Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 31-01-2023

Works are progressing rapidly on the three, 3000-tonne silos and one 80-tonne-per-hour drying tower at Tacama Landing, along the Berbice River. When completed, this facility will support large-scale cultivation of corn and soya, an initiative that promises to be a game-changer for Guyana (Office of

‘Work for the betterment of our country’

LETITIA Wright, the Guyana-born movie star, visited the National Assembly on Monday and encouraged Parliamentarians to strive towards peace and love as they continued working for the betterment of Guyana.

The world-renowned actress, during impromptu remarks to the National Assembly on Monday, told Guyana’s lawmakers that she is on a mission to foster peace and harmony, with a huge focus on empowering youth

Referring to herself as the “daughter of the soil,” Wright asserted that her return home is very dear to her and she wants to use

–– Guyana’s star Letitia Wright urges Parliamentarians

her platform for the better

“I don’t know the ins and outs of politics and I just care more about the children and the betterment of young people.

“But as you all come together to make decisions for the country… I encourage peace, I encourage love. I am of peace, I am of love and I’m just proud of you both and everybody that’s working together for the betterment and empowerment of our country,” Wright said.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, who invited her to speak to the lawmakers, commended the star and said that she was “making waves throughout the world” because of her achievements.

Nadir praised her acting, stating that being given the task of dissecting such complex matters is not for the weak, but yet the Guyana-born star conquered and came out on top.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips in an affectionate welcome to the Guyanese native, told Wright that they felt honoured by the fact that she took time out of her day to spend time with them.

For him, it was a moment of pride that a “daughter of the soil” has been able to achieve international stardom, and he

assured her that Guyanese will always support and follow her on her future endeavours.

Cathy Hughes, an Opposition Parliamentarian, also noted that Wright is a role model for manyespecially those who feel under-represented in the media. And Deputy Speaker Lenox Shuman also expressed how proud he was of Wright Wright, who decades ago left her home at Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara, for the United Kingdom to pursue a dream she hoped would one day be a reality, is now a role model for many young Guyanese.

She was extended an invitation by President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali back in November 2022, to visit her homeland. Wright landed Friday night, when she received a hearty welcome from the First Lady of Guyana, Mrs Arya Ali, the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond and her relatives. Already, she has visited many iconic tourist attractions, such as the majestic Kaieteur Falls, and has spared no efforts in interacting with fans across the nation. In coming days, she will engage with many more groups of people.

The Guyana-born Black Panther star passionately encouraging peace and harmony (DPI Photo)

The Guyana-born Black Panther star alongside Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir (DPI Photo)

House clears $5.3B to boost flood relief efforts

as PM Phillips says Guyana expects lengthy ‘El Niño’ rainy season

PARLIAMENTARIANS on Monday approved the sum of $5.3 billion for flood and other natural disaster relief efforts in 2023, as Guyana prepares for the possible devastating effects of a lengthy El Niño period towards the end of the year.

This sum was defended by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips during the consideration of the budgetary estimates, which got underway on Monday when the National Assembly dissolved itself into the Committee of Supply.

The $5.3 billion was listed under current expenditure for Programme: 022 - Disaster Preparedness, Response and Management.

“That is a lumpsum of money placed there to deal with disasters. For example, last year we had the farmers

who were affected [by floods], and therefore we have to get flood relief. That money is placed there, and based on if there is a disaster that we have to give relief, that is where we would get the money from,” the Prime Minister explained.

“Every year, we are affected by floods, and this is the year that we expect the El Niño phenomenon to affect Guyana over an extended period, so we have to have interventions, and we have to be prepared. The reality here is that we have to prepare,” PM Phillips emphasised.

El Niño is a climate pattern that is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including the area off the Pacific coast of South America. It is the warm phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation

By Clestine Juan

GUYANA’s lawmakers on Monday approved the $13.8 sum allocated to the various constitutional agencies, paving the way for these bodies to continue and, in some cases, expand their work programme this year.

Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir, dissolved the National assembly to the Committee of Supply in order to consider the estimates for the constitutional agencies. This was the first set of allocations under the 2023 National Budget being perused by the Parliamentarians.

The agencies are Parliament Office, the Audit Office of Guyana, the Public and Police Service Commissions, the Teaching Service Commission, the Guyana Elections Commission, the Supreme Court of Judicature, the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Rights Commissions of Guyana and the Public Procurement Commission.

And it was Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira who fielded questions from the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change

( APNU+AFC) Members of Parliament (MPs) for these constitutional agencies.

Parliament Office will receive $1.9 billion, which will cater for the construction of four electrical grates and a metal scanner valued at $11 million. Other expected spending includes the procurement of security cameras for $11 million, $7 million for the construction of two guard huts, $3 million for seats for the public gallery in the National Assembly, $9.3 million for a 16-seater bus and $3.6 million for furniture and equipment.

Importantly, the Office of Leader of the Opposition got $5 million.

Meanwhile, $1.1 billion was approved for the Audit Office. The sum will be spent on wages, provision of furniture and equipment, inter alia.

Opposition Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence asked whether the increase in wages and whether there was a special department with responsibility for oil and gas. In response, Minister Teixeira said the sum was due to the eight per cent pay increase, while provisions are indeed being made for the new department.

the allocations for constitutional agencies; its $5.2 billion budget was eventually approved by the Committee of Supply.

Lawrence questioned the increase of $1 billion for that entity this year, compared to $4.1 billion set aside last year.

“… It is expected that the $5 billion this time will be able to cover the Local Government Elections (LGEs),” Teixeira responded. She added that some 14, 500 temporary employees have been hired for LGEs this year.

Lawrence further probed whether GECOM will be purchasing biometric equipment for the elections, and whether sums were allocated towards that eventual purchase. Minister Teixeira, however, reminded Lawrence that the commission has not decided on the use of biometrics and as such, provisions were not made to procure the equipment.

If need be, however, the Governance Minister said, a supplementary budget will have to be prepared Meanwhile, $4 billion was approved for the Supreme Court. This sum is intended to expand access to justice countrywide, while also addressing existing challenges in the system.

As it relates to Public Prosecutions, the Committee of Supply approved $336

(ENSO).

El Niño is usually accompanied by high air pressure in the western Pacific, and low air pressure in the eastern Pacific. During the development of El Niño, heavy rainfall develops between the months of September to November.

Meanwhile, another $205 million was allocated to and approved for the customary dietary and cleaning hampers often given out to individual households by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), while another $10 million has been apportioned to a fund used by the Prime Minister to donate money to persons suffering losses as a result of a disaster.

In Guyana, the CDC, which falls under the authority of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), coordinates and facilitates a sustainable Disas-

ter Risk Management System for Guyana that reduces risk, and enhances resilience to all hazards and impacts. The agency was established in 1982.

The CDC would often coordinate with the various Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) to assist residents in the respective regions whenever there is a disaster. It regularly distributes food and cleaning hampers, as needed, to citizens.

Notably, the Prime Minister’s Office was also able to reduce its budgeted amount to respective electricity companies across the country, ahead of an expected drop in oil prices this year.

According to Brigadier Phillips, while oil prices would have reached a peak of some $ 210 per liter last year, the projection is that it could drop to $193 per liter, or lower, during 2023.

million, which includes $63.5 million for capital spending at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Opposition MP Khemraj Ramjattan questioned why the lofty sum was being allotted and Minister Teixeira reminded him that the Eve Leary building housing the DPP’s chambers was destroyed by fire in 2021. As such, significant funds will be spent on buying new equipment and meeting other needs.

The Office of the Ombudsman had its $62.8 M budget approved, after Teixeira reminded Lawrence that Guyana has a functional Ombudsman.

“I’m a little bit flabbergasted. The honourable Ombudsman, Justice (Ret’ d) Winston Patterson was appointed in 2015, reappointed in 2018 and is still in this position. As far as I know he works hard…” the minister told the Committee of Supply.

The Public Service Appellate Tribunal had its $69.8 million approved, despite scrutiny from Ramjattan, who asked how many cases the tribunal had determined for 2022. Minister Teixeira reminded him that there was no Public Service Commission (PSC), thus there would not be any cases.

A $137 million sum was approved for the Ethnic Re-

lations Commission (ERC), despite criticism from Lawrence as it relates to staffing.

Minister Teixeira reminded the committee that a notice was made of the ERC process of nomination and hoped on the final day of the budget estimates, the motion to allow the ERC members would be approved. Then the list is approved by the House and sent to the President for their appointment.

Another $10 million was approved for the Judicial Service Commission. Importantly, Minister Teixeira explained that last year the President wrote the Leader of the Opposition seeking his support of suggested names of appointees, Parliament had picked its nominees. Regrettably, she said that the Opposition has chosen to address the substantive appointments of Chief Justice and a Chancellor of the Judiciary, thus leaving the letter of the JSC “hanging in the air.”

Teixeira, however, said she foresees movement surrounding the JSC in the “near future.”

The Rights Commissions, which encompass the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC), the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC), and the Indigenous People’s Commission had its $155 million allocation approved too.

The Public Procurement Commission also had its $231.8 million approved af-

ter questions were raised by Ramjattan over staffing. However, these questions were nipped by Teixeira, who reminded Ramjattan that the agency was recently commissioned.

Meanwhile, $174.8 million for the Public and Police Service Commissions, and the Teaching Service Commission’s $147.6 million were passed without scrutiny.

The process for approval of the Estimates of Expenditure of these agencies continued smoothly as it had in 2022 following the December 29, 2021, parliamentary approval of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Amendment (FMAA) Act, which was successfully piloted at the time by Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh during the 34th sitting of the 12th Parliament.

The legislation was amended from what it was previously during the tenure of the APNU+AFC administration and has since strengthened and streamlined the budget process for these Constitutional Agencies, while also preserving their independence.

