Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21-02-2022

MONDAY 21st February, 2022

No.106641

Ophthalmology Hospital to clear 2,800 backlogged cataract cases by year end

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Small businesses expanding –– to keep up with Guyana’s economic growth PAGE

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‘Renewed’ Jumo wins sixth Soca Monarch title

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Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo (first place), Ivelaw ‘Granny Ivy’ Campbell (second place) and Samuel Medas, who copped third place, wowed the gathering at the National Stadium during their performance in the Soca Monarch Competition on Saturday night (Delano Williams photo)

Three fishermen feared dead, 11 one rescued after vessel capsizes PAGE

Winston Sam

Ronald Burton

Harold Damon

Massive response to Farmers’ Market PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Small businesses expanding

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

–– to keep up with Guyana’s economic growth By Tamica Garnett

BIG companies are at the centre of attention in the oil-and-gas sector, but many small businesses have quietly begun to also position themselves to capitalise on opportunities that will be there for them. Some of these businesses featured at the recent “Duty-Free Shop” at the Umana Yana told the Guyana Chronicle that they see big room

decorated furniture for home décor. The Duty-Free Shop was set up to complement the four-day 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo held at the Marriott. “Roy’s Quality Spices,” a small company that employs nine persons, is in the process of expanding its factory to cater for the increasing local demand and is also working on expanding to export markets.

market in St Martin. LINKAGES The company has already begun working on forming linkages to retailers in the USA and Canada. With the increased international exposure that Guyana will be getting from the oil-and-gas sector, and increased focus for diversified industries, Singh said, the business is looking to ensure it positions itself to

our products to potential investors and seek persons that would want to purchase our products to sell in their domestic markets. Business has been decent so far, we’ve met with quite a few persons that have shown interest and that’s been good,” Singh told this publication. At the booth next to Singh’s was Irving Murray, manager of Genuine Naturally Fresh, who shared that his business is also expanding

Frankie Limerick displays some of his craft products at his booth at the Duty-Free shop (Delano Williams photo)

Govinda Singh, Marketing Manager of Roy’s Spices, displays some of the company’s products (Delano Williams photo) for growth in the expanding oil-and-gas sector. Artisanal craft-maker, Frankie Limerick, said he firmly believes that there is a niche in Guyana’s growing economy for his business, which retails handmade mirrors, decorated tables, jewellery boxes, ornaments and other craft items. “I see a place for me in Guyana oil-and-gas economy because the way I see it, the items I produce will be in greater demand there. So I am looking to expand my business. I see it as an opportunity,” he said. Limerick has been in the business of making craft items for over 40 years and while he had previously focused on small craft and ornaments, he now has plans to expand into producing

“As a provider of food products we would not be directly linked with the oiland-gas sector, but we would indirectly supply the suppliers who provide the companies with foodstuff, so we would benefit in that aspect,” shared Govinda Singh, Marketing Manager for the company. Located on the Essequibo Coast, Roy’s Quality Spices is a small manufacturing company that produces ground spices with a product line that includes garam masala, powdered seasonings, turmeric powder, and black pepper, among other products. The business has been in operation for some 25 years now, and aside from serving the local market, it also has a small export

grow with the expanding economy, which is what led the business to be part of the Duty-Free Shop. “We decided to be part of the expo to showcase

to keep up with Guyana’s growing economy. “We are looking forward to growing big. Right now we are constructing our agro-processing plant,

which would be completed in another three to four months in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam. We would be able to produce on a larger scale, so that we will be able to get into not only the Guyana economy, but also to export internationally to the Caribbean and other countries,” Murray explained. Started some three years ago, Genuine Naturally Fresh specialises in producing fresh, organic products including sweetened and un-

sweetened juices and syrups. The business also has a craft section, where the founder creates decor for homes and offices. “We currently have about 25 different products that we produced and we have the part that does crafts as well to decorate shops, houses and offices,” the manager said. For Genuine Naturally Fresh, being at the duty-free exhibition was all about exposure and marketing themselves.

Irving Murray displaying some of the products from Genuine Naturally Fresh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Workers at Enmore Packaging Facility welcome opportunity to learn new skills

WORKERS at the Enmore Packaging Facility are happy to know that they will not be jobless and will be trained to continue working at the facility. It was recently revealed that Guysons K+B Industries had entered into an agreement with the Government of Guyana to lease the packaging facility and

have it transformed into a modern Oil field Service Centre and manufacturing facility. Following a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Zulifikar Mustapha and Chief Executive Officer of Guysons Group of Companies, Faizal Khan, the current workers are pleased that they would not be losing employment as a result

of the arrangement. One worker, Rhonda Gittens, stated that prior to the meeting, she thought that they would lose their jobs as details of the arrangement were unclear. “The minister is here today and [he] explain everything that we wouldn’t lose our jobs. That’s been great for me because I still have a job,” she said.

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Gittens added that the transition from sugar to the oil-and-gas industry is something that she is looking forward to and is also excited about the training that they will be receiving. Another worker, Mukesh Gokul, stated that while he had a good experience working with the Guyana Sugar Corporation, he is happy for the opportunity

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to expand his knowledge and have a new experience at the new company. During the meeting, the agriculture minister emphasised, “I want to make it clear here that the workers who are employed will be absorbed by the new company, so your job will be secure. you will not lose employment; you will not lose earnings.”

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Mustapha further indicated that the government will also provide approximately two months pay for the workers there. CEO Faizal Khan added that trainers will be brought in from the United States to give those persons who will be involved in the operation of machinery, specialist training.

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‘An Evening of Culture’ billed for tomorrow in NY GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

THE Guyana Consulate in New York will be hosting “An Evening of Culture” tomorrow to showcase the uniqueness of Guyana’s six peoples in celebration of the nation’s 52nd Republic Day Anniversary. The celebration will occur at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York, a release said. According to the release, the event will be attended by Prime Minister

Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips; Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall; Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag and Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud. Several elected officials of New York State will also be in attendance. The release noted that the rich display of culture and heritage will include several guest performances by Terry Gajraj, Adrian Dutchin and Akash Krsna Kanha of the Sanasani

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Dancers, among many others. “Guests will be limited due to the ongoing pandemic. However, the Republic Day anniversary celebration will be live streamed from 6-8 p.m EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ dpiguyana. “In addition to this Republic Day celebration, the Government of Guyana will be hosting a number of other activities in Brooklyn, New Jersey

and other states. There are also several planned outreaches with diaspora groups around and across the USA,” the release stated. It also noted that this is being done by the Government of Guyana in its renewed effort to solidify and expand its relations with the diaspora as demonstrated in its commitment in Budget 2022 that was recently approved by the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips

France in new bid to defuse tension over Ukraine

Temporary accommodation in Taganrog, Russia, for people evacuated from Donetsk (BBC/GETTY IMAGES) France says Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed on the need to “prioritise a diplomatic solution” to the crisis over Ukraine and secure a ceasefire in the east of the country. In a phone call with President Emmanuel Macron, Putin also agreed that foreign ministers from both countries would meet “in the coming days”. Western nations believe Russia is ready to invade Ukraine, which Moscow denies. Meanwhile, Ukraine says talk of an imminent invasion is “inappropriate”. President Macron’s call on Sunday was the latest effort to prevent military action by Russia, which has amassed tens of thousands of troops on Ukraine’s borders. It came amid increased clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed

rebels in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. Hours later, the French presidency said a second phone call between Macron and Putin took place, following a conversation between Macron and US President Joe Biden. Macron proposed a summit between Biden and Putin, the statement said, and both leaders had accepted “the principle” of such a meeting, to be held on the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine. Details would be discussed during a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, on Thursday. In the first conversation with Macron, Putin blamed the Ukrainian military for the escalation of tensions, the Kremlin said. Ukraine has rejected this, saying Moscow is engaged in a provocation

campaign aimed at creating a pretext for an intervention. However, the French presidency said both leaders agreed to resume talks through the Normandy Format, a group created to resolve the conflict in the Donbas that includes Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. Macron’s office also said “intense work” would be carried out to enable a meeting “in the next few hours” to try to secure a ceasefire in the Donbas. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Putin’s commitments to Macron were a “welcome sign” he might still “engage in finding a diplomatic solution”. But Johnson called on Putin to “step back from his current threats and withdraw troops from Ukraine’s border”. Earlier, Russia announced the extension of military drills in Belarus, where 30,000 Rus-

sian troops are deployed, that were due to end on Sunday. A Belarusian statement blamed the “deterioration of the situation” in eastern Ukraine as one reason for extending the exercises. In total, the US estimates Russia has mustered up to 190,000 troops around Ukraine, including separatist forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. US company Maxar released new satellite images which it said showed multiple new field deployments of armoured equipment and troops from Russian garrisons near the border with Ukraine, indicating increased military readiness. Speaking on CNN, Secretary Blinken said “everything we are seeing suggests that this is dead serious” and that “we are on the brink of an invasion”. “Until the tanks are actually rolling, and the planes are flying, we will use every opportunity and every minute we have to see if diplomacy can still dissuade President Putin from carrying this forward,” he added. His comments came as unverified reports in the US media suggested Washington believed an attack could be launched imminently. CBS News reported the US had intelligence that Russian commanders on the ground had received orders to proceed with an invasion and were now making specific battle plans on how to attack. The report said an invasion would begin with a

cyber-assault followed by a campaign of missile and airstrikes, before ground units attempted to take the capital Kyiv. And an unnamed intelligence official told CNN close to 75 per cent of Russia’s conventional forces were now poised at the Ukrainian border. The concentration of Russian forces within striking distance of Ukraine was highly unusual, the source said. But Ukraine’s Defence Minister Alexei Reznikov said an attack “tomorrow or

the day after tomorrow” was unlikely as no Russian “strike groups” had yet formed near the border. Putin has been demanding assurances that NATO will not admit Ukraine, a former Soviet state with close ties to Russia, while the Western alliance denies it poses any threat to Russia. There are fears that a Russian military intervention could start a war even bloodier than the conflict in eastern Ukraine which has cost at least 14,000 lives. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

