Guyana chronicle epaper 09 04 2016

No. 104664

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Price: $140

(VAT INCLUSIVE)

Rogue cops will ‘fall by the wayside’ Page

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- Ramnarine reads the riot act to police begging, demanding favours

Nappi children get bicycles, other gifts

IN observance of Indigenous Heritage Month, the Ministry of Communities on Saturday made donations to the indigenous people of Nappi village in Region Nine.

Bicycles, food items and cosmetics were distributed to residents who gathered at the community ground to celebrate their Heritage Day. It was a fun-filled day as residents were able to socialise with friends and family, participate in sporting activities, and of course, enjoy indigenous delicacies. Indigenous Heritage Month this year is being celebrated under the theme “Our Culture, Earth’s Future – Save the Environment, Live the Indigenous Way.” Photo shows Ministers Dawn Hastings and Valerie Patterson, officials of the Ministry of Communities, and the people of Nappi with the bicycles which were donated. The bicycles will be used by the children to get to school. (Ravin Singh photo)

70-year-old man Police raid city swims across night spots 5 Berbice River 4 - 14 Brazilian women among those held - aims for Essequibo River Monday Page

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Malpractice not 2 reason why 50% of budget unspent

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– President Granger

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

Indigenous Peoples’ Authority will make for better delivery of services to hinterland residents - President THE proposal to establish a five-member National Indigenous Peoples’ Authority (NIPA) is to ensure the better delivery of services to people residing in hinterland communities and will in no way obstruct the work of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) or the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

This is according to President David Granger, who made the initial proposal during his address at the opening of the National Toshaos Conference on August 22, where he noted that the NIPA will be an executive body which will implement relevant government policies and decisions of the NTC. Since the announcement, the President’s proposal has received mix reactions with former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai stating that the NTC must have the scope to implement its decisions and so she does not agree with the call made for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ Authority.

But the President during his appearance on the weekly programme, The Public Interest, explained that there is a gap between the council and the government.

“My proposal was simply to expedite or facilitate the delivery of services to the people. It was not an obstruction, it is not an obstacle; it is not taking away from the NTC or the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs,” the Head of State said.

The President alluded to the distance to reach certain hinterland communities, the poor infrastructure, low performance rate at the National Grade Six Examination, poor delivery of health care and fewer employment opportunities, as issues which indigenous people face on a daily basis.

“All in all, life is more difficult for most of the people there…it’s not an ethnic problem, it’s more a geographical problem.

“My intention was simply to ensure the better delivery

President David Granger greets several indigenous leaders, including Deputy Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Lennox Shuman (in traditional apparel) and Chairman of the NTC, Joel Fredericks, (third from right) during the opening of the recent NTC conference of services to the hinterland communities. It was not meant to obstruct the work of the NTC…it was just meant to ensure that because this body only meets once every year, in between meetings there is some agency, some authority which is actually getting work done. So it is meant to assist in the delivery of public service to the hinterland communities.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to the issue of land titles for indigenous peoples, the President revealed that he plans to re-establish a form of Indigenous Peoples Land Commission, so that demarcation could be done to the satisfaction of both sides.

This commission should be in place by December 31, the President said.

Malpractice not reason why 50% of budget unspent – President Granger

By Fareeza Haniff THE absence of a ministerial planning unit and the inadequacy of the tender board are two of the main reasons why only 50% of the 2016 national budget has thus far been spent, President David Granger has said on his weekly television programme, The Public Interest.

Promising to get things right in 2017, the President assured the public they “ought not to be afraid that there has been any malpractice.”

He explained that, due to the lack of a ministerial planning unit, many ministers who took over the ministries last year were not receiving quality advice about their programmes.

“We have decided to now establish ministerial planning units, so that not only plans are made, (but) expenditure which matches those plans will be programmed, so we don’t face a

bottleneck,” he explained.

The President also noted that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) does not have the capability to process all tenders. “There is a bottleneck,” he disclosed. “There are just too many requests for that board to handle; and we need to have maybe a bigger board, or maybe the board needs to sit more frequently.”

The President said lack of planning will no longer be an excuse for permanent secretaries, given that the 2017 budget will be presented on December 05, 2016. He is optimistic that 2017 will be a better year for Guyana financially.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan recently told the Guyana Chronicle that, almost nine months into the year, less than 50 per cent of the 2016 National Budget has been spent.

Describing the scenario as “unfavourable”, Jordan explained that Government’s continuous battle with existing items has hindered the smooth functioning of many agencies, but he also believes that some agencies “may have been caught off-guard with an early 2016 Budget.”

He opined that some agencies were “so accustomed to being relaxed and lackadaisical (in their approach to getting things done) that they were surprised by the early budget, and were unable to (find) their footing.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

Rogue cops will ‘fall by the wayside’ - Ramnarine reads the riot act to police begging, demanding favours

- 28 ranks already fired

By Rabindra Rooplall TRAFFIC and anti-crime ranks who sully the image of the force by begging and demanding favours of citizens in the execution of their duties, will “fall by the wayside,” the country’s police chief warned Saturday.

David Ramnarine, Police Commissioner (ag), had made his feelings known about the rogue officers before, but on Saturday he called them out at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, for a special meeting to address the issue.

Traffic ranks and anti-crime policemen who set up roadblocks are notorious for seeking out and demanding bribes, with the initial threat against drivers being, “let me see your documents” or “drive to the station.”

“Once you’re charged criminally or departmentally, we are not going to waste taxpayers’ money to interdict you and put you on half-pay comrade…out you go,” Ramnarine declared.

For the year thus far, he said 28 ranks have been dismissed from the force.

In expressing his concern about police ranks stopping civilians and soliciting money to supplement their salaries, the commissioner said many ranks are living above their earnings, seeking a luxurious lifestyle by fleecing

throwing box- hands. In some cases he noted that this lifestyle is condoned and promoted by some supervisors who also enrich themselves.

He said it is disgusting that members of the public, and even tourists, are harassed and molested for a “raise” or a “small piece.”

Ramnarine urged ranks in the audience to be courte-

Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine members of the public.

“Our role is to serve, but not serve at a price. It’s becoming ridiculous, very widespread among you the junior ranks. You are one of the elements of our daily interface with the publicanti-crime patrol ranks and traffic ranks. It’s becoming a problem.

“You are demanding from people. You are shamelessly asking them to leave something. You have no pride and dignity in the way you do things. You have no pride and shame. You believe this uniform is given to you to enrich yourself,” he stressed.

He explained the actions by the ranks are because of a lifestyle choice which surrounds constant partying, multiple relationships, expensive cellphones and

it, you have to accept it.

“If we are to be accountable and transparent, we have to understand that customers have the right constitutionally and otherwise to question our actions and not for us to get mad over it, and abusive over it and be vexed about it.

“If you don’t want to be questioned, you’re in the wrong profession,” Ramna-

“Once you’re charged criminally or departmentally, we are not going to waste taxpayers’ money to interdict you and put you on half-pay comrade…out you go,” Ramnarine declared. ous and polite when executing their duties and dealing with members of the public.

He said ranks should ensure that they use their name tags and display an overall professional attitude to the public, instead of abusing their authority and using the force unnecessarily.

“It is not only doing the right thing, but doing the right thing the right way,” he said, He said that it was only through unfettered criticism that institution such as the Police Force can be kept honest and in check.

“So those of you averse to criticism have to deal with

rine emphasised.

“If you think your actions are always above board and that no one should ask you anything about your actions, you are in the wrong profession, you have taken the wrong oath. Go and do private business so you are only accountable to yourself.”

Testing the ranks in attendance to demonstrate how many are lax in their duties, Commissioner Ramnarine asked the scores in attendance if they were making notes of what he was relating and saying throughout his presentation.

He asked those who had

writing pads and pens and were taking notes to stand.

A shocked group looked around at each other, while just about a quarter of the attendees stood.

“Just imagine a typical example: You are coming to be addressed by an acting commissioner and you have come here like you are prepared for a party,” he stressed “You come here to hear and probably just to pass it through the other ear.”

NEW RECRUITMENT POLICY Ramnarine said the Police Force is now blessed with a better quality of intake at the recruitment level, but issues such as functional illiteracy abound.

“We have a lot of persons in supervisory capacity who are young and the depth of knowledge and experience is not there and that is a fact which is indisputable.

“Gone are the days when you took five and six years to become a supervisor, a lance corporal or a sergeant.

‘Decades ago some spent 10, 15 or 20 years in the rank of a constable, but this is not so today,” the commissioner

noted.

He explained that this may have been because of a decision taken to condense a seven-month training programme into a four-month programme as part of a recruitment drive to enlist a certain number of officers.

He said that this will soon change and the recruitment course will return to eight months. The challenges of ranks’ behaviour and attitude will eventually change for the better as the GPF will be letting go of indisciplined ranks and those who are charged for various offences, Ramnarine stated.

In reflecting on a book he read about policing, Commissioner Ramnarine said the goal of the police includes maintaining public order and enforcing regulations for the prevention and detection of crime.

As such, he said that unless a citizen flouts or breaks the law, police intervention is not necessary.

He said the police are the executive civil force of the state and as such cannot violate the rights of society.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

70-year-old man swims across Berbice River - aims for Essequibo River Monday

S E V E N T Y- y e a r - o l d Ashraf Ally successfully swam across the Berbice River on Saturday.

Ally, nicknamed “River Conqueror,” made the journey from the New Amsterdam Stelling end of the river and took 40 minutes to end his journey in the vicinity of the Blairmont Stelling .

According to Ally, the swim was in honour of the

Berbice High School 100th anniversary celebrations and also to mark Guyana’s 50th anniversary of independence .

Ally is a former student of the Berbice High School and graduated in 1967. He was also once head of the Science Department of the school.

“It’s something I can do for hours and felt like a

normal exercise,” Ally said of Saturday’s swim.

The man believes swimming is a good form of exercise.

In 1979 , the made the first trip across the Berbice River, while in 1998, he made a trip across the Corentyne River. In 1999, Ally mastered the swim across the Demerara River.

The “River Conqueror” also swam across Lake Mainstay and the Canje River on numerous occasions.

Even though this was a major accomplishment for

Ally, his dream is to swim across the mighty Essequibo River.

This he will attempt on Monday when the school celebrates its anniversary.

Ally, who now resides overseas, was cheered on by many, including Region Six Chairman David Armogan, the Police Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam, and close relatives and friends.