Amendments made to the former legislation include those that were made to ensure better accountability and set out the practice and procedure to which these Constitutional Agencies must conform in terms of the management of their subventions for the efficient discharge of their functions.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips providing details on the Civil Defence Commission’s allocation for 2023 (DPI photo)

Crucial work to continue as House clears $13.8B for constitutional agencies

More community projects, training through President’s ‘Men on Mission’ this year

SEVERAL community projects and training programmes will be rolled out this year with the $500 million allocation to President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s ‘Men on Mission’ (MoM) initiative, parliamentarians heard on Monday.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, said a portion of the fund will also go towards revamping and rebuilding homes for citizens, specifically elderly citizens living in “very bad conditions.”

Minister Teixeira was at the time responding to questions posed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, when the National Assembly dissolved into the Committee of Supply on Monday, to facilitate consideration of the 2023 budgetary estimates.

She explained that the programme brings on board 1,000 men from each region to establish a powerful movement, allowing them to play a greater role in tackling is-

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, during consideration of the estimates (DPI photo)

sues confronting them.

“We want our men to be able to deal with their health issues; we

want our men to be able to deal with improving their education; we want our men to not be beating women

as we have in our society, and this [is] part of the objective of men on a mission,” the minister stated.

The overarching initiative was announced late 2022 by President Ali, who asserted that the 1000-men programme will bring together men from across Guyana.

Led by the head of state, the consortium comprises several officers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and religious leaders, among other reputable stakeholders.

Minister Teixeira said the initiative has been showing positive results in improving the image that the nation’s men play in building the society. She explained that many attempts were made over the years to get men involved in advocacy.

Minister Teixeira made it clear that if the $500 million allocated is not utilised, it will be returned to the Consolidated Fund.

Meanwhile, President Ali announced that the MoM initiative will support the construction of approximately 150 homes for vulnerable persons across the country who own house lots.

He also announced that there will be a massive push with community involvement, which will see small pathways and roads being rehabilitated. Tree-planting exercises and other community infrastructural works will be undertaken.

Meena Bafan, 85, of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, was the first to benefit from the MoM initiative after receiving the keys to her newly built house. (DPI)

Guyana, Barbados food terminal taking shape

WITH most of the preliminary works almost completed, construction of the highly-anticipated Guyana, Barbados food terminal will soon commence, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said.

Mustapha, in an invited comment, said that technical officers from both Guyana and Barbados are on the ground, and are working assiduously on the project.

“The land has been identified, the visit has been made, there were some changes to the plan, but those have been resolved, and we will see the construction of the food terminal starting very soon. The preparatory works for the land site have commenced already, so it’s a matter of time now for the physical work for the food terminal itself to start now,” Minister Mustapha said.

When completed, the food terminal will be able to store more than 40 containers of food, and will also be equipped with a processing and packaging plant. It will also provide cold storage facilities for seafood, packaging and processing plants.

The area will also have a large reservoir for water storage, and land set aside for crop production.

Given the projected impact of the terminal in promoting innovation and expanding the reach of Guyana and Barbados’ agriculture sectors, the project is expected to be replicated in other parts of the Caribbean region.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley in July 2022 had signed an updated and augmented copy of the Saint Barnabas Accord, thus paving the way for the two countries to further dialogue on nine specific areas of interest.

These areas included agriculture, aquaculture and food security; mining and quarrying; tourism and international transport; trade and business development; energy; manufacturing; education – technical and vocational training and capacity building; cooperation in securi -

ty; and bilateral integration measures.

Further collaborations are currently ongoing between the two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations to reduce the region’s hefty food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Collaboration, Minister Mustapha said, has been a top priority of governments in the region for achieving the ambitious target.

“We are helping them to start their shrimp industry over there; we already sent technical officers, and they are now buying the equipment so that they can build the bond,” he said, adding:

“…We have also helped them with shade houses, and also with a number of root crops, such as cassava and dasheen, so there is a lot of collaboration happening.”

Another team visited the island some time ago, as Guyana continues to build relations in agriculture with the eastern-most CARICOM member state. Students from the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) have also visited the island.

Barbados is also currently assisting Guyana with its ongoing Black Belly Sheep project, the objective of which is to advance production within the country’s livestock industry.

Minister Mustapha further noted that CARICOM is currently looking to Guyana for leadership in agricultural innovation, and will adopt not only the ‘Jagdeo Initiative’ for removing constraints to the development of agriculture in the Caribbean, but also the strategies outlined for food security by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

According to Minister Mustapha, CARICOM has become more cognisant of the importance of enhancing its agri-food system, and finding solutions to the constraints and barriers the region is facing in its production chain.

Meanwhile, President Ali has come in for high praise from various CARICOM leaders for his efforts and plans to transform agriculture

in the region.

Guyana’s Head-of-State holds the responsibility for Agriculture, Agricultural Diversification and Food Security in the CARICOM quasi-Cabinet. At the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Belize earlier this year, President Ali outlined an action-oriented and solution-based proposal aimed at reducing the region’s food-importation bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

There, the President addressed each country’s report of current and target commodities to achieve the 25 per cent reduction by 2025, and detailed where the constraints existed and where action could be taken.

FLASHBACK: Prime Minister of Barbados, Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali visited the proposed area in Lears, St. Michael, where the Guyana-Barbados Food Terminal will be constructed

Meteoric Rise

ONCE this country gains a firm footing on its current trajectory of socioeconomic development, with Guyanese on a plateau living their daily lives as a well-developed society that garners worldwide respect and admiration, comes the next phase of Guyana’s rise: the fashioning of the nation into a technological society.

Such a preparation requires three pillars: a national policy that targets the cultivation of an innovation culture across every strata of the society, including at the regional and even municipal level; nurturing a country-wide pool of thought-leaders whose job it is to research and publish and stir up professional debate; a solid national conversation as to what kind of future works best for Guyana, especially through forums at the University of Guyana, but also across the land; and networking well with global organisations to make sure this country fits into the global village with ease, and is well aligned to the new frontier of humanity.

This 21st Century is promising to push the frontier of Mankind to astonishing heights, with the conquest of Space and Mars, and the rolling out of futuristic computing power, and the development of Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and the Internet of Things already well

underway in advanced nations of the world.

Countries have even announced the phasing out of fossil-fuel cars, starting in 2025, as self-driving electric vehicles are positioned as the new mode of transportation.

Before someone blinks, Guyana will be on the edge of this new world, ready to play a dynamic role in the grand scheme of things.

Now, the Guyanese nation is in the phase of bringing its standard of living in line with the rest of the Caribbean and the developed world, and becoming an advanced nation on the world stage.

The People’ s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is already accelerating socioeconomic development so fast with its level-headed approach to macroeconomic matters, that exponential growth will position the country to be a big player in no time at all.

The traditional economy is already showing positive signs of growth and development. The skills-training agenda is well underway. Everything on the local front is well set.

And the country is also aligning well with the global roadmap of phased-in, net-zero emissions, as the climate-change agenda picks up steam across the world, with Guy-

ana’s intention of fulfilling the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and to partner with the World Economic Forum on reforming key systems and structures for a world that is fully humane, equitable, and just.

The future of the world order is shaping up to be all about technology. Developed countries worldwide have looked to technology as the way to rebuild and scale up after COVID-19.

And growth today happens with exponential progress, rather than with the old linear steps. Growth and development occur with lightning speed, and societies that fail to prepare for accelerated advancement will be left behind in the new world order now under construction.

This world is not just drifting through history; rather, global thought-leaders are planning what the future of Mankind would be like, much like the Guyana Government plans this society in advance, mapping, designing and tweaking the blueprint for what the nation would look like in the future.

Despite the global pandemic, the world is actually in exciting times, with Technology Man on a serious quest to conquer some heady heights. Guyana’s place in this technology terrain is a vital requirement for the country to sustain its rise, its upward

trajectory.

Development is not a destination, with a set summit, that once the nation gets there, it could rest and relax.

As the world is seeing with the advanced nations of the world, socioeconomic development is a constantly advancing phenomenon, with the need to always push the ceiling higher, to set new, bigger goals, and to see further and further ahead as the society is lifted higher and higher in its elevation. All this might sound a bit too much for a small country such as Guyana, as it is only now reaching the start of its amazing potential, now launching out on its journey to the top.

But, as one sees with the Asian Tiger nations, and even India and China, and also with the emerging economies in Brazil, South Africa and Russia, which, up to the early 1990s still existed in grotesque poverty for much of their populations, within a couple of decades, a nation could ramp up its power and wealth to global standards. Such is growth these days of exponential progress.

These things Guyana would want to take into consideration even now, in its early days of this meteoric rise upon which it has embarked.

A new global order is needed in order to address poverty

Dear Editor,

THE most recent Oxfam study found that the income gap between the rich and the poor is increasing.

The richest one per cent grabbed nearly two-thirds of all new wealth created since 2020, amounting to some 42 trillion US dollars,

almost twice the amount of the 99 per cent at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Something must be fundamentally wrong when there is so much concentration of wealth in the hands of such a tiny fraction of the population.

Poverty is structural and can only be remedied by a new global human order

based on a more equitable and fair distribution of the world’s resources

I have always held the view that there is more than enough food to feed the world’s population, but there are still millions of people who go to bed hungry and who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

In fact, roughly one-fifth of the population live below the poverty line, calculated by the United Nations to be below two US dollars a day.

In Guyana, we have come a long way in terms of poverty alleviation, thanks to the several propoor measures taken by the PPP/C administration over the years.

I believe that as the oil revenues begin to kick in, the economic fortunes of the country will continue to get better.

