Guyana Chronicle E-Paper_7-16-2018

MONDAY 16th July, 2018

No.105337

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page 08

Land titling

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Green Expo, Business Summit – CGX Energy the lead sponsor in October CANADA-BASED CGX Energy Inc will be the lead sponsor of the upcoming Green Guyana Expo and International Business Summit scheduled for the Ramada Princess Hotel and the National Stadium

from October 19-22.

CGX Executive Chairman, Guyanese Professor Suresh Narine, committed the company to the highest sponsorship level; Executive Sponsor with the Jaguar Package for the

event, which aims at promoting Guyana’s Green Economy and highlighting and educating the Guyanese populace to business opportunities which could be derived from a Green State.

A release said the com-

pany would be the first major international contributor to the event being organised by the African Business Roundtable (ABR) in partnership with the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of the Environment,

the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Business, the Ministry of Communities, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI).

Strategic Partners for the Green Guyana Expo and Summit include the United Nations Environment Programme, the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB), the Office of Climate Change, the Guyana Energy Agency of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the World Wildlife Federation, Conservation International and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology.

The Small Business Bureau and EMPRETEC are also involved.

President David Granger is expected to declare open the mid-October event.

Dozens of local and international companies have already signalled plans to attend and participate in both the Green Expo and the International Business Summit.

Professor Suresh Narine said while the company has been focused on offshore oil and gas exploration activities in Guyana over the past 20 years, “We firmly endorse and support the strategic position that revenues from the extractive industries should be exploited to capitalise Green, Sustainable Economic Development. This is the only viable means through which the quality of life for Guyanese can be lifted to a high standard over a sustained time frame, which far outlasts the finite resource that is oil and gas,” the CGX chairman said.

Dr. Narine is also director of Guyana’s Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) at Turkeyen on the East Coast, and a Professor of Physics, Astronomy and Chemistry at Trent

Professor Suresh Narine University. He has also held the Ontario Research Chair in Green Chemistry and Engineering and is the Natural Sciences and Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Chair in Lipid Derived Biomaterials, aimed at the development of high-value green sustainable materials.

Professor Narine today issued an encouragement to other major companies, particularly in the extractive sector, to tangibly demonstrate their commitment to Guyana, Green Growth and Development, by joining CGX as Executive Sponsors of this seminal event.

The government vision by the year 2030 is to create “ A Green , Inclusive and Prosperous Guyana that provides a good quality of life for all its citizens based on a sound education and social protection, low-carbon resilient development, green and decent jobs, economic opportunities, individual equality, justice, and political empowerment.

Guyana serves as a model of sustainable development and environmental security worldwide, demonstrating the transition to a decarbonised and resource-efficient economy that values and integrates the multi-ethnicity of our country and enhances the quality of life for all Guyanese.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Land titling high on agenda

–– as National Toshaos Conference opens today

By Svetlana Marshall THE need to accelerate the execution of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALTP) Project and the warding off of political interference are among topics high

and, according to the outgoing Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Joel Fredericks, the challenges in executing the Amerindian Land Titling Project will take centre stage.

With funds from the

er extension would be sought.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Fredericks called for acceleration in the landmark project.

Only 26 per cent of the Amerindian Land

Resources that by October 2018, four villages will be completely demarcated. The minister had explained that the issue of political divide was among challenges hindering the smooth execution of the project.

Amerindians comprise 9.1 percent of Guyana’s population

The Arthur Chung Convention Centre where the Annual Conference of the National Toshaos’ Council will be opened today by President David Granger and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock (Samuel Maughn photo) on the agenda when the Annual Conference of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) opens today at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

Over 200 indigenous leaders, the majority being toshaos, are expected to be in attendance

Guyana REDD+ In vestment Fund (GRIF) the Amerindian Land Titling Project was launched in October 2013 to fast-track the Amerindian Land Titling process in Guyana within a three-year framework, but come October, 2018, anoth-

Titling Project has been achieved to date with US$2.5M or 25 per cent of the US$10.7M budgeted for the project expended. In May, 2018, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock had assured the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural

and currently own approximately 13.9 percent of the land, up from 6 per cent in the early 1990s. The Government of Guyana has set the policy objective of addressing all Land Titling issues by 2015, for Amerindian villages where two thirds of the adult population request this

to be done based on the principles of free, prior and informed consent.

Historically, high cost has been a barrier to achieving this policy objective. The Government intends to allocate substantial funding from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) via this project to remove this barrier.

Through engagement and consultation and based on requests from villages or communities, the project seeks to enable Amerindians to secure their lands and natural resources with a view towards sustainable social and economic development.

It is expected that titling of communities will strengthen land tenure security and the expansion of the asset base of Amerindians, enabling improved longterm planning for their future development. It is also expected to enhance the opportunities for villages to ‘opt-in’ to the REDD+ and the LCDs, should they wish to do so.

Fredericks also told this newspaper that the NTC needs neutral leaders who will work with

Outgoing Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council Joel Fredericks the present government to address Indigenous problems. On Wednesday, the toshaos will vote for a new executive of the NTC, and Fredericks expressed the hope that the process will be transparent.

Revision of the Amerindian Act is another subject that will be up for discussion when the country’s indigenous leaders meet this week.

Intruders target Berbice police outpost COMMANDER of `B’ Division Lyndon Alves has described an attempt by four persons to break into the Rose Hall Police Outpost sometime after midnight on Sunday as alarming.

The men cut a hole in the fence at the back of the compound and one [of them] was overheard asking the others: “You sure the patrol vehicle or sergeant (the officer in charge) car not in-front.”

An alert rank immediately notified his colleague and they attempted to apprehend the intruders but were outrun by the fleet-footed men.

The motive of the break-in is not yet known but this publication understands that there have been several threats to the life of the sergeant, who has been doing a good job in maintaining law and

order with his jurisdiction.

Commander Alves also told reporters that his division has received credible intelligence that an attack on a prominent businessman was planned, and the Force has been on high alert in anticipation of the attack.

The commander said there were sufficient ranks at the station at the time the intruders attempted to break in and praised the ranks for being alert. `B’ Division in recent times has managed to apprehend several known characters before the commissioning of crimes and has made breakthroughs in solving major crimes.

In light of the incident, adequate lighting and resources will be provided to the station and the vegetation behind it will be cleared today.

The hole which the intruders made to gain access into the police compound

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Donald Trump: European Union is a foe on trade (BBC) US President Donald Trump has described the European Union as a foe on trade.

He told CBS News that European countries were taking advantage of the US and not paying their NATO bills.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said anyone calling the EU foes was spreading “fake news”.

Mr Trump said he had “low expectations” for his meeting on Monday with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, which comes after 12 Russians were indicted for alleged hacking during the 2016 US elections.

Mr Trump said he would raise this issue with Mr Putin at the summit in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, and “maybe some good” would come of it.

Russia denies the allegations.

There have been calls in the US for Mr Trump to cancel his meeting with Mr Putin over the indictments, announced on Friday by US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Sunday also saw a protest march against the summit in Helsinki. Demonstrators chanted “media must be free”, and carried a banner calling for human rights.

Russia has said it is looking forward to the talks as a vehicle for improving relations.

What did Trump say about Europe?

Asked to name his biggest competitor and foe globally, the US president said there were “a lot of foes” and named Russia and China among them, but the first on his list was the EU. “I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade. Now you wouldn’t think of the European Union but they’re a foe,” he said.

Challenged by the interviewer on this, Mr Trump said the EU was “very difficult”.

“In a trade sense, they’ve really taken advantage of us and many of those countries are in NATO and they weren’t paying their bills and, you know, as an example a big

Mr Trump described the EU as “very difficult”

problem with Germany,” he said.

He then returned to the theme of Germany’s reliance on Nord Stream 2, a pipeline which will increase the flow of gas to EU states and which he controversially criticised ahead of last week’s NATO summit.

He said: “There’s a lot of anger at the fact that Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars.”

He also accused Germany of “waving a white flag”.

The comments drew a quick response from Mr Tusk on Twitter.

What about the Putin summit and alleged hacking?

He said he “believed in meetings” but was unsure what the outcome of the Helsinki meeting would be.

I can’t tell you what’s going to happen, but I can tell you what I’ll be asking for.

And we’ll see if something comes of it,” he added.

In an interview for ABC’s This Week programme, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said he found it “hard to believe” that Mr Putin did not know about the alleged hacking.

“That’s what one of the purposes of this meeting is, so the president can see eye to eye with President Putin and ask him about it,” he said.

“He’ll listen to President Putin’s response, and we’ll go from there.”

Mr Trump also repeated his earlier criticism of the Obama administration, which was in power when the alleged hacking of Democratic party officials took place.

“This was during the

Obama administration. They were doing whatever it was during the Obama administration,” he said.

“The DNC should be ashamed of themselves for allowing themselves to be hacked. They had bad defences and they were able to be hacked,” he added.

He said he had been told “by a number of people” that hackers had also targeted the Republican party but “we had much better defences”, although he added that “this may be wrong”.

What has Mr Trump been doing?

The US president has taken in a Nato summit and a visit to the UK ahead of his meeting with Mr Putin.

The visit has been controversial because of a newspaper interview in which he said the US would probably not give the UK a trade deal under the terms of Prime Minister May’s Brexit plans, and also said Europe was “losing its character” because of immigration from Africa and the Middle East.

He has since downplayed his Brexit comments - but

speaking to the BBC on Sunday Mrs May said Mr Trump had advised her to “sue the EU”.

He is expected to leave the UK later after staying at his Turnberry resort on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast during the private leg of his visit.

What are the US hacking allegations?

The 11-count indictment names the Russians defendants, alleging they began cyber-attacks in March 2016 on the email accounts of staff for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

They are accused of using keystroke reading software to spy on the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and hack into the party’s computers.

Top Democrats including party chairman Tom Perez have urged Mr Trump to abandon the talks, saying Mr Putin was “not a friend of the United States”.

On the Republican side, Senator John McCain said the summit “should not move forward” unless the president “is prepared to hold Putin accountable”.

What’s the big picture?

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating US intelligence findings that Russians conspired to sway the 2016 election in Mr Trump’s favour.

As of Friday, the inquiry has indicted 32 people - mostly Russian nationals in absentia - as well as three companies and four former Trump advisers.

None of the charges allege Trump advisers colluded with Russia to interfere with the presidential campaign.

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and George Papadopoulos, a former foreign policy adviser, have pleaded guilty to making false statements about their contacts with Russians.

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were charged with money laundering relating to their political consultancy work in Ukraine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Nicaragua troops raid towns in south

Anti-government protesters came under attack, rights groups say

Nicaraguan government forces have launched raids to clear protesters’ barricades in towns in the southeast of the country, leaving at least 10 dead.

Human rights organisations say at least six civilians were killed along with four members of the security forces.

The operation targeted the city of Masaya and several smaller communities and neighbourhoods in the area.

The EU, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador criticised the government’s actions.

Alvaro Leiva, the head of Nicaraguan Association For Human Rights (ANPDH), said at least 22 vehicles carrying government security forces had arrived in the area.

Labelled “Operation

Clean-up” by the government, it concentrated on the city of Masaya, nearby Niquinohomo and Catarina villages and the neighbourhood of Monimbo.

Mr Leiva warned people in the city of Masaya to stay indoors, saying “there are sharpshooters stationed at different places around the city”.

Earlier he said police had not been allowing the wounded to reach hospitals in the area.

One resident in Masaya told the French news agency AFP: “We are being attacked by the national police and paramilitaries armed with AK-47s.”

The latest government action came a day after dozens of students in the capital Managua were besieged by

Riot police moved into the neighbourhood of Monimbo

pro-government forces for hours in a parish church next to the National Autonomous University of Managua (UNAN) before finally being allowed to leave after the intervention of Catholic Bishops.

Two students died in the action and many said they felt the security forces had been shooting to kill.

The UNAN was the last bastion of student resistance in the capital after months of nationwide anti-government protests in which over 300 people have been killed.

BISHOP’S CAR ATTACKED Also on Sunday, there were reports of attacks on members of the National

Dialogue conference trying to resolve the differences between the government and the opposition.