Ally never thought he’d need the boat which was on standby in case of an emergency. (Nafeeza Yahya)

ASHRAF ALLY

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

Police raid city night spots - 14 Brazilian women among those held

POLICE raids carried out late Friday night at the Plaza Hotel on Charlotte and Albert Streets and at another popular business location have netted a number of Brazilian women who are suspected to be victims of trafficking in persons (TIP).

“Sixteen persons, inclusive of fourteen foreign nationals, have been detained and are assisting with the investigation,” a police statement has disclosed, even as it confirmed that the raids followed information received that the businesses were engaging in trafficking in persons (TIP).

Berbice serial burglar shot A MAN wanted for a series of burglaries in the New Amsterdam community was shot by police on Saturday morning.

Enquiries disclose that the wanted man was spotted in a house at Savannah Park, and ranks of a mobile patrol under the command of a subordinate officer responded.

In the process of arresting the man, a scuffle ensued and two rounds were discharged at the suspect, who managed to escape into nearby bushes.

The suspect was shortly after found at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was admitted a patient with a suspected gunshot wound to his lower

abdomen. He is currently under police guard.

Police say investigations are continuing, including one by the Office of Professional Responsibility into the discharge of rounds by police at the suspected burglar.

‘QQ’ execution-style killing

Police hunting person of interest ACTING Crime Chief Hugh Jessemy on Saturday disclosed that following the execution-style killing of Mark Anthony, called “QQ,” sleuths are looking for a person of interest.

He explained that they have received information which will aid in the probe and he is optimistic that they will soon arrest the suspect.

Jessemy related that they have received tips from members of the general public and they are working to piece the information together.

On Thursday night the 22-year-old of Lot 1238 Canje Pheasant Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, was riddled with bullets while liming with friends at a “shortcut” in North Ruimveldt.

Police sources said it was about 20:00 hrs that a tinted vehicle pulled up at the location and two men exited and opened fire at Anthony.

He was shot in the abdomen, chest and back and suc-

cumbed to gunshot injuries while receiving medical attention at the GPHC. Relatives are clueless as to the motive for his murder, but police said Anthony is known to them.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Public sector wages

PUBLIC sector wages/salaries are an important component in determining the quality of life, not only for public sector workers, but equally for the private sector and the country at large.

The current negotiations between the Government of Guyana and public sector unions are also about the process and perception given by the Government to other employers.

The proposals put to the Government by the unions representing public servants, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); and teachers, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), need to be addressed within the spirit the President, who is Head of Government, has communicated. The delay in negotiations between the GPSU and Government was informed by President Granger stating that wages and salaries would be addressed after the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service concludes its work.

The 11th May Report by the Commission speaks to wide-ranging issues that need to be addressed and corrected, because restoration of professionalism in the service is vital. Among those issues are: a comprehensive evaluation within the service; addressing the problem of bunching; return of merit increment in the system; return to collective bargaining; negotiation of allowances; putting mechanisms in place for resolution of wages and salaries; and establishment of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal.

Within the GPSU’s proposal, a number of these issues were tabled. But where the employer and workers’ organisations are at the critical juncture where there seems to be only a singular issue addressed, such risk conveying the impression that there may be absent an atmosphere of good-faith negotiation. The President has, however, stated that his administration is looking at a comprehensive package for public servants, and not just the increase in wages. The desire to achieve the much- touted and needed proficient public service would not be made possible where the appropriate tools are unavailable, some of which are included in the above-mentioned.

The minimum and maximum wages/salaries determined through negotiation in the public sector are also used by private sector employers in setting the wages and salaries of their employees. Additionally, with the public sector wages scale being used as a guide by the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

The gov’t should return to the bargaining table Dear Editor: THE present impasse between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) strikes at the core of an absence of critical and progressive thinking. What is also being seen on the GoG’s part is the application of horse-trading.

The product by any negotiation that is considered just is one where the results are agreed upon by the parties involved. The GPSU rejected the Wage/ Salary offer. For the Government to state that the position put forward to the union is final, and it will go ahead and implement, even if the union has not accepted same, is a breach of trust and can be described as bad-faith negotiations.

Industrial relations is not about gut feelings. It is guided by a body of knowledge grounded in conventions, time-honoured principles, established rules and laws. Representatives of this government are being advised of the importance of arming themselves with an understanding of these tenets, or they will continue lurching from one crisis to another on matters pertaining to addressing workers’ welfare. There are precedents in this society which can serve as guides, as against the present big stick method being pursued.

In the 1960s the People’s Progressive Party government of Cheddi Jagan stated that it could not pay public servants increased wages/salaries, which led to a turbulent relationship between the government and trade unions. In the 1964 national elections, both the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the United Force (UF) in their manifestos promised wage/salary increases to public servants. In the first budget of the coalition (PNC/UF) government, Peter

D’Aguiar who was Finance Minister announced a 24 percent wage/salary increases for public servants.

In taking the decision, D’Aguiar said, “The increases in rate of pay have been necessary to restore and improve morale in the civil service. It is now hoped to reduce the flow of resignations and to attract suitable staff to the service at all levels.” The minimum wage was raised from $3.04 to $4.00 per day, which represented a 76 percent increase.

The parties that form this government campaigned on a promise to pay public servants decent wages/salaries.

Rather than address the workers’ wages/ salaries and conditions of work, the government-i.e. the president, ministers and members of parliament-moved to look at theirs first. This act is unpardonable in this society. For the government to believe that their decision will be easily wished away, much more has to be done at the bargaining table for workers not to be reminded, and believe that the increases paid to the Cabinet and MPs were not self-serving.

In 1979 the Forbes Burnham government announced a wage freeze. Bauxite workers challenged this decision in the streets and were able to get wage/salary increases through the Performance Appraisal System. In 1980, having learnt from 1979, when the GoG and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) met to negotiate, a number of issues, inclusive of salary increases were agreed upon. The government, conscious of its inability to pay, involved the State Planning Secretariat in the person of Carl Greenidge, who was mandated to find possible ways to meet the commitment given to the union. It was during this negotiation that the issue of Deferred Wages/Salaries in the forms of bonds was proposed to the GTU. This was accepted by the

private sector, the way and manner in which the Government negotiates with the trade unions would be observed, and if possible, applied.

Government sets the tone for society, and its officials serve as role models. Often, such expectations inform the demands made by citizens of government officials -- elected and appointed -- to conduct themselves in a particular manner, including respecting principles of good governance, law and ethics.

Given the foregoing, any culture developed in negotiation between Government and trade unions would set the example and tone for private sector employers to treat with unions in their sector, and also with non-unionised employees. Officialdom has to be mindful of such reality.

For instance, any reluctance -- perceived or real -- to address issues such as basic travel allowance to perform the business of the organization; vacation benefit, and other mundane issues will influence how private sector employers approach similar issues of workers’ welfare.

The GTU, though over time has been calling for the honouring of outstanding agreements, seems to be encountering difficulty in having the employer respond favourably.

Moving at a pace conceived and perceived to be tardy in having issues agreed upon being implemented can influence negative views by the teachers, who are the beneficiaries and play a major role in education delivery and the moulding of minds for development.

union and the parties signed off on an agreement.

In 1999 the Janet Jagan government decided that it will respond negatively to the public sector unions’ demand for increased wages/salaries, on the pretext that the IMF’s Structural Adjustment Programme prevented offering a decent increase. The government felt the trade union was weak, but underestimated the workers who were enraged by the treatment, mobilised among themselves, and proceeded on strike action. The union leadership had to comply.

The 1999 strike lasted for 57 days and the parties had to resort to arbitration to have the matter resolved. When the award was made, the IMF was notified and the government had to honour the increase. Though the award was not honoured in its entirety, the increased wages/salaries for the three years the award stipulated were paid.

One would have expected that these experiences would serve as lessons to guide negotiations with the GoG and the GPSU, and GTU. Actors of the events of 1979 and 1980 such as Carl Greenidge, Jeffrey Thomas and Richard Persico are still around and their knowledge and experience could be tapped. The 1999 issue is still fresh and most of the persons who participated in it are still around.

Negotiation requires constructive engagement, built on mutual respect, which would guide arriving at a package agreed on by the employer and workers’ representatives.

This government has failed in upholding these basic principles and is urged to learn and be guided by the lesson of history, and return to the negotiation table.

LINCOLN LEWIS

It hinders relations when negotiations reach the level where there is distrust, given that same can lead to adversarial relationship and spill off into other sectors in society.

The commitments given by President Granger to the people of Guyana -- of his administration’s focus in placing priorities on the public service and teachers -- need to be looked at in spirit and action. And where Government officials are seen or perceived to be creating roadblocks to the administration’s stated objective, something has to be done to have the situation corrected.

Negotiation is about issues. It is not about one-upmanship. It is also not only about numbers, given that it requires looking at the best possible mix of issues. For instance, paying an employee a $200 increase on wages when the meal allowance paid by the employer is less than what a meal costs makes no good sense. The treatment of the negotiations with the public servants and teachers, like every negotiation, requires good-faith engagements and arriving at a package that all are comfortable with.

The APNU+AFC, in its manifesto, has committed to an educated nation and also a professional public service.

Where Government officials may be perceived to engage in actions inconsistent with the manifesto, those persons should be influenced to be mindful of such perception, if such is not what the Government intends to portray.

Elections have consequences, one of which is commitment to honour what has been promised.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

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Focus on Public Servants working for less than $100,000 per month I JOIN the debate on the increase in salaries for public servants, with a sense of patriotism, called the last refuge of a scoundrel by Samuel Johnson. I also feel obliged - which really is a code word for making a choice – to write as a conscientious citizen of Guyana on salaries for public servants.

Honourable Minister Winston Jordan in his maiden budget speech delivered in 2015, as extracted from an article published in the Stabroek News (SN) dated August 11, 2015 stated: “Mr Speaker, I wish to announce an increase in the minimum basic salary of each public servant to $50,000, effective July 1, 2015. This translates to a 26.4 percent increase for those still earning the old minimum wage of $39,540 and 17.1 percent for over 4,000 public servants earning the current minimum wage of $42,703.

“Since the bulk of the public servants earn $100,000 and below, these are substantial increases, more than was promised to these categories of workers. These increases are payable to workers who were employed on or before January 1, 2015,” With approximately 80% or 25,000 public servants earning below $100,000 out of the estimated 31,250 public servants in Guyana, it is my belief that the coalition Government substantively delivered to the 80 percenters or public servants working for less than $100,000 per month, a fulfilment of the campaign promise of 20% increase to public servants.

