Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_03_10_2021

3rd October, 2021

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No.106503

Engineers working on plans to 03 rebuild Brickdam Police Station PAGE

–– temporary offices established at St Stanislaus College, no lives lost, guns and ammo safely removed Guyana Shore Base Inc. to hire over 150 persons 02 PAGE

Two 04 murder suspects shot dead PAGE

A fire of unknown origin completely gutted several buildings inside the Brickdam Police Station compound on Saturday, destroying years of police records and millions of dollars in vehicles. A ‘595-photography’ drone photo shows the fire ravaging the wooden structures, while photographer Elvin Croker captured the aftermath of the devastation

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 3, 2021

Guyana Shore Base Inc. to hire over 150 persons –– through a series of career fairs this month

IN response to the growing labour demands in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, the Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) will be hosting a series of career fairs with the aim of hiring 150 persons.

According to a press statement from GYSBI, the career fairs will be held from 10:00hrs to 17:00 hrs on October 9 at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), October 10 at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and October 16 at Enmore-Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The positions to be filled include: warehouse supervisors, crane operators, field technicians, mechanics, equipment maintenance technicians, and fuel facility operators.

Interested applicants are asked to walk with their resumes, any academic certificates, a copy of a valid form of ID, and one passport photograph.

Only persons with a vaccination card or a negative PCR test from within the last seven days will be allowed entry.

With almost 500 employees, GYSBI has already achieved 97 per cent local content. The Government Liaison Officer of GYSBI, Rabin Chandarpal, was quoted as saying: “Our people take pride in their work and understand their impact on the local community. As one of the largest employers in oil

and gas in Guyana, with a 97 per cent local workforce, we are proud to showcase Guyanese talent.”

GYSBI considers itself Guyana’s premier shore base, supplying a range of integrated services which cater to Guyana’s emerging oil and gas industry.

The company supports a range of clients across its 140 acres of development, with highly trained staff, and services compliant with international standards and best practices.

“GYSBI is dedicated to the recruitment, development and retention of the Guyanese talent. Every team member takes pride in their work and commitment to their community,” the company said.

Further information about GYSBI’s career fair will be made available on the GYSBI Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/GuyanaShoreBase.

Guyana Shore Base Inc., which is a Guyanese joint venture made up of Muneshwers Ltd., Pacific Rim Constructors, TotalTec Oilfield Services and LED Offshore, has been servicing the oil and gas sector for about four years, and building its reputation as one of the go-to shore base facilities in Guyana.

In December last year, the GYSBI’s General Manager, Sean Hill, had said that the company plans to invest US$150 million this year.

GYSBI has taken steps to ensure that it stays in line with the oil company’s stra-

tegic direction. Since 2015, ExxonMobil, operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks offshore Guyana, has increased its estimated recoverable resource base to more than nine billion oil-equivalent barrels.

And, following an agreement with the Government of Guyana, the company has decided to proceed with the Payara field development offshore Guyana.

Payara is the company’s third project in the Stabroek Block and is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after start-up in 2024, using the prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The $9 billion develop-

ment will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels.

Ten drill centres are planned, along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production and 21 injection wells.

Drilling activity in the Guyana-Suriname basin continues to accelerate, driven by the industry’s focus on advantaged barrels as a result of the unique combination of prospect sizes, reservoir quality, low-carbon intensity and low breakeven metrics available offshore Guyana, Westmount Energy had reported.

The investment company believes that any commercial discovery in one of the “Canje wells” could result in transformational value chang-

es for them.

It is on this basis that Westmount made its positive prediction for 2021, which follows a report from Norwegian independent energy research and business intelligence firm, Rystad Energy.

Rystad Energy had stated that 2021 holds “a lot of promise” for Guyana’s burgeoning petroleum sector.

According to Rystad Energy, ExxonMobil, in addition to the Canje Block, will be “firming up” resources in the southeastern part of the Stabroek Block, where deeper plays have been observed underneath the existing discoveries.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres), with current discovered recoverable resources estimated at more than nine billion oil-equivalent barrels. The more than 20 discoveries on the block to date have established the potential for at least five floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2026.

