Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_03_10_2020

TUESDAY 10th March, 2020

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‘Law and Order

No.105935

must prevail’ SEE PAGE 03

---- President urges citizens to remain calm as they await the judicial process ---- calls on Opposition to desist from fuelling mistruths, division President David Granger

GPA alerts int’l body to threats on journalists 09 'De-escalate the tension!'

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--- Bhagwan, Kwayana put 09 responsibility in politicians’ hands

Ghalee Khan nabbed at JFK after 10-year run PAGE

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…was a member of PSC elections observer team

Youths of Georgetown celebrating Phagwah, Guyanese-style on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Guyanese celebrate Phagwah despite several events being cancelled NOTWITHSTANDING the cancellation of several annual Phagwah celebration events, it was Phagwah as usual in several parts for many Guyanese who took to the streets with water guns, buckets, and powder to celebrate the national event on Monday.

Given the current political and racial tensions in some parts of the country over the past few days, some were even more determined to celebrate the event, seeing it as an opportune time for Guyanese to celebrate their unity in diversity.

“It has come at a great time to help foster national unity, so we’re happy to be supportive of each other’s culture, regardless of our differences, our similarities are more powerful and worthwhile,” commented former Georgetown Councillor, and radio personality, Malcolm Ferreira, as he celebrated the holiday with others in James Street Albouystown Ferreira added: “Phagwah is a chance for people of our community to come together,

Phagwah celebrations in James Street, Albouystown (Adrian Narine photo)

A family celebrates Phagwah in Eccles

we haven’t seen the usual crowd, but the neighbourhood is celebrating. Constituency 10 is a multicultural, multiethnic area, we celebrate Phagwah with everyone who celebrates

last week announced that the event at the Stadium was cancelled this year. Though some were bothered by the news, for others the celebration must go on regardless.

“We have to do it, we can’t look at other people. We have to celebrate it because at the end of the day this is our happiness,” commented Navin Persaud, who was celebrating the festival in Eccles.

Persaud noted that while the Phagwah celebration was not as it usually is, he was still celebrating by visiting family members around his community.

Persaud shared that himself and family started their celebrations since Sunday, and planned to go throughout the day on Monday.

“Since 2 o’ clock yesterday, and we go on ‘til this morning, take a two hour sleep wake up back and start again.

We going to keep going until later on tonight. We made some vermicelli, mittai, channa, parasad and them kind of thing,” Persaud, yesterday, shared with smiles, as a family

with us.”

A Hindu festival, Phagwah, or Holi as it is internationally called, is a festival of love or colours that signifies the victory of good over

Former Georgetown Councillor, Malcolm Ferreira (centre) celebrates Phagwah on James Street Albouystown with friends

evil and marks the arrival of Spring. Notwithstanding its religious origination, the holiday has evolved to be traditionally

celebrated nationally by all Guyanese, regardless of ethnicity and religion.

Several Hindu Organi-

Navin Persaud (left) celebrates Phagwah with a family member in Eccles

sations would celebrate with massive events held usually at the Guyana National Stadium and other parts of Georgetown.

However, Dr. Yog Mahadeo,

member covered his face in red powder.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

'Law and Order Must Prevail'

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---- President urges citizens to remain calm as they await the judicial process ---- calls on Opposition to desist from fuelling mistruths, division PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER, in a statement on Monday, has urged Guyanese to remain calm and to desist from engaging in activities likely to raise tensions as they await the decision of the Chief Justice on how the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should treat with its final declaration on the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In the statement, the President acknowledged that the Opposition has been spreading a narrative that is “no more than a falsification of reality” which has contributed to disorder and violence in society.

“Guyanese, we have all witnessed the lawlessness and violence that have been unleashed on innocent school children, citizens and police officers in several districts of our country. Our security forces have been working to quell disorder and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said, further assuring: “It is my sworn duty, as President, to uphold the Constitution and keep our citizens safe. I intend to do so. I will not allow political malefactors to hijack our democracy and compromise public order and human safety. Law and order will be maintained.”

The President said that contrary to the mistruths being spread by the Opposition, Chairman of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh has indicated that she will await the outcome of that matter before making a final announcement.

Furthermore, the Head of State said that there will be no swearing-in ceremony of the President until this is done.

“I assure the nation that, at all times, I have acted in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana.

After the elections on March 2, the nation awaited the declaration of the results by the Elections Commission after completing its work.

GECOM is an independent constitutional agency over which I and the Executive have no control. I assure you, that as President, I cannot, did not and will not interfere in the work of GECOM,” he said.

“I am confident that there will be a peaceful and lawful resolution to this issue in a short period of time. I appeal to you to join me in allowing the judicial system to perform its functions. I appeal to you to allow the Elections Commission to execute its mandate to deliver credible elections to the Guyanese

people.”

President Granger also

the interruption of GECOM’s work.

President David Granger

chastised the Opposition for the undeniable creation of an “atmosphere of intimidation and fear” at the office of the Returning Officer (RO) of Region Four, which led to

The Opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), has been roundly condemned by a number of groups for invading the command centre of GECOM

between the night of March 4, 2020 and the whole of March 5, 2020.

Several live Facebook videos from inside the building showed Leader of Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo telling International Observers that Justice (Ret’d) Singh was being held against her will and the police is complicit.

“Let’s see the chair! Let’s see the chair! Let’s see the chair,” a number of persons were heard chanting amid heavy police presence within the facility.

The chants later turned into a physical confrontation with ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as the agents --- mainly men ---associated with the PPP/C and a number of other smaller political parties attempted to bulldoze their way into the room in which the GECOM Chair was located.

The President said that while such “lawless” actions of party leaders do not send the right example to citizens, Guyanese nonetheless must understand that they will have to live together despite the outcome of the elections.

“Guyanese, I acknowledge that, one week after General and Regional Elections were held, we have not yet had the final declaration of results and uncertainty and

Guyanese celebrate Phagwah despite ...

The holiday is celebrated with colourful powder and water which celebrants douse each other in. There is also the cooking and sharing of Indian snacks called “sweet meats,” while some cook “seven curry” to celebrate the event.

In Foreshaw Street Alberttown, the celebration was in full swing for a group of children and adults, who said there was never any doubt for those in the street that they would be celebrating the Hindu holiday as per normal.

“We planned it yesterday.

It’s something that we come out and celebrate every year. It’s nice to celebrate and know that we’re not racial and everyone cooperates among themselves.

I’m grateful that Foreshaw Street Alberttown don’t have no racism,” noted 29 year old Amanda Benn.

Benn noted also that in celebration of the holiday the group had come together and was cooking a number of Indian

dishes and sweet meats, while playing Indian music.

For the children the celebration was a representation of a time to have fun in unity and rising above differences.

“I like when ‘nuff people play. The water, powder, I love to celebrate Phagwah. It’s better than we fighting, when all of we come together and just play together,” noted 16-yearold Lakeram Dass, who spent most of the early part of the day getting soaked.

His sentiments were shared by 14-year-old Suraiya Islam, who said: “We’ve had good fun just wetting and playing with everyone and being together.”

In Agricola, persons came out in their numbers as DJ Six and Family Entertainment maintained their annual pool party and family fun day, where three inflatable swimming pools were assembled, as well as a trampoline for the children. There was also a bar and barbeque.

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unease have arisen,” President Granger said.

“Guyanese, I appeal to you to remain calm and not to engage in any activity which can lead to the heightening of tensions in society. I urge you to go about your business in a peaceful manner. Some damage has already been done to social relations in our communities. We must repair that damage. Guyanese are asked to contribute to ensuring that we maintain law and order at all costs. Guyana is a lawful State. We must allow the institutions which we revere and on which we rely to work to ensure that there will be a fair outcome to the issue which we now face. Guyanese will continue to live with each other. We must not allow ourselves to be provoked into taking any action which will engender hate or disharmony.”

The case on the aforementioned matter will be heard today at 15:00hrs.

Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire has called on all of the parties involved to be responsible in their actions, noting that while the ruling may not be pleasing in the eyes of all, the court’s decision must be respected.

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A group celebrates Phagwah on Foreshaw Street Alberttown (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Global shares plunge in worst day since financial crisis (BBC) Shares around the world had their worst day since the financial crisis with the dramatic falls leading to the day being dubbed "Black Monday".

The main financial indexes in the US closed down by more than 7%, while London's index of top shares ended the day nearly 8% lower.

Similar drops took place across Europe and Asia as a row between Russia and Saudi Arabia saw oil prices plunge.

Shares were already reeling from fears of the impact of coronavirus.

Analysts described the market reaction as "utter carnage".

In the US, the major

stock indexes fell so sharply at the start of trading, that the buying and selling of shares was halted for 15 minutes, as a so-called "circuit breaker" aimed at curbing panicky selling came into effect.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank by 7.8% or more than 2,000 points - the biggest points-drop in history and the largest decline in percentage terms since the financial crisis. The S&P 500 fell 7.6%, while the Nasdaq dropped about 7.3%.

The declines in London wiped some ÂŁ125bn off the value of major UK firms.

The UK and US falls were mirrored by similar declines in Europe, with the main stock market indexes in

France, Germany and Spain all closing over 7% lower.

"There is panic setting into the market right now," said Andrew Lo, professor of finance at MIT's Sloan School of Management.

"Things are going to get worse before they get better."

Oil output disputes The dramatic drops were triggered by a row between Saudi Arabia and Russia over oil output.

Saudi Arabia said it would slash prices and pump more oil, sparking fears of a price war. This came after

Tuesday, March 10, 2020 –– 05:00 hrs

Russia rejected a proposal by oil exporters to cut supply to cope with lower demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Analysts said Saudi Arabia was "flexing its muscles" to protect its position in the oil market.

On Monday, the price of international oil benchmark Brent fell almost a third in its biggest drop since the Gulf War in 1991 before recovering slightly to trade 20% lower.

The price of oil had already fallen sharply this year as the coronavirus began to

spread internationally, with demand for fuel expected to decline.

'Surprising' decision Those conditions make Saudi Arabia's decision to increase output "extremely surprising", said Stewart Glickman, an energy equity analyst at CFRA Research.

"This is not the first time that we've had a shock to the oil market, but it is the first time that I can recall that you've had a supply shock and a demand shock at the same time," he said.

"The craziness that you're seeing in the oil prices today, and companies related to oil and gas, is a reflection of this being pretty unprecedented."

In the US and UK, oil firms led the market declines, with shares in Shell, BP and Chevron down about 15% or more. Premier Oil saw its shares more than halve in value.

In Frankfurt and Paris, banks were hit hardest, while the Russian rouble tumbled about 8% to its weakest level since 2016.

In Brazil, steep falls in morning trade also triggered a temporary pause with shares ending the day down 12%.

Earlier, Asian markets had also fallen sharply, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index down 5% while Australia's ASX 200 slumped 7.3% its biggest daily drop since 2008.

In China, the benchmark Shanghai Composite fell 3%, while in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index sank 4.2%.

Elsewhere on the markets, the price of gold hitting a seven-year high at one point, trading at $1,700 per ounce. Gold is often seen as a desirable asset to hold in times of uncertainty.

And in a historic moment, demand for benchmark UK government bonds for two-, three-, four-, six- and seven-year maturities pushed prices so high that yields - or the rate of return on the bond

- briefly turned negative for the first time. A negative yield means investors will lose money from holding the bond.

Why should I care if stock markets fall?

Many people's initial reaction to "the markets" is that they are not directly affected, because they do not invest money.

Yet there are millions of people with a pension - either private or through work who will see their savings (in what is known as a defined contribution pension) invested by pension schemes. The value of their savings pot is influenced by the performance of these investments.

So big rises or falls can affect your pension, but the advice is to remember that pension savings, like any investments, are usually a long-term bet.

'Far-reaching economic effects' While people have in the past responded to lower oil prices with making travel plans and other spending, the coronavirus is likely to curb that response, said Beth Ann Bovino, chief US economist at S&P Global Ratings.

And economists have said that if the decline in oil prices continue, they are likely to have far-reaching economic effects. This could potentially raise risk in debt markets or hurt investment in the energy sector, which plays an important economic role in many parts of the US. With uncertainty about the economy driven by questions about the coronavirus outbreak, leaders have a "limited window of opportunity to contain the panic", Prof Lo added.

"We can ask the public to be as confident as we want, but that's not going to restore confidence unless they see real progress," he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Venezuela fire: Thousands of voting machines burned

(BBC) The electoral council in Venezuela says a fire in its main warehouse near the capital, Caracas, has destroyed most of the voting machines held there.

Almost 50,000 voting machines and 582 computers used in the country's elections went up in flames, electoral council chief Tibisay Lucena said.

She did not say if parliamentary elections due later this year could be affected by the loss of the machines.

She also asked prosecutors to investigate the cause of the fire.

WHAT HAPPENED? The fire broke out in the 6,000 sq m (65,000 sq ft) warehouse in Mariche, east of Caracas, on Saturday.

"Burnt in this fire were 582 computers belonging to the civil registry, 49,408 voting machines, 400 electronic ballots," Ms Lucena said in a news conference on Sunday.

What could be the effect?

While the warehouse is

the main storage facility of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Ms Lucena said, "The electoral process is far from being destroyed."

She told reporters electoral procedure in Venezuela consisted of three steps and "only two of its processes" had been affected.

However, she did say that "little" had been salvaged from the fire despite great efforts made.

WHAT CAUSED IT? "Nothing is being ruled out," Ms Lucena said, telling reporters that ahead of elections for Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, the CNE and its infrastructure had been targeted.

