometrics push –says Ramkarran

SENIOR Counsel Ralph Ramkarran has joined a growing list of persons who are rubbishing A Part nership for National Uni ty + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s claim that the current voters’ list is “bloated” and ought not to be used for the upcoming Local Government Elec tions (LGEs).

He has expressed dis agreement with the party’s call for a changing of the law to include biometrics for voting purposes.

Ramkarran in a column titled “Bloat and Biomet rics,” which was published on his blog, “The Conversa tion Tree,” on Sunday, also made it clear that there is no legal basis for the party’s position and moreso, that the current electoral systems are almost fraud-proof.

“Fraudulent voting is well-nigh impossible with the systems currently in place,” he said.

The Opposition’s talk of a “bloated” electoral list has ignited a flame due to its legal contradictions. The Opposition remains adamant that there should be a “clean ing” of the list.

Ramkarran, who is not only a Guyanese politician and lawyer but also the for mer Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana, shared his expertise on how the electoral system is just.

“Prior to 1992 the Elec tions Commission, of which I was then a member, set out the basic structures which have existed until the present, supported by laws agreed to by both parties, for free and fair elections,” he said.

The Senior Counsel further explained that the implementation of voter identification cards for the 1997 elections gave rise to an iron-guarded electoral system.

Although the law was passed following unani mous agreement by both par ties, Esther Perreira, a PNC representative, challenged the 1997 elections on the grounds that, among other things, the voter-identifica tion law was unconstitutional and that, as a result, the PNC had broken its promise.

The law was declared unlawful by the court, which invalidated the 1997 elec tions. The court’s decision

had the effect of making any law that prevented a voter from exercising their right to vote, other than those that were permitted by the Con stitution, illegal.

“Determining ‘bloat’ on the basis of residency only is deception because non-res idents are entitled to be on the electoral list,” said Ram karran.

Article 59 of the Consti tution states that “… every person may vote at an elec tion if he or she is of the age of eighteen years or upwards and is either a citizen of Guyana or a Commonwealth

citizen domiciled or resident in Guyana.”

Hence, the Opposition’s proposal is unconstitutional and poses the opportunity to rob non-residents of their constitutional right.

Furthermore, he high lighted the inconsistencies in the National Registration Act. The Act affirms the residency requirement for registration on the national register. Generally, an order specifies how the electoral list will be taken from the national register. Due to the legal exclusion of non-resi dents with voting rights from the national register, which is from whence the electoral list is derived, this process is legally faulty.

“With an electoral list excluding non-residents, and the high rate of emigration, two electoral cycles down the road, the issue of a bloat ed list will once again arise, posing a problem in perpetu ity,” he insisted.

Ramkarran asserted that due to the systems in place, fraudulent voting is quite nearly impossible.

However, the Opposi tion refuses to face reality and continues to imply that

the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rigged the 2020 elections by some 100,000 fraudulent voters.

The repetitive and base less argument of electronic fingerprinting is now the Opposition’s new suggestion at the place of poll.

“The Opposition has not explained, having regard to the Esther Perreira case, how it will overcome the uncon stitutionality of a fingerprint ing law, which will provide an obstacle to voting, just as the voter identification law did,” he said before question ing whether the Constitution should be amended “in this political atmosphere.”

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that he does not believe that biometrics for electoral purposes will be feasible for Guyana.

“I have already pointed out in a previous article the equipment that would be needed: 2,000 electronic fin gerprinting equipment, 2,000 transmitting equipment to a screen, 2,000 screens, elec tricity equipment for places that have no electricity and for blackouts. And with the increased needed for finger printing, wouldn’t voting

have to be configured with many more polling stations? And how many hundreds of millions more?” he said in closing.

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, earlier this month had acknowledged that the voters’ list used in the 2015 General and Re gional Elections had issues, notwithstanding the AP NU+AFC party accepting its success at the elections where that list was used.

Norton, who is also Leader of the People’s Na tional Congress/Reform (PNC/R) and Chairman of the A Partnership for Na tional Unity (APNU), was questioned on whether his party had concerns about the voters’ list in 2015 when it won government.

Pressed by journalists during his weekly press con ference as opposition leader, he admitted that his party did have concerns, but claimed that the coalition tried to correct the issues with the voters’ list after 2019.

Despite this admission, he continues to strongly advocate for the voters’ list to be “cleansed.”

Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran

Gov’t maintains compensation needed for Demerara Harbour Bridge damage

THE Government of Guy ana will continue to pur sue claims in the matter to ensure that the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corpo ration (DHBC) is justly compensated for the dam age caused by the vessel Tradewind Passion in a recent accident.

This is according to Min ister of Public Works Juan Edghill, who made these remarks in a statement on his official Facebook page.

The statement follows reports that the vessel, MV Tradewind Passion, which

hit the bridge has left Guyana without any record.

On October 8, 2022, the vessel, an oil tanker, collided

with the DHB and caused substantial damage to the bridge.

Subsequently, the DHB made a requisition for the arrest of the vessel and le gal proceedings were filed, followed by several court hearings.

In the statement, the Pub lic Works Minister said the most recent court hearing in November noted that the court would be satisfied with a letter of undertaking to the value of $247,403,671 to be lodged by the owners of the vessel to then see its release.

“It must be noted that there was no actual payment of monies into the court,” the minister said.

However, subsequent to the court orders and without notification to the General Manager and management of the DHBC, the vessel sailed on November 21, 2022.

Minister Edghill in sec tions of the media confirmed that an investigation into this will be conducted, adding that three workers of the DHBC were sent on leave pending the outcome of this probe.

‘Gender-based violence is everyone’s business’

— Minister Parag emphasises at WPO seminar

By Cindy Parkinson

IN observation of Inter national Day for the Elim ination of Violence Against Women, the Women’s Pro gressive Organisation (En more Group) on Saturday hosted a seminar.

The event was held at the Enmore /Hope Prima ry School under the theme, “Ending violence against women,” and attracted a size able gathering of men, wom en and children.

Minister of the Public Service, Sonia Savitri Parag, who was the guest speaker, said in her remarks that she views domestic violence as a “disease and/or a pandemic that is getting bigger and big ger and is above our heads.”

She noted that gen der-based violence is some thing with which the world is very familiar, but the lack of understanding makes it very difficult to eliminate.

The minister added that it is a social issue that plagues communities in Guyana and throughout the world.

According to her, the Government of Guyana and her ministry are working tire lessly to identify the reasons why such acts of abuse are continuously happening.

While Minister Parag ap plauded the men for showing up in support of the cause, she asked them to hold other men accountable for their ac tions and related to them that “putting on an event wouldn’t eradicate domestic violence, but it is done through aware ness.”

She expressed belief that the biggest challenge faced when it comes to abuse and violence is getting a woman to believe that she is worthy enough to leave an abusive relationship, knowing that she will get through it and can be independent, have self-confidence and be em powered.

She also pointed out that “we” are failing to look at ways in which we can deal with the perpetrators and their mental well-being.

His Excellency, Presi dent, Dr Irfaan Ali, named the “Men on Mission” ini tiative with the abbreviation “MoM” because “he wants men in our communities to be as resilient as mothers. It is also more than that. It is to address men’s issues as well as provide mentorship to them,” Minister Parag said.

She added that in her opinion, such an initiative is “significant” and “nec essary” in the fight against gender-based violence.