The table below, extracted from the Stabroek News article referenced above, illustrates that the 80 percenters on average received at least a minimum of 20% increase, with effect from July 1, 2015.

President Granger’s administration in 2015.

From the statements in his letters to the Editors of Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, on Sunday, August 28, 2016, Mr Tacuma Ogunseye, the fair, fearless and well informed writer and WPA member; a Guyanese who in my opinion looks at the big picture, wrote: “It is my considered opinion that an increase of 20 to 25% for low- income workers was the least the government could have offered, given all the known challenges it faces. Such an offer even though it would have disappointed some workers and their leadership, would have resulted in the broad masses of workers willingly accepting the compromise offer and doing so with dignity.”

I concur with Mr Ogunseye and take this opportunity to point out that a 25% increase for the 80% of Public Servants who earn below $100,000 per month, with Guyana having an income tax threshold equivalent to the minimum wage level of $50,000 per month, essentially results in 30% of the increase being returned to the Treasury - as illustrated below:

We should always strive to do better than our predecessors, not for the sake of casting them in a bad light, but to improve upon what exists and to be true to human nature.

I close with a quote from W.E.B. Du Bois, used by Finance Minister, Honourable Winston DaCosta Jordan at the end of his budget speech on August 10, 2015: “Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow.

Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”

NIGEL HINDS The above development should not be ignored as salary increases are being negotiated for public servants in 2016. However, what is needed in the 2016 salary negotiations are deliberations with a biased focus on those public servants earning below $100,000 per month. It is disingenuous to conflate the 10% currently being offered to the 20% campaign promise that has to a great extent been delivered on and implemented by

HINDS’SIGHT

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Dr David Hinds

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

The WPA and the Coalition: Balancing Independence and Commitment to Government

MY friend, Freddie Kissoon, and I have, over the last few years, had many heated discussions about the WPA—its fate, its role, its stances on issues and the political conduct of some of its leaders. Freddie was once a WPA member who became disillusioned with the party and left. He is not singular in that regard—some leading members of the party left for varying reasons. Most of them have, however, remained part of what I normally refer to as the “WPA family.” Freddie is not part of that family—at least not actively.

Freddie has a strange attitude to the WPA, perhaps because of his boundless independence. On the one hand, he credits the WPA with lifting the politics of Guyana to a positively new level, but on the other hand, he sees the current party as irrelevant. In a real sense, I think he believes the WPA’s time has come and gone—a view on which we disagree. His latest criticism of the WPA in one of his columns two weeks ago reflected this mindset, but in the process he has brought to the fore a very important political dilemma in contemporary Guyanese politics.

Some months ago, in response to a question from a reporter, I made some criticisms of the AFC which in many respects were similar to the ones Freddie recently made of the WPA. Freddie also, made similar criticisms of the AFC. My remarks led to a sharp exchange with the AFC. I later learned that while some AFC members agreed with my evaluation of their party, they felt that I should make the same criticisms of my own party. I have to admit that when I made the criticisms of the AFC, I did not realise that I was in fact touching something that was very central to contemporary Guyanese politics.

I have remained a member of the WPA; it’s the only party I have ever belonged to. I continue as a member even though I have become increasingly frustrated with political parties.

I continue largely because I see the WPA as more than just a political party. I see it as representative of a movement, an idea and as a medium for a politics of the conscience—a pol-

itics that rises above political calculations and correctness.

I voted for the WPA to join the APNU in a partnership with its old nemesis, the PNC. It was not an easy decision for the WPA family; it took almost five years to convince most of us. There were many reasons for the hesitancy –we were asking many WPA people to join a partnership with a party which had once hurt us personally and politically. But above all, the sticking point was Walter Rodney, our leader and inspiration if ever there was one. I personally grappled with that. The PPP’s taunts that we were going to bed with Rodney’s killers didn’t bother me—by then I had lost all political respect for the PPP as an organisation.

I worried about balancing justice for Walter and commitment to the Partnership—would it be possible? I worried about how the WPA’s tradition of radical critique would gel with a partner which has traditionally been hostile to dissent. In the end, we went for the Partnership, because we reasoned that the needs of the country far outweighed our subjective considerations. It was a significant decision that was pregnant with the weight of history—we were merging two contending strands of the Caribbean political praxis with full knowledge that their rivalry would continue even as they partner with each other.

At the personal level, I was sometimes part of the discussions and negotiations that led to the formation of the APNU; they were simultaneously cordial and pregnant with mutual suspicions. It was clear that both sides were suspicious of each other—we in the WPA were always conscious of the PNC’s penchant for domination, while we felt the PNC was always wary of our unpredictability born of a political culture that was premised on the primacy of principle.

While in the WPA we had by 2011 reached almost unanimous agreement about the necessity of the APNU, most of the PNC’s leadership were not similarly convinced. That “go it alone” tendency is still in my estimation a majority one in the PNC—it was no accident that at the recent PNC Congress Granger, Williams and Clarke spent most of their time selling the Coalition to their membership. Many in the PNC felt that the WPA brought nothing to the table so the partnership was useless—there is still some of that disrespect for the WPA in some high quarters in the PNC, which perhaps explains the party’s marginalisation in the APNU and the Coalition.

Such a politically uneducated view arises from a mathematical view of politics, whereby political influence and strength are measured solely by electoral votes. Thankfully, at least one major PNC leader thought and knew otherwise.

So in the end the APNU was born and the rest is recent history. The APNU returned the 10% vote that the PNC lost to the AFC in 2006. Further, without the APNU, there would have been no APNU+AFC Coalition. I make bold to conclude that the AFC in 2015 would have never touched the PNC if the latter were not part of something larger than itself.

But the positives of the birth of the APNU and the APNU+AFC have masked some difficulties for the individual parties, particularly since they won office in 2015. One of the difficulties is how to balance being in government and maintaining their independence. This is what Freddie has raised in relation to the AFC and the WPA; and I have zeroed in on in relation to the AFC. My WPA colleague Tacuma Ogunseye has recently raised it in relation to the WPA and the PNC. None of the parties in the Coalition has worked out how to do that balancing act. Some may even question whether it is possible to balance those two things. It should be not-

ed that the WPA is not the only party in the Coalition that does not speak out on government action; the PNC and the AFC are also silent. This suggests that the problem is much bigger than we think. It can also be argued that the PNC does not have to do the balancing act, since they are the ones controlling the government. I differ with that view.

Some PNC members feel that the party is marginalised in the government; that it is the ex-soldiers’ faction that is really in charge.

Contrary to the views in some quarters, the WPA has not lost its independence nor its conviction. As a collective we disagree strongly with some of the government’s actions.

Although my critiques are done in my own name and not the party’s, most of the time my views are reflective of a majority within the WPA family.

When the government changed the WPA’s leadership decided to deliberately take a cautious approach towards public criticism of the government. We decided to remain quiet so as not to appear to be undermining the government. There are four major considerations that inform the WPA’s cautiousness when it comes to publicly critiquing the government.

First, we have taken into consideration that partnership government in Guyana is a new phenomenon that requires each partner to resist the temptation to impose its views on the partnership. Second, we are committed to making the government work and not to undermining it; hence our primary concern is not to poison relations with our partners.

Third, given the WPA’s history of radical critique of government and politics, we are sensitive to the criticisms in some quarters that we cannot be trusted to hold things together.

Fourth, we feel strongly that as a party we should avoid doing anything to give comfort to the PPP and aid its stated objective of undermining and derailing the government.

In a sense, the WPA muted its critical voice in the public sphere in the interest of the collective. In my view, we took that cautiousness too far and have become partly imprisoned by it. It was the party’s hope that we would air our concerns internally, but opportunities to do so have been scarce. The organs of the APNU meet infrequently and so far as we know, the partners of the Coalition do not meet outside of Cabinet. The WPA has one voice and one vote in Cabinet.

In other words, our party has very little or no voice in policy-making. For example, as a party we were not consulted on the recent decision on the wage offer to public servants.

I am arguing we got precious little for erring on the side of caution.

There is currently a raging debate inside the WPA family on the party’s silence on government action. There is a majority view that the party is hurting itself by not asserting its independence both inside and outside of government. Many of our comrades feel very strongly that as a party we have not done a good job at balancing our independence by upholding our traditional values with our commitment to making the Coalition work.

Our survival as a credible political influence is premised on striking that balance—the sooner the better. I share that view.

More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

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PNCR 19th Biennial Congress confirms shift from vanguard principles THE People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) is the major party in the APNU+AFC coalition Government, and is the only party in this group with previous Executive experience. For this reason, it is expected that it would not only influence the policies and programmes of this Government, but would play a leading role in defining for this country what governance is all about.

Over the years, the party’s congresses have paid attention to three major areas, and allowed the public an understanding of the state and direction of the party.

These areas are:- the composition of the attendees at the opening; the issues discussed and decisions arrived at; and the direction/charge given by its Leader.

The PNC, over the years, has touted its credentials as “the vanguard party”, and has brought on board a big tent arrangement, where every demographic in this society could have seen representation or felt its issues matter in shaping the party’s policies and defining its programmes.

Major stakeholders in this society, such as the cooperatives, farmers, trade unions, religious community, and youth, were not there as serious participants seeking to shape the direction of the party towards influencing governance.

For instance, a constituency that voted overwhelmingly for this party to be in the Government is the Upper Berbice River, in Region 10.

The Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) is situated in this area. Residents of communities adjoining the BCGI’s continue to be discriminated against by the management, and the fundamental right of BCGI workers to have representation by a trade union of their

choice has been denied for more than seven years and counting. It is instructive to note that this issue was never discussed at the Business Session of the congress; neither can a sentence be found in the Leader’s address making reference to it.

Rights are paramount, and take precedence over everything, including money. It is for this reason that anyone who had followed the history of the PNC would have expected the BCGI matter to be raised, discussed, and a decision taken as to the way forward.

It is this party’s Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham, who as Prime Minister travelled to Kwakwani (KK) in November 1969 and ordered the Reynolds Bauxite Company to end all discrim-

inatory practices against residents, workers and their communities.

