Guyana chronicle e paper 05 1 2017

44 complete entrepreneurial training Happy Page 14

No. 104899

MONDAY MAY 1, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

LABOUR DAY

AFC appoints Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee Page 5

reaffirms APNU+AFC coalition is strong and cohesive

Father of five killed in accident

Page 9

The minibuses that were involved in Sunday’s accident on Le Ressouvenir Public Road (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Gaspar in Teen stabbed to death the lead Page 3

Page 17

Organisation of workers big on labour agenda Page 23

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

Global health, environmental challenges under the microscope

–– at inaugural global meeting at Harvard University

By Alva Solomon in Boston, Massachusetts GLOBAL health and environmental challenges facing the planet are being brought under the microscope as the Harvard University-based Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) collaborates with a diverse group of stakeholders to dissect the impact on human health caused by global environmental change.

The body along with its partners, the American Geophysical Union, the Ecological Society of America, and The Lancet have organised the Inaugural Annual Meeting on Planetary Health and GeoHealth, which is being held at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.

The two-day conference is funded by the Rockefeller foundation and brings together a diverse group of over 300 participants including students, investigators, instructors, policy-makers, and other interested individuals who are committed to understanding and communicating the human-health impacts of global environmental change.

Michael Myers, Managing-Director of the Rockefeller Foundation, told participants at the opening of the conference on Saturday at Harvard that the annual meeting is a historic one where the group meets to address the challenges facing Earth.

He said that the foundation on attaining its 100th anniversary in 2013 organised a series of consultations, and one such forum focused on

global health and accompanying challenges.

He said the first investment made by the foundation was the formation of the Rockefeller Lancet Commission, and according to him in 2015, the commission released a report which called for “urgent attention” to the health and environmental issues facing the planet.

Against that backdrop, the foundation invested in the PLA to connect stakeholders, including those in practice and future leaders.

On Saturday morning, a number of presentations were made by participants in the conference. These included Dr Phillip Landrigan, Dean for Global Health at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, who addressed the issue of pollution which he noted is one of the major causes of major diseases.

He said the drivers of pollution are urbanisation, industrialisation as well as the relocation of toxic industries. Dr Landrigan, who also chairs The Lancet-Mount Sinai Global Commission on Pollution & Health, noted that the traditional forms of pollution such as water pollution, are decreasing; however, the number of deaths caused by other forms such as chemical pollution, are increasing.

He said that more than 70 per cent of diseases caused by pollution are the non-communicable diseases, noting that chemical manufacturers are among the key factors involved in the issue. According to Dr Landrigan, there is the thought that new

Michael Myers (Photo Courtesy of the PHA) chemicals will bring benefits to the planet; however, “it’s not until after the fact that we learn new chemicals cause damage and harm.”

Noting that children are among those who suffer the most from pollution, Dr Landrigan said pollution “is totally a human rights issue,” adding that it is poor communities which suffer the most from the process.

The conference first day of events also saw presentations on a variety of topics and these included university leadership in advancing planetary health, a drop in fish-catch which threatens human health, as well as securing sustainable and nutritious food systems through mainstreaming agricultural biodiversity.

According to the PHA , the objective of the forum is to showcase the extraordinary momentum that is taking place around the world in the field of planetary health, while highlighting institutional developments, emerging investigators, research developments, and applications to policy-making and natural resource management.

Gaspar in the lead 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

–– as the wait continues for GPSU election results

By Ariana Gordon

GREGORY Gaspar, the lone contender in the elections for President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), believes that notwithstanding efforts to delay the publication of the results, he will be victorious.

Gaspar said that in spite of the challenges, he is optimistic that he will win the election against rival contender and long-standing President

at 201.

The results are expected to be released on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday just outside of the GPSU’s headquarters on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Street, Gaspar said the police were yet again called in

by Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Herman De Souza, to ensure that there is a high level of scrutiny and securi-

According to him, the delay needs to be explained by De Souza, and noted that the 12 boxes have been counted since last Friday, as all of those boxes originated from out of Georgetown.

“The boxes that had to be counted at the union were the Georgetown running boxes, and the standing boxes that would have been counted the same evening at the same locations,” he said, adding: “The results of those 12

Two supporters of Gregory Gaspar’s Team Change stand opposite the GPSU headquarters on Sunday bearing placards of the GPSU, Patrick Yarde.

Thus far, seven boxes have been counted and the results of those ballots show that Gaspar is ahead of Yarde by 387 votes. Gaspar has 542 votes, while Yarde has secured 155.

Unofficially, the Guyana Chronicle understands that for the two standing ballots which represent workers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Yarde remains behind Gaspar.

In the case of the GRA, Gaspar secured 96 votes and Yarde 16; while over at the GPHC, Gaspar scored 62 and Yarde 30.

If those unofficial results are accurate, then Gaspar will see his votes surge to 700, while Yarde’s will trail

ty for the ballot boxes at the close of operations today.

WHY THE DELAY? Gaspar ,who is confident of securing “A Big win”, given the preliminary results, said he is yet to understand why there is a delay in the release of the results of the elections. He explained that all of the counting of the ballot papers would have been concluded and as such, nothing else is left to be done.

“I am not aware that they have any more work to be done, because all of the boxes that are remaining are supposed to have Statements of Poll and he should be releasing the results of those 12 boxes,” said Gaspar, who was sporting a ‘Refuse to lose’ jersey.

boxes, he is supposed to have since Thursday evening or Friday morning, and he has not released it as yet. I don’t know what the big delay in releasing the results is; nothing more has to be counted.”

Gaspar noted that all of the counting concluded on Sunday, and as such there was nothing preventing DeSouza from releasing the results, as he has the Statements of Poll for the 12 ballot boxes since last Thursday evening or Friday morning.

However, when contacted on Sunday afternoon, DeSouza told the Guyana Chronicle that the results are likely to be made available on Wednesday afternoon. He said that although he and his team of workers are extremely tired, they will continue work on Wednesday.

“All of the ballots have been counted, but we need to get into the Statements of Poll; we are very tired,” DeSouza said, adding: “Not likely until Wednesday” the results will be available.

He said that while the tallying of votes has been completed, he does not want to be “premature” in his utterances.

KEEPING A CLOSE EYE Though he has participated in only two union elections, Gaspar maintained that he has never experienced such a high level of scrutiny of the union’s elections before, and noted that he along with members of his team are keeping watch at the GPSU headquarters to ensure that no one enters the premises.

“We are keeping watch!

Since he (Herman De Souza) announced we have to wait until Wednesday, we are still interested in securing the ballot boxes because it is still in the building and we are out here to ensure that no one goes to interfere with those 12 boxes that he is yet to release the results for.”

Meanwhile, should Gaspar be elected to serve as President of the GPSU, he intends to resuscitate all of the union’s branches, so that “all members have a voice in the union.” He explained that there are over 60 union branches, but less than five are active (have a chairman and vice-chairman).

Moreover, he intends to have an audit of the finances

Sporting a ‘refuse to lose’ jersey, Gregory Gaspar stands in front of the GPSU Headquarters on Sunday afternoon of the union done as none has been done since 2006.

Through his Attorney Nigel Hughes, Gaspar had filed an application against GPSU executive members, accusing them of failing to properly manage the union.

Additionally, Gaspar called for there to be a suspension of the Council so that the Treasurer and Auditor General’s reports for the period 2004 to present be produced and tabled at the Biennial Delegates’ Confer-

ence. An interim injunction that was granted was discharged by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, following the presentation of documents to show the union’s income and expenditure up to December 31, 2016.

But Gaspar maintains that the documents presented to the court were neither audited nor were they signed.

Attempts to contact President of the GPSU Patrick Yarde on Sunday were unsuccessful.

Supporters of Gregory Gaspar’s Team Change keep a vigil outside GPSU headquarters on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive (Photos by Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

AFC to push for repeal of VAT on South Korea says U.S. reaffirms it will pay THAAD costs private education -- Trump calls Asia allies THE Alliance For Change (AFC) said it will make strident representation within the Coalition Government to ensure a repeal of VAT on private education in 2018.

The AFC in a release said it is cognisant and understands the difficult challenges faced by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government in raising revenue to meet the national capital and current expenditures for 2017,at a time when there are difficult economic situations throughout the hemisphere.

The party also said it recognises that the measure of instituting VAT on private education tuition has been unpopular and has created some unexpected challenges for some parents of children and adult students attending private educational institutions.

“The party has listened to those who have been

affected by this measure and having thoroughly reviewed all perspectives and extensively deliberated on the matter the party accepts that: (1) education is a social good and, in ideal circumstances, tuition ought not to attract VAT; (2) that Budget 2017 has a significant deficit; (3) that the reduction of the VAT rate from 16 per cent to 14 per cent has resulted in a net revenue loss of GY$10B; (4) that unpopular tax measures are sometimes necessary to meet revenue targets; (5) in retrospect the measure ought to have benefitted from wider consultation.”

The AFC also said it is of the view that the status of private educational institutions requires review and updating where appropriate and calls on the Government to set up a task force to engage this matter in advance of the presentation of the Budget 2018 estimates.

South Korea said the United States had reaffirmed it would shoulder the cost of deploying the THAAD anti-missile system, days after President Donald Trump said Seoul should pay for the $1-billion battery designed to defend against North Korea.

In a telephone call on Sunday, Trump’s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, reassured his South Korean counterpart, Kim Kwan-jin, that the U.S. alliance with South Korea was its top priority in the Asia-Pacific region, the South’s presidential office said.

The conversation followed another North Korean missile test-launch on Saturday which Washington and Seoul said was unsuccessful, but which drew widespread international condemnation.

Trump, asked about his message to North Korea after the latest missile test, told reporters: “You’ll soon find out”, but did not elaborate on what the U.S. response would be.

Trump is stepping up outreach to allies in Asia to discuss the North Korean nuclear threat and make sure all are “on the same page” if action was needed, a top White House official said. The U.S. president will discuss North Korea with the leaders of Thailand and Singapore on Sunday after speaking with the Philippines’ president on

Saturday.

“There is nothing right now facing this country and facing the region that is a bigger threat than what is happening in North Korea,” White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus told ABC’s “This Week.”

Trump’s comments in an interview with Reuters on Thursday that he wanted Seoul to pay for the THAAD deployment perplexed South Koreans and raised questions about his commitment to the two countries’ alliance.

South Korean officials responded that the cost was for Washington to bear, under the bilateral agreement.

“National security adviser H.R. McMaster explained that the recent statements

by President Trump were made in a general context, in line with the U.S. public expectations on defense cost burden-sharing with allies,” South Korea’s Blue House said in a statement, adding that McMaster requested the call.

Major elements of the advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defens e (THAAD) system were moved into the planned site in Seonjgu, in the south of the country, this week.

The deployment has drawn protests from China, which says the powerful radar which can penetrate its territory will undermine regional security, and from local residents worried they

U.S. President Donald Trump

will be a target for North Korean missiles.

About 300 residents rallied on Sunday as two U.S. Army trucks tried to enter the THAAD deployment site. Video provided by villagers showed protesters blocking the road with a car and chanting slogans such as “Don’t lie to us! Go back to your country!”

Police said they had sent about 800 officers to the site and two residents were injured during clashes with them.

South Korea and the United States say the sole purpose of THAAD is to guard against North Korean missiles.

Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to South Korea’s security but said on NBC that Trump would “continue to call on the prosperous nations that the United States provides security and protection for to do more in their own defense.”

The United States is seeking more help from China, the North’s major ally, to rein in Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development. Trump, in the Reuters interview, praised Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as a “good man”.

TENSIONS HIGH The North has been conducting missile and nuclear weapons related activities at an unprecedented rate and is believed to have made progress in developing intermediate-range and submarine-launched missiles.

Tension on the Korean peninsula has been high for weeks over fears the North

may conduct a long-range missile test, or its sixth nuclear test, around the time of the April 15 anniversary of its state founder’s birth.

In excerpts of an interview with CBS News released on Saturday, Trump said the United States and China would “not be happy” with a nuclear test but gave no other details.

Trump discussed the threat posed by North Korea in a telephone call with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, the White House said.

In an address to a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday, Duterte urged the United States to show restraint after North Korea’s latest missile test and to avoid playing into the hands of leader Kim Jong Un, who “wants to end the world”.

Two-month long U.S.South Korean joint military drills were due to conclude on Sunday, U.S. and South Korean officials said.

The exercise, called Foal Eagle, was repeatedly denounced by North Korea, which saw it as a rehearsal for war.

In a further show of force, the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier group arrived in waters near the Korean peninsula and began exercises with the South Korean navy late on Saturday. The South Korean navy declined to say when the exercises would be completed.