According to Westmount Energy, Guyana, with its positive prospects and vast potential, remains one of the few areas of “blue-chip” interest in high-impact exploration. Investopedia defines blue-chip stocks as secure investments because they pay out dividends as well as consistently and steadily grow over time.

Engineers working on plans to rebuild Brickdam Police Station

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 3, 2021

–– temporary offices established at St Stanislaus College, no lives lost, guns and ammo safely removed

By Jared Liddell

ENGINEERS are currently working on plans to rebuild the Brickdam Police Station in Georgetown, which was completely gutted by fire on Saturday morning, destroying years of police records and millions of dollars worth of vehicles, according to Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn.

The Brickdam Police Station was the Headquarters for the Guyana Police Force’s Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ that housed the office of the regional commander.

The devastating fire, which reportedly started in the eastern section of the compound at 11:06 hrs, destroyed more than 80 per cent of the structures, including the Property Room, Inquires Office, Traffic Department and Officers’ Mess Hall.

The fire also damaged a business place located on Hadfield Street, immediately behind the Station.

Minister Benn described the fire as “a great loss”, but noted that sys-

tems are being put in place to restore operations as quickly as possible. He reiterated that the government is committed to facilitate and support getting their central police station building back in operation as quickly as possible.

“Rest assured that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) team will be working to make sure that all the arrangements for calls to the GPF control centre will be done and put properly in place.

Currently, the issues relating to future building are already being considered by our engineers; we have already told them to think now about what we need in terms of a temporary location, and in terms of a design for a new police headquarters building for 4 ‘A’ at Brickdam,” Minister Benn told a news conference at his Brickdam office after the fire was extinguished.

ALL SAFE The Home Affairs Minister disclosed that some 16 people were in police custody at the po-

lice station at the time the fire broke out, but clarified that all of those persons, along with the ranks on duty, were able to safely make their way out of the compound.

By the end of the fire, the buildings that stood three stories high were completely gutted. Additionally, several vehicles in the compound were destroyed, as officers could not easily remove all of them due to the deadly force of the blaze.

Minister Benn indicated, however, that ranks were able to save several vehicles from the compound, as well as some documents. He noted that work will be done to reconstruct several pieces of important documents that were destroyed in the fire.

“Assessments have to be made of the loss of equipment. There is loss of vehicles; some equipment; some exhibits; both motorcycles and cars, and other items which are exhibits.

Work will have to be done to reconstruct some files which were lost, but the police made valiant efforts to retrieve much

Several cars, bicycles and motorcycles that remained in the Brickdam Police Station compound following the fire (Delano Williams photo)

What is left of several private and GPF-owned motor vehicles that were destroyed in the Brickdam Police Station compound on Saturday (Delano Williams photo) of the files,” the security damaged. operationally, we will be minister said.

The ‘Top Cop’ also able to continue our daydisclosed that guns and to-day operations in the TEMPORARY ammunition were safely streets of Georgetown, LOCATIONS removed from the build- because our ranks were on Temporary police of- ings before the fire spread. the road on patrol when fices have been estab- What is left standing in the the incident occurred. All lished at the St. Stanis- compound at the moment of our operational vehicles laus College, further up are the police barracks were saved, so, we don’t the road on Brickdam, on the western section of have an issue in providing to deal with reports and the compound; the “clay that service for the comother police-related mat- brick” Impact Base build- munity,” said the Police ters. ing; and the Brickdam Commissioner.

T h i s w a s d e c i d e d Lockups.