Even though statistics have shown that more fe males than males are victims of abuse, Minister Parag noted that the government and the Ministry of Human Services are working on ini tiatives that “are on the way” to help both genders.

She used the opportunity to urge residents of every community in Guyana to stand up for one another and speak up for those who are not as brave.

The minister also called on the Guyana Police Force to be more proactive and to enforce the law.

She noted that the laws

To this end, he added that it should never be in ferred that Guyana, through its regulatory agencies, has no control over its waters and marine traffic.

Against this backdrop, he revealed that throughout the period of the vessel’s deten tion, all matters concerning the anchorage, repairs, supply of provisions for the crew and other matters were at all times known.

“It should be noted that any ocean-going vessel set to depart Guyana’s waters can not just sail into the sunset at

will. There are processes that have to be initiated… There fore, it would be absurd for one to assume that a vessel like the Tradewind Passion, which is currently the subject of court action would not be monitored,” Edghill said.

As such, he said that Guyana can be assured that the government will continue to “vigorously” pursue claims to ensure that the DHBC is justly compensated for the dam age which was caused by the Tradewind Passion.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

Minister of the Public Service, Sonia Savitri Parag (third from left) with members of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (Enmore Group) at the seminar (Adrian Narine photos)

Life-changing

THE lives of Guyanese from all walks of life have changed for the better over the last two years. Farm ers, sugar workers, fisher men, school-aged children, and more recently, public servants, are among those who have felt the impact of the PPP/C government’s care and compassion, and their overall efforts to im prove the life of every Guy anese.

The implementation of a slew of well-thought-out measures have brought relief to thousands by increasing their spending power and allowing many to take that first step towards a life-goal.

The one-off cash grants, the increase in pension, pub lic servants’ salaries and schoolchildren grant, and the distribution of free fertilizers and other necessities to farm ers, will go a long way.

One must not stifle their conscience by looking at one aspect of government’s ef forts; it must be looked at in totality to get a true sense of the tremendous impact it has had or is having on sections of the population.

It would be agreed that among government’s biggest achievements thus far, are its aggressive housing drive which is giving thousands access to land and affordable housing, and the steps it has taken to improve water sup ply and give remote commu nities access to this precious commodity for the first time.

Whether young or old, everyone aspires to be a homeowner and government has recognised this.

In addition to its planned distribution of 50, 000 house lots by 2025, government has made many options available to house lot owners to ensure that they are able to construct their homes.

Many had said that the government’s goal was an ambitious promise that was unlikely to be kept. Howev er, government has proven all the naysayers wrong and has spent billions of dollars to develop housing lands all across the country.

What is even more sym bolic, is that their mission is more than merely providing a house lot. Recognising the challenges allottees are fac

ing when attempting to ac cess a bank loan, particularly those with small salaries, the government took ‘the bull by the horn’ and tackled the matter swiftly, fairly and compassionately, so that all stakeholders would accept without hesitation the deci sion it would make.

From increasing the mortgage ceiling to $20 mil lion and lowering mortgage interest rates, to establishing a home-construction assis tance facility through which house lot owners can seek government’s help to con struct one of three standard pre-designed house models, and commencing the appli cation process for the steel and cement housing subsidy, government has given ev eryone options from which to choose.

At least once a month the Ministry of Housing and Wa ter holds a land-distribution exercise. The touching sto ries of how this has impacted the lives of recipients and their families are endless.

This is what Nitesh Sa hadeo, a 23-year-old farmer had to say during a recent

Ministry of Housing and Wa ter ‘Dream realised’ housing drive in Corentyne, Berbice.

“For the first time, I am owning my own land, and this is a big accomplishment for me. This is a very import ant start for the move that we will make as a young couple. I am very thankful to be able to own a land, and thank ful to the government for providing this opportunity for us. It’s the best start we can get as a young couple looking to build our future; we are extremely happy, and this is the best gift ahead of our wedding.”

He and his fiancée Ni tesh Sahadeo, received one of the 360 house lots that were allocated in Number 75 Housing Scheme.

For this young cou ple, homeownership is a life-changing step as it is the perfect start to their mar riage.

Others spoke of how it gives them a sense of em powerment, will allow them to live rent-free and improve their living standards.

As the housing drive gathers steam, there are fre

quent complaints about the state of roads in these hous ing developments. Howev er, one cannot reasonably expect government to build roads in an area where mas sive construction is taking place.

Home owners have to be reasonable in their thinking, and instead of complaining, recognise that development comes with a bit of discom fort and inconvenience.

They should also di vert their energies to urg ing persons to utilise the various measures available for homeownership, so that everyone can live in comfort within a reasonable period of time.

Guyana Water Inc has been putting measures in place to give residents access to potable water for the first time or improve their water quality.

Can you imagine having to fetch water from a creek located 200 feet from your home?

Many living in remote parts of Guyana have had to endure this inconvenience, but government is taking

steps to bring relief.

Some 56 households in Parikawarinau in Region Nine are now getting im proved water supply follow ing the commissioning of an $18 million water supply system.

Over the weekend it was also announced that wells will soon be drilled along the Soesdyke-Linden High way, giving first-time water access to Kairuni, Moblissa, Long Creek and other com munities.

Five Miles in Bartica, Kaibarupai in Region Eight, Port Kaituma in Region One, Esau and Jacob in Mahai cony and Annai and Nappi in Region Nine, are among the communities that now have access to water in their homes.

Given the current trend, there can be no doubt that government has more life-changing measures in store for its citizens. Just sit back, relax and watch as government works to give each Guyanese a comfort able life and a pathway to success.

APNU+AFC needs crash course on process, procedures concerning various elections

Dear Editor,

I AM driven to comment on recent protests against the Guyana Elections Com mission (GECOM), and other threats of the use of protests by the political op position which from all in dications, are less valuable than the ‘used cardboards’ from which the placards are made.

Peaceful protests remain

a universal approach for di recting or jerking public at tention to one’s opinion in an attempt to influence preferred changes where there are im pacting consequences as a result of oversight, injustices, etc. However, when used to expose ignorance, or rather, the lack of relevant educa tional potency to the matter being protested, the relevance and sting of the intervention are defeated before it begins,

and even the protesters them selves quickly come to realise that their efforts are a waste of time and undeserving of consideration.

It is of note that GECOM, following precedence, has taken the current approach of having the Revised List of Electors (RLEs) fully scru tinised by the public for 21 days.

After this process, GECOM will produce the

Official List of Electors (OLEs) for the whole coun try. However, for the holding of the LGEs, GECOM will have to extract the Official List of Voters (OLV) from the countrywide OLE that is specific to persons residing in the various Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

The circumstances em phasise the point that only persons residing in the spe cific LAAs are allowed to

elect leaders to the various constituencies and municipal ity councils, according to the defined boundaries.

The laws governing Lo cal Government Elections refer to the Registered List of Voters. Hence, it is clear that after the Continuous Registration exercise, which was followed by the period of Claims and Objections, due process is being followed by GECOM as they now have

the Revised List of Electors in the public domain to en sure a transparent approach for public scrutiny, and allow for further cleansing of the final lists.

The sequential steps are intended to allow for justified corrections in the cleansing process up to a cut-off date.

GECOM’s swift and ra tional response to the calls by the PNC protestors must

Other measures to ensure a free, fair election

Dear Editor

JULIANNE Gaul on November 21, 2022, challenged few of my ideas on the voters’ list, but failed to produce any evidence to show how voting at home by registered over seas-based Guyanese would be detrimental to the country and the integrity of the electoral process.