The dispatch of the Carl Vinson was a “reckless action of the war maniacs aimed at an extremely dangerous nuclear war,” the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, said in a commentary on Saturday.

The carrier group has just completed drills with the Japanese navy.

Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada, in an apparent show of solidarity with Washington, has ordered the Izumo, Japan’s biggest warship, to protect a U.S. navy ship that might be going to help supply the USS Carl Vinson, the Asahi newspaper said. (Reuters)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

AFC appoints Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee --reaffirms APNU+AFC coalition is strong and cohesive ON the eve of the second anniversary of the historic May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has appointed a special Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee (CARC).

The CARC has been tasked with studying the Cummingsburg Accord and identifying areas which may require strengthening and updating along with discussion and negotiation with coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The AFC took the decision at its second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for 2017, while simultaneously reaffirming that the Coalition Government remains strong and cohesive and that it remains committed to the coalition’s ideals and principles and the Cummingsburg Accord itself, the party said in a statement.

However, the party noted that the accord is a sunset agreement which requires early review with a view to the Local Government Elections of 2019 and General and Regional Elections in 2020.

“The Cummingsburg Accord is an historic agreement which was the platform for the APNU+AFC Coalition coming to Government in 2015, it has served as a guide to the Coalition partners in Government and there has been good faith and a strong sense of mutual respect on both sides,” party leader Raphael Trotman said.

“Given that we are approaching our second anniversary in Government,it presents an opportune time to engage in reflection and commence an early process of thorough,

comprehensive and necessary review of the Cummingsburg Accord with a view to strengthening, updating and broadening the agreement as we look towards upcoming elections in two and three years’ time,” Trotman added.

“The CARC has been tasked with widely consulting with the party’s members and stakeholders to listen to their views and recommendations and examining the agreement itself and present to the party’s NEC, at its next meeting, a preliminary report on the areas, which in its view, requires further examination,” Trotman explained, while reiterating that the party is keen on ensuring that it prepares adequately and comprehensively for future elections.

The committee comprises Dr. Vincent Adams, Dr. Rohan Somar, Marlon Williams, David Patterson, Joel Edmond, Sherod Duncan, a representative of Women For Change and a representative of Youth For Change.

The members will appoint a chairperson from among themselves.

The second NEC meeting for 2017 was held on Saturday, April 29 at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre in Linden, Region 10, following the first, which was held in March in Georgetown.

The party engaged on discussions on a number of high-level matters which included the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education tuition, which it agreed should be repealed.

Representatives from all ten administrative regions attended the meeting along with representatives from the diaspora, Women For Change

The party’s NEC comprises the leader, chairman, vice chairperson, general secretary, treasurer, elder statesman/ political advisor, 12 elected

AFC leader,Raphael Trotman

and Youth For Change.

The high-level, quarterly meeting received various reports, including from Trotman, General Secretary Marlon Williams and from representatives of the Regional Management Committees.

Trotman noted that he is especially pleased with the extensive work being done by the party at the grassroots level, particularly in Regions Five, Nine and 10, and urged that activists continue their work to engage with party members and the wider public as the party seeks to broaden its membership across Guyana.

Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan expressed that he is heartened by the number of outreaches which the party leadership has undertaken all across Guyana and called for this programme to be intensified so as to ground with citizens and inform the public of the work the party is doing in Government as part of the APNU+AFC Coalition and independently within the various communities, City wards and neighbourhoods.

members and five co-opted members.

The meeting was entirely funded by the host region, Region 10 Regional Man-

5

agement Committee (RMC) under the chairmanship of Tracey Johnson. Following the meeting, several party leaders engaged in walkabouts in Linden, listening to, socialising with and engaging Lindeners.

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

The state of the trade union LABOUR Day finds the trade union in a state where it ought to be questioning its ability to achieve the goals it sets itself and asserting its role in the society. There is no denying the trade union, as institution, is experiencing flux within and how other stakeholders view its role in society.

Agitations by unions within past years of being denied what they consider a fundamental right to represent their constituents and engage in collective bargaining are known. The presence of two federations, viewed by some as symptomatic of a divided trade union community and by others a matter of the right to freedom of association, from a public perception has not been to the unions’ advantage.

While different reasons have been put forward for the socalled divided state, it cannot be ignored even in state there exist commonalities. Among these has been the respect for freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

A feature of evident weakness within the trade union which prides itself on solidarity is the apparent reluctance by other trade unions and fellow trade unionists to speak out on issues that cut across trade union principles and common interest.

This appearance of disjointedness or selfishness the trade union leadership has to take responsibility.

Where the trade union makes the case that the workers stand strong through it, and solidarity is a key factor in this, the trade union community has none to hold to account for this other than itself. That being said, where trade unions have achieved recognition in the workplace and employers are refusing to enter into collective bargaining with them, which is a violation of the Trade Union Recognition Act,

should also be of concern. Whereas it is being said the trade unions are divided, it does not excuse non-compliance with the law by the employer.

Under the International Labour Organisation,the trade union (workers representatives), employers (employers representatives) and government, are considered key to a tripartite relationship in building and maintaining cordial relations, as established by its conventions, in pursuit of the growth and development of those involved and the society. It means therefore that the trade union will have to respect the role and function of government and employers in the society. The same can be said for the other two toward the trade union.

Building positive relations accept the mutually of the other to exist and play a role. It also recognises and appreciates the rules that guide each in the conduct of their business are different. Appreciation for this accepts that even in diversity there can be unity and development of all.

Members of the trade unions rely on the organisation to pursue the improvement of their working conditions and standard of living. This means that the role of the trade union is much more than wages and salary and is that of being all encompassing. The concern about this being realised is that there exists a paucity of leaders articulating the trade union role and position on matters to the workers’ well-being, in the workplace and wider society. And where such exist it lends to perception, real or perceived, that the trade union is either deprived of the quality of needed leadership or the few who articulate are considered stepping out of their boundary.

Internally,it seems as though all may not be well within some unions. And though conflict is an aspect of human

existence and relations, where conflict is seen as being deliberately created as against organic,it can create speculations, not necessarily to the interest of the affected union.

At the time of writing this editorial,the Guyana Public Service Union is caught up in allegation about the integrity of its elections for a new leadership. Without getting into the nitty gritty and back and forth that surrounded the elections, the fact that such allegation exists is something the trade unions has to be mindful of, and the resultant impact it can have.

The trade union is an important institution in Guyana, and where there exist any doubt about this, the Guyana Constitution confirms it. The trade union movement has a record of achievement, spanning more than a century, with its impact felt in the Caribbean and further afield. At the same time it is up to the trade union to seek to make its presence felt and secure its role in the 21st century society.

GuySuCo takes on Dr Leslie Ramsammy Dear Editor, THE Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) wishes to respond to another of Dr Leslie Ramsammy’s letters that was published on 21 April, 2017 in the Stabroek News and titled, ‘The reality is that sugar cane fields are being abandoned’ and in the Kaieteur News and titled ‘APNU+AFC/GuySuCo machine must stop lying.’

This time Dr Ramsammy commenced his missive with the statement, ‘Here are the facts: Wales Sugar Estate is closed and hundreds of sugar workers are unemployed. Skeldon, Sugar Estate has had its first crop operations suspended, no planting has occurred and no harvesting has taken place. Skeldon is essentially closed. [The] Enmore Sugar Packaging Plant has suspended its operations. LBI cane cultivation has ended and no planting has taken place at Enmore. Enmore/LBI has closed.

The ethanol plant at Albion has not been used since 2015. The Providence cane fields have been abandoned’.

With regard to the reference of hundreds of workers from Wales being unemployed, about 375 cane harvesters from that estate were encouraged by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) not to work, but to request severance instead. On the point of Skeldon Estate being closed, a more appropriate question that should be asked is why Skeldon Estate was closed? This problem did not happen overnight. Dr Ramsammy should review the Wartsilla report that was submitted in 2016. In relation to the Enmore Packaging plant suspending its operations, GuySuCo would like to state that the plant is in operation, however, it is constrained by the poor production performance at the East Demerara Estate. The ethanol plant at the Albion Estate is a demonstration plant and not a commercial producer.

The author proceeded to accuse GuySuCo of lying, providing alternative facts putting a spin on the closure by calling it re-engineering. The corporation is once again disappointed that Dr Ram-

sammy has been so casual and almost pedestrian in his analysis of the complex challenges which it faces. His approach explains why the current management of the corporation had to undertake to do the strategic thinking necessary for redesigning its future viability. The corporation also takes Dr Ramsammy’s allegation of lying very seriously.

The author refers to the rationalisation of the sugar industry as if it is a new approach in Guyana; however, the history of Guyana shows that sugar has played a major role since the 17th century; during that period, sugar estates were located mostly in the Essequibo area. Sugar plantations were later extended to Demerara in the 18th century. By the early 19th century, there were about 400 sugar plantations, but re-engineering of the industry started since the 19th century. By 1829, the sugar plantations had been reduced from approximately 400 to 238; 138 by 1890; 39 by 1922; 18 by1967; 11 by 1976; by 1978 there was a further reduction to 10. In 1897, there were 62 sugar factories and by

1928 this was reduced to 21 and by 1978, there were 10.

By 2010, there were four estates in Berbice – Skeldon, Albion/Port Mourant (Port Mourant Estate was closed in 1955, hence the name, Albion/Port Mourant) and Rose Hall and Blairmont.

In Demerara, on the East Coast, there were two estates - Enmore and La Bonne Intention (LBI)/Ogle Estate. In 1987, the factory at the Diamond Estate was closed and the canes from the cultivation were absorbed by Enmore and La Bonne Intention (LBI)/ Ogle Estates. The LBI/Ogle factory has since been closed, thus, what were Enmore and LBI Estates is now the East Demerara Estate .

On the West Demerara, there were three estates, the Leonora Estate, which factory closed in 1986, Wales Estate which ended sugar production in 2016; and Uitvlugt Estate, currently in operation.

Therefore, re-engineering of the sugar industry in Guyana started since the 19th century, having been influenced and impacted by changing

global and regional trends over the years.

2017, therefore, is experiencing a continuum of similar trends. A more progressive response by Dr Ramsammy would be, to objectively examine the challenges facing GuySuCo and its employee.

Additionally, with regard to the allegations made that GuySuCo is carrying out the wishes of the government: is Dr Ramsammy implying that any Government that has given GuySuCo G$32 billion in 2.5 years, should not expect or seek to influence the future direction of the corporation to ensure that the corporation and industry do what is necessary to return to economic and financial viability? Now that would be irresponsible Dr Ramsammy, would you not agree? Further, is the good doctor suggesting that restructuring the largest corporation and as the largest employer in Guyana and the Caribbean, this process would not create major shifts?

In concluding, there is nothing trivial about being a part of the management of

GuySuCo at this point; efforts are being made to ensure that the widest range of options and opportunities are explored in an attempt to find solutions, save jobs, secure livelihoods and save the industry; and this demands serious and stable minds and a totally different level of consciousness from the one that caused the problem.

The prospects for GuySuCo to contribute positively to strengthening the agriculture sector and the economy as a whole is unlimited; the process, however, would be easier if the naysayers are to contribute in more creative and innovative ways for the common good.

Once again, we would like to state that ‘GUYSUCO IS NOT GETTING OUT OF SUGAR!’ Regards, Audreyanna Thomas Senior Communications Officer Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

Implementing the Public Service CoI recommendations Dear Editor KINDLY publish the attached letter on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service.

The report was submitted to His Excellency President David Granger in May 2016 by Professor Harold Lutchman, Chair of the Commission.

The report was also circulated to members of the National Assembly for debate and consideration. There was no debate following disagreement between the Government and Opposition on referring the report to a select Committee of the National Assembly. What is the status of the recommendations of the report? The recommendations include: 1. The enactment of a Public Service Law with related Regulations and a code of conduct to create and develop a professional and politically neutral Public Service with high integrity for effective management and administration.

2. The Public Service Commission (PSC) be constituted always with suitably qualified persons of high integrity to be fair and impartial in the execution of their duty in line with the Constitutional prescription that they exercise independent judgement and not be influenced by political and other external considerations and influences.

Clearly, the authorities should not appoint members of the Commission who have any conflict of interest. The National Assembly and the Executive would have been negligent in the appointment of some members of the current Commission.

3. The Constitution and other laws should be appropriately amended to empower the Public Service Commission to appoint permanent secretaries and regional executive officers to

remove direct political appointments to public service positions.

4. All appointments to Public Service positions should be by open internal and external competition to obtain and select the best suitably qualified persons from the job market, based on merit and free from political influences.