Meanwhile, several through collaboration with The Brickdam Police high-ranking governthe Ministries of Home Station housed 398 ranks ment officials made their Affairs and Education. belonging to the Com- way to the devastatCommissioner of Po- mander’s Office, Traffic, ing scene on Saturday, lice (ag), Nigel Hoppie Impact Base, and CID. among them the Attornoted that this tragedy M e a n w h i l e , w h e n ney-General and Minwill not slow down the asked if he had any idea ister of Legal Affairs, operations of the Force. what or who might have Anil Nandlall; Minister “That will not deter us; we caused the fire, the ‘Top of Parliamentary Afhave already started imme- Cop’ said he did not want fairs and Governance, diately to put systems in to venture a “guess”, but Gail Teixeira; Minister place to ensure that we are would rather pronounce of Public Works, Bishop keeping with our mandate on the matter once the Juan Edghill; Minister of of service and protection Fire Service completes its the Public Service, Sonia to the citizens,” he said, investigation.

Savitri Parag; Minisadding: Commissioner Hoppie ter of Education, Priya “We lost several build- committed to members Manickchand; Minisings; we lost also vehicles. of the public that there ter of Human Services Some are from matters should be “no fear” about and Social Security, Dr. under investigation, while the Force’s ability to react Vindhya Persaud; Minothers were vehicles that to any public issue that ister within the Office were destroyed. Some, in requires the intervention of of the Prime Minister, a significant way, belong ranks from the Brickdam Kwame McCoy; Ministo the GPF.” Police Station. ter within the Ministry of Commissioner Hoppie “We all know police Local Government and explained that because operations depend on our Regional Development, most ranks were conduct- records. As it is, we have Anand Persaud; and ing patrol duties at the to do an inventory into Member of Parliament, time of the fire, none of the what records we would Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev “operable vehicles” were have lost to the fire. But, Datadin.

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Murder of electrician: two suspects -were recently released from prison shot dead by police -weapons recovered

TWO persons suspected to be involved in the alleged robbery and murder of 19-year-old Joshua Denny were shot dead by police during a stakeout on Saturday evening in the UG/ Cummings Lodge area, East Coast Demerara.

Dead are Quacy Jupiter called ‘Ding Docker’ and David Smith called ‘Burlyn’; both men were the main suspects in the murder of Denny.

Denny, an electrician was shot dead moments after leaving his Festival City Georgetown house on Thurs-

Dead: Joshua Denny was robbed and killed by the suspects

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3 , 2021

day last. He was robbed of his 18 pennyweight gold chain and shot twice by the suspects.

Police Headquarters said ranks were acting on intelligence that the two suspects were in the area on Saturday and so, an operation was launched to capture then. The police further stated that the suspects managed to escape from ranks on Friday in Albouystown, Georgetown.

Police reported that two firearms, as well as eight rounds of 9mm ammunition were found in the possession of Jupiter on Saturday. Additionally, during the search in Albouystown on Saturday, police recovered a motorcycle bearing registration number CK8784 and several motorcycle parts, along with two ski masks. These items appear to match those which were seen on the suspects – as captured by CCTV cameras, moments after Denny was killed.

Meanwhile, Jupiter is no stranger to the law; he was sentenced to serve two and a half years imprisonment in August 2019 after he admitted to two counts of armed robbery.

J u p i t e r, o n A u g u s t 1, 2019, at Louisa Row, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Ulric Bristol of a bicycle,

cell phone and other items amounting to $63,000. On the same day and location, he robbed Robert Rollins of a bicycle, silver ring and cellphone amounting to $43,000.

He was recently released from prison. Additionally, on May 8, 2021, Smith was arrested for armed robbery and discharging a loaded firearm; he too was recently released from prison.

The suspects were captured on CCTV cameras moments after Joshua Denny was murdered

Some of the items ranks recovered during the search in Albouystown

Dead: David Smith called ‘Burlyn’

Dead: Quacy Jupiter called ‘Ding Docker’

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New booklet documents Venezuela’s unworthy efforts to erase boundary lines

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 3, 2021

–– reaffirms Guyana’s commitment to the rule of law amid anniversary of 1899 Arbitral Award

TO commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has released a booklet titled: “Imperial Ambition: Venezuela’s Threat to Guyana,” which documents the ‘squalid’ story of Venezuela’s “unworthy efforts” to undo what unfolded in Paris 122 years ago.