A Commendable Initiative

FIRST Lady Aryan Ali has initiated a training programme aimed at preparing 100 Amerindian women to gain employment in the lucrative oil-and-gas sector. This is indeed a commendable initiative, one that will go a far way in addressing issues of gender equality, especially as it relates to the Amerindian segment of the population, which historically has suffered from decades of marginalisation under both the colonial and the PNC administrations. The training programme will be done by Atlantic Alliance (AA) Maritime & Offshore Training Institute, which is a fully owned Guyanese company. The scholarships will be awarded through the Office of the First Lady over a four-year period, and will see women from Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine benefit. The agreement was reached after an approach was made by the First Lady and directors of the training institute and other stakeholders, including the Centre for Local Business Development and Lloyd’s Register. According to the First Lady, this ini-

tiative is fully in line with the ‘One-Guyana’ vision as articulated by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. “We are talking about One Guyana and this is a demonstration of us, the government creating that One Guyana that we speak of. We are aware of the many issues that affect the indigenous people of Guyana, including access to tertiary education and tertiary-level training. So this is a major step towards creating opportunities for them in the oil-and-gas sector and ensuring that they are part of the success story of our country.” The Maritime Institute will provide training programmes which are focused on the teaching of practical skills to both local and international students through a blended approach. The courses are accredited by the Guyana Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica. It is currently awaiting accreditation from the National Accreditation Council of Guyana and later down the road, as a TVET-certified institution. This is a necessary requirement in order to guard against ‘bogus’ post-sec-

ondary training centres, especially those relating to the emerging oil-and-gas sector. The PPP/C administration has already indicated that the GuySuCo apprentice training school at Port Mourant will be transformed into an oil-andgas training institution. Another such training, the institution will be set up at Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara and will be dedicated entirely to cater for the training needs of the oil-and-gas sector. As it currently stands, such specialised training needs can only be met from training institutions in the United States, Trinidad and Tobago and a few other oil-producing nations which are not only costly, but put Guyanese citizens at a severe disadvantage. Such a situation is inconsistent with the policies of the government as it relates to the recently enacted local content legislation. The local content legislation makes it mandatory for locals to benefit from employment opportunities in the oiland-gas sector, once they meet the eligibility requirements for the job.

Training is an important prerequisite for national development and the PPP/C administration must be given credit, not only for building training capacity to meet the developmental needs of the country, but more importantly to make such training accessible to all Guyanese, especially hinterland and Amerindian communities. First Lady Arya Ali has demonstrated that by the right kinds of networking and linkages it is possible to seek opportunities and find solutions to problems facing the society. Her role in the beautification of the city and other parts of the country has won the commendation and hearts of a wide cross-section of the Guyanese people. President Ali has repeatedly stated that the wealth of the country must be fairly distributed. His One-Guyana vision has paved the way for a new dispensation where Guyanese can now embrace each other as partners in development and not as competitors for the country’s wealth generated by our collective efforts.

NDIA never directed contractors to source pumps, other equipment from specific supplier Dear Editor, THE National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), in exercising its mandate to deliver quality drainage and irrigation services to farming communities across the country, has been working with various contractors and consultants to ensure that drainage and irrigation works are executed to a specified standard across the country. These standards are in place to ensure beneficiaries of these interventions receive the most benefits and taxpayers’ dollars are used sensibly. Contrary to what was perpetrated by one of the country’s small political parties in an online post dated February 8, 2022, the NDIA has never engaged in the practice of directing companies awarded project contracts to purchase pumps or other materials

and equipment from a particular source. As is customary and required by law, the NDIA has, in the past and present, issued advertisements of tenders for the construction of pump stations around the country. Successful bidders are then obligated to work with the project consultants in putting forward designs in accordance with the specifications outlined in the contract. Once these specifications are met, a “No-Objection” is issued by the NDIA. However, in some instances, more due diligence is done by the drainage authority. Recently, some contractors made recommendations to procure pumps from the Morrison Pump Company. In an effort to ensure that this manufacturer was an experienced and authentic supplier of drainage pumps, the NDIA engaged the Guyana Consulate in Florida. It was later revealed that the company in question was not defunct, but was an

active unit of Patterson Pump Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gorman-Rupp companies. In addition to the supply and installation of these pumps, each contract provides for the testing of pumps at facilities of the manufacturing company by qualified officials from the NDIA. The online post also went on to mention that NDIA’s Chief Executive Officer (ag) proceeded on leave in an effort to avoid approving the use of these pumps. The CEO (ag.), like any other public servant, is entitled to annual leave and had issued a “No-Objection” following the consultant’s recommendation before proceeding on leave. As it relates to the India Line of Credit pumps, on August 6th, 2018, the NDIA signed a US$3,602,014 contract with Apollo International Limited for them to supply twelve (12) new pumps (nine (9) fixed

pumps and three (3) mobile pumps) to complement the country’s drainage capacity. The pumps arrived in Guyana and were assembled and installed by the Apollo team. Before installation, some amount of inspection and testing was done to ensure that the pumps satisfied the required specifications and efficiency. However, to date, those pumps have remained inactive as they continue to develop mechanical issues. As such, the NDIA has written to the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana on the matter as well as engaged Apollo International Limited to resolve these issues. At present, the matter is engaging the attention of the Hon Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Yours sincerely, Ministry of Agriculture

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

The Lux Bar is a The PAC should not allow this travesty to continue major noise nuisance Dear Editor, SINCE writing on May 10, 2021, on the urgent need to get the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) operational, this important body has still not yet been constituted, while a hold-over staff of 20 languishes for 16 months without leadership. The term of the last Public Procurement Commission (PPC) that was initially set in motion in 2016, expired on October 27, 2019; but two commissioners were each granted a one-year extension (until October 2020), in accordance with the constitution. Thus, from October 2020, there has been no oversight in the contracting process. For how long more would this unsatisfactory situation persist? The PPC is an independent body that is responsible for the investigation of irregularities in the contracting process and to recommend remedial measures. It also monitors the contracting process of agencies to ensure that they comply with rules and protocols. The purpose of the PPC as set out in Article 212 (A)(A) of the Guyana constitution, “Is to monitor public procurement to ensure ….fairness, equity, transparency, value for money and competition…. [and] that the procedures of public procurement are executed in accordance with the Laws of Guyana”. While the PPC has no enforcement authority, it could make recommendations to Parliament for corrective measures, including the application of sanctions. The protracted delay in the appointment of this body tends to undermine the notion of good governance, inclusive of transparency and accountability, qualities that are foundational to carrying out the responsibilities set out in the Procurement Act. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament should desist from engaging in parliamentary manoeuvres and proceed immediately to send for parliamentary approv-

al of the five nominees as commissioners. Chair of the PAC, Mr Jermaine Figueria, has signalled some movement when he said that they are waiting on background checks on three nominees from the Commissioner of Police. Assuming that exercise is completed within the next few days, recommendations for PPC appointments could be sent to Parliament before month-end. There is also a concern raised about ‘conflict of interest’ that may apply to a couple of nominated members. The practical issue here is: “who determines if a candidate has a conflict of interest”? Other jurisdictions have established a Conflict-of-Interest Board (CIB) to address such concerns. Given the huge amount of government contracts that are awarded, it is important therefore that consideration be given to the establishment of such a board. In addition, Parliament must understand that there could never be a perfect candidate for any position. It should therefore not make perfection the enemy of the good. The PAC Chair is reminded that the PPC has been one of the signature projects of his party (APNU+AFC), which they claim would be another layer of transparency and accountability in the process towards good governance. It is reasonable to expect therefore that the PAC under Mr Figueria’s leadership move now to have these nominees approved by Parliament. The PPC cannot continue to pay staff of an agency whose decision-making authority, the Public Procurement Commission, is not in place. Furthermore, the outgoing Chair of the PPC, Carol Corbin, says that the delay is putting vital procurement reforms at risk. Parliament should not allow this ugly situation to continue any further. Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Dear Editor,

KINDLY permit me to express myself while also assisting other residents of Alexander Village and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who had also complained to me on umpteen occasions about a most dreadful noise nuisance that reaches its apex in the wee hours of the morning, when persons need to rest to have a productive day ahead. The Lux Bar is located at 159 Third Street, Alexander Village. Frequent noise exposure can have serious implications on the health and well-being of a community. As advised by a doctor, it was related that it can increase the heart rate leading to elevated blood pressure, sleep deprivation, headaches and migraines, psychological triggers for people with PTSD, anxiety among other health-related issues. I am calling on the relevant Task Force within the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Guyana Police Force to investigate and speak with residents of the community.