Instead of evidence, Gaul revelled in rhetor ical flourishes, imply ing that House-to-House (H-to-H) registration is the panacea for credible elections. This is a myth.

It is also noted that the legality (and consti tutionality) of the pres ence of overseas-based Guyanese on the voters’

list has been competently addressed. There is no need to revisit this issue.

I was asked whether I agreed that the 1992 elec tions were free and fair and whether I supported the preceding Houseto-House registration.

A claim was also made that thousands of Guya nese living and working abroad were removed from the Register of Reg istrants then. But where is the evidence for this claim?

Interesting to this dis cussion is that the voters’ list compiled from the 1991 H-to-H registra tion followed widespread electoral fraud by the PNC in national elections from 1968 to 1985.

Here are some star tling data on the scope of

electoral fraud. In 1980, the People’s Progres sive Party (PPP) was allocated 14 parliamen tary seats compared to 37 seats for the PNC. In 1980, 10 seats went to the PPP while 41 went to the PNC.

In 1985, the parlia mentary seats allocation following the election was eight for the PPP while the PNC grabbed 42.

This pattern of elec toral abuse led to wide spread political agitation and persistent calls for reform of the electoral process by opposition forces, including the PPP which, along with oth er political forces and civil society, formed the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy.

The rapid downturn of the economy in the 1980s saw the international community supporting Guyana by bringing the political parties to the negotiating table.

The PNC agreed, among other things, to count votes at polling stations and not at army headquarters or other locations; to facilitate H-to-H registration be cause the entire elector al system was compro mised; and to expand the Elections Commission for better representation of the political parties.

Despite these and oth er measures at electoral reform, the International Foundation for Elector al Systems (IFES) ob served in 1995 that the “the Guyana electoral

system requires extensive rehabilitation to achieve adequate standards of fairness, efficiency and sustainability.”

This statement aligns to my position that the voters’ list is just one aspect of the electoral system, and that oth er components such as professionalization of GECOM staff, are equal ly important.

Notwithstanding the struggle to make changes and correct errors in the electoral system which had been skewed in fa vour of the PNC, it was evident that a voters’ list compiled from H-to-H registration is not without serious flaws.

To suggest that H-to-H registration is a better method than

“continuous cycles of registration” to achieve clean and credible elec tions is not borne out by historical or empirical evidence.

While a clean voters’ list is a vital component of a credible election process, the lessons from the fraudulent elections of the PNC’s reign, and the events of the 2020 general elec tions demonstrate that a GECOM staff mem ber following political operatives poses a grav er threat to democracy and electoral integrity than taking away the right of registered over seas-based Guyanese to exercise their franchise.

Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

APNU+AFC needs crash course on process...

From page 6

be applauded. The response is certainly educational and lends testimony against the shallow and unfounded al legations perpetuated by the Opposition supporters who protested.

Notably, among others, they called for GECOM’s release of the OLV in prepa ration for the Local Gov ernment Elections (LGEs), which highlights a lack of understanding of the process. Simply put, for the update of the PNC strategic planners, GECOM has not yet reached that stage.

It leaves a clearer idea why former President David Granger moved to appoint James Patterson as GECOM Chairman, and also suggests a significant breakdown with in the PNC camp with those who were instrumental in the party’s known manipulative approaches of the past.

The nation is witnessing demonstrated uncertainty in the PNC/APNU/AFC Camp, evidenced by the impending

signal of a divorce based on the Cummingsburg Accord, and the noteworthy PNC’s recent failure to attend a scheduled clarification meet ing with GECOM. It leaves one to rationalise the roles of those who bore such re lationships with the now condemned and prosecuted staffers.

Guyanese are fully aware of the many dreams and al legations that Vincent Alex ander purports to be immune to in his representation as a PNCR Commissioner at GECOM.

The dreamers fell asleep for five years--2015 to 2020-as they used the same list for two LGEs and National and Regional Elections, but have now reawakened. Hence, GECOM must follow their “Work Plan” and hold LGEs promptly.

All the false comments about voter impersonation must come to light and be proven. The opposition must bring proof of these water shed allegations. It must also

be noted that Alexander was present at the highly success ful National Consultation of The National Registration (Amendment) Bill and he personally also contributed to the discussions.

It is time for our people to rise to the occasion and work together for a better Guyana. Bitterness must be replaced with better judgment and let us work together and be counted in the process as we build “One Guyana.”

The failure of the PNC, particularly in the now ap parent defunct APNU, to be present at a meeting that they had requested with GECOM is a clear manifestation of the fact that they are not aware of the proper preparation for LG polls. They need to educate themselves on the process, stop thinking negatively and vanish the ‘naysayers’ among them.

Let us have the LGEs.

Yours truly, Neil Kumar

Community in shock at horrific murder of Charity granny

CINDY Gamell, a primary school teacher of Richmond, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supe naam), is currently in police custody as authorities investi gate the Sunday morning kill ing of her grandmother.

The incident occurred around 04:00 hours, police said. The dead woman is 75-year-old An gelica Agatha Gamell of Charity Housing Scheme.

The Guyana Chronicle un derstands that the 21-year-old suspect was apprehended by police at the home of a cousin. A relative told this newspaper that the suspect, who is currently on

maternity leave, would often visit her grandmother.

Eyewitnesses said the sus pect ran out of the house on Sunday morning and called out to neighbours to check on her grandmother.

Cindy Gamell was reportedly holding her one-month-old baby in her bloodied hands at the time the alarm was raised.

Police on Sunday said a neighbour claimed loud screams, stomping and cries were heard coming from the home; it lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

“Thereafter, the suspect knocked at the door of the said

neighbour and asked for it to be opened.

“The neighbour opened her door and saw the suspect with a baby, naked in her hands, who told her that the baby just died and attempted to hand the baby over to her (neighbour) who refused to take the baby.

“The suspect then walked out the yard onto the street with her baby,” the police report said.

Following an assessment of the crime scene, police reported that “the body was examined and one large wound was seen behind the neck and one to the right-side temple.

“Also,

on the kitchen floor.

“A pair of scissors with what appeared to be blood stains were found on top of a gas stove. A broken glass jar was found on the floor next to the body and cooking salt was seen scattered on the floor.”

Angelica Gamell’s body was taken to the Charity Cottage Hospital where an autopsy is to be conducted.

“Several persons were questioned. The suspect was seen with injuries on her right hand. When questioned by the police, she claimed that she does not know how she received her injuries. She was placed into custody pending further investigations,” police said.

Gender-based violence...

From page 5 of Guyana are there to pro tect people who are being abused and the penalty for violence is a serious one that includes serving time in prison.

Minister Parag called on the general public to speak with their children, especially the boys, about showing empathy for wom en. This she said will help in eradicating the stigma that is attached to gen

der-based violence.

She also tasked those who are “brave enough” to make use of the 914 hotline, so that they can get the necessary help for themselves or for some one who is being abused.

two large wounds were seen on the back of the elderly woman’s head. All of the elderly woman’s hair was also re moved from her head and placed

DEAD: Angelica Agatha Gamell

The home where the now deceased woman lived

Some of those who attended the seminar at the Enmore/Hope Primary School

Over 90 girls complete Guyanese Girl Code programme

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) admin istration remains steadfast in its efforts to bridge the digital divide.