"In 2017, those who did not want elections were vicious against the voting machines. They attacked operators, they burned vehicles, they made death threats, they burned voting machines, but the election took place.

"If there are groups who think that they can stop the

electoral processes they're mistaken, they haven't ac-

allegations of fraud. The company that provided the voting

which incumbent President Nicolás Maduro won another

CNE chief Tibisay Lucena said: "The electoral process is far from being destroyed"

counted for the determination of the men and women of the electoral branch".

WHY DOES IT MATTER? Recent elections in Venezuela have been beset by

system in the 2017 election for the constituent assembly said that turnout figures had been inflated by one million, an allegation the CNE denied.

There were also allegations of vote-rigging in the 2018 presidential election in

six years in power.

The CNE has also been the target of much criticism.

Under the Venezuelan constitution, the CNE is the official independent body responsible for overseeing and guaranteeing the transparency

of all elections.

But critics of the government of President Maduro say that four of the CNE's five members are government stooges.

WHEN IS THE NEXT ELECTION? Elections for the National Assembly are due to be held before the end of the year. No date has been set yet.

The National Assembly is the only Venezuelan institution which is not currently controlled by the Maduro government.

Its leader, Juan Guaidó, is the main opposition figure and has been recognised by more than 50 countries as Venezuela's legitimate president.

Many in the opposition fear that if elections are held later this year without the CNE and the electoral processes being reformed first, the poll could be rigged and the government could seize control of the National Assembly.

Ex-soldier tells of involvement in killing of real estate agent (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) A former soldier has begun to testify against eight men accused of kidnapping and murdering real estate agent Gerald Gopaul, almost 15 years ago.

As he took the witness stand before High Court Judge Norton Jack at the Hall of Justice in Port-ofSpain, yesterday morning, Jason Percival sought to outline how Gopaul’s abduction was planned and executed.

Percival claimed to be present during the planning stages and when Gopaul, 52, was snatched from a bar near to his Diamond Village, San Fernando, home, on July 8, 2005.

During his testimony, Percival could not remember the exact date of the incident but recalled that it took place on a Friday.

Percival, who was part of several teams that were tasked with coordinating and performing the kidnapping, claimed that when they rendezvoused afterwards, one of his accomplices claimed that Gopaul had “gotten away”.

Percival’s next alleged involvement was the day after when he was present as

an accomplice began making ransom calls to Gopaul’s family.

He was also allegedly present when the mastermind behind the kidnapping received news that Gopaul had passed away in the forested area of Bourg Mulatresse, where he was being held captive.

While Percival admitted that others were assigned to dispose of Gopaul’s body, he claimed that he followed them to determine the location.

Percival repeatedly claimed that he attempted to contact a colleague, referred to only as Corporal Phillip, throughout the process.

He claimed that he only managed to get in contact after Percival’s body was dumped.

Percival claimed that Phillip was initially unable to locate the body and that they met for him (Percival) to point out the exact area of Trantrail Road in St Augustine.

Questioned by prosecutor Anju Bhola over his motivation for surrendering to police shortly after, Percival said: “I did not want to

be living my life on the run. I wanted to take responsibility for my actions.”

During his testimony, Percival was repeatedly called upon to identify the persons from his narrative from the eight men before the court.

The accused men are

Kenneth Pierre, Paul Boodoo, Ricardo Stevenson, Clifford Sorias, Marvin Critchlow, Kendall Joseph, Sherwin Crystom, and Kendell Davis.

The men are being represented by a team of attorneys including Pamela Elder, SC, Evans Welch, Frank Peterson, Wayne Sturge, Mario

Merritt, Richard ClarkeWills and Stephen Wilson.

Giselle Ferguson-Heller is also prosecuting.

Percival’s cross-examination is expected to begin when the trial resumes today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Mentorship and leadership in a plural society GUYANA has the potential to become the richest and most prosperous country in the Caribbean community. This is because of the following factors: (i) Its land mass (ii) Its abundance of natural resources (iii) Its diversity of cultures, which comes with a multiracial society that allows us to learn from situations through different vantage points; and (iv) Its commitment to co-exist for the betterment of country.

With these factors, there is no limit to our potential.

With approximately 65 per cent of the population being 40 years old and younger, people need something to look forward to. This is where mentorship and leadership are important. Leadership here does not mean from a positional standpoint, but from wisdom and understanding. For where knowledge is a library of information, wisdom is an ongoing responsibility of leaders.

It requires just a few leaders with wisdom to inspire and

motivate the current generation, not just on what they know, but what they are willing to do. The leadership-by-example approach is important, given that people, by nature, will follow anyone with a sense of purpose, good or bad.

This focus for development starts with rethinking education. This should factor in how education is being used to bring out the best in people, their ambition and desire, which would entail a level of responsibility to others and the nation. Education is also hinged on accountability and responsibility to make sure that the next generation can surpass the accomplishments of the present generation. For instance, this can be achieved with the focus being on specialised knowledge, not just general knowledge, which can lead to confusion and stall ambition.

Specialised knowledge creates excitement in a specific field of interest, and should be led by those who mastered that

area of expertise. This does not necessarily have to come from a work or study environment, but one that will also factor in using the expertise from those who, through employment and economic opportunities, created avenues for others.

Where Guyana has the potential to be self-sufficient and produce what is needed for the rest of the Caribbean, with an awareness and responsibility for the environment and ecological system, income and economic opportunities can abound. Government can create the enabling environment through research and development, tax incentives, and support services such as education, technical assistance and improved infrastructure.

A land that has multiple resources to organically produce fruits, vegetables and livestock aids limiting illnesses and diseases associated with food that are grown with artificial aid and ingredients. Locally-produced commodities also bring national

pride.

There is also a need to think big to ensure protection of landmass. The majority of the population lives on the coastland, which is below sea level. With climate change, maintenance and forward planning are important to protect the land, as we know it, and the people and their properties. Our waterways/irrigation system and sea defences were designed by the Dutch, who have for centuries distinguished themselves as the best in the field of water management. The efforts by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in tackling this issue, in conjunction with Dutch expertise, are noted and welcomed.

Reliable, efficient and reasonably-priced electricity, where this nation can source alternatives through water, wind and sun, is needed to make sure location is not a hindrance to development, connectivity to other parts of the country/world, and access to information.

It may be necessary to think about Guyana once again having its own airline.

Apart from pride, it shows the country is developing. Transportation is needed to bridge all communities for trade and tourism. People move when there is trade. Trade creates travel, new communities and local institutions, generating additional economic potential.

Guyana has a tri-sector economy-government, business and cooperative, and all should be allowed the scope to succeed.

Government should make full use of its role as the conscience of the people by making sure things are done correctly, freely and consistent with the laws. The cooperative sector should be given needed technical support, and be left alone to flourish in their areas of choice. And the private sector should take its rightful place in entrepreneurship, consistent with the associated risk, responsibility and benefits.

Are there two standards of western democracy?

Dear Editor,

A JOURNEY downtown on March 3, 2020, the day after national and regional elections were held, revealed the closure of many commercial buildings, while others were still open, conducting business in a general environment that had no feeling or semblance of post-election tension. In fact, business was good, as persons continued to purchase their domestic support necessities, except that there was no evidence of panic-buying. And this could have been borne out

by a visit to one of the city’s leading shopping centres, which is traditionally filled with shoppers.

Add to that the fact that the nation’s various categories of workers could have been seen toing and froing from their daily endeavours, with students also completing the same routine with their daily scholastic endeavours.

Editor, that I state this observation is because, either the closure of business places was as a result of self-induced fear on the part of its owners, or part of a grand design, contrived by the Opposition in cahoots with the

PSC to commence the fomentation of an atmosphere of national tension that will lead to civil unrest.

It was not difficult to have arrived at such a conclusion, given the fact that many objections/complaints that were emanating from the Opposition Leader, pre-poll, which were undoubtedly the setting of the ground for accusations against GECOM, once the 2020 poll results had gone against the PPP/C. The indomitable Tacuma Ogunseye had been foremost in both explaining and expounding this scenario in many of his published letters. There were

others of similar vintage.

Subsequent events have proven him ALL CORRECT, for what is being witnessed is a similar scenario to that of the aftermath of the NCM, when all of the political mercenaries and kindred bedfellows joined in an insurgency, which the Opposition had commenced since the entering into office of the ‘Coalition’ in May 2015 against a duly elected government. This event was what can be described as the culmination of ‘Plan A’, eventually defeated by the CCJ’s decisions, and by the local High Court by a collec-

tive of opposition attorneys who wanted the judiciary to overturn the decision of the nation’s highest court. Call such action judicial treason the desperate acts of power lusters, the same as is now further unfolding before our eyes.

The criminal invasion of the GECOM command centre, twice within hours, by high-ranking political hooligans backed up by armed gunmen, including a well-known former Death Squad member and PPP/C bodyguard, signaled the commencement of the implementation of ‘Plan B’, cunningly

contrived. This was done with the sole intention of soliciting the sympathy of the international community by inveigling them into the internal affairs at a level which is not supposed to happen. In fact, that had always been the devious strategy of an opposition party, after planning and executing its mischief.

And it never ceased at strategising situations for such intervention to come about.

Can someone, especially from among the International Observers from any of the western democracies TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Joint Opposition calls for peace, welcomes CJ ruling Dear Editor, THE political parties that have signed hereto welcome the ruling of Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWilshire which established that the Court has jurisdiction to hear the injunction against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) related to Guyana's March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Further, the parties welcome the commitment and pronouncements of international observers, local observer groups, several governments, international and local organisations that support the preservation of democracy in Guyana.

The various parties subscribed hereto have access to copies of Statements of Poll (SOPs) from District #4, which they have gathered independently, and these SOPs will be used in the legally-required verification process.

The parties call on all citizens of Guyana to remain calm and peaceful, as these matters continue to engage the attention of the Courts, and as we continue to work with the local and international community in ensuring that GECOM follows the specific provisions of the relevant election laws, and operate within a framework of respected democratic norms. The parties demand that GECOM desists from

taking any unlawful or illegal action which will constitute a breach of the relevant legislation and extant Orders of the Court.

As various statements from diverse members of the international community reiterated, the votes of District #4 must be verified and tabulated in the manner required by the relevant elections legislation. It is only after such a legal process is completed that the results for District #4 should be publicly declared.

The parties take note of the important threats of sanction from the international community in general, and the ABCE countries in particular, which can include personal sanctions against all those

who participated in the process to undermine democracy by acting outside of the rule of law.

We call on all Guyana to understand that the political parties outside of APNU-AFC are working for a peaceful and legal resolution to this situation, and we remain committed to respecting the results emanating from District #4, pursuant to a process conducted in accordance with Section 84 (1) of the Representation of the People’s Act, Chapter 1:03.

We strongly support the statement from the US Department of State which emphasized that "The people of Guyana deserve a credible election and transfer of

power that reflects their will. Vote tabulation irregularities marred Guyana’s March 2 elections. Our Ambassador and many observers saw flawed tabulation. Irrespective of today’s legal proceedings, any government sworn in on the basis of that result would not be legitimate."

Regards, CG LJP PPP/C TNM URP

Let’s practice motivation and love, not discrimination and hate Dear Editor, AS Election Day came to an end, the day was seen as a great success, with Guyana Elections Commission Officials dubbing it “Free and Fair” **The Presiding Officer announced the close of poll at 6pm, the door of the station was closed, and they have organised for the count.

The persons who remained inside the room were entitled to see the count; not just the officers, but the major parties, the counting agents, which have been accredited by GECOM, a process which has been through intense scrutiny. The officer first checked unused ballots, placing them in separate envelopes, that are well labelled and sealed. Tally sheets were distributed to the counting agents and the number of ballot papers were counted and recorded for later reference. **Each ballot, when counted, was held up for each agent to clearly identify the

mark for their party, and we must recognise that in several of the stations, no small-party was represented by agents; either they could not afford to pay them across the country, or persons were not willing to represent them during the count. Ballots were subsequently placed separately by identified parties, and were further examined by each elections officer. After the count, the Presiding Officer announced, for all present to hear, the result and the winner. Next was the preparation of the Statement of Poll, then countersigned by all witnesses present, each agent was then given a verified copy of that Statement; copies were also made for the Deputy Returning Officer, Returning Officer and the Chief Elections Officer, the Statement was then mounted outside the polling station for all to see. The ballot boxes were then sealed with molten sealing wax, with all used and unused election material inside and was transported,

Are there two standards ... currently here and the ABCE diplomatic community explain whether such attack on such a seminal constitutional body would have been carried out in any of their jurisdictions without being roundly condemned? Is it the norm of democracy for an opposition party to criminally intrude such a precinct, intimidating staff carrying out an important constitutional process so vital to the manifestation of democracy? Further, is it the norm for such a constitutional exercise to be disrupted by an opposition party whose sole intention is to hijack a free, fair and credible casting of poll by what is clear-

securely, to the office of the Returning Officer.

On arrival at the office, each Deputy Returning Officer, tabulated the results of the Statements of Poll of all the districts and sub districts in the area and then handed them over to the Returning Officer, who subsequently announces for all to hear, these results are considered final, unless an assigned Counting Agent requests a recount of the votes, which must be done before 12 noon after the day of election, via petition.

Both the manual and spreadsheet tabulation showed the winner of Region 4 and by the margin of victory, however the computer kept printing figures conflicting with that of the spreadsheet, arguably the computer had been hacked; the People’s Progressive Party, demanded that the results printed, were the ones that should be used, that they have Statements of Poll that reflect these figures, and this

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ly fraudulent means? Why the stony silence in condemning a flagrant attack on an important democratic process? If the silence continues, then it is quite understandable for it to be interpreted as the new norm of democracy in western democracies. It is a fair conclusion.