“October 3 is a special day to Guyana and to Venezuela. It is special to the rule of law internationally. It is special to peace and justice worldwide.

“122 years ago, on 3 October 1899 -- on an autumn day in Paris -- the Anglo-Venezuelan Arbitral Tribunal which had met there (in the halls of the French Foreign Ministry) in the preceding three months, delivered its award fixing the boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement on Saturday.

It was no ordinary tribunal. It had been established under a treaty, the Treaty of Washington of 1897 between

Tri Arbitral Tribunal and Counsel, Paris 1899 Britain and Venezuela, which was the time of the Mon- to achieve through arbitrawas intended to settle, for all roe Doctrine and Venezuela tion.” time, the boundary between co-opted the full patronage Reporting to the US ConVenezuela and Britain’s col- of America. gress on 5 December 1899, ony of British Guiana.

According to the Foreign President McKinley reported: Venezuela and Britain Affairs and International Co- “The decision appears to be undertook in solemn terms operation Ministry, it nom- equally satisfactory to both in that treaty: “To consider inated the Chief Justice of parties.” And for 63 years the results of the proceedings the US Supreme Court as a that was the official Venezuof the Tribunal of Arbitration member of the tribunal, and a elan position. as a full, perfect and final former American President as The boundary, as desettlement of all the questions its chief Counsel – Benjamin termined by the Tribunal’s referred to the Arbitrators.”

Harrison.

Award of October 3, 1899 It was no ordinary triIts members invited Pro- was jointly surveyed, marked bunal in another sense. It fessor F. de Martens, Profes- on the ground, and formally sor of International Law at mapped and agreed to in the the University of St. Peters- 1905 Boundary Agreement burg, perhaps the most emi- between Venezuela and Great nent international lawyer of Britain. that time, to be the President In a special moment of of the tribunal; this was an regional accord in the 1930s, assemblage of more distin- Venezuela, Brazil and British guished judicial minds and Guiana met and marked on offices which would be hard the summit of Mount Roraito match at any time. ma the point where the Brit“The verbatim records of ish Guiana - Venezuela line the work of the tribunal fill of 1899 meets the boundary 54 printed volumes – with with Brazil. arguments four hours each They called it the day, four days each week, for “Tri-Junction” point and nearly three months. On Oc- erected a monument that tober 3, 1899 – 122 years ago defines it, a pyramid that today – the tribunal gave its marks where the sun sets on decision. It was unanimous,” Guyana’s western border. the ministry stated.

“But there were cabals in In announcing it, the Venezuela that ever craved President, Professor de Mar- for more; and as an imperial tens, stressed its significance Britain faded in the 1960s an for the development of inter- imperial Venezuela arose,” national law: describing the the Ministry of Foreign Afboundary established by the fairs said. tribunal as a “line based on For the first time, in 1962, equity and law.” as the people of Guyana exVenezuela’s Ambassador ercised their right of self-deto Britain, the then Presi- termination, the Government dent’s brother, Jose Andrade, of Venezuela laid claim to hailed the Award, noting: two-thirds of our country – “Greatly, indeed, did justice the entire Essequibo region. shine forth. … we were given “Today, the Government the exclusive dominion over and people of Guyana stand The Tri-Junction Monument marking Venezuela’s the Orinoco, which was the by the Geneva Agreement eastern border on Mt. Roraima principle [sic] aim we sought of 1966; stand by the Sec-

retary General of the United Nations for his actions under it; stand by the International Court of Justice for its decision on Jurisdiction in the matter, and stand by the whole judicial process which upholds the rule of international law,” the ministry related.

Further, the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry said: “Together, they show the futility of Venezuela’s efforts to erase that boundary ‘line based on equity and law’ – our western boundary that this day commemorates.”

Book Cover: Imperial Ambition ‘Venezuela Threat to Guyana’

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3 , 2021

Agriculture and Development THE month of October is designated Agriculture Month. The theme for this year’s Agriculture Month is ‘Transforming our Food Systems: Achieving Food and Nutritional Security.’

