Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13-01-2023

President Ali proposes new global food system to combat hunger

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in his address at the Voice of Global South Summit in India, on Thursday pro-

posed a new global food initiative that incorporates a tax and financial system to directly combat hunger.

President Ali acknowledged India’s strengths in technology, research and development, agro-processing, and human and

technical capacity, and called for the formation of a team of experts to assist in food production in lowlying and small-island

developing states.

According to him, sustainable development is unachievable without food security, and therefore, the

global south must act collectively to guarantee its full security.

Fire guts Christ Church Secondary School

President Dr. Irfaan Ali was conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by his alma mater, the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in Dehli, India, during the university’s convocation ceremony on Thursday (Office of the President photo)

The Christ Church Secondary School, located at Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown, was destroyed by a massive fire on Thursday, just one week after a smaller one was contained there (Delano Williams photo)

Fire guts Christ Church Secondary School

capacity.

Another worrying consideration is that this fire now puts students who are expected to sit the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in a tough spot, as students’ School Based Assessments, books and other materials were destroyed in the fire.

Manickchand, however, said that discussions have already begun with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on providing some aid

to the students.

A STRANGE OCCURRENCE

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, who was also on the ground, stated that he got to the site as soon as he could, and ensured that there were enough firefighting assets to respond to the fire.

The Minister then made a call for citizens to stand in support of the education system, and to watch out for the nation’s assets like the education infrastructure.

He said, “It would appear strange, and it would test probability that within two or three weeks we can have a fire at the same building at a prominent location in Georgetown, where hundreds of children are working on their SBAs and other things.”

Just last week, a smaller fire was contained at the school. That fire was reportedly fuelled by improperly stored chemicals in the school’s laboratory. Following that incident, all chemical substances were removed

By Shamar Meusa

OVER 500 students are now displaced after fire of unknown origin ravaged the Christ Church Secondary School at Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown on Thursday afternoon.

The fire, which began just around 17:00hrs, quickly spread through the building, filling the air with thick, black smoke. For hours, firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service fought to contain the blaze.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene, the

blaze had engulfed the entire western section of the concrete and wooden structure.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand was already on the ground with a team from her ministry, and together they immediately brainstormed where the students can be placed.

Speaking to members of the media, Minister Manickchand stated that the school housed 502 students and 39 teachers, along with nine ancillary staff. With such a large population, she said it would be difficult to find alternative placement options, moreso

given that there were two other recent fires at schools in Georgetown.

“It’s very difficult to accommodate a whole big school without a whole big school available, and none is empty right now. And so it’s going to be a task for us to put our minds to,” a visibly shaken Minister Manickchand told members of the media.

And, with the government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant having contributed to a greater turnout of learners at schools, she explained further, many are already at

from the school, but it is still unclear what could have caused Thursday’s fire.

Now, with the loss of much of the school, the Home Affairs Minister stressed that the country cannot afford the loss of these assets and the loss of the opportunities for children to reach the level they should in their education.

“We, on our side, will continue to work as hard as possible to respond to prevent where we can, to mitigate the question of these fires. And, of course, we will be calling on the communities and the community policing groups to be ever more vigilant in respect of this matter,” the Minister said.

When asked ab out the possibility of this act coming after persons would have issued threats, he noted that the Guyana Police Force is working on information that they have. However, he said that no one can or should equivocate on the issue.

In the aftermath of the fire (Shamar Meusa photo)

The Christ Church Secondary School on fire on Thursday (Delano Williams photo)

President Ali proposes new global food system to combat hunger

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in his address at the Voice of Global South Summit in India, on Thursday proposed a new global food initiative that incorporates a tax and financial system to directly combat hunger.

President Ali acknowledged India’s strengths in technology, research and development, agroprocessing, and human and technical capacity, and called for the formation of a team of experts to assist in food production in low-lying and small-island developing states.

According to him, sustainable development is unachievable without food security, and therefore, the global south must act collectively to guarantee its full security.

“It can do so by dis-

mantling artificial and unwarranted barriers to trade in agricultural commodities, attracting great investments in food production, and promoting the wider dissemination of agricultural technologies, especially climatesmart technologies,” he said.

With these possibilities, Dr. Ali backed India as the country that can lead much-needed ventures, and herald in the desired results for developing countries across the global south.

“I suggest India because, in our honest reflection, it is clear that the multilateral organisations have not brought the required results in addressing hunger.

“Today, Latin America and the Caribbean have the top position as the

most food-insecure region in the world. We must arrest the situation now,” the President stated.

Beyond food security efforts, the Guyanese Head of State highlighted that India has demonstrated that it has the ability to respond to global challenges and global needs whenever the occasion arises.

Within this context, President Ali commended the South Asian State on hosting the special virtual summit, noting that it is a demonstration of its noble intention of becoming a voice for the South.

“India’s presidency of the G20 and its proclaimed commitment of being the advocate of the South offers hope that within the global governance architecture, the concerns of the South will

enjoy greater traction,” he pointed out.

The President also highlighted the threats of physical extinction facing small islands and lowlying coastal states due to climate change, energy and food crises, the global pandemic, and interstate conflicts. As such, he emphasised the need for increased, improved, and fast access to concessional financing for climate adaptation to ensure greater resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.

President Ali also expressed support for India’s proposal to the United Nations to designate 2023 as the Year of Millets, small, round whole grains grown in India, and congratulated India on the recognition. He also recommended that the Voice

of Global South Summit, convened by the Prime Minister of India, be part of an ongoing conversation involving not only the countries of the south but also organisations such as the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Afri-

can Caribbean and Pacific States, and the Group of 77 and China.

He also assured India of Guyana’s unwavering support in the areas of food security, energy security, climate security, human dignity and prosperity.

GTA licensing clinic to provide easy access, queries to operators

THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will next week host its first tourism licensing clinic at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) located at Liliendaal, Georgetown, in a bid to easily answer queries that operators may have and resultantly, boost local tourism.

GTA Director, Kamrul Baksh told the Guyana Chronicle that the aim of the clinic is to offer operators who have not yet been licensed with an opportunity to get licensed or to clarify any queries they may have.

Baksh reminded the public that it is mandatory for operators to be licensed. Further Baksh noted that having accredited operations gives travellers the assurance that businesses they are

engaging were subjected to rigorous inspection and have satisfied the basic requirements for travel.

“The safety of the visitor is very fundamental, and by ensuring that your business is licensed guarantees provisions that will be met, e.g liability insurance, safety inspections, etc.,” he explained.

Once operators are licensed with the GTA they

can benefit industry training from accredited institutions, free marketing and promotions at local and diaspora events, business development and support services, product assessment and development, crisis assessment and management and international marketing.

And the clinic, Baksh said, will provide a single window to conduct transactions, including fee payments, queries, filling out and processing of documents, sharing of information and general sensitisation of the process.

Operators will also have access to sister agencies to make the registration much easier.

The agencies that will be present include: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Mar-

itime Admini stration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC), Guy -

ana Revenue Authority (GRA), National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Guyana Fire Service, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). In addition,

several insurance companies will be present to sell public liability, fire and other insurance packages. Eventually, this clinic will be taken to other regions.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali during his address at the Voice of Global South Summit in India on Thursday (Office of the President photo)

A tourism operator takes a visitor on a horseback ride at Dhandarry Ranch (Ministry of Tourism photo)

GTA’s Director Kamrul Baksh

President Ali conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Indian alma mater

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by his alma mater, the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in Dehli, India, during the university’s convocation ceremony on Thursday.

Dr. Ali received the Honarary Doctorate from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Chancellor of the University, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, who noted that the institution was specially honoured to confer a doctorate on its alumnus.

“As the chancellor of this university, I reiterate our pride in the fact that our alumnus is holding the highest office of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; you represent a country that has more than special ties with the Republic of India.

“You represent a people whose blood and sweat went to shaping modern Guyana, even as you represent your people. You are also a distinguished inheritor of the vibrant and diverse civilisation ethos of India. The relationship between our people is indeed one of siblings,” Shri Saxena said.

Established in 1998, the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University is among the largest in Delhi, with over 8,000 students on roll. President Ali completed his Master’s Degree in Human Resource Planning Development there in 2003.

While offering brief remarks, Dr. Ali expressed his gratitude to the institution, faculty, and lecturers for devoting of their time and patience in him, and the great work that they invested in helping to craft him into

the person that he is today. The President described the Indian education system as one that was not easy, but one that was well worth the while.

“It requires discipline and commitment; it is not the same system that you can operate in a way that you think is best. It’s a very systematic, highly disciplined environment. It’s a very highly disciplined environment that taught us how to be better humans. The education we received was not only academic; it was life-changing. It was preparing great minds to do great things in the humblest of ways,” the President said, adding:

“India has reinforced in me the true meaning of humility, the true meaning of respect for elders, respect for parents, and respect for the society in which we live. This University is a big part of who I am. Make no mistake, regardless of the time

difference, I’ve never failed to acknowledge the role this institution has played in my life, and I thank you most graciously.”

During his time at the University, Dr. Ali was among a batch of international students from more than 20 different countries. He also took time to honour them during his remarks.

“We had students from more than 20 countries, and that in itself was an experience. Experiencing in one classroom 20 different cultures, 20 different schools

of thought, and 20 different ideological positions. But we learned very quickly, as international students, that we had to work together; we had to live together. I would say today I accept this honour on behalf of all my teachers, lecturers, and friends and students of my batch,” President Ali said.

In closing, President Ali noted that even as the world continues to fight against inequality and injustice, the people of India continue to demonstrate their ability to be a positive change and a positive light in spite of the many challenges it faces.

The President pointed to assistance with COVID-19 vaccines that was extended by India, at a time when

small nations were finding it hard to source vaccines.

The President said that in its action during the dire pandemic, India truly demonstrated what it means to be a developed country.

“When the world isolated itself during ‘COVID’, and held on to whatever vaccines it had, with a large population on the same challenge that the rest of the world faces, you turned to the spirit of humanity and you extended to the world whatever little you had. That is what I call a developed, mature society, and a leader in the family of humanity; that is what defines who is a developed country, and who is developing. Not riches and wealth,” Dr. Ali said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressing the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University’s convocation ceremony on Thursday (Office of the President photo)

Works progressing at East Coast-East Bank bypass road

Dyal noted that the weather is the only challenge they have faced so far, and the completion time is dependent on the weather pattern.