Editor, clearly such a position does not augur well for the impartiality, much less credibility of international observer missions.

Regards, Earl Hamilton

should be the results announced, when the GECOM officials resisted, that is when the confusion began.

The GECOM Officials, in the presence of the political parties and observers present, were verifying the Statements of Polls for Region Four; and instead of a peaceful, tranquil working environment, for an already stressful process, they were met with a barrage of treats, violent outbursts, storming of offices, breaking down doors and insults. It is even uncharacteristic of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo to be in the centre of the melee, pulling and tugging at persons.

It is provided for by Section 90 of the Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03 that: Maintenance of secrecy at count - Every person attending at the counting of votes shall maintain and shall not communicate any information obtained at the count as to the list of candidates for which any vote has been

given. Was this adhered to by anyone during the process?

Why haven’t these questions been posited? GECOM officials were under duress for several hours; Where is the public outcry for those persons?

With an already verified process, and Statements of Poll present, along with GECOM’s tabulation on the spreadsheet, the Officials declared the results of Region 4.

I beg of you; which part of this process should be deemed undemocratic? The GECOM Officials were not allowed to do their work, they are the ones, as per constitution, who are allowed to choose the method of verification, you the Opposition, were the ones that continually kept halting the process; you are the ones to be blamed for the current situation.

In one vile swoop, the Opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic has tried to reverse the progress we have made in the last five years; by leaders, instigating

violent and racist acts against citizens, damaging infrastructure and property, to what end. We have not broken any laws, it is a foolish notion, that the Opposition leader, should blame His Excellency the President David Granger for this; he is humbly waiting for the announcement, admonishing us all to be patient, loving and peaceful during this trying time.

I was asked the question, “Which race do you see yourself representing?”, I answered, “I am all races, I am a Guyanese, I represent them all.” Say no to Racism!

Now more than ever, Guyana, we need this punchline.

Moving Forward Together!

Regards Douglas Charles Gittens Candidate,

The Brazilian who jumped from the helicopter on March 4, 2020

Dear Editor,

I FIND it strange that no media house or no journalist has followed up the case of the Brazilian national, wearing a red t-shirt who tried to escape from a helicopter registered to ASL bearing registration # 8R – GJS on March 4, 2020.

According to at least three local media outlets, Diego Da Conceicao Sa, the given name of the man who remains in police custody, was the lone passenger in the helicopter. It was reported, based on the security footage captured, that he attempted to jump out of the helicopter after the pilot decided not to take him to Ogle because he was not properly

documented.

What I find concerning is that he was allowed to board the helicopter from an interior location without the required documentation. Usually, all passengers are required to show their identification, flight itinerary and lawful permission to travel either within or between countries.

It, therefore, means that the pilot, immigration and other responsible persons knew he was not properly documented before he boarded the flight.

Why did the pilot take a decision to land the helicopter at the Ruimzeight Foreshore around 11:30am Wednesday, March 4, 2020 instead of returning with the undocumented Brazilian national to the port of

disembarkation? I would also like to know if the pilot informed the relevant immigration, airport and Air Services officials that he was making an emergency or unsanctioned landing at an unauthorised area?

Hopefully, our journalists are following up the investigations, and hopefully this situation was not connected to the intrusion of the GECOM Command Centre or any other irregularities that happened in the lead up to elections on Election Day and two days after.

Sincerely, R. Small

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Recount request did not meet statutory rules

Dear Editor,

It has been brought to the national attention, that the Opposition’s request to have a total recount done for the Region 4 General and Regional Elections results was rejected by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Mr. Lenox Shuman, presidential candidate of the Liberty & Justice Party reportedly told Kaieteur News that the rejection was because of a technicality.

Please refer to article, “Opposition parties request for recount rejected” March 8th, 2020.

The rejection of the recount as Mr. Shuman noted, came after the statutory period and the request was not made by a counting agent.

As Guyanese seek to understand what is happening, it would be helpful to know Sections 84 (2) and 88 of the Representation of the People Act (1964) requires compliance with specific protocols, which were apparently not met. Citizens would remember in the 2006 Elections when GECOM awarded a Region 10 seat won by the AFC to the PPP/C. The AFC could not have had that seat accorded to them because the party made a request for a recount of the Region 10 Statements

of Poll outside of the legal stipulated period.

The AFC was advised by Mr. Boodhoo to pursue the voting recount request via the Court, which the party did. In 2006, Dr. Steve Surujbally was Chairman of GECOM and the Chief Executive Officer was Mr. Gocool Boodhoo.

Another point to note is that the APNU+AFC and PPP/C were the only two parties who contested the elections in all of the ten administrative regions and fielded polling agents for all of the 879 polling stations in Region Four. It would be helpful if the other small parties can advise Guy-

anese which Statements of Poll they are using to question the credibility of Region Four numbers coming out from GECOM? From where have they gotten their statements and why must the electorate accept that theirs are authentic? They have the burden to prove that their claims are sincere and not the result of misinformation and being bandwagoners. Members of the international observers’ missions are being equally apprised of the foregoing.

Regards Eslyn Harris Candidate- APNU+AFC

Where is the apology by the Opposition over the conduct of their supporters?

Dear Editor,

In what is now a viral video, I watched in dismay as one of our health care providers was attacked by a mob of opposition supporters while on her way home. The nurse and her colleagues were visibly traumatised by the action of the mob. This heinous act could have resulted in more than just a damaged windscreen. What if that projectile had struck the driver of the vehicle? Just the thought of the horrifying scenarios that could have occurred if that

were the case, gives me chills.

It is truly sad when our health care providers become targets during political disputes. Those attackers in their ignorance and vitriol failed to realise that by harming that young lady, it could have resulted in the loss of a precious life and invaluable human resource that they rely on, when in their infirmity.

The attack on that young lady should be seen as an attack on all health care providers in Guyana, as it could have been perpetrated against any member of

the health care fraternity. I have worked with and learned much from many nurses while working in the health sector and to see such a dastardly act being carried out against one of these pillars of health care, hurts. I stand in solidarity with that young nurse and her colleagues. What galls me is the silence of the various local and international bodies condemning this act. Where is the apology by the Opposition over the conduct of their supporters?

Their conduct could have resulted in the young lady and her colleagues being

severely hurt or worse. We keep hearing comments being made by political and social activists about the elections but I have yet to hear anyone comment on this despicable act. It is probably because to them it is irrelevant, a mere drop in the bucket, but remember a drop becomes a ripple and many in the health care fraternity will not forget your silence.

Regards Ryan Carryl

Definitely not the way forward Dear Editor, PEACEFUL protests certainly cannot include violently attacking a school bus that gives the service of transporting schoolchildren to and from their homes, and attacking officers of the law sent to maintain law and order in a rather hostile environment, as sadly has been the case in a section of the West Coast Berbice corridor last Friday. But these are just two of the sad but significant incidents which occurred last Friday, by persons whose conduct leads one to conclude that the protesting, which is any person’s democratic right to protest, but these acts smack of political prompting. It has resurrected the stark fears of a return to communal strife, which took place in the very early 60s. Guyana must not ever return to such a past.

The incident of attacking one of the David G buses, is reminiscent of the murder of the young school boy, Godfrey Teixeira, in 1964, who, along with several other schoolchildren, were being transported in a then Bookers Sugar Company bus, along a section of the East

Coast, when an explosive device was lobbed into the vehicle, killing Teixeira, and injuring several other children. This incident, recorded as the “School bus bombing’, had been one of the brutal highlights of a period of this country’s history of racial polarization and racial conflict, long receded, but sometimes referred to, in attempts at letting current Guyanese generations, understand that there should never be a return to those days, which saw colonial Guyana degenerated into communal ethnic strife. It took the nationalistic leadership of the incoming successor Premier Forbes Burnham – later becoming prime minister, then president – to remove this country from ruins, to a position of peace and unity, ushering in a welcomed calm, without which no country can move forward.

Of course, Teixeira’s murderer paid the supreme penalty for such a brutal act – suffering death by execution.

Attacking a school bus that performs a vital service for the young of our nation, the future of this land, by ensuring their presence in school, then their safe return home, is the very last act that one will expect to

take place. In fact, it ought not to be, for it is unimaginable, unforgivable in any circumstance, even if an act of reckless spontaneity, and could have only been done by persons who do not understand the consequences of their ill-advised actions.

The same line of reason, is also extended to the unprovoked attacked on the three police officers, whose only error, seemed to have been their answer to the call of immediate duty, in a situation of high volatility, entrusted with the delicate task and duty of maintaining law and order, for the protection of citizens. For any citizen, regardless of what cause is being represented, to violently attack officers performing their sworn duty, cannot in any reason, not expect unfortunate condign consequences. It was very unfortunate that a life has been lost and Guyana has lost youthful potential.

One would have thought that with a history of race and ethnic tensions, which would have led to a period of bitter strife, pitting community against community and brother against brother, that lessons from such internecine conflict would have been a guide to a better understanding of resolving issues

in any future situation in a country, as polarized as Guyana. Regardless as to what the issue is, Friday’s actions, cannot be found justified, as a means of a solution. It’s offshoot, can only inevitably result in a domino effect, engulfing our country in which there have been lifelong friendships among the major races, and progenies which reflect this interrelatedness, despite cultural and ethnic diversities. Which is what makes Guyana, the unique beautiful place it is, despite challenges that have arisen throughout the decades.

Indeed, ours is a deeply polarized society, a sad fact, but one of depressing reality, mentioned by one of the Observer groups visiting for the just concluded national and regional elections. It is a wellknown observation that stands as a grand indictment and a reminder of failure among ourselves, to find common ground for a bridging of the gap for solutions to the long-standing problems of ethnic fear and suspicion that still haunt us as a people and nation.

Rather than resort to destructive actions that contain the potential to denude the gains of this country since Independence, we must all

resist the temptation, irrespective of the political stakes, and all that it entails, step back, count ten, and think of more constructive ways to engage moments of national crises, rather than take up mob/riotous stances, which do not, and will not provide the answers for what is sought – a unified peaceful Guyana, where there is plenty for each Guyanese. As a nation, we must have the collective fortitude to condemn last Friday’s extremes, and any such attempts in the future.

Whatever differences that exist in society, be it race, religion, culture or even political preference and ideology, Guyanese must come together as one to face challenges.

Peaceful co-existence implies the ability of us as Guyanese to live in harmony. As human beings, we need to have a solid understanding that diversity and plurality of cultures, ethnicities and religions are part of the universe and of mankind.

Regards, Mark Dacosta

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

'De-escalate the tension!'

--- Bhagwan, Kwayana put responsibility in politicians’ hands

POLITICAL activists Moses Bhagwan and Eusi Kwayana have called on the country’s political leaders to take proactive steps to deescalate the tense post-elections climate in the country.

The men stated, in a joint letter on Monday, that if such steps are not taken Guyana runs the risk of cultivating violence in its society which would see the country losing altogether regardless of which party wins the elections.

Bhagwan and Kwayana said that this threat is looming describing it as a “very dangerous situation” which is “fast approaching” based upon recently made observations.

“We write as two Guyanese who have come out of the leadership of both major parties, who have lived through the violence of the 1960s, and who have been following with deep sadness and alarm the news of the outbreak of conflict following a mainly peaceful electoral campaign and voting process

in our beloved country,” the men said.

“People’s lives have been disrupted in the past week, and a sense of fear and mistrust is rapidly taking over our communities. History teaches us that mistrust can lead to violence, if it is not nipped in the bud. As we have already witnessed, it is the most vulnerable among us who will suffer the most.

Irresponsible leadership very rarely gets affected by the disputes they consciously sow.”

Several persons have been arrested, some injured and one man has died following the protests of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) who were displeased with the circumstances under which the total votes for Region Four were declared on March 5, 2020.

It showed that the APNU/ AFC coalition government had overtaken the lead of the PPP/C, something the latter party leaders linked to rigging and rallied up supporters across the country vowing that they would not rest until

Political activist Eusi Kwayana

Political activist Moses Bhagwan

their democratic rights are respected.

Bhagwan and Kwayana, observing the decline in peace, called on the country’s leaders to “surrender their narrow goals” and urge supporters to put an end to “violence or the threat of violence and intimidation”.

While not claiming originality to the proposal, they also called on the two main political parties to form a joint government or a national government based on the principle of parity.

“Such negotiations would necessarily have to be consistent with the constitution, but it is entirely possible to envision a situation, for example, in which the winner of the 2020 elections takes the presidency but asks their prime ministerial candidate to resign so that someone from the other major party can be appointed; and where a collective cabinet can be appointed,” the men put forward.

“Such a compromise would also give greater lati-

PPP/C wants confusion APNU/AFC says THE A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has called out members of the Opposition party for spreading a false narratives on the elections outcome and intentionally creating confusion having realised that the most recent results give the coalition government the lead.

In a release on Sunday, the coalition party discredited the reports of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Gail Teixeira who had posted a video to Facebook on Sunday in which she made several claims against the APNU+AFC. She responded to comments made by APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes regarding the present election gridlock and the presence of unauthorized foreign agents who have been accused of attempting to meddle in Guyana’s elections.

The Ministers had revealed that three persons with Russian background had recently been deported after cyber equipment was found in their possession.

The matter raised eyebrows as, in 2019, the Bharrat Jagdeo-led PPP/C hired US lobby group, Mercury Public Affairs, to help run its elections campaign. At the time, the firm was embroiled in the international probe into alleged Russian interference in US elections.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE The release stated that in her attempt to “clear the air”, Teixeira accused the Coalition of attempting to steal the election stating that the people had lost confidence in the government, hence the December 2018 no-confidence motion.