Guyana is endowed with rich agricultural lands and agriculture has traditionally been one of the country’s main economic activities.

However, due to mismanagement of the sector by the PNC administration after it took power in 1964, the sector was systematically destroyed, in particular the two critical areas of sugar and rice. Such was the extent of the deterioration that at one time Guyana was forced to import both sugar and rice to meet local consumption needs.

This year’s observances are taking place against the background of a raging

COVID-19 pandemic and severe floods which destroyed a significant amount of our agricultural production capacity. However, the sector was able to overcome the challenges, thanks to the proactive measures taken by the PPP/C administration to bring relief to farmers who were affected by the floods and the prompt action taken by the relevant agencies to repair the damaged infrastructure.

Agriculture Month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of agriculture to the national economy and the enormous contributions made by our farmers to grow food not only for us in Guyana, but also for the Caribbean, North America and other parts of the world.

Once a breadbasket of the Caribbean, the agricultural

sector suffered due to the vindictive and short-sighted policies of the then APNU+AFC regime, which saw the closure of several grinding sugar estates.

The records will show than under the PPP/C administration agriculture blossomed and at one time was the main source of foreign exchange earnings and employment generation.

The current administration has re-committed itself to restoration of the sector to its former status as a pillar of the economy, even as the country has now become an oil-producing nation. The administration has made it abundantly clear, however, that oil will not supplant the existing agro-based nature of the economy, but will be complementary to existing production structures. Many oil-producing nations have

made the mistake of de-emphasising the agricultural sector, resulting in what is known as the “Dutch Disease.”

According to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during his message to mark the commencement of Agriculture Month, the agricultural sector is on a transformative pathway and can become the ‘agricultural heartland’ of the English-speaking Caribbean.

He vowed to re-position the agricultural sector to provide food to the Region to a point where it is envisaged to bring down the food-import bill by some 25 per cent. This is indeed a laudable and forward-looking initiative by the Guyanese leader, especially in the context of the rising cost of imported food.

According to the Guy-

anese leader, the envisaged transformation of the local agricultural sector will involve an inclusive approach, one that will allow for the active participation of government and the private sector and the continued engagements with farmers, agriculturalists, agronomists, veterinarians, food exporters, importers, academia, the scientific community and other stakeholders. Agriculture, President Ali said, “is on a transformative pathway and an exciting future lies ahead. Agriculture Month 2021 is an opportunity for us to plan and prepare for the future”.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who emphasised the need for the country to adapt to technological changes to raise productivity levels

and ensure a better product quality. According to the minister, we need forward-thinking, game-changing approaches for agri-food system transformation, in addition to being more innovative in order to have high uptakes in technologies to transform and modernise the sector.

This is indeed forward-looking thinking on the part of our leaders, who must be commended for the pro-active stance they have taken to push the sector to new levels. Our farmers are also deserving of our commendation for staying the course, even in the face of the several challenges faced over the decades. As a society, we owe them all a debt of gratitude for rising to the challenges and making food available to us and the wider community.

Reflections on the life and times of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

By Tota Mangar OCTOBER 2, 2021 commemorates the 152nd birth anniversary of an extraordinarily gifted man, the late Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more popularly and affectionately known as Mahatma [Gandhi] or “Great Soul”.

This remarkable spiritual and political leader was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, a small seaside town in the Kathiawar peninsula in western India.

EARLY YEARS The young Gandhi was brought up in a moral and religious environment that decreed the sanctity of all things. He received a somewhat indifferent formal education. For example, he himself acknowledged that while he was a conscien-

tious student, he was very shy and lacked self-confidence.

Not long after completing his primary education, the family moved to Rajkot and while he was at secondary school and at the tender age of 13 he was married to Kasturbai as part of the age-long Indian custom of ‘child marriage’. As was the prevailing tradition at the time, the adolescent bride was to spend much time at her parents’ home while her husband completed high school.