5. Contract employment of low-level and general staff in the public service should end. However, contract employment in the public service should be restricted to high-level, professional, scarce skills not available in the public service, and for project work. No public servant who retires from the public service before attaining 65 years should be re-employed on contract, 6. There should be a higher retirement age of 60 and 65 for public servants with corresponding higher public service pensions and NIS pensions.

7. There should be a high-level representative Committee to identify, on the basis of merit, candidates to be awarded fellowships and scholarships 8. The Public Service compensation system should be reviewed and redesigned within the graded salary structure with the involvement of the GPSU, but not in conflict with their collective bargaining negotiations, and taking into account pay for performance based on a merit system.

9. The resumption of collective bargaining in good-faith encounters at negotiations, and conciliation/mediation. Failure at these levels to resolve issues in dispute, require reference to a mutually agreed Arbitration Tribunal in keeping with the existing procedures, OR as recommended in the COI, to the National Assembly, based on the recommendations of a Salaries Review Commission for final

determination.

10. A Salary and Remuneration Commission be established to make recommendations to the National Assembly on remuneration for high-level political and public service offices, including the President, Vice-Presidents, Prime Minister, Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Members of the National Assembly, Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers, and Regional Chairpersons.

11. The Public Service Appellate Tribunal should be appointed to adjudicate on disputes with the Public Service Commission.

12. The Public Service Ministry/Department, and the Public Service Commission should be constituted with professional personnel with high integrity to rebuild trust and confidence in the Public Service.

The above recommendations are essential for good governance and management of the Public Service, fair employment practices, and developing a professional Public Service to serve the national community fairly. These recommendations speak to removing conflict of interest at professional and political levels, setting the procedure for finality of public negotiations, and having the National Assembly setting the remuneration of those in the governing authorities. Implementation of these and other recommendations will rebuild confidence and trust in our country for the good of all.

I invite public response and debate on these recommendations of the COI in the Public Service.

Regards, Joshua Singh

Youth of Guyana deserve better Dear Editor

and I’d rather not beat a dead horse.

I however, wish to signal, that as a THE Granger Administration has youth of this country, I am ready to lost precious political capital at the see the back of Minister Nicolette hands of a number of Government Henry. President Granger has a few Ministers. However, there is one critical decisions to make if he’s to minister in particular who has be re-elected, one being the selecmanaged to continuously expend tion of a Fit and Proper candidate political capital driving a wedge to be the next Minister of Culture, between the people and this admin- Youth and Sport. istration in the process.

My take is, if President GrangMinister within the Ministry er doesn’t make this known beof Education, the Hon Nicolette forehand, it is going to hurt voters’ Henry, has overtime proven that turnout as it relates to the Youth indeed she is a square peg being demographic in 2020. Fact is, forced into a round hole. Her Minister Nicolette Henry does not approach, style and tact are cer- deserve to complete a full term tainly not befitting her post and if in office, let alone a second term. in doubt, review her department President Granger has got to find over the last 23 months and see the someone who can work with the number of national controversies youth, one who understands the imthat has stemmed from that office. portance of youth development for In this letter, I choose not to nation-building and bringing people highlight the ills of Minister Henry together, one who will not butcher as I believe they are known to all national events and holidays and

certainly one who is not fazed by the success of those beneath him/ her, but understands that leaders raise up other leaders which is a cycle of a sustained legacy.

The youth demographic of this nationisthedecidingforceasitrelates to who gets elected and that can be accomplishedbyvotingorabstaining fromvoting.Consideringthefactthat a case has already been made about littletonoyouthrepresentationatthe helm of our governance structures, that is, Cabinet and Parliament, the Grangeradministrationreallyneeds to get its act together and not take things for granted. Youth are the engine of growth and development, hence we are not the future we are the NOW and in simple terms, we the youth of Guyana deserve better,Mr President.

Regards, Clayon F. Halley

Gov’t must look into safety of passengers in the Essequibo River Dear Editor, IN the wake of the recent near-miss tragedy on the Essequibo River recently, I feel compelled to speak out about another near- miss disaster, one that could have been much, much worse and which occurred on December 12, 2016, several miles from Bartica, up the Essequibo River.

A boatload of us was returning from a day trip to the Essequibo Islands (Fort Island, Sloth Island, Etc etc), a package that was offered

by Dagron Tours based in Georgetown. We left the last location (Kyke Over Al) after 4:30 pm and started to make our way back to Parika when just about 15 minutes into the trip, it was discovered that the boat started to tilt on the rear as it was taking in water. The passengers became so afraid, terrified was the word. There we were in open seas, it was practically getting dark, river traffic was coming to a halt for the day and the boat (a fibre-glass boat) was taking in water rapidly and it was beginning to show signs that it would sink as it was leaning backwards.

The captain signalled other nearby passing boats, who either did not understand our plight or they were just selfish to not show concern as to what was going on. I became terrified. I saw death before me as the water started to fill the boat from the back. It was in a very peculiar position now

in the water, we slowed down.

Passengers started to panic as those who were seated in the rear started to use receptacles to bail water out the boat. The pump that was also supposed to help pump the excess water out the flooding boat was not working properly. It was of little help.

Finally, a passing Parikabound speedboat pulled up alongside us but a lady and her baby were the only ones they could have carried across. They eventually made off to Parika with the hope they would get help for us. I was so scared.

It was now getting near six o’ clock, the place was getting dark and there we were, stranded in the middle of nowhere. Where was the army patrol when you need one, I asked myself.

The captain made the boat drift slowly to the bushy shore, but we needed a landing. We were not seeing any. Meanwhile, more boats were passing and did not seem to care a bit as to what was happening to us (maybe they were oblivious to our plight). The boat was nearly filled with water in the back when we found a landing and got out. Some people there were very kind to us as we waited for the trip-planner to leave with their (the people’s) boat to go get help a few landings away. It was pitch dark now as we waited, and waited ,and waited. I was supposed to have been on my way home to Berbice by now.

The planner was not returning with help. Phone signals were poor to non-existent. The peo-

ple whose landing we pulled up on were serving coffee and drinks, but all I could think about was getting out of there and safely back to land.

Oh, we were hearing that boat owners back at Parika expressed reluctance to come down the river so late for us.

Can you imagine this selfishness? We were in danger, stranded and that was the attitude, finally, more than an hour and a half later, help came and we were ferried to Parika, we arrived after 9pm in moonlight.

It was a near- death experience I would never like to experience again and have not spoken out until now, but I no longer can hold my peace, since something needs to be done to improve the standards of this operation along this river. The company refunded some cash to many passengers after this horrible incident. One of these days some group might not be so lucky. The government must intervene to ensure the safety of passengers who travel along this river on a daily basis.

Patrols need to be done by the army. Help points should be established along this lonely stretch of river from Parika to Bartica. That could have been a disaster, whereby over 15 persons would have died. I am thankful I came out alive.

How many more stories like these happen on these rivers, but are never heard of or told?

Regards, Leon Suseran

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

Poor drainage, water, roads –– Mara, Jeremiah residents appeal for help

By Nafeeza Yahya

RESIDENTS of the remote villages of Mara and Jeremiah on the East Bank of Berbice are calling on the relevant authorities to look into their plight as they feel they are being neglected due to their location.

Mara is situated 25 miles from New Amsterdam.

The residents told Guyana Chronicle that they have been living without potable water for the past three

settle and drink it because we have no other alternative. I would be thankful for the Government or any one in authority to look into this, because this concern was raised already and they promised someone would come and look into this matter. Over a year ago they came, and to date, nothing.”

As he showed Guyana Chronicle a bucket of murky rusted water, he lamented that many people get ill from drinking the water and some

SHUT DOWN She explained that there was a health centre in Mara that would service the needs of the residents of the two villages as well as the riverain communities; however, the medic was transferred a few years back and the health centre has been shut down since.

“The medic get transfer and since then we have no health centre, then they used to get a once-a-month out-

Randolph Plass, Chairman of the Concern Citizens Group of Mara,said the roads, beside being riddled with “crater sized potholes”, is overgrown with vegetation that is impeding the free flow of traffic.

HUGE POTHOLES “The road which is in a deplorable state, the bamboo is forming across the road . In the mornings when you have to get to New Amsterdam that is like 4:30 – 5, we gotta stop and remove the bamboos from the roadways. Sometime when the rain fall heavily, the bamboo blocks up the road and sometime you coming through you don’t even notice it and blam accident. We are asking if something urgently can be done to address the issues and to also address the huge pot holes.”

Ross said due to the state of the roads, taxis charge $10,000 per trip to take anyone in or out of the village, and in most instances, pensioners are forced to pay the sum whenever they go to collect their pension. As such, he is asking the authorities to look into the matter and look at the possibility

These pensioners from Mara relaxing years and they do not have a functioning health centre nor electricity.Proper drainage and roads in their communities are also in a deplorable state.

When this publication visited the community by road, the 25 miles journey from New Amsterdam to Mara which should have taken approximately 40 minutes, took over two hours due to the deplorable state of the East Bank Berbice Road.

Upon arrival, residents were seen gathered by the non-functioning Mara pump station to air their frustration.

Aubrey Chisolm, 50, who has been a resident of the community all his life, said he is frustrated but will not re-locate since he has nowhere else to go. He said the community’s well has not been functioning for the past three years and residents are dependent on rainfall or overflow from the lines for drinking.

Water used for cooking and washing, he said, has to come from the trenches.

“This condition we have been facing for the past three years, we have been without proper water. When we catch it, we gotto wait till it

have since resorted to using the water from the trenches instead.

“That is the kind of water the school children gotta settle and drink because we have no other alternative.

We just depending on rain to get proper water, if not, sometime when the water come in is with frogs and all kind of nasty things,and because of this we depend on rain or just use this same water and suffer. We settle it and drink it. Kids have become sick, we does be glad when the rain fall.”

This publication was told that other villages along the route receive potable water every day from the Regional Democratic Council. However, the water reaches as far as the village of Light Town, some seven miles before the village of Mara.

Just then 76-year-old Martha Chisolm, a relative of Aubrey, who has also lived in the community all her life,added that whenever someone gets ill or needs medication, they have to travel to New Amsterdam to seek medical attention by hiring a taxi for approximately $10,000 per trip,due to the state of the roads.

reach,but since the middle of 2016 no one came in here.

They would come with a bus and share tablets or take out person who need urgent medical attention but that nah happen now.”

“One time I hear they were going to redo this health centre. I hear the chairman was to come but two nurses came and wait for him but he went somewhere else … and after it get late, the nurses left then we hear they say the health centre will be at Plegth Anker. Here we have sickly persons who can barely move; we need a health centre here. How will they reach to Plegth Anker, who will take them? I am a diabetic, look last night my husband took in ill, we had to hire a car to take him into New Amsterdam, by the time we reach, he pressure and sugar high, high. If we had a health centre here, it wouldn’t. He would have gotten treatment early in the morning. We had to pay $10,000 for the hire .The road is rough, when you do take a sick person on that road only God can help you.

You call an ambulance none available,” another resident lamented.

Albert Brian, 20, fills jars and buckets from a trench for drinking and cooking some provisions for these people, it is very difficult for them.”

Ross also lamented that the state of the drainage and irrigation canals for the mainly farming community is unacceptable. He also noted that the irrigation canal at Jermiah is silted-up, making it almost impossible for the

clean or dig any of them canals.”

Residents also showed this publication the Mara Police Station building which has a padlock on its door. They said it has been that way for the past six years.

Mara and Jermiah are the last two villages acces-

The health centre at Mara has been abandoned a few years now of making some provision for transportation to take the pensioners out to New Amsterdam or have someone come into the community and make the payments there instead.

“The pensioners in this community, some very sickly got to go to New Amsterdam to collect their pension. A car takes about $10,000;what remains of those pensioners afterwards?

Please, if someone can make

residents to access irrigation waters.

“We don’t have any proper drainage or irrigation here, is one extreme to the next. Right now is dry season and the water level drop. We can’t get enough water to cook, wash, drink or do nothing. When it rains, is flood. Them canals silt up bad. I living here for over 50 years and I can’t remember when last them

sible by road along the East Bank of Berbice and are home to approximately 200 residents who do large-scale farming. Their produce are sold at New Amsterdam.

They are calling on the authorities to look into the issues affecting them, especially the water situation as they are afraid there might be an outbreak of water-borne diseases due to the quality of water.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

Father of five killed in minibus accident

A FATHER of five was killed on Sunday morning when the minibus in which he was travelling turned into the path of the oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another minibus.