“We reject this narrative because at its core is the delegitimization of the will of the people as expressed on March 2, 2020 by way of the ballot boxes. When those results are certified, they will vindicate the Coalition as having won outright the March 2, election,” the release stated.

“Perhaps the most paradoxically of her statements was the one falsely claiming that the government has no public support; when in fact, the votes declared thus far show a majority of support

for the governing coalition.

When the formal process in completed, the APNU+AFC Coalition would have secured a majority which in itself is a vote of confidence from the Guyanese people.”

Teixeira also accused the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of “creating Statements of Polls” after the Region Four declarations did not secure her party the lead.

She said that at some remote locations the Commission created SOPs to match the spreadsheet later used which caused much contention prior to the declaration.

The APNU/AFC rebutted that such a narrative is not only “absurd” but shows desperation on the part of the PPP/C. It urged all right-thinking Guyanese to reject the Opposition’s sentiments irrespective of political affiliation as GECOM is the only body empowered to make the final declaration on Guyana’s elections.

It noted that social media video footage which show a large amount of Opposition members storming the Commission’s High and Hadfield Streets office is proof of their intent to create confusion through intimidating

behaviour.

INTENTIONALLY CAUSING CONFUSION A question every Guyanese should ask, the APNU/ AFC stated, is why the PPP/C has chosen to raise “unsubstantiated and bogus claims” about the vote count in Region 4 --- a traditional stronghold of the coalition.

The party also highlighted that questions should be asked about why the Opposition is seeking to have GECOM treat with the vote tabulation process in Region 4 differently from all other Regions.

Nonetheless, the party upheld: “This video post

by Ms. Teixeira will not change the facts on the ground, that PPP/C is fomenting discord and friction among the populace and create an ungovernable environment for the government. PPP/C must therefore be prepared to accept responsibility for any negative outcome from its action and incitement.”

tude to MP’s to vote against the government instead of following the herd, offering greater opportunities for accountability against corruption. This breathing space can be an opportunity to take a collective breath, and importantly provide an opportunity for our political leaders to work together on common issues. We do not anticipate that this will be easy. We call for it because it is precisely under such conditions of extreme political polarisation and mistrust that the hard but urgent and necessary work of healing for nation building is called for.”

They said that such should be pursued irrespective of the outcome of the High Court which will determine whether there is need for a recount of the total votes for District Four.

Apart from these recommendations, Bhagwan and Kwayana expressed their satisfaction to know that international observers are present as it would allow them to evaluate “any claims of evidence of illegality in the

elections process”.

However, at the same time, the men stated that they “condemn all attempts by participants who speak about the rule of law while they engage in disruptive tactics to enforce their will”.

They made it clear that these acts as well as alleged acts, contribute to division and chaos in the society and in such a “deeply divided nation”, the possibility remains for political leaders to deescalate tensions by finding a mutual solution.

The men advised: “The security of the supporters of one major party cannot be premised on the insecurity of the supporters of the other. It is a system that guarantees that most Guyanese, starting with those most vulnerable among us, will always be shut out. Until the system changes, whoever wins, Guyana loses. To the leaders of APNU-AFC and the PPP, we ask you to hold your heads high and operate with integrity and humility.”

GPA alerts int’l body to threats on journalists THE Guyana Press Association (GPA) has called on leaders of political parties, State authorities and interest groups to openly discourage targeted attacks, on journalists in general, and during the ongoing post-elections situation.

In a release on Monday, the 75-year-old media association said that it notes with “deep concern” its receipt of several reports of threats of violence against journalists on social media, and attempts to interfere with the work of media operatives covering post-March 2, 2020 events.

Based on reports received, an alert on the possible dangers due to these practices is being developed by the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) for transmission to its international partners.

“There is a stringent process of media accreditation to determine the bona fides of local journalists and other media workers, and we would expect that all due regard be paid, and courtesies extended to these professionals in the execution of their duties,” the GPA stated.

“The GPA also calls on the leadership of all political parties, State authorities and interest groups to openly discourage actions that can have the impact of undermining the work of journalists and their media enterprises. We urge all political leaders to cease and desist from creating conditions for the perpetuation of media harassment and the dampening of press freedom.”

The March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections as well as the declaration of total votes in nine districts went smoothly save for the deciding factor, Region Four, which has since thrown the matter into the High Court and seen several forms of violent protest action in some parts of the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

LJP top small-party performer in elections ---- TNM underperforms in general elections

By Lisa Hamilton THE debated results of Region Four aside, one can conclude that the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) was the best performing newcomer in the General Elections while The New Movement (TNM) the worst.

Even in the Regional Elections, where results often mimic the General, the LJP maintained the lead amongst small parties while the Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP) which contested only Region Four, performed the worst.

Considering the fact that it is currently being debated in the High Court whether a recount is needed for the results for Region Four, the Guyana Chronicle analysed the performance of small/ new parties in the nine other Administrative regions declared.

GENERAL ELECTIONS At the General Election and with Region Four’s votes excluded, the LPJ secured 1,906 votes surpassing Change Guyana (CG) by 795 votes as the latter party gained 1,111.

Coming close behind was A New and United Guyana (ANUG) which secured 899 votes and leaving a large gap between itself and parties such as the People’s Republic Party with 475 votes; the United Republican Party (URP) with 303 votes; The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) with 217 votes and TNM with 99 votes.

However, if one were to include the debated results for Region Four it would show TCI surpassing the URP. The LJP, however, maintains its lead.

General Election results inclusive of the Region Four results declared include: LJP – 2,663; ANUG -2,288; CG – 2024; PRP – 858; TCI – 679; URP – 394 and TNM 230.

All of the small parties gained their highest support from Region Four except for the LJP which pulled its highest support from Region 7. In other words, while the LJP gained 757 votes in the debated results of Region Four, it gained 879 votes in Region 7.

Results for the General Election with and without Region Four’s declarations

REGIONAL ELECTIONS At the Regional Election and with Region Four’s votes excluded, the LJP still out-performed other small parties.

TURN TO PAGE

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Results for the Regional Election with and without Region Four’s declarations

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Ghalee Khan nabbed at JFK after 10-year run …was a member of PSC elections observer team

NOTORIOUS drug trafficking accused Ghalee Khan has been arrested in the United States just over ten years since that country had issued a wanted bulletin for him. And questions are now being raised regarding Khan’s role as an observer for the Private Sector Commission in last Monday’s general and regional elections.

According to reports, Khan was arrested in New York at the JFK Airport on Monday, ending an over 11-year run from an arrest warrant issued for him in the US after he jumped bail on a cocaine distribution charge in 2008. Deputy Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), Lesley Ramlall, said the Unit has not yet confirmed Khan’s arrest in the US; however,

they have confirmed that Khan left Guyana on Monday aboard an American Airlines flight bound for JFK. After evading authorities in the US in 2008, Khan returned to Guyana but also later faced similar drug related charges in Guyana over another incident in 2009. Khan pleaded not guilty to trafficking in three kilogrammes 408 grammes of cocaine, by supplying the quantity to convicted prisoner Orlando Dwayne Humphrey also known as Orlando Dwayne Ifill.

Over the years in Guyana, he became an entertainment promoter and later became part owner of a security company, which led to him joining the PSC. “We don’t know the background of Ghalee Khan, we don’t know the history,

US fugitive Ghalee Khan (Photo credit: Stabroek News)

apparently whatever happened it happened a decade ago. He was a member of GAPSO (Guyana Association of Private Security Organisation) and he owned a security company and that security company is a member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC),” Chairman of the PSC Gerry Gouveia relayed, as he explained Khan’s association with the Commission.

Gouveia noted that Khan was an upstanding member while at the PSC, saying that: “We have no idea about his background, but he was always a very diligent and hard-orking person when we met him. We have no idea what went on when he came to the private sector as a member of GAPSO.” The PSC was among a number of local observers that were

accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the March 2, General and Regional Elections. Gouveia said the PSC will be looking to issue a statement on the situation shortly. According to reports in another section of the media, Khan had also provided a metal scanning machine for the GECOM office at High and Hadfield Street.

News agency, News Source, also noted that Khan made the “decision to turn himself into US Agents after his lawyers worked out a possible plea deal that also reportedly involved the local embassy. Under the deal, he is likely to plead guilty to the drug trafficking and other charges for a reduced sentence”.

Local artistes must be protected by Copyright Laws

By Jared Liddell

ARTISTES in Guyana have long been calling for the creation and implementation of copyright laws to protect their ownership and usage rights of their creative works, including works of art, books, and musical compositions.

World-renowned musician, Eddie Grant, had reportedly said that he would refrain from performing in Guyana, until there are copyright laws implemented within the country, to protect, not just his content, but the content of all other local artistes.

Trinidadian soca artiste, Farmer Nappy, it was reported, stated that there was a great need for Guyana to have copyright laws, so as to ensure that local artistes were not robbed of

their opportunities. He said “there are some artistes in Guyana who never had the opportunity to go where they’re supposed to go, one Guyanese musician could buss from Guyana and put Guyana on top of the world.”

The Guyana Chronicle reached out to local singer/ song writer, Calvin Burnette, who expressed that he believed there was a definite need for these laws to be formulated and implemented, stating that, as an artiste, whether musical, visual or performing, sacrifices of both time and money are made to produce original content.

“We spend a whole lot of time and money to produce. Our musicians might be aware that we would spend a whole lot of time in the studio to get your song produced,

to get instrumentals done and all of that because we cannot use instrumentals that are already out there because of copyright rules.

So, in order for us to produce music we have to have our own stuff as in original material; to have our original material means that we are going to have to pay a producer to compose the instrumental and so on and after all of that is done there are no laws whatsoever to protect us.”

He explained that in most instances the artiste spends large sums of money to produce his/her music and later notices it being sold through varying avenues inclusive of pushcarts for as low as a $100.

He explained that the artiste does not benefit from any revenue coming out of those sales. He stated that if laws were in place to protect the

artiste then that content would have been under copyright rules, and the illegal sales would have been stopped and the artiste would have been able to generate some funds.

He further stated the importance of having copyright laws finally implemented in Guyana saying, “We as a body, this is what we want, for too long we have been exposed, for too long we have been short-changed, for too long we have been just drawing the shorter end of the stick while still producing.

We need these laws to protect us because at the end of the day this is our 9-5; this is how we take care of our family and ourselves; so we need law to protect us.”

Further Burnette related seeing recently-deceased Guyanese legend, Johnny Braff, who was well known

LJP top small-party performer ...

The LJP gained 1,947 votes surpassing CG by 834 as the latter party gained 1,113 votes.

Some way behind is the URP with 811 votes followed by the PRP with 443 and the Federal United Party (FUP) with 147 votes. These results do not include the OVP as they exclude Region Four, the only district the party contested.

However, include these contested results and once again the LJP remains in the lead but the PRP came close

to the UPR almost surpassing it.

Regional Election results inclusive of the Region Four results declared include: LJP – 2,704; CG – 2026; URP – 902; PRP – 826; FUP – 147 and OVP 117.

Only CG, OVP and the PRP gained their most support from Region Four.

The LJP secured its highest support from Region Seven where it locked in 925 votes; the URP gained its highest from Region Three where it secured 179 votes and, for the

FUP, votes were only shown for Region Six at 147.

THE JOINDER PARTIES While several of the parties mentioned above refused the option, LJP, ANUG and TMN had entered into a joinder of lists many weeks before the March 2, 2020 elections which will see their votes being counted collectively during tabulation.

It is the first time that such an agreement was made

in Guyana’s Elections and the parties signed an agreement which details that should they collectively win a seat, they will share their time in the National Assembly by 1/3 with the party with the largest contribution nominating the first member.

If one were to add to total votes of these parties in the General Elections without Region Four’s contributions it would show a collective of 2,904 votes but with Region Four’s contributions, it shows a total of 5,181 votes.

for the hit song “It Burns Inside”, Burnette stated that he had an interaction with Braff and following that interaction he lamented on the fact that Braff had been one of the best artistes of his time in not only Guyana but also internationally, and explained that although Braff had this status, the fact that there were no copyright laws to protect his content did not enable him to benefit from any level of royalties.

He explained that Braff, like many other local artistes, did not benefit significantly for the monetary sacrifices he made to produce content and that was one of the major reasons artistes are calling for legislation to be drafted.

FROM PAGE

In 2015, one seat in the National Assembly was worth a little over 6,000 votes.

While the Guyana Chronicle cannot state definitively what one seat will be worth in the 2020 elections, it can rightfully assume that this number will be higher based on a higher voter turnout expected from a larger Official List of Electors (OLE).

In 2015, there were 570,786 eligible voters while in 2020 there were 661,378 eligible voters, an increase

10 of 90,592.

One can argue that had the LJP and ANUG teamed up with Change Guyana, they would have stood a better chance at pulling more votes across the Regions.

However, it is still to be determined whether --- even with the three top contesting small parties in a hypothetical joinder of lists --- they would have still met the cut for a single seat in the National Assembly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Guyanese artistes collaborate to remake 'One Voice' - Calling for unity amongst all Guyanese

The team of artistes and producers who have collaborated to spread the message of unity across Guyana.

GIVEN the current political climate and racial tension in Guyana, a group of artistes have joined together to blend their voices and recreate a song that calls for peace, love and unity amongst our people.

This initiative is being spearheaded by Nigel 'Soca Fox' Worrel, who called for the artistes to come together to use their talent and platforms to influence the masses in a positive direction.