Paramilitaries attacked the car of Abelardo Mata, the Roman Catholic bishop of Esteli, breaking windscreens and windows and damaging the tyres.

The bishop was held for a time in a house and then transferred to Managua by the police.

He is one of the mediators for the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference overseeing talks between the government and protesters.

In Managua a peasant leader, Medardo Mairena who was arrested last week, and is also a member of

the National Dialogue conference, appeared before a judge in a closed court accused of terrorism.

A police statement said he was “responsible for the massacre and murder of four policemen and a primary school teacher as a result of his terrorist actions”.

Mr Mairena’s brother was shot in the chest on Friday by snipers as he led a protest to highlight his arrest.

The Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, EU and Peru, Chile Colombia, Spain, and Argentina have all published statements rejecting the actions of the Nicaraguan government over the past few days. (BBC)

Woman tells police: ‘I was raped by man posing as cop’ (Trinidad Newsday) A 23-year-old woman went to the Chaguanas Police Station last night, and reported that she was raped by a man claiming to be a police officer.

According to reports, the 23-year-old victim told police at around 9.00 last night, she was standing by the Charlieville taxi stand awaiting transportation, when she was

approached by a man claiming to be a police officer.She said she and the man began talking and he told her he had his car parked close to Jack’s Tyre Shop which is close to the taxi

stand.

The woman said she believed the man and walked toward the tyre shop with the suspect who then pushed her in a dark corner close to the tyre

shop and sexually assaulted her.

The victim said the man then ran off, and she walked toward the nearby Chaguanas Police Station where a report was made.

OWTU rumbles over Petrotrin again (Trinidad Guardian) The Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) is accusing Petrotrin board of breaching their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from April to oversee the restructuring of the company over an 18-month period.

During a protest outside Petrotrin’s Point Fortin building yesterday morning, OWTU branch president at Trinmar, Ernesto Kesar, called on the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Petrotrin chairman Wilfred Espinet to stop protecting the “deep pockets” and prosecute those who stole monies from Petrotrin.

He recalled that Petrotrin executives and OWTU president general Ancel Roget signed an MOA on April 3 to restructure the company.

Kesar said they had agreed to meet on a monthly basis.

“Since this MOA has been signed we have not met with Espinet or any members of the board or management team to effectively implement the tenets of this memorandum. If that is not deception and disingenuous behaviour I don’t know what is. You gave a commitment Mr Espinet, you gave a commitment Mr Riley (advisor to Petrotrin Board)...,” he complained.

In the MOA, the union

proposed that Petrotrin is divided into four entities, Land: North and East (LNE), Trinmar Offshore Operations, Exploration and Production and the Augustus Long Hospital.

They also agreed to establish a working committee comprising representatives of both parties to “address, resolve and agree on the four organisational structures, work processes and skills/competencies and manpower requirements which will make the company internationally competitive, thus ensuring its survival, sustainability and profitability.

“We are calling on you all today to get back to the table and sit with the recognised

majority union and help us reorganise and fix Petrotrin in the interest of all of Trinidad and Tobago,” Kesar said.

Based on an annual report, he said it has been estimated that Petrotrin would have contributed $16 billion to the economy between 2011 to 2017.

“When top-class politicians go on the media every day and they say to the public that Petrotrin owes the Government for so much of years money I am saying that is not true,” he added.

Kesar also claimed three senior officials were allowed to “bump up” their salaries before they retired and were

now getting pensions equivalent to the salary they would have had previously when a pension is supposed to be twothirds of your salary.

“So these fellas are enjoying pensions of the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister, these are the kind of pensions. That in itself is bad but they did not remit their contributions to the pension plan so you took monies and you did not remit it and I am saying, Dr Rowley, Wilfred Espinet, Minister of Energy present and past you all owe the public the duty to ensure that these things are brought to justice,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

The fight against corruption THERE is hardly an international gathering that convenes to discuss social issues that affect the existence of countries that does not make reference to, or discuss the extant issue of corruption. That the latter has continued to be a constant theme for debate and discussion, is because its monstrous mark has evidenced a trail of socio-economic deprivation affecting lives, in whatever states it has been allowed to flourish, thus becoming institutionalised.

In Guyana, it has been a topic that has continued to engage the attention of commentators, and moreover the man in the street. It is spoken about because of its definite existence in terms of what is reported in the media, and since 2015 – hardcore

evidence that has emerged from extensive audit exercises that had been ordered by the succeeding A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change government( APNU+AFC).

But the question should be asked, whether it is fully understood as to the fullterm implications that such parasitic, social form of human behaviour, cost the state where it exists, and how it affects the daily lives of citizens?

First, it should be clear that corruption is a malignancy, a cancer that is unconscionable in its spread as its only focus is to undermine the state where it resides, weakening and destroying its foundations, which in effect means all of its institutions.

The latter soon becomes impotent in the face of such

relentless advance, thus allowing for the unchecked feed on the state’s resources.

Secondly, and in simple language, state resources for socio-economic development are derived from state revenues, inclusive of direct taxes. But of significance are loans, and grants that are received from donor institutions and friendly countries. These are the sums that are looted by state officials, friends and cronies for self-enrichment.

Thirdly, such pillaging of funds that were intended for the building of a community’s health centre; a better road for pedestrians; the provision of a water-treatment plant for potable water; and a community centre where residents can meet for social occasions, are just some of the ways that corruption con-

tinue to devalue the quality of life that citizens should rightly have.

It explains why, since 2015, the President David Granger-led administration has been relentless in its efforts to combat the monster of corruption.

It explains so much of why whole communities have been without social amenities, and is only now able to have them, as a result of the proper utilisation of such resources, that are necessary for decent, daily living.

Even more significant, since 2015, and in accordance with Guyana becoming a signatory to the United Nations Anti-Corruption Agreement, the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs has been taking the message of the battle against the cancer that is corruption to the coun-

try’s regions, as it continues its programme of educating state employees about the need to fight this lecherous practice that still continues to rear its dangerous head.

It is instructive to note that only recently this ministry, led by the Honourable Attorney General, conducted its sixth public anti-corruption sensitisation seminar at Bartica, where he made mention of the link between the existence of corruption and poverty. He is absolutely correct, for since corruption is the daily diversion/stealing of state funds meant for growth and development purposes, as alluded above, it can only result in socio-economic stagnation. And this has been the sad, but deliberate experience of governance during the 23 years of PPP/C governance.

Public seminars on the need for public employees to combat the menace that is corruption, for these public servants to fully appreciate and comprehend their role in protecting state assets, are as vital, as they are necessary, if this threat to the current and future development of this country is to be reduced and eventually be nullified.

As a suggestion, we are of the belief that this very important initiative, ought to be carried to the wider public, since among the latter, there are many who might have been indirect beneficiaries of such a serious criminality. But it should also become part of the school’s curriculum as well, given the institutionalisation of this threat that is manifest in all forms.

Region Three tender board Police flag News Room operates above board WITH reference to an article on page 8 in Sunday’s Kaieteur newspaper dated July 15, 2018, bearing the caption, “Region 3 REO decides which bids reach Tender Board,” the regional administration wishes to pen this formal response.

To begin, the regional administration wishes to thank Kaieteur News for publishing the concerns of a person or maybe two with regard to the manner in which contracts are awarded in Essequibo Islands- West Demerara. We admire the work of the press and believe strongly that their work plays a vital role in promoting accountability and transparency.

However, we at the level of the administration found the article mentioned above to be very unfortunate, misleading and erroneous in its entirety. The unfounded story shows the lack of investigative journalism on the part of Kaieteur News and with full professionalism we appeal to the editor-in-chief to conduct training

programmes for the reporters, so that the actual truth can be printed so as to benefit all and not just the mischievous few.

Notwithstanding the above, kindly find below how the awarding process is done.

As instructed by NDCs, all bid documents for works to be executed by NDCs are submitted to the Local Government Department of the regional administration. The documents must be sealed and addressed to the Chairman of the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board. The name of the projects must also be on the envelope. No other writing should be on the envelope. Any envelope that has the contractor’s name or any other information outside of the proper address and name of projects is disqualified, which is in keeping with instructions to contractors, norms and practices and procurement procedures and rules.

The envelopes are then taken to the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration

Board where it is opened in the presence of all members of the board. The bids, once properly addressed and carrying the name of the projects are then sent to the evaluation committee which comprises members who are not members of the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board. The evaluation committee after evaluating the bids make their recommendations to the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board and in some cases, the NDCs themselves make recommendations.

When the bid documents are sent back to the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board, the board members deliberate and then make their awards.

All members of the board sign the awarded documents and minutes of the meeting. All decisions of the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board are unanimous. The procedure has never been and will never be a one-man show.

Notwithstanding the above, every opportunity the Chairman of the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board gets to address contractors, he tells them to always put their complaints in writing should there be any. He has done it on more than 10 occasions.

Additionally, the Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board is aware of misleading information being peddled in the public domain by a particular member who shares a cordial and private relationship with two particular contractors named in the article. The board is further aware of the particular member demanding monies from contractors for the provision of information. The board is taking the necessary steps to correct this illegal practice.

Yours faithfully, Ganesh Mahipaul Regional Information Officer

fabrication

Dear Editor,

IN the aftermath of a News Room article published today under the caption, “Bandits attempt to storm Rose Hall Police Outpost to steal weapons”, the administration of the Force wishes to indicate that no such attempt to storm the police station, save and except that a person or persons unknown cut a hole in the fence which was discovered by an armed policeman on duty.

The purported attempt to storm the police station must be a figment of the usually mischievous reporter’s imagination, and who is widely known to possess a certain disposition.

The insinuations are viewed as exceedingly and outrageously reckless and designed to create unnecessary discomfort and in this regard, the reporter should take caution not to contribute to an unnecessary state of affairs.

Regards, Jairam Ramlakhan Police PRO

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Trump and Putin to hold first summit talks as twitchy West looks on

After months of exchanging long-distance compliments, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin sit down on Monday for their first ever summit, a potential political minefield at home for the U.S. president but a geopolitical win for his Russian counterpart.

Neither side expects major breakthroughs from the talks in the Finnish capital beyond warm words, an agreement to begin repairing battered U.S.-Russia relations, and maybe a deal to start talks on issues such as nuclear arms control and Syria.

The two men, who have praised each other’s leadership qualities from afar, could also agree to start restocking their respective embassies and returning confiscated diplomatic property after a wave of expulsions and retaliatory action prompted by the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain.

Ahead of the summit, both sides talked down the event, however, with Trump telling CBS he was going in with “low expectations” and John Bolton, Trump’s nation-

al security adviser, saying if he would recognize on ABC’s “This Week” Russia’s 2014 annexation that the United States was of Ukraine’s Crimea, he not looking for “deliverareplied: “We’re going to bles” and that the meeting have to see.” would be “unstructured.”

On Friday, 12 Russians “Putin has less to lose were indicted on charges and more to gain because of interfering in the U.S. he does not have a domes2016 election, a developtic opposition, a potentialment that prompted some ly hostile legislature, and Democratic leaders to call is not begin investigated on Trump to cancel the like Trump. But if you Putin meeting, a demand look at the U.S. media they he quickly dismissed. mostly focus on potential On the summit’s eve, risks. Nobody there really Senate Democratic leader US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir believes that any good can Putin Chuck Schumer, a political come out of this summit.” opponent of Trump, said A probe over allegahe had told Secretary of that he called “a foe” in trade the West since the 1991 fall tions of Russian meddling terms. of the Soviet Union. Certain State Mike Pompeo the Helin the 2016 U.S. presidential Against that backdrop NATO allies fear Putin might sinki meeting was a mistake. election has clouded Trump’s and swirling uncertainty seek a grand deal that would “First, I don’t believe the presidency. Trump has de- about what Trump might undermine the U.S.-led trans- meeting should take place nied any collusion with the do or say next, his summit atlantic alliance. but if it is going to happen, Russians by his campaign with Putin, which will inTrump has said that he President Trump must press and Russia denies it med- clude a one-on-one session will raise the alleged Rus- Putin hard on the issue of dled. with the Russian leader with sian election meddling with election interference. He The Helsinki summit only interpreters present, Putin but does not expect to can’t simply raise it, accept is the capstone to a nearly has both U.S. allies and U.S. get anywhere, has spoken Putin’s denial and then let week-long trip for Trump politicians worried lest he vaguely about the possibility him off the hook,” Schumer during which he has sown make hasty and sweeping of halting NATO war games said in a statement. doubts about his commitment concessions.