A US$106.4 million contract was, in June 2022, signed for the construction of the first phase of the ECD to EBD road linkage project.

ited, will take on the project, which is expected to be carried out over 24 months.

The first phase of the road is expected to be a four-lane highway that stretches some 7.8 kilometers, with each lane being 3.6 meters wide. The road will also feature a median, sidewalks, and several structures along the way.

US$50 million from the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India.

He related that the road is not a standalone project, as it cannot be seen in isolation of what is happening across the rest of the country.

WORKS along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) to East Bank Demerara (EBD) bypass road have been progressing well, with all the bridges at Lot Five completed.

Lot Five of this project is managed by S. Jagmohan Construction, and the company’s Senior Engineer Avinash Dyal explained that the project entails the construction of eight reinforced concrete bridges.

The final bridge, which now links Lot Five to Lot Four, was completed on Thursday as they laid the last slab. The project also requires the company to build 800 meters of

concrete road, and Dyal said this is about 70 per cent complete.

Overall, he related that they are moving apace with the project.

At the signing ceremony, which was held at the intersection of the Rupert Craig Highway and Ogle Road on the East Coast of Demerara, it was announced that an India-based construction company, Ashoka Buildcon Lim-

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had said this massive project is being supported through a concessional line of credit worth

“Each one of these projects must not be seen as stand-alone or isolated projects unconnected within an elaborate and comprehensive masterplan; an elaborate and comprehensive plan for the transformation of infrastructure across Guyana,” Dr. Singh said.

The final works to complete the bridge linking Lot Five to Lot Four

Works ongoing on the road to be completed by the end of April

Mutual Responsibility

MOST parents go above and beyond to ensure that their children have an opportunity to live a life that is better than theirs. Whether it’s providing material things, a good education or instilling good morals and attitudes, they all try their best.

In this regard, many parents often allow their emotions to get the better of them; they act before assessing situations, and these irresponsible actions often put them and their children in embarrassing situations.

A parent is a child’s first teacher, and they are expected to begin laying the foundation for a bright future. Sometimes parents struggle to raise that child the way they ought to, or the way they desire to; they stumble and make mistakes but all is not lost. Their child eventually goes to school; a place that many call their second home. There, trained teachers play their part in molding that child for the future.

As humans, there will always be disagreements regarding

how things should be done, and the molding of children is no different. However, we can all agree that parents and teachers have the important role of instilling discipline, while ensuring that children are properly nurtured and educated, so that they can become productive citizens of Guyana, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. In this regard, they must work together to achieve the desired results.

That being said, one cannot turn a blind eye on two troubling incidents that have occurred in our schools in as many days. In both instances, enraged parents walked into separate primary schools and inflicted brutal beatings on defenseless teachers.

The first incident occurred at Graham’s Hall Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara. The full facts surrounding this incident is unavailable, but what is known is that a teacher of the school was physically assaulted by a parent. There is a photo of the injured teacher circulating

on social media. Clearly, he was in a fight; his shirt was dirty and stained with blood. He looked traumatized, and in pain.

Hours later, news spread like wildfire that a similar incident was ongoing at the St. Angela’s Primary School on Thomas Street, Georgetown. Within minutes, there was a video of the assault circulating on Facebook, and as expected, it was shared thousands of times.

It looked like the raw footage of a scene shot for a movie. After all, no sane parent would barge into a school during instructional time, shabbily dressed and with no shoes to confront a teacher. But, this was what was in the video. The security guard and several adults who were most likely teachers, stood by helplessly as the enraged woman walked up a side step to the second floor corridor. She then unleashed her anger on a trainee teacher, who was dressed in her uniform. The teacher’s colleagues sprang into action, and were able to separate them.

That level of drama which unfolded before their eyes will most likely be in the minds of the school’s teachers and pupils for a very long time. In that moment, they were defenseless against the rage that walked into their school compound. What could they do? What could the female security guard who was unarmed do?

Again, all of the facts of this case are not in the public domain; it is unclear what the woman’s issue was.

Teachers being assaulted by parents have occurred sporadically over the years. Sadly, nothing much was done to address the issue.

There has been short-lived public condemnation, but no real action. No one dared to hold parents accountable and take the bull by the horn to protect both teachers and learners.

Shortly after the first incident, an official of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, a body that is responsible for protecting the rights of teachers, announced that the following day would be

“Blackout Thursday”. The aim was to wear black clothing to show solidarity for the teachers at Graham’s Hall. Teachers were also told to take photos of themselves in their black attire, and upload them to Facebook, tagging the Ministry of Education.

Many teachers followed the union’s instructions. Shockingly, in some of the photos, the teachers were armed with implements, as if to suggest they were ready to go to war with parents. One had a hammer, another a cutlass and a spade, and several had the oversized rulers that are used to draw lines on blackboards. Clearly, the message being conveyed was not a responsible one; it spoke of using violence to handle violence. How can this be an amicable solution?

Parents and teachers are important stakeholders in the education process. Shouldn’t the union be advocating for a solution that would satisfy all stakeholders? Shouldn’t its first order of business be meeting with its members to hear their concerns

and recommendations, and then relaying this information to the Ministry of Education?

Following the Graham’s Hall incident, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, in a public statement, emphasised that the ministry will take all appropriate action in such cases, and these include the transferring of learners whose parents commit such violent acts.

In the circumstances, such a stance must be applauded. Such a measure might just help parents see that their actions have dire consequences, which can scar their child for life. Pouncing on a defenseless teacher at their place of work is wrong on all fronts. We must never use violence to settle grievances. When we do this in front of children, it conveys the wrong message to them, and increases the chances of them following suit when they have issues to settle.

The elephant in the room has to be addressed, and the Ministry of Education has signalled its intention to do so.

Source of financing will determine need for parliamentary approval

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to Elson Lowe’s letter with the caption “since the government has stated an intention to own the pipeline it must approach parliament for funding” published in the Stabroek News edition of January 12th, 2023.

Lowe sought to offer a counter argument to my response to him on the subject matter in which I rejected his assertion that the financing of the gasto-shore pipeline infrastructure is unconstitutional. Having explained that this is not the case in my previous letter, Lowe is now arguing that because the government will own the pipeline infrastructure that it must approach parliament for funding.

Again, I must say that Lowe’s argument is weak and unjustified because the simple counter argument to Lowe’s assertion is that the crude oil which ExxonMobil is developing is also not owned by ExxonMobil

and its consortium partners. The oil and gas resources are owned by the State/the Government of Guyana and based on the terms and conditions of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the oil companies are the contractors and not the owners. They have been contracted to explore, develop, and produce the oil and gas resource with their own capital (private capital): in this case it’s not just considered private capital but foreign capital as well. As such, they (the oil companies) are not required to present their exploration, development, and productions plans to Guyana’s National Assembly to have their source of funding approved because the source of funding is not from Guyana, not from Guyanese taxpayers and not from the national treasury.

Furthe r to note, whatever amount of debt is employed in the financing structure to finance the oil and gas operations, it is also not subject to approval from

Guyana’s National Assembly because it is not repaid from taxpayers’ funds or the national treasury; it is repaid from cost oil which is derived from the sale of crude oil developed and produced by the contractor, which is owned by the state, and by extension the Guyanese people.

That said, the debt financing that the government is seeking from the U.S Exim Bank to partially finance the onshore infrastructure for the gas plant, this part of the funding will have to be tabled in the National Assembly for prior approval because the repayment of this debt will be from the national treasury and not cost oil.

The economic adviser to the Opposition Leader does not seem to appreciate that strictly speaking, it is the source of funding that determines at what stage all of the details on the project including the financing would be tabled in the National Assembly, and whether prior

parliamentary approval is required.

The source of financing for the oil and gas development is essentially private capital raised by the oil companies through a combination of equity and debt in terms of the initial capital when they started operations in Guyana. Future projects are financed through a combination of debt and equity raised by the oil companies outside of Guyana, and in part from cost oil, viz-a-viz, the 75 per cent cost recovery ceiling. Conversely, if the government had an equity stake in the project with public financing, then in this case, the funding will be subject to prior parliamentary approval.

Lowe’s argument would have been meritorious if the funding for the gas pipeline was from Guyana’s share of profit oil and not cost oil; simply because, as I have explained in my previous letter, Guyana’s share of profit oil must first be de-

posited in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). Withdrawals from the NRF are subject to prior approval from the National Assembly through the national budget mechanism. Following the approval by the National Assembly, the approved sum from the NRF has to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund (CF) before the government can actually access the funds in accordance with the procedures stipulated in in the NRF Act.

In fact, to support the foregoing assertion, I should point Lowe to budget 2022 in which the sum of $20.8 billion or US$100 million was allocated towards the gas-to-energy project. This sum was to support the onshore infrastructure development which is consistent with the financing structure the government has already publicly signaled that the source of financing for the onshore infrastructure will be raised by the government from public finance

sources such as the Consolidated Fund with a combination of borrowings to be repaid from the Consolidated Fund. It is the pipeline infrastructure only that is financed from cost oil and not subject to prior parliamentary approval.

Against all of the foregoing, one has to understand that in respect to the national development agenda, it is the source of financing that ultimately determines whether it is subject to parliamentary approval prior, or, at what stage and in what form, in this case the reports and agreements should be presented to the National Assembly – that is, in cases where the source of funding is not from the National Treasury or to be repaid from the National Treasury.

Editor, I hope this brings the much-needed clarity on this subject matter for the benefit of your readers.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin

Second batch to start prosecutor’s course on Monday

THE second batch of students registered for the Certificate in Advocacy and Evidence for Summary Courts and Prosecutor’s Course is expected to commence classes on Monday at the University of Guyana.

Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, S.C., provided an update on the course while delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the January Criminal Assizes and Law Year 2023 at the Victoria Law Courts recently.

He disclosed that some 20 persons have already expressed their interest in the course, but hopefully that number can grow to 35.

“We will train those persons and graduate them,

again, free of cost, and then offer them employment in the system to bring greater speed and competence to the criminal justice system, at least at the level of the magistrate’s court,” Minister Nandlall said.

The course, which is open to holders of a Bachelors of Laws (LLB) degree and third-year LLB students, has been developed to equip students with in-depth knowledge of procedural and substantive law concerning ethics, the law of evidence, criminal practice and procedure, fundamental human rights and aspects of constitutional and legislative interpretation.