Kross Kolor Records, where the song is being recorded and videoed, was packed on Sunday afternoon with the artistes who came in solidarity with the initiative.

2020 soca monarch, Jumo Primo, former monarchs, Brandon Harding and Kwasi Ace, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, Jonathan ‘Lil Red’ King, Kady Kish, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, Mark Batson, Calvin Burnett, Alabama, Reigning Chutney Monarch, Bunty Singh, Aw Lyrical and Sonia Singh are the artistes whose voices will be heard in the song.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to some of these entertainers and this is what they had to say to their followers and the wider Guyanese public: Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, who is the writer and singer of the original song ‘One Voice’: “What I want Guyana to know is that it does not matter which ever person you voted for, whichever side you chose, it’s one Guyana, our Guyana, and I just want us to take a step back, look at it from that perspective. Not often artistes would come together to do music, and if we can work together, we’re in the same business and we’re working together to just show you the change that we want, and the change that should be happening.”

Calvin Burnett: Live in love and let the process run its course. At the end of the day we are one people, one nation, one destiny. That’s what we need to embrace, that’s how we need to live. Guyana is a beautiful paradise, and instead

of shining all of this negative light that we’re attracting at the moment, what we need to do is allow people to see Guyana for the beauty it has.

Guyana has six different people, we have the most natural resources, we rich, we got the most hospitable people in the Caribbean. I think that is what we need to let the entire world see and this project is something we are highlighting. Listen out for the song I have, ‘Born and Grow’, and that too talks about Guyana, this paradise that we live in.”

Kwasi Ace: “We are the voice of the people because when you check it, most of Guyanese are rallying for peace so we gotta make it happen. The only way is for all the people who have a following, stakeholders I should say, all of them should come together and do something.

Guyana is made up of different cultures and ethnicities and that’s what makes us unique, we need to embrace that and love that, and don’t ever forget that. This racial peril we are experiencing is not who we are or what we should be.”

Clifford ‘Alabama’ Charles: “Always remember our motto and try to live up to it. In times like these where a lot of misinformation is being passed around, try your best to get your information from credible sources and don’t just listen to anything that is being peddled on social media. We want a peaceful nation.”

Kady Kish: “What does our motto mean to you? It’s so heart-rending that we are not abiding by that motto and this is my call for all Guyanese to come together to live as one.

Stop all of this segregation and violence. I sang a song, Soca is my religion, and it talks about uniting nations through soca music. I really need you to do that right now, not only through soca music, but do it for our families, future generations and all the others looking down on us right now. We don’t have to fight. We already did our part, we went out and voted for our parties and now everyone

should remain calm and humble and let us be one people, one nation, one destiny.”

Jonathan ‘Lil Red’ King: “We need to unite and become one. Put aside all the things that make us different and realise that our purpose here is to overcome all the negatives. So let’s unite and make the world a better place for the future generations to come.”

Michelle ‘Big Red’ King: “My wish is for us to live together as one. At the end of the day, each one of us has the same blood, and we need each other to survive.

We have to work together as a country and as a people, so let us keep the peace, let’s love and embrace each other.

Let love prevail because love always wins.”

Brandon Harding: “Now we know now is a time that is very ticklish, I just want to urge all Guyanese to think before they act. Do the right thing and this too shall pass.

Let us do the right thing for Guyana, and not just think about ourselves. That is why I am a part of this, cause we need to call for unity across the entire Guyana. “ Jumo Primo: “I just want to encourage all to let God be first, the people and our country. Let’s pray for our nation, it’s not about race, colour, texture of hair. I encourage everyone to stand your ground, stand firm; stay safe and don’t follow people with negative comments. Hold your peace and stay strong, God is in charge.”

Mark Batson: “Guyana is a peaceful place, full of harmony, full of culture, and we love our people. Guyana is the place to be. One voice!”

The song and video is expected to be completed by today, and will be played on radio stations and television stations across the country, and will also be on the social media platforms.

It is the hope of these artistes, that this song, and their involvement, will influence the public and bring about a positive change.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY DAVID GRANGER PRESIDENT OF THE COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA

MARCH 9, 2020 Guyanese, I acknowledge that, one week after General and Regional Elections were held, we have not yet had the final declaration of results and uncertainty and unease have arisen.

I assure the nation that, at all times, I have acted in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. After the elections on March 2nd, the nation awaited the declaration of the results by the Elections Commission after completing its work.

GECOM is an independent constitutional agency over which I and the Executive have no control. I assure you, that as President, I cannot, did not and will not interfere in the work of GECOM. The Opposition created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear at the office of the Returning Officer of District Number 4. This led to the interruption of GECOM’s work.

The Opposition then approached the Supreme Court seeking to prevent GECOM from making a declaration of the final results. That matter is now before the Chief Justice who will hear the case tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10th.

Justice Claudette Singh, Chairman of GECOM, has indicated that she will await the outcome of that matter. The entire nation, indeed, must await the ruling of the Supreme Court.

The Opposition is disseminating a narrative that is no more than a falsification of reality. It is completely at variance with the official declarations of the Elections Commission for the ten electoral districts. Guyanese, we have all witnessed the lawlessness and violence that have been unleashed on innocent school children, citizens and police officers in several districts of our country. Our security forces have been working to quell disorder and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

It is my sworn duty, as President, to uphold the Constitution and keep our citizens safe. I intend to do so. I will not allow political malefactors to hijack our democracy and compromise public order and human safety. Law and order will be maintained. Guyanese, I appeal to you to remain calm and not to engage in any activity which can lead to the heightening of tensions in society. I urge you to go about your business in a peaceful manner. Some damage has already been done to social relations in our communities. We must repair that damage.

Guyanese are asked to contribute to ensuring that we maintain law and order at all costs. Guyana is a lawful state. We must allow the institutions which we revere and on which we rely to work to ensure that there will be a fair outcome to the issue which we now face. Guyanese will continue to live with each other. We must not allow ourselves to be provoked into taking any action which will engender hate or disharmony. I am confident that there will be a peaceful and lawful resolution to this issue in a short period of time. I appeal to you to join me in allowing the judicial system to perform its functions. I appeal to you to allow the Elections Commission to execute its mandate to deliver credible elections to the Guyanese people.

I thank you.

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By Michel Outridge PHAGWAH or ‘Holi’ was celebrated as per usual in some quarters here yesterday, in spite of the acrimonious political climate, with Guyanese of every ethnicity coming together for the same cause.

It was this very “coming together” that helped transform the otherwise tense atmosphere into one of festivity and a kaleidoscope of colour in several city wards and their environs.

The Guyana Chronicle visited Kitty and Campbellville where pockets of people were out celebrating in the usual wild abandon, dancing and cavorting and dousing each other with water and regular talcum powder and whatever other coloured powders (abeer and abrak) associated with the festivity took their fancy.

And while there was no one out on the streets celebrating the festival in suburban Prashad Nagar and Sophia, it was certainly a horse of a different colour over in Cummings Lodge, on the lower East Coast, as several families had come together with their neighbours and family-friends, and from the look of things, they were bent on having a jolly good time.

They were observing the festive holiday by throwing and spraying water on each other by the buckets and with the aid of a few water guns.

It was in the said Cummings Lodge, 9th Street to be precise, that the Guyana Chronicle encountered an entire family that was ‘soaked to the bone’ saying they are ‘Playing Phagwah’ and everything was peaceful there.

In Cummings Lodge, villagers were out in their numbers to celebrate Phagwah; many had even set up firesides, and were preparing the traditional ‘seven-curry’ with dhal and rice.

They also had sweetmeats on hand, in the form of pera, prasad, mettai, gulab jamoon, vermicelli and sweet rice.

The conviviality was the same, too, in neighbouring Industry Crown Dam, where Vinod Basdeo and his family and neighbours were ‘cooking up a storm’.

He explained that annually they would come together and cook and share whatever is prepared with friends, family and neighbours.

Basdeo said it is a family tradition, and nothing has changed in that village, where Afro-Guyanese were also out celebrating Phagwah.

Tancia Inniss, a resident of Industry Crown Dam, was out enjoying the holiday with her two daughters, and she stated that everything was going well, as she was celebrating with her Hindu brothers and sisters.

Further down the road, a group of men seated on a horse-drawn cart, had seemingly had their fill of celebrating Phagwah and were ‘washing down with some beverages’.

DE VILLAGE DJ A few doors away, Roland Singh was the village DJ for the day, as he had his music system in his yard entertaining the village with religious songs to mark the occasion.

“I am also taking a drink with the boys, waiting on the ‘seven-curry’ to

Guyanese throw ca GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

aution to the wind

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

--using ‘Festival of Colours’ to help ease ethnic tension

finish cooking,” he said.

Also in that village, Shanta Somra was busy tending to a number of pots on three large firesides in her front yard, where she was preparing ‘seven-curry’ to feed the entire village.

“Every year we do this, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Shanta said, adding: “And we usually have a good time, where anyone can come and get something to eat.”

Somra stated that they started Phagwah celebrations since Sunday night, and were still at it on Monday.

At Plaisance, a predominantly afro-Guyanese community a few villages away, people were out on the streets in their numbers, but surprisingly, they were not engaged in celebrating Phagwah. The story was the same in Vryheid’s Lust, but in Better Hope, scores of youths of every race were out on the streets with their blackened and coloured faces walking through the village, going door to door observing Phagwah.

One group told the Guyana Chronicle that they had already been to Vryheid’s Lust and were on their way to Plaisance to celebrate Phagwah.

Residents of Better Hope were in canter trucks and other open-back vehicles going through the village, spraying water on passers-by and each other, while some young men took the opportunity to engage in a friendly game of cricket on the road.

Montrose, Success, La Bonne Intention and other East Coast villages celebrated Phagwah in the minority.

As for Albouystown, especially on Hogg Street, the Afro-Guyanese, the Indo-Guyanese and people of other ethnicities were celebrating as one.

They were indeed united for this occasion, and on almost every street, people were out soaking each other with water and coloured powders.

ORIGINS Phagwah, or Holi, is an ancient Hindu festival which later became popular among non-Hindu communities as well. Holi heralds the arrival of spring after winter; it signifies the victory of good over evil, and is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love. The festival is also celebrated as thanksgiving for a good harvest.

Holi celebrations start on the night before the actual day with a Holika Dahan, where people gather to perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king, Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi, a free-forall festival of colours, where people smear each other with colours and drench each other with water. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used to play and colour each other. People visit family, friends and foes to throw coloured powders on each other, laugh and gossip, then share Holi delicacies, food and drinks.

Photos by Delano Williams

Turn to Page 16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

Guyanese throw...

FROM PAGE 15

HAPPY

Holi!

Photos by Delano Williams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 10, 2020

GTA helps members improve marketability --through series of workshops in key subject areas

WITH the ever-increasing popularity of technology, it is imperative that the local tourism industry is fully equipped and prepared to maximise their business and social media presence among other digital marketing tactics.

It was with this focus in mind that the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) recently facilitated training in the area of Business and Social Media Marketing for nine instructors and 19 trainees in the tourism sector, among them members of their own staff.

Marketing & Management, Analytics, Email Marketing, Content Development, Graphic Design and Motion Graphics, and Reputation & Crisis Management, along with other aspects of digital marketing, the GTA stated in a release.

Rosh Khan, CEO of SocialRank Media, one of Guyana’s leading digital marketing agencies and President of the Masterclass Institute, facilitated both of the training sessions.

Through interactive methods of teaching, Khan sought to implement strat-

opment institution which has trained over 10,000 people through its various programmes, workshops, and courses, including digital marketing.

The GTA remains committed to elevating the tourism sector, and will be hosting a series of training programmes throughout 2020.

As a semi-autonomous governmental organization, the Authority is responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana, through collabora-

Participants display the certificates they received at the completion of the two-day training course. At right is course facilitator Rosh Khan (Photos courtesy of the GTA)

The whole-day sessions for ‘Train-the-Trainers’ and participants of the general tourism sector including, Rainforest Tours, Dagron Tours, and Waikin Ranch, were conducted on February 19 -20 and February 26-27, respectively, at the Herdmanston Lodge here in Georgetown.

The participants were coursed in the areas of Business & Marketing Fundamentals, Digital Marketing, Website Design and Development, Social Media

egies that aim to increase market awareness, Online engagement and bookings within the tourism sector.

The GTA’s aim is to foster capacity building within the tourism sector which includes training of trainers, who can facilitate other sessions on a continuous basis, especially as an incentive and before for tourism businesses that are licensed or actively in the process of getting licensed.

The Masterclass Institute is a training and Devel-

tion with sister agencies and the tourism private sector in order to maximise local socio-economic and conservation outcomes, and improve the visitors’ experience.

The GTA is focused on Guyana becoming recognised locally and internationally as a premier destination for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, providing authentic experiences, and maximising local economic benefits.

SocialRank Media’s Rosh Khan tutoring participants at one of the GTA-sponsored sessions

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U.S. relish CONCACAF title win on International Women’s Day

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – It was perhaps fitting that the United States won the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship on Sunday, the day that International Women’s Day was celebrated around the world.

The U.S. were a show of strength and resilience during the tournament in outscoring opponents 44-1 in their seven matches, plus rallying from a 1-0 early deficit against Mexico in Sunday’s Final to claim a 4-1 win.

“I think it shows what women’s soccer is about right now,” said U.S. head coach Laura Harvey following Sunday’s Final.

“The fact that it was two women’s head coaches on the sideline shows where the game is going and how we can continue to develop,” added Harvey.