“Second, the President in the Baltic region, and has to the NATO military alliU.S. FEARS said repeatedly that it would must demand that the 12 ance, Washington’s so-called Some politicians in the be good if he could get along Russians named in the inspecial relationship with West believe the summit with Russia. dictment be sent to the U.S. Britain, and U.S. relations is happening at one of the When asked last month to stand trial. And third, Preswith the European Union most crucial junctures for

Can’t keep all, some have to go

Dear Editor,

WE can’t keep them all and some have to go. I make reference to some of Guyana’s wooden historical structures.

The current demolition of the St. Rose’s High School has now fallen prey to the ‘Men with hammers’. Yes, the wooden historic structure in question has always been a beauty in its own right, to be admired whenever I am passing by and it reminds a lot of the European-styled structures. During my first official overseas visit to Suriname, I was the guest of a family who lived in the family quarters of a similar structure on ‘Gravenstraat,central Paramaribo,’ which was also an academic institution. I will definite-

ly miss the site of the St. Rose’s High School historic wooden structure as I did for the Astor cinema which was demolished not so long ago. I hope Guyana will not become a concrete jungle.

There is another iconic wooden treasure at the junction of Camp Street and Church Road, which houses the Go-Invest office which is in close proximity to the St. Rose’s High School and I pray to God that I don’t ever have to witness the demolition of that building. I am well aware that maintenance of such wooden structures comes at a very high cost and I am sure if we seek guidance from the international experts on preservation, we might be able to save a few.

If at any stage the Go-Invest office has to be relocat-

ed to a concrete structure, I will fully support such a decision. Because of the building’s central location, perhaps it can be utilised as a museum which houses artefacts of British Guiana which Guyana does not have. One does exist, but it is privately owned on the West Coast (Region Three.)

I am almost certain that there are quite a lot of British Guiana artefacts still in existence in homes and by some sort of special arrangements with owners, perhaps we can one day witness the reality of a British Guiana Museum.

That era will play a pivotal role in Guyana’s tourism sector.

Yours Faithfully, T Pemberton

ident Trump should not agree to weaken, lift, or curtail any of the sanctions on Russia.”

(Reuters) Any Trump request for Russia to extradite hacking suspects is likely to fall on deaf ears, however, as the Kremlin, citing the Russian constitution, has a policy of not handing over suspects wanted by other countries.

Many Western politicians remain angry over Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its backing of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, and its support for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad.

Other accusations, denied

by Moscow, include that it meddled in European politics, supplied the weapon that shot down a passenger plane in 2014 over Ukraine, and was behind the poisoning of the former Russian spy in Britain.

Moscow would love to have U.S. sanctions - initially imposed over the Crimea annexation - eased and eventually lifted. But most in Russia do not expect the summit to produce such an outcome.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Floodwaters receding at Kwakwani –– residents hail response by CDC

By Vanessa Braithwaite RESIDENTS and officials of the Region 10 flood-hit community of Kwakwani have expressed their appreciation to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), for its prompt response to their plight.

Floodwaters in the community had receded four inches by Sunday afternoon after being about eight feet high on Friday. The communities that are directly affected are Waterfront, Lamp Island, Aroima and Ginger

Island. These communities are located in proximity to the Upper Berbice River that borders Kwakwani.

Approximately 300 households have been affected by the flooding which started two weeks ago, but the situation was exacerbated last Wednesday and Thursday due to excessive rainfall.

Speaking to Regional Vice Chairman of Region 10 Elroy Adolph, also a resident of Kwakwani, he said that the residents have expressed their appreciation for the CDC’s effort to promptly

respond to their call for help.

He, too, commended the work of the CDC, noting that the government agency responded in a mere two days after receiving a report on the flood.

“I am pleased, they were very prompt, I am very pleased that they have come on board to assess the situation and to also provide help, just two days after,” he said.

Resident Neola Narine, who is also playing an integral role in soliciting relief for the residents, said she welcomes the assistance

Officials say the floodwaters had receded four inches by Sunday

The state of flooding at the Kwakwani Water Front given by the CDC. “I welcome them, they have shown an interest, we are very grateful in the community for their presence, there is also Food For The Poor (FFP) that showed an interest in assisting the residents who were affected by the flood,” she related.

Another resident Mavis Lewis said the items distributed to the residents on Sunday which included soap power, bleach, soap, long boots, Fabuloso and other cleaning agents are what the people need right now, given the intensity of the flood and the environmental health issues to which the residents are exposed to. “ I think all the residents are glad to get the stuff, I think that it is good with the CDC response, I think they were prompt and we appreciate that very much,” Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle.

Resident of Waterfront, Cort Simeon said he believes that the CDC would have responded even faster if they were made aware of the almost two-week-old situation earliest, from the authorities in Kwakwani.

“Well I think because of lack of information, if they had gotten information earlier, they would have come, Kwakwani people that have to send out information need to get themselves arranged and start do what they supposed to do,” he said. He is however appreciative for the speedy response from CDC officials.

WORST FLOODING While the above-mentioned communities are always flooded during May- June rains, this year has been described as the worst.

These communities, given the landscape and its proximity to the river, are

not regularised communities.

Residents who have been squatting there for years said they are in no position to move because of finances.

As a result of the flood, transportation problems and the cost of living have reportedly increased and the residents who already have limited finances because of the decrease in logging activities, are finding it hard to afford the rise in prices in the shops, but more so the hike in transportation costs by the canoes and the taxis.

This is because two of the three access roads into the central area in Kwakwani are impassable. Boats are now plying the flooded routes and are exploiting the situation.

“The boats are exploiting us because they are taking $300 for transportation, then the cars are taking another $300, so its $1,200 for a return trip to Kwakwani Park. In addition, prices in the shops increase as well,” Cort Simeon related.

He is calling for the officials to consider raising the level of the main access road, so that when flooding occurs in the future, at least transportation would not be affected.

Another resident Carla Cole said the situation is a strenuous one, since money is already not circulating.

“Because they know that is the only way we can get in an out, they [are] exploiting the situation terribly. You have to find so much money to get out, then so much money in the shop, because once transportation gone up everything else will go up, this is the hardest part,” she related.

The residents are hoping that soon, the situation will return to normalcy so that prices can return to where they were. In the past however, the flood sometimes lasted until September.

Teen drowns at resort

Dead: Ronaldo Gomes TRAGEDY struck on Saturday when Ronaldo Gomes, 18, of Lot 8 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, drowned at a private resort on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

Reports indicate that the teenager went to the creek with his uncle, a bus owner who was hired to transport some persons to the private resort.

After spending some time, and as the group was getting ready to leave, persons realised Gomes was missing.

A search was launched and enquiries revealed that the teen had ventured into the rough water but no one saw him return to shore.

One person related that the teen ventured beyond the ropes and may have been hit by a boat; a subsequent search conducted in the area resulted in the discovery of his floating body.

Life in PPP could be cruel, brutal and short GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

–– thanks to the work of the ‘Gang of Eight’, says Nagamootoo

P

RIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo took a dim look at the PPP “Gang of Eight” in his weekly column on Sunday which he said “mocks at inner-party democracy” and has, for years, been a means of “manipulating political processes”.

In his weekly column, ‘My Turn’, Nagamootoo took time to explain the “Gang of Eight” concept which he said, has existed since the post-Jagan People’s Progressive Party (PPP) period.

Nagamootoo said that a congress of delegates would elect 35 persons to sit on the Central Committee of the PPP and these persons, usually a week after congress, would then meet to elect a 15-member Executive Committee.

The “Gang of Eight” is a political concept in the PPP that represents a “built-in majority” of eight persons where the decision-making body comprises 15 persons,” Nagamootoo enlightened.

He further described this “Gang of Eight” as a “revolving door” whereby persons are changed out and rotated, based on whether they are seen as loyal to a particular leader or give support to certain political decisions from time to time.

“Historically, leaders were thrown out from the party’s inner core, mainly due to tactical or strategic shifts and ideological differences, but the persons who were purged were invariably branded ‘opportunists’,” Nagamootoo expounded.

He went on to state that with the absence of a strong leader for the post-Jagan PPP, the “Gang of Eight” became a “weapon of manipulation and control” as the struggle for a position on the 35-member Central Committee “degenerated into character assassinations”.

“In my case, having emerged at the top two with the highest numbers of votes at the 1998 congress, a simple majority of 18 members voted against me. I was removed from the Executive Committee, after being continuously a member for 20 years. I had openly denounced my exclusion as ‘stalinist’, reminiscent of the purges that took place under the Russian communist dictator.

“The idea is to sanitise the Executive Committee, by making sure that a simple majority of eight out of the 15 members would support the ‘maximum leader’.

“The built-in majority would be decisive in a situation where the Executive Committee had to ‘recommend’ a person or persons to be a presidential candidate,” he stated.

It is the same formation of a “Gang of Eight” that Nagamootoo said recommended Bharrat Jagdeo, who is now the “premier parliamentary speaker on national issues” although he can no longer run for president.

PITCH-FORKED And while as president, Nagamootoo said that Jagdeo deployed

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo similar tactics when he “pitch-forked Donald Ramotar to the top of a slate of potential candidates”.

Protests later came in 2010 from then senior party executive, Ralph Ramkarran, who objected when Ramotar “prematurely announced his candidacy”, was placed on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board and was permitted presidential luxury trips to China, Kuwait and India.

Nagamootoo noted some of the many “expulsions” of the executive committee included ‘ultra-left deviationists’ like Martin Carter, Rory Westmaas, Sydney King and Moses Bhagwan and ‘right opportunists’ like L.F.S. Burnham and Jai Narine Singh.

He also recalled the attempts in 1976 to rig the PYO elections with aims to overthrow Halim Majeed, his brother Zaheer, Odeen Ishmael and himself.

This, however, was curbed following collec-

tive advocacy for talks and rapprochement between Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham.

Nagamootoo said that it was around this period that the “biggest exodus of leftwingers took place” as former PPP supporters such as Ranji Chandisingh, Vincent Teekah and Lallbahadur Lalbachan, defected to Burnham’s People’s National Congress (PNC).

“The fallouts occurred mainly as a result of failure of the inner-party political processes to handle political or ideological and sometimes personality differences. That was the reason I was foremost in my advocacy to broaden the shoulders of the party to avoid one-man dictatorship and to cleanse the party of reliance on unacceptable practices

to entrench a ‘Gang of Eight’.

“But the quest for personal power had become insatiable, and it would continue to devour some of the finest intellectuals and progressive leaders this country has produced. In the post-Jagan PPP, political life could be cruel, brutal and short,” he said.

In 2011, Nagamootoo resigned from the PPP after 50 years of service, telling reporters that “This is not the party I used to know.”

Nagamootoo joined the Alliance for Change (AFC) in October 2011, and following the joint partnership with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), he became Prime Minister after the coalition won the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

9

Man killed in rumshop brawl AN argument at a rum shop on Saturday resulted in the death of Elroy Marks, 43, a fisherman of Aruka River, North West District and also of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast.

Police Press Officer Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said the killing occurred about 15:30 hrs on Saturday at the Kumaka Water Front, North West District.

The act was reportedly committed by a 43-year-old labourer of Hotoquai Village, North West District. The man has since been detained and is assisting the police with their investigation.

Investigations have revealed that the victim and suspect, who were known to each other, were imbibing at a shop when an argument ensued and escalated into a fight, during which the suspect then allegedly broke a bottle and stabbed the victim to the neck.

The victim was rushed to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital in an unconscious state and he succumbed to his injury around 20:55hrs while receiving treatment.

The body is currently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Some parents are using illegal drugs

S

OME parents are using illicit and/or recreational drugs to get them through the day and whether they know it or not, this action is affecting their parenting skills in a negative way.

The use of any kind of stimulant or ‘high’ affects a person’s ability to think clearly and make rational decisions. Excessive use can also lead to mental health issues.