Fortunately, Guyana has now advanced beyond the status of a poor, highly indebted country— a status once given to Guyana thanks to 28 years of PNC undemocratic rule.

The records will show that during the early 1960s, Guyana was ranked among the more developed countries, but was reduced by the end of the 1980s to one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere.

Yours respectfully, Hydar Ally

Gordon Rohlehr, a mountain of a man, has passed

Dear Editor, GORDON Rohlehr has died, I read in the papers, but thought immediately there was some mistake, because the Professor was

a mountain of a man, always dominant, and always visible in the Caribbean cultural landscape.

So many books and articles and lectures well over 50 years, on calypso, orality,

poetry, fiction, drama, history, among many others.

Other more qualified cultural and literary historians will write about the range and depth of his scholarship, but I always remember

him (a meeting in Trinidad, over curry and dhal puri, in the 1990s— four of us) as a Guyanese with cricket in his blood.

As the conversation about literature flowed, he would,

on a couple of occasions bowl an invisible ball, his hand curled around it, his arm circling, rising and falling.

For no reason, just a spontaneous reaction, as if our conversation was excit-

ing play.

How deeply will his death be mourned!

Yours truly, Professor David Dabydeen

Editor Navendra Seoraj

$150 million approved for constitutional reform plans

THE sum of $150 million, which was included in the 2023 National Budget, was approved by lawmakers on Monday, and now the government’s constitutional reform efforts will be able to advance in 2023.

As part of those efforts, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall highlighted that Guyana’s the Constitutional Reform Commission will be established soon.

While the National Assembly was resolved into the Committee of Supply on Monday, Minister Nandlall was asked to give a breakdown of an item under the Attorney-General’s chambers.

It was then that Nandlall stated that catered for under this item was a $150 million allocation that was set aside for constitutional reform activ-

ities slated to be carried out in 2023. This, he said, comes after the passing of the Constitutional Reform Act in 2022.

The Act at reference provides for the establishment of the Commission, which is expected to lead nationwide engagements on constitutional reform.

“That (the establishment of the Commission) will be done shortly. A building has already been secured and furnished, and a secretariat will have to be appointed,” Minister Nandlall said.

This secretariat, he said, will work along with the Commission. And according to the Attorney-General, as soon as President Dr. Irfaan Ali appoints the Commission, it will begin its work.

When asked, he said that the building identified for this commission

is currently being used to house the Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 General and Regional Elections, but that upon the conclusion of the inquiry , the rental will continue.

The Constitution Reform Commission Bill 2022 was passed in the National Assembly in

November of last year, and cleared the way for the establishment of a 20-member Constitution Reform Commission.

This Commission is expected to be made up of five members from the government, five members from the opposition, and 10 persons from civil society and professional organisations across the country.

Constitutional reform is a long-awaited and long-promised issue in Guyana, as several sectors of society have been calling for changes. Both the government and the opposition have agreed that constitutional reform is needed.

This process will commence this year as the

government intends to fulfil its commitment to the continuous review and enhancement of the country’s Constitution. Meanwhile, Minister Nandlall stated that some $30 million has been set aside for the establishment of a regional law school here. Additionally, there are sums set aside for a stipend for the Law Reform Commissioners ($20 million) and consultations on the new Arbitration Bill ($6 million). Sums of money were set aside to complete the revised Laws of Guyana from 2012 to 2022, along with the law reports from 2007 to 2020 and public outreach and sensitisation, legal fees and more.

GUYANESE will be able to benefit from more scholarships provided by the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) this year, with the $1.8 million allocated in the 2023 National Budget approved on Monday.

Minister of Public Service Sonia Parag, during the consideration of the budget estimates on Monday, noted that this sum will support the novel scholarship programme.

In order to ensure that a highly educated and skilled nation is formed, the Public Service Ministry is expected to significantly invest in a variety of scholarships for Guyanese in 2023.

Already, the GOAL Online courses have been beneficial to around 894 people in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 191 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 46 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 143 in Region Nine(Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 527 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Minister Parag pointed out that everyone from Region One (Barima-Waini)

received GOAL scholarships in 2021 when her government chose recipients.

Minister Parag further emphasised that all partnerships with universities outside of Guyana are included in the budget granted for the GOAL programmes. But she made it clear that only tuition fees are being paid; not administrative expenses.

GOAL was originally introduced in 2021, with a total of 6,000 Online scholarships available.

During the discussion of the budget estimates on Monday night, Minister Parag noted that the $1.8 million is a component of the larger expenditure allocated for the provision of training, including government scholarships.

Funds were also allocated to support 1,221 individuals benefitting from public service scholarships. New international scholarships will receive millions of dollars which will be used to cover other expenses like care packages for students.

Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall (DPI photo)

More GOAL scholarships coming as $1.8M approved

No pending applications for birth, other certificates for several years – Minister Benn

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, clarified, on Monday, that there were no pending applications for death, marriage or birth certificates at the Guyana Registrar’s Office (GRO) for the years 2018, 2021, and up to October 2022.

The Home Affairs Minister said that in response to questions posed by Opposition Parliamentarians in the National Assembly on Monday. He also explained that the waiting period varies after an application is received by GRO.

The office utilises different procedures to facilitate the requests for certificates, which forms part of its current efforts

to modernise its services to increase efficiency. Further, the waiting time for the applicants to receive these certificates depends on the methods utilised.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) noted that persons applying for the documents through the Guyana Post Office Corporation can expect the return of the documents within seven to eight weeks. Meanwhile, persons applying by visiting the office can have the certificates within 24 hours to seven working days, which is based on the information provided and available.

“If there is a variant which

is in the records, an amendment correction is needed,” Minister Benn was quoted as saying by DPI.

Persons applying online

will receive their certificates within 48 hours and 14 days, which is based on their location in Guyana. This is also dependent on if the applicant’s

request for the certificate/s is to be mailed or a ‘walk-in pick up’.

Minister Benn also provided the National Assembly with the number of pending passport applications for 2020, 2021, and October 2022 for each of the administrative regions. He underlined that there were eight pending passport applications in 2020, 16 in 2021, and 44 in 2022.

He emphasised that the waiting time varied to receive a passport after an application is received from the Central Intelligence Office of Guyana for the respective periods.

Generally, the waiting time for a passport in Georgetown,

Quintet gets 66 years each for murdering Berbice carpenter

JUSTICE Navindra Singh on Monday sentenced five men to 66 years imprisonment each for beating Berbice carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt to death in 2016.

“This was a brutal murder… I don’t know how one human can be so brutal to another human being,” the judge said before handing down the sentence. They will each be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 25 years.

In November 2022, a 12-member jury at the Berbice High Court found Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob guilty of murdering Narinedatt, between October 31 and November 1, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Berbice.

The state was represented by Special Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat and State Counsel Nafeeza Baig.

At the sentencing hearing held on Monday, Narinedatt’s mother and father broke down as they addressed the killers. They explained that the victim was their only child and the father of two.

With teary eyes, the grieving parents asked the men why they killed

Narinedatt although they all grew up in the same village and were also known to the family.

“They kill meh son… It’s not easy fuh meh… Ayo destroyed meh life,” Narinedatt’s mother said to the five men as they watched her emotionlessly from the prisoner’s dock.

In their address to the court, the men begged the judge for leniency and also gave their “humblest sympathy” to the victim’s family for their loss.

In his sentencing remarks, Justice Singh spoke about the viciousness of the murder. He told the five men that despite the voluminous evidence, they still maintained that they were innocent of the crime.

Police had initially labelled the case a ‘hit-and-run accident,’ but Narinedatt’s relatives had always been adamant that the scene was staged by persons known to them.

Reports are that after beating Narinedatt to death, his assailants placed his lifeless body into the trunk of a car, and when they reached a prearranged spot, dumped it on the public road.

They then drove the car over the body to make it look like an accident.

Guyanese-American businessman Marcus Bisram was also charged for the murder, but was freed by a magistrate due to insufficient evidence.

Director of Public Prosecutions

(DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, later instructed the magistrate to reopen the preliminary inquiry and commit Bisram to stand trial for the murder.

Bisram later moved to the High Court, where a judge ruled that his incarceration was unlawful and ordered that he be released from prison.

‘Fake Doctor’ freed after prosecution fails to produce witnesses

PRINCIPAL Magistrate

Judy Latchman, on Monday, dismissed the case against Mikhail McLennon who had allegedly impersonated a medical doctor, owing to the non-appearance of witnesses.

McLennon, 27, of Pattensen, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown was before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court.

He made his first court appearance in October 2022, and denied that, on June 3,

2022, at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, he pretended to Bibi Hassan that he was a person qualified to practise medicine.

He was out on $80,000 bail.

On Monday, McLennon’s trial was scheduled to commence, but the prosecution failed to produce witnesses.

Citing numerous delays in the case, Magistrate Latchman dismissed the case due to want of prosecution.

He was represented by at-

torney Bernard DaSilva.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that McLennon’s qualifications were first publicly called into question in June when Hassan, the president of Guyana Cancer Foundation, distanced the organisation from him. McLennon was previously named as an affiliate of the organisation.

“Guyana Cancer Foundation wishes to notify the general public that Mikhail Radius McLennon is not a

doctor and they [sic] are no records showing he is registered at [the] Medical Council of Guyana. He had asked to volunteer with Guyana Cancer Foundation.

I took him as a volunteer but then persons from the media and others called to confirm that he is not a doctor. I questioned him about his Medical Degree, and he refused to send a copy of it to us. He said he is working as a Medical Officer/Pharmacist at ROK Pharmacy and there

Region Four from 2018 to 2022 was five working days. The waiting time from May 2022 to October 2022 was 40 working days.