With the 2020 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup berth having been clinched in last Friday’s semifinal victory against Dominican Republic and a sixth CUW20 title won on Sunday, Harvey’s attention will now turn to August’s World Cup in Panama and Costa Rica.

“We can develop who we want to be and we now have a huge several months ahead of us to prepare for the World Cup,” said Harvey.

One of the stars of the tournament for the U.S. was FW Mia Fishel, who scored 13 goals on her way to earning Golden Ball honours as the 2020 CUW20 Most Valuable Player.

Fishel’s brace played a big role in Sunday’s win, but she was quick to note that it could not have hap-

pened without the help of teammates.

“We stuck to our game plan, we knew we weren’t going to be out of this, we just had to keep playing as a team and finish every shot we got,” said Fishel following the match.

“I just wanted to focus on every opportunity I had. I have amazing teammates who got me the ball and I just tried to finish it,” concluded Fishel.

Meanwhile, following the United States’ 4-1 victory over Mexico in the Final of the 2020 CONCACAFWomen’s Under-20 Championship, CONCACAF announced the competition’s individual awards.

Mexico GK Wendy Toledo, who registered two clean sheets during the tournament, was the winner of the Golden Glove Award.

Melchie Dumornay of Haiti took home Golden Boot honours for the 14 goals she scored in the tournament, including goals in all six of Haiti’s matches.

The 16-year-old registered two hat-tricks and also had a four-goal performance in Haiti’s 12-0 Round of 16 victory against Barbados.

Rounding out the individual awards is Golden Ball winner Mia Fishel of the United States. Fishel finished the 2020 CUW20 as the second-leading scorer with 13 goals, including a brace in Sunday’s Final.

Fair Play - United States Golden Glove - Wendy Toledo, Mexico Golden Boot - Melchie Dumornay, Haiti Golden Ball - Mia Fishel, United States

Bermuda on track to host ...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

“I just want to have the event; we’ve put a lot of work into it and are ready to go. Hopefully we can get CARIFTA off the ground.”

The BNAA will this weekend host a two-day trial meet at the National Sports Centre which is the venue for the CARIFTA Games. It will be the final opportunity for local athletes to reach qualifying standards ahead of the March 16 deadline.

The Games, held under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federa-

tions (IAAF) and the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), features 150 separate events.

Meantime, the International Triathlon Union has confirmed that the April 18-19 MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda will go ahead as planned.

The Bermuda event is the next on the seven-series circuit that will culminate in the World Championships and Grand Finals in Edmonton, Canada in August.

NO SPECTATORS AT TOKYO...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE and will stage tomorrow’s dress rehearsal without the presence of media. Tokyo had already stopped 340 children from attending.

Greece on Sunday announced a two-week ban on sporting events with spectators and on school field trips, as its number of coronavirus cases rose by seven to 73. The prefecture of Ilia, of which Olympia is part, is among areas of the country hardest hit by the

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coronavirus.

The Mayor of Olympia has written to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, proposing the postponement of the ceremony until May. “The danger of staging the torch-lighting with only a handful of spectators, a limited number of officials and delegations, and under a cloud of fear and concern will damage the greatness and prestige of this

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event,” Olympia mayor Giorgos Georgiopoulos said in his letter.

“With a sense of responsibility, the municipal authority - all parties of the city council of Ancient Olympia - in order to secure the global radiance of the event, asks the IOC which has the exclusive responsibility of organising it to consider the possibility of moving the torch-lighting ceremony to May of this year.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

Healy claims family bragging rights after stunning knock MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Australia’s pugnacious wicketkeeper-batswoman Alyssa Healy has another claim for bragging rights in her famous cricketing family after starring in her team’s fifth Women’s Twenty20 World Cup triumph on Sunday.

Opener Healy led from the front with a brilliant 39-ball 75 as Meg Lanning’s Australia roared to an 85-run win in front of a crowd of 86 000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women’s Day. Her husband Mitchell Starc, fast bowler for the Australian men’s team, was among the thrilled fans, having come home early from the tour of South Africa to watch his wife hammer the Indian bowlers.

Five years before at the same venue, Starc bowled New Zealand’s hard-hitting captain Bren-

don McCullum for a duck in the final of the one-day World Cup to set Australia on the path to a dominant win in front of 93 000 fans.

Her uncle Ian Healy, who kept wicket for Australia and is third on the all-time list for total dismissals in Test cricket, would have beamed in pride when his niece snaffled an edge to remove India’s 16-year-old prodigy Shafali Verma for two.

Asked who had the upper hand now in the family, Alyssa Healy wasted no time in responding.

“One hundred percent me,” she told reporters, beaming.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of successful World Cup campaigns now but to do it here on home soil was always going to be incredibly difficult to do.

“I guess Mitch and I are 1-1 on that stage.”

Alyssa Healy smashed the highest score in a women’s T20 World Cup final, producing a blazing 75 from 39 balls against India at the MCG on Sunday, (Getty)

Healy was dropped on nine by fellow opener Verma at cover and made sure India would pay.

She scored consecutive sixes off spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and later, three sixes in

succession off the hapless medium pacer Shikha Pandey to send the terraces into delirium.

By the time she was dismissed slogging spinner Radha Yadav, Healy and opening partner Beth Mooney had put 115 on the board by the 12th over.

Mooney went on with the job and went off unbeaten on 78, having driven Australia to an imposing 184 for four.

Mooney was named player-of-the-tournament after finishing top of the runs list with 259 at an average of 64, the highest total in the tournament’s seven editions.

Although Australia have won plenty of global trophies, seeing 86 000 fans at the MCG was a first for a team that have claimed almost all of their major silverware overseas.

With the attendance easily the biggest for a women’s

sporting event in the country, it felt like a watershed moment for the game and for women’s sport in general.

The Australian players, for all their brilliance, have long been overshadowed by the men’s team and their achievements only belatedly recognised.

“I don’t think that anything’s ever going to top that,” said 29-year-old Healy, who danced with her team mates on stage with American pop singer Katy Perry at the post-final concert.

“I hope that there are girls in this side that are going to experience that for a long period of time.

“But for me I never thought that we would get the opportunity to do something as cool as we did today and play in front of almost 90 000 at the MCG in a home World Cup final.

“It’s a dream come true.”

Deflated India find optimism in Melbourne heartbreak NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - The crushing defeat in Sunday’s final against Australia will haunt Harmanpreet Kaur and her team for a while but India hope the experience will only make them better before the next Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in 2022.

India finished the group stage as the tournament’s only unbeaten team and progressed to the final after their semifinal against England was washed out.

The expectations were naturally high, especially since India had beaten the hosts in the tournament opener, but Australia thrashed them by 85 runs to lift their fifth title.

The cricket-mad country reacted with maturity to the setback and support poured in for Kaur’s team, which included several teenagers.

“It was a tough day for #TeamIndia. Our team is young and will grow into a solid unit,” batting great Sachin Tendulkar tweeted.

“You have inspired many across the globe.

We are proud of you. Keep working hard and never lose hope. It will happen one day,” he added.

Encouragement also came from men’s team captain Virat Kohli, who endured similar heartbreak in last year’s 50-overs World Cup, where India topped the group stage but lost in the semi-finals against New Zealand.

“Proud of all the efforts put in by the Indian Women’s Cricket Team throughout their #T20WorldCup campaign. I’m confident that you girls will bounce back stronger than ever,” tweeted Kohli.

Opener Shafali Verma had set alight the group stage with her batting pyrotechnics but endured a nightmare on Sunday when she managed two, having dropped player-of-the-match Alyssa Healy earlier in the match.

The 16-year-old was in tears after the defeat and was consoled by senior team mates.

“I told her she had to be really proud of the kind of campaign she’d had,” opening partner Smriti Mandhana said.

“This is a time to introspect. Failure teaches you a lot more than success. The team needs to be left alone and think of how we can be better in the next few years.”

Both Mandhana and skipper Kaur were woefully out of form in the tournament while India’s fielding was below-par in the final.

“We didn’t field well. When you are playing a great level of cricket, you cannot drop the chances and we were not up to the mark,” Kaur said.

“We will take this seriously and when we come to play next time, we will be one of the best fielding sides.”

Indian players gather after their loss to Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup cricket final match in Melbourne. (AP/PTI photo)

Opener Iqbal named Bangladesh

one-day international captain (REUTERS) - Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal has been named the team’s new one-day international (ODI) captain, replacing Mashrafe Mortaza who stepped down earlier last week, the country’s cricket board (BCB) said on Sunday.

Iqbal, 30, is Bangladesh’s leading scorer in ODIs, having compiled 7 202 runs since making his debut in 2007. The left-hander also has the most ODI centuries (13) and half-centuries (47) for Bangladesh.

With all-rounder and former captain Shakib Al Hasan unavailable until

October as he serves a one-year ban for breaching the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption code, Iqbal was handed the captaincy.

“This is a massive honour for me,” Iqbal said in a statement. “I thank the BCB for trusting me with this responsibility.

“I’m aware that I have huge shoes to fill .... Mortaza has been a true great for Bangladesh cricket and a model of inspiration as captain for me and all the cricketers.”

Bangladesh recently beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in an ODI series - where Iqbal scored two centuries, including a career-high

158 - and they will now take on the African nation in a twomatch Twenty20 series next week.

Their next ODI is a oneoff game against Pakistan in Karachi on April 1.

Tamim Iqbal takes over as Bangladesh new ODI captain.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

‘We’ve got some weary boys’ - Langer on Australia’s packed schedule

By Alex Malcolm COACH Justin Langer says there is no opportunity to rest his weary senior players with each series as important as the next as Australia continue to search for their best T20I and ODI combinations.

Australia travelled home from South Africa on Sunday after being trounced 3-0 in the ODI series. They did win the preceding T20I series 2-1.

But there is no chance to rest as they head straight to Sydney for a three-game ODI series against New Zealand which ends in Hobart on March 20, followed by a three-match T20I series in New Zealand starting on March 24 in Dunedin.

The majority of Australia’s senior players, with the exception of Mitchell Starc, will then head to India for the IPL. Langer conceded his senior men who play all three forms for Australia, including Steven Smith, David Warner, Pat Cum-

mins and Starc are feeling the pinch.

“The truth is we’ve got some weary boys at the moment, particularly our senior players,” Langer said after the third ODI in Potchefstroom.

“They play so much cricket! When you think about what they’ve done since we started the World Cup, they went straight from the IPL, which is almost a year ago, straight to the World Cup, straight to the Ashes, straight to what has been a golden summer for us until probably these last three one-dayers.

We’ve got some weary boys. We know we’ve got six more games to play and then they’ve got to go again.”

Australia rested Cummins and Starc from the third ODI after the series had already been lost in South Africa. Starc was given leave to head home early to watch his wife Alyssa Healy play in the Women’s T20 World Cup final in Melbourne.

But both are preparing to play in Friday’s first ODI

Australia celebrate Pat Cummins’ breakthrough. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

against New Zealand at the SCG. Langer said there is currently no room in the schedule to pick and choose when players rest.

“The challenge is: which series is less important,” Langer said, “because South Africa here is a really important series. Coming back after (what happened) two years ago, that was a really important series for us. And I’ve got to say it’s been a great series or a great time here both in the hospitality and the way

we’ve been treated; the way everyone has looked after us has been brilliant. So that’s an important series.

“Then we play New Zealand who made the World Cup final. They’re a very good team and great rivals so that becomes a pretty important series.

The T20s we’re pushing for the World Cup, so that’s a pretty important series. So there are not too many now in international cricket where you think maybe we can take

the foot off it, because as soon as you do, you get beaten, like we have today and it’s a terrible feeling being beaten.”

Australia were beaten comprehensively in the ODI series, failing to make more than 271 in any of the three games. They have now lost seven of their last eight ODIs dating back to the final pool game in the 2019 World Cup against South Africa at Old Trafford. South Africa have also beaten Australia in six

of the last seven ODI meetings since Langer took over as coach in 2018, and 11 of the last 12 dating back to September 2016.

“The truth is we’ve got a bit of an eye to the T20 World Cup. Obviously, we’ve got two (T20 World Cups) in a row,” Langer said. “We’ve still got another four years until the next one-day World Cup. That said, we haven’t played good enough cricket.

“It’s very disappointing. South Africa, it reminded me a bit of great German soccer teams, they’re so disciplined, they’re so fit, and their processes are just so disciplined all the time. They’ve got the better of us in oneday cricket so far, for some time now, and we respect how they play their one-day cricket and they were too good for us this last three.

“We’ve got to work out. I think England are showing their cards a bit about how they’re playing their one-day cricket with a bigger picture view.

So, we’ll have those dis-

cussions in the next few weeks.

“We’ve probably learned lessons from that in the past as well when the guys are playing all three forms, and playing IPL, how we keep them really sharp. We know how brilliant cricketers they are, but even the best of the best, staying 100% sharp all the time is really hard to do. They’re mentally tough guys but it’s a real challenge for us.”

Australia have selected the same squad for the series against New Zealand with the exception of Jhye Richardson, who has been released to play the Sheffield Shield for Western Australia.

Gillette ODI series against New Zealand First ODI: March 13 at SCG. 14:30hrs AEDT, Fox Cricket & Kayo Second ODI: March 15 at SCG. 10:30hrs AEDT, Fox Cricket & Kayo Third ODI: March 20 at Blundstone Arena. 14.:30hrs AEDT, Fox Cricket & Kayo.

Flower named St Lucia Zouks head coach after Kings XI Punjab tie-up ANDY Flower was named as St Lucia Zouks’ new head coach for the Andy 2020 CPL season.