These and other topics to be delivered will be facilitated by legal minds, among them Justice Rox-

ane George SC, Chief Justice (ag) of the Judiciary of Guyana; Justice Jo Ann Barlow; Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall; Ms. Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, Director of Public Prosecutions; Professor Kenneth Benjamin, former

Chief Justice of Belize; Professor Courtney Abel, former Justice of the High Court of Belize; Darshan Ramdhani KC; and Magistrate Dillon Bess.

Upon completion of the course, the graduands will be inducted into the Guy-

ana Police Force (GPF) as sergeants before commencing their prosecutorial duties for the State.

Summary prosecutors who acquit themselves well will benefit from scholarships to pursue their Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at one of the region’s law schools. This will pave the way for them to become attorneysat-law.

They will then undergo additional training for a period of three months to become acquainted with the rules, regulations and standing orders of the GPF, as well as the practical workings of Guyana’s Magistrate’s Courts.

This training will, in part, serve as an orientation for the prosecutors, informing them of perti -

nent information, including the GPF’s operational protocols, the chain of command, and how they are expected to conduct themselves as ranks of the GPF.

Previously, the Attorney-General had stated that he wrote to the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, seeking her permission to allow these persons to “don the garb” worn by attorneys, as opposed to police uniforms, when prosecuting in the Magistrate’s Courts

The graduands, once they become prosecutors, will take home approximately $160,000 monthly. Their gross salaries, inclusive of allowances, will amount to approximately $220,000.

Should Norton resign as Leader of the PNC/R?

Dear Editor, NEWS has reached Guyana that the Florida Chapter of the PNC/R has called for the resignation of its leader, Mr. Aubrey Norton. In many ways, this is not surprising. Since taking office December 2021, Mr. Norton has not shown an iota of leadership.

Rather, he has navigated himself and the PNC/R through a labyrinth of missteps, blunders, and downright political tomfoolery. The debacle with the Mocha squatter relocation is only the latest act of dramatic incompetence. The ejection of PNC/R’s General Secretary, Geeta Chandan Edmond, is just as damning.

The PNC/R is quickly following in the footsteps of the AFC’s hobo-politico, this last expression meaning a party that has no real foundation, migrating as it were, from one moment of opportunism to another.

The Florida PNC/R group claims that Mr. Norton has “severally tarnished” the party and further, under his leadership,

there has been a “downward spiral” (Guyana Chronicle, 12/1/23).

US-based PNC/R member Egland Gomes is demanding that “[a]n investigation … be done about… blank cheques,” that allegedly, PNC/R treasurer Faaiz Mursaline had been asked to sign. The Mursaline Affair (as I would like to call it) is itself, a comedy of errors, very much resembling the hobo-politics of the AFC.

Mursaline had stepped down from the PNC/R, stating that he was the object of racial hostility in the party. He is the one who revealed the alleged financial improprieties in the PNC/R. Notwithstanding his disgust with things in the PNC/R, he has reportedly grovelled back to Sophia. I suspect that Mr. Gomes will insist Mursaline clarify his erratic behaviour. Was he pressured to return to a party he had just days before charged with financial skulduggery?

Kaieteur News columnist, Peeping Tom, points out that the no-confidence motion of the Florida group

should trigger Mr. Norton’s immediate resignation. According to Tom, “the [PNC/R] constitution makes provision for the possibility of the leader resigning – and no doubt this has to include resigning following a motion of no-confidence” (Kaieteur News, 12/1/23).

Peeping Tom is on strong grounds here, but given the lengthy record of the PNC/R to dodge, delay, and divert, no one would be surprised if the no-confidence motion is simply ignored. Recall that the APNU+AFC did this at the national level.

Readers should know that the lack of confidence in Mr. Norton has been festering for some time, with many persons within the PNC/R claiming to have been disenfranchised. Thus, Gomes, of the US-based PNC/R has also raised “… concerns that were brought up last year by Annette Ferguson who wrote the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) about alleged irregularities which were observed during the October 2 [2022] polls of

the party’s Georgetown District Elections” (Guyana Chronicle, 12/1/23).

Voting irregularities are perhaps the most immediate symbol of

the PNC/R, (and now APNU+AFC). Annette Ferguson’s concerns about rigging within the PNC/R were simply brushed aside. Why then, would

anyone believe Mr. Norton would even respond to Mr. Gomes and the concerns of the Florida PNC/R?

Sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

The University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus

Gov’t, Toshaos Council discuss rollout of money from carbon credit sales

together by communities themselves.

With some payments having already been secured, the government opted to engage the NTC on Wednesday. The VicePresident was joined by the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, and Senior Director for Climate and REDD+ at the Ministry of Natural Resources Pradeepa Bholanath among other technical personnel.

DAYS after Guyana received its first payment for carbon credits under the agreement with the Hess Corporation, members of government engaged members of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on the agreed distribution of those funds to Indigenous communities across the country.

Additionally, a press release from the government noted that the NTC was also engaged on the 2023 National Budget, which is slated to be presented by Senior Minister within the Office of the

President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday, January 16.

“With the National Toshaos Council (NTC) recognised as the primary interlocutor between the government and the 200plus Amerindian communities in Guyana, meetings on issues of concern continued on Wednesday, January 11, 2023,” the release stated.

The government side was led by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who reportedly engaged the elected Council on the promised distribution of

the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 financing to Amerindian communities.

Through the LCDS, Guyana has set out a vision for monetising the climate and ecosystem services provided by the country’s standing forest, while accelerating its economic development along a low-carbon trajectory.

In December 2022, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions announced the issuance of 33.47 million TREES credit to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020.

Afterwards, Guyana sold some 30 per cent of its available credits to the Hess Corporation. The sale of carbon credits is one venture that allows Guyana to get payments to continue protecting its forests.

And whatever sums are garnered under the LCDS, like the sale of the carbon credits to Hess, 15 per cent will go directly to community/village-led programmes for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), as set out in Village Sustainability Plans or the equivalent thereof put

Previously, NTC Chairman Derrick John called on the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana to ensure that they get involved and be a part of the implementation of the important initiatives that will be funded through this initiative.

John called on them to ensure that they familiarise themselves with their respective village plans, if they have not done so already, and to ensure that they make their contributions heard, given that Indigenous Peoples stand to benefit from at least US$212 million out of the sale.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and other government officials engaging members of the National Toshaos Council (Office of the Vice-President photo)

Members of the National Toshaos Council during the engagement with Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, and other government officials (Office of the Vice-President photo)

Orphanages get computers and books from First Lady

SOME 88 children are expected to benefit as First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali facilitated the donation of three computers and exercise books through her ‘Adopt-an-Orphanage’ initiative.

That initiative, which was launched last year, seeks to provide financial and other support to underfunded orphanages across Guyana through support from the private sector.

On Thursday, Mrs. Ali delivered the three

computers and a quantity of exercise books to St. John’s Bosco Orphanage, Bless the Children’s Home, and Hope Children’s Centre. These three orphanages are currently receiving sponsorship, through the Adopt-anOrphanage initiative, from local businesses.

“Ensuring children are provided with the tools which enable them to have greater access to education and information will always be a priority of ours,” the First Lady said.

She noted that having recognised the need for some of these orphanages to be provided with learning resources, she solicited the support of Cell Phone Shack to acquire the computers.

“Our partners are just as invested as we are in in the lives of these children. Personally, I want to ensure we prepare them for a better future, and that means providing them with the tools and resources that they need to get them there,” Mrs.

Ali added.

She also encouraged the children to use the computers for schoolwork and other activities which would expand their knowledge, or teach them a skill.

The administrators of the orphanages expressed appreciation on behalf of the children, noting that the items were very much needed.

More than 600 children are currently benefitting from the Adoptan-Orphanage initiative.

Ituni farmers eye hemp cultivation

and we’ve commenced the process of having that body developed. Two regions were identified for the initial cultivation of hemp; Regions Six and 10. So, when the

regulatory body is in place you will be able to apply for licences to cultivate industrial hemp. I want to assure you that small-holding farmers will benefit. This

project will target farmers who have small acreages, maybe one or two acres,” he explained. (Modified release from the Ministry of Agriculture)

FARMERS from the hinterland community of Ituni, Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Upper Berbice) are interested in hemp cultivation and will soon benefit from a number of critical interventions as the government moves toward improving and developing agriculture in hinterland communities.

During an outreach earlier in the week, several farmers raised concerns about land

agriculture land for some time now.

“I’m 48 years old and I don’t want to have to wait for another 25 years to have a licence or a lease for this land. I am not doing this for myself, I am doing this for my children and grandchildren to come.”

Additionally, farmers present expressed their interest in getting involved in the cultivation of hemp. Citing

Ministry of Agriculture is not responsible for issuing farmlands, the ministry often engages the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on issues relating to leases for farming. And so he indicated that he will try to provide some assistance.

While answering questions about hemp cultivation, Minister Mustapha said that the process to develop the regulatory body to guide the

leases, and signaled their interest in the cultivation of hemp with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

One farmer disclosed that he has been trying to obtain the legal documents for his

the industry’s profitability, several farmers sought clarity on how they can be given access to the necessary permits to cultivate industrial hemp.

Minister Mustapha told farmers that although the

industry has commenced.

“We recently passed legislation to legalise the cultivation of industrial hemp in Guyana. The legislation stipulates that a regulatory body has to be in place

A teenager using one of the computers (Office of the First Lady photo)

A section of the persons who attended the meeting (MOA photos)

Minister Mustapha while engaging a farmer during the meeting

More community support part of revitalised focus on depression

says Adviser to the Minister of Health

By Cindy Parkinson

PROMOTING better mental health is a key focus of the Ministry of Health and Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, said that there will be a revitalised focus on supporting people with depression this year.

Dr. Ramsammy, who

is a former Health Minister, explained that depression is one of key considerations this year because the ministry recognises that people need much more support.

“In every country, there is a sizeable population that suffers from some effect of depression. Not everyone has clinical depression

(where people do need treatment, etc.), but a large number of citizens do have some level of depression that may not need medicine but needs support and counselling,” Dr. Ramsammy said during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Cognisant of this, the Health Ministry hopes to offer that much-needed support and counselling to people. And it hopes to do so in a manner that involves greater community participation and support.

According to the adviser, the ministry is resuscitating the “gatekeeper’s programme” that integrates influential or respectable community members. Through this programme, he said, religious leaders, law enforcement officers

and teachers are among those persons who will be trained to recognise signs of depression within their communities and report them to the health sector or the ministry. With those efforts, it is more likely that people can get the professional care and/or support they require.