DEAD: Clive Alexander Hercules Dead is Clive Alexander Hercules, 53, of Belle West Phase 2, West Bank Demerara (WBD). With the help of members of the Guyana Fire Service, Hercules, who was pinned in the front passenger seat of the bus, was extricated and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The accident reportedly occurred around 04:30hrs Sunday on the Le Ressouvenir Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and involved Winston Belgrave, 45, of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, the driver

of minibus PTT 7715,and Jagdeo Singh, 37, of Lusignan, ECD, driver of another minibus BPP 1340.

According to Belgrave, he was proceeding west along the southern side of the road when he was blinded by the lights of a vehicle coming from the opposite direction and into his lane, causing him to pull north which resulted in both vehicles colliding head-on.

As a result of the impact, he said, both he and Hercules, who was travelling with him, were injured.

Singh, the driver of the other vehicle, was also injured in the collision, as were Caleb Henry, 24, and Raphael Khemraj, 21, both of Lusignan, also on the East Coast, who were all travelling with Singh.

Singh, Henry and Khemraj were taken by public-spirited persons to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where the latter two were admitted, and are said to be in stable condition.Singh, on the other hand, was later taken to the Woodlands Hospital where he is now a patient.

In an interview with this publication, Hercules’ wife, Veronica, said she received a call shortly after 06:00hrs from her husband’s daughter, who lives all the way in Saint Maarten, telling her about the tragedy.

Still in doubt, she called Edward B Beharry Limited, where her husband worked as a security guard, and it was they who confirmed that he had indeed died in an accident.

She next tried to see her husband’s remains at the Lyken Funeral Parlour, but was told by an attendant there that she can only do so in the company of a police rank.

Ranks at the Plaisance Police Station confirmed this.

“The police told me that the post mortem is Wednesday, and only then a rank will be able to go with me. So, until then, I’ll just have to wait,” she said sadly.

The minibuses that were involved in Sunday’s accident on Le Ressouvenir Public Road (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

Gov’t extends May Day greetings

T

HE Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana extends May Day greetings and solidarity to Guyanese workers and their colleagues across the world.

May Day comes this year with workers in several countries, including highly developed countries, fighting not only against big business, but combating fears of anti-worker and anti-immigrant administrations controlling state policies.

Elsewhere, workers and their families are victims of wars, armed conflicts, terrorism and threats of nuclear attacks.

Millions of able-bodied persons have been rendered jobless, homeless and driven to the edge of starvation. In many countries, including neighbouring states, there is social turmoil and workers face an uncertain future.

Our coalition Government is rooted in a labour tradition and continues to

identify with the broader vision of the Guyanese working people for racial and national unity, a stronger, vibrant and purposeful labour movement, defence of our nation’s sovereignty and realising the good life for all Guyanese.

In Guyana, though sections of the working class face challenges, there is still bread with justice. There are no lines for basic items, no riots for food and no spectre of violence against protestors.

On this May Day 2017, our coalition Government urges all working people to maintain the partnerships with business and the state and to help realise the national goals of building a stronger economy, creating new jobs and distributing greater benefits to workers and their families.

The Government of Guyana hopes that you enjoy May Day and use the occasion to reinforce your platform for better conditions of life.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

Better days are coming –– promises Region One official, Leslie Wilburg

RESIDENTS of the Barima-Waini region can rest assured that improvement in public infrastructure, facilities and social services will become a reality in the remainder of 2017 and in 2018.

That is the word from the district’s Regional Executive Officer Leslie Wilburg, who revealed to this publication

REO Leslie Wilburg the various infrastructural works being carried out, and those that will soon commence, thanks to a healthy $2.6B allocation to the region under the 2017 Budget, along with additional assistance from central Government.

Those areas expected to be addressed are road construction, the provision of electricity and water, and improvement in both the education and health sector within the region.

“We have just completed half-a-mile of bituminous road, and then we are completing the X-ray Department here in the Kumaka District Hospital,” Wilburg said, adding: “We have just refurbished the transmission lines so that they can have electricity service there; and we are building a secondary school in Waramuri, which we hope to complete by the end of this month.

We are also repairing the teachers’ quarters over at Huradia, and we’re fixing the doctors’ quarters, which is at Kwebanna and the teachers’ quarters also.”

ISSUE WITH ROADS Wilburg however lamented the fact that the region continues to face the challenge of deplorable roads, but said that the

Ministry of Public Infrastructure has given its word that it will be addressing the issue.

“They are going to do the roads from Port Kaituma to Matthew’s Ridge, then to Baramita and in the town of Mabaruma itself,” he said.

“And in 2018, we are making sure we have a programme that will address roads in Moruca.”

The Ministry of Infrastructure, he said, has already begun an electrification project, which will be expanded to communities such as Acquero.

And he is absolutely positive that Region One residents can look forward to an improvement in their general living conditions in the days ahead.

“They can look forward to improved facilities,” the REO said enthusiastically.

“The water system has been upgraded; electricity will be handled. We are having a programme that cleans the river regularly; we are trying to improve the education facilities. Same thing with health.”

As it relates to the agriculture sector, he was the first to admit that much more needs to be done, especially in the area of agro- processing, but, he said that there is yet hope, as plans are in train to begin processing ginger, turmeric and black pepper in pilot areas identified in Mabaruma.

He said that as soon as the programme is up and running, the processing plants will be expanded to other sub-regions such as Moruca.

Of the $2.6B allocated to the region, $210.6M will go to regional administration; another $1.29B to regional education; $341.8M to public works; and $768.6M to regional health services.

Other projects that are expected to be completed during this period are construction of the Kumaka and Mabaruma wharves; construction of schools at Waramuri, Baramita, and Matthews Ridge; the extension of teachers’ quarters at Wauna, Moruca and Kwebanna; and the construction of a building to house the Regional Democratic Council’s Administration at Mabaruma.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

Incest is abnormal

INCEST is wrong, illegal and abnormal, regardless of how engrained it may be in a family’s lifestyle.

Yet there are some grandmothers (and other relatives) who believe that because they were sexually abused as a child and their daughter(s) were subjected to the same fate, it is a rite of passage for their granddaughters to also be sexually molested and therefore they turn a blind eye. But it’s time to speak out: it is time for family members to break the cycle. Consistent sexual abuse of children is occurring in homes across Guyana and indeed the world, but this is unacceptable and we must do all we can to change it.

This perverse act is detrimental to the health and well-being of children: and while the perpetrator may derive pleasure and satisfaction from his actions, it remains a twisted act of depravity and is ultimately wrong. The mere thought of a sexual act towards a child stems from a warped mind. A mind where power and control over a helpless person is a key factor: definitively, it is the act of a deranged person.

When these types of incestuous relationships occur, the child victim is totally powerless to complain or to seek help from authorities. One reason could be that the perpetrator has tricked the child into believing that they will not be believed. Another reason is family loyalties. Children love and respect their family members regardless, therefore, well-kept family secrets become the norm. Unwittingly, the child therefore ends up protecting the perpetrator.

Adults are meant to protect and assist children into becoming rounded, well-balanced adults. But so many children are being robbed of the opportunity to experience a ‘normal’ life, because members of their family, who are meant to be nurturing and guiding them, are conspirators to the sexual abuse to which they are subjected. Only people with a debased mentality would accept that children deserve to be mistreated in this way.

The Protection of Children Act, 2009, states that anyone who suspects or knows that a child is being sexually abused and fails to report the

Unidentified cyclist killed in BV crash THE police are investigating a fatal accident which occurred on the Beterverwagting Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), about 23:20hrs Saturday night.

The accident involved motorcar PRR5263 driven by a 25-year-old businessman of Good Hope, ECD and an unidentified male pedal cyclist.

Police said enquiries disclosed that the car was proceeding east along the northern side of the road, when the cyclist allegedly rode out from

the northern side, turned east into the motorist’s path and collided with the left side front section of the vehicle.

The cyclist received head injuries as a result of the impact. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by the said driver but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is currently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting identification. The driver and the vehicle are in police custody. He was tested and found not to be under the influence of alcohol.

same to authorities is committing a crime and is liable to conviction and/or a fine of $50,000.

It is every adult’s duty to protect the children in their care, in their family and in their community. If child abuse is even suspected, it should be reported to the Childcare and Protection Agency’s Hotline on 227-0979 or to a child protection officer on 227-4082.

(A True Story) A doctor delivered a baby girl at a hospital in Essequibo some time ago.

The baby and mother were doing fine; the only odd thing was, the mother was a 12year- old girl and the baby’s father, was her father. The mother came to visit her daughter and grandchild and the doctor stood aside to look on at the situation. In his mind, he knew the correct thing to do was to report the father to the authorities for sexual abuse and incest.

But morally he also knew that the father was the breadwinner of the family and if he were arrested and convicted, the mother, daughter and baby would have no financial means of support and all three would suffer. The doctor was in a dilemma. The fact that women and

children are dependent on their menfolk, is this one of the reasons some men believe it is okay to sexually abuse them?

Well, it’s not okay; if we do nothing to confront these situations, then nothing will change. Last week was Sexual Assault Awareness Week, the objective of which was to build adult awareness to the plight of women and children who are consistently sexually assaulted -- many in their own homes. Sexual assault is defined as ‘when someone does not give consent to sexual intercourse.’ When sexual intercourse is forced upon a woman or child, it is rape. The facts are clear: it is against the law and is in fact a heinous crime. Can you think of anyway in which you can help to support and protect women and children from sexual abuse? Don’t be afraid to make a report or get involved.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the numbers given above or email childcaregy@gmail.com A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

44 complete entrepreneurial training

SOME 44 Region Five residents recently completed a Self-Reliance and Success in Business workshop designed to enhance their entrepreneurial skills with First Lady Sandra Granger urging them to continue believing in themselves.

“You are the people who make these workshops possible and successful. It starts with you believing in yourself first and in your capacity to do things and move on and develop [by] believing in life-long education,” Mrs Granger said.

She also noted the impor-

certificate that is recognised by the Small Business Bureau, by IPED, and other institutions… and you will have their full support.”

Guest speaker Janice Whyte, an expenditure-planning and management analyst at the Regional Democratic Council, charged the participants to put their newly-acquired knowledge into practice.

“Do what you know [and] do what you like best. What you get out of your business, will be what you put into that business… take what you do seriously and grow,” Whyte

pants in the workshop.

Three groups plan to tackle social issues affecting their communities, such as unemployment, domestic violence and teenage pregnancy, while one group will focus on drainage and irrigation.

Pooran proudly spoke of the accomplishments of the participants.

“I anticipate that there will be 44 strong entrepreneurs coming out of this area… [You] have bright ideas and I’m sure that you will take those ideas to the next level,” Pooran said.

Claudette Ralph proudly presents her project plan during the closing of Self-Reliance and Success in Business workshop

First Lady Sandra Granger is flanked by successful participants of the Self-Reliance and Success in Business workshop, deputy regional executive officer of Region Five, regional officials and facilitators of Interweave Solutions Incorporated. tance of having a recognised certificate backed by strong business entrepreneurial skills.

“One of the benefits from this project is that Interweave stays with you… the certificate you have gained is a

said.

Yohann Sanjay Pooran, facilitator at Interweave Solutions Incorporated, who gave a brief overview of what the workshop entailed, noted that a total of four groups has been formed among partici-

This event marks the 15th session of its kind. To date, over 300 persons have been trained under this programme.

The training sessions are a collaborative effort between the Office of the First

First Lady Sandra Granger presents Ambrozine Thomas with a certificate of participation, after having successfully completed the Self-Reliance and Success in Business workshop

First Lady Sandra Granger is pictured here examining several items made by Mabelene McDonald and Claudette Ralph

Lady, the Ministry of Social Protection and Interweave Solutions Incorporated.

Having completed the training, the participants were eager to share their experiences.

“I realised that with my small business [and] the little that I gained here, I would definitely try to improve my

business,” small business owner Ambrozine Thomas said.

Mabelene McDonald, who does knitting, said she plans implementing what she has learned to successfully manage her business.

Additionally, Odella Peters said: “This workshop is very beneficial for us, since

a lot of women in Region Five are not exposed nor fully equipped; this programme has helped us out a lot.”

The event was also attended by Member of Parliament Jennifer Wade, Deputy Regional Executive Officer of Region Five, Govind Singh and several other regional officials.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

Visual Arts vaccination competition winners awarded

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Health Dr Karen Cummings has given the assurance that the ministry remains committed to addressing immunisation challenges in Guyana as the 15th Vaccination Week in the Americas comes to an end.

use of creative displays on the importance of immunisation.