In a demonstration of this continuous effort, approx imately 98 girls from Re gions Two (Pomeroon-Supe naam), Three (Essequibo Is lands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) recently completed the an nual Guyanese Girl Code programme.

The initiative provides a platform and safe space for girls across the country to be come involved in technology.

The Guyanese Girls Code programme is organised by

the Office of the Prime Min ister (OPM)’s Industry and Innovation Unit and targets females between the ages of 11 to 16.

A principle aim of the programme is to address and combat the gender dis

crepancy in the Information and Communications Tech nology (ICT) sector, while simultaneously creating and solidifying ICT skills in the young female population, to advance the sector.

It seeks to advance girls’

knowledge of computer sci ence through several areas, including coding, robotics and programming.

Director of the Indus try and Innovations Unit, Shahrukh Hussain commend ed the participants for capi

talising on the opportunity to become involved in ICT.

“Everyone who partici pated here over the last two months had the opportunity to gain self-confidence and creativity while developing a network with their peers so that Guyana’s ICT sector can grow,” he said.

He said that the pro gramme goes hand-in-hand with achieving the fifth Sus tainable Development Goal which relates to achieving gender equality and empow ering all women and girls.

“Ending all forms of dis crimination against girls is not only a basic human right, but it also has a multiplier effect across all other devel oping areas-especially in ICT.

“The promotion of gender

equality and the empower ment of women is central to the mandate of the Gov ernment of Guyana, and in trinsic in its developmental approach,” Hussain empha sised.

He noted that the govern ment continues to advocate for equal rights, especially in the fields of science and tech nology, and works assiduous ly to combat discriminatory practices.

Moreover, he stressed that ICT involvement is ex tremely important, as the sector is the vehicle of the future.

This year’s edition of the programme was deliv ered under the theme: Ac cess and Safety. (DPI)

From dream to reality, Pepperpot Festival a great success

By Elvin Carl Croker

PEPPERPOT is tradition ally among the first cuisines enjoyed by most Guyanese on Christmas Day.

In celebration of this fact, communications expert An drea Bryan-Garner hosted the first Pepperpot Festival held on Saturday at Thirst Park,

an-Garner exclaimed.

The festival which at tracted over 70 vendors and hundreds of patrons was hailed as a huge success.

On display was a wide ar ray of locally made products such as honey, pepper, bot tled tamarind balls, tamarind sauce, and different types of soaps.

weather held up, all the ven dors came out, people came out in their numbers and enjoyed free pepperpot.

“It’s a great feeling to know that you come up with a concept and to see it come to life,” Garner further said in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle about the event.

One patron, Leslie Sue,

orah who invited me. I don't think I've ever won anything before, so this is very great, I feel blessed. I feel happy and I feel loved and I'm grateful,” She happily exclaimed.

Other winners came from

15 competitors competing in three categories, namely ‘Traditional Mixed Meat,’ ‘Single Meat’ and ‘Vegetar ian,’ for the pepperpot Taste Off competition.

Penelope Harris took

away the first prize of $200,000 in the ‘Traditional Mixed Meat’ category.

Christina Basil of ‘Dat Yoga Shop’ who took home her first prize of $100,000 in

Georgetown. Garner said the idea for the festival came to her in a dream.

Giving her reaction to the festival, Garner said the ex perience was truly amazing. “The smells of pepperpot wafting through the air as you shopped really felt like a Guyanese Christmas.

“I saw children, seniors, young people,[the] mid dle-aged...everyone...and they said they had a wonder ful time. I have to pinch my self that it actually happened. From dream to reality!” Bry

Also on display were toys, jewellery, craft, differ ent assortments of snacks, and cakes. A full range of things that people might need for Christmas and to usher in the Christmas season were available.

“We don't want to only do pepperpot, but to be able to have patrons shop early for Christmas and usher in the Christmas season,” she said as a reason for the variety of items on display.

“I’m very relieved, sat isfied, overwhelmed; the

said the Pepperpot Festival was a huge success and called for it to be a yearly event.

“I was able to taste fish pepperpot and it was de lightful. The lady said she made it with mackerel,” Sue expressed.

The event saw a number of persons winning thousands of dollars in prizes

Winning the $50,000 Bounty Voucher was Vonette Patrick, who said she was very elated to have won.

“I live in Trinidad and I visited my dear friend Deb

Girl coders with staff of the Industry and Innovation Unit outside the Prime Minister ’s Office, Georgetown (OPM photo)

Pepperpot Festival’s Andrea Bryan-Garner (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Fire, emergency medical teams ready for Christmas bustle

HOME AFFAIRS Min

ister Robeson Benn, on Sunday, led the George town-leg of the nation wide inspection of fire fighters and emergen cy medical technicians (EMTs) of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) en

suring their prepared ness for the fast-paced Christmas season.

The rain did not stop over 200 senior and ju nior firefighters and EMTs from converging at the D’Urban Park tarmac, Georgetown where they

were examined to ensure they were “properly kitted out with the necessary protective gear and equip ment,” a statement from the Home Affairs Ministry said.

The officers were drawn from the Fire Ser

vice’s Central (George town), Leonora, La Grange, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, Campbelville, Eccles, Diamond, Melanie, Mahaica, Timehri, New Amsterdam, Anna Regina, Mahdia and Lethem fire stations, the ministry’s

statement said.

“As the country con tinues to develop, it is im portant that the emergency services provided are of the highest standard,” the ministry added, noting that subject minister Robeson Benn was satisfied follow

ing the inspection.

Minister Benn also encouraged the fire and emergency medical officers to perform at their best always. Chief Fire Officer (ag) Gregory Wickham thanked his juniors for their work.

Firefighters assembled for inspection (Home Affairs Ministry photo)

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, conducts the inspection in company of Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham (Home Affairs Ministry photo)

EMTs brave the weather during the inspection (Home Affairs Ministry

Firefighting demonstration (Home Affairs Ministry photo)

Concrete streets in Skeldon

THE community of Skeldon, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) has benefitted from a number of concrete streets and cross-streets.

In service for the people

SOMEONE has to advocate on behalf of children. In do ing so, many Childcare and Protection (CPA) Officers are at risk whether they are out in the fields, visiting the home of an abused child, or having discussions with par ents in the workplace.

Although their clients are children, each child comes from a family. Most families do not want CPA officers, or anyone else, coming to their home on child-related issues that highlight inadequate par enting.

It is rare for a mother or father to willingly welcome a child protection officer into their home to assist with in vestigations. But working with parents is an integral part of the job because children need parents who can give them appropriate care and attention.

One officer recalled: “We visited a location where a highly intoxicated mother was

in charge of her 18-month-old child. Apparently, this was an ongoing practice for the mother, and neighbours were concerned.

“She was worse when we arrived and could hardly stand, let alone care for the infant.

“When we explained why we were there and told her we had to remove the child to safety, she became abusive and tried to assault my colleague.

“Eventually, with police assistance, we secured the bawling child from her arms. It was a highly traumatic evening for all of us. Once we had the child in care, a constable es corted her to the police station, where she was charged with child endangerment.

“I went to see her the next day to explain why we had to protect the child and so forth. She was coherent and coopera tive but devastated because the child was taken away.

“She was sure she would

never see her child again. I was able to console her by saying it’s not the end of the world; she could get back the child if she sorted herself out and created a safe environment for the child, and made the child her focus.