“We have also developed something called a depression index of suspicion and we also train nurses and doctors

so that they can start administering treatment to the people, if necessary, at the local health facilities,” Dr. Ramsammy highlighted too.

These are not necessarily new programmes but he noted that they are being resuscitated because of the benefits they garnered previously.

“The difference from the past is that while mental health was dealt with by a specialised service and only available centrally, we have now integrated it at the community level within schools, churches, temples, mosques, etc.

“We have to do more training and ensure that there are more personnel such as councillors, phycologist and physiatrists. These are the human resources training programmes that the ministry has put in place to ensure that we have enough of them,” Dr. Ramsammy said further.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Beyond the general focus on depression, the Adviser highlighted that there are some specific areas that will be targeted. Postpartum depression is one area that will receive specific attention.

The United States’ (US) Mayo Clinic explained that many mothers experience “baby blues” after childbirth, which commonly include

mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. These baby blues usually begin within the first two to three days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks. Some new mothers, however, experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression.

Dr. Ramsammy said that not much focus on has been placed on postpartum depression but in the ministry’s new plans, there will be more support for mothers during pregnancy and after birth.

He promised that women will have greater access to counselling. With prolonged postpartum depression, they will also receive treatment.

The ministry’s mental health programme is also developing guidelines to deal with postpartum depression, according to Dr. Ramsammy. This is particularly important since it is widely accepted that mental health has to be integrated at all levels of the healthcare system.

While the Health Ministry focuses on improving mental health care, Dr. Ramsammy emphasised that mental health challenges are not like any of the physical diseases. Instead, he explained that they can lead to depression – a condition that many people experience.

And if people are better able to understand mental health and the support needed, the adviser opined that Guyana will be a place known for its noteworthy support and care.

“Stigmatising these things only makes them worse, and because they might be present in all of our families, we are contributing to our own problems,” he said.

-

Former Health Minister and current Adviser to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Millions to be spent on major road works for East Bank communities

COMMUNITIES along on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) will benefit from significant road works, Minister of Housing and Water,

concrete.

Minister Croal added: “For those within Herstelling, Farm, Covent Garden, Little Diamond… we will be

nity roads that are being transformed on the coastline from Regions Two to Six.

“…that is moving a number of those roads,

lieves that these investments would significantly contribute to development across the country.

“We will get to every road. You have a govern-

ment that is moving very quickly. When people ask how is the revenue or royalty from the oil, how is being spent? That’s one of the ways. It is to

ensure that we can fasttrack your infrastructure development and social development,” Minister Croal underscored.

Collin Croal said on Wednesday during his meeting with residents living at an East Bank sea dam reserve.

Before next week, the Housing Minister said that officials will be engaging communities in Eccles, Perseverance, Providence, Peters Hall, and more, as work costing about $654 million will commence soon. The works to be executed include upgrading the existing roads to asphaltic

spending about $1.3 billion to move a number of those roads to asphaltic concrete [and] for those within Great Diamond, we’ll be spending close to another $100 million.”

The Housing Minister said that they will go back to each community to announce and introduce contractors who will be doing the road works.

Minister Croal related that similarly, there are over 1178 commu-

in some cases dams, from where it is to concrete and asphaltic concrete,” he explained.

He noted that the contracts have already been awarded and that mobilisation advances have already started being paid.

“This is not an exercise that is waiting on the next upcoming budget. This is immediate. So, all those communities can expect interventions commencing,” he said.

And altogether, he be-

‘Suga’ found guilty of raping girl thrice

BERBICE taxi-driver, Basheer Mohamed called ‘Sugar’ was, on Wednesday, found guilty of three counts of rape committed on an underaged girl and will know his fate come March 6, 2023.

Mohamed formerly of East Canefield, East Canje, Berbice was on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Berbice High Court for the rape of a child under 16

years, which occurred on three occasions between August 1- December 7, 2020.

After deliberating for two hours, a 12-member jury found Mohamed guilty of all three counts.

The state is represented by prosecutor, Nafeeza Baig.

According to reports, it is alleged that, during the period mentioned in the

charge, the child was left in the care of Mohamed. It is alleged that Mohamed raped her while her mother was out.

Mohamed reportedly threatened to kill the child’s mother if she confided in her relatives. However, the victim’s aunt became aware of what had happened and reported the matter to the police.

A Guyana Chronicle file photo of road works at an East Bank Demerara community

City’s garbage build-up to be remedied by week’s end — says Solid Waste Director

THE build-up of garbage in Georgetown following the 2022 Christmas season is expected to be remedied by the end of this week, as garbage collection is on schedule, says Solid Waste Director Walter Narine.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Narine said his department has been working to ensure that excess garbage, which usually accumulates during the Christmas season, is cleared.

He said, “Since we are in the second week of the new year, it will start to taper off at the end of this week. You wouldn’t see that amount of garbage bins and stuff like that on the road.”

He explained that seeing excess garbage after the holiday season has been the expectation for quite some time as many persons make additional purchases during the season, thus adding to the usual amount.

Narine added that during the regular period, contractors would make around two trips to the landfill, but with the excess, they are now forced to make around four or five trips.

Additionally, with the current rainy season, he not-

ed that it does not make the task easier to move to and from the landfill site and as such, there are delays.

“So we recognize it, and I do apologize to the general public for the state that it is in, it is nothing new. What we need to do going forward

though because we can’t just have it as is, we need to plan better and we need to have bigger waste receptacles placed strategically,” the Solid Waste Director said.

According to Narine, for 2023 onward, there will be better planning, even as

he mentioned that they are in the process of repairing 12 large receptacles with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s financial assistance.

These receptacles, he said, will soon be placed

around the city to cater for these types of situations.

Meanwhile, he reiterated that at the end of this week, the situation will return to normalcy as garbage collection for most parts of Georgetown is on schedule.

A build up of waste within the city

One of many scenes in front of residences around the city

Immediate expulsion for children whose parents abuse teachers

- says Chief Education Officer

he stressed.

By Naomi Parris

CHIEF Education Officer (CEO), Saddam Hussain, said that the Ministry of Education has decided that it will immediately expel any child whose parents are abusive to teachers in schools, following two separate altercations involving parents and primary school teachers this week.

Additionally, Hussain told the Guyana Chronicle, that parents who display any form of hostility towards a teacher will be banned from entering school compounds. According to him, no form psychical and verbal abuse towards teachers will be tolerated.

“We are reviewing right now our safety

protocols for schools and where we find that the parents are culpable or where a parent has deliberately assaulted a teacher. There are a number of actions we are looking to take, first we are looking at the removal of the child from the institution,” Hussain said in an invited comment.

The ministry, Hussain also said, will be looking to impose additional sanctions outside of the removal of children from schools.

“We will employ any other sanction which we believe is appropriate to that kind of action. We will also ban some parents from entering the school compound, we are not playing with this. You cannot go to the school and beat the teachers,”

In the event of a disagreement between a parent and teacher, the CEO reminded the public that there are established mechanisms for redress.

“If there is an issue with a teacher at the school, the parent’s job is to go the head teacher and resolve the issue if the head teacher is not receptive then you

can visit the Department of Education and if that doesn’t work then you can come to the Ministry of Education, the Chief Education Officer is available to any member of the public almost anytime.”

And Hussain stressed that abuse should never be an option.

“There is no need

for verbal abuse or physical abuse and the ministry of education stands with each and every teacher across the country against these forms of abuse. We will not tolerate this.”

Further, Hussain reminded that teachers must also refrain from using corporal punishment in the classroom.

“Parents must understand that they can’t go into a school and beat a teacher likewise teachers must follow the guidelines when they are going to use corporal punishment,” he added.

Hussain’s comments followed two altercations at Georgetown schools.

On Wednesday, it was reported that a graduate teacher, Shawn Marshall, was assaulted at the Graham’s Hall Primary School. Teachers across the country on Thursday wore black in solidarity of their colleagues some also

took part in protest action. But on Thursday morning, another teacher was physically assaulted by a parent at the St Angela’s Primary School. The teach-

er whose identity has not yet been revealed sustained injuries and a swollen face. Both incidents have been reported to the Guyana Police Force.

Speaking at one of the protests, President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) Mark Lyte, said the union will continue to rally alongside teachers.

“This is becoming too frequent where teachers are being assaulted by parents and guardians. It is something that has to be addressed so we are going to continue to make a call to the ministry to get satisfaction… The aggression displayed by the parent is unacceptable,” Lyte stated during a live broadcast on Facebook.

Teachers at the Grahams Hall Primary School on Thursday picketed and called for the removal of the child whose parent assaulted their colleague on Wednesday (Photo extracted from Royston Drakes Live Broadcast)

Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain

The teachers who were assaulted within the last 48 hours

Guyanese companies partner with Indian firm to generate power from wood waste

Meanwhile, EMC is a leading provider of environmental services to facilities and projects in the energy sector including support for environmental authorisation and compliance. As an international institute based in India and working globally, TERI has spent the last 45 years working on energy, environment, and sustainable development issues.

“For over 10 years, several entities in the private and public sectors in Guyana

have been reducing their energy consumption significantly with help from TERI,” a statement on the signing noted.

Witnessing the signing ceremony alongside President Ali were the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa; GO-Invest CEO, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Paul Cheong and other private sector representatives from Guyana.

TWO Guyanese companies, Durable Wood Products Inc. (DWP) and Energy Management Consultants (EMC) Energy Inc. inked a new partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) India, paving the way for a new power generation venture using wood waste.

The companies signed

a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday in Dehli, India. With that agreement signed there will be a project involving a 1.5 MW wood waste-based power generation through a gasification route for energy consumption in DWP’s production operations. Excess power generated will go to the national grid.

Signing the MoU were Chairman of DWP, Rafeek Khan; Managing Director of EMC Energy Inc., Shyam Nokta, and Director General of TERI India, Dr Vibha Dhawan. The signing of the MOU was witnessed by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Guyanese Head of State is currently leading a delegation in India.