Although parents may feel that they are coping well and do not see themselves as drug dependant, they are in fact addicted and addicts are always in denial and ready to put up a defence rather than admit their dependency. But the bottom line is: if parents need drugs to help them cope, then what happens when the drugs are unavailable or inaccessible? And what further harmful effect will this have on their ability to care and provide for their children?

Children who are brought up in homes where they witness their parents partaking in recreational or illicit drugs are more likely to do the same: this makes the problem of drugs, not only dysfunctional but also multigenerational.

Whatever children observe in their households, as they develop and grow, becomes the norm: it is ingrained in their minds as acceptable behaviour. This is grossly unfair because children have very little say in what goes on around them and before they have had a chance to decide what they would like to do or be in life, they are already disadvantaged and influenced by their parents’ misuse of drugs.

A father of three was explaining to his neighbour, how shocked he was to find his nine-year-old son under the house smoking part of a ‘joint’ (or spliff) that he had left in his ‘bash’ (calabash). The father had a habit of leaving un-

finished ‘joints’ around the house, and when he couldn’t find some on occasions, he simply thought he must have smoked them. It never occurred to him that his son (who has seen his father smoking marijuana from birth), would become curious and one day want to try it out for himself.

Parents should take a look at themselves through the eyes of their children. Even if children do not see their parents take drugs, they will still be aware of the apparent mood change and will equate it with something the parent is doing, (or taking) children are very perceptive. They may not talk about or understand everything they observe at the time, but as they develop intellectually they begin to fit the pieces together.

On the other hand, it is difficult for a parent to impress any form of discipline on a child (and be taken seriously), when it is apparent that the parent him/

herself is undisciplined through his/her addiction. Many parents fail to provide the emotional, psychological and basic physical needs for their child because they are struggling to meet their own needs (with drugs) on a daily basis. Because of these parental shortfalls some children tend to become ‘own way’ or delinquent adolescents, who have very little time or respect for their parents.

However all is not lost: not all children fall into the same pattern as their addicted parents; there are some who are fortunate enough to receive help, through the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and other organisations: And some children are even sensible enough to make the choice, not to use or abuse drugs on their own. This is sometimes due to their first-hand experience, having witnessed its destructive and addicted elements.

If you are a parent who rely on any type of drug to get you

through your day, the first thing you need to do is face the fact that you have a problem. But do not be alarmed by this revelation, because most problems have solutions, and there is help available if you really want to ‘get clean’ and come off of drugs. Is your addiction affecting your children, economically, emotionally, physically and/or psychologically?

If so, you owe it to yourself and them to do something about your present situation.

You can speak to a child protection officer (anonymously if you choose) who can advise you where to seek help and advice.

Call the CPA switchboard on 227 4082.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or email childcaregy@gmail.com A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

Lindeners remember Son Chapman victims

THE mining town of Linden recently observed the 54th death anniversary of the Son Chapman massacre victims.

Relatives of the deceased, community leaders and residents of Linden, last Friday gathered at the Christianburg site on Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden to be a part of

the Son Chapman Massacre Memorial Ceremony hosted by the Commemorative Committee of the Regional Democratic Council.

Delivering the key address was Regional Chairman Region 10 Rennis Morian, who gave the audience a feel of the socio-economics and political atmosphere

during that time that led to the Son Chapman explosion which claimed the lives of 43 persons.

“In the 60s, 61 going on to 1962, it is a time when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was seeking to have GAWU represent the sugar workers and that had its’ own struggle. It was a time

when the PPP was leading heavily to take Guyana into a Cuban style revolution and the political culture which was not favoured by the super conscious at that time the UK and America. It was a time when the fight was not on race but on political independence and economic development. It suits the PPP mission to make it a race issue,” he noted.

Morian highlighted the mission of Guyana’s present government, which is to construct a cohesive society.

“We don’t want a country like that, we want to be free and that is what this government is pushing, together we are better, respecting each other, working in harmony, building a cohesive society, so I’m saying as we remember and we commemorate with some amount of pain… our message to the younger generation should be never again,” Morian added.

Chairman of the Commemorative Committee, Charles Sampson referred to the Son Chapman tragedy as one of the worst terrorist acts that has ever been committed in the Caribbean.

Sampson said, “When

Regional Chairman Region 10, Rennis Morian you compare Son Chapman tragedy and you look at those people who are coming up from Georgetown to Linden and areas along the Demerara River, they were probably sitting in the launch taking a nap, playing…They were innocent people.”

Sampson recalled seeing body parts thrown all around and smelling the rank scent of the Demerara River as a teenager.

“I was in my early teens…I was around right here on the Wismar shore when the news hit us. Sometimes they say something hit you like a ton of bricks, that didn’t hit the Linden community like a tonne of bricks, that hit the town of Linden like a million [tonnes] of bricks,” he expressed.

According to Morian, the 2019 Budget will include

funding for commemoration.

“The regions would be allowed to itemise the things that they want to do in relation to commemoration,” he noted.

Friday July 6, 2018, marked 54 years since the ill-fated Son Chapman launch was bombed on its journey with passengers travelling from Georgetown to Linden. The launch sunk immediately resulting in 43 persons losing their lives.

This was one of the gruesome acts of political violence which was perpetrated during the 1963 to 1964 disturbances.

The Son Chapman was a wooden launch owned by the late Norman Chapman that plied the Mackenzie/ Georgetown route transporting passengers and cargo.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

President Granger turns 73

–– honours three NGSA top students on jolly occasion INSPIRED by his passion to educate the nation’s children, members of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress (PNC) on Sunday honoured President David Granger on the occasion of his 73rd birth anniversary.

They did so by making a generous donation to three students who were successful at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The three students are 11-year-old Kenneth Edwards of Riverview Village, who topped the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region with 505 marks; 12-yearold Angelina Balgobin from Bath Settlement who gained 492 marks; and 11-year-old Natalia Squires who ob-

tained 515 marks, securing a place at Queen’s College.

Each student was presented with a laptop computer, a printer, a voltage regulator and a $25,000 gift certificate which is redeemable at Austin’s Book Store.

The drive to make education accessible for children across the 10 administrative regions was kick-started in 2015, with the launch of the Five Bs (Bus, Bicycle, Boat + Breakfast and Books) programme, when the President celebrated his 70th birthday shortly after taking office.

This overwhelming, successful initiative has attracted widespread support from corporate Guyana and even private citizens. (Ministry of the Presidency)

President David Granger with the NGSA top students honoured on his birthday (Ministry of the Presidency photo

Regardless of school, represent the uniform you are wearing –– Minister Norton tells Region Seven NGSA top students

Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton, presenting a gift to one of the students (DPI photo)

MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, presented gifts to some of CuyuniMazaruni, Region Seven top performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination.

The presentations were made during a recent visit to Bartica.

The Social Cohesion Minister who was accompanied by the Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and Director of Sport Christopher Jones, met with four of the students, along with their parents and teachers. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the other students were unable to be there.

The students who were honoured are Kenneth Edwards, who gained a placement at St Rose’s High with 505 marks; Dante Adams at Three Miles Secondary School with 493

and also at Three Miles Secondary are Sholanna Seeram and Mark Benjamin with 484 and 478 marks respectively.

Minister Norton congratulated those who played a role in the students’ success and reminded the students to always be cognisant of the alma mater they represent. “Teachers, parents and students, you did well. Regardless of whether it’s St Rose’s, St Stanislaus, Bishop’s or Queen’s, it’s what you do in the school, that is the important thing. I want you to represent the uniform that you’re wearing.”

The minister told the students they now have an opportunity to grow and develop. He also encouraged the parents to continue to play a meaningful role in the lives of their children.

Minister Norton also noted that education-

al and infrastructural standards must be the same across the country. “The policy of this government is to have an equal playing field.

We could have only achieved those results because of the policies implemented.”

He made a call for more youth involvement in sport. “It is not all work and no play, we want rounded Guyanese!

We want right now that you must be able to tell me about tomorrow’s game in the world cup.

So, I’m saying this to the parents, it’s not all work and no play.”

The Director of Sport Christopher Jones, tangibly echoed this view by donating sport equipment to the schools of Region Seven.

The minister and team also met with head teachers and teachers to discuss ways of moving

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

More youth entrepreneurs ready to hit market

The graduating class with officials from the Ministry of the Presidency

Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael-Haynes

TWENTY-TWO young people are now equipped with the necessary skills to establish their own businesses after graduating from a Financial Literacy and Small Business Training programme.

The five-week training exercise covered areas of self-development, income expenses and budgeting, financial responsibility, credit and debt issues, decisionmaking and action-planning.

During the course of the programme, each participant was tasked with developing

a business plan, which will be submitted to the Small Business Bureau (SBB) for consideration.

Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael-Haynes, said youth unemployment not only affects the country’s economy, but also the mindset of those actively seeking employment. Government has therefore created a programme to address this situation.

“We believe to allevi-

ate this issue of youth unemployment it has to be done through the establishment of such initiatives that will provide our future nation- builders with the opportunity to gain knowledge and training resources and opportunities to equip them with the skills to create employment,” Carmichael-Haynes said According to the director of youth, the financial literacy training programme, which is one of many initiatives created to benefit the young people of Guyana,

has thus far benefited 115 persons.

She also urged the participants to utilise the knowledge and skills gained to not only advance in their professional lives, but also to make a significant contribution to the development of the country.

Finance Secretary Dr. Hector Butts commended the participants for coming on board the programmes to learn the important aspects of managing a successful business. He noted that the importance of financial lit-

eracy cannot be understated.

Several of the participants shared the view that the programme provided a wide range of tools that helped to propel their aspirations of becoming entrepreneurs.

Mawazo Porte said the training “was very fruitful, because we were able to learn a lot more in the financial literacy programme. We were able to budget things and as a woman who wants to empower other women, I was able to learn the importance of budgeting… as I hope to one day own my own

business.”

Valencia Wren said, “We [participants] have realised how our horizons have been broadened and our financial literacy expanded. We have basically learnt how to promote ourselves, market our products and become innovative. More so. we have learnt to become better businessmen and women.”

Also present at the closing ceremony were programme facilitators Patsy Russell, Adeti De Jesus and Samuel Saul, among others. (DPI)

Food-import burden grows for poorest countries THE world’s food-import bill has broadly tripled since 2000 to reach $1.43 trillion in 2017, while it has risen around fivefold for countries that are the most vulnerable to food shortages. This shows a trend that has “been deteriorating over time, portending an increasing challenge, especially for the poorest countries, to meet their basic food needs from international markets,” said Adam Prakash, a FAO economist and author of the study in the Food Outlook .

The global food import bill is likely to rise by around 3 percent to about $1.47 trillion this year. The annual increase mostly reflects greater international trade in fish - a high-value food mostly imported by developed countries - and cereals, a staple that is an essential import for many Low-Income Food Deficit Countries (LIFDCs).

This year FAO took a longer-term view of that

trend and found that countries may indeed be “paying more for less food,” even though global production and trading conditions have been quite benign in recent years.

The analysis focuses on both the trend and the composition - animal proteins, fruits and vegetables, cereals, beverages, oilseeds and coffee, tea and spices - of food import bills over time.

Food imports have risen at an annual global average rate of 8 percent since 2000, but that pace has been in the double-digits for the vast majority of the poorest countries.

In a “stark contrast”, the share of cereals compared to higher-value foods in the import basket has not declined in poorer countries, while it has declined considerably in wealthier ones.

The food import bill now accounts for 28 percent of all merchandise export earnings for the group of least-developed countries (LDCs), nearly double the share of 2005.

Developed nations not only have larger GDP per capita, but also they typically only spend around 10 percent of their export earnings on food imports.

Exotic fruits move from niche to mainstream The Food Outlook, published twice a year, also devotes a special chapter on the growing trade in minor tropical fruits such as guava and lychees, building on previous work that focused on their more prominent rivals such as mangoes and papayas.

The global output value of these minor tropical fruits - 86 percent of which are produced in Asia - was around USD $20 billion last year, according to the analysis and detailed assessments of these niche products by Sabine Altendorf.