When Burnham arrived in KK on that day, he walked through every street, and met, greeted and listened to the concerns of the people. After the walk-about, he called a community meeting for the residents at the Workers’ Club, and sought to address the common complaints that were made.

Some of these com plaints had to do with Reynolds having in place different shopping days for different categories of employees and residents; determining who could have access to treatment at the hospital; and moreso, who could have lived in certain sections of KK.

Burnham listened to the complaints attentively, and while addressing the community, he pronounced that these discriminatory practices must come to an end. Thereafter, the company dismantled every discriminatory practice Burnham spoke of and the people complained about. This is the history residents and workers of the KK community have experienced and have come to associate the party and its leadership with. Those who did not have the benefit of such experiences have been told the stories by those who had.

Another worker/management issue is that of government workers, including sugar. Engagement with the trade unions was honoured, as was their right to represent

their membership. Public servants form an integral support base for the party.

The Government and unions representing public servants are locked in negotiations for increased wages/salaries and improved working conditions. What is being observed is that the PNC did not demonstrate leadership in delivering an opinion as to how the Government ought to treat with issues of Labour/ Management relationship.

As a trade unionist, I am aware that the party has within its ranks an industrial relations community comprising seasoned practitioners, who would meet and advise on issues that impact on Labour/Management relationship. I am advised this no longer exists in the party. Where the par-

ty and Government are no longer guided by such relationship, it brings clarity to the constant crises it faces in dealing with industrial relations’ matters.

The PPP and PNC came out of the belly of the trade union movement.

It is the first time that this party is in Government without a trade unionist within its fold, be it in the Executive or National Assembly; or having within its leadership a person steeped in industrial relations. Being a vanguard party means that it has to return to its roots, involve every interest group, and work towards factoring their welfare as a matter of importance in the nation’s growth and development.

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Environmental sustainability and the Good Life

By Rear Admiral (rtd) Gary A. R. Best Presidential Advisor on the Environment *************************** THIS article is the first of three that would look briefly at environmental, financial and institutional sustainability.

Today we start with environmental sustainability. *************************** OVER the past two de- Report (1987), which inter- generations to meet their the United Nations Confercades, the importance of nationalized the meaning of own needs”. The Bruntland ence on Environment and Dethe environment and the sustainable development by Report also highlighted the velopment (1992), commonly elements for sustainability defining it as “development need to balance economic referred to as the ‘Earth Sumwere identified through that meets the need of the and environmental devel- mit’ or ‘the Rio Conference’, two significant initiatives. present without compro- opment. which resulted in Agenda The first was the Bruntland mising the ability of future The second initiative was 21, a non-binding, voluntarily-implemented action plan with regard to sustainable development.

We contend here that sustainable development of the environment is necessary for the promised good life, and it is also a mandate given to us by the Articles (14, 25 & 36) of the Guyana Constitution.

According to Goodland (1996) and Hammond et Anor (1998), “Environmental sustainability means changing human activities so they no longer threaten the natural resource base and ecological systems upon which economic development, human health and social well-being depend”.

Environmental sustainability means maintaining natural capital. Natural capital includes soil, atmosphere, forests, water and wetlands, which provide a flow of useful goods or services to our citizens. However, this natural capital is no longer a free good, and has thus become a limited factor to attaining and maintaining environmental sustainability.

Environmental sustainability contributes to the improvement of human welfare by protecting the sources of raw materials required, ensuring that emissions from waste are held within the assimilative capacity of the environment, and harvest rates for renewables are maintained within regeneration levels.

We include here our forest and its services; animal and plant life; and all forms of aquatic life inland, inshore and offshore.

It is important also for the rates of non-renewable depletion to be equal to the rate at which renewable substitutes can be created. This is particularly relevant to the gold, bauxite and diamond industry. A key question in the context of non-renewables is “what renewable substitutes are contemplated for Guyana?”

Consideration on this point ought to include increased expansion of agriculture yields, reforestation, and increased production of fisheries. Guyana must

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Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy Rear Admiral (rtd) Gary A. R. Best

therefore learn to live within the limitations of its own biosphere, and maintain its natural capital at sustainable levels.

Indeed, a significant challenge to policy formulation, as states transition to a more sustainable world, lies in the fact that economic activity is likely to result in environmental stress, while at the same time economic development is necessary for environmental sustainability.

Reducing the gap between the rich and the poor would definitely contribute to environmental sustainability, since the poorer citizens tend to maximise unsustainable practices. Itinerant and medium scale mining are cases in point in the context of Guyana. The large mined out areas in Guyana bear testimony to the level of environmental stress on our natural capital.

Surely, replanting can be considered as a substitute to the mined out resource. In addition, we should not believe that the ‘per capita type’ income of the developed world is needed for environmental sustainability in Guyana.

What are needed are policies and actions that ensure the sustainable industrialization of our natural capital.

Against the backdrop of Brundtland’s definition of sustainable development, it seems to me that environmental sustainability now means that Guyana must move towards intragenerational sustainability for this generation in order to be successful at intergenerational sustainability for future generations. Of course, this aligns with citizens’ expectations of social cohesion, equity and equality. Therefore, environmental sustainability also requires enabling conditions that are not themselves part of environmental sustainability per se. These non-environment conditions include human resource development, inclusive democracy, empowerment of women, and increased literacy, as opposed to only economic and social inputs as traditionally conceived.

However, it is also important for Guyana, as it transitions to environmental Please see page 11

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Environmental sustainability ...

From page 10

sustainability, to continue its call on other developing and developed nations to reduce their high levels of ecological damage.

A greater challenge, however, lies in efforts at maintaining environmental sustainability while fostering the convergence of economic growth, greater national equity, and development. This challenge can be met by the private sector recognising its responsibility to shift its business practices towards environmentally sustainable targets. In this regard, I suggest that the Government of Guyana should press home the point that a key policy in development planning is the understanding that it is essential to combine industrial development and environmental sustainability, thereby facilitating its full assimilation into macroeconomic development; and that democratization depends on how environmental sustainability is interpreted by Government, its citizens, and the private sector in the development process.

The desired interpretation is for environmental sustainability to underpin economic development as we pursue the good life. (Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail.com)

Sunday September 4th, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Monday September 5th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday September 6th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

Mr Gary A. R. Best is a retired Rear Admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He is an attorney-at-law and is the Presidential Advisor on the Environment. He is a PhD. candidate at the University of the West Indies, and he holds a BSc in Nautical Science (Brazil) and Masters Degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of London.

His research areas include climate change governance, climate change finance, international relations and environmental law. Â

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Despite limitations, nurses urged to make their mark - As Georgetown School of Nursing sends out largest class

“Don’t think about the limitation that you have. Florence Nightingale went with a lamp and made a difference - you could as well.”

- Dr. William Adu-krow, PAHO/WHO Country Representative

NURSES have been urged to follow in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing.

The call came from PAHO/WHO Country Representative Dr. William Adu-krow, when he addressed the Registered Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Single-Trained Midwives, who recently completed their respective programmes at the Georgetown School of Nursing. The graduation ceremony was held at the National Cultural Centre last Thursday.

While acknowledging that nursing has evolved tremendously since the days of Florence Nightingale, Dr. Adu-Krow said there are certain qualities that can be emulated by today’s crop of nurses.

Born in Florence, Italy, in 1820, Florence Nightingale and a team of nurses improved the unsanitary conditions at a British base hospital, reducing the death count by two-thirds during the Crimean War. At nights, she offered personal care to the wounded, establishing her image as the “Lady with the Lamp.”

In the words of Dr. AduKrow, she was a woman with a charming personality, and a passion for nursing, and as such understood the importance of patient care.

Like Florence Nightingale, the PAHO/WHO Country Representative called on the graduates to make their mark.

“Try and make a mark anywhere you happen to

be,” he urged, while pointing out that “at the time of Florence Nightingale, there were doctors, there were other persons in the medical field, but it is said that she felt that simple techniques like just washing hands could save lives.”

He said while there are many challenges, the nurses should not allow themselves to be limited by those challenges. “Don’t think about the limitation that you have, Florence Nightingale went with a lamp and made a difference, you could as well,” he posited.

This year, 310 persons successfully completed the three primary programmes offered at the Georgetown School of Nursing: the Single-Trained Midwifery Programme, the Nursing Assistant Programme and the Professional Nursing Programme, also known as the Registered Nursing Programme.

In delivering the principal’s report at the Biennial Graduation Ceremony, Sister Cleopatra Barkoye noted that in 2014, the Georgetown School of Nursing presented 114 candidates to write the State finals examination, of which only 35 per cent was successful. In 2015, another batch of 210 candidates wrote a similar exam – 132 in March and 78 in October. Sixty-five per cent of the first batch passed that exam, while only 40 candidates succeeded in the one written in October.

Between 2014 and 2015, a total of 40 students wrote the midwifery exam, but

Three of the 310 graduates lighting their candles as a pledge to follow in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale only 29 ended on a successful note.

Unlike the two other programmes, more than 90 per cent of the candidates excelled in the Nursing Assistant Programme. From a batch of 59 in 2015, only two persons failed, according to the principal.

“Today’s graduating class of 2016 is the largest graduation in the history of the Georgetown School of Nursing, 99 of whom were admitted in a class of 255 students in 2010. The second record for the history books today are the 24 graduates from Batch 123 - the first group of professional students that were enrolled on the evening programme at the Georgetown School of Nursing,” Sister Barkoye noted.

Of the lot, 187 were Registered Nurses, 48 midwives, and 75 nursing assistants. Additionally, 21 of the graduates were presented with awards for their outstanding performance.

“Notwithstanding the need for material and human resources to properly guide students, 310 persons made it to the tape successfully,” Sister Barkoye noted.

Food and craft galore!

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-Final day for Heritage Village

AS part of events to mark Indigenous Heritage Month, Guyana’s first peoples have yet again brought their culture to the forefront, putting their craft and cuisine on display at the Sophia Exhibition Complex since Thursday.

With today being the final day that these craft and other items will be on display and on sale at the exhibition at Heritage Village, the Guyana Chronicle seized the opportunity to speak to a number of persons operating booths there, to find out how business fared for them.

One such person is MIRANDA BERNARD, who makes her living selling craft despite the long, tedious hours of work it takes to get even one item done. Bernard, who hails from St. Cuthbert’s Mission, says she has, for months, been preparing for the exhibition, so she could show off her skills. “Everything here I made by myself,” she said proudly.