DWP is a tropical hardwood products supplier, with agents in the Caribbean, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. DWP activities include manufacturing, materials sourcing, quality control, packaging, exports and distribution of a wide variety of products for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

From left, sitting: Director General of TERI India, Dr. Vibha Dhawan; Managing Director of EMC Energy Inc., Shyam Nokta; and Chairman of DWP, Rafeek Khan, sign the MOU as President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and others look on

YOU know those people who ask you to stay in your home for a day or two, but end up spending months? Or those friends who you go out with that make you do all the spending?

Well, Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo calls them “cockroaches” in his new song that he released last week and he wants to send the following message: “Cleanse your life. Sanitise your life. Protect yourself from these cockroaches.”

Social commentary had a lot to do with his choice for the title of the song.

Observing how people would call each other names, a cockroach included, he realised that he could write a song that people can relate to.

“I realised that humans have the same attributes as animals and insects. We all in some form or way act the same way and there are situations we find ourselves in that shows some acting like a snake, a lion, a cockroach,” he told Buzz this week.

At the end of the day, though, the song name is just for fun,

— Jumo begins

with this message in a new song

although the lyrics carry a strong message: “It means to spray or cleanse out anything that is unwanted in your life. If you have your marriage and it’s not working; you’re being abused, get rid of that person. Just as we want to get rid of cockroaches in our homes, you can get rid of these people – bad friends, bad company.”

The song makes serious points that are put over in a fun way and is one that is not disrespectful.

“I know that people don’t like cockroaches and there are people in your life that act like cockroaches. For instance, people that come at your home to spend a one or two days and next thing you know it ends up to one month; they ain’t want to move. They eating out your stuff, wearing out your clothes. So we put those behaviours in the form of a cockroach,” he explained.

Personal experience also inspired Jumo while he was working on this song.

“You and some friends go out and you alone spending. They drinking out your thing

2023

‘Spray out the cockroaches from your life!’

more than you and they wouldn’t even want to buy a round. That’s cockroach behaviour. There are those people who always want something and when you ask them for something, they never got. A lot of people experience these things.”

Jumo said it’s time people rid themselves of these negative traits that others exhibit.

“Anything that is unwanted, negative, would cause you pain, that don’t want you to succeed. I am saying to spray them out your life. Cleanse them.”

According to him, this is just one song of many that he has in the pipeline. He’s excited for the year 2023 and all that it promises to

bring with it.

“I feel good about 2023 that we back on the road for Mash again, Independence, Cricket Carnival. I’m doing music that can be played and performed at any event.

I just can’t wait for Mash,” the owner of the 592 Bar and Grill said.

Even as he pays attention to this business, and his nightclub, Jumo said number one on his list is his music.

“My focus is on my music because that is what I love.”

Instead of leaving the country for ‘greener pastures’ he prefers to stay here and contribute to moving Guyana forward.

Jumo’s new song, ‘Cockroaches’, was released last week

Guyanese musician Jumo Primo

Jumo intends to use his musical talent to help move the country forward

Charmaine Blackman preparing to drop ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ any day now

CHARMAINE Blackman-Alves has been wasting no time in getting herself ready for Mashramani this year and has been in ‘Mash’ mode since last November when she began preparing new music for the celebrations.

So far, the Guyanese musician who has quite a knack for turning heads due to her unique styles of fashion and performances, recently completed the recording of three new songs.

“Fit as a Fiddle” is the title for one that will be released shortly.

In the meantime, Charmaine has also been working with artistes associated with Ssignal Productions, a production company owned by herself and husband Bonny Alves, to prepare them for the Mash season. In fact, she will be producing several music videos for her artistes.

Meanwhile, Charmaine is all set to receive the Roc Pioneers Award from overseas-based Shawn DemRoc McAllister as someone who has made an impression and contributed to Guyana’s music industry for over three decades.

“I am very pleased

and honoured. It’s really an honour to be recognised for the gifts that God has bestowed

on me. I would like to extend this award to Bonny Alves…it’s both of us who have been

working day in and day out,” Charmaine told the Buzz.

She reflected on how she and Bonny were producing in the days when others weren’t producing anything, and how happy she is to be recognised for the hard work that they have been putting in.

Even now, after 33 years of being in the industry, Charmaine said she has not lost one bit of the energy and drive that are needed to succeed.

“Every year you learn different things. I think if I wake up one morning and am not able to sing anymore, I would really be depressed,” she said.

Relating how she’s been able to successfully deal with negativity that came her way over

the years, she said: “At first it bothered me. But I have not lost sleep over that. I have come to know my worth and who I am and it doesn’t really bother me anymore.”

For one thing, being a judge for competitions has convinced Charmaine that others trust her and know her worth. On some days, though, she can’t help but notice how people with a ‘quarter’ of her talent don’t have to deal with as much negativity as she had to.

Meanwhile, McAllister in a social media post said that Charmaine’s “versatility, superb range and exceptional talent” have helped to establish her as a leading voice in the field of music in Guyana.

“Charmaine has sang with many of Guyana’s top bands the likes of the Majestics Live, The Cannon Balls Band, Pete’s Caribbean Fusion and the Yoruba Singers and her voice and features have been on radio and television commercials for some of the major companies in Guyana, the likes of Mings Products & Services Ltd, Courts (Guyana) Ltd, Wireless Connections, Guyana Lottery Company, Banks DIH Ltd, Caricom, Demerara Distillers Ltd, Geddes Grant (Guyana) Ltd, UNESCO, Guyenterprise and Creative Advertising Agencies and The Mayor & Councillors of the City of Georgetown, just to name a few.”

Charmaine will soon receive the Roc Pioneers Award

Charmaine Blackman-Alves

Charmaine has been in the music business for 33 years

Alkaline models for Givenchy

JAMAICAN deejay Alkaline has been featured in French luxury fashion and perfume house Givenchy’s SS22 campaign.

The news of the achievement began making rounds on social media on Monday, where the deejay was seen clad in black, courtesy of photo director Matthew William.

This comes less than a year after several of his songs were featured on the haute Paris runway during the first major collection of Paris Fashion Week’s menswear season, last June.

The dancehall star worked on the show’s soundtrack, and video footage emerged of his hit song, ‘After All’ being played as models hit the runway. Other songs featured during the collection included My Side of the Story on the Cure Pain rhythm for Good Good Productions, and One More Time, produced by DJ Frass, on the Inclusive rhythm.

Alkaline, whose real name is Earlan Bartley, is known for several other hit songs including Fleek, Ocean Wave, Ah, Hostage and Company.

He is one of the moststreamed Jamaican artistes

on Spotify. His debut album ‘New Level Unlocked’ enjoyed a number one debut on the Billboard Reggae chart in 2016. His sopho-

more album, the 14-track Top Prize, peaked at number two on the Billboard Reggae Chart. (Jamaica Observer)

A mixed bag for Shaggy

IT was a year of highs and lows for Shaggy. In November he was one of five Jamaican acts nominated in the Best Reggae Album category for the 65th Grammy Awards slated for Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on February 5 2023. His effort is Com Fly Wid Mi, produced by British rocker Sting.

By December, Shaggy was again grabbing the headlines but not for his music.

According to media reports, the entertainer had not turned over J$100 million raised from the 2018 staging Shaggy And Friends concert -- proceeds which were earmarked to build an intensive care unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew.

He defended his action, adding that the attacks were unwarranted and disturbing.

“That narrative would cause discomfort at the end of the day,” he said, “but our model has never been to turn money over to government.

That was never our model; I don’t know where they got that from. If you look at previous things that we have done: we purchased equipment and refurbished equipment ourselves, we also maintain them ourselves. We’re the ones who fly technicians down — and we don’t just do our equipment, we do the whole hospital.”

The two-time Grammy winner assured the public

that, “The money is safe; it is still there. If you tell me I have moved a little slow towards it, I am the type of person [who] if I’m spending people money, I’m going to spend it right.”

Started in 2009, the biennial Shaggy And Friends concert raised more than US$1.6 million for the Bustamante Hospital for Children. (Jamaica Observer)

Alkaline strikes a pose for Givenchy (Jamaica Observer photo)

Shaggy (Jamaica Observer photo)

RRR’s Naatu wins historic Golden Globe for best original song

INDIANS are celebrating after Telugu movie RRR created history by winning a Golden Globe - a first for the country.

The film’s catchy musical number, Naatu, was awarded best original song, beating heavyweights like Taylor Swift and Rihanna.

The hit song was filmed in front of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s official residence in 2021.

Accepting the award, composer MM Keeravani, said he was thrilled by the song’s success.

Back home, several Indians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed their joy at the news.

Mr Modi congratulated the team, saying the “prestigious honour has made every Indian very proud”.

Oscar-winning music composer, AR Rahman, called the win a “paradigm shift”.

Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, wrote on Twitter that he “woke up and started dancing to Naatu” to celebrate the news.

Written and directed by SS Rajamouli, RRR, which stands for Rise, Roar, Revolt, is a historical fantasy that tells the rollicking story of

two revolutionaries who fight against British rule in Indiasuperstars Ram Charan and Jr NTR play the lead roles.

One of India’s most expensive films, the dazzling action epic has been a huge box-office success - not just domestically but also in countries such as the US.

Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain tweeted last week that watching the film felt like “such a party”.

A Hindi-language version of the film on Netflix was among the platform’s Top 10 most watched titles in the US for weeks when it was released in May 2022.

In December, BBC Culture film critics, Nicholas Barber and Caryn James, chose it as one of the 20 best films of the year, calling it a “crazily over-the-top action movie” with a powerful story.

The film’s music, ranging from romantic ballads to gleeful dance numbers and patriotic anthems, has also won fans.

Naatu, a four-and-a-halfminute stomper of a song, features Charan and Jr NTR, and has had thousands grooving to its beat. Their energetic moves have inspired viral trends on social media in India and globally.

Fans worldwide have gushed over the infectious dance steps that accompany the song’s chorus, where the actors shimmy and glide in a synchronised cowboy routine.

The team behind the song spoke to BBC Telugu in January about the effort they put in.

Choreographer Prem Rakshit said that he composed nearly 95 dance steps for the song - with 30 different versions of the signature step in the chorus alone. It took about 19 months from the first discussion until the final, polished result emerged - a fun mish-mash of dance genres ranging from an old barn stomp to a bit of Gangnam Style gallop and traditional Bollywood moves.