“I gave her the phone num ber of an NGO [non-gov ernmental organisation] that could help her, and my contact details.”

Many people believe we want to take children away from their parents - but this is not true. We are here to serve, and in serving, we aim to make better homes for children with parents who care, which is quite the opposite.

‘Access’ and ‘Custody’ are extremely sensitive cases that could have repercussions for members of staff who are sim ply doing their jobs. Officers conduct research and back ground work to write reports on their findings where court

proceedings are involved.

They may be required to read their report in court, where an angry parent could be offended by the content –especially if they lose their custody battle.

Another child protection officer recalled: “I’ve had oc casions where parents become aggressive when things are not going their way or the way they expected, but I speak to them politely and find ways to cool them down.

“Sometimes, officers are stuck in the centre of these cases, working with both par ents and trying to find some common, civil ground where we can amicably straighten out matters without unduly distressing the child; and with the least amount of hostility between them.”

Ours is a specialised ser vice where we acquire skills to work with parents in the child’s best interest. It is hard

to convey this principle to parents who dislike each other and have no wish to compro mise, and, at times, the strain from both parties is felt by us officers.

Although the job has its stressful moments, there is also the satisfaction you get when you see progress such as a family changing to accept its mistakes and working to create a safe home for the children.

You might also see young sters who leave care to take up careers in the disciplined services or move on to higher education.

In the hinterland, skilled officers work for children in unfamiliar territory. In rural communities, it takes time to cultivate support and under stand their work.

Still, children are protected under Guyana’s laws from risk or being subject to abuse.

It is challenging for of ficers to be away from their

families and loved ones, but they have a duty of care to children, regardless of how traumatic or sensitive cases may become. Childcare and Protection Officers hope to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

At the same time, they must consider their well-be ing and safety. The workload can be heavy; the visiting and investigative work, tiresome; and there is an ever-present risk of danger from angry or frustrated parents. Yet, they are there to serve and assist children and families.

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

From dream to reality...

From page 9

the ‘Single Meat’ category and Back to Eden's Katahar and Squash pepperpot won $100,000 in the ‘Vegetarian’ category.

They were also second and third prizes in each cat egory.

The competition was judged by Radha Singh of

the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Samantha Fran cine Baker of Brown Sugar Catering, and Chef Beason who is Head Chef at the Peg asus Hotel, Guyana.

Garner said she hopes to make it a bigger annual event. “We maybe have to change our time and do it

earlier in November because of the wet and rainy season coming in, so we could uti lize the open ground,” she noted.

“I think this is some thing Guyanese can look forward to and they would really appreciate,” she fur ther said.

Patrons sample one of the featured pepperpots on Saturday (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday November 28, 2022)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Curtly Ambrose-8 (2) Glen McGrath-8

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first WI to claim a ten-wicket match haul in a Test against AUST?

(2) Who is the first AUST to take ten wickets in a Test against the WI?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

RACING TIPS

English Racing Tips

Catterick

08:30 hrs Noble Anthem

09:00 hrs Check My Pulse

09:30 hrs Royal Mogul

10:00 hrs Not What It Seems

10:30 hrs Lilith

11:00 hrs Johnson's Blue

11:30 hrs Tipperary Star Kempton

09:45 hrs Haku

10:15 hrs Ruby Red Empress

10:45 hrs Twilight Revenge

11:15 hrs Desert Boots

11:45 hrs Azure Angel

12:15 hrs Balance Play

12:45 hrs Nap Hand

13:15 hrs Cash

13:45 hrs Wannabe Brave

Wolverhampton

12:25 hrs Genesiu

12:55 hrs Hoofle Puff

13:25 hrs Kentucky Kingdom

13:55 hrs Selfish Brian

14:25 hrs Ahlawi

14:55 hrs Love Trophy Pow

er

15:25 hrs Cherish

15:55 hrs Colombidea

16:25 hrs Chagall

South Africa Racing Tios

Greyville

08:15 hrs Lord Minver

08:50 hrs Toto

09:25 hrs Quiz Master

10:05 hrs Coint Matsh

10:40 hrs Let It Snow

Former 100m world-record holder Asafa Powell hangs...

family, and his closest friends were also in attendance.

On Saturday, he shared the news on Instagram.

“18 years!!! Thanks to my sponsors and loyal fans who have supported me over the years. This sport has given me so many opportu

nities…but I started my track career in 2002 and have had many ups and downs but was never ungrateful for what I have accomplished,” he said.

“I am entering a new phase and a new chapter of my life and a lot more to come from me. I will con

tinue to inspire the younger generation in every way pos sible.”

Powell married Cana dian model Alyshia Miller in a lavish ceremony before family and friends in Mon tego Bay 2019 and together have two sons. (Sportsmax).

who lowered his own world record to 9.58 with Gay win ning silver in a then Ameri can record of 9.71.

He was seventh in the 100m final at the London 2012 Games.

Powell won gold medals as a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and at the World Championships in

2009 in Berlin and 2015 in Helsinki.

He last ran under 10 seconds in 2016 when he ran 9.92 in Hungary. Injury played a significant role in his inability to continue to break 10 seconds with his fastest time in the last six years being 10.02 in Leverku sen, Germany in 2019.

A favourite of female

fans across the globe, Powell announced that his career had come to an end at a lavish birthday party late last week that was attended by sever al prominent figures from Corporate Jamaica, his shoe sponsor Puma as well as for mer teammates Bolt, Blake, Frater, Carter and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

His agent Paul Doyle,

Powell fireworks carry Northern Warriors to easy win

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC)

– Captain Rovman Pow ell’s whirlwind half-cen tury powered Northern Warriors’ run chase and earned them a comfort able six-wicket win over Evin Lewis’s Bangla Ti gers in the Abu Dhabi T10 here Sunday.

Asked to chase 118 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Warriors got home with four balls to spare, with Powell blasting a four and nine sixes in an unbeaten 76 from 28 balls.

Adam Lyth (1) and Jamaican Kennar Lewis (8) perished cheaply to leave the chase in doubt at 29 for two in the fourth over but Powell took com mand of the innings, first in a 50-run, third wicket stand with West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Ruth erford (22) and then in a 33-run fourth wicket partnership with Adam Hose (1).

Earlier, Lewis topscored with a 15-ball 38 not out with two fours and

three sixes as Tigers rallied to 117 for four after choos ing to bat first.

Afghan Hazratullah Zazai (37) and English man Joe Clarke (24) put on 64 for the first wicket before Lewis provided the momentum for a 43run, unbroken fifth wicket partnership with Benny Howell (four not out).

Meanwhile, former West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran struck 34 from 17 de liveries with three fours and two fours, featur ing in a 122-run, second wicket stand with Tom

Kohler-Cadmore whose 82 from 33 balls with eight fours and half-dozen six es, as Deccan Gladiators racked up 140 for two from their 10 overs.

Keemop Paul (14 not out) and Rahkeem Corn wall (2) then made lit tle impact, leaving Delhi Bulls with an 18-run de feat.

In the other game at the venue, Johnson Charles scored 23 from 13 balls as Samp Army overhauled 105 to beat Carlos Brathwaite’s Chennai Braves by eight wickets.

Former 100m world –record holder Asafa Powell

West Indies batsman Rovman Powell (file photo)

Croatia keep their cool to send Canada out of World Cup

ALPHONSO Davies scored Canada's first ever World Cup goal, but it was not enough to stop them being knocked out of the tournament following a defeat by Croatia.