We also caught up with EVELYN FELIX and her grand-daughter PANZY SIMON, both of whom came all the way from Kato, in the North Rupununi, to participate in the event and to ‘catch their hand’, as they, too, made items just for the exhibition. As Felix said, the one thing that everyone involved in craft-making can attest to is that “boring the hole in the beads is very hard work.”

‘THE REAL THING’ is a group of Amerindian women from Macaseema Cabucaburi in Region 2, who, wanting to be independent, thought that by using their culture, they could achieve this independence they craved.

They, too, have booths at the Village; and according to Marina Calistro, a member, they not only produce and sell craft, food and drink for Heritage Month, but for various events all year round.

While business for this group has not gone as expected, she was confident that “in time it will pick up.”

LORNA DACAMBRA and her daughter DWAANTJE eke out a living by crafting items from the purpleheart, which they both swear is Guyana’s finest wood. “When you make quality things, you get sales,” Lorna said. The pair, hailing from Ann’s Creek, a community within the Santa Mission Reservation, would usually supply such business places as Guyana Stores Limited with their unique items, especially the ever-popular Bow and Arrow.

“When you living in the interior,” Lorna said, “you don’t really have an income,” hence their having to resort to using

raw materials found right in their own back-yard, so to speak.

“Every year, the indigenous people would break out for one month,” said VERONICA CLINTON. “We showcase our culture which, though ancient, still exists.” She hails from Moraikobai in Region 5, where craft-making is an integral part of that community, as they have a communal craft shop where they showcase and sell their wares.

Veronica, and her assistant, Menerva Smith, both agreed that craft-making is a lucrative business. “I would like to see a stationary market set up for income,” Veronica said, adding that the Government should look into the matter.

We also visited with SHERON’S CRAFT, an established business that specialises in making full Amerindian outfits, accessories and all, for adults as well as children. The business is run by Sheron Peters and her daughter, Roselyn Stanton, who themselves both make the items they sell.

And of all the booths in the Village, the one that stands out the most is FOSTER SIMON’S, which specialises in carvings made of wood.

Foster Simon with his cravings

Lynette Adrian holds a bottle of her special ‘Fly’, while her niece, Nadia, shows the huge cassava bread they sell with their wild meat dishes

Miranda Bernard showcases the hats she made for this year’s exhibition

Foster, who is from St. Cuthbert’s Mission, said he’s been in the business 23 years now, and that making carvings is a very time-consuming and tedious process which can take from a week to a month to accomplish.

LYNETTE ADRIAN brought her niece, NADIA, to help showcase the culinary prowess of the people of Moraikobai.

For this, the Adrians brought with them a variety of wild meats to sell, ranging from Bush Cow to Labba to Wild Hog, all served with cassava bread.

They also brought with them the famous ‘Fly’ and ‘Piwari’ drinks to wash the food down.

We also caught up with ONICKA JAIPAUL, who was at the time firing up her grill in preparation for barbecuing alligator. She said that making these Amerindian delicacies and specializing in wild meat dishes is not something she does all year round, but rather particularly for Amerindian Heritage Month.

Now 30, she’s been at it since she was 15, as a way of celebrating her culture.

Marina Calistro, a member of the group ‘The Real Thing’

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People’s Militia holds teen camp - paves way for rebirth of National Cadet Corps

A member of the teen camp practises how to do rope knots

THE teen camp of the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM) has been hailed as a “resounding success”.

Ninety-six teenage males from four administrative regions converged on the GPM Headquarters at Base Camp Seweyo on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway from August 23 to 26 to learn more about the GPM and Guyana, and to have wholesome fun, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has stated.

The youths were able to gain insights into Conflict Resolution, and were taught about Guyana’s National Policy, which included learning about the Members of Parliament and the various Ministries of the Government.

They were also taught basic military

drills and field craft; the use of silent signals in patrolling; survival techniques; and the basics of jungle training, including how to build shelters, traps, and various rope knots.

The participants, between 14 and 16 years old, can be drafted into the National Cadet Corps; and, as such, the camp can be seen as the formation of the nucleus of the National Cadet Corps, the GDF has stated in a press release.

Moreover, the GDF said that, in 2015, the Commander-in-Chief (CIC) of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, announced the re-introduction of the National Cadet Corps, which is aimed at enabling the nation’s youths

to develop basic leadership skills, and afford them the opportunity to learn more about, and explore, Guyana. The President has indicated that militarisation is not the focus of the National Cadet Corps, but rather the provision of an environment for recreation and social growth.

Commandant of the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM), Colonel Patrick West, has said: “This is the rebirth of the National Cadet Corps.

We successfully provided beneficial interactions for 96 male teenagers this time around, and it is hoped that we’ll be able to witness their return, as well as to positively impact many others in 2017.”

Call for retired North West teachers to help students - NY group plans to provide financial backing Council (NTC) conference in Georgetown, President David Granger noted the dismal academic performance the children in the North West region in the key academic subjects of English and Maths. Jones said that the situation is one which needs correcting and GARO plans to contribute to the improvement of the students’ performance in academics as well as other areas.

“I would like to see more being given back to the kids in Region One, both from present, and importantly, former teachers,” he said.

As someone who was raised in that section of the interior, said the organization

will meet next weekend to discuss its administrative mandate and to see how it can further help the communities of Region One. He said next year’s initiatives will likely include a repetition of its back-pack drive where students from schools in the North West will receive school supplies as well as uniform and shoes.

Membership of the body is expected to expand, Jones said, and according to him, GARO plans to host similar fundraising events where persons can register to become involved in the group’s work. ”So it’s at forum like

Miss Guyana World Nuriyyih Gerrard informed the gathering of her plans and promotional work while in New York in the days ahead these where we try to get things done and people do come forward to get involved,” he added.

A packed room of close

Kaeron Jones, President and founder of the Guyana Aid Region One organisation, hands over a black cake which was won by the lucky patron at right during a raffle at the event on Saturday

By Alva Solomon RETIRED educators in the North West District are being urged to assist in enhancing the academic performance of children there with the financial support of a New Yorkbased group.

Kaeron Jones, President and founder of Guyana Aid Region One Inc (GARO) told this publication on Saturday in Brooklyn, New

York, that the body is working towards providing a stipend to retired educators who are willing to assist in after-school and holiday educational sessions with the children of Region One. Jones spoke to this publication during the body’s hosting of its annual fundraising breakfast at the American Legion Hall in Canarsie ,Brooklyn.

At the recent opening of the National Toshaos

These smiling ladies happily served various traditional Guyanese cuisine to patrons

to 250 persons flocked the breakfast event on Saturday.

They exchanged salutations while food was served to visiting patrons. Persons involved in various fields of work registered and pledged to join the organization in carrying out its plans.

Miss Guyana World, Nuriyyih Gerrard, who is in New York to promote her plans for the upcoming Miss World pageant, also graced the social event on Saturday and provided an update on her work undertaken thus far.

Last year GARO’s membership gave back to Mabaruma and other surrounding communities by hosting its biennial health fair. Over 200 persons received medical assistance from the group of volunteers who had previously resided in the region before migrating.

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Bless the Children Home ‘blessed’ with back-to-school treat

THE 17 children currently residing at the Bless the Children Home in Industry,East Coast Demerara, were Friday given a treat from the Giftland Mall and other companies as part of a Summer Back-to-School Initiative. In photo, caretaker Ramdai Surujpaul (fourth from left), stands with the delighted children and representatives of the Giftland Mall, Sueria Manufacturing Inc and Southland International

That one, Mommy!

That’s what this little girl seemed to be saying as she looked around for a school bag on Saturday. School reopens on Monday

Getting the right fit

Getting just the right pair of shoes is often a hassle, so this little lass tried quite a few before deciding on the final one she will wear when school re-opens on Monday

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Chase Academy inks Ninvalle five –year scholarship CARIBBEAN 11yrs and Under boys table tennis champion, Kaysan Ninvalle, has been offered a place at Chase Academy Secondary School.

Ninvalle has been given a five-year scholarship to the school, compliments of principal and owner Henry Chase.

The national champion secured Guyana’s only gold medal at the recently concluded Caribbean Pre-Cadet s in Jamaica, which added to the three silvers he won in team events at the same tournament. In applauding Ninvalle’s performance, Chase said that it was his civic duty to create a path for the youngster to also excel academically.

“Sports and academics must go hand-in-hand and I hope that through this gesture we can find many more institutions doing the same. Our institution prides itself on producing well-rounded individuals and it is apposite that our sportsmen and women are also academically inclined,” Chase noted.

Ninvalle won the 11yr and Under title after defeating Trinidadian Jalen Kerr in an epic final.

The talented national 11yr and Under and 13yr and Under champion is now scheduled to travel to Peru in October for a specialised Training Camp.

Chase Academy joins former West Indies cricket captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, Gizmos and Gadgets,Dexter Garnett,and Colours Boutique;all of whom have supported the Caribbean Champion.

IRISH RACING TIPS Dundalk 08:30 hrs Kiss The Stars 09:00 hrs Chicklet 09:30 hrs John Honeyman 10:00 hrs Great Wide Open 10:30 hrs Flowerhill Nova 11:00 hrs War Room 11:30 hrs Sapphirine 12:00 hrs Darkyila ENGLISH RACING TIPS Fontwell 09:20 hrs Kentford Heiress 09:50 hrs Diable De Sivola 10:20 hrs Heurtevent 10:50 hrs Breaking Bits 11:20 hrs Sir Toby 11:50 hrs Vexillum 12:20 hrs Jezzebelle YORK 09:10 hrs First Up 09:40 hrs Al Destoor 10:10 hrs Danzeno 10:40 hrs Dundunah 11:10 hrs Brittleton 11:40 hrs Flying Pursuit 12:10 hrs Midnight Whistler SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 09:00 hrs Roy’s Gold 09:30 hrs Just Vogue 10:00 hrs Breakfast Club 10:30 hrs What A Poet 11:05 hrs Secret Service

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Serena moves ahead of Navratilova and into US Open fourth round SERENA Williams powered to a record 307th Grand Slam match win to reach the fourth round of the US Open.

The world number one moved ahead of Martina Navratilova for most match wins in a major by a woman, and tied Roger Federer’s mark for men with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Sweden’s Johanna Larsson.

“That’s pretty awesome and what a place to do it, where everything first started,” said the 34-year-old.