“We wish that you would continue to express in your own simple words and art, how you feel about issues that affect your own well-being and that of the people around you,” the minister

Goberdhan in first place, followed by Dinesh Shivgobin in second place, and Tameshwar Singh in third place.

Those present at the awards were Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Linda Johnson; Maternal and Child Health Director and EPI support Officer, Dr Linda

A section of the students who attended the symposium of the Visual Arts competition

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings with winners of the Visual Arts competition in the 14-16 years category During remarks at the symposium for a Visual Arts competition which was held at the National Library, Church and Main Streets, last Friday, Minister Cummings explained that through innovative and effective solutions, the ministry will be able to utilise advocacy, education and communication to become central.

However, she noted that the students who participated in the competition have earned her respect for their dedication, especially in their

said.

She stressed that all of the students who participated in the competition should take every opportunity to display their talent and creativity for the betterment of the country.

The winners of the competition in the 14-16 categories were Precious Barrow, who copped the first place and Donlee Castello, who placed second. Both received a book bag each.

The winners of the Visual Arts competition in the 7-10 categories were Anmarie

Bancroft; and Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation PAHO/ WHO representative, Dr. Janice Woolford, along with other officials.

The minister had previously emphasised at the joint ceremony of the 15th Vaccination Week in the Americas, in Suriname, the importance of vaccination, which she said is one of the most significant and necessary aspects for humans to live a healthy life, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

Teen stabbed to death –– suspect on the run

TWO teenagers are in custody following the stabbing to death of a 16-year-old Covent Garden Secondary School student on Saturday night.

Dead is Brian Charles Yearwood of Public Road, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who met his demise while attending a concert at the Covent Garden Nursery School compound. The incident reportedly occurred around 20:00hrs.

Police say his 17-yearold assailant, believed to be a school dropout, is on the run.

According to the police, Yearwood was stabbed in the region of the heart by the other teen, who, after committing the act, ran from the scene.

The injured teen was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

His mother, Beverly Yearwood , told this publication that it was only last September that her son, who previously attended Central High, was transferred to the Covent Garden Secondary.

The mother of five said she is puzzled as to what could have caused the other teen to react the way he did, as her son was not known to be a trouble-maker.

She had never received a bad report about him, she said; he was independent, hardworking and even helped around the house without having to be told, and without any fuss.

The last she saw of her son, she said, he was danc-

had happened.

Reports are that an identification parade will be held with the teens who are being questioned by the police.

Yearwood’s body, meanwhile, is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post- mortem, which will be done on Wednesday.

He leaves to mourn two sisters, two brothers and parents.

DEAD: Brian Charles Yearwood ing while awaiting a minibus to take him to the fair.

“He kept saying, ‘Mommy, I have to go; I have to go,’” Brian’s mom said, adding: “He was laughing and dancing while telling me this; that was the last time I heard his voice.”

She is now calling on the police to ensure that the right person is held, and that he be made to face the full force of the law, so as to send a strong message to other youths who are inclined to be violent.

The lad’s grandmother, who also described him as peaceful and quiet ,said she was told that the perpetrator was earlier picking trouble with other teens at the event.

She, too, said she had never had a complaint about her grandson being a trouble-maker or being involved in any fights. Neighbours, too, said pretty much the same thing, and expressed surprise and shock at what

The teen’s traumatised mother, Beverly Yearwood, left, and his sister (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

STARR Computers joins wagon –– encourages girls to pursue careers in ICT

AS part of Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) observance, STARR Computers hosted students of five city secondary schools to promote the initiative to encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the sector.

The event, which was held at 59 Brickdam, Stabroek,

Georgetown, saw participation by students of Charlestown, Brickdam, Dolphin, Central High and Lodge secondary schools.

The students were addressed by Sales/Marketing/HP Product Manager Penny Francis; Lenovo\Qsee Product Manager Shunella Taylor; Computer Technician Shamice Narine; and Accounts Administrator

Roschel Bridgmohan.

International Girls in ICT Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in April every year, is geared at creating a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider car?eers in the growing field of ICTs, and enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female

participation in the ICT sector.

Held under the theme, “Expanding horizons, changing minds,” STARR Computers President Michael Mohan explained that current and emerging technologies are fundamentally altering the job market, the type of jobs that will exist in the future and the skills that will be required for those jobs.

He said women’s already

low participation in the ICT professions put them at risk to lose out even further. To tackle these challenges, policy tools and focused programmes are needed to shift priorities and investments, and to change the stereotypes and perceptions of women and girls in the ICT field begins in early childhood.

Fundamental obstacles to these changes are education

systems in many countries that have not changed in decades, or kept up with new technology breakthroughs.

To achieve sustainable development, “we must rethink education, training and learning strategies to equip young women and girls with the skills required by 21st century labour markets,” Mohan said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

Students from the five secondary schools with Starr Computers staff

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

Police partner with Public Health Ministry

THE police of ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Coast) on Saturday partnered with the Ministry of Public Health and Hope for the Nation Foundation to host a community outreach at Sandpit, Onderneeming, on the Essequibo Coast.

Divisional Commander Stephen Mansell told the Guyana Chronicle that some 350 residents benefited from food, clothing and a medical outreach. The programme is aimed at building public trust through closer community relations.

He explained that the event targeted early school -leavers and the unemployed, while there was registration for youths wanting to attend the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI).

Training for successful applicants will commence in May and will last for four

Residents who benefited from the community outreach

months.

Hope for the Nation Foundation Secretary, Pastor Otillo Pereira, informed the residents of opportunities from which they can benefit such as skills training, and monthly distribution of food items, clothing and books.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

UN food agencies warn against ignoring famine alarm

THE leaders of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have called on the international community to urgently step up action to prevent further hunger deaths in four countries stalked by famine: north-eastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

“Many people have already died,” FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said at a briefing on the sidelines of FAO’s Council - the executive arm of the FAO’s governing body.

“Peace is of course the key to ending these crises. But even in times of conflict, there is much we can do to fight hunger and avoid famine...

I visited Maiduguri in north-eastern Nigeria and saw myself how powerful agricultural support can be in a humanitarian crisis,” he said.

A famine has been formally declared in parts of South Sudan, while north-eastern Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen are on the brink of famine. Combined, 30 million people are grappling with finding enough food each day.

“We need to reach hungry people to prevent them from dying,” said WFP’s new Executive-Director, David Beasley.

“We have the strength, logistical capacity and technology to get the job done. What we need is access to the people who are on the brink of famine and resources, now not later. Without this support, we will have to make life-challenging decisions over who will receive food and who will not.”

The heads of FAO and WFP stressed that both agencies’ famine-response operations are severely underfunded, and there must be an immediate and substantial increase in resources to save lives and livelihoods.

Conflict is the common thread across the four affected countries.The FAO and WFP are working quickly and closely in these emergency zones to prevent famine spreading further.

For example, in South Sudan, FAO and WFP are part of an inter-agency rapid response that is bringing life-saving food, fishing and vegetable-growing kits, and other emergency services to hard-to-reach commu-

Monday, May 1, 2017 - 08:30 hrs Tuesday , May 2, 2017 - 09:30 hrs

The FAO and the WFP have called on the international community to urgently step up action to prevent further hunger deaths in north-eastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen

nities gripped by famine.

In north-eastern Nigeria, the two agencies are collaborating to ensure people facing hunger receive both food assistance to meet their immediate needs and food-production assistance to grow their own food.

Food-production kits cost less than $90, but can provide enough food for a family of eight for six months.

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CARPHA needs more investments

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday May 1, 2017

–– to deliver fully to the Caribbean, says director

THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has not been receiving sufficient financial support, and as such, has been unable to fully deliver to the Caribbe-

an, Director Dr James Hospedales has said.

“We do not have sufficient investments to deliver programmes… we have received good support from our partners, but more is

needed,” Dr Hospedales told the Guyana Chronicle.

Despite the odds, the regional health agency continues to work towards developing new plans and strategies to fight diseases

and maladies affecting Caribbean countries.

CARPHA recently held a health conference in Guyana with the aim of addressing climate change, the environment and hu-

man health.

Dr Hospedales said regional health officials will discuss ways in which they can improve health systems across the Caribbean.

“CARICOM has already agreed to a six-point policy package to tackle the food environment that children are getting fat on… through the policy we will seek to ensure that there are mandatory nutritional labelling, reduction of advertisements of junk food and reducing fat, salt and sugar,” he said.

Obesity has been a critical problem across the Caribbean and there is need for the promotion of more fruits and vegetables.

Guyana, he said, has an abundance of fruits and vegetables to supply the rest of the Caribbean.

CARPHA’s support for Guyana will continue this year through assistance in ongoing monitoring of diseases, lab-testing and helping Government with

CARPHA Director, Dr James Hospedales tobacco legislation.

CARPHA was legally established in July, 2011 by an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by Caribbean Community member states and began operations in January, 2013.

The agency rationalises public health arrangements in the Region by combining the functions of five Caribbean Regional Health Institutes (RHIs) into a single agency.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday MAY 1, 2017

Organisation of workers big on agenda –– as workers hit the streets in observance of Labour Day

By Zena Henry

THE organisation of workers is expected to be the dominant theme today as workers take to the streets of Georgetown in observance of Labour Day, celebrated on May 1 every year.

This is the direction being advocated by Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) General-Secretary Lincoln Lewis, who is urging solidarity among all stakeholders of the labour umbrella unions.

Members of the GTUC, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) will be leading the parade today, pledging full support for the various categories of workers they represent.

Lewis said this year’s Labour Day observance is being held under the theme, “Organising – Necessary Pre-requisite in Building a Strong United Trade Union Movement,” pointing out that “we [unions] must see the need to adjust and increase strategies to ensure our responsibilities.”

He said unions are answerable to their membership and their contributions to society.

“We are responsible to our membership and to our society. We are responsible to communities; these make up the places where our workers live,” the veteran trade union-

GTUC General-Secretary Lincoln Lewis ist said, noting that organisation of citizens is key for the smooth functioning of labour relationships.

Lewis said the trade union movement is a creature of conflict, necessary for human development.

“It was the resistance of workers against exploitation in the workplace, deprivation and marginalisation in the wider society that led to the establishment of this organisation to represent the interest of the

collective,” he said.

With unity, there is strength, Lewis said, pointing out that workers without support structures are often at the mercy of uncaring and self-serving employers.

“Our history has shown, from the period of slavery, when the masses are organised as a force, systems of oppression and deprivations can be toppled.”

Lewis asserted that it was the sacrifices of people, often seen through their sweat, blood and tears that made better living and working conditions possible.

A lesson of history, the general-secretary said, is that power concedes nothing without demand and everything that workers have achieved was not without resilience and conflict.

L a b o u r W e e k c o mmenced Sunday with a church service at the St James the Less Church, David Street, Kitty, Georgetown. In the afternoon, a wreath-laying and tribute ceremony was held to pay homage and respect to the Father of Trade Unionism in then British Guiana, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.

AFC salutes workers on Labour Day THE Alliance For Change (AFC) salutes workers on May Day, 2017. The party recognises the immense, incalculable and invaluable contributions which the country’s workers make towards nation-building and ensuring that Guyana remains a stable and viable democracy despite hardships and challenges elsewhere.

The party is resolute in its commitment to workers and their need for better conditions of work and standard of life along with improved remuneration. The party is pleased that the coalition Government has made commendable efforts to improve remuneration for public servants, increase the minimum wage and increase the tax threshold, while reducing the VAT rate from 16 per cent to 14 per cent. These measures allow workers to take home more pay. The party looks forward to further advances in this regard and calls on workers to remain

committed to contributing towards the realisation of a good life for all Guyanese.

The AFC recognises that workers form the backbone of industry and without their daily contributions, society would unravel, fritter away and eventually collapse.

The party thanks workers for enduring some challenging times and for committing to seeing through this period of foundational development for a better Guyana as we begin to tap into new sources of revenue which will allow for fast-tracked and fastpaced development.

The party is optimistic that Guyana is on the cusp of significant social and infrastructural advancement and recognises that with this will come more and better job opportunities and implores workers, even as they continue to press for better conditions, to not lose sight of the national interests and the greater good.

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Phlegmatic right-hander Roston Chase carved out a fluent unbeaten hundred to avert another West Indies catastrophe and frustrate Pakistan, on the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

opening day of the second Test at Kensington Oval here Sunday.

With the innings threatening to come apart at the seams at 37 for three in the first session, the 25-year-old Chase stepped up to hit an unbeaten 131 – his second Test hundred – to propel West Indies to 286 for six at the close.