They are frustrated. No one has a problem with any bar that operates and plays their music until midnight with the appropriate consideration for the well-being of others. However, when a new day begins, many persons need their rest for the day ahead and being disturbed from their rest by loud music and the commotion of patrons who continuously litter, destroy the parapets of the roadways and block the entrance and exits of many property owners, is not something those guilty of would welcome for themselves. During the week and on weekends, the loud blasting of music permeates the air. I have received several phone calls from other residents about their disgust, while they related those persons responsible are at their respective homes sleeping comfortably without issues of noise nuisance disturbing their rest. Secondly, did the Mayor and City Council give a permit for the operation of the Lux Bar in a neighbourhood that is not designated or zoned for such activity? And

are they in possession of an operating licence from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)? In curbing the noise nuisance, there should be continuous public education of the dangers to health and discomfort of excessive noise. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated under the Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 20:05, Laws of Guyana, to stem the creation of pollution havens and preserve and protect the integrity of the natural environment. Further, the Noise Management Regulations established in 2000 set standards and gave the agency enforcement powers for noise management. Activities producing noise from construction, installation, operation, modification, or extension of any facility must be authorised. Anyone who wishes to operate a loudspeaker or any other sound-making device or equipment at a public space (e.g. barbecues, shows, nightclubs) or any private premises must seek permission from the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Depending on the nature of the activity, the EPA grants two types of noise permits – Short Term Noise Permit and Long Term Noise Permit. What you need for a Short Term Noise Permit: Police approval, Mayor and City Council approval, Guyana Fire Service permit, Proof of event, Affidavit, Proof of rental (if you are renting the space), the appropriate fee and ID of the applicant. I am not certain there is compliance with the aforementioned regulations. According to the EPA, the excessive emission of noise is an offence under the Environmental Protection (Noise Management) Regulations (2000). Defaulters can be fined up to $700,000 and face up to one-year imprisonment. We have laws in Guyana to maintain a properly functioning society, and as such, all relevant laws should be enforced to serve their intended purpose. Yours sincerely, Concerned Citizen

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Russia and Ukraine ShowFuture the World Planning the What a Difference A Daythe Makes – Part 2 with Youth at Centre By Earl Bousquet

A POPULAR African proverb says, “When elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers” -- like what’s happened in Ukraine between Thursday and Sunday, when another four days taught just how much a difference each made. While the elephants on its borders fought turf wars, the grass stopped growing in Ukraine, the economy ground to a veritable standstill after the U.S. and a dozen nations withdrew their diplomatic staff and asked citizens to evacuate immediately to avoid being caught up in a Russian invasion about to happen “any time now…” Here are the differences each day made: Thursday, February 17: After being outflanked and outmanoeuvred by Russia between Monday and Wednesday,

the U.S., European Union (EU) and the NATO alliance attended a meeting of the United Nations Security Council called to discuss issues related to the Minsk Agreement (mainly between Russia and Ukraine), that followed the 2014 events in Crimea. Russian’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, as Chair of the Security Council, used his opening statement to plead to speakers “not to play to the cameras and make this meeting a circus, especially as the date for the invasion is now behind us.” Speaking next, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken led Washington’s new diplomatic offensive, saying the U.S. and NATO spies and drones were “not seeing” the troop withdrawals Moscow said were taking place and insisting that Russia still intended to proceed with what was now “a looming invasion.”

While still insisting Moscow planned a “false flag operation” to justify attacking in the name of defence, Blinken continued making more predictions, but without dates and threatening tough economic and military action “if Russia invades Ukraine.” The U.S. Secretary of State also invited his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to talk peace with NATO, the EU and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – but on one condition, “in Europe…” Washington tried hard to steal the wind from Moscow’s sails as a veritable procession of European leaders, defense and foreign ministers, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Sholz, flew to Russia to talk with President Vladimir Putin. Moscow’s diplomacy was also loudly evident in Putin’s silent body language in his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron: the visiting President refused to take a vaccine test on arrival and he was sat at maximum social-distancing levels -- at the other end of a virtual milelong table during his hours-long meeting with his host, with much less distancing in the cases of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko or Chancellor Sholz. And Lavrov described the slew of meetings as a “Dialogue between the deaf and the dumb!” Friday, February 18: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Polish counterpart hosted a joint press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, with Austin promising more U.S. troops for Poland, Romania and other Baltic and Central European former Soviet states neighbouring Russia, now in the NATO alliance. But while the two NATO Defense Secretaries spoke in Brussels, Putin was meeting with President Lukashenko in Moscow to discuss whether Russian troops in Belarus would withdraw at the end of this month as earlier announced by both sides, or remain. Here again, the U.S. was talking about peace while readying for war, in keeping with NATO’s new policy of “Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst…” as spelt out recently by its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Saturday, February 19: Germany hosted Europe’s annual Munich Security Conference (MSC), where U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris reiterated Washington’s threats of economic sanctions and military action “if Russia invades,” while beleaguered UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Brit-

ain was preparing 1,000 added troops for deployment across Europe, with more advanced fighter jets and aircraft carriers also to be sent to different locations, including the Black Sea (neighbouring both Ukraine and Russia). But Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t mince words to remind his allies at the MSC with elephant-sized armies that all their talk of war was causing jitters among his citizens and all the warnings about an imminent attack on Ukraine from Russia was just not good for his country’s security. Sunday, the usual propaganda and psychological warfare in such cases was upped a notch by all sides, each accusing the other of firing the first shots that can escalate into the war none wants. Today, Ukraine remains caught between proverbial rocks and hard places as the USA and Europe use the presence of Russian troops, within Russia’s borders, to expand NATO’s military presence into the former Soviet Baltic and Central European states bordering or closest to Russia. In the name of protecting Poland, Romania and other former Soviet republics now in NATO, the USA and Britain are together increasing troop deployments eastward, all but totally ignoring Moscow’s protestations about other signatories not implementing most of the Minsk Agreement’s clauses. Ditto Moscow’s repeated assurances it doesn’t plan to start a Third World War or willingly induce a permanent logistical economic and military nightmare by invading and forcibly occupying the second-largest country in Europe. The consensus on all sides is that all want to avoid a war none wants and while the war drums will continue beating sounds of jungle warfare, it’s more likely that Ukraine will remain stuck in the current quagmire for much longer than can be predicted by Washington, or seen around the corner. President Zelensky was described by a BBC Correspondent as “undiplomatic” in his messaging to NATO allies supposedly risking war to protect his country, as if Kiev has no say in the actions being taken in its name. All that, while the elephant armies on its borders sharpen and rattle their giant tusks, ready and willing to transform Europe’s peaceful grasslands -- in Ukraine’s name -- into bloody battlefields of an inevitable World War III. And again, the last four days clearly showed the difference each made for Ukraine.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

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Ophthalmology Hospital to clear 2,800 backlogged cataract cases by year end

THE National Ophthalmology Hospital (NOH), Region Six, has performed over two dozen operations since resuming cataract surgeries on February 13 and is working vigorously to clear a backlog of 2,800 cases which have accumulated over the past five years. And with fully-booked theatre dates until March 10, the hospital is expected to do a minimum of 10 surgeries per day. Medical Director of the facility, Dr Vineshri Khirodhar, said the focus is on clearing the backlog cases that have piled up over the years. “We have a list of 2,800 to clear off, we are using that list, but if we have walk-in patients, they would see any of the ophthalmologists, they are screened and given a date. Patients come from throughout the different regions. We have patients and even Suriname… for the last five and a half

National Ophthalmology Hospital Medical Director, Dr Vineshri Khirodhar years, no cataract surgeries were being done at the NOH. After assuming the position of Medical Director here in 2021, we have finally got to the stage where we have commenced surgeries and have been doing surgeries for the past five days,” she said. Once the screening test is cleared, a date is set

for surgery, Dr Khirodhar noted. She explained that the facility has a very vigorous screening system patients have to undergo before being given the red light for surgery. When done and approved by a surgeon, a date for surgery will be given. The Medical Director is hoping to clear the back-

logged cases by the end of this year. The hospital has been continuously doing minor procedures, and in 2021, it treated some 30,000 persons. Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, speaking at a recent event in the region, highlighted that more than $100M was spent on refurbishing and purchasing equipment for the facility. “We recognised that all the theatres were in a poor shape, the microscopes that were used to operate with they were in bad condition, so last year we spent in excess and $100M to start not just refurbishing the theatres, but buying the equipment; so by the first quarter of this year a lot of the equipment would be coming in and we have set aside additional resources to make sure that the hospital is fully functional. So a lot of the ophthalmological [procedures] that people had to go out of the region

for we will be able to do it here,” the minister said. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Vasco Jardine, 73, said he had waited almost six years to have cataract surgery done on his left eye. Jardine did surgery on the right eye at the

NOH and had no complications and reservations waiting to get it done at the hospital again; however, he noted the long wait did make him frustrated, but he is now grateful that the facility is now offering the surgery again.

Vasco Jardine

Berbice man arrested for cocaine in fried rice

THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), on Friday, arrested a man

with $17.2M in cocaine concealed in a bowl of fried rice at the Cheddi

Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The man arrested has

The seized cocaine that was weighed

been identified as Esmond Jermaine Anderson, 28, of Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice. According to CANU, Anderson was about to travel on a Jet Blue Airways flight that was destined for the JFK Airport in New York. His suitcase was reportedly searched in his presence and the suspected cocaine was found inside the bowl. A field test was conducted and it confirmed that the substance was indeed cocaine. The substance amounted to almost three kilograms (6.6 pounds). CANU said this quantity of cocaine has a street value of about US $84,000 (or GY$17.2 million). Police have since launched an investigation into the matter and Anderson is expected to be charged this week.