Gandhi’s father died in 1885 after a prolonged illness and family circles subsequently influenced the young Gandhi to pursue studies in law since it obviously held good scope for professional and political

success.

IN LONDON Gandhi sailed from Bombay to London in September 1888 and there he pursued studies in law and jurisprudence at University College, London. In England he quickly adjusted to the new environment and he came into contact with several prominent social idealists at the time including H.P. Blavatsky and Mrs Annie Besant. While being a law student Gandhi demonstrated a keen interest in the welfare of London’s impoverished dockland communities, especially against the background of the dockers’ strike of 1889 over better pay and improved working conditions. The frail-looking Gandhi became a bar-

rister-at-law in 1891. He returned to India where he did some odd legal jobs for the local prince of his hometown of Porbandar.

But the floundering Gandhi was far from satisfied. He abhorred petty intrigue, palace pomp, subservience and snobbery which pervaded local administration at the time.

STINT IN SOUTH AFRICA It was not surprising, therefore, that Gandhi accepted an offer in 1893 to work in South Africa.

By that time several thousands of Indian indentured labourers had been imported into that country to work primarily on the British-owned sugar, tea and coffee plantations. In addition, free Indian immigrants

were earning a livelihood as hawkers, tradesmen, artisans and professionals within the country. Gandhi quickly became an advocate of his fellow Indians.

As a representative of the Indian population in South Africa, he fought relentlessly for their basic rights. He was shocked at the level of racial discrimination that was in existence and the very despicable apartheid system in general. He himself experienced physical abuse, eviction and public humiliation as he confronted the South African government with a series of challenges and with the principles of ‘ Satyagraha’ [a concept of holding on to the truth] and civil disobedience. He was even jailed for his South African

struggles but this did not daunt his spirit since he was convinced that justice and fairplay would eventually prevail.

Gandhi’s unorthodox campaign against white prejudices in defence of South African Indians and Natives was of grave concern to the government.

Their racist leader, General Smuts was forced on the defensive time and time again as Gandhi relentlessly sought to eradicate human sufferings. Writing about his confrontation with Gandhi years later, General Smuts confessed: “His activities at the time were very trying to me....Gandhi showed a new technique.... his method [Satyagraha] was to break the law and to organise SEE PAGE 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

FROM PAGE 6 his followers into a mass movement. For him everything went according to plan. For me, the defender of law and order, there was the usual trying situation, the odium of carrying out a law which had not strong support and finally the discomfiture when the law was repealed.”

HOMELAND RETURN AND STRUGGLE Following his successful stint in South Africa, Gandhi returned to India in January 1915. By this time, his spiritual qualities along with his valiant overseas heroics were beginning to be acclaimed throughout his homeland. He came in contact with the world famous poet, Rabindranauth Tagore who had won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. It was Tagore who later conferred the title ‘Mahatma’ or ‘Great Soul’ on him. Gandhi and Tagore complimented each other as Indian nationalists and internationalists in their own right. Both were concerned at the plight of the suffering millions and both saw the need for ‘Hind Swaraj ‘ or Indian Home Rule. Gandhi also became associated with G.K Gokale, President of the Servants of India Society.

After thorough soul searching, Gandhi was convinced he could make his contribution to society. He established his ‘Satyagraha Ashram’ and quickly focused his attention at the numerous secret tribunals and imprisonment of prominent Indians by the British during the period of World War I. He entered politics and joined the Indian National Congress and worked hand-in-hand with leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mohammad Jinnah.

In 1919 he campaigned against the curtailment of civil liberties under the British imposed Rowlatt Acts by organising ‘Hartal’ or the suspension of economic activity such as the closure of shops, factories and banks. It was his view that ‘hartal’ would effectively demonstrate Indian unity and discipline to those in authority.

Following the Amritsar massacre in 1919 during which several lives were lost, Gandhi initiated his policy of non-co-operation

and the boycott of British imported goods. It was clear that by the early 1920s Gandhi had emerged as the undisputed leader of the Indian National Congress, the dominant political party at the time. As part of his strategy against the British, he advocated a policy of non-violence and non-co-operation in order to achieve India’s political independence. He wanted a

hearts and minds.