Chase got support from captain Jason Holder who struck a composed unbeaten 58 while opener Kieran Powell chipped in with 38 and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, 29.

New-ball seamers Mohammad Abbas (2-47) and Mohammad Amir (2-52) both finished with two wickets apiece but Pakistan’s bowlers were forced to toil without success in the final session as West Indies dominated.

Chase anchored three key partnerships to fuel West Indies’ revival, the chief of which was an attractive 132run seventh wicket stand with Holder.

All told, the right-handed Chase faced 207 deliveries in three hours and nine minutes at the crease and struck 17 fours while Holder has counted eight boundaries in an innings spanning 125 balls and 161 minutes.

Opting to bat first, West Indies seemed doomed to repeat the first Test tragedy when they lost their first three wickets cheaply.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite failed for the third straight innings with nine when he pushed tentatively at one from left-armer Amir and nicked a catch behind in the morning’s fifth over, with the score on 12.

Four balls later in the following over with a single run added, left-hander Shimron Hetmyer (1) slashed at a side ball from Abbas and was well

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taken high at third slip by Azhar Ali. Shai Hope once again failed to impress, batting nearly an hour for his five before edging a defensive prod at leg-spinner Yasir Shah and giving wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed a straightforward catch, 45 minutes before lunch.

Chase and Powell then combined in a 65-run, fourth wicket stand that settled the innings and steered West Indies to lunch at 72 for three.

The left-handed Powell never appeared troubled in his 83-ball and near 2-1/2 hour stay at the crease that included five fours but perished in the sixth over after lunch, lbw to Amir on review after he was initially given not out.

Three overs later, lefthander Vishal Singh’s tough initiation continued when he edged the 13th ball he faced from Abbas low to Younis Khan at second slip to depart for three and leave West Indies on 107 for five, 40 minutes after the break.

Not for the first time, Chase found an ally in Dowrich, and together they steadied the innings in a 47-run, sixth wicket

partnership which blunted Pakistan’s attack.

Dowrich had struck five fours in an innings lasting 54 deliveries and just over an hour when he edged a legbreak from debutant Shadab Khan to Younis at slip, to fall 14 minutes before tea.

At the crossroads at 154 for six, West Indies gathered momentum through the enterprise of Chase and Holder.

Unbeaten on 23 at lunch, Chase brought up his third Test half-century, 40 minutes after the resumption when he pulled a short one from Yasir to the ropes at mid-wicket, and was unbeaten on 70 at tea with Holder yet to score.

Chase then strolled to three figures an hour and 20 minutes after tea, raising the landmark with a delightful cover drive off Shadab, to follow up his brilliant maiden hundred against India at Sabina Park last August.

Not to be left out, Holder notched his sixth Test half-century and second in as many matches, bringing up the milestone late in the day with a couple to third man off Amir.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1st Innings K Brathwaite c wkp Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Amir 9 K Powell lbw b Mohammad Amir 38 S Hetmyer c Azhar Ali b Mohammad Abbas 1 S Hope c wkp Sarfraz Ahmed b Yasir Shah 5 R Chase not out 131 V Singh c Younis Khan b Mohammad Abbas 3 +S Dowrich c Younis Khan b Shadab Khan 29 *J Holder not out 58 Extras: (b4, lb6, w2) 12 TOTAL: (6 wkts, 89 overs) 286 To bat: D Bishoo, A Joseph, S

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Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Brathwaite), 2-13 (Hetmyer), 3-37 (Hope), 4-102 (Powell), 5-107 (Singh), 6-154 (Dowrich) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 224-52-2, Mohammad Abbas 18-447-2 (w2), Yasir Shah 25-2-83-1, Shadab Khan 23-3-90-1, Azhar Ali 1-0-4-0.

PAKISTAN – Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas.

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31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

Warner smashes 126 to power Sunrisers to win over KKR

SWASHBUCKLING opener David Warner smashed a whirlwind century as Sunrisers Hyderabad notched up a comfortable 48—run win over table—toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL encounter, Sunday.

Warner butchered the KKR bowlers with a 59-ball 126-run innings, studded with 10 fours and 8 sixes to power defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad to an imposing 209-3 after captain Gautam Gambhir decided to bowl.

Chasing the target, KKR were reduced to 12-2 in 2.3 overs with both their openers —— Gambhir (11) and Sunil Narine (1) back to the pavillion.

Robin Uthappa (53) and Manish Pandey (39) then shared a 78-run partnership off 51 balls for the 3rd wicket to keep KKR in the hunt.

After their dismissal, Yusuf Pathan (12), Sheldon Jackson (16) and Colin de Grandhomme (18 not out) tried their hands but it was not enough in the end as KKR were restricted to 161-

7 in stipulated 20 overs.

For Sunrisers, Mohammed Siraj (2/26), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29) and Siddharth Kaul (2/26) took two wickets each, while Rashid Khan (1/38) also contributed with one wicket.

There was also a rain—interruption of 42 minutes when KKR were 52-2 in 7 overs with Uthappa and Pandey at the crease but it didn’t affect the match as no overs were lost.

This was Sunrisers’ sixth win in 10 matches. They now have 13 points and are placed at the third spot in the table.

For two-time champions and table-toppers KKR, it is only their third loss in 10 matches.

With this win, Sunrisers also avenged their 17-run loss to KKR in their previous outing.

Earlier, Warner and Shikhar Dhawan (29), who had forged a 107-run opening partnership in their last match against KXIP, produced yet another scintillating 139—run opening stand in 76 balls to

set up the foundation for a huge total.

Once they were back into the hut, Kane Williamson (40) blasted five fours in his 25-ball innings and alongwith Yuvraj Singh (6 not out) took Sunrisers across the 200—mark.

This was the highest total

in this season and also the third time that Sunrisers have scored a 200-plus total. They had scored 207—3 against Kings XI Punjab in their last match, besides scoring 207—4 against RCB early in the season.

For KKR, who are sitting

David Warner hammered the Kolkata bowling attack to score the third century of this IPL in Hyderabad on Sunday.

pretty at the top of the table, none of the bowlers could make any impression as they were taken to the cleaners by Warner.

Opening the innings, Warner put KKR bowlers to the sword as he alongwith Dhawan amassed 79-0 in the Powerplay overs.

Warner made his intention clear from the start by dealing in boundaries. He picked up Chris Woakes for special treatment in the 3rd over when he blasted him for a four and a couple of sixes to amass 17 runs.

Yusuf Pathan then came in his firing line as he smashed two fours and a six to once again pile on 17 runs and bring up the team fifty in just 23 balls.

The Australian then switch-hit Sunil Narine over short third man to score his 50 in 20 balls. He then punching him through cover for a four.

He continued his rampage and brought up the team 100 in the ninth over by hammering Nathan Coulter—Nile for a maximum over midwicket in

the fourth ball.

Kuldeep Yadav then bled 18 runs as Warner clobbered one boundary and two sixes in the 10th over.

In the 11th over, Warner picked up a couple of runs by sending Umesh Yadav to the deep midwicket area to score the third century of this season. He took just 43 balls for his hundred.

In the 13th over, Dhawan (29), who was playing the second fiddle, was run out as KKR finally broke the opening partnership.

It was Kuldeep Yadav, who produced a brilliant fielding where he picked up the ball and threw the stumps down at the bowler’s end after Dhawan failed to make the ground.

Warner’s sensational innings came to an end in the 17th over when once again looking for a six off Woakes he was holed out by Gambhir.

Kane Williamson (40) and Yuvraj Singh (6) then took Sunrisers across the 200—mark.

Sri Lanka hire Donald as bowling Daredevils set unwanted IPL consultant for Champions Trophy record in thrashing by Kings XI

(REUTERS)-Sri Lanka have hired former South Africa paceman Allan Donald as a bowling consultant to help with their preparations for June’s Champions Trophy, the cricket board announced on Sunday.

Donald was expected to take charge as the assistant

coach at English county side Kent who have agreed to release him for a two-month stint with SLC’s pace coaching unit, Sri Lanka Cricket said.

The 50-year-old Bloemfontein-born Donald picked up 272 One day international wickets during his 12-year career with the

Allan Donald picked up 272 One day international wickets during his 12-year career with the ODI side.

ODI side.

His previous coaching assignments include a consultant role with England in 2007 before assisting Gary Kirsten as a bowling coach of the Proteas. In 2008, Donald with former England spinner Ashley Giles led Warwickshire to second division County Championship title.

Donald will join Sri Lanka’s residential camp at the Pallekelle International Stadium from May 9-16.

The team will face Scotland in two ODIs before playing further practise matches against Australia and New Zealand.

They are placed in Group B and will play South Africa in their opening game at the Oval on June 3.

DELHI Daredevils set the lowest first-innings total in Indian Premier League history as they were bowled out for 67 in a 10-wicket battering at the hands of Kings XI Punjab.

The Daredevils had won just two of their opening seven matches and produced a dismal performance with the bat in Mohali.

Sandeep Sharma starred with the ball for Kings XI as he took 4-20 to help rip through Delhi’s order, Varun Aaron (2-3) and Axar Patel (222) also performing excellently.

Corey Anderson (18) top-scored for Delhi, who had just three players in double figures.

His New Zealand compatriot Martin Guptill led the Kings XI response, putting on 50 from just 27 deliveries as he and Hashim Amla (16) were unbeaten

Between them, Sandeep Sharma and Axar Patel picked up six wickets and conceded 42 runs for Kings XI Punjab.

en route to a fourth win of the campaign.

Sandeep removed Delhi openers Sam Billings (0) and Sanju Samson (5) for the loss of just five runs inside three overs.

He then had Shreyas Iyer caught and bowled for six and Karun Nair (11), Rishabh Pant (3) and Chris Morris (2) quickly followed to leave Delhi’s

innings in tatters.

Anderson offered some vague form of resistance but Sandeep’s final victim - Kagiso Rabada (11) - and Nair were the only other batsman to go beyond 10.

Guptill ensured Kings XI’s reply lasted only 7.5 overs, blasting three maximums and six fours to cap a dominant performance. (Omnisport)

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

`Unquestionably world boxing’s biggest star’

What next for world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua ?

By Luke Reddy ANTHONY Joshua is the real deal. Wladimir Klitschko is far from done. Heavyweight boxing can prosper through brilliance. There was no need for insults here.

Yet there will be no pause for breath after a breathless Joshua stoppage win. The questions simply evolve.

Tyson Fury took mere moments to stir the pot, Deontay Wilder likewise. Will they get their shot at a man now hailed as “the biggest sports star in Britain” and tipped to become boxing’s richest ever fighter?

In stopping the most dominant heavyweight of this century in front of a record post-war UK boxing crowd - in a fight which had everything - Joshua has everywhere to go and yet nowhere to go.

Matching an event as iconic as this - delivering a pay day to beat the £15m he was expected to earn and finding an opponent capable of competing - looks a tall order in the short-term. Yet the big names will champion their cause. “ F u r y, w h e r e y o u a t baby?” Joshua said. The Gypsy King was busy tweeting: “You had life and death with Klitschko, I played with the guy. Let’s dance.”

Joshua did hit the canvas hard before toppling Klitschko. Fury ducked, weaved and earned a comfortable points win by comparison in 2015.

“Tyson Fury will be watching that and thinking I haven’t even got to lose six stone to beat AJ,” said 5 live boxing analyst Steve Bunce.

“Could Fury have beaten AJ when he beat Klitschko?

The answer is yes.”

Substantially overweight and devoid of a boxing licence, former world champion Fury will likely need time and a warm-up bout before

Anthony Joshua connected with a huge uppercut in round 11 to end Klitschko’s resistance

meeting the IBF and WBA champion.

WBC champion Deontay Wilder warned Joshua not to get “comfortable”, while Klitschko confirmed he holds a rematch option, adding that he believes the champion is “vulnerable” at times.

“I could have done more to finish him off,” said the 41-year-old.

The options are plentiful on paper but timing is the crucial factor. Fury will surely happen one day but not soon, meeting Klitschko swiftly before age robs him of further edge is a challenge and Wilder’s lack of appeal in the UK also presents difficulty.

Bunce added: “Wilder needs at least one more fight - he is not at the pay-perview stature yet.”

‘The richest boxer ever’ Joshua’s rise, after being all-but beaten in the sixth round, to administer a devastating uppercut and finish in the 11th, wowed the world of boxing. American viewers tuned in and lapped up the destruction.

Legendary boxers Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield were just some of those tweeting praise, while promoter Eddie Hearn believes his fighter’s profile is now “stratospheric”, adding: “He is unquestionably

world boxing’s biggest star.”