“This is simply because of that transition to a new method of producing the passport and the large number of requests that we recently had concerning obtaining the passport. This is because many of the banks and other institutions required a second method of identification,” the minister explained.

From 2018 to date, the waiting time to receive a passport after an application is made at the sub-offices is seven days.

Shortly after, the DPP approached the Appeal Court seeking to overturn the High Court’s ruling. The Appeal Court after hearing the case, ordered that Bisram be retried for the murder.

However, Bisram challenged that decision at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) where he was finally vindicated.

The CCJ ruled that it would be “unjust” in all of the circumstances, for Bisram to be made to answer any charge of murder on the same evidence as was presented to the magistrate, and on which he had been freed twice.

is no such pharmacy exist [sic]! He [is] no longer affiliated with Guyana Cancer Foundation!” Hassan had shared on social media.

A copy of a document reported to be McLennon’s curriculum vitae was also published by the foundation.

Mikhail McLennon

DEAD: Faiyaz Narinedatt

From top left: Niran Yacoob, Harri Paul Parsram, and Radesh Motie, and from bottom left: Diodath Datt and Orlando Dickie (Stabroek News photos)

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn (DPI photo)

Black Panther star keen on supporting Guyana’s forest-preservation efforts, young creatives

BRITISH- GUYANESE blockbuster actress, best known for her role in Marvel’s Black Panther, Letitia Wright, is keen on supporting the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development and young, local creatives.

Wright, who is currently visiting Guyana after migrating some 20 years ago, disclosed this interest during her appearance on the Hits and Jams (HJ) entertainment Jump start radio programme on Monday.

She arrived in Guyana last Friday and has since been touring several historical sites and tourist hotspots, including the Iwokrama Centre.

Reflecting on her time at the centre, she said, “It was really insightful and I learned so much.

“That’s an organization that I want to learn more about and get behind, because they’re doing good things for our planet and for our earth, for Guyana and I’m really

proud of them.”

Outside of her interest in forest conservation, Wright says that children are a huge part of her platform and she intends to work closely with those in the entertainment industry, who are interested.

With plans to engage students of the Guyana National School of The-

atre Arts and Drama, Wright hopes to use her platform to highlight Guyanese talent globally.

“I pray that we get the platform and we get to grow that platform of exposing the performance talent that’s around Guyana whether it’s in music, whether it’s film, whether it’s in art, literature,

whatever it is,” the Black Panther star said. She added, “I definitely want to plug myself into these industries here and see what I can do, as well with what God has given me.”

Sharing some advice, Wright urged Guyanese of all ages to simply follow their dreams, but to do so

with good intentions.

“What I can say to them is just what I [do] now, please keep chasing your purpose and do it for the right reason; let’s put our creative heads together and let’s make ideas that can change the world.”

PURPOSE NOT FAME

During her radio interview, Wright also reminisced on her professional development. Though she knew she was destined to do great things with her life, she emphasised that fame was never her focus.

“It wasn’t just about acting and fame, I never chased fame…I always wanted to be of purpose with my talents and I knew that when I told stories that can evoke emotions in people, that could maybe touch the world,” Wright said.

And she said even though her accomplishments thus far have been re warding, she hopes to engage in more philantrophy.

“… I know that there

is more work to do, I’ve never seen myself as I have made it or I have arrived, there is always work to do because when you are trying to leave a legacy it’s about consistency and it’s about progress.”

Wright began her acting career with guest roles in a number of television series such as Top Boy, Doctor Who, Black Mirror and several others.

In 2015, the actress had her Primetime Emmy Award nomination, followed by a breakthrough for her role in the 2015 film Urban Hymn.

In 2018, she attained global recognition for her portrayal of Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Black Panther, for which she won an NAACP Image Award and a SAG Award. She returned as Shuri in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the recently released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.

Woman among two remanded for allegedly trafficking cocaine

LENA Narine, 63, along with Sherlan Edmonson, 54, and Earl Branch, 49, were remanded to prison, on Monday, after they were nabbed with $1.1 million worth of cocaine.

The three persons appeared before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, to answer to the charge. They all pleaded not guilty but were remanded to prison until February 13.

According to a press re-

cers arrested three persons following the discovery of $1.1 million worth of cocaine at Santiniketan Street, Prasad Nagar, Georgetown.

It was further noted that Narine, who owned the house, Edmonson, also of the said address, and Branch, of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, were arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters with the suspected illegal substance.

The narcotic tested pos-

itive for cocaine, amounting to 1.050 kilogrammes (about 2.3 pounds), with a street value of approximately $1.1 million.

CANU noted that Narine was previously arrested along with two other persons in March 2022, when officers discovered 11.4 kilogrammes of cocaine and 266 grams of ecstasy at this same address.

Lena Narine Earl Branch Sherlan Edmonson

Wright during her visit to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development

Commonwealth SG launches landmark Year of Youth 2023

THE Commonwealth Secretariat has officially launched the 2023 Year of Youth, a seminal 12 months devoted to celebrating and empowering the 1.5 billion under-30s living in the Commonwealth.

Youth-related issues like climate change, access to education, skills, employment, and political, social, and economic participation, will take centre-stage throughout 2023, with Commonwealth Heads of Government committing to prioritise collaborative action.

Commonwealth young people will feature in a variety of high-profile events aimed at spotlighting the issues facing their well-being and prosperity.

Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, a long-time champion for young people, will act as the Quality Youth Leadership Ambassador throughout the 2023 Year of Youth. In

this role, His Royal Highness will support the inclusion of young people and shine a light on the valuable contribution they have made to member states. Further Youth Champions and Ambassadors will be announced in due course.

Speaking at the in-person launch at Marlborough House, London, the Commonwealth-Secretary General, Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, said:

“It is my absolute pleasure as Secretary-General to be here launching the Commonwealth Year of Youth, and I am excited that the next 12 months will bring Commonwealth leaders, stakeholders, and citizens together to celebrate and empower our 1.5 billion young people.

“Young people are at the heart of the Commonwealth Charter. Despite the many

challenges they face, young people give so much towards every aspect of the social, economic, political and cultural life of our 56 member countries.

“The Commonwealth’s future success rests with them. So here today we commit to investing in and promoting their development and engagement at community, regional, national and Pan-Commonwealth levels throughout this year and beyond.”

The launch featured the unveiling of the Year of Youth 2023 logo and website and gave an overview of the most prominent youth-focused events that will take place throughout 2023 – the events calendar can be found here.

YEAR OF YOUTH LOGO

These include but are not limited to: Commonwealth

Day, the Commonwealth Youth Games – to be held in Trinidad and Tobago – the Commonwealth Global Youth Work Conference, and the Commonwealth Youth Awards Ceremony.

The Commonwealth Year of the Youth initiative also marks the 50th anniversary of the world-renowned Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). In August, the CYP will mark 50 years of working

hand-in-hand with governments to support the education and personal development of millions of young people and giving thousands more the opportunity to sit beside world leaders and advocate for their peers.

The planning of the Year of Youth will be overseen by an advisory committee, which will take responsibility for ensuring events and activities reflect the diverse, talented,

and vibrant youth population within the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.

The launch was attended by Ministers, including Hon. Rosemary Mbabazi, Minister of Youth, Rwanda; Hon. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, Pakistan; Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Uganda, and Hon. Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sports and Community Development, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as representatives from the Commonwealth Youth Council, Commonwealth Games Federation, the Royal Commonwealth Society and other youth stakeholders. The special designation for the Year of Youth comes from a mandate by Commonwealth Heads of Government who met in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2022. There, Heads declared 2023 to be focused on empowering young people, stakeholders, and governments, to speed up progress on youth-focused issues.

LBI new scheme: Construction of 100 young professional houses commences this week

WHILE some contractors continue to lay the foundation infrastructure for the new La Bonne Intention housing scheme, others will be mobilising to begin construction on the area’s first 100 young professional houses.

According to the Housing Ministry, over the coming months, the scheme, which has already been zoned out, will see total transformation, as another 500 young professional houses, state-of-the-art commercial space, and other modernised development are on the cards for this area.

On Saturday last, the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, took media members on a tour of the scheme, where he outlined plans for the area and engaged contractors on the ongoing infrastructure works.

“On the Eastern side is where private investors will be conducting infrastructural

works…for high-end housing, hotel type activities and so forth. We will also be seeing a commercial zone, which will run close to the road connecting Aubrey Barker to Enmore-Foulis. So, you can see how interconnected all the areas on the East Coast are,” the Minister explained.

The Minister already said that more than 450 families have been allocated residential house lots and have started processing their ownership documents. He added that the overall plan is to develop the scheme in such a way that it will attract private investors.

The LBI new scheme is one of the many new schemes along the East Coast of Demerara that is being developed by the Ministry of Housing and Water- Central Housing and Planning Authority and is expected to transform the landscape of the coastlands.

Commonwealth-Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, speaking at the in-person launch at Marlborough House, London

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (centre), looking at the documented plan for the scheme, while in discussion with staff and contractors

Works progressing rapidly on 3,000-tonne silos, drying tower

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has said that works are progressing rapidly on three 3,000-tonne silos and one 80-tonneper hour drying tower at Tacama Landing, along the Berbice River.

The President, in a post on his official Facebook page, said the facilities when completed, will support the cultivation of corn and soya.

In a past interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had said that works were in progress to extend the

farm in the Tacama Savannah to some 4,000 acres.

“In 2021, we would have started the trial of 125 acres and it was very successful and we harvested three tonnes per hectare, and that is aligned in getting the kind of production we want; because of that, we said we will expand to 3,000-4,000 acres this year and we will continuously increase, so the next three years we can expand to 25,000,” Mustapha said.

The country will not

only become a supplier to the regional market, but will also be self-sufficient in producing its own feed for livestock.