The song was shot in front of the Mariinskyi Palace in Ukraine - a gorgeous sea-blue structure of baroque architecture - months before the war began. The film’s director Rajamouli said in an interview that “luckily, they gave us permission to shoot because the Ukrainian president [Mr Zelensky] was a television actor”. (BBC)

RRR’s Naatu has won the Golden Globe for the best original song (Sourced from RRR VIA YOUTUBE)

U-19 WT20-Liburd happy with preparation after warm-up win

PRETORIA, South Africa, (CMC) – West Indies Women’s Rising Stars head coach, Steve Liburd, says he is comfortable with his side’s preparation ahead of next weekend’s start of the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The Caribbean side chased down a paltry 72 at Tuks Oval to beat Zimbabwe Women by six wickets in their second warmup match on Wednesday, making up for Monday’s nine-wicket defeat to England Women.

Naijanni Cumberbatch top-scored with 22 from 21 balls with three fours while opener Shunelle Sawh chipped in with 19 to lay the foundation for the successful chase.

Right-arm seamer Jahzara Claxton had earlier claimed two for four from two overs to help limit Zimbabwe Women to 71 for eight from their 20 overs.

“We definitely wanted to assess our game plans, so the focus was on how we wanted to play going into the World Cup,” Li-

RACING TIPS

English Racing Tips

burd said.

“The bowlers did a tremendous job in executing their skills and putting the balls into the areas we discussed.”

He continued: “From a batting perspective, Naijanni continues to show that she understands her role in this team. Sawh and (Djenaba) Joseph supported well for a comprehensive team performance.

“With a few more days of training ahead of our first match, I am pleased with the players’ response.”

West Indies Rising Stars are preparing for their opening Group C game of the tournament against Ire-

09:50 hrs Maillot Blanc 10:20 hrs Tom Creen 10:50 hrs Morozov Cocktail 11:20 hrs Ravenscar 11:50 hrs Ballygeary

land Women on Sunday at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

They will follow up with matches against Indonesia on Tuesday at NW University and against New Zealand at JB Marks Oval on Thursday – both matches also in Potchefstroom.

West Indies Rising Stars’ preparation got off to a rocky start when they scraped 65 for eight against England Women at Hammanskraal Mandela Oval in Pretoria.

Right-hander Cumberbatch was again the top-scorer with 25 from 33 deliveries with four fours.

Married Zimbabwe cricket coaches die three weeks apart

Cricket in Zimbabwe is mourning the death of two married national team coaches who passed away within weeks of each other.

The couple are survived by two children.

Sinikiwe Mpofu, the 37-year-old assistant coach to the women's national team, passed away "suddenly" on 7 January, being pronounced dead on arrival at a medical facility after collapsing at her home in Masvingo.

The former international, who was nicknamed "Sneeze", was married to Zimbabwe's men's fielding coach, Shepherd Makunura, who died on 15 December after a long battle with illness, aged 46.

Mpofu was a talented all-rounder who was part of the history-making team that played the Lady Chevrons' first-ever international in December 2006.

"Sinikiwe's departure has left us shattered," said national women's team captain Mary-Anne Musonda.

"This is the least we expected just after burying her husband.

"There was always joy and laughter with her and she was an inspiration to many."

A statement from Zimbabwe Cricket described her post-playing career as "an integral part of Zimbabwe Cricket's game development structures" at both provincial and national levels.

Mpofu has been part of the technical teams that have seen Zimbabwe excel in women's cricket in Africa, earning one-day international status and recently finishing just one win away from qualifying for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

As head coach she guided Mountaineers Women to vic-

tory in the inaugural Fifty50 Challenge - Zimbabwe's provincial one-day championship for women - in the 2020/21 season.

"Death has robbed us of a genuinely warm individual," said Zimbabwe Cricket's managing director, Givemore Makoni.

"More importantly [she was] a loving mother...one of the pioneers of women's cricket in Zimbabwe who went on to excel as a coach at provincial and national levels.

"With her sudden passing coming just a few weeks after the death of her loving husband, who was also a part of our national team coaching setup, this is particularly a difficult and painful time for their young children, families, friends and the entire cricket fraternity."

Makunura and Mpofu were both products of the programme to develop black players and coaches, and they had looked set to serve the game in Zimbabwe for many more years.

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 365* (vs PAK, Sabina Park, 1958) (2) 26 centuries

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many wickets Sir Garry Sobers claimed in Tests? (2) What were his best bowling figures in a Test innings?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Leading Rising Stars batter, Naijanni Cumberbatch

Sinikiwe Mpofu played in Zimbabwe's women's team's first ever international match in 2006

Australia withdraw from ODI series against Afghanistan

AUSTRALIA's ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates in March is officially off after Cricket Australia(CA decided it was unable to proceed with the fixture.

Following consultation with several stakeholders including the Australian Government, CA announced on Thursday that it would withdraw from the three-match series.

In a statement, CA explained that the decision followed the Taliban's recent announcement regarding further restrictions on women and girls' education and employment.

The Taliban seized control of the Asian nation in September 2021 and immediately placed restrictions on female participation in sport, which CA condemned.

CA to cancel Afghanistan Test over Taliban stance on women

"CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the

world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country," the CA statement read.

"We thank the Australian Government for its support on this matter.

Afghanistan remain the only ICC full member nation without a women's team, and will be the only full member without a side at the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 World

Cup starting on Saturday.

ICC CEO Geoff Allardice has said recent developments in Afghanistan were “concerning”, and confirmed the issue would be raised at its next meeting.

"Our board has been monitoring progress since the change of regime,” Mr Allardice said.

“It is a concern that progress is not being made in Afghanistan and it's something our board will consider at its next meeting in March. As

far as we are aware, there isn't activity at the moment.

ICC ODI Super League points were on offer in the UAE, so Australia will forfeit the series and the 30 competition points will be awarded to Afghanistan.

It will, however, be of little concern to the Aussies as they have already secured automatic qualification to the ODI World Cup in India in October by being one of the top eight ranked nations in the Super League.

The series against Afghanistan was to be Australia's last in the ODI Super League, but they will not be their last ODIs before the World Cup.

They will play three ODIs (from March 17-22) in India following the fourTest Border-Gavaskar Trophy, five in South Africa in August and September, and three more in India immediately preceding the World Cup in October, but none of these will impact their World Cup qualification.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka announces pregnancy

FOUR-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has announced she is pregnant.

The Japanese former world number one, 25, withdrew from the Australian Open earlier this week, having not played since September.

"2023 will be a year that'll be full for lessons for me," said Osaka, adding that she hopes to return in 2024.

"One thing I am looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom'."

Osaka won the last of her four Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2021.

However, she has spoken of the problems she has faced since that memorable title win.

In May 2021, after pulling out of the French Open, she revealed she had "suffered long bouts of depression" ever since winning her first major title, the US Open, in 2018.

In September 2021 she took a five-month break from the sport.

JIMMY Butler led a record-breaking shooting display from the freethrow line as the Miami Heat claimed a 112-111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miami made all 40 of their free throws, breaking the record of 39-for39 made by Utah against Portland in 1982.

With 23, Butler has tied with Dominique Wilkins for the second-highest number of foul shots in a game without a miss.

"We've been a very good free-throw shooting team all year, but that's crazy," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

"I didn't realise we hadn't missed a free throw."

Butler scored a gamehigh 35 points in total - his final free throw with 12

seconds remaining proving to be the game-winner as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's attempted three-pointer for Oklahoma City bounced off the rim.

Miami trailed 111-106 with less than a minute remaining but fought back with a Victor Oladipo three-pointer and a Butler lay-up to tie the game.

Butler then extended his perfect record from the

foul line to edge the Heat in front and set an NBA record.

"I had no idea," said the six-time NBA All-Star, 33. "I'm more excited that we won this game by one point."

James Harden has the record of most free throws in a game without a miss, scoring 24 for the Houston Rockets in 2019.

Elsewhere on Tuesday,

there were contrasting fortunes for Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid as they returned from injury.

Curry was back from an 11-game absence with a shoulder problem and scored 24 points for the Golden State Warriors, including five three-pointers.

But that was not enough for the defending champions to avoid a 125113 home defeat by the Phoenix Suns, for whom Mikal Bridges top-scored with 26 points.

Embiid had missed three games with a foot injury but scored 36 points in just 23 minutes on court as the Philadelphia 76ers romped to a 147-116 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Pistons beat Warriors with late three-pointers.

She lost in the third round of the Australian Open on her return, then the first round of the French Open, missed Wimbledon because of injury and lost in the opening round of the US Open.

Osaka played last at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September and has dropped to 47 in the world rankings.

"The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that it is the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun," added Osaka, announcing her pregnancy on social media.

"These few months away from the sport have really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I've dedicated my life to.

"I realise that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, every day is a new blessing and adventure.

"I know I have so much to look forward to in the future."

Osaka is the latest high-profile player to take a break from tennis due to pregnancy.

Germany's three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber revealed her pregnancy in August, suggesting she will return after giving birth, while former world number three Elina Svitolina is expected to make her comeback this year after giving birth last October.

Serena Williams took a break to give birth in 2017 and returned later the same year, continuing to play before retiring in 2022. (BBC Sport)

Australia last played an ODI against Afghanistan at the 2019 World Cup // Getty

Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 35 points, including a gamewinning free throw with 12 seconds remaining

Naoio Osaka has won two Australian Open and two US Open titles

Women's IPL franchises to be unveiled on January 25

By Nagraj Gollapudi

THE BCCI is likely to unveil the names of the five franchises that will contest the inaugural Women's Indian Premier League (WIPL), and the cities they will operate from, on January 25.

The financial bids of these franchises, currently submitted in sealed envelopes, will be opened on that day. However, the BCCI has pointed out in its tender document that it is "not obliged to accept the highest monetary offer" and will look for ways for the bidders to work towards enhancing the growth of women's cricket in India.

Last week, the BCCI released the tender inviting bids to own and operate the five franchises in the WIPL, which is likely to be held from March 5 to 23. In the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, the summary of which has been seen by ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI has pointed out that a single bidder can contest for more than one city.

Ten cities on offer

The BCCI has shortlisted a pool of 10 cities and listed the venues, including their respective capacities, in the ten-

der. The list includes Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi stadium, capacity 112,560), Kolkata (Eden Gardens, 65,000), Chennai (MA Chidambaram stadium, 50,000), Bangalore (M Chinnaswamy stadium, 42,000), Delhi (Arun Jaitley stadium, 55,000), Dharamsala (HPCA stadium, 20,900), Guwahati (Barsapara Stadium, 38,650), Indore (Holkar stadium, 26,900), Lucknow (AB Vajpayee Ekana cricket stadium, 48,800) and Mumbai (Wankhede / DY Patil /

Brabourne Stadiums). While three venues have been listed for Mumbai, the BCCI has said one of three grounds will be utilised based on "availability and other factors."