Arrested: Esmond Jermaine Anderson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Preventing child sexual abuse

THE most effective way to protect children from sexual abuse will always be prevention. Parents can think of preventive measures that enhance child sexual safety. It is their responsibility. Children should not have to worry about protecting themselves. Here are five approaches for parents to consider. 1) Do not leave children in the care of people you do not know well or with those of

dubious character. 2) Do not leave children alone for long periods or vulnerable circumstances. 3)Teach children no one should touch their private parts, or ask them to do anything of a sexual nature 4) Explain to children why they must speak out (tell parents or a responsible adult) when they feel uncomfortable in any situation for any reason. 5) Talk to children about sexual abuse and staying safe. Empower them to be resilient, discreet and smart,

make them feel valued. To summarise, nurturing children to be self-assured and perceptive of potential danger is the first line of defence against child sexual abuse. Parents must teach them what to do if they feel uncomfortable. Talk to children about sexual safety in an age-appropriate manner. After which, the child should explain what they have learnt, so parents know they clearly understand. Sadly, child sexual abuse

could happen to any child when least expected. People in trusted positions, family members, coaches, teachers, old family friends and neighbours can perpetrate sexual abuse; therefore, parents must not become complacent. A close relative may single out and pay special attention to a child in his/her family. He/she may use play-fighting and tickling as a cover while touching the child inappropriately but accidentally on purpose.

While the person cunningly grooms the child, the youngster does not realise his relative’s sinister intent. It is this simple to initiate sexual abuse under the guise of play and with family members none the wiser. But when parents talk about staying safe and inappropriate touching beforehand, children are promptly alerted. In this scenario, the child would cease to engage the relative in his/ her antics and inform his/her parents why. Confident parents instinctively know when something is wrong with their child. They pick up on odd or out-of-character behaviour and do not yield until they get to the root of the cause. They are in tune with their child’s emotional well-being and want to assist through rough times as well as smooth. However, some parents do not know what goes on in their child’s life. They ask very little, and the child does not tell them much. The child learns how they react or their lack of reaction when information is shared and believes it is better to keep it to himself/herself. If the child is molested or sexually abused, the parents would be the last to know. Adults who speak to children and listen to them without judgement stand a better chance of becoming their child’s confidante – he/ she will seek out their advice. They, in turn, can assist children through difficulties as they arise. Parents must keep the doors of communication open, especially as children enter adolescence. Adolescence is a profound time of transition when teenagers can feel misunderstood. Some see themselves as misfits as they search and occasionally struggle to find their identity and place in the world. They are vulnerable during this stage and an easy target for ill-minded predators. One teenager recalls, ‘Our neighbour Mr M. know me and me and me sister since we small. As children, we were steady running in and out of his house, up and down. He was a kind neighbour; everyone liked him. But when I start developing, and he hugged me, his hand touched my breast. The first time it happened, I thought it was a mistake, but it happened again, and apart

from keeping out of his way, I didn’t know who to tell. Eventually, I confided in my older sister. ‘He did the same thing to me,’ she said, ‘you don’t see I stop going over there?’ Sexual abuse, regardless of how subtle, is still sexual abuse. Offenders know what they are doing and their intentions. Here are some ‘red flags’ that indicate child sexual abuse. 1) The child seems sexualised or forced ripe for her age and makes sexual references. 2) The child is withdrawn and moody or unusually quiet, unhappy and detached. Although some abused children become loud and unruly. 3) The child runs away from home on occasions, and no one knows where he/she stays. 4) The child keeps bathing or regularly goes to the toilet. The child cannot sit down comfortably. 5) The child does not want to be left alone with a particular person and tries to avoid them. 6) The child is restless at night, starts bedwetting or has nightmares. 7) A bright child starts doing poorly at school or regresses to childish behaviour. Abused children might feel ashamed to tell anyone as if the abuse was their fault. Most children keep the abuse a secret for years. They do not understand the perpetrator is to blame. When the abuser is a family member the child victim is confounded by a divided sense of loyalty. The trauma associated with child sexual abuse is a life-long unease for many afflicted. Children cannot make sense of it, and when they are grown, the damage lingers on, over-shadowing their lives. The law on child sexual abuse is straightforward; offenders will be charged and imprisoned. Meanwhile, let us do everything in our power to keep our children safe from the scathing harm of sexual abuse. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Three fishermen feared dead, one rescued –– Public Works Ministry says all available State resources dispatched in search, rescue exercise

A seabob trawler that capsized and sank with three fishermen has ignited fears of their demise. The vessel went down in coastal waters some 18 miles off Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday morning. Reports indicate that onboard the trawler were Harold Damon (Captain), 44, a father of three; Ronald Burton, 75, a father of 10, both of Agricola East Bank Demerara; Winston Sam, 46, and Vincent Dazzell. However, Dazzell was reportedly rescued by another boat, but the captain and two others remain missing at sea. The men, w ho are feared dead, according to reports, were trapped underneath the overturned vessel. Fisherman Vincent Daryl, who survived the tragedy at sea, had related to the relatives of the missing men and the police that they noticed the vessel taking in water in the engine room and another

section. The captain had made contact with the Noble House Seafood to relate what had happened. However, he told relatives that the radio transmission became distorted and the captain began searching for his cell phone when the vessel capsized, resulting in everyone leaping overboard. Daryl further related that the captain and others began shouting for help and it was a nearby fishing vessel that heard their calls and rushed to their aid, but only he was found during the ordeal. He was brought to shore and has since been meeting with investigators. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works, in a statement on Sunday, announced an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported capsizing of the boat owned by Noble House Seafood. The ministry noted that an independent panel has been established comprising representatives of the

Ministry of Public Works, MARAD, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Marine Unit and the Transport and Harbours Department. “We are very concerned and share the anxiety and pain of the family members and colleagues of the missing men. The Search and Rescue Operation Centre was immediately activated, upon notification of this incident. Vessels and personnel, including divers, have been deployed,” the Public Works Ministry added. The ministry assured all concerned that all available resources of the State, to aid in this search and rescue exercise, will be fully utilised. The private sector, including private fishing vessels, the ministry added, is also engaged in this ongoing operation.

Winston Sam

Ronald Burton

Harold Damon

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

‘Renewed’ Jumo wins sixth Soca Monarch title By Tamica Garnett

SAYING he felt “renewed,” Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo rebounded from finishing fourth last year in the Soca Monarch Competition to pick up the 2022 crown, when the competition wrapped up at the National Stadium in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Jumo picked up his sixth title win with an energetic performance of his song, “Living My Life,” which saw him receiving 259 points. With 252 points, Ivelaw ‘Granny Ivy’ Campbell took the second spot following his humorous delivery of his song, “Bumpa Tricks.” Defending champion Samuel Medas, finished third with 245 points. His performance of “People” failed to move the crowd despite the words of encouragement for persons to rise above their circumstances and challenges. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on stage moments after his return to the throne, Jumo credited his resilience and determination to overcome his dismal finish last year as the driving force behind his win. “I feel renewed in the sense that I came from fourth last year and instead of breaking me, it built me. I am so grateful to God for the inspiration that he gave me to prepare and write this song,” Jumo said.

Defending champion Samuel Medas, whose performance was good enough for the third spot (Delano Williams photo)

Jumo said his song came with an underlying encouraging message which resonated easily with the public and helped to push his song to popularity leading up to competition night. “This song came from a deep place, from all of my struggles and it shows that you must never give up. No matter how hard things are, you have to keep fighting, and that is what won tonight. Never giving up is what won, not just the song. I am excited, I am grateful, and I am inspired to do even greater things,” he shared. The penultimate performance of the night, Jumo who came to the stage jumping, was decked out in an all-black ensemble surrounded by his backup dancers, each wearing coats in different colours over white outfits. From his first jump, Jumo had the crowd hooked on his words and energy with his opening line, “I don’t give a damn what people say about meh, I’m living my life” landing well. As his performance continued, he took control of the crowd and had them singing, waving, running on the spot and screaming as they followed his every instruction. They were all the more regaled as he gave them some of his “rubber waist” moves and did some splits during the performance. However, the most crowd-pleasing act of the night definitely went to Granny Ivy, who also picked up the “Best Newcomer Award.” Prancing about the stage in a stuffed-up derrière, he was surrounded by backup dancers decked out in colourful gym wear, as he delivered instructions for a “bumpa” work out. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle after his second-place win, Granny Ivy noted that his placement came as no surprise to him. “I feel great. I know that I had to place in the one, the two or the three [position]. And I made it into second position, so I’m so happy for myself and proud of all the people that [sic] supported Granny and wish them all the best as well,” the 40-year-old

Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo during his performance (Delano Williams photo)

‘Queen of Soca’ Alison Hinds performing at the 2022 Soca Monarch Competition (Delano Williams photo)

commented. Medas for his part did deliver a lively performance despite not connecting as much with the crowd. His performance opened with a story line of the need for “people” to ensure that they always lend a helping hand and are kind to their neighbours. During his performance, the renowned Psalmist and gospel singer, noted that he felt moved to return to the competition to use the platform as a means of better spreading his message about his love for God and for his own backstory, which shows that anyone can go from nothing to being something great. Other notable acts of the night included Vanilla’s performance of her piece “Salute,” which was partially a tribute to persons who lost their loves to COVID-19, Tenecia ‘Nekeita’ DeFreitas’ performance of “Right Hay” and former Soca Monarch Brandon Harding with his performance of “Mega Star”. The night saw performances from 14 competitors. Allison Hinds, the “Queen Granny Ivy performing “Bumpa Tricks” of Soca”, closed off the night’s activities, at the 2022 Soca Monarch Competition which came to an end after 03:00hrs on Sunday. (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Farmers’ Market a ‘win’ for all agriculture stakeholders By Naomi Parris