“Now if we can move to 25,000 acres, this means we will be self-sufficient two times per year and we will also be a net exporter,” Minister Mustapha said.

In 2021, six local companies and a regional firm joined together to undertake the massive project that could see Guyana becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the next

few years.

The owners of Guyana Stockfeeds Incorporated., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty farm ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned, N F agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.

With Guyana expending close to US$25 million annually on proteins for the poultry sector, the government since being elected to office in 2020, has taken steps to pro -

mote domestic cultivation of grains such as corn and soya bean.

Advancement in the agricultural sector is imminent, as much emphasis is being placed on reducing Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, through the increased production of high-value crops to meet its market demands, among other things.

Mustapha had said that the country in 2021 spent $2.6 billon on the importation of high-value crops, such as broccoli,

cauliflower and carrots. It is for this reason that the government intends to continue the diversification of the agricultural sector this year.

Minister Mustapha said that while agriculture is one of the main sectors that will help to diversify the country’s economy, much more work has to be done in the sector. He related that the goal is to first become self-sufficient, which will see Guyana producing enough food locally to satisfy the demands of people.

Dr Irfaan Ali has said that works are progressing rapidly on three 3,000-tonne silos and one 80-tonne-per-hour drying tower at Tacama Landing, along the Berbice River (Photos courtesy of President Ali’s Facebook page)

Region urged to harness Diaspora investment

THE Caribbean is being encouraged to harness the support of the Diaspora as it taps into the estimated US$4-billion net worth of this community to drive greater investments across territories.

Referencing the Caribbean Diaspora as a model group made up of highly educated and affluent members of society, Kerry Spencer Young, director of Dequity Capital Management Limited said that while there has been significant involvement from this group over the years, there is even more room for engaging them on a number of investment opportunities.

“It is estimated that about 80 per cent of the Diaspora has been giving back to the region, most of which comes through remittances. A further breakdown, however, shows that only 21 per cent of them are actually investing in the region, whether through the stock market or otherwise, so we still have

a significant gap there,” she said while speaking in a panel discussion at the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) conference this week.

“We have started some good groundwork with the consulate generals, ambassadors and so on, but where we want to position ourselves as Dequity is to fill that gap,” she added.

Dequity Capital Management is a private investment company that acquires minority positions in targeted companies and small businesses, with a view to grow-

ing them to new levels. Some of its portfolio companies include Johnston Development, Dolla Financial and Royal Medical.

Spencer Young, in referring studies by local entities such as the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), noted statistics which show about 40 per cent of the overseas community becoming interested in investing in new businesses across the region.

“One of the things they have, however, indicated is that the missing pillar is still communication, in terms of

IMF increases 2023 growth forecast with China reopening, strength in US, Europe

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday raised its 2023 global growth outlook slightly, due to “surprisingly resilient” demand in the United States and Europe, an easing of energy costs, and the reopening of China’s economy after Beijing abandoned its strict COVID-19 restrictions.

The IMF said global growth would still fall to 2.9% in 2023, from 3.4% in 2022, but its latest World Economic Outlook forecasts mark an improvement over an October prediction of 2.7% growth this year, with warnings that the world could easily tip into recession.

For 2024, the IMF said global growth would accelerate slightly to 3.1%, but this is a tenth of a percentage point below the October forecast, as the full impact of steeper central bank interest rate hikes slows demand.

IMF chief economist

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said recession risks had subsided, and central banks are making progress in controlling inflation, but more work was needed to curb prices, and new disruptions could come from further escalation of the war in Ukraine, and China’s battle against COVID-19.

“We have to sort of be prepared to expect the unexpected, but it could well represent a turning point, with growth bottoming out, and then inflation declining,” Gourinchas told reporters of the 2023 outlook.

STRONG DEMAND

In its 2023 GDP forecasts, the IMF said it now expects U.S. GDP growth of

what is available for them to invest in, and the deals available. So, how we are positioning as Dequity, going into the private equity space, is to really fill that gap while engaging the Diaspora more strategically, educating them about the opportunities available, and providing them with options that they can also invest in to help in building the Caribbean region.

“On the reverse, we also look at their businesses to see how we can inject capital to help them grow as well. We have formed a separate entity, Dequity Capital Management USA, and we have also structured a private fund of which are currently on the last leg of registering in Cayman. The focus of this company and fund will be solely on [developing] Diaspora opportunities,” she said.

Conceding that the Diaspora stands ready to make

greater investments, Alison Roach Wilson, consul general for Jamaica in New York, said that several members of her community continue to remain on the lookout for emerging opportunities in a number of areas locally, particularly real estate. Now in the process of finalising plans to launch a real estate investment forum in May, Roach Wilson said the main focus of the event will be geared towards educating diasporians in New York about the real estate market in Jamaica, and to get them investing.

“The Jamaican Diaspora in the US, particularly those in the states I am responsible for, are flushed with cash. As consul general, I have also been making the rounds in connecting with several of them to get the investments going,” she stated.

She further pointed to an alumni association as another

area rich in social capital that will be targeted for a longterm partnership with the local social stock exchange in the coming months.

Working with local bodies such as Jamaica Promotions Corporation and the JSE on a series of roadshows and sensitisation sessions, consul general in Florida, Oliver Mair, said that at the diplomatic level they continue to work with members to cater to the varied needs.

“Sometimes we have large investors who require a little more hand-holding, so there are times we will fly down with them. We love to see the investments and we are a part of sharing the good news of what’s taking place across islands so that the diasporians can see what is taking place and will want to invest,” Mair said. (Jamaica Observer)

1.4%, up from 1.0% predicted in October, and following 2.0% growth in 2022. It cited stronger-than-expected consumption and investment in the third quarter of 2022, a robust labour market, and strong consumer balance sheets.

It said the euro zone had made similar gains, with 2023 growth for the bloc now forecast at 0.7%, versus 0.5% in the October outlook, following 3.5% growth in 2022. The IMF said Europe had adapted to higher energy costs more quickly than expected, and an easing of energy prices had helped the region.

Britain was the only major advanced economy the IMF predicted to be in recession this year, with a 0.6% fall in GDP as households struggle with rising living costs, including for energy and mortgages. CHINA

Continued on page 14

IMF increases 2023 growth forecast with China reopening...

The IMF revised China’s growth outlook sharply higher for 2023, to 5.2% from 4.4% in the October forecast after “ze-

ro-COVID” lockdown policies in 2022 slashed China’s growth rate to 3.0%, a pace below the global average for the first time in more than 40 years. But the

boost from renewed mobility for Chinese people will be short-lived.

The Fund added that China’s growth will “fall to 4.5% in 2024 before settling

at below 4% over the medium term, amid declining business dynamism and slow progress on structural reforms.”

At the same time, India’s

outlook remains robust, with unchanged forecasts for a dip in 2023 growth to 6.1%, but a rebound to 6.8% in 2024, matching its 2022 performance.

Gourinchas said that together, the two Asian powerhouse economies will supply over 50% of global growth in 2023.

He acknowledged that China’s reopening would put some upward pressure on commodity prices, but “on balance, I think we view the reopening of China as a benefit to the global economy”, as it will help ease production bottlenecks that have worsened inflation and by creating more demand from Chinese households.

Even with China’s reopening, the IMF is predicting that oil prices will fall in both 2023 and 2024, due to lower global growth compared to 2022.

RISKS, UP AND DOWN

The IMF said there were both upside and downside risks to the outlook, with built-up savings creating the possibility of sustained demand growth, particularly for tourism, and an easing of labour market pressures in some advanced economies helping to cool inflation, lessening the need for aggressive rate hikes.

But it enumerated more and larger downside risks, including more widespread COVID-19 outbreaks in China, and a worsening of the country’s real estate turmoil.

An escalation of the war in Ukraine could further spike energy and food prices, as would a cold winter next year as Europe struggles to refill gas storage, and competes with China for liquefied natural gas supplies, the Fund said.

Although headline inflation has come down in many countries, a premature easing of financial conditions leaves markets vulnerable to sudden repricings if core inflation readings fail to come down.

Gourinchas said core inflation may have peaked in some countries such as the United States, but central banks need to stay vigilant, and be more certain that inflation is on a downward path, particularly in countries where real interest rates remain low, such as in Europe.

“So, we’re just saying, look, bring monetary policy slightly above neutral at the very least and hold it there. And then assess what’s going on with price dynamics, and how the economy is responding, and there will be plenty of time to adjust course, so that we avoid having overtightening,” Gourinchas said. (Reuters)

Tradewinds mid-planning conference commences

EXERCISE planners from more than 13 friendly nations have gathered for the Mid-Planning Conference for “Exercise Tradewinds 2023” (TW23). The conference is being conducted in a hybrid fashion.

According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), this conference is considered the biggest event in the planning

cycle for the exercise, which is the only yearly US one of its kind that focuses only on the Caribbean.

This is the 37th year of the exercise, which was last held in Guyana in 2021.

Exercise Tradewinds is a regionally oriented annual exercise that promotes regional security cooperation

by involving security forces from partner nations, primarily from the Caribbean Basin, the US, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The focus of TW23 will be on countering regional threats executed in a Field Training Exercise (FTX) and Command Post Exercise (CPX).

Military representatives from more than 13 friendly nations have gathered for the Mid-Planning Conference for TW23

Police seize 162 motorcycles during seawall raid

OFFICERS of the Guyana Police Force, on Sunday, seized 162 motorcycles during a raid carried out along the Georgetown seawall road between Vlissengen Road and Camp Street.

According to a state-

ment from Police Headquarters, the raid started at about 21:30hrs on Sunday. Several types of motorcycles, including CBRs and XRs, were confiscated during the operation. The motorcycles were impounded at the Brickdam Police

Station.