Serena won her first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 1999.She is bidding to claim a record 23rd Grand Slam singles title and her seventh US Open crown.

She next faces Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova, a 6-2 7-5 winner over China’s Zhang Shuai.

Sister Venus Williams, the sixth seed and oldest woman in the tournament at 36,

Serena Williams won her first Grand Slam singles match at the 1998 Australian Open

plays Laura Siegemund of Germany later.

Fifth seed Simona Halep of Romania smashed her racquet in frustration before avoiding an upset by defeating Hungary’s Timea Babos 6-1 2-6 6-4.

Halep trailed 3-1 in the deciding set but fought back to reach the last 16.

“I don’t know how I came back. I felt like I didn’t play my best but I was fighting to the end for every ball,” she said.

Halep will play Spain’s 11th seed Carla Suarez Navarro for a place in the quarter-finals.

Suarez celebrated her 28th birthday with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Russian Elena Vesnina.

Fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland overcame France’s Caroline Garcia 6-2 6-3 and will face either American Varvara Lepchenko or Ana Konjuh of Croatia next.

South Africa announce racial quotas for national team (REUTERS)-Cricket South Africa (CSA) have put in place racial quotas for the national team across all three formats of the game in an effort to increase the number of black players in a sport still dominated by whites.

CSA have sought an average minimum of six Black players, of which two must be Black African, in matches over the season, the organisation announced yesterday.

The move will have little immediate impact on the team as those targets were reached in the recent test series win over New Zealand when the side was at full-strength bar the absence of injured captain AB de Villiers.

“The Test starting XI that played in the recent series against New Zealand contained six players of colour and two Black Africans, and the ODI starting XI had as many as eight players of colour in their most recent series against the West Indies and Australia,” CSA President Chris Nenzani said in a statement.

“With the targets being measured over the full sea-

son and being cumulative across all three formats, our selectors and team management will have the flexibility to deal with varying circumstances.

“This shows very clearly that the targets are very attainable and sustainable and

CSA President Chris Nenzani we will maintain the worldclass standards that our players regularly produce.”

South Africa are next in action in a one-day international against Ireland on Sept. 25, before meeting Australia in the first of five 50-over matches at home on Sept. 30.

CSA have already introduced quotas for the coun-

try’s domestic franchise competitions where teams must field at least six players of colour, including three black African players.

However, South Africa’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula has been critical of what he says is the slow rate of change in the country’s major sporting codes, bar football The government has been pushing for more black representation in the national teams of popular sports like cricket and rugby still dominated by whites who were favoured for selection during apartheid rule.

It banned its national cricket and rugby federations from hosting or bidding for international tournaments for at least a year in April due to their failure to increase their representation of black players.

The country has seen g re a t e r p a r t i c i p a t i o n among black players in most sports at junior level despite the challenge of providing adequate school facilities in poorer districts but Mbalula wants to see this reflected at national team level.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

JOE SOLOMON,86 NOT OUT, BASIL BUTCHER,83 NOT OUT

JOSEPH Stanislaus Solomon and Basil Fitzherbert Butcher played with aplomb for Berbice, Guyana,and the West Indies during the 1950s and 1960s,at a time when the regional team was establishing itself as one of the top

outfits in the business.

Not only did the West Indies produce numerous high-quality players during this era,but the flair with which they engaged the opposition, whether at home or abroad, was greatly admired to the extent

that they were invited to tour more frequently than would have been the norm.

In the early years,there were the great George Headley, Clifford Roach, Leary Constantine, Manny Martindale,and Herman Griffith,-

followed by the legendary Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Alan Rae, Jeff Stollmeyer,Alf Valentine,and Sonny Ramadin,who won so convincingly against England in 1950.

JOSEPH SOLOMON Solomon and Butcher took up the mantle in the latter half of the 1950s and continued the great work started by their predecessors,as they etched their names forever in the annals of West Indies and world cricket.

Solomon was born on August 26, 1930 on Plantation Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice,and in time he turned out for the Port Mourant Cricket Club, Everest Cricket Club,and East Bank Demerara.

He was a consistent right-handed middle-order batsman and gentle medium-pacer,who eventually contested 27 Test matches between 1958 and 1965; scoring one century in his first series against India in New Delhi,during which he topped the batting averages.

He was a dominant figure on the local scene,(and) an integral part of a formidable batting lineup that included run-machines (like) Walcott, Butcher, Rohan Kanhai, Bruce Pairaudeau and Glendon Gibbs.

When England toured the Caribbean in 1960, the selectors tried to convert him into an opening batsman, but with little success. He then went on the historic tour to Australia in 1960-61,under Frank Worrell,where he reverted to the middle order.

It was Solomon who hit the stumps with a direct hit in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane,to run out Ian Meckiff by a whisker,to gain the first Tied-Test in cricket’s history. Earlier,he had run out Allan Davidson for 80 at a time when the Aussies were in firm control.

Throughout his Test ca-

Inside

Edge

With Edwin Seeraj reer, Solomon played in the shadows of strokemakers Kanhai, Butcher, Gary Sobers,and company and was rather subdued and dogged in his play. However, whenever he represented Berbice or Guyana, he was more flambouyant and displayed his full range of shots.

In fact,his highest firs-class score was a splendid, unbeaten 201 for Guyana against the visiting Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) side at the Blairmont Community Centre ground in 1960.

His slow-medium bowling,combined with a few leg-spinning deliveries,were good enough to garner 51 firstclass wickets, including four of them in Tests.

He ended his seven-year, 27-Test career with 1326 runs at the respectable average of 34 runs per innings,and 5,318 first-class runs in 104 matches at 41.54,inclusive of 12 hundreds.

Solomon later served as Chairman of Guyana’s senior selection panel,and West Indies Test selector, and worked with the Guyana Sugar Corporation in its sports department for several years.

Like Solomon, Butcher,who first saw the light of day on September 03, 1933,did so at Port Mourant and slowly wended his way into the club team;catching the eyes of Walcott, who had located here from Barbados,and was working as a coach on the sugar estates.

He was a middle order batsman and part-time leg-spinner who represented the West Indies in 44 Test matches between 1958 and 1969.

He was part of a strong batting line-up which contained the likes of Worrell, Sobers, Kanhai and Conrad Hunte;and many cricketing pundits are of the view that he deserved more recognition for the role he played in the West Indies middle order.

Butcher made his debut on the Indian tour in 1958-59 and played in all five Tests;distinguishing himself by recording consecutive centuries, at Calcutta and Madras,and averaged 69.42 in the series.

For some unexplained reason, he was only selected for two games out of five against the English in the Caribbean in 1960,and when he did not find favour with the selectors for the memorable tour to Australia in 1960-61, he became disillusioned and wanted to give up the game.

Among his most notable exploits on the field is his second innings 133 out of 229 in the Lord’s Test of 1963,which earned the West Indies a hard-fought draw. He struck 17 fours and two sixes in an excellent exhibition of strokeplay in difficult circumstances that saw the next best score being Worrell’s 33.

At Trent Bridge in 1966,he came in with West Indies 65 for 2 in their second innings and still behind England’s first innings score by 25 runs. When the innings closed at 482 for 5 declared, Butcher had registered his highest Test score (209 not out),and in the process set up a huge West Indies victory by 139 runs.

In the fourth Test against

BASIL BUTCHER England in Port-of-Spain in 1968,he took five wickets for 34 runs with his leg-spinners,inducing his captain, Sobers, to declare his second innings early in the hope that he (Butcher) would have weaved his magic second time around.

However, this was not to be as he bowled only five overs for seventeen runs without any success.

Butcher carved an excellent Test record of 44 matches,in which he totalled 3104 runs at a healthy average of 43.11,with seven centuries.

At the first-class level, he was involved in 169 games, registered 11,628 runs at 49.90 runs per innings,and compiled 31 hundreds.

At the end of his international career, he continued playing for Guyana at the regional level for another couple of years,with a fair degree of success.

For many years he lived in Linden,where he advised and coached youngsters on the fundamentals of the game.

The cricketing fraternity applauds you two gentlemen.

Go for the century!

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

Reggae Boyz dumped out of 2018 World Cup by Panama PANAMA CITY, Panama — Jamaica surrendered meekly in a 0-2 defeat to Group B rivals Panama Friday night here inside Estadio Rommel Fernandez and were sent packing from CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

Panama’s goals came from Gabriel Torres in the 28th minute and substitute Abdiel Arroyo in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

Panama, who have 10 points, join group leaders Costa Rica (13 points) as the two teams to advance from the group to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying.

Jamaica, who have one game remaining against Haiti on Tuesday, have only four points and cannot progress.

Haiti, who lost 0-1 at home to Costa Rica in the day’s earlier game, have one point.

But Friday night, in Panama, the visitors began in aggressive fashion.

And they were almost rewarded in the sixth minute when Kemar Lawrence’s corner kick glanced off the head of an under-pressure defender and the ball hit the upright only to fall into the grateful grasp of Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.

However, by the 10th

Panama’s Blas Perez (centre) is marked by Jamaica’s Jermain Taylor (left) and Lee Williamson during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier in Panama City Friday night.. (Photo: AFP) minute, Panama settled and started to spray short passes all around the Jamaicans.

There were a few warning shots before they took the lead.

When they did, it was after Torres had sneaked behind right-back JeVaughn Watson to fire a left footer high past Jamaican custodian Andre Blake.

The rest of the match belonged to the skilful and athletic home side.

They finesse d the underwhelming Jamaicans and sealed the deal seconds before the final whistle.

Defender Jermaine Taylor gave away possession to Blas Perez for the striker to lay a pass onto Arroyo to blast a low right-footed effort into the corner of the goal.

And that was dream over for the Reggae Boyz. For Panama, it was the start of celebrations as they step to

the next stage of their World Cup quest.

From the CONCACAF final round, which will consist of six teams, the top three countries will earn direct places to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The fourth-placed team gets a second chance for a place to the global football showpiece via an intercontinental play-off.

(Extracted from Jamaica Observer).

Soca Warriors played a nervous game – coach Stephen Hart ... draw 2-2 with Guatemala

TRINIDAD and Tobago coach, Stephen Hart, believes the performance of the Soca Warriors during Friday night’s 2-2 draw against Guatemala was underpar.

The result put the twin-island republic into CONCACAF’s Hexagonal round, the final stage of World Cup qualification for the region.

Despite what the result means, the coach believes the team should have played a better 90 minutes.