DESPITE the early-morning showers, the Ministry of Agriculture on Sunday morning successfully hosted its first Farmers’ Market Day at the Lusignan Market tarmac on the East Coast of Demerara. Subject Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who was present and interacted with consumers and farmers at the market, told the Guyana Chronicle that the aim of hosting the event is to allow consumers the opportunity to purchase fresh commodities at affordable prices, as well as give farmers the opportunity to earn more for their produce. The initiative, he said, is a ‘win,-win’ for consumers, farmers and agro-processors. “This Farmers’ Market is a measure that we had in the budget, when the Finance

Minister would have [sic] read the budget in Parliament, he mentioned that this will be one of the measures to cushion the high cost of vegetables,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “It is a tremendous success; the farmers are getting higher prices for their produce, whilst the consumers are getting lower prices for the same items that they would purchase in the regular supermarket, so this here is a win, win for all stakeholders.” He noted that the Farmers’ Market initiative will be further expanded to all the other regions. “What we will be doing, we will be taking this all across the country and all the regions, so we can help to cushion the high cost of [commodities]. Also, we will make it a monthly activity.” Additionally, the ministry will be work-

Kelvin of Kelvin’s Taste showcasing his products

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha interacting with vendors at the farmers’ market on Sunday

ing along with various Regional Democratic Councils that have already established Farmers’ Markets to further boost their reach. Meanwhile, in praising the initiative, Kelvin (only name given) of Kelvin’s Taste, noted that the initiative is a great opportunity for local agro-processors like himself to market their products to consumers. “I think this is a very good thing the Ministry of Agriculture is doing because customers can come and get to buy for affordable prices.” Kelvin’s Taste is a local agro-processing company that specialises in production of flavoured hot sauces, green seasoning and tantalising cassareeps. Another Agro-processor, Swarswattie Paul, the owner of Fresh Packages shared similar sentiments.

“This was a very great initiative from the Ministry of Agriculture; this was so nice, because I sold out. I wish in the future they can plan more of this.” Meanwhile, Debbie Argyle, a farmer from the Mahaica’s Women Group, noted that within minutes of setting up her stand, she was able to completely sell out most of her produce. “We had celery, we had lettuce, we had broccoli, we had pepper, we had saltfish our own products and there all sold out,” Argyle said. Meanwhile, on the consumer end, Nicola Henry also lauded the initiative, stating, “The prices for commodities have recently been skyrocketing and this gives people the chance to get their basic food necessities and reasonable price.”

The farmers’ market in full swing

Debbie Argyle assists a customer

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Alleged grave robbers to make court appearance today TWO persons will face the court on Monday when they are expected to answer charges pertaining to simple larceny and damage to property. The two persons for court allegedly broke into the tomb of Vishnu Samaroo, 19, and carted off a cellphone and jewellery. Samaroo, called “Antonio,” lost the fight to cancer in January. The shocking discovery was made by the teen’s father Awad Samaroo on Wednesday morning when he visited the gravesite to

complete some tiling work. The body of his son was also pulled from the coffin. He described the incident as a “heartless act.” “He was a good human being when he was alive, didn’t do nobody nothing and them heartless, them bruk ah tomb, pull am out… cut out he hand just to pull out them rings,” the father said. Meanwhile, the mother of young Samaroo, Jasodra Sattur, 44, recalled her husband has been visiting the grave site to complete tiling work on the grave. On

Wednesday morning when he reached the site he was greeted with a gut-wrenching sight. “He see the tomb bruk and he see he son out the coffin and he start holler. Them haul out everything from inside ah coffin, them cut he hand and he two silver finger rings, he silver chain, he cellphone valued at $54,500 and money them gone with.” The mother said her son received those items for his birthday, which he celebrated in November. Meanwhile, the two sus-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

pects reportedly confessed to committing the act and told detectives that they learnt that the youth was buried with a lot of money. However, they stole only a cellphone and the rings and denied stealing the money. Further, they reportedly admitted that after they realised that the rings were artificial, they threw them away. The duo will appear at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Samaroo was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2021 and lost the battle in January 2022.

The vandalised grave site of Vishnu Samaroo

Training opportunities in health sector to be increased in 2022

AS part of efforts to improve the health sector, a number of training programmes, including a course for biomedical technicians, will be rolled out in 2022, and a number of healthcare workers will be given an opportunity to study abroad. This is according to Minister of Health Dr Anthony, who on Friday said that the biomedical technicians’ course will be a collaborative effort between his ministry and International Biomedical, a non-governmental organisation (NGO). “They would be offering this particular course to locals. We intend to train about 40 persons using this organisation and once trained, they will be able to do maintenance of a lot of the equipment that we have in the surgical theatres and so forth,” Dr Anthony said. Additionally, he mentioned that lots of other opportunities will become available this year, including the training of community health workers. These courses, he said, will be carried out in several regions inclusive of Regions One and Nine. “We will be running training to do pharmacy aides [and] laboratory aides…these are people who will have basic training in how to dispense, basic training in how to do simple tests in the laboratory, but these tests are absolutely essential for diagnosis, especially in the rural communities,” he added. Dr Anthony said that while these courses will be run in the various regions, there will also be a number of nursing training opportunities that will be available at the three nursing schools in the country. These courses include the registered nurse and midwifery programmes. He further stated that the medex and dentex training programmes will continue this year, while doctors will have access to post-graduate training, with available opportunities in Cuba, in the United States of America, at the University of the West Indies and at the local post-graduate institute. “So, during the year, a number of persons will be sent overseas for specialised training,” he added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Mental wellness –– denied and misunderstood By Vanessa Cort

I SENT the link of my last article on stress to a friend of mine in England and I was surprised and horrified by his reaction. He did not consider stress an illness and felt that those with wealth and fame are buffered by their money and simply “moaning” when the talk of feeling stressed. In fact, he declared that stress is a “self-inflicted condition” which he further termed a “modern condition”. After a back and forth in which I tried to change his view, which he clung to fiercely, I realised that there must be many more people out there who share his opinion, and dogmatically announce that mental illness on the whole is not “illness”. And herein lies the problem. Those who deny the breadth and depth of mental illness will ignore the signs in themselves and in those around them. They do not consider psychiatrists and psychologists/psychoanalysts as legitimate doctors and so will not seek professional help even if they do acknowledge feeling mentally unwell. However, when one of my daughters, during a discussion on the subject, asked the question: “Don’t people (the detractors) realise that the mind controls the body and if the mind is in trouble it will affect the body?” I could only add questions of my own. “Why is it that these naysayers can accept the fact of physical illness and reject those illnesses which affect the mind?” Why, indeed, would they not place even higher priority on conditions which adversely affect the controller of the body? Kendra Cherry, writing for ‘VERYWELL mind’, says “Denial is a type of defense mechanism that involves ignoring the reality of a situation to avoid anxiety.” She, however, goes on to say that this may be useful in helping people adapt in the short-term but it can also prevent them from addressing problems in their lives and from getting the treatment they need. This certainly applies to mental health. And indeed the first person to describe denial was none other than the world-renowned psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, who called it a refusal to acknowledge “upsetting facts about external events and internal ones”. However, it seems that while the medical profession has come to accept the reality of stress, various forms of depression, anxiety and other related mental health issues, a great

(Photo courtesy of thehansindia.com) many of us are still unwilling to give credence to this. And a staff report from the Mayo Clinic in the US points out that “you can be in denial about something happening to you or someone else”. So in my friend’s case, he is not only denying that stress can be felt by certain categories of people, such as the wealthy, but his opinion spills over to people in general, when he disparages stress as some sort of unnecessary complaining about one’s feelings. His is borne out by the Clinic report which states that when you are in denial you “downplay possible consequences of the issue”. And of course this means that things will only get worse. For just as a persistent stomach ache ignored can lead to an ulcer, so too can stress or anxiety ignored lead to greater mental issues. When this happens and people, in some cases, begin to display signs of mental instability we then start to take notice, and still in a negative way, often pronouncing them ‘mad’ and suggesting that they be shunted off to an institution for treatment. In its report the Clinic asks that we consider certain examples of unhealthy denial, such as a college student who witnesses a violent shooting but claims not to be affected by it. And I would ask those who deny the severity of mental illness and thus the importance of mental wellness, to consider the harmful repercussions that may result from ignoring it either in themselves or someone around them. For as the World Health Organisation (WHO) so succinctly says, “There is no health without mental health”.

Hospitals at Mabaruma, Leonora to be recommissioned soon THE hospitals at Mabaruma in Region One and Leonora in Region Three are to be recommissioned soon, according to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony. He made this disclosure late last week while providing an update on the works that are underway to have several hospitals in the country upgraded. Minister Anthony stated that works at the two health institutes were recently completed and this paves the way for the recommissioning. In late December, Anthony had stated that refurbishment of the operating theatre, Intensive Care Unit, recovery room and the maternity wards were completed at the Mabaruma Hospital. At that time, he mentioned that the emergency department was expected to be completed and that the hospital was expected

to become fully operational in January. Additionally, he noted that work will be done at the West Demerara Hospital in Region Three and by March, the tendering process for a company to do the construction will begin. Construction work will also be done at Bartica in Region Seven. Dr Anthony said: “So hopefully by mid of this year we would be able to start construction at West Demerara and Bartica. Similarly, we are in the process of going out to tender to get a company to do the construction of Bartica [Hospital].” To this end, the health minister noted that the six other hospitals that are set for upgrades are going through the necessary processes and as such, updates on the progress of those projects will be revealed as they become available.