The bikes will be subjected to a process of cross referencing with the Guyana Revenue Authority and will also be examined by certifying officers.

A similar operation is slated to take place

this coming Sunday, the statement noted too. Motorcyclists would

be seen riding recklessly along the seawall road which is usually crowded

with pedestrians.

Last week, a man was struck by a motorcycle while standing along the seawall road. He was critically injured. Motorcycles have also been used in crimes, such as robberies.

In some cases, several individuals have also had their motorcycles stolen; these motorcycles are, allegedly, then disassembled and rebuilt using components from other motorcycles.

Motorcycles seized by police during the operation (Guyana Police Force Photo)

Vishok Persaud is overall Dakota 100 winner

- Team Wreckers retain 160cc class win

VISHOK PERSAUD overcame stiff competition from defending champion, Adrian Fernandes of Team Wreckers, to win the season opening Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Dakota 100 endurance race.

Driving his Lotus Exige,

the group three and four driver completed the 100lap mark in two hours forty minutes and 29 seconds with Fernandes and team falling two laps short of the mark.

It was an early battle between Persaud and the BM Soat Honda Integra of Rameez Mohamed but in a race

for the swift, the latter fell out somewhere around the 61 lap mark with Persaud persevering the gruelling drive alone.

By virtue of being the first to complete the 100 laps, Persaud, who also entered the unlimited class, finished six laps ahead of the nearest competitor in his group, Kamal Seebarran and the Toyota Yaris GR with the team of Syad Hassan

finishing third in that class after completing 92 laps.

Persaud also produced the fastest endurance lap around the new layout, setting the benchmark at 1:25.451.

In the 1601cc – 2000cc class, Romario Dindial with 88 laps won that class ahead of Richard Hamid 86 laps and Romario Singh (58 laps).

Fernandes picked up the 1501cc-1600cc class with a

GBA named Association of the year at...

For the first time the Sport Ministry provided cash prizes for all of the winners in the various categories except the Corporate sponsors, who received Plaques only.

Squash dominated the Awards, since apart from Nicolette’s achievement, Shomari Wilshere won the Junior Sportsman award; Kirsten Gomes was runner-up for the Junior Sportswoman while Guyana’s Junior Squash team which won their 13 Junior CASA title in Guyana in July, copped the Sports team-of-the-year award.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who made 439 runs at an average of 73.9 to finish second on run aggregate, behind Kraigg Braithwaite, in the 2022 Regional first-class

tournament before scoring 160 runs at an average of 40 in the two Tests in Australia last year, was the runner-up to Amsterdam.

Bodybuilder Rosanna Fung was the runner-up to Nicolette for the Sports Woman-of-the-year.

Footballer Omari Glasgow was runner-up to Wilshire for the Junior Sportsman-of-the-year.

The sport person with disabilities-of-the-year went to Walter Grant-Stuart, who participated in cycling in the 2022 Paralympics Games while there were no nominees for Sports Woman in this category.

The Male Coach-ofthe-year went to table tennis coach, Idi Lewis, who coached Chelsea Edghill

in the Olympics while Female Coach-of-the-year went to former Berbice, Guyana and West Indies female fast bowling all-rounder and level 3 Coach, 37-year-old Tremaine Smartt.

The Guyana Boxing Association got Association-of-the-year Award after hosting eighteen junior and schoolboy’s tournaments and one International competition – the Winfield Braithwaite youth and Junior Championships.

The Terrence Ali National Open Championship, won by defending Champions GDF, culminated boxing for 2022. The overseas championships were the AMBC Continental Championships, the Commonwealth Games, South American Games and

strong showing from GMR&SC Vice President Mohamed Shiraz Roshandin who encountered brakes problem through the last half hour. He completed 93 laps when the clock stopped. Shan Seejattan finished third in that class with 89 laps.

Altabh Khan took the 0-1500cc class with 86 laps ahead of Narendra Mangar (83 laps) and Alex Siebs (79 laps).

(From back page)

AMBC Continental youth Championships.

The Male Sports Officialof-the-Year went to Ryan Sampson from Rifle Shooting while the Female Sports Official-of-the-Year was won by Ann Gordon.

The Sports Journalistsof-the-Year were Avinash Ramzan (Non-Print), Duncan Saul (Print) and Akeem Greene (Broadcast) as Newsroom took two of the three categories.

The Corporate Sponsor Awards went to Ansa McAl (Large), Mohammed’s Enterprise (Medium) and MVP Sports (Small).

Former Badminton coach and President of the GBA, from 2006 until his passing, the late Gokarn Ramdhani was awarded for his long ser-

Michael Singh to serve another term as...

newcomers to the basketball administration in Guyana.

Rawle Toney, president of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), along with president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball As-

sociation (GABA), Jermaine Slater, and former female National player, Sonia Rodney, are the three vice-presidents of the GBF.

Deputy Audit Manager at the Caricom Secretariat, Chavez Branche is the new treasurer, while Quincy Baird, GTT’s Accounts Payable, Treasury and Tax Manager, will serve as the GBF’s Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.

Sileena Arjune got the nod in votes against Julian Haynes for the position of Technical Director, while Dennis Clarke, Deon Ferrier and Leona Kyte were named the three ‘At Large Members’ of the GBF.

Singh, following the elections, thanked the associations for entrusting him with the responsibility of governing basketball in Guyana while applauding the diverse membership of the Executive Committee.

He welcomed new faces to administration for local basketball and told the gathering at Olympic House and those who joined via zoom that the new GBF Executive Committee will work closely to ensure that

the game is properly-governed locally.

Singh said the new body is to meet soon to address the immediate issue of funding for the National team and current Caribbean Champion, being prepared for their title defence of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships.

The GBF, Singh said, will be making a presentation to Government and Corporate

vice to Badminton. Gokarn began playing for Guyana in the early 1980s and died in October 2021 in Canada at age 55, from a heart attack.

The Award was collected by his wife and now President of the GBA, Emily Ramdhani.

Alana Bose and Franklyn Wilson were the MCs for the Gala Ceremony which attracted a fair-size gathering which included Sports Minister Charles Ramson (Jr) and most members of the NSC. Several of the Awardees were absent for various reasons.

Before the commencement and after the conclusion, the participants were treated to steel band music and cocktails at the upper flat of the NCC.

(From back page)

Guyana, to aid in the infrastructural development of the game, as well as construction of its own indoor facility.

The development of female basketball will also take centre stage, Singh highlighted, following the inclusion of three women (Sonia Rodney, Sileena Arjune and Leona Kyte) on the Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, the local basketball Federation made two

changes to its constitution. The Michael Singh-led body voted unanimously to change the name from the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) to the Guyana Basketball Federation. Additionally, Congress voted solidly to add ‘At Large/Committee’ members; a move the GBF said is to add in their ability to properly govern basketball in Guyana.

Smith and Mooney named Australia's cricketers of the year

...Smith took the Allan Border Medal for a record-equaling fourth time while Mooney took the Belinda Clark Medal for a second occasion

STEVEN Smith and Beth Mooney took the top honours at the Cricket Australia awards while Usman Khawaja was named the inaugural Shane Warne Men's Test Player of the Year.

Smith claimed the Allan Border Medal for a record-equaling fourth time - joining Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke with that tally - while Mooney won the Belinda Clark medal for the second occasion having taken it in 2021 when the same pair of players claimed their respective medals.

Across the three formats, Smith made 1547 runs in 32 matches with 863 coming in Tests at 71.92. Votes in Tests have a greater weighting than ODIs and T20Is. Smith polled 171 votes and finished comfortably ahead of Travis Head (144) and David Warner (141).Mooney also took the ODI Player of the Year award and in that format made 594 runs at 99.00 in 13 matches. In T20Is she scored 449 runs at 56.12 and a strike-rate of 134.43 while last year's Ashes Test, where Mooney made a half-century shortly after suffering a broken jaw, also came into the voting period.

Mooney (129 votes) fin-

ever all-female panel of match officials to oversee ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

IN a significant first for world cricket, the International Cricket Council has named an all-female panel of match officials for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa.

Three match referees and 10 umpires make up the 13-woman team in what is a landmark moment and is in part of the ICC’s strategic ambition of advancing the involvement and visibility of women in cricket.

ICC General ManagerCricket, Wasim Khan, said: “We are thrilled to announce this panel of match officials for the Women’s T20 World Cup. Women’s cricket has been growing rapidly in recent years and as part of that we have been building the pathways to ensure more women have the opportunity to officiate at the highest level.

ished ahead of Meg Lanning (110) and Tahlia McGrath (95), the latter taking the T20I award after her outstanding return to international cricket.

For the first time, the men's Test honour was named after Warne following his death last March. Having returned to the team in last year's SCG Ashes Test with twin hundreds, Khawaja then scored 1020 runs at 78.46, including a career-best 195 not out, during the voting period.

Khawaja's off-field contributions also earned him recognition with the Community Impact Award for the Usman Khawaja Foundation which helps young people from disadvantaged

communities by providing educational and cricketing opportunities.

The men's white-ball honours went to Warner in ODIs, where Adam Zampa surprisingly did not make the top three, and Marcus Stoinis in T20Is.

Matt Short, the Adelaide Strikers allrounder, was named BBL player of the tournament after a competition where he scored 458 runs, claimed 11 wickets and struck an unbeaten century. Ashleigh Gardner had been confirmed as the WBBL winner earlier in the season.

Ian Redpath and Margaret Jennings were inducted into the Cricket Australia Hall of Fame. (Cricinfo)

“This announcement is a reflection of our intent in this space and just the start of our journey where men and women enjoy the same opportunities across our sport. We are committed to continuing to support our female match officials and provide opportunities to showcase their talents on the global stage. I wish them all the best for the tournament.”