While these minor fruits are mostly consumed locally, and often contribute substantially to smallholder incomes and micronutrient needs, growing recognition of their

contribution to a healthy diet is catalysing a higher international profile, especially amid strong worldwide urbanization trends and growing health awareness.

Guava is the largest fruit in this category, along with jackfruit, longan, lychee, durian, rambutan and passion fruit, mostly grown in Brazil, and mangosteen.

Only around 10 percent of production is currently traded across borders, mostly within Asia - with Thailand a major exporter - but robust wholesale prices in the markets of developed countries point to ample commercial potential for exporters in low-income countries. Galvanizing that opportunity will take innovation in handling perishability, assurance of supply, price volatility and compliance with phytosanitary certification requirements.

THE BIG PICTURE The Food Outlook pri-

marily reviews market trends for the world’s major food commodities, including cereals, fish, meat, dairy, sugar and vegetable oils.

While food markets have remained relatively stable thanks to generally good supply conditions across most categories, they remain vulnerable in light of recent rising trade disputes and the potential for weather and other shocks.

Detailed assessments for the main food groups are offered. Of special interest are the complex trends in the oilcrops sector, where international prices of oilseeds and oilmeals are rising even as those of vegetable oils are falling. Evolving trade relations between the United States of America and China - the world’s largest soybean producer and buyer, respectively - have introduced considerable uncertainty into the market, as evidenced by a recent plunge in world soybean and soymeal prices.

In the cereals sector, 2018/19 trade is expected to remain robust, supported by continued strong import demand for nearly all major cereals. Other highlights include expectations of “elevated” and even record prices for seafood products in the second half of 2018 amid tight supply trends; expanding trade for dairy products, especially milk powders; and a robust expansion of meat production amid decelerating growth in trade volumes.

World sugar production, meanwhile, is forecast to rise 11.1 percent this year, reaching a record level of 187.6 million tonnes and exceeding global consumption by a large margin. Despite the largest sugar surplus in recorded history, a price floor for international sugar prices will likely be set by the upturn in world crude oil prices, as more sugar is used to make ethanol.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Need for foster parents in outlying regions THOUGH there has been a drop in the number of abused and abandoned children living in orphanages across Guyana, there is still a grave need for foster parents, especially in the outlying regions.

By the end of December, 2015, there were in excess of 700 children institutionalised in 23 homes. Today, the figure stands at approximately 500 but the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) said the figure can be further reduced if more persons take up the mantle of becoming foster parents.

On the sideline of a foster parents’ seminar at the Regency Suites on Saturday, acting supervisor of the CCPA Foster Care Department, Felina Maikoo, told Guyana Chronicle that more abused and neglected children are being placed into extended families through a kinship system.

“If a child can’t remain with his birth parents, we look for extended family members – that is always the first option,” she told this newspaper while noting that the increasing use of the kinship system is contributing to the decline in the number of children in residential institutions.

However, Maikoo believes that there can be a greater dent in the number of children living in orphanages if persons step up to the task and foster children. Presently, there are close to 180 children in Foster Care being parented by approximate 120 foster parents registered under the programme.

Children are often removed from their primary caregivers because they were abused or faced the likelihood of being a victim of abuse, whether it is a case of physical or sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Foster care, therefore, serves an alternative arrangement for children who would have been removed from their biological parents for a variety of reasons but the Foster Care Department continues to experience difficulties in retaining some of its foster parents.

“Some of those challenges are due to the difficulty in bonding with children and then releasing those children,” Maikoo explained, noting that most persons have a preference for permanent care as against temporary care.

While there are emergency placements that would last for about two weeks or more, a person usually foster’s a child for a period

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally (MoSP photo)

Some of the foster parents engaging in team work during the training programme on Saturday at Regency Suites (Adrian Narine photo)

Facilitator of the Foster Parents Training Seminar, Ismay Griffith, and CCPA Assistant Director Tionna October (MoSP photo)

of six months or more, but never permanently under the programme.

With 500 children in residential institutions, Maikoo said the need for foster parents is greater in outlying regions.

“I would say that the greatest need is in the outlying regions because in those regions we don’t have the residential care institutions to place children when they are removed and they are at risk in the biological families, so the need is grave in the outlying regions for foster parents and for the foster care system,” she explained.

It was pointed out that the 23 children homes – three of which are owned by the Government – are situated in Regions Three, Four and Six. “In Region Seven, we have none. In Region One, we don’t have. In Region Two, there is none, neither in Region 10. So we need a robust foster care system in those outlining regions,” she added.

The process of becoming a foster parent is very simple, since it is not an adoption and does not require the legal process of going to the court to get custody of a child. Any person desirous of becoming a foster parent would need to complete an application form provided by the agency before a home study and visit are done.

Additionally, the agency would conduct criminal

and medical checks on the applicant before an appointment is made with the CCPA Director.

The director has the authority to approve or disapprove the application based on the findings. However, if the approval is granted, the applicant will be placed on a foster care register before being matched with a child from one of the residential homes.

During the opening ceremony of the Foster Parent Training Seminar, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally said though the decision to remove a child from their home is always a difficult one, the CCPA is duty bound to act in the best interest of the child.

“I strongly believe that every child deserves and should be given an opportunity to succeed and to grow up in a safe, stable and nurturing environment that is free from abuse and neglect,” Minister Ally said.

As such, she said the twoday workshop was designed to equip new and prospective foster parents with essential knowledge and tools needed to enable them to become the best caretakers.

While the ministry through the CCPA continues to play its part, Minister Ally said it is important for foster parents to take their duty seriously.

“I would like to remind you that as new and pro-

spective foster caretakers, you have taken up the mantle to assist us in achieving the vision of a future that will ensure that our vulnerable children grow up in the environment most positive and natural for their growth, well-being and protection,” she implored the parents.

CCPA Assistant Director Tionna October said though fostering children is not an easy task, it is worth it. “I

would love to stand here and tell you that being a foster parent is easy but it’s not.

It can be extremely isolating. It’s the rare person who understands all the in’s and out’s of the system: birth parent visits, reunification goals, permanency plans, and the long list of regulations we’re expected to uphold,” she said.

Both October and the Social Protection Minister used the opportunity to

thank those persons who have opted to provide a safe haven for children who have endured abuse or neglect, or are at risk. The training programme was facilitated by Ismay Griffith, who from the onset said that caring for children requires a village, or more so team work. Some 40 foster parents, some of them accompanied by their children, attended the forum.

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Football fever!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Scenes at the Stabroek Market Square and the Marriott Beach on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photos)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Prayers finally answered –– Amelia’s Ward residents thankful for work done on Main Street

By Vanessa Braithwaite AFTER years of suffering from a muddy, deplorable road filled with craters, the residents of Amelia’s Ward, and those residing in connecting communities to ‘Main Street’ are now lifting their heads in appreciation that the main thoroughfare has benefitted from a multimillion dollar contract, which has made its construction possible.

Thousands of residents residing in Cinderilla City and Central Amelia’s Ward, previously had to traverse the once deplorable roadway either in their own transportation or in public transportation. While promises were made for many years that the road would have been repaired, the residents were not too optimistic that it was placed in the region’s 2018 budget and would have been done, but to see it actually happened, one resident described it as a ‘dream come through’.

“We have been struggling with that road for years, if you didn’t have transportation, you were doomed, you had to walk straight out to the other main road because them cars refused to come down here, you might lucky if they put you off at the ‘glass house’ (a popular stop point along Main Street) and then you have to find your way down the rest of the road. When the rain falls it was messy, it

was muddy, so I am very happy that the road is finally done,” resident of Cinderilla City Lennox Cort said.

Another resident of Central Amelia’s Ward Shirley Rigby also applauded the officials for finally hearing their cry and making it possible for them to have a well repaired access road. “We are very grateful, very happy, we see the road coming along nicely, we are looking for it to finish,” the resident said.

Another resident of Cinderilla City Debra Bourne said that it is good that the road is being done given the many struggles the residents have to face up with. She too is awaiting its completion. The residents are hoping that the short drop taxis do not continue to shun

them, but take advantage of the smooth road to drop them to the nearest access point to their homes, without charging extra as was previously done.

“We were very much frustrated with that road, we the people of this community are suffering because of that road, vehicles don’t want to come in,” Mr. Webster, resident of Cinderilla City had said.

NO WORK FOR US While the residents of Cinderilla City were promised employment by the contractor and by Minister Simona Broomes during a community meeting, residents related on Sunday that they were not beneficiaries of any form of employment as was expected.

Minister Broomes had even

The deplorable state of Main Street before it was fixed

distributed tools to the residents, especially the women, to work along with the contractor in an effort to provide local content and to empower the residents in the community. Broomes had said too, that she would have held discussions with the contractors to employ the women to do ‘clean up’ jobs while the road is being constructed.

According to the liaison resident Debra Bourne, the residents were asked to provide the relevant documentation that was required for the job, but to date; nothing has been said to them.

She expressed the frustration in the situation since she would have been the one to collect the documentation and the residents are therefore looking to her for answers. “We haven’t heard back anything, we weren’t given any employment,” she said.

Minister Broomes had said, “The whole idea is that whenever persons come into your community to do work, you must be a part of it.”

Despite this hiccup, the residents are focusing on the bigger picture, that the road is finally being done.

In addition to the main street in Amelia’s Ward,

The new Main Street has high praise other roads that will be done are Toucan Drive Main Road; Speight Land access road; River Side Drive, Stanley Road in the Wismar Hill Primary School area; the ball-field road; the teachers’ compound main access road; and the post office road in Wismar. Out of the $3.4B budget, $322.5 M has been allocated for Public Infrastructure in Region 10.

ASPHALT PLANT With a portable asphalt

earned regional officials plant available in Linden that is currently being assembled at the Christianburg area, road construction in Linden in 2018 is expected to be expedited. The plant which is fully automatic and computerised is being powered by a low emission generator.

It will produce 160 tonnes of asphalt per hour. With asphalt being available in Linden, the production of roads is expected to be lower, as such the surplus funds can be used to construct and repair more roads.

Region Seven schools receive sport gear

Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton with recipients of the sport equipment SEVERAL Cuyuni-Mazaruni schools have benefited from a donation of sport equipment that was presented by Director of Sports, Christopher Jones.

Jones made the donation while visiting Bartica as part of an outreach team from the Ministries of Social Cohesion and Education.

Among those schools receiving were St John the Baptist Primary, St Anthony’s Primary, Two Miles Primary, Three Miles Primary, Bartica Secondary, Agatash Primary, Makouria Primary, Batavia Primary, Itaballi Primary and Karrau Creek Primary.

Jones noted that “Part of our mandate at the National Sports Commission is to get young people actively involved in sports, but equally it’s to also ensure that young people are generally active. And we do this by pro-

viding them with this gear.”

The donated gear caters for various sport disciplines, including volleyball, football, cricket and circle tennis.

Jones has been pushing for the reintroduction of sport into the school curriculum and has since assigned organisers and coaches in the country’s educational districts.

Currently, work is being done at the Bartica Community Centre Ground through the Sports Commission’s ground-enhancement fund. Additional lights will also be added.

It is expected that most of the work will be completed in 2018.

For the past two years, the government has invested heavily in sport in the hinterland regions to cultivate the reservoir of untapped talent in those areas (DPI).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

‘Constant improvements in Police Force needed’ – Ramjattan –– as fallen heroes remembered

Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, laying a wreath at a special monument in the compound of the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary (Rabindra Rooplall photo) IN order for Guyana to advance, there needs to be constant improvements in the Guyana Police Force as an institution.

This sentiment was shared by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan during his address at the annual wreath-laying ceremony for the Force’s “Fallen Heroes” on Sunday.

Sixty-three police ranks who died in the line of duty between the periods of 1913 – 2016 were remembered at a special monument in the Police Officers’ Mess compound, Eve Leary. In attendance were relatives of the slain cops, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, and senior Police and Joint Services officers.

Relatives, including children laid wreaths in memory of their loved ones.

Ramjattan said the importance of a policeman to society can never be understated, especially in addressing crime and lawlessness.

“A police [officer] has to be a combination of so many things put together, a nurse; a teacher, a counsellor, a doctor, sometimes an accountant… every single thing in one unit, and so much is expected that you feel as was mentioned by a former commissioner, you have to do the impossible for the ungrateful,” the Public Security Minister said.