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DCC retain First-Division two-day title

THE Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) has maintained their supremacy in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) when they won the First-Division two-day final on first-innings points against arch rivals, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) on Sunday in Queenstown. Scores: DCC 590-4 dec. (Trevon Griffith 300, Christopher Barnwell 175, Joshua Persaud 85; Winston Forrester 2-114, Ronaldo Alimohamed 2-141); and 105-4 (Raj Nanan 32*, Jamal Byron

27; Thaddeus Lovell 2-23, Forrester 1-1, Alimohamed 1-18) v GCC 92 all out (Forrester 25, Ryan Hemraj 21; Ashmead Nedd 4-8, Totaram Bishun 4-39) GCC only added two to their overnight total of 908, to be bowled out in 25.2 overs. DCC had made 590-4 declared in just 69.1 overs. Left-arm spinners, Ashmead Nedd and Totaram Bishun, worked their magic for a combined eight wickets. Nedd took a remarkable 4-8 from ten overs while Bishun had 4-39 from 8.2

overs. Steven Sankar (1-4) and Carlton Jacques (1-20) were the other wicket-takers. Despite a lead of 498, DCC opted not to enforce the follow-on and took strike again, when rain brought an end to play with DCC on t 105-4 after 27 overs. Sachin Singh looked responsible with 17 (3x4s) from 36 balls while Jamal Byron and Raj Nanan took the opportunity to form a 54run partnership for the fourth wicket. Both former national youth cricketers, Byron had

three fours in his 27 from 59 balls while Nanan was unbeaten on 32 (4x4s; 1x6 from 46 balls). Thaddeus Lovell took 2-23 while there was a wicket each for Forrester and Alimohamed. At the presentation ceremony, Trevon Griffith walked away with the most awards; he had the best bowling performance in Zone A – 8-53 against GCC in the preliminary stages; most wickets in preliminary stages -23; most runs in final – 300; and Man-of-the-Match.

Christopher Barnwell was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for Zone A with 425 (highest of 134) along with the best bowling performance of 6-16 against the University of Guyana, six catches, and one run out. Leon Johnson’s 200* against UG was the highest score for Zone A. In Zone B, Bhaskar Yadram with 275 runs for Everest Cricket Club, along with 15 wickets and a best of 7-70 and seven catches, was deemed Zone B’s MVP.

Gareth Delany’s 51 not out off 34 deliveries helped Ireland reach 158-5 final group game today. their opening game against Balbirnine put on 45 runs They must reach the final the UAE, Ireland knew anin the powerplay, reaching of the tournament in order other loss would end their 61 before captain Balbirnie to guarantee a berth at the hopes of reaching the main (33) was dismissed by JuWorld Cup in Australia. tournament. naid Aziz. Having fallen to defeat in Batting first, Stirling and Ireland, who struggled against the UAE’s spin on

Friday, were able to regroup and keep their run-rate hovering around seven for the duration of their innings. Delany’s impressive 51 off 34 balls, including three sixes, took them to a competitive total. Despite Muhammad Younis and Sarfaraz Ali’s opening stand of 37, Bahrain were not making enough runs to panic Ireland, with Young eventually removing the top order to put his side on course for victory. When Veerapathiran arrived at the crease Bahrain still required 73 runs with just 5.3 overs remaining. He produced an unbeaten and entertaining innings that included four sixes against spinner Simi Singh, but could not inflict enough damage to bring his side back into the game. (BBC Sport)

T20 World Cup qualifier Ireland re-ignite hopes with vital Bahrain win

IRELAND kept their hopes of reaching the Twenty20 World Cup alive, with a vital 21run win over Bahrain in Oman. Opening pair Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie shared a second consecutive half-century stand to set up Ireland’s total of 158-5. Gareth Delany backed up the fast start with an unbeaten 51 as Bahrain were set a winning target of 159. Despite Sathaiya Veerapathiran’s 14-ball 33 they never looked likely to chase that down. Craig Young was the pick of Ireland’s attack, taking three wickets for just 16 runs in his four overs. Ireland can book their place in the semi-final of the qualifying competition by beating Germany in their

Franklin ready to compete...

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FROM PAGE 23 Singles title at the 2022 Senior Nationals, will lead the female charge. She will be joined by 2020 champion, Natalie Cummings and third-place finisher, Priscilla Greaves. If funds are available, 11-year-old Winfer Gardens Primary School student, Jasmine Billingy, could also travel. The youngster made her mark in the recently concluded National Championship by serving her way to several titles, including the Cadet, Junior and the U-21 titles. Another dominant youngster, 15-year-old Jonathan Van Lange, who stormed his way to wins in the junior and senior divisions, including the U-21, ‘B’ Division and Men’s Doubles, was also selected. Miguel Wong, who finished second in the ‘B’ Division and joint third with Van Lange in the Men’s Singles, was also selected in the national side. Idi Lewis will travel as coach.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Super subs earn Man United 4-2 victory over Leeds in thriller

By Peter Hall

LEEDS, England, (Reuters) - Second-half goals from substitutes Fred and Anthony Elanga earned Manchester United a 4-2 victory over Leeds United in a thriller at Elland Road in the Premier League on Sunday. In a red-hot atmosphere, the visitors took the lead in

the 34th minute, with captain Harry Maguire heading home to score his side’s first league goal from a corner all season. As the rain became more torrential, United compounded the home side’s woes when Bruno Fernandes, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture earlier this season, squeezed another header into the net in first-half stoppage time.

But keeping hold of halftime leads has been one of United’s problem of late, having failed to win when leading at the break in three of their previous four matches in all competitions. And so it proved again as Leeds turned the match on its head with two goals in less than a minute early in the second half. First Spanish forward

Rodrigo’s cross looped over United stopper David de Gea and into the net, and then Dan James squared for Leeds substitute Raphinha to level, lifting the roof off the stadium. The visitors rode the storm, however, and eventu-

it was a tough place to come but we knew we had qualities and could hurt them,” Maguire told Sky Sports We said at half time we needed to score more in the second half and we managed to do that.”

danced past Adam Forshaw, squared for Cristiano Ronaldo, who looked certain to score from just a few metres out, but Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier got across to make a fine save. United continued to grow into the match, and deserved-

Substitutes Anthony Elanga and Fred were both on target for Manchester United ally got their reward as Fred put his side in front 20 minutes from time before Elanga settled the contest with a late fourth. The result moved fourthplaced United onto 46 points, four behind Chelsea in third, while Leeds stay 15th, five points above the relegation zone. “We had to fight back and stick together, we knew

Taking on their rivals from across the border in Lancashire and Greater Manchester for the first time in front of fans at Elland Road in the Premier League in 19 years, Leeds started well and went close through Jack Harrison early on. As the atmosphere calmed somewhat, French midfielder Paul Pogba

ly took the lead as Maguire climbed highest to head home United’s first league goal from a corner since April 2021. The goal that put United further in front was a fine move from one end of the pitch to the other, with Jadon Sancho, clipping the ball onto the head of Fernandes for his ninth league goal of the season.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

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Super subs earn Man United 4-2 victory over Leeds in thriller AMIR Khan has admitted that his loss to Kell Brook could well be his last fight, saying he fears taking more “harmful punishment” and wants to spend more time with his family. Khan was sensationally stopped by Brook in the sixth round to settle one of British boxing’s most bitter rivalries. Speaking after the fight at Manchester Arena, 35-yearold Khan said he had “been in the game a very long time”. “I’ve done more than I ever expected,” he said. “Maybe I peaked too early. I was at the Olympics at 17; I won the world title at 22. I’m 35 now -- I’ve been in the game a very long time. “I’m an old man. I want to spend time with my kids and my family.”

Amir Khan was stopped in the sixth round after being outclassed by Kell Brook Brook had Khan on unsteady legs from the first round as he landed the bigger shots throughout the fight, and after two punishing right uppercuts followed a left

hook in the sixth, referee Victor Loughlin waved off the contest. Bolton fighter Khan, who was heavily bruised, said retirement was “definitely”

an option. Asked whether it could be his last fight, Khan said: “I’ll sit down with my family but I think it could be. “I’ve always said I never want boxing to retire me; I want to retire from boxing. “I know I showed a big heart and took some big shots today, but sometimes too much of that [punishment] can be harmful in the future.” After all of the heated build-up to a fight between former world champions that had been 17 years in the making, Khan praised his opponent’s tenacity. “Credit goes to Kell, he put on a great performance,” Khan said. “No excuses -- the better man [won]. He boxed out of his skin. I never expected that from him.