Flower The Zouks were sold to KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, the owners of Kings XI Punjab, last month, and

Flower was named as Kings XI’s new assistant coach on Saturday.

The appointment mirrors the one made by Red Chillies Entertainment in 2019, who named Brendon McCullum as Trinbago Knight Riders’ head coach and Kolkata Knight Riders’ assistant coach. McCullum was later announced as KKR’s head coach, after the franchise decided he

merited the top job.

Flower coached England from 2009 until 2014, and stayed at the ECB until October last year as ‘technical director of elite cricket’.

He stepped down from that position in 2019, and coached Maratha Arabians to the Abu Dhabi T10 title in his first role since his departure. He is currently coaching Multan Sultans

in the Pakistan Super League, who are top of the table with five wins from seven games.

James Foster coached St Lucia last season, and Brad Hodge held the role in 2018. The franchise last reached the knockout stages of the CPL in 2016.

“I am excited to lead and coach this team,” Flower said, according to a press release. “I am a fan of the

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and would love to be the coach to be associated with the team to bring victory home to the fans in St Lucia.”

Satish Menon, Kings XI Punjab’s CEO, said: “I am delighted to have someone of the calibre and eminence of Andy Flower; we sure look forward to a great season ahead.”(ESPN Cricinfo)

Ronaldinho adapting to jail with usual smile, prison warden says

By Daniela Desantis ASUNCION, Paraguay (Reuters) - Former Brazil and Barcelona player Ronaldinho Gaucho is adapting quickly to life in a Paraguayan jail, the head of the facility told Reuters yesterday, but his lawyers are hopeful he may soon be released into house arrest while the investigation continues.

“In broad terms he is doing very well,” prison warden Blas Vera told Reuters in a telephone interview. “I see he is in good spirits, just like you see him on television, always smiling.”

Vera said that Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto Assis, who were arrested on Friday for using a false Paraguayan

passport, would present their case to a judge today.

Their lawyer Sergio Queiroz told Reuters they had asked a court to release them into house arrest and offered guarantees they were not flight risks.

Vera said the 39-year-old former AC Milan and Paris St-Germain forward and his brother had beds, a television and a fan in their cell at the prison on the outskirts of the capital Asuncion.

The brothers use a communal bathroom and have the right to use the outdoor patio on a regular basis.

The pair’s lawyers have provided them with meals and they have not eaten the food offered by the jail.

COMFORTABLE STAY

The maximum security facility has around 195 detainees, including politicians and police officers accused of corruption as well as major drug-traffickers.

The more dangerous prisoners are housed in a different wing to Ronaldinho, Vera said, adding that he was working to ensure the pair’s stay is “as comfortable as possible”.

Carlos Gamarra, the former captain of Paraguay’s national team who also played for several Brazilian clubs, visited Ronaldinho with a group of ex-players in jail on Sunday.

Vera said others who were at the regular Sunday visiting time befriended the Brazilian.

“There was also a group of boys and girls and he welcomed

Ronaldinho leaves Paraguay’s Supreme Court after testifying in Asuncion, Paraguay, March 6, 2020. (REUTERS/Jorge Adorno)

them, gave them hugs and chatted with them,” he said.

Ronaldinho, who was last year named a tourist ambassador

by Brazil’s far-right government, arrived in Paraguay on Wednesday, invited to the landlocked South American nation by a local casino owner.

Although he last played professionally in 2015, Ronaldinho, who also represented Brazilian clubs Atletico Mineiro, Flamengo and Fluminense, is still hugely popular with global football fans and advertisers.

He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. He was also named FIFA world player-ofthe-year in 2004 and 2005.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

Sweeping changes at Ontario Softball Cricket League AGM … Ravin Babulall is new president

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada - Sweeping changes occurred when the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) held its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM), at Number 42 Police Division, Scarborough, here, last Sunday.

With incumbent president Albert Ramcharran, Secretary/Public Relations Officer (PRO) Frederick Halley, Scheduler/ Coordinator Vish Jadunauth opting to not seek re-election, and vice-president Terry Mathura deemed ineligible, the executive committee featured several changes.

Heading the list is Ravin Babulall, the former Assistant Registrar/Statistician who was elected the new president and former treasurer Kim Sue, who is now vice-president. The new Secretary/PRO is Vick Singh while Budesh Ramsaywack, who served as Assistant secretary/treasurer, takes over as treasurer. Dharmendra Kumar is the new Assistant secretary/treasurer.

Romando Sugrim will serve as Registrar/Statistician, taking over from Patrick Shivrattan who resigned during the latter part of the 2019 season while his assistant is Natasha Sue. Bobby Ramlagan, who was Assistant secretary/treasurer until the start of the 2019 season when he opted to resign, returns as Scheduler/Coordinator.

Prior to being elected to the top post, Babulall praised the efforts of the outgoing president. According to Babulall, he was not happy that Ramcharran was leaving after giving 25 years of yeoman service to

the OSCL and had been one of the founding members, along with Jadunauth.

Babulall pointed that the players, including some executives “weren’t being fair to Ramcharran in the execution of his duties”. He called on executives to be able to separate their teams’ business from that

of the executives.

In an emotional report, Ramcharran disclosed that after 25 years as a founding-member of the league, “my time has come to an end. I expected or I at least hoped to be here for as long as the players deemed me worthy of the honour of rep-

OSCL executive members: From left (sitting) vice-president Kim Sue and president Ravin Babulall; standing (from left) Assistant secretary/ treasurer Dharmendra Kumar, Registrar/Statistician Romando Sugrim, Secretary/PRO Vick Singh, treasurer Budesh Ramsaywack, Assistant Registrar/Statistician Natasha Sue and Scheduler/Coordinator Bobby Ramlagan.

LeBron James on NBA staging games without fans due to coronavirus fears: I ain’t playing LEBRON James has no intention of playing if NBA games are staged behind closed doors due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus.

On Friday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the league had sent memos to teams advising them to prepare for the possibility of games taking place without fans.

That measure has already been implemented in Italy, where a government decree this week stated that all sporting events are to be played behind closed doors until April 3.

The outbreak originated in China but has now spread across most of the world and there have been over 300 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, where 17 people have died.

It has played havoc with the sporting calendar in many countries and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain saw their trip to Strasbourg postponed this weekend, yet one of the NBA’s biggest names is not interested in the possibility of playing in empty arenas.

“We play games without the fans? Nah, it’s impossible,” the Los Angeles Lakers star told reporters.

“I ain’t playing if I ain’t got the fans in the crowd. That’s who I play for. I play for my team-mates, the fans. That’s what it’s all about.

“If I show up to an arena and there ain’t no fans in there, I ain’t playing. They can do

resenting them but like everything else, all things must come to an end”.

According to the outgoing president, “When I joined the league in 1996, the aim was to make our mainly Guyanese community enjoy the grassroots game for generations to come. I believe that to some extent

Brathwaite replaces Pollard for remainder of PSL West Indies T20 captain Kieron Pollard

NBA star LeBron James

what they want to do.

“I ain’t ever played the game without fans, ever, since I started playing ball.

“I don’t give a damn, this isn’t Europe.

They can do what they want to do.”

Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker also hopes it does not come to that for the NBA. “That would be terrible,” he said, as quoted by ESPN. “That would be boring. They might as well cancel the whole game before that. That would suck.

“But at the end of the day, it is getting serious. I don’t know. It would be very weird, though, for sure.”

However, James’ Lakers team-mate Alex Caruso admitted he would understand if preventative measures were put in place.

“It’s a nice privilege to be able to play basketball, but I would like to be able to live many, many years past this,” Caruso said.

“If it is a legit thing that needs to be done, do whatever you have to do. People watch on TV way more anyway.”

(Sportsmax)

that I have been able to achieve that feat.

“I, like so many of my colleagues, ran for office because I believed that there was need to maintain our culture and spread the game of softball extensively. Sadly enough, it seemed that our efforts have not been appreciated by many.”

The popular businessman said he was grateful to be part of the OSCL and will never forget the experience.

Ramcharran said he was “leaving now because of double standards. I am leaving because of the vile, threatening emails and texts among other things. I am leaving because family life demands it. Last but not least, I am also leaving to give “younger blood” a chance to take over.

“During my time as president, I always stressed the importance of accountability and I have been able to maintain that. I hope that whoever takes over the ‘hot seat’ will also make that their number one priority.”

Ramcharran also took the opportunity to congratulate the winning and runner-up teams and all the other participating teams across all formats in the league during the last season.

He expressed thanks to his hard-working executives who, according to him, have been tested to the fullest last year but have withstood with flying colours. “To you I say a big thank you for your outstanding and sterling efforts.

To our several sponsors, I say hearty thanks for your sterling contributions over the years.”

WEST Indies Twenty20 captain Kieron Pollard has been ruled out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to a niggle in his right thigh, with former captain Carlos Brathwaite replacing the all-rounder at Peshawar Zalmi for the remainder of the tournament.

Pollard was expected to join Peshawar after West Indies tour of Sri Lanka but the West Indies all-rounder’s injury means he won’t play this year’s tournament.

Brathwaite was originally called up as cover for Pollard till March 6, with that

arrangement now being extended for the duration of the tournament.

“I’m sorry I can’t be there in person this year, but the team has some inspirational characters leading the charge and I’m sure can give Darren (Sammy) his first trophy as a head coach,” Pollard said in a statement.

Peshawar, with nine points, is joint leader with Multan Sultans in the sixteam event and will play its remaining two league matches against Lahore Qalandars and against Multan next week.

(Sportsmax)

26

Jalon Samuel creates history with Gold Cup win Jalon Samuel has won his fifth title.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Jalon Samuel took the record for the most Gold Cup wins after riding to the prestigious title for the fifth time at the Garrison Savannah here on Sunday.

With his victory in the 39th Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, aboard Night Prowler, the 25-year-old reins-man has surpassed Patrick Husbands as the jockey with the most wins.

“It’s very special to win Gold Cup number five and have the most. It’s an honour, it’s a dream come true,” he said, after the eight-year-old Night Prowler, the oldest horse in the race, galloped across the finish line ahead of Bodie Tap, ridden by Rickey Walcott.

Defending champion Celestial Storm, ridden by Rasheed Hughes, had to settle for third place.

“I didn’t force him to do anything; the pace was a little fast out front and it was an easy setup for him. In the last furlong he really kicked … and it was perfect form,” Samuel added of the horse owned by Sir David Seale.

The North-America-based jockey won Sir David his eighth title in the premier sporting event and a purse of BDS$214 000 (US$107 000).

Night Prowler’s trainer Liz Deane told reporters after the race that she had faith in both Samuel and the horse, despite the latter’s age.

“Everybody said the horse is too old. He lost last year and was supposed to win and didn’t, but he turned up today,” she said.

Meantime, speaking after Sunday’s event, Minister of Sports John King said government was considering a programme with the Barbados Turf Club that would assist jockeys in getting training opportunities locally and overseas.

“I think this is an area where Barbadians excel, and I don’t think they have had any intervention or much help from government and I would like to be able to change that,” he said.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday March 10, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Beth Mooney-259 runs (AUST) (2) Megan Schutt-13 wickets (AUST) Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest individual score made in the recent ICC Women’s World Cup? (2) What were the best bowling figures in a match?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

Start women’s IPL, Gavaskar urges BCCI IF India have to emerge as world beaters in women’s cricket, it is time the BCCI invests in a women’s IPL soon. That is the recommendation of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who believes the women’s IPL need not follow the eight-team structure of the men’s tournament, but could comprise four or five teams so that untapped talent can come to the fore.

Gavaskar’s made the suggestion in a chat with India Today on Sunday immediately after Harmanpreet Kaur’s team lost in the final of the T20 World Cup in front of a record 86, 174 fans at the MCG on International Woman’s Day. Gavaskar said the Indian women shouldn’t be disheartened by the defeat because they had done the country “proud” and made “us hold our heads up”. But he wanted the BCCI, which is led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, to have a serious discussion on the women’s IPL. “To Sourav Ganguly and the BCCI, I would say is, look at, obviously this year is not going to be possible, but next year, having a women’s IPL because that will earn lot more talent,” Gavaskar said.

“There is already a lot of talent which we see and which will now come to the fore with the performance of this Indian team throughout this tournament. All I can say once again is that this Indian women’s team has done us proud and we are very proud of your performance.

Never mind the result in the finals. You still have made us hold our heads up.”

Gavaskar pointed out that he had suggested starting a women’s IPL in 2017 as well, after India lost to England in a closely contested ODI World Cup final in front of a full house at Lord’s.

“I’ve been asking for a women’s IPL for the last couple of years ever since I saw the finals at Lord’s 2017. That is where you actually saw that there is potential for a women’s IPL. “And like I said, it doesn’t necessarily have to start with an eight-team IPL, it can start maybe with a five-team or four-team IPL or WIPL or whatever you might want to call it. But I think if you start with that, there’ll be more talent that will come to the fore, just like it has for the men’s team.”

The men’s IPL started in 2008 and ever since it has given higher opportunities to several uncapped players. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya are two of the biggest names that have utilised the IPL as a springboard to vault in to the Indian team.

“Today look at this Indian men’s team,” Gavaskar said. “There are more (players) not from

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur walks out for the toss (Getty Images) the metros. They’re more from what you would otherwise call the rural areas, the interiors of India, that is where all the talent is. And that is where all the talent in women’s cricket also could be.

And therefore, if we tap that talent, we will have much better teams. We will have competition within the team itself to try and get into the Indian team. And that’s only healthy for Indian women’s cricket.”