Bayern Munich winger Da vies' second-minute opener gave Canada hope, but they ended up second best and have suffered back-to-back defeats in their first two group matches.

In Group F's earlier game, Morocco shocked world number two side Belgium 2-0 and are second in the standings, behind 2018 finalists Croatia.

John Herdman's outsiders scored from the game's first at tack after only 67 seconds cour tesy of a towering header from Davies, who darted into the box and powerfully converted from Tajon Buchanan's cross.

Croatia, though, did not panic after falling behind and created numerous chances, with striker Andrej Kramaric seeing a goal ruled out for offside.

But the former Leicester player then equalised with a first-time angled shot from Ivan Perisic's pass, and Marko Livaja put them ahead with a rasping

drive from the edge of the box.

Kramaric was denied by Milan Borjan's fine save in the second half, and at the other end, Dominik Livakovic acrobatically tipped over Jonathan David's long-range curler.

Hoffenheim frontman Kra maric got his second of the game by coolly converting into the far corner, and substitute Lovro Majer wrapped up the match by netting in injury time.

Croatia keep their cool

You might have expected the first meeting between Croatia and Canada to be a straightfor

ward affair - in fact it was any thing but, with a war of words taking place beforehand.

Canada's English boss Herd man said before the game they would "eff Croatia", with op position manager Zlatko Dalic responding by saying that was not a "sign of respect".

Once on the pitch, Canada looked to stick to their word by scoring inside just two minutes courtesy of star winger Davies' tremendous header.

It was a wonderful moment for the 22-year-old to net his country's first World Cup goal,

having been born in a refugee camp after his parents fled civil war in Liberia and moved to Canada when he was five.

But the joy and exuber ance of youth turned to despair against a wily Croatia who have vast experience and kept their cool to hit back.

They put a ragged Canada backline under pressure, and Kramaric's leveller and Liva ja's lovely strike on the stroke of half-time turned the game around.

Jonathan Osorio struck inch es wide shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute as Canada - who are playing in their first World Cup since 1986 - looked to find a way back into the game.

But Kramaric struck again from a second Perisic assist, gloriously taking down the cross and stroking in, before Majer punished Kamal Miller's horri ble mistake as Croatia ended up comfortable winners.

They have now lost just once in their last 18 outings, and must face Belgium on Thursday to secure a spot in the second round.(BBC Sport)

Late goals give Morocco stunning win over Belgium

MOROCCO caused the latest shock at a World Cup that has been full of surprises by beating Belgium thanks to late goals by Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukh lal.

Belgium goalkeeper Thi baut Courtois was at fault for the first goal, inexplicably allowing Sabiri's inswinging free-kick to beat him at his near post with 17 minutes to go.

But the whole Belgium side paid the price for a ponderous performance, with Morocco capping a magnificent sec ond-half display when Aboukh lal fired Hakim Ziyech's cut back into the roof of the net in stoppage time.

That sparked wild celebra tions in the stands of Al Thu mama Stadium from thousands of Morocco fans, who had created a raucous atmosphere from the start.

Few surprises had seemed on the cards early on. After surviving a high-tempo and helter-skelter approach from Canada - their first opponents in Group F - Belgium's initial job this time was to break down Morocco's massed defence.

They managed it within the first five minutes, when Thorgan Hazard sent Michy Batshuayi running clear, but he was denied by Munir Moha

medi, a late replacement in the Morocco goal after Bono was taken ill in the warm-up.

It seemed that would just be the start of some sustained Bel gium pressure, but while they continued to dominate posses sion, further clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Roared on by their noisy fans, who were bouncing all around Al Thumama Stadium in great numbers, Morocco comfortably kept them at bay and began to grow into the game themselves.

They thought they had tak en the lead just before half-time when Ziyech's free-kick eluded Courtois, but the video assistant referee (VAR) showed Romain Saiss was offside and deemed to be interfering with play after

running across the Belgium goalkeeper's line of sight.

Roberto Martinez's side did not improve after the break, only managing shots from distance from the ineffective Eden Hazard and substitute Dries Mertens.

Morocco, meanwhile, were becoming as lively as their sup porters in the stands and went close to taking the lead when Sofiane Boufal cut in from the left and sent a shot bouncing wide.

They kept coming forward and got their reward when Sabiri's clever free-kick found Courtois dozing at a set-piece again. This time, there was to be no VAR reprieve to save him.

The closest Belgium came

to an equaliser was when Jan Vertonghen headed wide, be fore Aboukhlal made sure of a stunning victory by finishing off a swift break.

Belgium made to look sec ond best

Belgium's stuttering win over Canada in their opening game means their route to the last 16 is still open, albeit less straightforward than was anticipated.

But this was another re minder that the generation of players that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup four years ago are nearing the end of the road.

They were disjointed going forward, with Batshuayi inef fective in attack and Romelu Lukaku only fit enough for a cameo appearance in the clos ing moments.

Even Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne was unable to add any inspiration in midfield and, at the back, veteran pair Vertonghen and Toby Alder weireld were left petrified by the pace of Morocco's attack when their side were chasing the game.

They looked nothing like a side supposedly ranked number two in the world and were made to look second best by Morocco, who sit 20 places low.( BBC Sport)

Fuller goal earns Costa Rica shock win over Japan

JAPAN failed to take another step towards the World Cup knockout rounds as Keysher Fuller's late goal earned Costa Rica a smash-and-grab Group E victory.

Following their shock win over Germany, Japan were frustrated by a tight defensive unit, before Fuller struck with Costa Rica's first shot on target at the tour nament.

The result leaves both teams on three points after two games, with Spain - who still top the group on goal difference - facing Germany later on Sunday (19:00 GMT).

Victory for Spain will all but guarantee their pro gression to the last 16.

After beating Germany in their opener, many expect ed Japan to account for a Costa Rica side reeling from a 7-0 thrashing by Spain.

However, Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu opted for rotation over continuity, making five changes, and that resulted in a subdued performance and a scoreline that blew the group wide open.

It was a remarkable victory for Costa Rica, who had failed to lay a glove on the Japan defence before Fuller's deflected shot from the edge of the box escaped goal keeper Shuichi Gonda's grasp nine minutes from time.

After a first half devoid of goalmouth action in the searing heat at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Japan dominat ed for large spells. However, they struggled to create clear-cut chances until the 88th minute, when Daichi Kamada could not turn the ball home after a driving Kaoru Mitoma run.

Having achieved redemption following their humiliation at the hands of Spain, the Costa Rica players celebrated emotionally at full-time as Japan were left to rue a disappointing display that failed to back up their heroics against Germany.(BBC Sport).

Canada had gone four World Cup games without scoring before Alphonso Davies' goal

Morocco's Abdelhamid Sabiri (right) celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal (Photo: Skysports)

Keysher Fuller celebrates after scoring Costa Rica's winner against Japan (Photo: Skysports)

Germany score late for crucial draw against Spain

NICLAS Fullkrug gave Ger many a precious point against Spain as they fight for World Cup survival.

Germany's hopes of reach ing the knockout phase had been given an unlikely lifeline earlier on Sunday when Costa Rica beat Japan when any other result would have meant defeat by Spain would send them out.

Hansi Flick's side still need to defeat Costa Rica in their final Group E game and hope Japan do not spring a shock against Spain but at least they know their hopes of moving into the last 16 are intact after falling behind at Al Bayt Sta dium.