“The training camp I had for the fight was the best training camp. I don’t want to have anyone blame [his coaching team] because they did everything they needed to. “I put my hands up and take full fault. We didn’t leave any stone unturned.” ‘I think we’re all right now’ Sheffield fighter Brook also did not rule out retirement, but said he would fight again if it was the right bout. The 35-year-old admitted Khan had become someone he despised after years of chasing the fight, but the pair did share an embrace inside the ring after the fight. The pleasantries continued in the news conference afterwards. “He’s had a fantastic ca-

reer,” said Brook. “He’s been to America, he’s won world titles; he’s been involved in some massive fights. “He’ll have to sit like I will and see if we do want to carry on. “But we’ve shared the ring together and I think we’re all right now.” Speaking about his own career immediately after the fight, Brook said: “I can live at peace with Amir Khan on my record. “My mojo is back and I love this game. We will listen to loved ones and see, but I’m back, baby. “I can walk away but I could fight [Chris] Eubank [Jr]. I don’t like Eubank. If the fight is right I will fight - I’m a prize-fighter. (BBC Sport)

Kusal Mendis stars as Sri Lanka win fifth T20I against Australia

KUSAL Mendis hit an unbeaten match-winning 69 and skipper Dasun Shanaka blasted 35 as Sri Lanka won the fifth and final Twenty20 against Australia by five wickets on Sunday to prevent a series whitewash. The home side won all four previous games, three of them convincingly, and when skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and batted they were eyeing a big total. But they were exposed early on by some impressive Sri Lankan bowling. Australia struggled to 58 for three off 10 overs before late fireworks from Matthew Wade (43 off 27 balls) and Daniel Sams (18 off 15) ensured a competitive 154 for six. With nothing to lose, Sri Lanka were up to the task. Mendis and Shanaka shared an 83-run stand to send the game to the wire with nine needed off the last over from Kane Richardson, which they achieved with a ball to spare in a thrilling finale. Sri Lanka batted without fear early in the run chase, slapping 21 in the first three overs. But it was a risky approach and Pathum Nissanka holed out to Glenn Maxwell off Richardson

for 13 then debutant Kamil Mishara was run out for one in the same over. Charith Asalanka made a quickfire 20 before Janith Liyanage was also run out for eight after an inexplicable miscommunication with Mendis to leave them at 71 for four after nine overs. But Mendis was batting beautifully and with Shanaka steadied the ship to move within 41 runs off the final five overs, bringing up his sixth career half-century off 43 balls. They reduced the gap to nine off the last over. Shanaka hit a two then a huge six, but in a dramatic finish was then out before Richardson went off with a hamstring injury. It left Daniel Sams to bowl the last two balls with Chamika Karunaratne getting the winning run. Earlier, Sri Lanka bowled impressively to stymie Australia. Under pressure to get the scoreboard moving, Finch swung his bat at Dushmantha Chameera in the fourth over and was caught for eight by Lahiru Kumara -- another failure for the captain.

BCB targeting 50 per cent crowd for Afghan series

THE Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is making all possible attempts to have at least a 50 per cent crowd in attendance for Afghanistan’s upcoming tour to Bangladesh. The tour consists of three One Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals. While all three of the ODIs will be hosted in Chattogram the two T20Is are scheduled to be played in Mirpur. In the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League, the BCB was initially in all readiness to hold full capacity crowds, however, were later forced to alter their plans owing to the Omicron variant. Though the fans were eventually allowed into the grounds for the playoffs and finals, the attendance allow-

ance was limited only to three to four thousand spectators. However, ahead of the Afghanistan series, the BCB is in talks with concerned authorities to be permitted a minimum of 50 per cent occupancy. Notably, many international series and domestic T20 leagues have been held behind closed doors since COVID first hit the world in 2019. However, with the positivity rate across the globe on a decline and with the introduction of vaccinations, several countries have now started holding matches with partial crowds in attendance, with a few even permitting full houses. For instance, major tournaments like the IPL and World T20 that were held last year saw spectators attending albeit in a limited capacity.

“As per government instruction, we have been allowed to have around 3,000 to 4000 spectators in the stadium in Chattogram while around 5,000 in Mirpur. Our board president [Nazmul Hassan] is working hard to get permission from the government to allow more spectators. We want at least fifty per cent spectators,” said the chairman of the BCB’s media committee Tanvir Islam Titu. Coming to Bangladesh and Afghanistan series, the tour commences with the first ODI being played on February 23, the T20I series that follows will kickstart the preparations for both sides leading into the World T20 being held in Australia at the end of this year. (CricTracker)

Kusal Mendis hit a match – winning 69 for the Sri Lankans Ben McDermott soon followed, out for three after slogging at Praveen Jayawickrama to leave Australia on 13 for two off five overs. Josh Inglis and Maxwell got the scoreboard moving before the dangerous Inglis suffered a blow to the helmet from Chameera. He was fine, but a replay showed the ball clipped his glove on the way through and he was given out caught and bowled after a fiery 23. Australia crawled to the half-way mark at 58 for three before Kumara bagged the key wickets of Marcus Stoinis (17) and Maxwell (29) in the same over, leaving it to Wade and Sams to hit out and add vital late runs. (NDTV Sports)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

Djokovic eager to play again after deportation from Australia

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during practice REUTERS/Suhaib Sale DUBAI, (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic was looking forward to kick-starting his 2022 season in Dubai following his deportation from Australia, and said he would be the first to congratulate U.S. Open champion Danil Medvedev if the Russian ends his twoyear reign at the top of the world rankings this week. The 34-year-old Serbian will play competitively from today for the first time this year in his opening Dubai

Duty Free Championships match against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, ranked 57th in the world. “I am as well prepared as I possibly can be and excited to again be able to tour,” he told a press conference on Sunday. Djokovic, who is chasing his 6th tournament win in Dubai, said he resumed training about 10 days after he was deported from Australia and had been playing tennis for the past three

PIERRE-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first Barcelona goals by registering a hat-trick as they extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to nine matches with victory at Valencia. Aubameyang, who joined from Arsenal for free on 2 February, slammed in the opener on his first La Liga start. Frenkie de Jong tapped in a second and Aubameyang converted from close range, despite a VAR check for offside. Carlos Soler pulled one back before Aubameyang notched a fortunate third. Substitute Pedri appeared to have scored Barcelona’s fourth but his powerful 25-yard effort glanced Aubameyang’s back on its way in. The goal was initially given to 19-year-old Pedri but was later awarded to Aubameyang. He could have added a fourth goal late on when a ball fell his way in the box, only for home keeper Giorgi

Mamardashvili to deny the 32-year-old. Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets said: “Since Aubameyang arrived, he has been working hard. We know he hasn’t played many minutes this season. “He is a fabulous player and having him in the squad, having come here for free, is really positive for us.” Barca manager Xavi will be thrilled with his side’s efficiency as they extended their unbeaten run in the league, which now stretches back to 4 December. In the opening half, their three shots produced three goals as Valencia paid for a slack 15-minute spell in which Barca’s quick passing clicked. Valencia - now seven games without a win in the league - thought they had made it 3-1 before the break but Soler was denied, with VAR for the first time ever ruling out a goal in La Liga, because the ball had gone out of play for a throw in. Soler powered in a diving header after half-time

Aubameyang opens Barcleona account with hat-trick

weeks. “I did my best to put myself in a good position tennis-wise and mentally as well ... I’m really happy to be playing again.” The world number one, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, was flown out of Australia after an 11-day ordeal, at the discretion of the country’s immigration minister over concerns the tennis star could fuel anti-vax sentiment. Djokovic has said that he is not an anti-vaxxer and that his refusal to be vaccinated stems from uncertainty over how a coronavirus vaccination could affect his playing performance. World number two Medvedev, who is playing in the Mexican Open this month, could dethrone Djokovic depending on how well each player performs in their respective tournaments. “Eventually it’s going to happen and if it happens this week, I’ll be the first one to congratulate him,” Djokovic said. Medvedev was runner-up in last month’s Australian Open.

Heather Knight: Get goosebumps imagining what retaining the trophy would mean!

England captain Heather Knight IT’S pretty surreal to feel so near to a World Cup and yet so far away! Throwing rolled up socks into your bed to keep ticking over wasn’t how I imagined our build-up for this tournament back in 2017 but an awful lot has happened in the world since then. As I write this, we’re on day five of our quarantine and we’re not far away from being let out, thanks to the New Zealand Government’s change of isolation rules! We’re obviously looking forward to being allowed back out to train. Some of us cope better than others in quarantine but we’ve been trying to keep busy. We’ve been up to our eyebrows in crosswords, Sophie Ecclestone has been running HIIT classes on Zoom, Freya Davies organised a brilliant quiz (including ‘Guess the baby picture’, which was brilliant) and I’ve taken some inspiration from watching a documentary on

the first all-female crew to take part in the Whitbread Round the World Race. It’s called Maiden and it features some amazing women – a documentary that I would very much recommend. As a group, we need to reset and refocus after an Ashes series that didn’t go our way. I was really pleased with how we started the series. We went toe to toe with Australia and heading into the ODI leg of the series, the scoreline could easily have been different to the 6-4 deficit we found ourselves facing. As it was, there just wasn’t enough mental energy to go back to the well and fight back in the ODI series. A multi-format Ashes series is incredibly demanding and when you throw in COVID, it becomes tougher again. That’s no excuse – we didn’t deserve to win the series – but I think it goes some way to explaining our performances across the last two ODIs which I don’t think were befitting of the team

that we are. I want us to use that in the World Cup – there’s lots we need to take out of the Ashes to come back tougher and more united in order to try and retain our trophy. World Cups are truly special events. There’s nothing that quite compares, and you always feel privileged to be a part of it. We’ve got a few faces who’ve been there and done it before, but we’ve also got a number of players who are taking part in a World Cup for the first time. I think we saw that mix of youth and experience at its best when we were at our best in the Ashes, and I’m keen to see us come out and play with some excitement when we do get out of our bedrooms. Obviously, I still think back to that day at Lord’s and what it meant to lift that trophy. The journey that the women’s game has been on in England and Wales since that day is one I’m hugely proud to be a part of. I sometimes get goosebumps imagining what retaining the trophy would mean to the game back home, to all those young girls, and to each and every one of the players and staff who give everything they have for this team. But we’ve got a lot of hard work to do before we can start daydreaming about potential success – starting with our warm-up games. I know that we’ll leave nothing out there. (ICC Media)

Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored three times in their La Liga win at Valencia. (Credit: EPA)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

but Aubameyang’s deflected third put an end to any comeback hopes. “It’s been an important victory today,” added Busquets. “In the first half we were very efficient. That allowed us to dominate the game. It meant we were calm enough to play in our style. I think it was a good performance. “In other games we have got ahead but have not been able to dominate and rivals have got back into the game. Today we did the job.”(BBC Sport).