“It was a bittersweet moment,” said Hart.

“Overall, I thought we played with a lot of nerves,” he added.

“I thought we were slop-

py, it’s almost like we didn’t want the ball and we didn’t move it effectively.”

Despite the overall play, Trinidad and Tobago managed to come from 1-0 down to level things before half time.

The Soca Warriors would then go ahead but failed to keep their lead as veteran Guatemalan forward, Carlos Ruiz, made them pay from a rebound the T&T ‘keeper gave up.

With parity returning to the scoreline in the second half, the T&T fans were in for a nervy final few minutes.

“We had some chances to kill off the game.

Of course we failed to do

that and it became a game of panic after that,” said Hart.

While in agreement with some of the coach’s sentiments on the game, T&T’s skipper, Kenwyne Jones, prefers to look at the glass as half full.

“There’s an old saying, if it’s not broken don’t try to fix it,” he said, responding to suggestions that changes needed to be made for the Hexagonal round.

“At the end of the day I’m satisfied that we got into the hex. The most important thing about tonight was getting that result and going to the next stage.”

Soca Warriors coach Stephen Hart

Mayor’s Cup semi-finals slated for Victoria ground tonight FEDERAL Winners Connections will face police, while Ann’s Grove comes up against Western Tigers, in semi final action of the 22nd Annual Mayor’s Cup football tournament which is scheduled for the Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara, this evening.

At 18:30hrs, Federal Winners Connections will tackle the lawmen (Police) with the hope of coming out victorious, since tournament director Lennox Arthur made a promise to have the final played in the mining town of Linden, once the Linden outfit wins. It will be first time in the tournament’s 22-year history that a Georgetown Mayor’s Cup match will be played in Linden; but this depends on the outcome of the match this evening.

The feature game which is scheduled for a 20:30hrs start, brings together Ann’s Grove of East Coast Demerara and Western Tigers of West Ruimveldt .This game has already generated a lot of interest, so a massive crowd is expected to fill the Victoria ground.

Western Tigers’ Dwayne McClennon, Randolph Wagner, and Delon Kelly will be seeking to capture the Highest Goal Scorer award which has at stake a threepiece suite, compliments of A. H & L Kissoon Furniture Store Limited.

Going into today’s semi finals, McClennon has five goals to his credit and will be seeking to extend this lead over his teammates Wagner and Kelly, who have three and two goals respectively to their names.

Nickosi Denny of Ann’s Grove, Keron Boston and Quincy Holder, both of police have two goals each and the possibility exists that they can up their tally of goals.

The winning team in the final will receive $700,000 and the Aruwai trophy, while the runners-up will earn $300,000 and the Ansa McAl trophy.

The third and fourth place teams will receive $200,000 and the John Fernandes trophy, and $100,000 and the minister of State trophy, respectively.

Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Limited has pledged food hampers for all the members of the winning team.

Top Brandz Trading of Broad Street, Charlestown, is among the key sponsors of the event.

Yorkshire stay second after Hants draw YORKSHIRE were denied the chance to push for victory as bad light and rain hampered play on the final day against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

The visitors resumed on 143-2 and Gary Ballance passed fifty before being bowled by Gareth Berg for 72.

Yorkshire declared on 238-5, leaving them 70 overs to bowl out Hampshire.

Jack Brooks struck three times in 12 balls as the hosts fell to 84-4 but bad light and rain ended Yorkshire’s hopes of moving top of Division One. Ballance brought up his third half-century in the Championship this season with a boundary off Berg but the Hampshire seamer got his revenge as the 35-year-old took his 200th first-class wicket.

Tim Bresnan made a quickfire 27 but, after he was caught off Andy Carter, Yorkshire left the home side two sessions to survive.

Ryan Sidebottom trapped Will Smith lbw for four before Brooks’ second spell saw him have Tom Alsop caught at square-leg, Jimmy Adams edge to second slip and James Vince send the ball straight into the hands of Bresnan at first slip.

With Yorkshire looking to press home their advantage as they battle Middlesex for the Championship title, bad weather prevented play following tea and, once the rain began to fall, the umpires called an end to the match.

Yorkshire trail Middlesex by four points with both teams having three matches remaining in Division One.(BBC Sport)

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

Jaguars Franchise League 3-Day Tournament…

ECD closes-in on victory over Upper-Corentyne

By Rajiv Bisnauth

HOSTS, East Coast Demerara closed-in on victory over Upper-Corentyne in the second round of the Jaguars Franchise League Three-day competition,yesterday at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club, after they dismissed the visitors for 194 in their second innings.

Set 117 for victory, East Coast Demerara closed on 33-1, 84 runs short of their target.

Part-time leg-spinner, Kamesh Yadram was the chief destroyer in Upper-Corentyne’s second innings, with 5-34. He received support from fellow spinner, Vivian Albert, who claimed 3-57.

The only bright spot for Upper-Corentyne was Assad Fudadin, who made a composed 70 off 148 balls, inclusive of five bours and three sixes.

Earlier, East Coast Demerara were bowled out for 227, securing a first innings lead of 78 runs.

Resuming at the overnight score of 129-6, Test opener Rajendra Chandrika, and Amir Khan, continued their efforts and extended their partnership to 82. Chandrika made 69 while Khan was left unbeaten on 58.

The pair made the most of the perfect batting con-

ditions after the Enterprise pitch had become slow and has lost most of its bounce, which gave the duo more time to read the deliveries and play their shots.

Both batsmen rotated the strike nicely, and at the same time were able to dispatch the loose deliveries. After

KAMASH YADRAM the visitors’ first innings total was achieved, Chandrika brought up his half-century off 50 balls.

The pair remained focused and gradually extended their side’s first innings advantage,before Chandrika was trapped leg-before-wicket to leg-spinner Troy Gonsalves. Chandrika’s knock had seven shots to the fence and one over the ropes.

Although Chandrika fell at the other end, the 23-year-

old Khan continued to hold up the visitors’ bowlers at the other end and brought up his fifty off 110 balls.

He remained unbeaten after Paul Wintz (5) and Steven Sankar (3) both went leg before wicket to Gonsalves,while leg-spinner Shawn Pereira claimed the final wicket of Gavin Moriah for five.

Pereira finished with figures of 3-34, while Eon Hooper and Gonsalves had figures of 3-36 and 3-54 respectively. Pacer Clinton Pestano was the other successful bowler.

Batting a second time, Upper-Corentyne lost Jason Sinclair, bowled by Albert for seven,during the morning session.Joshua Ramsammy then joined Fudadin in the middle and the pair ensured that the visitors did not lose any more wickets before lunch,which was taken with the score at 45-1.

Fudadin was batting on 31 and Ramsammy was on five. After lunch, the visitors suffered an early set-back, when Ramsammy, who failed

to add to his lunch time score, was removed by Albert.

The innings then took another dent after Pestano was bowled by leg-spinner Steven Sankar for 11.

However, Fudadin was joined by Anthony Bramble, and the pair undertook a salvage operation before

JONATHAN FOO Yadram removed Bramble (36) and Gonsalves (2),on the stroke of tea.

On the other hand, Fudadin never looked troubled and by the interval he had

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Karl Nunes (vs ENG, Lord’s, 1928) (2) Rohan Kanhai (vs ENG, Leeds, 1973)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first captain to lead the WI to victory in a Test?

(2) Who is the first captain to lead the WI to victory in an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

At Young Warriors Cricket Club ground: Essequibo resuming at 111 for 8 was bowled out for 117 in reply to West Berb i c e ’s s c o r e o f 1 7 1 .

West Berbice batting a second time reached 98 for 2, with Shimron Hetmyer contributing with 35. The rain came at approximately 11:40 hours and the second day’s play was abandoned at approximately 16:35 hours. West Berbice now has a lead of 152.

At Everest ground:, West Demerara claimed a first innings lead of 97 after they dismissed East Bank Demerara for 160. Stefan Browne top scored with 37 while Vishal Singh and Ershard Ali bot scoring 28. Romario Shephard was the pick of the bowlers claiming 5/32. Rishi Looknauth had 3/57 while Raymon Reifer 2/27.

West Demerara in their second innings close the day on 164/4.Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored a well composed 75 before he was dismissed just before close of play.

Play continues today starting at 09:30 hrs.

Frustrated Murray finds way past pesky Lorenzi

By Larry Fine

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday September 04, 2016)

progressed to 70, with the visitors going to tea at 142-5.

Upon resumption, Yadram quickly removed Fudadin, Keon Sinclair (0), and Arif Chan (11),before Albert removed Eon Hooper (13),while Chanderpaul Hemraj dismissed last man Omesh Mathura for four.

Bhaskar Yadram was the batsman dismissed in the run chase, bowled by Arif Chan for 20. When bails were lifted,the other opener, Gavin Boodwah was unbeaten on five.

In other close of play scores on the second day: At the Albion Community Centre ground, the rains came at 1140 hrs and the second day’s play was abandoned at approximately 13:30 hours.

Lower Corentyne resuming on 123 for 3 in reply to 212 set by Georgetown, reached 249 for 6 with Johnathan Foo making 127, David Latcha 29 and Hakeem Hinds 19. Sharaz Ramsarran and Veerasammy Permaul are unbeaten on 19 and 14 respectively.

NEW YORK,(Reuters)-Flummoxed and frustrated by wily veteran Paolo Lorenzi for two sets, second seed Andy Murray changed tactics and beat the 34-year-old Italian at his own game to advance to the U.S. Open fourth round yesterday.

Murray was moping and muttering to himself as he pressed for winners against the steady Italian and piled up unforced errors before deciding to patiently play long rallies that enabled him to secure a 7-6(4) 5-7 6-2 6-3 win.

Wo r l d n u m b e r t w o

ANDY MURRAY Murray committed 47 errors in the first two sets, including 31 off his forehand, and converted only 4-of-12 break points before finding his form in the third set.

The 40th-ranked Lorenzi put up a gritty fight despite coming off a gruelling five-set, five-hour win over French 30th seed Gilles Simon in his second-round tilt.

The Scotsman’s harder than expected three-hour 17-minute victory kept his golden summer moving forward after triumphs at Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics.

Lorenzi is also enjoying a stellar season, logging his first victory ever on the ATP Tour, becoming the oldest first-time champion by winning at Kitzbuehel, and adding two semi-finals and a quarter-final to his credit.