Spain, who almost went ahead in the first half when keeper Manuel Neuer turned Dani Olmo's shot on to the bar, took the lead after 62 minutes when substitute Alvaro Morata applied a brilliant near-post flick to Jordi Alba's cross.

Germany pressed forward and Fullkrug gave them a point seven minutes from the end when he burst through and lashed an unstoppable finish high past Spain keeper Unai Simon.

Leroy Sane almost won it

for Germany in the dying sec onds but ran out of space as he raced through on goal and the ball was scrambled clear.

Impressive Spain a threat Manager Luis Enrique has pieced together an impressive blend of youth and experience as Spain seek to reclaim the World Cup crown they won in 2010.

He has the youthful bril liance of 18-year-old Gavi and Pedri, just 20, but also the old hand who has seen it all in the shape of Sergio Busquets alongside Dani Alba and the decorated Manchester City pair Aymeric Laporte and Rodri.

Gavi, the Barcelona prod

igy who became the World Cup's youngest goalscorer since Pele in 1958 when he was on target in the 7-0 win against Costa Rica, was quiet here and eventually substituted but his talent is unquestioned.

Spain's slick passing was easy on the eye but when the more studied style could not find a breakthrough, Enrique was able to apply Plan B in the shape of the more direct and powerful Morata, who pro duced that instinctive flick for the opening goal.

They will be disappointed to concede so late and still have work to do in their final group game against Japan but

there is much to admire in this Spain side.

Germany show their char acter

Germany might have been at a low ebb after the embar rassment of defeat by Japan in their opening game but history tells us they can never be dis missed and so it proved here in this highly entertaining game.

Flick's team had to survive that first-half scare when Neuer did superbly to turn Olmo's shot on to the bar but they dug deep after Morata put Spain ahead and were rewarded when Fullkrug, the 29-year-old late comer to international football, put his foot through an emphat ic finish.

Germany still need to beat Costa Rica on Thursday to have a chance of staying in the World Cup but there was certainly plenty here to suggest they can and it was an impressive show of character after what hap pened in their opening game.

They also need to hope that Japan do not beat Spain but they will be helped by the fact Enrique's team need something from that game so will not be lacking in motiva tion. (BBC Sport)

Antigua’s Beckles, Bermuda’s Hall on target again

LONDON, (CMC) – Antigua and Barbuda in ternational Reece Beckles followed up his brace in an English FA Trophy second-round match against Peterborough Sports last weekend with a second-half strike, but was on the losing side again as Cheshunt

Beckles, a 27-year-old striker, equalised for Cheshunt in the 61st minute, but the sixth-tier strugglers were denied a point when Aaron Wil liam-Bushell netted a 90th-minute winner in the National League South match.

Bermuda striker Kole Hall followed up his goal against Farsley Celtic in midweek with another strike to set up National League North outfit Ches ter’s fine 3-1 win at promotion rivals Scarborough Athletic’s Flamingo Land Stadium that ended the home side’s unbeaten home record.

AFGHANISTAN will play their home games in the UAE over the next five years. An agreement was signed between the Afghan istan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), firming up the deal. As part of the agreement, Afghanistan will play UAE in a three-match T20I series in each of the five years.

The ECB will "provide valuable logistic support to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, including visa assis tance and office space", an ACB statement said.

Of late the Afghanistan team has already been play ing and training in the UAE, but on a series-by-series ba sis. Now, there's a formal longer-term deal in place.

Given the political situ ation in Afghanistan, it has remained a no-go zone for international teams. The sit

uation escalated with the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Several ACB staff were among those who fled the country in the immediate aftermath, and thereafter get ting visas for players based in Afghanistan to play abroad became a bigger challenge.

The board subsequently ar ranged UAE residency visas for about two dozen players

As per the ICC's Future

Tours Programme (FTP), Afghanistan are set to host Australia, Pakistan and West Indies in three ODIs each, as well as Zimbabwe across formats, in the next year leading into the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the UAE, these can be spread across venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Mubashir Usmani, the ECB secretary said of the

development: "Both parties, the Emirates Cricket Board and the Afghanistan Cricket Board enjoy long and cordial relations and we are happy to support the ACB in ensuring that they have a home for their cricket.

"We are also thankful to the Afghanistan Cricket Board for agreeing to play a series of T20I matches against UAE Team each year.

This will provide our UAE team with invaluable exposure and help in their development."

Previously, the ACB had used the National Cricket Academy in Lahore as a base to train in 2013, and also signed a similar deal with the PCB in 2017. In be tween, in 2015 it signed an agreement with the BCCI to move base to Greater Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. (Cricinfo)

Hall, 24, netted in the 50th minute with a “great finish” according to manager Calum McIntyre as Chester remained fifth, one point behind Scarbor ough.

Chester took the lead after Kurt Willoughby won a corner on the left. Iwan Murray played it low into the area to Hall, who met the ball with a perfectly struck left-foot effort inside the near post from 12 yards.

Urged on by 261 travelling supporters, Wil loughby made certain of all three points in the 90th minute with his 17th goal of the campaign.

Jordan Greenidge, 22, whose brother Reiss plays for fifth-tier National League outfit Maid stone United and Guyana, scored the opener on nine minutes as Tonbridge Angels were held 1-1 at home by Havant & Waterlooville in the National League South.

Grenada target Myles Hippolyte, a 28-yearold winger who is also eligible to play for St Lucia, secured a replay for League Two Stock port County with an equaliser, glancing home a header in the 97th minute at League One Charl ton Athletic in the second round of the FA Cup after coming on as a 64th-minute substitute in a 2-2 draw at The Valley.

went down 2-1 at home to Oxford City on Saturday.

Niclas Fullkrug celebrates after he equalises for Germany against Spain (Photo: Skysports)

Antigua and Barbuda international Reece Beckles

Parkinson, Lanis take 10k titles at ‘Nationals’

DISTRICT 3 (West Demerara) and Dis trict 9 (Rupununi) took the early lead at the 60th edition of the Na tional Schools Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships, commonly called ‘Nationals’, when their athletes won the 10km road race on Sunday afternoon.

The race was contest ed from Mary/Harlem

to the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast of Demer ara, marking the start of ‘Nationals’, the first since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Odida Parkinson clocked 36:48.23 sec onds to win ahead of District 5 (West Coast Berbice), Kiene Wadkar (37:21.88s), and Led juan Hensford of Dis trict 10 (Upper Demer

ara/Kwakwani), who clocked 37:49.03 sec onds.

Lanis, who finished ahead of some boys, strode to the line with a time of 44:21.90 sec onds while Odiessa George of District 6 (Corentyne) had a time of 46:28.43 seconds.

Rosmond Harvey of District 3 had a time of 49:24.21 to finish third.

The race was held

during the opening cere mony as Prime Minister, Brigadier (R'td) Mark Phillips, declared the event open.

Today, the action moves to the inner cir cuit of the National Park for cycling and the Na tional Aquatic Centre for swimming.

Both events com mence at 09:00h.

'I try and be myself, I can't be him' - Meet Tagenarine Chanderpaul

By Andrew McGlashan

A FAMILIAR name is back on West Indies scorecards for the tour of Australia. Tagenar ine Chanderpaul, the son of Shivnarine, is in the Test squad for the first time and appears set to make his debut in Perth next week. Here's a little more on what is close to being the next father-son pairing in Test cricket.