As such, the minister said to be a professional police officer is an honourable and noble undertaking because when there is a crisis in a community or in a family, the first call is made to the police.

“The police amidst all the dangers [have] to ensure that their presence

[is] felt and that order is maintained, It’s an extraordinarily dangerous job, but it’s an institution that is necessary, and for a society to move forward and advance there needs to be constant improvement of the institution of the Force,” he said.

The minister said that those who are fortunate to be alive and serving in the Force as compared to those who have fallen have to stand on their shoulders and aim to excel.

Ramjattan thanked the relatives of those who are currently police ranks, noting that their lives and wellbeing are an important value to society.

Meanwhile, Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine said the monument and memorial service serve as stark reminders of the challenges faced by members of the Guyana Police Force.

Noting that professionalism and integrity should be present at all times, Ramnarine said the Police Force and by extension the government have been remembering the victims, as each police officer contributes $100 from their monthly incomes which in total amounts to $6M on an annual basis to assist relatives, while President David Granger donates $1M to the fund on a yearly basis to assist with education and welfare.

Ramnarine applauded the work of the Fallen Heroes Foundation through its volunteerism towards an honourable mission.

He explained that lessons can be learned from the past to develop the GPF, and with diligence, commitment and professionalism ranks can make their sacrifice worthwhile.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan Minister Ramjattan and Acting Commissioner Ramnarine laid wreaths, followed by

commanders and senior officers of ‘A’ to ‘G’ divisions and relatives of the fallen heroes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

GBTI Anna Regina branch turns 20 –– bank lauds Region Two sterling support

By Indrawattie Natram

THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Essequibo branch continues to yield astonishing profits in the 20 years it has been doing business in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

That’s according to

Branch Manager Dev Persaud on Friday evening during a reception to mark the occasion.

The reception, which was held on the bank’s premises, saw among those in attendance Executive Director Richard Isava; Senior Finance Manager Mr. Shawn Gurucharran; Business De-

GBTI Anna Regina Branch Manager Dev Persaud and staff at the Bank’s 20th anniversary reception velopment Manager Mario Farinha; Foreign Trade Officer Christina D’Agrealla; and Assistant Manager of the Water Street branch, Juanita Persaud.

During his presentation, Mr Isava not only seized the opportunity to urge the

Essequibo business community to invest wisely in the oil-and-gas sector, but to also laud the “tremendous” performance of the economy in the last five years.

Having said that, he used the opportunity as well to urge the government to rein-

vest some of the anticipated oil revenues in the agriculture sector, particularly the rice industry, since it is the mainstay of many in Region Two. Said he: “By 2020, Guyana will be earning more See page 19

Executive Director Richard Isava addressing the gathering at the bank’s anniversary reception

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

CARICOM mourns Japan’s flood deaths

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Sunday expressed deep condolences to the Government and people of Japan in the face of the tragic loss of life, widespread destruction and suffering wrought by torrential rains and floods in Central and Western Japan.

According to reports, the number of confirmed deaths in the disasters triggered by extreme torrential rains in a broad swath of western Japan has reached 200. Saddened

by the situation, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador LaRocque expressed sympathy to the Japanese people.

“The Caribbean Community conveys its heartfelt sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives and the families of the missing.

The community also sympathises with those displaced by the disaster,” Ambassador LaRocque said in a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister HE Shinzo Abe.

GBTI Anna Regina ...

From page 18

revenues as a country, and as such, businesses need to revamp in an effort to match international standards.”

‘PROGRESS’ Giving a progress report on the performance of the Essequibo branch in its two decades of existence, Dev Persaud said he was happy to say he has seen it evolve into an efficient and reliable financial institution, due to its prudent fiscal management and services.

The same optimism could be applied to the performance of the rice industry in the region as well, as when compared to last year, he has seen a marked improvement in the way business is being done these days, to the extent that rice farmers are now rushing to pay off their installments.

And this is all because the industry has been seen to have picked up somewhat, with better prices being

Branch Manager Dev Persaud warmly greets a rice farmer during the reception offered farmers, which, in turn, has had a positive impact on GBTI Anna Regina, the branch manager said.

Persaud said that with rice farmers being their biggest customers, the bank has designed a special “Crop loans” package to suit their needs.

And in light of the friendly relationship they’ve enjoyed with rice farmers over the years, he said, the bank tends to reach out in a positive way whenever the industry is facing a challenge.

“Even when the rice industry is not doing so well, we at the bank would display patience with rice farmers; we understand that we are partners,” Persaud said.

Serving under the motto, “GBTI your bank, your friend”, the bank has special services to suit every sector, he said.

Since opening its doors in the Cinderella County on July 13, 1998, Persaud said the bank has been engaged in several charitable drives in the region, as well as its annual Diwali programme, and used the opportunity to thank the dedicated staff and the residents of Region Two for their sterling support over the years.

“The Caribbean Community expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of Japan at this moment of national grief, and is confident that the innate strength of the people of Japan will fortify them as the task of recovery and rebuilding begins,” he added.

Japan’s worst floods in three decades have not only left about 200 dead, but have forced millions to evacuate as more than 500 millimetres of rain fell between Friday and Saturday alone.

Household waste collected in the wake of heavy flooding in western Japan is piled up at a temporary collection site in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, on Saturday (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

American Racing Tips Parx Racing

Race 1 Sweet Madea Race 2 Anita G. Race 3 C V I Crystal Race 4 Arrecife Race 5 Burntwood Race 6 Rockaroundtheclock Race 7 Rydell Race 8 Modacious Race 9 Malibu High Race10 Kelly’s Silver

English Racing Tips Ayr

09:00 hrs Coolagh Magic 09:30 hrs Revenge 10:05 hrs Rock N Rolla 10:35 hrs Luis Vaz De Torres 11:05 hrs Brother Mc Gonagall 11:40 hrs Mustaqbal 12:10 hrs Timoshenko

Ripon

09:15 hrs Three Card Trick 09:45 hrs Roca Magic 10:20 hrs Midnight Malibu 10:50 hrs Buccaneers Vault 11;20 hrs Mutadaffeq 11:55 hrs Snow Wind 12:25 hrs Airplane

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park

08:20 hrs Razzle My Tazzle 08:50 hrs Seattle Wonder 09:25 hrs Weskus Klong 09:55 hrs Catwalk Tease 10:30 hrs Selfie

Irish Racing Tips Killarney

13:00 hrs Scriobh Nua 13:30 hrs Prosecution 14:30 hrs Ingleby Mackenzie 15:00 hrs Macgiloney 15:30 hrs Messie 16:00 hrs Diamond Hill

Windsor

12:50 hrs Advanced Virgo 13:20 hrs Magical Wish 13:50 hrs Swiss Pride 14:20 hrs Just That Lord 14:50 hrs Mouchee 15:20 hrs Jus Pires 15:50 hrs Regina Pacis

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Ruthless Djokovic claims fourth Wimbledon title France win World Cup 2018 in breathless six-goal thriller

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic proved conclusively he remains one of the biggest beasts in men’s tennis by outplaying South African giant Kevin Anderson to claim a fourth Wimbledon title on Sunday.

The 31-year-old put two years of turmoil behind him to beat a battle-weary Anderson 6-2 6-2 7-6(3) on a sweltering Centre Court and add a 13th Grand Slam trophy to his bulging cabinet.

It was clear what it meant to the Serb as he ended a twoyear Grand Slam title drought by getting his hands back on the trophy he also raised in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

“I had any moments of doubt and didn’t know if I could compete,” Djokovic, who retired in the quarter-final last year with an elbow injury that required surgery this year, said on court.

“It’s my first Grand Slam final in a couple of years and this is the best place to come back. It’s very, very special.”

Even more so because his young son Stefan watched as he was handed the trophy — although he was not old enough to be allowed to sit through the two hour 19 minute final.

“I was visualising, imagining this moment of him coming to the stands, cherishing this moment with my wife and me and everyone. It’s hard to describe,” Djokovic said.

London, United Kingdom; Novak Djokovic (SRB) poses with the trophy on day 13 at All England Lawn and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

A f i r s t Wi m b l e d o n men’s final in the professional era featuring two players aged 30 or over was no classic.

The last drops of drama had been used up in the two longest men’s semi-finals ever played at the All England Club. But Djokovic did not care about that.

Having dropped to his lowest ranking since 2006 and without a title of any description this year — the world number 21 entered Wimbledon in the unusual position of being an outsider.

CAUGHT FIRE But his game caught fire throughout a sun-drenched fortnight and against Rafael Nadal in an epic semi-final completed on Saturday he looked like the player who has spent 223 weeks of his brilliant career as world number one.

In truth, he never had to

scale those heights against the 32-year-old Anderson who for two sets looked to be suffering the effects of having spent 21 hours on court just to reach his first Wimbledon final.

Anderson stunned Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, saving a match point to win in five sets, then beat John Isner 26-24 in the fifth set in a semi-final serve-a-thon which, at six hours 36 minutes, was the second longest tennis match of all time.

His elbow needed treatment, his legs, which he described as like jelly after the Isner epic, would not move properly and his thinking was fuzzy as errors flowed.

Djokovic, who made only one unforced error in the first set, picked over the carcass with relish.

The ruthless Serb broke in the first game and twice more in a 29-minute first set and although Anderson offered more resistance in the second

set the outcome was the same as Djokovic pulled the 6ft 8ins eighth seed from corner to corner.

The faint-hearted probably wanted Anderson to be put out of his misery. But he is made of sterner stuff as he showed by coming back from a similar deficit to stop Federer.

Firing himself up after virtually every point he threatened an unlikely comeback and had two set points when Djokovic served at 4-5 and three more at 5-6.

“He was the better player in the third set, without a doubt,” Djokovic said.

Suddenly Djokovic, who spent two hours and 21 minutes on Saturday playing the remaining two sets of a brutal, two-day, five-setter against Nadal, looked weary.

His survival instincts got him out of trouble, though, and he pulled away in the tiebreak, clinching victory on his second match point when Anderson netted a return.

Anderson’s dream of becoming the first South African to win Wimbledon may have turned to dust, but he will be rewarded with a career-high top-five ranking and the respect of everyone who witnessed his incredible feats of endurance.

“I don’t feel as fresh as I did at the start of the week,” he said. “But I’d have given another 21 hours to get to play in the final here so it really meant a lot to me.”

Tour de France...

Froome and company grind through the cobbles

By Julien Pretot ROUBAIX, France, (Reuters) - It was not the expected major shakedown, but the riders’ faces told a story of suffering as most of the main Tour de France favourites stayed in contention after a much-feared stage nine on Sunday.

The 156.5-km route from Arras featured 21.7km of cobbled sections, in which the climbers had to grind their way to the finish.

There were scares and crashes, but defending champion Chris Froome, his lieutenant Geraint Thomas as well as Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, twice runner-up Nairo Quintana, Dutchman Tom Dumoulin and 2014 champion Vincenzo Nibali all escaped unhurt.

punctures.

“It’s a big relief to get through that stage, the guys did a great job keeping me and Geraint safe, chapeau to them. I’m looking forward to the rest day tomorrow,” said Froome, who finished 27 seconds behind stage winner John Degenkolb.

“The GC (general Team Sky rider Chris Froome classification) guys got of Britain in action. Stephane through. Richie crashed Mantey/Pool via REUTERS out before the first section, it’s never nice to see a rival Only Australian Richie Porte crashed out after 10km go like that.” The four-times and last year’s runner-up champion crashed on a cobRigoberto Uran lost one min- bled section but on the side of ute 28 seconds on the favou- the road and he was quickly rites’ group after hitting the back in the main bunch. “(My team mate) Gianni ground.

France’s Romain Bardet (Moscon) went down in lost seven seconds but things front of me and I just went could have been much worse over the top,” Froome said.

“It was a stressful day, I’m for the twice podium finisher as he suffered three just grateful we got through. I

had a bit of a tumble but I got back and finished with most of the GC guys.”

Overall, Froome lies eighth, one minute 42 seconds behind Belgian Greg van Avermaet, who is expected to lose his yellow jersey on Tuesday when the peloton hits the mountains, and six seconds ahead of Nibali.