Hearn is just a piece in the jigsaw of a team which has made Joshua a juggernaut in world sport. His standing as a marketable asset for more than a dozen global brands brings closer his ambition to become boxing’s first billionaire, while it also heaps pressure on his broad shoulders.

“The win accelerates him to be one of the world’s most sought-after major properties,” said sports marketing expert Alun James, UK chief executive at Four Sports and Sponsorships. “ A Yo u G o v s u r v e y showed 20% of the UK popu-

lation have a favourable view of him. That is a very good number for boxing, which is not a mainstream sport.

“Because he’s a young black man, he also allows brands to extend into demographics they haven’t worked in before. He’s already working with brands from Asia to the US, the UK and Dubai.

“I think he will certainly be the richest boxer ever and probably surpass Floyd Mayweather, who set the benchmark.”

What we learned - a raw fighting machine Klitschko is no stranger to being knocked down - he hit the deck three times in beating Samuel Peter on points in 2005 and such resistance subsequently spawned an 11year unbeaten run until 2015.

The fact Joshua has now tasted being decked and briefly humbled may well be viewed as a positive behind closed doors. No longer will doubters wonder about his heart. The world now knows what will is hidden beneath those pectorals.

“There comes a time where it comes from within,”

said BBC Radio 5 live pundit Richie Woodhall. “It is DNA or whatever you want to call it. Those punches came from the depths of his soul. That is what being a world champion is all about.”

This great British hope showed transitions, boxing admirably early on, taking punishment in the middle rounds, and then switching things up to power punching, seizing his moment with killer instinct.

“There were times where he showed his inexperience but he learned and showed he isn’t just a prospect,” said Joshua’s trainer Rob McCracken. “He can turn around fights and that will help him so much in his career.”

Just 19 fights and now 55 rounds into his career, Joshua has every right to remain green in parts. Smiles at his opponent and celebrations after knockdowns will perhaps be stamped out. Indeed Klitschko said afterwards he felt his rival “lost focus” at times.

In truth, the grand surroundings of Wembley are fit for a fully developed fighter.

Joshua beat one, though both

Anthony Joshua was knocked down for the first time in his career in the sixth round.

he and his team will admit he is not himself one yet, even if he did answer questions.

“He was raw at times which he is, and at times he was probably exposed but to get exposed in front of 90,000 people, to bite down on your gum shield, and to knock out Klitschko in the 11th round, you can’t buy that heart,” added Hearn.

A show of temperament The chin has been tested, as has Joshua’s heart, but what about the mind?

Celebrities fell over themselves to engage with him within minutes of his win, A-list names on Twitter jumping on the expanding AJ bandwagon.

He handled an expectant 90,000 crowd and surely no fight to come can be bigger from a stadium perspective?

Yet heavyweight boxing can provide a slap of reality.

Mike Tyson ran into Buster Douglas, Lennox Lewis fell to Hasim Rahman.

But the focus and creative nature of his training drills - visible in their droves on Instagram - seem to showcase a desire to keep striving and try different things in pursuit of excellence.

Away from the ring, Joshua talks about different cultures in a studious way.

He has a mind which seems unlikely to fall lazy and such drive will be critical.

There were moments where he visibly took deep breaths when under fire from Klitschko, and expect him to find solutions in the gym. As hype and distractions mount, it is reassuring to know he finds comfort there.

The champion said: “I showed that fights are won in the gym. It gets tough and boxing isn’t easy. You have to have the whole package.”

Wi t h e v e r y p a s s i n g punch, he looks just that.

(BBC Sport)

Farfan & Mendes Men’s first division hockey league

Old Fort suffers back-to-back defeats

IT was tough going for the Old Fort men last weekend as they were made to endure two losses in as many matches against Bounty GCC and the Pepsi Hikers in the Farfan & Mendes Men’s First Division League.

On Friday afternoon at Bourda, Old Fort took the field against an energized Bounty GCC,playing in front of a vociferous home crowd.

The match seemed as though it would be an easy one for GCC as Old Fort,without a few of its senior members, succumbed

to a Mark Sargeant field goal just 3 minutes into play and Kevin Spencer added a second for the Bourda side ten minutes later.

Just as the match seemed to be getting out of Old Fort’s reach however, Old Fort’s Aderemi Simon, pushed into the forward line,produced two moments of pure brilliance.

In the 22nd minute of play, Simon received a long pass from defence, turned past his marker and outpaced the GCC defence to blast a bullet of a shot into the GCC net. Simon would repeat this feat five minutes later

for his own and his team’s second goal of the match to take the score into half time at 2-2.

GCC’s pressure in the second half proved too much for Old Fort and their defensive fortitude eventually collapsed, conceding six more unanswered goals to end the match with an 8-2 GCC victory. Spencer managed a helmet-trick for GCC while Shaquille Leung scored a double and Kareem McKenzie a single.

The very next afternoon saw Old Fort return to the field against tournament leader,Pepsi Hikers. This

matched proved even more one-sided as the Hikers drowned their opposition by 9-0. While Old Fort managed to keep the game scoreless for sixteen minutes, the Hikers seemed threatening from the start.

Midfielder Shane Samuels was the highest scorer of the match with a hat-trick, Andrew Stewart scored a double while Robert France, Randy Hope, Kevin Fogenay and Tivesard Garnett each added one.

Matches continued yesterday with Bounty GCC vs Saints HC at Saints ground from 16.30hrs.

GCC’s Dwayne Scott attacks the Old Fort circle

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

Chelsea remain on course for Premier League title … Spurs beat Arsenal 2-0

By Steve Tongue LONDON,(Reuters)-Chelsea remain on course for the Premier League title after a 3-0 win at Everton left them four points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who beat local rivals Arsenal 2-0 on Sunday.

Goals by Pedro, Gary Cahill and Willian gave Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side a comfortable win in the end but the Spurs team they beat 4-2 in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend are showing remarkable resilience in the league.

In particular, Tottenham know they can rely for regular goals on England pair Harry Kane and Dele Alli, who have close to 50 between them this season with 27 and 21 respectively.

A cool finish from each

-- Kane’s coming from the penalty spot after he had been fouled – was too much for Arsenal, whose chances of finishing in the top four to claim their usual Champions League place were badly diminished as a result.

Spurs, chasing their first English championship since 1961, can close the gap on the leaders to one point if they can win a third successive London derby away to West Ham United on Friday.

Victory over their greatest rivals Arsenal to follow a late success at Crystal Palace in midweek means a 10th straight league win in a row would put pressure on Londoners Chelsea.

The leaders do not play until next Monday and, although Conte’s side will expect to beat second-bottom

Chelsea’s Pedro scores their first goal Reuters / Phil Noble Livepic

Middlesbrough, their visitors are desperate for points and can see a way out of the relegation mire after recent improved performances.

Chelsea’s players and staff -- elated after winning at

Goodison Park -- must have been disappointed as they monitored the North London derby on the way back from Everton that Arsenal could not make a better fist of the game at White Hart Lane.

Draws for the two Manchester clubs earlier in the day should have given Arsenal added incentive but they were easily beaten and will finish below Spurs for the first time in 22 years.

United suffered another of the home draws that have blighted their first season under Jose Mourinho when relegation-threatened Swansea City salvaged a 1-1 draw, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s fine free kick equalising a controversial Wayne Rooney penalty.

City, meanwhile, needed a late equaliser by Gabriel Jesus to earn a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough. They were twice behind and missed a chance to go above Liverpool who can move a provisional three points clear of them with a win at Watford on Monday.

With what look like three winnable games after that, Liverpool could finish strongly, but it is only Tottenham who can prevent Chelsea’s animated Italian coach Conte from taking the title in his first season of English football.

wins in Russia Nadal eases to 10th Barcelona Open title Bottas for his first F1 victory

By Alan Baldwin |

Rafael Nadal bites the trophy. REUTERS/Albert Gea

By Richard Martin BARCELONA,(Reuters)-Rafael Nadal won a record-extending 10th Barcelona Open tennis title on Sunday by thrashing Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-4 6-1, collecting his second claycourt title in a row.

Nadal, who won the Monte Carlo Masters for a 10th time last week, romped to the title without dropping a set on the newly renamed Rafa Nadal court at the Real Tennis Club in Barcelona, and needed just 90 minutes to finish off Thiem.

Thiem had beaten the 14-times Grand Slam champion on clay in the Argentina Open last year and earned a place in the final by beating world number one Andy Mur-

ray for the first time in his career on Saturday, but he proved no match for Nadal.

The Mallorcan took a while to impose himself on Thiem on an overcast day in Barcelona with the cold weather slowing down the court.

Thiem earned the first breakpoint of the match but Nadal recovered and eventually took the first set by breaking his opponent in the 10th game.

There was no let-up in the second set from Nadal, who broke the 23-year-old Austrian twice in a row before serving for the championship and wrapping up his 51st tournament win on clay.

“I’m especially happy for these 10 victories in two tournaments that are

as special to me as Monte Carlo and Barcelona, especially here as it’s my club, and for the support of these incredible fans,” Nadal told Spanish network TVE. “It’s a dream start to the claycourt season.”

Thiem paid tribute to his opponent after Nadal’s 71st tournament win in his career.

“First of all congrats to Rafa, 10 titles here and in Monte Carlo, it’s unbelievable,” he said.

“I really enjoyed the week in Barcelona. There are worse things than to lose against the greatest player on clay ever. I enjoyed it even though I lost and I really hope I can come back in the next years.”

SOCHI, Russia- (Reuters)-Finland’s Valtteri Bottas celebrated the first Formula One victory of his career at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday after jumping both Ferraris at the start and then holding his nerve over the tense closing laps.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel, who had started on pole position alongside Ferrari team mate Kimi Raikkonen, extended his advantage to 13 points with second place after putting Bottas under huge pressure at the finish.

The German crossed the line just 0.6 seconds behind a man who joined Mercedes from Williams in January as replacement for retired 2016 champion Nico Rosberg and was finally a winner after 81 starts.

“Took quite a while, huh?,” said the Finn over the radio as he took the chequered flag, an expletive bleeped out for the listening world as he whooped in a rare outburst of emotion. “Worth

the wait.”

“This strange opportunity came over the winter to join this team and I have to thank the team for making this possible,” he added after meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin before spraying champagne on the podium.

“First win and hopefully first of many... it’s a good feeling.”

It was the first time in four years, since Raikkonen won with Lotus in Australia in 2013, that a Finnish driver had stood on the top step.

Raikkonen made it two Finns in the top three with Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, Vettel’s closest rival, struggling to match the leaders’ pace and finishing fourth for Mercedes.

Vettel now has 86 points after the opening four races with triple champion Hamilton, a winner in China, second on 73 and Bottas third with 63.

Mercedes continued their record of winning every Russian Grand Prix since the first in 2014, this time against the odds after Ferrari had swept the

Mercedes Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland celebrates the victory on the podium. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

front row for the first time in nine years.

But their proud boast of also leading every lap around the Olympic Park circuit disappeared when Vettel briefly led following Bottas’s first pitstop.

After an aborted start, with Fernando Alonso’s McLaren breaking down on the formation lap, Bottas seized the lead from third on the grid.

The safety car was then deployed after a collision between Renault’s Jolyon Palmer and Haas’s Romain Grosjean put both out, and the race settled down into a procession before the nail-biting finale.

“I tried everything to catch Valtteri. I thought there would be an opportunity on the back straight,” said Vettel, winner of two of the first three races for his resurgent Italian team.

“I thought there was an opportunity but I was not sure what Felipe Massa would do and ended up losing out,” he added, with the Williams driver delaying him at a key point in the chase.

“It doesn’t matter, though.

Big congratulations to Valtteri.

It is his day.”

Red Bull’s Dutch teenager Max Verstappen finished fifth with Sergio Perez chalking up his 14th successive points finish for Force India and French team mate Esteban Ocon seventh.

Nico Hulkenberg was eighth for Renault, with Massa ninth for Williams and Spaniard Carlos Sainz taking the final point for Toro Rosso.

Canadian rookie Lance Stroll finally reached the finish line after three retirements in a row and took 11th place for Williams.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

GCC Spartans draw with Brian Hale plays his last innings

Woodpecker Hikers to earn valuable point

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — Former Guyana Sports Club opening batsman Brian Hale has passed away here after a brief illness.

Described as an individual who lives and breathes cricket, Hale’s death came as a shock to cricket lovers and administrators in the Greater Toronto area since he was looking forward eagerly to the start of the 2017 season.

Since leaving Guyana some 44 years ago, Hale’s interest in the sunshine game has never waned and his devel-

He was selected based on his outstanding performances in the national trial matches, which included a century while sharing in a double-century stand with the late Guyana and West Indies opener Roy Fredericks.