So, is Tagenarine go ing to play the first Test against Australia?

It would be a huge sur prise if he doesn't, having made 119 against a strong Prime Minister's XI attack in Canberra to continue a prolific year. He had made just 4 in his one out ing against NSW/ACT XI last week, after missing the first innings because of illness. But on Thurs day, he faced 293 balls before falling to the final delivery of the second day when he top-edged a pull against Joel Paris.

The PM's line-up in cluded Test seamer Mi chael Neser as well as Mark Steketee, who has been in Australia squads.

Todd Murphy, the young off-spinner, and left-arm er Ashton Agar bowled

41 overs between them, which is likely to be more spin than Chanderpaul will face in Perth, but should put him in good stead for the challenge of Nathan Lyon.

A vacancy for Kraigg Brathwaite's partner has come up at the top of the order following the anti-doping ban handed to John Campbell.

He's 26, so not really young for a debutant …

He's waited a little while for this opportunity, but he effectively lost two years of his career because of COVID-19 and did not play a match from March 2020 until February 2022. Before that gap, he had shown glimpses of his potential with a maiden first-class hundred against Barba dos in 2018 and another against Windward Islands in 2019, which at a mara thon 484 deliveries is his longest first-class innings to date, in terms of balls faced.

From early on, he had shown the ability to bat long, facing more than 150 deliveries in an in nings three times in his first two seasons. How ever, it's been this year 2022 where things have really taken off:. He has

an average of 89.50 in cluding four centuries.

He and his dad played together, right?

Indeed they did, 11 times in first-class cricket. The first came in 2013 against Trinidad and To bago (Tagenarine made 42 in the first innings, Shivnarine 108 in the sec ond), and the last in 2018, which is when Tagenarine made his maiden firstclass hundred.

What has his route to the Test side been?

He played in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in the UAE, where he made 293 runs. That team also featured Nicholas

Pooran, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer and Brandon King. After that, he bided his time in firstclass cricket before the COVID-enforced break. Earlier this year, he was rewarded for his impres sive domestic form with a West Indies A call-up to face Bangladesh A where he made an unbeaten 109 in the second four-day match

Does he bat like his dad?

Make your own mind up…

What Shivnarine said: "He's been knocking at the door since before COVID-19. Two-and-ahalf years passed with no

cricket then he started to get some cricket back. He started the first-class sea son without many runs, then he came to Florida and did some work with me. When he got back, he got a couple of hundreds and now he's got selected to come here. Knowing the attack Australia have - these guys are relentless - if he can come here and do well, it will be a start to his career.

"I try to help him sometimes but he's a lit tle bent in his ways. He'll seek me out for some help but then there are a lot of times, like any kid, when you message him but he doesn't message back. Unless he wants some

thing! I'll message (while) watching the game when ever he's playing, I've seen what he's doing, if he's doing something he's not supposed to be do ing then I'll message and say 'this is what I'm see ing' and he'll not mes sage back for two months after."

What Tagenarine said:

"I try and be myself. I can't be him, so I can only be myself. Fingers crossed … I'll try to get some runs if I'm selected.

And here's a fun fact

Tagenarine has a movie credit to his name. He was plucked to play Larry Gomes in the film 83 about India's famous World Cup triumph.

"Being a part of 83 was a great opportunity that I stumbled upon while playing four-day cricket in St Lucia in 2018," Tagenarine told News Room Sport last year. "During a practice session a scout came to the ground and asked who wanted to try out for the film. To my sur prise a few months later I received a call that I had been chosen to play the part of Larry Gomes." (Cricinfo)

Judy Lanis of District 9 (Rupununi) took the Girls’ 10km title

Odida Parkinson clocked 36:48.23 seconds to win the Boys’ 10km

… The opener is in line for a Test debut in Perth next week after a prolific year with the bat

Tagenarine Chanderpaul plays a picture-perfect cover drive (Getty Images)

60th National Schools’ Championships underway

THE 60th Annual Na tional Schools’ Swim ming, Cycling and Track & Field Cham pionships, which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers Union(GTU),

was officially declared open yesterday at the National Track & Field Centre, Leonora.

Prime Minister, Brig adier (Ret'd) Mark Phil lips was present and delivered his remarks. He assured all in at

tendance that the gov ernment is committed to improving sporting facilities throughout Guyana. He emphasised the importance of align ing academic pursuits with sports to produce well-rounded youth,

who can make valuable contributions to Guyana. Expressing similar sentiments, Minister of Education, Priya Man ickchand, said that the championships emulate the government's inten tions to empower and

equip each child in the education system with the necessary tools to succeed.

President of the Guyana Teachers Union, Mark Lyte; Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hut

son; Permanent Sec retary of the Ministry of Education, Alfred King,; and other of ficers of the ministry and GTU were also in attendance at the opening ceremony. (DPI)

District 9 athletes march past the officials headed by Prime Minister (ret’d) Brigadier Mark Phillips and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand. (DPI photos)

District Six followed by Seven during the march past of athletes

District 10 athletes light the torch

Historic win for Suriname in 2022 IGG

THE

(IGG)

Suriname

plines

ing108

Former 100m world-record holder Asafa Powell hangs up his spikes

AFTER a career spanning two decades and charac terised by fast times and world records but blighted by injury and unfulfilled potential, Jamaican sprint er Asafa Powell has called time on his career.

One of the fastest men to have ever lived, Powell, who celebrated his 40th birthday

on November 23, was a trail blazer in an era that produced some of the fastest men in the history of track and field namely Usain Bolt, an eighttime Olympic gold medallist, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake and Steve Mull ings, among others.

Powell set world records of 9.77 in Athens, Greece in

2005 and 9.74 in Rieti, Italy in 2007. His record was bro ken by Bolt in New York in 2008 when he ran 9.72 at the Adidas Grand Prix. Powell lowered his personal best to 9.72 in September 2008, but by then Bolt had taken the record down to 9.69 at the Beijing Olympics.

After breaking 10 sec

onds for the first time in 2004, Powell went on to run under 10 seconds for the 100m, a record 97 times. It is an achievement that has earned him the moniker ‘Sub10 King.”

However, despite his amazing talent, Powell never won individual global titles in the blue-riband event.

Favoured to win the 100m at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Powell finished fifth. Four years later, he was fifth at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Powell won the Com monwealth Games 100m title in Australia in 2006 and was favoured to win the 100m at the 2007 World Champion ships in Osaka, Japan. How

ever, the six-time Jamaican champion was third behind American Tyson Gay, the gold medallist and Bahamian Derrick Atkins, admitting afterwards that he ‘panicked’.

In 2009, Powell ran his best time in a global final – 9.84 – good enough for bronze behind Usain Bolt,

60th National Schools’ Championships underway

curtain fell on the 2022 Inter-Guiana Games

last night at the

Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue where Suriname

were crowned Champions after pipping Guyana by a meagre two points.

finished the competition, which for the first time had nine disci

being contested, with 110 points while the host, Guyana, tallied an agonis

points. Finishing in third place were French Gui ana who managed 26 points.

The Suriname athletes were boisterous after receiving the Championship trophy, which was sponsored by Trophy Stall, from Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle

Team Guyana finished second in the 2022 IGG. NSC Chairman, Kashief Muhammad, hands over the trophy to the jubilant Guyanese athletes.. (Adrian Narine photos)