The best-placed overall contender is Thomas, who is second and 43 seconds off the pace. “It’s a good position to be in,” Froome said. Uran dropped down the rankings to 22nd, 2:53 behind Van Avermaet while Bardet is 17th, 2:32 off the pace.

“I had misfortunes today with the punctures but the legs are good and it’s a good sign before the Alps,” the Frenchman said.

CONTINUE FROM BACK PAGE There were as many goals in 90 action-packed Moscow minutes as in the last four finals combined, and three of those went to extra time.

The game featured the first final own goal and the first VAR-decided spot-kick — one Croatia were furious about and which was arguably the turning-point of the game.

But the only statistic France really care about is that the result makes them world champions for the second time following their triumph on home soil in 1998.

Having lost the 2006 final on penalties to Italy, it also meant there was no repeat of two years ago when they were beaten in the European Championship final by Portugal in Paris.

Didier Deschamps, captain of the 1998 France side, became the third man to lift the World Cup as player and coach after Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer.

“This is not about me, it’s about everyone around me and the players,” Deschamps said having been carried shoulder-high by them during a post-match downpour.

“It’s a young team who are on the top of the world.

Some are champions at the age of 19, but my greatest source of pride is they had the right state of mind.

“Today we did not do everything right but have those mental and psychological qualities which were decisive - and we did score four goals.

“It hurt so much to lose the Euro two years ago, but it made us learn too and we worked so hard for 55 days here. Maybe if we were Euro champions we would not have been world champions today.”

OWN GOAL Croatia started full of energy but went behind in the 18th minute when a Griezmann free kick skidded in off the head of Mandzukic, who scored the extra-time winner against England in the semi-final.

It was the fourth successive knockout game in which Croatia conceded first but again they found a way back as Perisic, who got the equaliser against England, smashed in a low shot 10 minutes later.

Then came the moment which will keep the VAR debate at the top of the sport’s agenda.

Perisic flapped an arm at a corner and after Argentine referee Nestor Pitana conducted a protracted VAR review he awarded the 28th penalty of the tournament, another record.

Ignoring Croatian protests, Griezmann stroked the ball home in the 38th minute for his fourth goal of Russia 2018.

That made it the highest-scoring first half since 1974, when West Germany led the Netherlands 2-1 also the final score - but this time there was much more to come.

Croatia were on top again after the break but France went 3-1 up on the hour as Mbappe and Griezmann combined to set up Pogba on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s right-foot shot was blocked but he coolly curved the rebound in with his left.

Six minutes later Lucas Hernandez tore down the left to set up Mbappe to drill home a low shot as the 19-year-old young player of the tournament claimed his fourth goal in Russia and became the first teenager to score in a final since Pele in 1958.

After three successive extra-time knockout games the chances of Croatia coming back again looked impossible but they were thrown a lifeline by Lloris, who tried to dribble round Mandzukic only for the striker to block the ball and send it into the unguarded net.

Croatia, beaten by the French in the 1998 semi-finals in their first World Cup appearance, continued to press but their energy was sapped and France held out.

Croatia’s shirtless fans saluted their players as torrential rain lashed down on the presentation ceremony and coach Zlatko Dalic had few regrets.

“We are sad but proud at the same time,” he said.

“We played well but the penalty knocked the wind out of us and after that it was very difficult. We have been dignified in our victories and we must be in defeat as well.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Williams completes rare sprint double at IAAF World Under-20 championships TAMPERE, Finland, (CMC) – Sprint sensation Briana Williams completed a rare sprint double at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships to help push Jamaica closer to a record medal haul.

The 16-year-old Williams became just the fourth woman in the history of the competition to win both the 100 and 200 metre events when she sped to victory in the latter on Saturday in a time of 22.50 seconds.

Williams, the CARIFTA Under-17 sprint champion, had already won gold in the 100 metres in 11.16 seconds

two days earlier.

Jamaica has so far captured nine medals — three gold, four silver and two bronze – meaning they have equalled their second-best haul ever at these championships and need just two medals to equal their highest ever total of 11 achieved at home in Kingston in 2002.

Jamaica has won nine medals on two other occasions; in 1992 when the event was held in Seoul, South Korea, and again in 2004 in Grosetto, Italy.

They have the opportunity to add another four medals on Sunday’s

Briana Williams became just the fourth woman to do the sprint double at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships

final day with three individual athletes and the women’s 4x400m relay team competing.

Discus thrower Kai Chang, sprint hurdler Britney Anderson and high jumper Lamara Distin all qualified for the final of their respective events, along with the women’s mile-relay team.

However, there was major disappointment for the men’s 4x400m relay team after they were disqualified.

The team of Malik Smith, Dashawn Morris, Anthony Carpenter and Shemar Chambers clocked 3:07.65 to place second in

their semi-final heat to Great Britain who ran a worldleading 3:07.17.

Smith was ruled to have run on the line on the opening leg and the team was disqualified, a decision that was upheld after a protest from the team’s management.

There were high hopes for the team, and with the expected inclusion of 400m medallists Christopher Taylor and Chantz Sawyers, they were expected to challenge, not just the National Junior Record of 3:03.77, but also the championships record of 3:01.09 held by the USA.

Kohli backs MS Dhoni Leeward Islands top after defensive tactics standings after second win, CWI Under-17 championships

T&Tsuffer first defeat

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – With just two rounds of matches remaining in the Cricket West Indies Under-17 Championships, the Leeward Islands sit atop the standings following the completion of the third round of matches on Saturday.

The Leewards defeated the Windward Islands by two wickets, their second win in three games, to climb to 13.2 points.

Guyana, which also has two wins, is close behind in second on 12.9 points after knocking over the defending champions Trinidad and Tobago by three wickets.

Barbados is a distant third with eight points, while Trinidad by virtue of having a better net run rate then the Windward Islands is fourth, with both teams sitting on 7.2 points.

Jamaica, which is yet to win a match is sixth on 1.4 points.

In the latest round of matches, led by a three-wicket haul from Taeiem Tonge and a solid 48 by Jahiem Africa, the Leewards managed to overhaul the Windwards’ total of 146-9, finishing on

150 for eight.

Tonge finished with the impressive figures of 3-34, to help restrict the opponents who were sent into bat after losing the toss.

Jaylen Francis and Antonio Fernandes also chipped in, each claiming two wickets.

Keygan Arnold was the topscorer for the Windwards, blasting 37 from 34 balls batting down the order.

Arnold, the Man-of-thematch, returned to grab three wickets, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his side from losing.

While Africa was the mainstay of the Leeward Islands’ innings, he got good support from Demari Benta (39) and Kenny Sutton who made 27.

In a low scoring affair, Guyana skittled out Trinidad and Tobago for only 65 before limping to 66-7, to hand the two-time defending champions their first loss of the competition.

They were three wickets apiece for Dwaine Dick and Sheldon Charles as no Trinidad batsman made 15.

In their turn at the crease, Guyana found themselves

precariously placed at 507, before the pair of Nigel Deodat and Charles carried them to safety.

Sachin Singh topscored with 21, while Nicholas Ali and Sameer Ali both grabbed three wickets for Trinidad.

Barbados picked up their first win of the tournament by pummeling the hapless Jamaicans.

Batting first, Razaq Williams’ 83 helped to propel Jamaica to a respecatble 2049 from their 50 overs.

Ramon Simmonds (2-30), Rivaldo Clarke (2-45) and Jamal Leacock 2-40, were the leading bowlers for Barbados.

Barbados, however, made light work of the target, racing to 205-4 in 44.3 overs.

Opener Rashawn Worrell made 69 , Rivaldo Clarke stroked an unbeaten 55 and Antonio Morris scored 37 to help lead last year’s runnerups to a comfortable victory.

In the fourth round of matches slated to be played today, the Leeward Islands will take on Barbados, Guyana will face Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will come up against the Windward Islands.

INDIA captain Virat Kohli defended MS Dhoni after he adopted unusually defensive tactics during his team’s 86-run defeat by England at Lord’s.

Former skipper Dhoni, renowned for his swashbuckling attacking play, came out at number six at the end of the 27th over with India 140-4 in search of 323.

He made 37 in 59 balls with only two fours and was caught in the 47th over.

Kohli said of the 37-year-old: “We all have bad days and today was a bad day for everyone, not for him alone.”

Dhoni, playing his 320th one-day international, recorded his 10,000th run during his unusual innings at Lord’s, but was subjected to boos and slow hand claps from the crowd for his failure to challenge England’s total.

Joe Root made 113 for his 12th ODI century and David Willey’s unbeaten 50 from 31 balls helped England to reach 322-7.

“This thing comes up again and again when he’s not able to play the way he does,” said Kohli.

“It’s unfortunate that people jump to conclusions quickly. When he does well,

MS Dhoni

people call him the best finisher ever, and when things do not go well, people pounce on him.”

Veteran wicketkeeper Dhoni was eventually caught on the boundary attempting an attacking shot.

India were finally all out for 236 from the last ball of the match, leaving the series level at 1-1 going into the deciding fixture at Headingley on Tuesday.

Kohli insisted Dhoni was not at fault for his approach, however, and added: “The idea was to take the innings deep.

He has the experience but sometimes it doesn’t come off.

“We totally believe in

him and the ability of all the players.”

India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, the number 11 batsman who was the last wicket to fall, also backed the senior member of the side, claiming: “We had already lost the match so we saw it as practice for the next match.”

Dhoni is renowned for being so good in chases and difficult situations. I just feel he got today horribly wrong. I felt for the crowd. They wanted some sort of entertainment.

The last 15 overs, India took their foot off the gas completely. You’re left scratching your head.

(BBC Sport).

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

A new champion will be crowned in Bartica Zone Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ -BLB beat champs River View A new champion was slated to be crowned last evening when the final of the Bartica Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition was expected to conclude in the Region 7 community.

Playing in the third quarter-final match-up, Jade Huggins 10th minute strike was enough to send defending champion River View crashing out of the competition at the hands of the BLB Squad.

Also losing was last year’s beaten finalist, Police, who went down to Disconnection Crew 9-1 in the Round of 16 action.

In the other quarter-final results, Almanac Kings proved who the real ‘kings of the street’ are when they beat Street Kings 3-0.

Goal Raiders then squeezed past Potaro Strikers 1-0, thanks to a solitary strike from Brian Browne in the 4th minute.

Disconnection Crew

then edged Jones Avenue 2-1 to make the semi-finals.

The winner of the competition will join fifteen other teams for the national playoffs.

The national playoffs are set to be staged on July 27 and August 1, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac and Haslington Market Square respectively, while the final will be played on August 4, at the National Stadium, Providence.

Part of the action in the Bartica Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition.

EBFA / Juicy Juice U-13 League

Diamond United, Timehri Panthers & Hararuni Eagles put away opponents time, the 30th minute. This Diamond United team has shown great improvement and determination and has sounded a warning to all, that they are no longer the whipping boys of the EBFA. Timehri Panthers Sports Club continued where they left off in the Under-15 League which they won earlier this year; the home team notched their third win in as many matches. Keron Williams was the main arDiamond United (yellow) score their second goal against Swan FC chitect of the 6-1 triumph at the Timehri Red ground as he banged in the first helmet-trick of the league.