“I stopped rushing in the rallies,” 2012 U.S. Open

winner Murray said in an on-court interview. “I was making quite a few unforced errors.

“He’s an extremely solid player and doesn’t give you many cheap points. I was trying to get cheap points, I was going for too much.

When I slowed things down and waited for the right shot to go for, my unforced errors went down, the winners went up and the scoreboard started working in my favour as well.”

Murray advanced to a fourth-round clash with 22nd seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, a 6-4 6-1 3-6 6-2 winner over Joao Sousa of Portugal.

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 4, 2016

GOA boss calls for more investment in athletes … if Guyana is to bring home medals

NOTING an improved attitude in the government’s approach to sports, President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K. A. Juman Yassin, reiterated that Guyana cannot keep expecting Olympic medals when”we will still do not sufficiently invest in our athlete.”

“When you see Guyana not winning a medal at the Olympics,do not be surprised, do not throw stones, because unless you invest you will not get the returns.

“I am happy and elated to say that I have seen that there is a change in the mood and approach of the government.

“Minister Nicolette Henry has indicated that the government intends to invest in its athletes and coaches; I am going to put her to the test,and I am waiting to see how soon.”Yassin said.

Yassin was at the time speaking at a press briefing at Olympic House,yesterday.He was reporting on Guyana’s performance at the recently concluded Rio Olympics, where Guyana was represented by a team of four athletes and two swimmers,at the end of which they again returned without ending our medal drought at the quadrennial event.

Representing Guyana were athletes Troy Doris (men’s triple jump),Winston George (men’s 400), Brenessa Thompson (women’s 100m, 200), Aaliyah Abrams

(women’s 400m), and swimmers Hannibal Gaskin (men’s 100m butterfly) and Jamila Sanmoogan (women’s 50m freestyle).

The government,through the Minister responsible for sport, Nicollette Henry, recently congratulated and praised the Olympians at a function held in their honour; an occurrence that Yassin noted was the first in a long time, if not the first ever.

Refering to Great Britain,the Rio Olympics second highest medal recipient,Yassin pointed to the kind of backing which that country confers to sports overall, and to its athletes directly, contrasting it against Guyana’s sports landscape, where many of our athletes are either ‘part time’ or merely volunteers.

“The reason that Great Britain was so successful was because of the investment that they have made now and in the past.

“They have allocated funds in order to get the best coaches in the world. They were able to get the best coaches from around the world, they were able to pay their athletes an allowance to work fulltime,(while) our athletes and coaches are part time, some of them are not even part time, some are just volunteers.” Yassin asserted.

Also present at the meeting were Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) president, Aubrey Hudson, and President

At yesterday’s press conference: Seated from left are: AAG President, Aubrey Hutson, GASA President, Ivan Persaud, GOA President, K.A. Juman-Yassin, Chef-de-Mission, Garfield Wiltshire, and swimming coach, Paul Mahaica. (Delano Williams photo) of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, Ivan Persaud, as well as the Olympic team’s Chef-de-Mission, Garfield Wiltshire, and coach of the swimming team, Paul Mahaica.

Wiltshire pointed out that it must be kept in mind that, with the exception of George, all of the athletes on the team were first timers, and this may have been somewhat daunting for the athletes, coupled with other conditions surrounding their performances; particularly in the case of college athletes Thompson and Abrams. Nonetheless, he asserted that they showed potential as strong future contenders.

“Even though some of the athletes, their

times were not of their best, there’re several factors that could have contributed to that.

Firstly, they were running at almost 10:40 at night and the first two nights were extremely cold;and for athletes to come appearing before 80, 000 on the big stage for the first time, some persons may say that they froze, but it was young college athletes and they could only get better for the future; this was their first time on the big stage.” He explained.

Both Hudson and Persaud said that they will now be looking towards Tokyo 2020 for young Olympians, while Hutson also noted that he is also focusing on the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

CMRC 1

Elliot Vieira storms to CMRC pole position Calvin Ming second on Radical grid

By Stephan Sookram ELLIOT Vieira is in pole position at the first super-stock race of round-three of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) 2016, at the Bushy Park Raceway in Barbados Elliot, the CMRC defending super-stock champion, set a calm 1:17.975 in wet conditions to take pole, ahead of Barbadian representative Kevin Graham (1:18.841).

Elliot’s countryman and cousin Matthew Vieira will start third on the grid, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Gozalves and Kirk Greaves of

Barbados.

Speaking after pole, Elliot said, “ Its been a wet day at Bushy Park; I’m glad that im on pole but providing today is dry, the racing will be tough. I still feel good about myself and the bike, and I am confident of producing the results.”

“Obviously, Kevin (Graham) is a good rider but I will not underestimate any of the other riders on that grid; they are all capable of causing upsets,” the defending Champion said.

Meanwhile, Stephen Vieira did not qualify after having to visit the hospital

Elliot Vieira

following a fall in practice on Friday; and he will start at the back of the pack.

At the group two level, Shan Sejattan will start at the back of the grid in group two, after being deemed illegal for his class due to a modification on the bonnet.

Group three sees Nazim Gafoor, 3rd on the grid, starting behind the Trinidadian duo of Ronald Wortman and Paul Vieira (pole).

Radical Ming misses pole Meanwhile, Calvin Ming was edged off the pole position for the first of the Suzuki Radical Races by Barbadian Suleman Esuf.

Ming’s 1:00.280 was beaten by Esuf ’s 59.711, with the latter taking pole on the second-to-last qualifying lap.

“The track was wet and I was not getting the grip I needed, but in the end, I ended up getting P2 which is a good result,” said Ming, who confidently stated that come tomorrow, the game plan will be different.

The F1600 driver, who moonlights in the Radicals, said, “the plan for tomorrow is to hopefully get the jump start and slingshot to the first corner and just hold that lead to the

Calvin Ming (Mike Gonsalves Photo) end of the race, If not, it would just be a battle and I’d have to get past him during the race.”

Third on that grid is Mark

Maloney, with Stuart Maloney fourth and Guyanese Mark Vieira fifth. Kristian Jeffrey will start at the back of the

pack after spinning out during qualification.

Today’s action commences from 08:00hrs.

Development League ...

From back page locally and in keeping on par with the International direction of the sport…

Football is the best sport in the world, I say this unequivocally, but it’s not for men.

“Today’s women football is competitive and exciting…

Guyana has raw talent. As

a woman who has travelled the length and breath of this country,(I know) the talent is here.

“The girls just need someone to hone their skills, and this developmental league can be the catalyst…I am optimistic about the future of women football in Guyana”, the new patron of women’s football in Guyana told the

first audience she addressed.

In concluding,the Minister emphasised how elated she is to be working with the GFF. “I am personally excited and wish to thank the GFF’s Executive body for offering me this opportunity to be Patron…I am happy to work with you and am committed to women’sfootball.”

Elliot Vieira storms to CMRC pole position Calvin Ming second on Radical grid See story on page 31

Development League for women’s football launched … Minister Valerie Garrido-Low named patron of NWFA

Ambassadors of the new developmental women’s league with football officials. (L to R) Ralston Adams, 2nd VP of the GFF, Shanaiah Riley, Odessa Romeo, Alicia Adams,Patron of women’s football, Minister Valerie Garrido-Low, Shameka Marcus,and Charmain Wade, President of the NWFA.

By Ras Wadada WOMEN’s football in Guyana has received a timely boost from the world governing body FIFA,which is mainly sponsoring a developmental league for thirteen teams from across the country. At the official launch held yesterday at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue,it was announced that the 7-a-side, fifty minutes per game competition will kick off on September 17th.

In giving an overview of the league, President of the National Women Football Association (NWFA), Charmaine Wade told the gathering which included the Honorable Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Low,that the 13 teams have been divided into three districts and it is hoped that the competition will be played over two rounds.

District one comprises - Fruta Conquerors,

Foxy Ladies, GDF,and Bartica; District two will be made up of – New Amsterdam Warriors, West Side Conquerors, Coco Warriors, Demerara Queens,and Kwakwani strikers and among the teams from Rupununi’s District three are – Saints FC, Snatchers FC, Hymac Warriors and Shulinab.

Wade declared that all participating teams must register four U-15 players in their roster of 12 (minimum) or 15 (maximum),and that the League’s first round should be completed by the end of November with next year February/March as the tentative time to start the second round of games.

The NWFA head also thanked the Guyana Football Federation (GFF),as well as her executive for their input in realizing the developmental league. Wade told the gathering that the objective of the league is to “increase participation in women’s football and to widen our national selection pool”, while indicating

JOE SOLOMON,86 NOT OUT, BASIL BUTCHER,83 NOT OUT

that in another three years the NWFA will be looking to expand the league into an eleven a-side competition.

Also addressing the gathering was second vice president of the GFF, Ralston Adams, who stated that the GFF understands the importance of the league and the opportunity it presents for local players.

“We think it is important to provide this opportunity for local women to be given a chance to develop and showcase their talent, thereby providing them with an opportunity for selection in the national set up”, Adams explained.

The VP also introduced six players nominated to be potential ambassadors of the League: Shameka Marcus of Foxy Ladies,as well as Fruta Conquerors’ players, Colette Hope, Odessa Romeo, Shanaiah Riley, Ruth George and 12-year-old Alicia Adams.

Adams also highlighted and introduced

See story on page 28

JOSEPH SOLOMON

some 14 match commissioners,who will be trained and used in the league. Among the new faces are Media personalities, Nerissa Pearson, Feliz Robertson and Wanita Huburn.

The others offering their services to the sport are, Beverly Fields, Tamika Boastwain, Pamela Humphrey, Varshanee Yusuf, Shaline Jagdeo, Phyllis Hercules, Alana Bose, Wanika Arrindell, Melissa Roberts, and long-serving administrators of the sport, Lavern Fraser and Andrea Johnson.

In introducing the guest speaker, Minister Garrido-Low, the GFF’s VP announced that the Honorable Minister had accepted the request to be the patron of Women’s football.

“Today is a special day for women’s football in Guyana. The GFF must be applauded for its efforts. Having a developmental league of this nature is excellent for the growth and expansion of football

Chase Academy inks Ninvalle

See page 31

See story on page 26

BASIL BUTCHER

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Henry Chase- principal and owner of Chase Academy

five–year scholarship

Kaysan Ninvalle won a gold and three silvers at the Caribbean Pre-Cadet champinships

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016