He had also turned out for Demerara in the Jones Cup Inter-county tournament.

While at GSC, Hale had the unique distinction of carting off the Case Cup first division tournament in three consecutive years and also emerging winners of the Rothman’s Cup limited overs competition

opment of the sport, more so at the youth level, has been rightfully acknowledged and recognised in Canadian cricket circles.

Hale who started playing for the-then British Guiana Cricket Club (BGCC), before the Thomas Lands club was changed to Guyana Sports Club (GSC), missed playing for the Guyana senior team because of migration to being one of the most qualified and recognised coaches in Canada.

Prior to leaving Guyana in 1971, Hale represented Guyana Colts against the touring English cricketers and was also in contention for an English County contract.

during the said period.

Hale’s first stint in Canada saw him join Victoria Park Cricket Club where he immediately made his presence felt, topping his team’s batting averages in his first two years and was also the leading run-scorer in the league.

Hale subsequently don the Canadian national colours, in games versus Leeward Islands, Australia and Ireland.

In an administrative capacity, Brian was a board member of both the Toronto and Ontario Associations and served as a Junior coordinator. He was also credited with starting the Junior League in To-

ronto which is ongoing.

During his term as the National Junior selector and coach, Hale was also at the helm of the Markham Cricket Association.

In 1992, Hale started the Toronto Cricket Academy (TCA), the first of its kind in Canada, and he has been credited with producing several notable national Canadian players including former Canadian captain and wicketkeeper Ashish Bagai and the youngest Canadian World Cup player Nitish Kumar.

Hale was recognised

Hikers Marisha Fernandes tries to find a way through a wall of Spartans defenders

WOODPECKER Hikers managed a 1-1 draw against the GCC Spartans in their first round clash and would have entered Saturday afternoon’s second round clash brimming with confidence.

The match proved to be more difficult than expected for the Hikers but despite several close chances and near misses, the Hikers defence, including goalkeeper Jessica Mittleholtzer who put in a stellar performance, managed to keep Spartans scoreless for

the entire first half.

The second half saw more aggression from the Hikers but their high pressure game seem to backfire somewhat.In the 37th minute the Spartans executed a swift counterattack that caught the Hikers defence out of position,allowing Sandy Roopnarine to score the game’s first goal.

The goal by the underdogs sparked new life into the match and the Hikers would be justly rewarded six

minutes later through Marisha Fernandes who,after a left side build-up,found Tekeisha Deleon in the circle and scored with a well-placed shot.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw,giving the Spartans their first point of the competition and edging the second-placed Hikers slowly toward pool leaders Pizza Hut GCC. Matches continued yesterday with the Pizza Hut GCC slated to take on the Old Fort Shooting Stars at 16.30hrs at Saints ground.

CONCACAF U17 footbal...

Mexico drub young Reggae Boyz for final classification spot DANIEL Lopez and Jairo Torres scored two goals each as Mexico (2W-0D1L, 6 points) secured a place in the 2017 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship’s classification stage with a 5-1 win over Jamaica (1-0-2, 3) on Saturday at the Estadio Maracana.

The result means that the Tricolor finished sec-

ond in Group C, three points behind the table-topping United States (3-00, 9), which defeated El Salvador (0-0-3, 0) earlier, 1-0.

Two-time defending champion Mexico bounced back from a 4-3 loss to the U.S. in its last outing by striking for three goals before halftime. Torres (24’, 36’) completed his

brace during a 12-minute stretch, while Lopez (32’) made it 3-0.

The lead was extended to 5-0 with Adrian Vazquez (61’) finding the back of the net just past the hour mark and Lopez adding his second (62’).

Jeremy Verley pulled a goal back for the Reggae Boyz in the 72nd minute. (Sportsmax)

Brian Hale

by the Province of Ontario for ‘Distinguished Performance’, by Cricket Canada for his ‘Contribution to the Sport’ and the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the ‘Spirit of Cricket’.

The National Film Board of Canada also did an award-winning documentary featuring his academy which is also available on Youtube and is titled ‘Cricket and the meaning of Life’.

While Hale’s work within the TCA was well known, his services were also sought by other players outside of the body – a testimony of dedication to the game of cricket over the years.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday May 01, 2017) 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) Gary Sobers & Lawerence Rowe (2) 23 Test centuries Today’s Quiz: (1)

(2)

Which two played just one Test each against Pakistan?

Collis King, Leonard Baichan, Ranjie Nanan, Clyde Butts, Ravi Rampaul What were Kieran Powell’s scores in the first Test of the current WI/PAK series?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, May 1, 2017

Inclement weather forces postponement of Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival Now set for May 7 HEAVY downpours during the wee hours of yesterday morning forced organisers of the Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day, scheduled for the Police Sports Club Ground, to postpone the event until next week Sunday, May 7.

After Saturday’s rainfall,organisers were still optimistic up to late Saturday night that the event could still go off. The meet’s Technical Director, Mark Scott observed that though the surface was wet the ground was still hard underneath.

However,the Sunday morning showers caught organisers off guard, and inundated the track, mandating a postponement.

“Up to 2am Sunday morning when we left the ground,everything was ok

for a successful sports day, but then between 3 – 7 this morning, we had some heavy rainfall. So we decided to postpone for next Sunday, May 7, in the hopes that we get better weather and we could have a better track,” Boyce and Jefford co-chairman, Edison Jefford, explained at the ground yesterday.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, Jefford was still at the ground to personally meet and apologize to any patron who did not get word of the postponement and still turned up for the highly-anticipated event.

The organisers issued an advisory on the event’s Facebook page and notified all of the participating clubs and their athletes. However, while many are saddened

A section of the inundated Police Sports Club Ground yesterday

by the postponement,at least one club is glad now that they will be able to participate in the relays,since they could not have made it this Sunday but will be available next Sunday.

“The hype will continue because we’ve spoken to all stakeholders, we’ve spoken to all the athletes and clubs.

And I know at least one particular club coming from Berbice is actually happy about the postponement because they are at the Penn Relays and it gives them an opportunity to compete since they are retuning on May 4,” Jefford related.

“All the systems will be crystallized this week, and perfect those that aren’t already perfected and seek to have a more grandeur occasion.”

Dr Stephen Michael Monasingh, 10th Dan Grandmaster, passes on HE was considered by many to be one of the most,if not the most recognisable and respectable figure in martial arts in Guyana, but Professor Dr. Stephen Michael Monasingh, a 10th Dan Grandmaster,was also a hero.

Grandmaster Mo-

nasingh passed away on Thursday April 27 after a brief period of illness. He was 67 years old.

For over 50 years, Dr. Monasingh was involved in Martial Arts, during which time he was given a Doctorate in Oriental Medicine as well as being internationally acclaimed.

Professor Monasingh devolved a style called ‘Shin Kaido’ a blend of Jujitsu, Karate, Judo, Taekwondo and Aikido.

The 10 th Dan Grandmaster, during the 1960’s to the 1980’s,represented Guyana at the Japan-based International Karate Organisation. Dr. Monasingh

also sat at the helm of the organisation in Guyana for a number of years.

Apart from leading the Guyana Taekwondo Association, the world renowned Grandmaster, Professor and doctor also worked at the Brazilian Embassy as the Aide to the Military Attaché.

The late Dr. Stephen Michael Monasingh

Thirty technical officials take exam as SA Junior Championships preparations continue SOME thirty officials yesterday participated in an exam to become certified athletics technical officials, as part of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) preparations for next month’s hosting of the South American Junior Championships, at the National Track and Field Centre from June 3 – 4.

The AAG had earlier this month been advised that around 80 technical officials would be needed to carry out a smooth hosting of the Championships. With less than half that number of technical officials cur-

The participants with International Technical Official (ITO), Giovanni Cardona

rently present in Guyana, the AAG was hard pressed to start training to get more officials.

The training was ad-

ministered by International Technical Official (ITO), Giovanni Cardona of Columbia, keeping true to his promise to return

to Guyana to conduct the training, after visiting earlier this month.

During that visit,Cardona had met with AAG ex-

ecutives and officials of the body’s technical committee, and visited the NTFC. It was Cardona who pegged the necessary number at 80. Commenting on the training, some of the participants noted that Cardona was making it very easy to learn all the necessaries.

“He covered a lot within the time, but we understand it. He did pretty well with his explaining and carrying over his points and breaking it down for us,” remarked a participant. “I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here.

They’ve balanced it out

pretty well with the theory, in the class, and the practical.”

With athletes from over 10 countries expected to take part in the Championships, this will be the first time that an international event of such magnitude would be held in Guyana.

The South American Junior Championships is a biennial event at which junior athletes (Under-20) from all across South America participate in athletic events. The last Championships which was held in Ecuador,involved 245 athletes from 11 nations.

Inclement weather forces postponement of Boyce & Jefford Relay Festival Now set for May 7 See35page

Chase century leads West Indies recovery on day one See Page 30

Batsman Roston Chase celebrates his second Test hundred on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan on Sunday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

T&T brush aside Barbados to retain Women’s Super50 title KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, (CMC) – Opener Felicia Walters stroked a half-century as Trinidad and Tobago defeated Barbados by 21 runs here Sunday, to successfully defend their Women’s Regional Super50 title.

Playing in the final at the Arnos Vale Stadium, T&T were bowled out for 164 off 46 overs, with Walters top-scoring with a patient 53. Reniece Boyce got 29 and Rachael Vincent, 20.

Leg-spinner Keila Elliot was the best bowler with four for 47 while seamer Deandra Dottin picked up three for 41.

In reply, Barbados battled back from a terrible start to appear on course for victory at 70 for two in the 19th over before collapsing to lose their last eight wickets for 63 runs.

West Indies Women stars Dottin and Kyshona Knight both hit 32 while Charlene Taitt chimed in with 24.

Slow medium Felicia Walters helped hurt the innings with three for 25 while slow bowler Karishma Ramharack (2-10), fast bowler Shenelle Lord (2-27)

and off-spinner Anisa Moham-

Opener Felicia Walters … top-scored for T&T with a half-century. med (2-36) all finished with two wickets each.

Sent in, T&T got off to a decent start when Walters anchored two successive, productive stands, putting on 44 for the first wicket with Boyce and another 49 for the second wicket with Lord.

Walters struck just three fours but held the innings together, batting through until the 45th over before finally being

dismissed.

T&T were well placed at 103 for two in the 24th over but lost their last eight wickets for 61 runs, with Elliot and off-spinner Hayley Matthews (2-17) also doing the damage.

Barbados were placed under pressure early in their run chase when in-form opener Matthews (9) and her West Indies teammate Kycia Knight (0) were both prised out cheaply with just nine runs on the board in the third over.

A recovery followed, however, as Dottin and Knight then combined in a 61-run, third-wicket stand to ensure the innings flourished.

Once Dottin was bowled by Ramharack in the 19th over, the innings went into freefall, with five wickets tumbling for 27 runs to leave Barbados tottering on 97 for seven.

Taitt and tail-ender Shamilia Connell (20) made an attempt at a rearguard action in a 32-run, eighth wicket partnership but Mohammed had Connell stumped in the 42nd over to signal the final rites.

Skipper Jason Holder celebrates reaching his half-century on the opening day against Pakistan on Sunday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

Jamaica to send five Reggae Punchers - Caribbean Schoolboys tournament

JAMAICA has registered a five-man team of boxers to participate in the Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors tournament,scheduled for later this month at the National Gymnasium.

The team will be accompanied by two coaches and will mark the second time that the Land of Wood and Water is being represented at the tournament.

Head of the Jamaica Boxing Association,Stephen `Bomber’ Jones,recently forwarded the list of participants to the Guyana Boxing Association.

The Jamaicans would be led by Lightweight Daniel Hylton who would be on his third trip to Guyana.

Hylton laced up gloves in the first Caribbean Development tournament held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in November 2015,and the following year participated in the first ever Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors,also held at the Sports Hall.

Hylton would be supported by teammates Joseph Coley, Ramone Chung, Rushawn McWhinney and Jerone En-

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Daniel Hylton nis. The head coach is Gilbert Vaz,while Godfrey Collins will work as his assistant.

Jamaica joins Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia and Suriname as the teams already registered for the May 12th -14th tournament. Trinidad has booked a strong team of eight boxers, while St Lucia and Barbados

have registered four fighters apiece.

The GBA has contracted AIBA Three Star Referee/ judge, `King’ James Beckles to provide a three-day seminar for local officials. The seminar commences on May 9, the same day that the Trinidadian Beckles will arrive.

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017