DIAMOND United continued trounced Samatta Point/Kaneville Williams hit the back of the their fine showing and their FC 6-1 while new comers, Ha- nets in the 15th, 17th, 30th and hard work is showing encour- raruni Eagles, soared to their 34th minute as Samatta Point/ aging dividends when they maiden win in EBFA competition, Kaneville was not able to keep thumped Swan Football Club needling Soesdyke Falcons 1-0. the Panthers at bay. Shaquile Ca3-0 in the main fixture Saturday Diamond United’s win saw leb added his name to the score when play in the Juicy Juice- them jumping into second place sheet in the 46th minute with the sponsored East Bank Football on the points table. Shaquan final goal coming off the boot Association (EBFA) Under-13 Braithwaite opened proceed- of Antwon Denny in the 59th League continued with day ings in the 11th minute with minute. three play at the Timehri Red teammate Shakem Welcome Jeremiah Henry netted Samatground doubling the advantage in the ta Point/Kaneville’s consolation Also taking full points on the 17th minute. goal in the 24th minute. ‘New day were Timehri Panthers Sports Diamond United was gifted kids on the block’ Hararuni EaClub who maintained their hold their third goal when Anderson gles, through a Cebasio Peters at the top of the points table fol- Webber of Swan scored in his 50th minute goal, recorded their lowing another solid display; they own goal on the stroke of half first win in just their third match competing in the EBFA. Following is the latest points standing: Their encounter with Soesdyke Falcons, playing in their Team P W L D GF GA GD Points first match of the league, was Timehri Panthers SC 3 3 0 0 13 1 +12 9 Diamond United 2 2 0 0 10 1 +9 6 close with the losers creating Diamond Upsetters 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6 quite a few chances but were Swan FC 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 6 SPKV FC 3 2 1 0 5 6 -1 6 not able to finish as they would Hararuni Eagless 3 1 2 0 2 4 -2 3 have liked to.

Herstelling Raiders 1 0 1 0 1 7 -6 0 KK Warriors 2 0 2 0 0 9 -9 0 This developmental comSoesdyke Falcons 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 petition will continue on the Grove Hi Tech 2 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 weekend.

Agricola 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 0

GT Beer ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Indoor KO Competition

Tiger Bay, Sparta, Silver Bullets among Winners

Part of the action in the clash between Sparta Boss and Tucville on Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

SPARTA Boss, Linden’s Silver Bullets and Tiger Bay were among the winners when play in the GT Beer ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Indoor Knockout Futsal Competition continued on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium.

Sparta Boss, one of the most successful teams in the shorter format and appearing in the final game of the night, easily dispatched Tucville 3-1 with Gregory Richardson firing in a brace, while Dennis Edwards added the other.

On the other hand, Tiger Bay showed that they are serious contenders with a crushing 7-2 triumph over California Square.

Orin Moore led the riot with a

hat-trick which he netted in the 4th, 6th and 15th minutes, while there were a pair each for the diminutive Deon Alfred and James Meredith.

Linden’s Silver Bullets were also in a dominant mood and hammered East Coast Uprising 8-3 with Clifford Halley slamming in a treble.

There were solitary strikes from Geshawn Freeman, Jamaine Samuels, Robin Adams, Damion Williams and Nigel Bennett.

On target for Uprising were K. Garrette, who netted a brace, and S. Hunte.

West Demerara Showstoppers, Ol Skool Ballers and North East La Penitence all gained walk-overs after Buxton, BV and Ann’s Grove failed to show up.

26 26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

Zafar leads Vancouver Knights to inaugural Global T20 Title

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – After failing to attract crowds during its almost threeweek staging, the Global T20 Canada climaxed in a blaze of glory at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club ground, King City, yesterday with a “full house” being treated to an enthralling contest between eventual winners Vancouver Knights and Cricket West Indies B. Fittingly, the hero in Vancouver Knights seven-wicket victory was Canadian national player Saad Bin Zafar, who followed up his two for 25 with an attractive unbeaten 79 as his team conquered the youthful CWI B who had earlier defeated them in last Thursday’s high-scoring qualifying encounter, played at the same venue.

The left-handed Zafar entered the fray with Vancouver Knights in early trouble at 22 for three in the third over, following the dismissals of openers Chadwick Walton, captain Chris Gayle and Ben Dunk.

All three fell cheap-

Vancouver Knights celebrate their Global T20 title win over Cricket West Indies B .

ly to outstanding catches; Walton taken at cover by Fabian Allen off Jeremiaah Louis; Gayle at mid-on by a diving Justin Greaves and Dunk also at cover by substitute Khary Pierre, the latter two off fast bowler Derval Green.

Any thoughts the CWI B had of winning the inaugural tournament and carting off the top prize of $500 000(US) were, however, dashed by

a brilliant unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 126 between Zafar and South African, Rassie Van Der Dussen who was 44 not out when victory was achieved in 17.3 overs.

The pair started slowly with Zafar, who was surprisingly promoted in the batting order, growing in confidence and stature.

Unleashing a series of classical strokes and with the

backing of the partisan Canadian fans, Zafar looked fully composed as the CWI bowlers wilted under pressure for the first time in the tournament.

When victory was achieved, much to the delight of his teammates, Zafar had counted eight fours and three sixes in his man-of-the-match performance while Van Der Hussen supporting innings included three fours, the last

one ensuring a resounding victory.

Green, who caused some early problems, finished with two for 20 from his three overs while Louis took one for 17 from two.

Earlier, Gayle had no hesitation in inserting CWI B, obviously bent on his team chasing this time around following last Thursday’s defeat which saw the Caribbean side winning off the final delivery in their high-scoring contest.

The decision payed handsome dividends as within the first five overs, CWI had slumped to 30 for three.

Shamar Springer lost his middle stump to fast bowler Sheldon Cotterel off a delivery that kept appreciably low while the tall Jamaican also sent back Justin Greaves, caught at cover by Tim Southee in his second over.

Brandon King also failed to impress, playing a loose shot to Jafar as the Caribbean sunk into further trouble.

Last Thursday’s hero, Sherfane Rutherford threatened briefly, hitting

fellow Guyanese Steven Jacobs for successive sixes, but the latter had the last laugh as, in attempting to smash the off-spinner over long-on, the strongly-built left-hander skied a catch to Dunk and it was soon 51 for four in the seventh over.

Nichols Pooran also played a poor shot to Pakistan leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed to be bowled all over the place while skipper Anthony Bramble became Ahmed second victim, caught at midwicket for 15.

It took a cameo from Fabian Allen who walloped a top score of 41 from 23 deliveries to bring some respectability to the eventual total of 145 all out in 17.4 overs, a total that would prove inadequate in the end.

Allen spanked three fours and three sixes in his entertaining knock as Cotterel returned towards the end to snare two more victims to finish with the impressive figures of four for 29 from 3.4 overs. Ahmed took three for 24, Zafar two for 25 and Jacobs one for 14.

Harry Kane wins Golden Boot and Luka Modric the Golden Ball …Kylian Mbappe wins Young Player Award ENGLAND captain Harry Kane has won the Golden Boot after finishing as the World Cup’s top scorer with Croatia’s Luka Modric winning the Golden Ball for being the player of the tournament.

Belgium midfielder Eden

Hazard was the second-best player, with France forward Antoine Griezmann third.

His French team-mate Kylian Mbappe won the Young Player Award.

Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois was awarded the Golden Glove for being the leading

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday July 16, 2018) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Cummings Electrical Company Ltd. 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Abu Jayed (2) 5 'ducks' Today’s Quiz: (1) Which Guyanese has taken most Test wickets for the WI to date?

(2) Which Guyanese has scored most Test runs for the WI to date?

Answer in tomorrow's issue

goalkeeper.

Modric ‘did the lion share of our play’ F o r m e r To t t e n h a m midfielder Modric scored in Croatia’s opening two matches - a 2-0 win against Nigeria and then the 3-0 victory against Argentina - and also made one assist as he guided his country to their first World Cup final, which they lost 4-2 against France.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said: “He played a terrific tournament which is another commendation for the team which helped to bring about Luka’s success. He did the lion share of our play and he was a deserved winner of the Golden Ball.”

Chelsea’s Hazard got two goals in the 5-2 win over Tunisia and also scored in his side’s 2-0 win versus England in the third-fourth play-off on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid striker

Luka Modric (left) poses with the Golden Ball with Kylian

Griezmann won the Golden Boot at the 2016 European Championships with six goals and scored four and made a further two at this World Cup. Paris St-Germain forward Mbappe, 19, enhanced his growing reputation with a series of fine performances that saw him awarded with a silver ball for winning the Young Player Award.

He scored the only goal

in France’s 1-0 group win against Peru, netted twice in the 4-3 win over Argentina in the last 16 and grabbed France’s fourth goal in the final.

Chelsea’s Courtois helped Belgium finish third with a number of fine performances in goal to earn the Golden Glove Award. He kept clean sheets in the group win over Panama and the two matches against England and made a

number of vital saves in the wins over Japan and Brazil.

A trophy for England Kane is the second Englishman to end as the top scorer in a World Cup after Gary Lineker scored six goals in 1986.

M b a p p e a n d Griezmann, who both scored in France’s 4-2 final win over Croatia, ended on four goals apiece, two behind Kane.

Russia’s Denis Cheryshev, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku also scored four times.

K a n e , t h e P re m i e r League top scorer in two of the past three seasons, also became the first Englishman since Tommy Lawton in 1939 to score in six consecutive internationals, although he did not net in England’s last three matches in Russia.

Kane’s goals all came in England’s first four games, with three from the penalty spot.(BBC Sport)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 16, 2018

World champion teenager Mbappe is game’s new global star

…becomes the first teenager since Brazil legend Pele to score in a World Cup final

forget all their problems. We play for that kind of thing,” said the forward.

France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates with the trophy after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

By Simon Evans MOSCOW (Reuters) Teenager Kylian Mbappe confirmed his status as the new star of international football with a superb goal and impressive display in France’s 4-2 World Cup final triumph over Croatia on Sunday.

At the end of a World Cup in which Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi headed home after the first knockout round and Brazilian Neymar failed to deliver, the game perhaps needed a new talent to excite the global public.

The 19-year-old from Bondy, on the gritty northeast outskirts of Paris, has provided it with his terrifying pace, superb touch and clinical finishing in ample evidence.

With his goal, Mbappe became the first teenager since the great Brazilian Pele in 1958 to score in a World Cup final.

Mbappe, who netted four goals in Russia, was also voted the young player of the tournament, recognition of his excellent performances, particularly in the knockout

stages.

Former Germany World Cup player and coach Juergen Klinsmann, working as a BBC pundit at the tournament, believes the Paris St Germain forward can become one of the greats of the game.

“There is so much to come down the road. He is shaking up the market.

With Ronaldo moving (to Juventus) and (Paris St Germain’s) Neymar being linked with other clubs, where is it finishing with this kid?”

The striker, who joined PSG from Monaco in a multi-million dollar deal among the biggest the game has seen, showed his finishing ability on the biggest stage of all with a low drive in the 65th minute for his team’s fourth goal.

He ended the game dancing around the field in delight with his team mates as he celebrated becoming a world champion “I’m very happy. The road was long but it was worth it. We are proud to make the French happy. We had this role to help them

“I do not just want to be in football but rather to be world champion. I want to

do even better, but world champion is already good.

We’re going to celebrate,

we’ve been working all season and now it’s time to celebrate this summer.”

France win World Cup 2018 in breathless six-goal thriller

Hugo Lloris of France lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his team-mates as the rain pours down in Moscow.(FIFA via Getty Images)

By Mitch Phillips MOSCOW (Reuters) France won the World Cup for the second time in spectacular style on Sunday as a 4-2 victory over Croatia in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals for decades ended the battling outsiders’ dreams of a first title.

After an early own goal by Mario Mandzukic France’s big guns delivered on the biggest stage of all as Antoine Griezmann - with a penalty awarded after a VAR review - Paul Pogba and teenage tyro Kylian Mbappe hit the target.

Ivan Perisic and Mandzukic replied for Croatia, who ended beaten but un-

bowed after making much of the running in their first appearance in the final.

It was the highest-scoring decider since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in 1966 and the most goals in normal time since Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 60 years ago.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 23

FIFA awards for 2018 World Cup MOSCOW (Reuters) - FIFA awards for the 2018 World Cup: BEST PLAYER Golden Ball: Luka Modric (Croatia) Silver Ball: Eden Hazard (Belgium) Bronze Ball: Antoine Griezmann (France) TOP GOALSCORER Golden Boot: Harry Kane (England), six goals Silver Boot: Antoine Griezmann (France), four goals* Bronze Boot: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium), Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

four goals* * Griezmann takes silver boot on number of assists BEST GOALKEEPER Golden Glove: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) BEST YOUNG PLAYER FIFA Young Player: (France) FAIREST TEAM

Kylian

Mbappe

FIFA Fair Play Trophy: Spain MAN OF THE MATCH (FINAL) Antoine Griezmann (France) MONDAY, JULY 16, 2018