In 1930 Gandhi was in the forefront of the great salt march in defence of the poverty stricken sections of the Indian community, during which British brutality was highly evident as it sought to suppress resistance and stifle public opinion.

As the years progressed, Gandhi continued his struggle to end

At the same time he was deeply distressed by the religious partition of the country into India and Pakistan and the eventual violence that broke out between Hindus and Muslims. At great inconvenience and personal sacrifice he resorted to fasts and visits to the troubled areas in the valiant efforts to end the religious violence.

DEATH

A statue of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi at the Promenade Gardens, Georgetown

new India not merely a free India. To him true freedom of India meant the emergence of a new free Indian individual, free from the shackles of British rule.

Gandhi toured the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent urging non-co-operation and clamouring for internal self-government and political independence. He also initiated a systematic civil disobedience campaign for which he was charged and imprisoned several times. He adopted fasts as a means of touching men’s

British rule. He participated actively in several independence conferences (round table conferences), he asserted the unity of all the people of India under one God, he led the fight to end the caste system and he defended the rights of the ‘Harijans’ or ‘Untouchables’. In 1942 the British jailed him after he refused to co-operate during World War II. On his release from prison in 1844, he became a major figure in the postwar negotiations that resulted in India’s independence in 1947.

He was on one such prayer vigil in January 1948 when he was fatally shot by a Hindu fanatic. His death sent shock waves throughout India and the wider world and it was a tremendous blow to humanity. Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in addressing his countrymen over All India Radio had this to say: “Friends and comrades the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere and I do not know how to tell you or how to say it, our beloved leader,

Bapu, as we called him, the father of our nation, is no more.”

Close to a million people wept and wailed as the funeral procession advanced to the cremation site where the Mahatma was cremated on January31, 1948.

World leaders, including the British King, the American and French Presidents, the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other world dignitaries paid glowing tribute to this remarkable man. Even the Security Council of the United Nations interrupted its deliberations to laud Gandhi ‘as a friend of the poorest, the loneliest and the lost’.

ANALYSIS Perhaps at this stage it is appropriate to have a closer and brief analysis of those special qualities which were associated with Gandhi during his lifetime.

He took his desire for truth and justice to extremes in his daily life. In his own words he saw ‘Satyagraha’ which is born out of a love of truth and non-violence. Clearly he must have influenced people like the late Martin Luther King, our own Dr Cheddi Jagan and the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, in this unique philosophy.

One of his most outstanding characteristics was his complete fearlessness.

Neither physical violence, verbal attacks, arrests and imprisonment, nor any threat to his personal welfare could deflect him from his chosen path. Once he had plotted a course he stuck assiduously to it with remarkable calm, irrespective of the consequence. He was supremely self-confident and had a tendency for self-sacrifice and simplicity. This was evidenced in the numerous fasts in pursuit of his objectives. He was convinced that it was possible to force an opponent to a change of heart and to invoke compassion by patiently enduring suffering himself.

On one independence visit to England, neither the excessive cold nor pouring rain could make him change his Indian garb. It was his scanty and simple mode of dress which caused War Hero and onetime British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill,

to refer disapprovingly to him as “that half naked fakir”.

Gandhi intuitively knew what response his actions could evoke and by which simple non-violent means he could create panic to the British authorities in India.

His intuition told him that the creation of an independent Pakistan would not solve the conflict between Hindus and Muslims but would be giving into the evils of separateness and religious fanaticism. Thousands of deaths, the acute migration of people, border problems and hostile neighbourly relations between today’s India and Pakistan are the consequences of the partitioning of pre-independence India.

That is why he relentlessly pursued Hindu-Muslim unity and religious toleration. Religion, according to him, should be intellectually satisfying, ethically uplifting and spiritually comforting. The Mahatma rightly believed that good character and noble service are important elements of life. That is why he spoke simply, he dressed simply, he lived simply, he reduced complex issues to bare essentials, he used simple but very effective methods of political pressure and in doing so he touched the hearts of the humblest of people --- the suffering millions in India and around the world.