ICC Manager - Women’s Cricket, Snehal Pradhan, said: “When young women and girls see it, they believe that they can be it. That’s just one of the reasons why having this match officials panel is so special.

“It shows the next generation that there is a career and a pathway that takes them to the very top of the game, the World Cup, even if you’re not a player. It shows that there are so many ways to get involved.

The panel this time includes seven first timers at the Women’s T20 World Cup and the announcement comes after a constant rise in the number of women officiating in global tournaments.

Eight women officials each were involved in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 and the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, while nine women have been involved in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Claire Polosak is the most experienced of the umpires, selected as she continues her record of officiating in every Women’s World Cup, T20 and ODI, since 2016.

The 34-year-old Australian will be officiating in her fourth T20 World Cup, while Sue Redfern of England, Jacqueline Williams of the West Indies, and Kim Cotton of New Zealand will be involved in their third Women’s T20 World Cups.

Lauren Agenbag will get the chance to umpire at a World Cup on home soil with the South African selected for her second T20 World Cup with match referee Shandre Fritz to oversee games in her home country

at her debut T20 World Cup.

The South African duo was part of the match officials' team for the first game of the Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand last year as Fritz made her World Cup bow, while Agenbag continued her impressive rise having previously become the first woman from her country to umpire a T20I.

Fritz, who represented the Proteas on home soil as a player at the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup, is joined as a match referee by GS Lakshmi of India who passed a decade of refereeing T20 Internationals last year.

Meanwhile, Michell Pereira of Sri Lanka will take charge of her first-ever T20I at the 2023 World Cup which gets underway on 10 February as the hosts South Africa take on Sri Lanka in Cape Town.

England’s Anna Harris is the youngest of the umpires at just 24 years old as she makes her debut at a major ICC event.

Eloise Sheridan of Australia, Indian duo Vrinda Rathi and N Janani, and Nimali Perera of Sri Lanka are all umpiring at a T20 World Cup for the first time.

Match Officials at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023

Match Referees: GS Lakshmi (India), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), Michell Pereira (Sri Lanka)

Umpires: Sue Redfern (England), Eloise Sheridan (Australia), Claire Polosak (Australia), Jacqueline WIlliams (West Indies), Kim Cotton (New Zealand), Lauren Agenbag (South Africa), Anna Harris (England), Vrinda Rathi (India), N Janani (India), Nimali Perera (Sri Lanka).

CONMEBOL and CONCACAF sign strategic collaboration agreement …More

CONMEBOL and CONCACAF have announced the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement to strengthen and develop football in both regions. The agreement includes men's and women's national team competitions and a new men's club tournament.

The CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 will be played in the United States in the summer of 2024 and will include

10 CONMEBOL teams and the six best Concacaf teams, as guests. This traditional CONMEBOL tournament will be co-organized by both confederations. The six Concacaf national teams will have the opportunity to qualify for this competition through the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League.

For CONMEBOL, this agreement will support its men's national teams in their

preparation for the upcoming World Cup through an expanded Copa America featuring six elite Concacaf teams, organized in the region that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Similarly, this agreement will allow Concacaf to provide more high-quality competition for its men's national teams over the next two years, including the conclusion of the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League, the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League.

For women's national teams, Concacaf has invited the top four CONMEBOL national teams to participate in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup. The inaugural edition of this 12-team tournament, which is a key part of Concacaf’s new women's national team ecosystem, will be played in the United States.

The two Concacaf teams that will participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics (United States and Jamaica or Canada) will qualify directly for the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup. The remaining six Conca -

caf teams will be determined through the 2023 Road to Concacaf W Gold Cup.

The four guest CONMEBOL teams that will participate have been determined based on the results of the 2022 Women’s Copa America: Brazil (champion) Colombia (runner-up), Argentina (third place) and Paraguay (fourth place).

CONMEBOL and Concacaf will also organize a centralized "final four" style club competition featuring the best clubs from the respective confederations. The four partici-

pating teams (two from each confederation) will qualify through existing CONMEBOL and Concacaf club competitions and the two confederations are working towards the first edition of this tournament being played in 2024.

“CONMEBOL and Concacaf are united by historical and affective ties. But above all, we are united by the passion, characteristic of all the Americas, for football and sports,” said CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez. (Sportsmax)

Steven Smith and Beth Mooney took the main medals at the CA awards (Getty Images)

First

West Indies leading female umpire Jacqueline Williams

SCA President renews call for more playing fields

…All executives remain intact at Sunday’s AGM

By Frederick Halley

FOUR positions were up for grabs when the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Agincourt Community Centre, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada on Sunday.

Vic-president Bisham Singh, who has the distinction of serving under several presidents and who himself was also at the helm of the association, was returned unopposed. Public Relations/Marketing Officer

Frederick Halley and Assistant Grounds Co-ordinator

Mark Lall also found favour with the members and were returned in similar fashion. Abhinav Kavuru, who served previously as Webmaster and who was appointed Assistant Secretary/Treasurer in December, replacing Mohan Singh, received unanimous approval in his post.

The other executive members, whose positions were secured based on the SCA’s constitution were Shiv Persaud (President); Eon Gunraj (Secretary); Matthew Francis (Treasurer); Abu Rubait Alam (Webmaster); Calvin Alexander (Grounds Coordinator) and Abigial Rajkumar (Registrar/Statistician), the lone female on the executive body.

The AGM marked the first held indoors in three years following virtual meet-

ings in 2021 and 2022 occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and was credited as being the largest to be held by the SCA.

In his sterling report, SCA President Shiv Persaud once again advocated for more playing fields across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). According to the Guyana-born Persaud, “we continue to witness the demand of more teams looking to play cricket in our league. In 2022, we had 43 applications which we are disappointed to have had to decline due to the limited grounds available and our plan to play 14 games per team.

“We have already received 31 requests from new clubs to become members. Rest assured, we have been advocating for cricket and more playing fields across the GTA. Currently, I have the honour of representing SCA on the City of Toronto Cricket Reference Group and provide guidance to the Town of Whitby Master Plan. Due to the work being done, we were allotted permits for Brooklin Park Memorial Cricket Pitch in Whitby, Stone Street Park Cricket Pitch in Oshawa, Alex Robertson Cricket pitch for Pickering and Cedarvale Park Cricket field which we will now be using full-time in 2023.

“We are continuing our efforts to receive playing

time across the GTA and I would encourage you to be open to experience playing cricket at these venues. I would also like to recommend that we strongly consider playing T20 cricket during the weekdays beginning in 2023 so we can provide more opportunities to clubs.”

Persaud reminded members that the SCA saw a return to full schedule in 2022 with 94 teams participating.

“We saw tremendous support from our Over-50 teams that went from three teams in 2021 to 10 in 2022. One area that we have continued to focus on is the development

of youth and women cricket. We launched our first ever SCA Development Programme in 2022 and went from two participants to 24 currently. Special thank you to our Coach, Keith Deonaraine for his commitment and hard work. We are asking for your support to continue improving and providing access to more youth and women who are interested in learning and playing cricket from the grass root level.”

Vice-president Singh, who also hails from Guyana, and heads the Disciplinary Committee, reminded members to follow the SCA Playing Rules and not to import

other leagues rules into the SCA. “This not only causes confusion, but disruptions of games.”

Singh advised that The Rules Committee will revisit the playing rules for the 2023 playing season and make the necessary changes. This will be communicated to the members prior to the Captain's Table. According to Singh “the past season was great for the development of cricket in the SCA.

As a reflection of this, the SCA continues to attract application for several new teams. It was a great pleasure to have been given the opportunity to serve as Vice-

President. I would like to thank my fellow Executives for their assistance throughout the season as well as the Canada Cricket Umpires Association for their service to the SCA.”

A one-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the passing of the late stalwart cricket administrator and former player, Jainauth ‘Vish’ Jadunauth, who passed away on February 19 last year, a few weeks after retaining his post of Chief Financial Officer of the SCA. Jadunauth is also credited with being in the top echelons of the SCA for over 20 years.

Gayle sees rise of franchise leagues around the world as threat to WI cricket

FORMER West Indies and Jamaica all-rounder Chris Gayle believes growing the domestic game is the way the region will return to the pinnacle of world cricket.

(Tuesday,

In an interview with OnlyCricket24.com, the 43-year-old acknowledged the deterioration of West Indies cricket in the last few years, due mostly to the emergence of a number of franchise leagues around the world.

“It’s something the board really and truly has to look at and I can see whatever part I can play in that as well. A lot of players are playing cricket in the United States now. The USA is an option for cricketers to go there

and make a living, but we are struggling here in the Caribbean,” he said.

“I think cricket took a wrong turn, but hopefully we can actually develop the game. Club cricket is some-

thing to look into as well; we’re not seeing a lot of cricket. I’m speaking from a Jamaica point of view,” he added.

The Jamaica Cricket Association’s premier club competition, the two-day Senior Cup, gets underway on February 11 after a twoyear absence.

Gayle also feels he has a part to play in the growth of the regional game, but when the time is right.

“I can help in a few departments, not in all. But first and foremost, I have to find time for myself. I still have a lot on my plate from

a personal point of view, but when it comes on to West Indies cricket they will always have my support; when it comes on to Jamaica cricket they will always have my support as well,” he said.

“I have my academy, so we can get some younger players, search for new talent and just help kids on a whole, that’s my plan.” he added.