The current plan to have a pool of 10 cities differs from the one the BCCI had originally submitted to the state associations at its annual general body meeting last year. Back then, the BCCI said it intended to either pick one city from each of the six zones across the country,

or hold the tournament in a half-a-dozen cities without proper home bases for the five teams.

Determining the highest bid Barring Dharamsala, Guwahati and Indore, the remaining seven cities already serve as home bases for the men's IPL teams. While the BCCI has set no base price, bidders have been asked to quote a price for 10 seasons. Bidders have been given the option of contesting more than one

franchise/city, but the BCCI has said the successful bidder will only be given one franchise.

"The stadium with the highest bid amount will be awarded first," the BCCI said. "Thereafter, the stadium with the next highest bid amount will be awarded."

In case two of the highest bids for a single venue are equal, the BCCI has said there will be a re-bid. If the highest bids for two venues from two different bidders are the same, the BCCI will have the "discretion to decide the order." In the case of a bidder raising the top bid for more than one ground, the BCCI has the liberty to decide the venue.

Format for first three seasons Based on the information in the ITT, the first three seasons (2023-25) will each comprise 22 matches. In the league phase of the WIPL, each team will play the other twice (a total of 20 matches), and the table topper will progress straight to the final. The teams that finish second and third in the league will play an Eliminator to determine the second finalist.

The BCCI has also said March will remain the win-

dow for the WIPL. From the 2026 season, the WIPL could comprise "33-34" matches but the BCCI has not fleshed out any detail on the tournament structure.

Franchises to get 80% from central revenue pool

On January 16, the BCCI is scheduled to open the sealed bids for the WIPL media rights. While no base price has been set, the BCCI expects stiff competition on the back of the record sums spent last year to bag the lucrative men's IPL rights.

The media rights income is an integral part of the revenues both the BCCI and the franchises earn, as seen in the IPL. The BCCI has once again decided to stick to the same revenue-sharing formula it utilised in the IPL for distribution to franchises from the central revenue pool.

"The BCCI shall pay the franchisee 80% of all Central Team Licensing Income every year," a board said in the ITT. "BCCI shall pay the franchisees 80% share of Central Rights income in first five years, 60% in next five years and 50% post that."

Top football teams to clash at East Coast Mash Cup

SOME of Guyana’s top teams will collide at the East Coast Mash Cup tournament, set to kick off Friday, January 20, at the Golden Grove Ground.

The 16-team tournament, hosted by Golden Grove Dynamic FC, will carry a winner’s purse of $500,000.

Rosignol United is the lone Berbice side in the tournament, while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC, Fruta Conquerors and Santos are the teams from Georgetown.

Reigning ‘West Side’ Champions, Slingerz FC, will lead the West Demerara pack, which includes Den Amstel

FC and Pouderoyen FC.

Golden Grove Dynamic FC, Victoria Kings, Paradise FC, Melanie FC, Buxton United, Buxton Stars, Ann’s Grove United, and Mahaica Determinators are the teams hailing from East Coast Demerara.

The tournament, being played using the ‘win or go home’ format, on the opening night (January 20), will see Victoria Kings taking on Mahaica Determinators from 6:00 pm, followed by a clash between home side Dynamic FC and Buxton United.

With all matches happening at the Golden Grove Ground, following first night

action, the tournament continues on January 22, 27, 29, February 3, 5, and 10 and the finals on February 18.

According to the organisers, the concept behind the tournament is to see the rebirth of football on the East Coast of Demerara.

The organisers are grateful for the support shown by teams outside of the East Coast area, adding that it demonstrates the collective effort needed for the sustenance and development of football in Guyana.

Second place team will pocket $250,000, third place $150,00 and fourthPLACE $100.000.

The BCCI has also shortlisted a pool of 10 cities across India from where the teams will operate

A record sum of money was spent last year to bag the lucrative men's IPL rights•BCCI

The star-studded ‘West Side’ Champions, Slingerz FC, will be one of the 16 teams participating in the East Coast Mash Cup knock-out football tournament

Atwell among 5 Guyanese to be inducted into 2023 Hall of Honors

By Sean Devers

Five Guyanese, including boxer Clive Atwell, will be inducted during the Action Martial Arts Magazine's ultimate destination threeday mega convention & Hall-of-Honors at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Saturday, January 28th, 2023.

Guyanese Martial Artists ‘Max’ Massiah (9th Dan Black Belt, Founder of the rapidly growing World-recognised MAXIDO Adult Self-Defense System) and MAXIDO Black Belt Students; former Magistrate and GDF Lieutenant Colonel, Leslie Sobers; the lone and eldest female Black Belt, 64-year-old Claudette Andrews; Tour-Guide and Businessman Christopher Chin and former world-rated, multi-division boxing champion and coach, Clive Atwell, will all become inductees of the twenty-second Hall-of-Honour Event (also known as the Academy Awards of Martial Arts).

Although Atwell is a boxer and not a martial artist, the event also honours boxers who have accomplished valuable achievements in "combat" activities.

Atwell survived a life-changing, near-death experience on October 24, 2015.

Atwell, a former Caribbean Featherweight and WBC–

CABOFE Super Lightweight Champion, was in a title fight against T&T-based Dexter Gonzalves at the Giftland in October 2015. Fighting for the FECABOX World Boxing Council’s (WBC) lightweight title, Atwell fainted and was immediately hospitalized.

He was diagnosed with Subdural Hematomas Hemorrhage. An emergency surgery was done to decompress the swelling which was jamming on his central nervous system.

Atwell later went to the US for corrective cranial surgery, effectively ending his boxing career.

Atwell won Gold at the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association championships in Trinidad in 2006 and Bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games in the Bantamweight category.

In his debut professional

fight on 29th January, 2010, he defeated Carlton Skeete. Atwell challenged for his first world title on May 24, 2014 against WBC Featherweight champion, Jhonny González, but lost by tenthround technical decision.

He then fought Kye McKenzie for the Interim PABA super featherweight title in Melbourne, Australia.

His next win was against Jamaican Sakima Mullings on 21 February 2015, for the super lightweight CABOFE WBC title.

Also a certified Plumber and Pastor, Atwell is presently in Australia; his Award will be sent to Guyana and collected by his son, Alex.

Atwell joins former Heavyweight Boxing Champions Tim "Terrible" Witherspoon, Ray "Merciless" Mercer, and both Floyd Mayweather Snr & Jnr, who have been previously inducted.

Soke (Teacher of Teachers) Max Massiah, a threetime inductee, nominated the others, whose nominations were accepted and approved by the Board and its President and host, Sifu Alan Goldberg, aka the ‘Godfather of Martial Arts’.

The Annual event, which commenced in 2000, attracts the Creme-de-la-creme of World-renowned Legends, accomplished "fistic" experts, movie-stars, and sports personalities in the combat arena such as Michael Jai White, Cynthia Rothrock, Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace, Don "Dragon" Wilson, Ben-

ny ‘the Jet’ Urquidez, Fred Williamson, Cary ‘Mortal Kombat’ Hiroyuki Tagawa, Eric Lee, Jason Lau, Lady Sensei Chisom Jerry, among many other celebrity personalities.

Soke Max (as he is referred to by his students, having been ordained that title/rank by the SUPREME SOKESHIP COUNCIL of Texas, USA), has 50 years of study and practice in Martial Arts under his Belt.

He has taught over 300 students Worldwide (Guyana, USA, Ghana, & Cuba), including members of Guyana’s Joint Services (GDF &

GPF) since the establishment of the MAXIDO system in the USA, 2017.

MAXIDO is known for its brutally effective defensive responses of strictly LIMB DISLOCATION & BONE BREAKAGE in under four seconds.

It caters specifically for the vulnerable such as Business owners, professionals, the elderly and females.

Sobers, Andrews, and Chin are all founding members of MAXIDO in Guyana, having begun training in February of 2018, on a rigorous schedule of two-hour sessions, three days weekly.

They began at the beginners ‘White Belt’ and went through seven levels of training and testing before earning their Black Belts under the watchful eyes of Examiners, Massiah, International Examiner, 14time International & World Champion, 10th Dan Black Belt, Professor Christopher Francis, and former US Federal Government officer, Ms Freddie Batchelor.

Massiah also played an instrumental role in the training of Atwell during his career and was his motivator.

It is the first time in the history of Guyana that five of its Nationals will be honoured with the decorated title of HALL-OF-HONOR inductees. (Soke Max can be contacted on (592) 602 1733)’

Ballance marks Zimbabwe debut with win against Ireland

GARY Ballance, playing his first game - and first ever T20I - for his country of birth, marked his Zimbabwe debut with a five-wicket victory against Ireland.

Ballance, who had previously played 39 international matches for England, scored 30 off 29 balls, as the hosts chased down 115 with two overs to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Part-time offspinner Harry Tector surprisingly opened the bowling in Ireland's defence, having Craig Ervine dropped first ball as Gareth Delany put down a sitter at

cover. But Ervine fell only five deliveries later, when he miscued a loft over mid-off to give Tector his first wicket. Two balls later, Mark Adair trapped Tadiwanashe Marumani to leave Zimbabwe on 8 for 2, before Ballance and Wessly Madhevere steadied the innings.

(Scotres: Zimbabwe 118 for 5 (Williams 34*, Ballance 30, Tector 2-17) beat Ireland 114 (Delany 24, Burl 3-29, Masakadza 2-13) by five wickets

They calmly added 35, with Tector cleaning Madhevere up with one that turned

in very slightly in the eighth over. By then, Ballance had settled down to go at an easy pace, adding another 28 with Sean Williams, who remained unbeaten on 34. Williams saw the chase through along with Clive Madande, who smashed a quickfire 18. Earlier, only three Ireland batters managed to get into double figures, with Delany's 24 from No. 8 being the highest contribution in their total of 114. They were 74 for 8 the 15th over, when Delany added 31 - the most for any wicket on the day for the visitors - with Fionn Hand. There

were combined contributions from all of Zimbabwe's bowlers, as Player-of-the-Match Ryan Burl led the way with 3 for 29.