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -- 83 Garnett

(Monday February 21, 2022)

Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Malcolm Marshall --76 wickets (17 matches)

(2)

Kapil Dev -- 89 wickets (25 matches)

Today’s Quiz: (1)

Which West Indian has played most Test matches against India to date?

(2)

Which India player has contested most Test matches against the WI to

date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue ……………………………………………………………………………………………

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

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Windies left empty-handed after six-match white-ball tour of India ...go down by 17 runs in final T20I

KOLKATA, India, (CMC) – West Indies watched a late challenge fizzle out as they crashed to a heart-breaking 17-run defeat to India in the final Twenty20 International here Sunday, to leave the six-match white-ball tour of the subcontinent with nothing to show for their efforts. In pursuit of 185 at Eden Gardens in order to avoid a second whitewash on the tour, West Indies remained in the hunt deep into the contest but once left-hander Nicholas Pooran was dismissed for 61 at the start of the 18th over with 38 required from 18 deliveries, the run chase was quickly derailed. All-rounder Romario Shepherd tried to salvage the chase with a robust 29 off 21 balls, including a four and three sixes, but seamers Harshal Patel (3-22) and Shardul Thakur (2-33) combined to snuff out any linger-

ing threat from the tourists. The result came on the back of a six-wicket loss in the opening T20I and an eight-run defeat two days ago, the series loss following up a similar whitewash in the preceding One-Day International series in Ahmedabad. “Learning to execute at the back end is something we need to work on. From a bowling perspective, I thought that for the first 14, 15 overs in this game, we had India actually right where we wanted them,” captain Kieron Pollard said afterwards. And [that has happened] right throughout the series, it was just a matter of trying to finish off the games at the back end. “From a batting perspective, we did fairly decently. It was just a matter of overhauling the total in front of us.” Opting to bowl first, West Indies appeared to be

shackling the hosts when they limited them to 98 for four after 15 overs. However, Suryakumar Yadav exploded to top score with 65 off 31 balls, powering a 91-run, fifth wicket stand with Venkatesh Iyer (35 not out) as India gathered 86 runs from the last 30 balls to end on 184 for five. Suryakumar belted a four and seven incredible sixes while Venkatesh chipped in with four fours and a couple of sixes, undermining all of West Indies’ previous good work. Holder had earlier knocked over Ruturaj Gaikwad (4) cheaply in the third over with 10 runs on the board but opening partner Ishan Kishan (34) and Shreyas Iyer (25) posted 53 for the second wicket to stabilise the innings. Both fell in the space of eight balls with three runs added as India lost three wickets for 30 runs before Suryakumar took charge.

Romario Shepherd goes on the attack during his cameo 29 in Sunday’s third T20 International (Photo courtesy BCCI) West Indies stumbled early in their run chase when both openers, Kyle Mayers (6) and Shai Hope (8) fell in identical fashion to seamer Deepak Chahar (2-15); both batsmen nicking full length deliveries behind. But Pooran and the inform Rovman Powell (25) counter-attacked in a 47-run, third wicket stand, ensuring the required run rate

Franklin ready to compete at Caribbean TT Championships

Nicholas Pooran top scored for West Indies with an innings of 63

remained within easy reach. Pooran, with half-centuries in his last two innings, thumped eight fours and a six as he raced to his eighth T20I half-century off 39 balls in the 16th over, while Powell clubbed two fours and two sixes in a 14-ball cameo. India regained control when Powell was brilliantly caught at fine leg off Harshal in the seventh over, the dis-

missal sparking a slide which saw West Indies lose four wickets for 27 runs to slip to 100 for six in the 12th over. Pooran and Shepherd then added 48 off 31 balls for the seventh wicket to set the game up nicely but Pooran’s dismissal, skying to wicketkeeper Kishan, ended West Indies’ hopes of rescuing something from the series.

- expects tough challenge from Spanish-speaking nations

pete and to vie for medals.” The 37-year-old said that he intends to use the March 1-9 tournament to gauge his current competitive level with his regional counterparts. Last Sunday, the experienced Franklin defeated his rival, Shemar Britton 4-2 in the final of the Men’s Sin-

gles at the Senior National Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Britton and fellow Caribbean U-21 champion, Chelsea Edghill, are also in the team and would likewise look to make their mark. The Olympian, Edghill, who won the National TURN TO PAGE 19

THE International Cricket Council (ICC), in partnership with Cricket West Indies (CWI), has launched a Foundation Certificate that is designed to empower ICC members to grow the game in their respective countries and provide a quality playing experience for all participants. The free, online accreditation has been developed specifically for coaches who are coaching at the entry level stages of the player pathway as well as for those who would like to utilize

the training resource as a platform to attain further accreditation. The certificate represents the launch of the global ICC Training and Education Programme and is a significant milestone for the development of cricket around the world. The course is selfpaced, delivered entirely online and allows participants to explore a range of modules focusing on the basics of the game, Safety & Inclusion, the Participants, the role of the Coach, as well as how to create effec-

Shemar Britton (left) and Chelsea Edghill are former Caribbean U-21 champions

CWI partners with ICC to develop global training and education programme

Christopher Franklin is the reigning four-time Senior National male table tennis champion REIGNING national fourIn an invited comment, time table tennis champion, he said that he is aware of Christopher Franklin, is the dominance of Spancautiously optimistic about ish-speaking nations, such Guyana’s chances at the as Cuba, Puerto Rico and 2022 Senior Caribbean Ta- the Dominican Republic, but ble Tennis Championships will give it his best shot. which is scheduled for ear“As you know there will ly next month in Havana, be some really tough teams Cuba. there but I’m excited to com-

tive training and enjoyable game-day environments. CWI’s Coach Development Manager, Chris Brabazon, shared his thoughts on the process: “The ICC have been fantastic to work with as we developed the structure and content of the accreditation, and then to utilise their resources to place the certificate online has been a huge boost for not only us, but for many other member nations. This course represents a significant step towards our strategic goal of making

coach-development opportunities more accessible for our committed coaches and volunteers across the region. The timing of this course going live will enable us to bolster and prepare our network of coaches for the relaunch of ourgrass roots cricket programmes across the region. This certificate is also the springboard for coaches to then go on and participate in one of our face to face CWI Level 1 Competition Coach Courses.” (CWI)

DCC retain First-Division two-day title

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 21, 2022

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The victorious Demerara Cricket Club players celebrate their triumphant defence of the Georgetown Cricket Association First-Division two-day title (Photo: Elvin Croker)

India U-19 captain Yash Dhull hit twin centuries on Ranji Trophy debut

AFTER leading India to their fifth Under-19 World Cup earlier this month, Yash Dhull began his senior career with a century in each innings of his Ranji Trophy debut. The 19-year-old followed his 113 against Tamil Nadu with an unbeaten 113 on Sunday. He is only the third Indian- after Nari Contractor for Gujarat in 1952/53 and Virag Awate for Maharashtra in 2012/13- to score a hundred in each innings on his Ranji Trophy debut. Delhi were reeling at 7-2 on day one when Dhull, opening for the first time in his career, showed remarkable maturity to bail the team out of trouble and help them to 452. However, his thunder was stolen by Shahrukh Khan, who got Tamil Nadu the first innings lead with a sensational 194 off 148 balls. Dhull on the final day with Dhruv Shorey (107* off 165) batted for 60.5 overs to take Delhi to 228 for no loss in the second innings. Dhull completed his century with a classical cover drive off Shahrukh Khan and followed it with a four and six before the players shook hands for a draw. Delhi coach Raj Kumar Sharma feels that the youngster should be fast-tracked into the Indian

Yash Dhull became the third player to score a century in each innings on Ranji Trophy debut.(Twitter)

team. “He is ready to take the next step. He has got the temperament to excel at the senior level,” he said. Assistant coach Gursharan Singh, a former India batter, said: “Both the innings were top notch. On the first day, he showed exceptional maturity and batted according to the team’s requirements, but today he displayed the other side of his game. It was a flawless inning.” Unfazed by the adulation, Dhull is already focusing on the next match against Jharkhand, starting February 24. “India khelna hai magar filhaal baaki ke dono matches pe focus hai (I want to play for India, but right now, the focus is on the remaining matches),” Dhull told this paper. “I have set myself a goal that I will play senior India in the next 18 to 24 months. Till now, it has been a dream ride, but hard work will begin now. I will have to score bucketloads of runs to get there. From tomorrow, I will start training for the match against Jharkhand. The thumb rule of cricket is to take one game at a time,” added Dhull, who had scored 229 runs in four innings at an average of 76.33 and strike rate of 85.44 in the U-19 World Cup. (Indian Express)

Windies left empty handed after six-match white-ball tour of India Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2022