The BCCI has been attentive to the growth of women’s cricket in India. In 2018, it conducted a one-off women’s T20 challenge match, which was played between two teams comprising the biggest names in the game. Last year the T20 challenge grew to include three teams, who played across four matches coinciding with the men’s IPL playoffs. This season the BCCI added another team to the T20 challenge which means four teams will play seven matches during the men’s IPL play-offs.

The T20 Challenge provided 16-year old Shafali Verma a grand stage to showcase her skills at the start of her career, which reached new heights at this year’s T20 World Cup, where she emerged India’s highest run-getter. Kaur has already expressed her desire to see the tournament become more full-fledged.

“We are hoping for some more games for the Women’s Challenge and I hope some more teams will get it,” she said at the presentation in Melbourne. “That tournament is very important for us because that tournament is one of the high quality tournaments for us domestically. From that we already got two good players and hopefully in the upcoming tournament we do get more players so that they can come and contribute for the team.”

Gavaskar echoed those thoughts. “The more

matches that they play, the more experience that they get,” he said. “They will also be able to share the dressing room with some of the stars of world cricket, like the Indian Premier League where the young Indian players (male) were able to share change room with the Indian greats, but also greats from the cricketing world.”

According to Gavaskar, if the BCCI needed any more proof that a women’s T20 league is a good investment, it should look at the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) which has been driven by investment from Cricket Australia for several years. The WBBL’s contribution to Australian women’s cricket can been seen not just through multiple ICC world titles, but also through fresh young talent.

“Yes, you’ve got to say that the Australian Cricket Board has backed Australian women’s team for a long, long time. They also had the WBBL, which has given plenty of opportunities to even a lot of our Indian players: Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet [Kaur], Deepti Sharma - they have all played in the WBBL. That is a big tournament.

“That is a tournament where you get to play the best players in the world, and you learn from them. But like the IPL, majority of the players in the WBBL are Australian women players in that, and that certainly has helped them to find that many more players.

“A women’s IPL will make a lot of sense because that will mean there will be a lot more exposure for the women, there will be a lot more talent, which is probably there, but we don’t know at the moment, will come to the fore.

And then as the years go by Indian women’s team will start winning a lot more trophies.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Vardy back among goals as Leicester thump Villa 4-0 (REUTERS) - Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy ended his long scoring drought with two goals after coming off the bench as they returned to winning ways with a 4-0 drubbing of Premier League strugglers Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium on Monday.

Leicester’s goal-machine Vardy had not found the net since Dec. 21 but converted a penalty just past the hour to double Leicester’s lead shortly after replacing Kelechi Iheanacho.

Harvey Barnes had opened the scoring before halftime after a dreadful misjudgement

by Villa keeper Pepe Reina.

Vardy struck again after 79 minutes to take his league tally to 19 goals for the season before Barnes claimed his second to make it a miserable night for Leicester’s Midlands rivals Villa who beat them in the League Cup semi-final.

It was the Foxes first win in five league games, ending a slump that had put their topfour place and hopes of qualifying for Champions League football next season in peril.

Third-placed Leicester began the night

only five points above fifth-placed Manchester United but the victory means they have re-established a healthy gap. Leicester have 53 points from 29 games, Chelsea have 48 and United 45.

All have nine games remaining.

After being caught by Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vardy is again the league’s top scorer by two goals.

FOXES BOOST “We needed to put in a performance. The past few weeks it’s not been there. I’ve been through a spell where I’ve not scored but that happens and luckily tonight they both went in,” said Vardy, who scored with his first touch.

“It’s a boost for us but we know we’ve got cup finals every single week now. We’ll enjoy this result and then get back on the training field and look forward to next week.”

Dean Smith’s Villa remain second from bottom, two points below the safety line with

25 points and a game in hand and only had themselves to blame for gifting Leicester’s first two goals Villa started brightly but in the 40th minute Reina charged out to intercept Marc Albrighton’s pass down the left flank and got nowhere near the ball, allowing Barnes to knock it around him before firing home between some back-tracking defenders.

It was Leicester’s first goal after three consecutive league blanks and they dominated the match thereafter.

Vardy had the chance to get on the scoresheet when Tyrone Mings was penalised when he dived in the area to head a Barnes cross clear but the ball hit him close to his shoulder.

Vardy put the penalty away without any fuss in the 63rd and got his second goal when he showed his poacher’s instinct when the ball rebounded to him and he half-volleyed past Reina.

The outstanding Barnes completed a good night for Leicester with a clinical finish to a flowing move in the 85th minute.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 10, 2020

Record numbers tune in for Women’s Cup final on TV AUSTRALIA’S dominant T20 World Cup triumph over India has seen broadcast records tumble with an average TV audience of 1.231 million Australians tuning in for the clash on Sunday night.

The figures reported by Mediaweek Australia include 405 646 people tuning in to the coverage on Foxtel - making it the most-watched programme for the year on the subscription service and also the most-watched women’s sports event in its history.

Foxtel aired the showpiece event on its Fox Cricket channel, as well as a FoxW pop-up channel in celebration of International Women’s Day. “The Australian women’s cricket team have captured the imagination of the country including our Foxtel viewers with their magnificent victory on home soil before a record crowd at the MCG,” Head of Fox Sports, Peter Campbell, said.

More than 825 000 people also watched via the Nine Network, although prominent businesswoman and women’s sporting advocate Susan Alberti criticised the broadcaster for showing the World Cup-decider on their secondary channel 9Gem - and instead opting for their reality ratings

The mighty MCG in all its glory (Getty) juggernaut ‘Married at First Sight’ on their primary channel.

“This is a World Cup, a world

championship and our Australian women’s team is in the final,” Alberti told The Australian.

“I don’t see why that other show couldn’t be postponed and people can watch it later. This is much more im-

portant.

“For Channel 9 to snub them like this, it’s not good for women. It’s just crazy.”

Viewing figures are currently unavailable for the Kayo Sports and 9Now streaming services.

The TV figures follow what was also a record-breaking night when in it came to attendance at the match.

Organisers had hoped to fill the venue on Sunday and top the record crowd for a women’s sporting event set when 90 185 people watched the 1999 women’s soccer World Cup final in California.

But the final figure was 86 174 on a landmark night.

It was still the largest crowd for a women’s sporting event in Australia and the highest crowd figure for a women’s cricket match globally.

The turnout on International Women’s Day was lauded as a seismic shift for women’s cricket and sport in general.

“It’s a game changer,” retired Australian great Alex Blackwell said on ABC Grandstand.

“I think it sets the standard or the bar as high as possible for the next sporting event - men or women.”

Gayle will struggle to get back into strong Windies squad – Philo Wallace FORMER Barbados and West Indies opening batsman Philo Wallace has expressed that Chris Gayle should no longer harbour thoughts of representing the regional side.

Wallace, who is currently involved in broadcasting, weighed in on the matter after watching the West Indies romp to an easy victory this week, in their two-match T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka.

The Jamaican, who has opened the batting for the West Indies in all formats of the game for many years, has not played for the regional team in the shortest format of the game for the past year. His last T20 match was on March 8, 2019 versus England.

Wallace has observed that since that time, Lendl Simmons who recently returned to the team, as well as Evin Lewis and Brandon King, have been getting the

job done.

“Gayle is 40 years old now, he doesn’t move around as swiftly as he used to and I think there is enough depth now in the team that they can move forward without a Chris Gayle,” said Wallace. He was speaking on a local radio show, the Calvin Alkins’ Delivery of the Day with Barry Wilkinson, in Barbados.

“The point is that the opening spots are sealed and the young men are performing, so he (Gayle) finds himself pretty hard to get into the side, to be honest,” Wallace added.

Gayle was scheduled to take part in Nepal’s Everest T20 league but the competition was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

He has ambitions of representing the West Indies in this year’s T20 World Cup where they are the defending champions.

Veteran Windies opener Chris Gayle

“I respect Chris’ record but if you are preparing as defending champions to win a World Cup, then you should be part of the process leading up to the production.

Chris hasn’t played for whatever reason, so look, I would stick with this team, add (Sunil) Narine and the Windies look really strong,” Wallace concluded.

Coronavirus makes spectator-free Champs a real possibility – JAAAs boss

JAAA president Dr. Warren Blake

The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships that is scheduled for the National Stadium from March 24-28 could be held without spectators.

That is according to Dr Warren Blake, President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

Blake, a medical practitioner since 1976, said that this could happen if the feared coronavirus that is sweeping the globe reaches Jamaica.

He was asked about the likely impact of the virus on Champs and the upcoming Jamaica International Invitational Meet during an interview on trackalerts.com live stream of the Carifta Trials on Sunday at the National Stadium.

“It (the coronavirus) is going to have a negative impact on events if/ when it comes to Jamaica. If it comes

before these events, the health authorities will have to sit down, look at the number of cases, where they are, and take the serious decision whether to allow a crowd like the size of Champs to come together, to put 35,000 people into our National Stadium when some of them might be infected,” Blake said.

He added that “This is really going to be a watch and see (situation). It could be possible that Champs could go ahead without spectators in the stands because of the danger of putting large crowds of people together.

“It’s hard to say what will happen but it (the assessment) has to be on a day-to-day basis. When it comes to a cut-off point then the hard decision will have to be made”.

Apart from the thousands of Jamaicans who flock to the stadium each year to watch the five-day spectacle unfold, a sizeable foreign media contingent

religiously covers the event.

Blake also suggested that upcoming track and field events in the United States are likely to be affected in large part because of a “lack of testing” in that country which he asserted has caused the virus to now be “out of hand.”

“They (the US authorities) are not calling it so, but I can tell you that the outbreak is now out-of-hand in America,” Blake insisted.

According to the JAAA boss, in New York, where a state of emergency was declared on Saturday, “400 doctors and nurses have placed themselves in self-isolation because they have come in contact with coronavirus cases.”

“The maxim is that if you test, you’ll find them (coronavirus cases) and America has not been testing,” Blake stated.

The veteran medical doctor noted

that it is estimated that if you have one untested individual carrying the virus, that person has the potential to infect over 3,000 new cases. “So I think that it’s really out-of-hand in America and it’s only a matter of time before it reaches Jamaica.”

Regarding the Tokyo Olympics, which is scheduled to get underway in July and which is increasingly doubtful, Blake said he has been encouraging athletes to continue training.

He noted that if the event is cancelled, professional athletes would be hit hard.

“All the athletes I’ve spoken to have expressed concern because that’s how they earn their living. They’re professional athletes so they’re going all out to prepare themselves as if the Olympics is taking place and they’re concerned that their preparation might come to nought.”(Sportsmax)

U.S. relish CONCACAF title win on International Women’s Day PAGE

22

Rounding out the individual awards is Golden Ball winner Mia Fishel of the United States.

(Photo: Mexsport/CONCACAF)

CU 20 Golden Glove winner Mexico’s Wendy Toledo

16-year-old Haitian midfielder Melchie Dumornay walked away with the Golden Boot.

BNNA president Donna Raynor

Bermuda on track to host CARIFTA Games despite Coronavirus threat PAGE 22

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – President of the Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) Donna Raynor says next month’s CARIFTA Games, set to attract more than 600 athletes from 27 Caribbean countries, should not be affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that is spreading across the globe.

The virus has reached non-English-speaking Caribbean countries, with a few cases in the Dominican Republic, Martinique, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy.

The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for July 24 to August 9, is under threat due to the spread of COVID-19 globally.

But as Bermuda prepares to host the 49th CARIFTA Games – the fifth time the island will be the location for the event – Raynor said she did not expect the COVID-19 situation would disrupt the staging.

“As of now, all systems are set for CARIFTA, the countries are having their final trials … and we’re all moving ahead as if it is going to take place,” she told the Royal Gazette newspaper.

Raynor added that the matter was addressed at a recent meeting of the local organising committee (LOC).

“Fortunately for us, most of the athletes are coming in from the Caribbean and flying in on charters, not flying through the United States …. We’re just really keeping our fingers crossed that we can get through the next couple of weeks and that CARIFTA is on,” Raynor said, adding that she was hoping none of the countries would pull out of the April 10-13 games.

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No spectators at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games torch-lighting ceremony - organisers

FLASHBACK: A general view of the Olympic flame-lighting ceremony for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games inside the ancient Olympic Stadium on the site of ancient Olympia, Greece, April 21, 2016. (REUTERS/Valerie Gache/File photo)

By Karolos Grohmann ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) - The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch-lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia will be the first in more than 35 years to be held without spectators, after organisers yesterday introduced tighter measures to protect against the coronavirus.

Greece’s Olympic Committee said spectators would be excluded from both the dress rehearsal at the ancient site tomorrow and the widely broadcast ceremony on Thursday.

This is the first time since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics that the ceremony will be held without any spectators lounging on the grassy slopes of the ancient stadium in the tiny Peloponesian hamlet. The ceremony - held both for summer and winter Games usually attracts several thousand spectators, including Greeks and foreign visitors.

“The lighting ceremony of the Olympic flame will be done without the presence of spectators and only 100 invited and accredited guests,” the Greek Olympic Committee said in a statement.

“The dress rehearsal on March 11 will be closed to spectators

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and media.”

The Olympic torch will be lit in Olympia at a scaled-down ceremony on March 12 before a seven-day relay that culminates with a hand-over ceremony in Greece on March 19.

The number of people inside the ancient stadium will also be reduced with only a few dozen representatives of the Tokyo Games from a group of about 150 allowed access to the ceremony.

Organisers will also shut the press centre following the ceremony to avoid the gathering of many people in an indoor area

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TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020