Debutant wicketkeeper-batter Stephen Doheny briefly sparkled with 15 from 13 balls, as Burl and Wellington Masakadza, who finished with 2 for 13, ran through Ireland's middle order. Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava also bagged two wickets each, as the Ireland innings ended when Ervine pouched a spectacular catch leaping at extra cover.

Clive Atwell has Dexter Gonsalves on the ropes

Master Max Massiah

Gary Ballance receives his Zimbabwe cap from captain Craig Ervine (AFP/Getty Images)

Messi and Mbappe go head to head again as FIFA announces 'The Best' nominees

LIONEL Messi and Kylian Mbappe are among the leading candidates for the Best FIFA Men's Player award after unsurprisingly being named on the 14-strong list of nominees on Thursday.

FIFA's awards ceremony will take place on February 27 and recognise the sport's high achievers from 2022 across several categories, with the Best FIFA Men's Player prize being the headline attraction.

Messi, who won the 2019 award and came a close second to Robert Lewandowski for 2021, will be the firm favourite after inspiring Argentina to World Cup success.

It was the Albiceleste's first such title since 1986, and Messi played a crucial role in the triumph as Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw last month.

Messi scored five goals and set up another three to win himself the Golden Ball, and he nearly took home the Golden Boot as well.

Of course, his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe won the latter prize thanks to his hat-trick against Argentina in the dramatic final, and he will likely be Messi's closest rival.

Had it not been a World

Cup year, Manchester City's Erling Haaland might have fancied his chances of staking a claim after a sensational start to life in the Premier League.

Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema is among the nominees and may be expecting a top-three finish after carrying Real Madrid to another Champions League crown, though his lack of World Cup involvement could prove detrimental.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is in the running for the Best FIFA Men's Coach gong, though Argentina's Lionel Scaloni will likely be the favourite from the five-man shortlist.

Argentina is also represented in the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper category by Emiliano Martinez among the five nominees.

For the women's prizes, Euro 2022 champions England have several nominations.

Beth Mead, Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson are all up for the players' award; Sarina Wiegman will be the favourite for the coaches' accolade; and Mary Earps is in contention to be named The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper.

The voting process will

involve international captains and coaches, journalists, and fans selecting their winners in the various categories.

Voting closes on February 3 and FIFA will announce three finalists from each section thereafter.

NOMINATIONS

The Best FIFA Men's Player

Julian Alvarez (Argentina/River Plate/Manchester City)

Jude Bellingham (England/Borussia Dortmund)

Karim Benzema (France/ Real Madrid)

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City)

Erling Haaland (Norway/ Borussia Dortmund/Manchester City)

Achraf Hakimi (Moroc-

co/Paris Saint-Germain)

Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich/ Barcelona)

Sadio Mane (Senegal/ Liverpool/Bayern Munich)

Kylian Mbappe (France/ Paris Saint-Germain)

Lionel Messi (Argentina/ Paris Saint-Germain)

Luka Modric (Croatia/ Real Madrid)

Neymar (Brazil/Paris Saint-Germain)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt/ Liverpool)

Vinicius Junior (Brazil/ Real Madrid)

The Best FIFA Men's Coach

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy/ Real Madrid)

Didier Deschamps (France/French National Team)

Pep Guardiola (Spain/ Manchester City)

Walid Regragui (Morocco/Wydad AC/Moroccan National Team)

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina/Argentinian National Team)

The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper

Alisson Becker (Brazil/ Liverpool)

Yassine Bounou (Morocco/Sevilla)

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium/Real Madrid)

Ederson (Brazil/Manchester City)

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina/Aston Villa)

The Best FIFA Women's Player:

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain/ Barcelona)

Debinha (Brazil/North Carolina Courage)

Jessie Fleming (Canada/ Chelsea)

Ada Hegerberg (Norway/ Lyon)

Sam Kerr (Australia/ Chelsea)

Beth Mead (England/ Arsenal)

Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal)

Alex Morgan (United States/Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave)

Lena Oberdorf (Germany/Wolfsburg)

Alexandra Popp (Germany/Wolfsburg)

Alexia Putellas (Spain/ Barcelona)

Wendie Renard (France/ Lyon)

Keira Walsh (England/ Manchester City/Barcelona)

Leah Williamson (England/Arsenal)

The Best FIFA Women's Coach

Sonia Bompastor (France/ Lyon)

Emma Hayes (England/ Chelsea)

Bev Priestman (England/ Canadian National Team)

Pia Sundhage (Sweden/ Brazilian National Team)

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany/German National Team)

Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / English National Team)

The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper

Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany/Chelsea Women)

Mary Earps (England/ Manchester United)

Christiane Endler (Chile/ Lyon)

Merle Frohms (Germany/ Eintracht Frankfurt /Wolfsburg)

Alyssa Naeher (United States/Chicago Red Stars)

Sandra Panos Garca-Villamil (Spain/Barcelona)

Windies operations most costly in the World — Grave

THE cost of operating cricket in the Caribbean is the most expensive in the world says Johnny Grave, the chief executive officer of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Grave made the revelation on the Mason and Guess cricket show on the Voice Of Barbados on Tuesday night while explaining the rationale for CWI staging this year’s West Indies Championships at venues in Antigua, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

“The cost of operating cricket as I said many times before and I will continue to say is the highest in the world which is not particularly surprising for those of us based in the Caribbean. The cost of living here, the labour cost and also the

fact that uniquely, we can’t jump on coaches and cars to drive to venues we got to fly between our territories to play so the cost of cricket in the Caribbean is huge” Grave said.

He explained that fourday cricket is commercially or financially viable internationally.

“There is very little TV money or sponsorship money available to four-day cricket in most places in the world, the attendances are in the hundreds at the best, and ticket sales and revenue are not there. This is a global phenomenal that is not restricted to the Caribbean. The hosting cost varies from territory to territory. We make decisions now on what is best from a cricket perspective and also from a

business perspective and I make no apologies for that”, the CEO explained.

Grave said this year’s first-class season was struc-

tured similarly to the 2022 season in an attempt to reduce the risk of matches not being played and to eliminate the possibility of

teams and their luggage not arriving in the islands on time to play matches

“It is clear we structured the West Indies Championships this year as we did last year based on reducing the risk of matches not taking place and the players or their bags not arriving on time. We are trying to operate the West Indies Championship as efficiently as we can from a cost perspective without compromising any of our cricketing standards”, Grave said.

On the question of booking an airline flight for teams to travel throughout the region, Grave said the situation continues to develop.

“The flight schedule has continued to change and evolve it is not just a

case of getting one or two seats into an island. We got to get a minimum of 20 seats to move a team, and as everyone knows teams come with a huge amount of equipment at least two bags per person, plus the team bags. We need the people and the bags to arrive on the same day for the West Indies Championships to happen without having to do emergency baggage or horrendously expensive passenger charters.

The cost of a charter flight range from US$25,00 to US$50,00 which is simply a waste of money if we could use commercial routes and structure the Championship accordingly” Grave said.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are among the leading candidates for the Best FIFA Men's Player award

Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave, left, and West Indies batsman Shai Hope.(Randy Brooks photo)

Pesident Ali wants Guyana to become major destination for world cricket

(Indore, India ) His Excellency President, Dr Irfaan Ali, called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider Guyana as its next investment destination in cricket.

The Head of State, who is in India on a seven-day Official Visit, told the inaugural session of the Global Investors Summit 2023 in the city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, that Guyana is ready to move its cricket development to the next level.

The President noted that Guyana is currently working on a plan to position itself

Minister Ramson leads high-ranking team on visit to Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

The

as a destination for world cricket. He explained that the country has the services of cricket legend, Sir Clive Lloyd, and is currently negotiating with a major Indian cricketer in its quest to “position Guyana as the mecca of cricket” in its geographic location, which is close to North America.

“Guyana is the home now for the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) finals for three years. How can we build a product that will bring in the North American market in an environment that is close to the market?”

The President reminded that the BCCI was able to move its cricket forward through “innovation and forward planning”, and that it is necessary to continue this progressive approach.

“…Not so long ago, there were other powers who were the big players and movers of cricket…one of the biggest mistakes that these powers of cricket made was to have too much inward-looking policies trying to capture only a segment. I offer you the opportunity to make Guyana your next investment destination in building out

the cricket product…“We, as a government, are willing to invest in infrastructure. We, as a government, are willing to invest in the ecosystem to support this. You have the power to do it. And I extend this invitation to you to do it with us. We are ready to do it with you.”

The Guyana Cricket Board and a number of Caribbean islands governing bodies make up Cricket West Indies (CWI), the regional governing body of the West Indies' male and female cricket teams.

‘Shiv would be solid pick for coach’- former batting coach Tony Radford

FORMER West Indies batting coach, Toby Radford, is confident worldclass former batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul would make a ‘solid’ pick for the role of Windies head coach.

The addition of the name of the former legendary batsman to the speculative list of potential replacement for Phil Simmons has garnered mixed reactions. In opposition, some have pointed to Chanderpaul’s relative lack of experience, while others believe he would be more suited to a role in administration.

For Radford, who is well acquainted with the former player, there is no doubting the quality he would be able to bring to the role.

“I’m a big fan. I’ve often talked about Shiv and what he brought to the game as a player. He was a very hard worker and meticulous in preparation. A lot of the things I think he would instil as coach for the younger players,”

Radford told the Mason and Guest show.

“He has been there and done it. He was number one in the world for a period of time, a top Test player in the world. He has played all round the world. I think he would bring a huge amount to it,” he added.

“He is new to coaching and still finding his feet but he is having relative success and I think he would bring a lot to it,” he added.

Radford, however, believes the former batsman would have to be supported by a very capable team, which is always the case for head coaches as opposed to specialist coaches. Chanderpaul, who retired from the sport six years ago, has already experienced some success as a coach, having led the Jamaica Tallawahs to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title last year. (Sportsmax)

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., yesterday morning headed a high-ranking team from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Minister's team included Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle; Assistant Directors of Sport, Melissa Dow Richardson and Frankie Wilson, and Engineer attached to the Ministry, Sherwin Moore. The quartet visited the site for a first-hand update on the massive works being done to the hall. This publication was reliably informed that works are on schedule.

Minister Ramson (third from right), DoS Ninvalle (left) ADoS Dow-Richardson (second from left) and Sherwin Moore (second from right) inspect the interior of the Sports Hall

West Indies legendary batsman, Shiv Chanderpaul