Gayle’s academy has been dormant since the coronavirus pandemic and he has since reiterated his desire to get it up and running again in 2023. (Sportsmax)

SCA Executive Members: Sitting (from left): Secretary Eon Gunraj; Vice-president Bisham Singh; President Shiv Persaud; Registrar/Statistician Abigail Rajkumar and Assistant Grounds Co-ordinator Mark Lall. Standing (from left): Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Abhinav Kavuru; Public Relations/Marketing Officer Frederick Halley; Treasurer Matthew Francis, Webmaster Abu Rait Aalam and Grounds Co-ordinator Calvin Alexander

Former West indies and Jamaica all-rounder Chris Gayle

Nine-year-olds Swaminadha and Sam top DeSinco National U-12 Chess Championships

THE nine-year-old pair of Aquilani Swaminadha and Kataleya Sam won the respective boys and girls titles at the DeSinco Limited National Under-12 Chess Championships that were staged at School of the Nations on January 28 last.

Twenty-Five players competed in seven rounds of play which were contested under a time control of 20 minutes per player, with five seconds added to the clock after each move.

Swaminadha took the Under-12 Open Championship title with 5.5 wins after he defeated his counterparts, Jacob McDonald, Joseph Prendergast, Javier Davenand, Julian Mohabir, and Arush Ramnarine.

His half-point came from a draw in the fifth round against 11-year-old Nicholas Zhang.

Swaminadha also won the prize for the Best Under-10 player.

Zhang went on to claim second place in the competition. While he scored the same points as the champion, he was ranked below Swaminadha due to the Buchholz tie-break system, which takes into account the scores of the opponents that a player has defeated.

The player with the highest total Buchholz score (the highest sum of the scores of the opponents that the player has defeated) is ranked higher.

In 3rd place for the Open category was Jacob McDonald on five points. Also on five points were

Lancashire sign New Zealand internationals

Mitchell and de Grandhommefor 2023

LANCASHIRE have signed

New Zealand internationals

Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme for the 2023 season.

The pair will be available for both their County Championship and T20 Blast campaigns, with the county finishing runners-up in both last year.

De Grandhomme, 36, will join before the season, with Mitchell, 31, joining in time to face Somerset on 11 May.

Director of cricket performance Mark Chilton said the signings would help during a busy mid-season spell.

"We are excited to add Daryl and Colin to our squad and to be able to do so for such a large portion of the 2023 season - which was a key factor for us when looking to make overseas additions this year," he said.

"The schedule, as it has been for the last few years, continues to be really challenging particularly in the middle part of the summer throughout May, June and July, due to the amount of cricket we're playing in a short period.

"With that in mind, we

want to ensure we've got enough strength in depth to cover for all eventualities and Daryl and Colin provide us with exactly that."

During New Zealand's tour of England in 2022, Mitchell, 31, scored two fifties and three centuries, including 190 at Trent Bridge, and has scored 5,038 runs with an average of more than 40 from 90 first-class matches.

All-rounder De Grandhomme has hit 15 centuries in first-class cricket, taking 212 red-ball wickets and hitting more than 4,000 T20 runs across the Indian Premier

League, Big Bash League and T20 Blast.

"I really enjoy playing in English conditions and the special history of the game around the country. I have very fond memories of my two tours to England with New Zealand and hope to build more with Lancashire," Mitchell said.

De Grandhomme added: "Lancashire has an exciting squad who have been so close to silverware in the last couple of years, hopefully I can help to add some experience to the dressing room so that we can go one step further this season."

Jeremy Cole, Julian Mohabir, and Arush Ramnarine who came in fourth, fifth and sixth in the competition respectively.

Meanwhile, Sam finished ninth overall in the overall event with four points and her losses came from Julian Mohabir, Jacob

McDonald, and Nicholas Zhang.

She also took home the prize for Best Under-10 female player.

In second place for the girls was Chelsea Harrison while third place went to Skyler Gurchuran. Both nine-year-old girls finished

on 2.5 points each.

Seven-year-old Landon Mohabir, the youngest player in the tournament, earned a prize for his exceptional performance, granting him a trophy as the Best Under-8 player. He finished on three points, having defeated Harrison, Ethon Marks and Lucas Smith.

Notable performances came from Joseph Prendergast, Adam Rahaman, Veer Persaud, Francis Thomas and Shaheem Khan who all finished on 4 points.

According to the Guyana Chess Federation, they are pleased with the performances of the players most of whom are part of the training programs provided by the GCF.

The tournament was supervised by FIDE Arbiters John Lee and National Arbiter Jessica Callender. The next tournament will be the Under-14 Nationals which will be held in February.

WI slide to ninth successive T20I defeat against India

EAST LONDON, South Africa, (CMC) – Injury-riddled West Indies Women slumped to an eight-wicket loss to India Women in their final game of the Twenty20 International Tri-Series, to extend their depressing losing streak to nine games here Monday.

In an all too familiar tale, the Caribbean side’s batsmen once again failed to shine and could only muster a meagre 94 for six from their 20 overs, after being sent in at Buffalo Park.

And opener Jemimah Rodrigues then struck an unbeaten 42 from 39 balls while Harmanpreet Kaur carved out 32 not out off 23 deliveries, with India Women coasting to their target with 37 balls to spare.

For West Indies Women, the defeat was their fourth in as many matches in the tournament, coming on the back of their 5-0 series whitewash to England Women in the Caribbean last December.

“It was a bit difficult for the team results-wise but at the same time we understand what we’re going through at the moment,” said West Indies Women captain, Hayley Matthews.

“We still have a lot of senior players injured. It was really good to have Aliyah Alleyne back today but obviously the absence of Chinelle Henry and Stafanie Taylor plays a massive role when it comes to our batting lineup.”

Due to their injury crisis, West Indies Women handed debuts to the Under-19 World Cup pair of Jannillea Glasgow and Zaida James, and also included Djenaba Joseph and Trishan Holder who also participated in the recent ICC showpiece here but who made their interna-

tional debuts last year.

Rashada Williams (8) and Shemaine Campbelle (0) were early casualties – both bowled by Player-of-theMatch off-spinner Deepti Sharma (3-11) with successive deliveries in the fourth over.

Matthews, who topscored with a run-a-ball 34 with five fours, added 21 for the third wicket with Joseph (3) before perishing to a catch at the wicket off seamer Pooja Vastrakar (2-19) in the 12th over.

The left-handed James, with two fifties in the Under-19 World Cup, punched 21 not out from 31 deliveries with a couple of sixes, helping to add 21 for the sixth wicket with Alleyne (9) and get her side past 90.

Defending their small total, West Indies Women struck early when fast bowler Shamilia Connell bowled Smriti Mandhana for five in the second over with eight runs on the board.

However, Rodrigues led India Women’s recovery, first in a 33-run, second wicket stand with Harleen Deol (13) and then in an unbroken 54-run, third wicket partnership with Kaur.

Aquilani Swaminadha collects his award from Jessica Callender of the Guyana Chess Federation

Kataleya Sam collects her award from Jessical Callender of the Guyana Chess Federation

Daryl Mitchell (left) has played in England with Middlesex while Colin de Grandhomme has featured for Warwickshire, Hampshire and Surrey

West Indies Women captain Hayley Matthew top-scored with 34

GBA named Association of the year at National Sports Awards

...Amsterdam, Nicolette Fernandes cop top Awards

By Sean Devers

BOXER Desmond Amsterdam and Squash player, Nicolette Fernandes, copped the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year Awards respectively when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport held the National Sports Awards ceremony at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) Sunday night.

Squash player, 19-year-old Shomari Wilshire took the junior Sportsman-of-theyear award while 16-year-old, 800 metres’ runner, Attoya Harvey was adjudged the

Junior Sportswoman of the year.

The elevation of Guyanese Middleweight boxer, ‘Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam in 2022 culminated in him securing the Sportsman-of-year Award after being honoured by the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) with the award of ‘Boxer-of-Year.

The 30-year-old Amsterdam won Bronze at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships in Ecuador, before battling to a quarterfinal place at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Some members of the new GBF Executive body: (sitting L-R), Sileena Arjune (TD); Michael Singh (president); Patrick Haynes (General Secretary) and Leon Kyte (at Large Member). (standing L-R): Dennis Clarke (At Large Member), Rawle Toney (VP) and Jermaine Slater (VP)

He then concluded his international campaign with another historic bronze medal capture, this time at the South American Games in Paraguay.

The GDF pugilist copped Gold at the Terrence Ali Open Championship, following the event’s two-year absence.

In August 2022, the 39-year Nicolette won the over-35 World Masters, becoming the only Guyanese to win a World Masters squash title.

In April 2022, Nicolette proved that age was just a number as the Canada-born turned

back the clock to win gold for Guyana at the Pan American Squash Championships in Guatemala by beating number-one seeded player, 25-year-old Laura Tovar 3-0.

In 2010, Nicolette became Guyana’s first female to win both the women’s and men’s Squash titles.

Nicolette was named Sportswoman-ofthe-Year for her outstanding performance in 2009. Fourteen years later she has again taken that accolade to become the oldest athlete to win the Sportswoman- of-the-year award in Guyana.

Vishok Persaud is overall Dakota 100 winner

Team Wreckers retain 160cc class win

Michael Singh to serve another term as Basketball Federation head

of the local custodians for basketball, now formally known as the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), following Sunday’s Congress and elections at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Liliendaal Headquarters. Singh, who will be serving his second term

joined by General Secretary, Patrick Haynes, who was also unchallenged for the position.

Singh and Haynes were the only two executives returning from the previous body, as the GBF’s affiliated members moved to add fresh faces and some

Junior sportsman of the year, Shomarie Wiltshire

Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Attoya Harvey (left) receiving her award from Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Kashif Mohammad, on Sunday night (Adrian Narine photo)

Sportwoman of the Year, Nicolette Fernandes

Vishok Persaud completed 100 laps to be crowned winner of the Dakota 100. He collected his trophy from GMR&SC Desiree Lee. (GTC photos)