It is little wonder that the great 20th century physicist and philosopher, Albert Einstein wrote, “We are fortunate and grateful that fate has bestowed upon us so luminous a contemporary, a beacon to generations to come.”

Mahatma Gandhi was essentially a man of religion. His religion was broad, non-sectarian and non-dogmatic. Indeed, a purer, a nobler, a braver and a more exalted spirit has never moved on the face of the earth in modern times.

He was a man among men, a hero among heroes, and a patriot among patriots. His legacy is courage, honesty, humility and non-violence; his lesson is truth; and his weapon, love. He is rightly revered as Bapuji (Father of the Indian Nation). Above all, he was an inspiration to all third world countries in their quest to break the yoke of colonialism. The name Gandhi lives on.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 3, 2021

UN, developing countries happy that issues of vaccine injustice were raised

– says President Ali PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s strong stance against vaccine injustices has not gone unnoticed; as a matter of fact, the Head of State said following his speech at the 76th United Nations’ (UN) General Assembly, many world leaders, along with the UN General Secretary, António Guterres, were appreciative of his decision to address the issue head-on during the high-level gathering.

“Many of the developing countries’ leaders came to me; I raised it with the UN Secretary General in a bilateral meeting and they were all happy that it was raised,” Dr. Ali told reporters on the side lines of an event hosted on Saturday at the Promenade Gardens in Georgetown to observe the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

President Ali said that even though Gandhi’s philosophies have been globally embraced in concept, it is yet to be fully enacted. Evidence of this, he noted, can be found in relation to issues of vaccine injustices that continue to plague the world; a world in crisis.

“We cannot be truly equal, if now our movements can be curtailed based on the vaccine you take…Here in Guyana, we tried to get every single one of the vaccines,” Dr. Ali emphasised.

He went further to re-

iterate his discontent with countries moving to institute “vaccination for entry” requirements that only accept those vaccines that have been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“The vaccine you take is as a result of necessity,” the President noted.

Dr. Ali in his inaugural address to the UN General Assembly warned that this route could hurt the global efforts to end the polarisation of access to vaccines. “The access to vaccines saw the world polarised,” President Ali told his fellow world leaders, adding, “We must not now hurt our efforts at ending this polarisation of access to vaccines by implementing measures that divide us and curtail our movement based on the type of vaccines our people took.”

Instead, the Head of State said that the world’s efforts should be directed towards addressing vaccine hesitancy, and promoting full vaccination of all eligible citizens of the world.

“Millions took the vaccines which were available at a time of much uncertainty, and they are the unsung heroes. They must not now be the subject of restrictions based on the vaccines they took,” President Ali told the United Nations.

The restrictions being implemented by some are

President Dr. Irfaan Ali likely to affect thousands of Guyanese who have been immunised using the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which has not been fully approved by WHO, but continues to be administered in over 60 countries, largely owing to impressive real-world results.

Recognising that the peoples of our planet are living under a cloud of uncertainty, President Ali had said that it is important for countries to unite and create conditions that will ease fear, erase doubt, and give hope.

The Guyanese Head of State, in his strongly-worded statement, outlined that even after 76 years since the founding of the United Nations, the world is more driven by “selfish national interests” rather than the collective well-being of “our one planet and our one humanity.”

Dr. Ali reminded that no country can be divorced from

the rest of the world, and that all nations are co-dependent.

“Those, who at the advent of the pandemic concentrated on making themselves secure, now understand they will not be safe until we are all safe, because the virus knows not – and cares not – about ethnicity, age or geography.

It will not heed borders or be stopped by walls,” President Ali told the high-level forum.

He added too that even if the discriminatory vaccine practices continue, “The repercussions will be felt by the rich nations because developing countries are markets for the goods and services of the industrialised nations and the source of their raw materials.”

The President reasoned that “Poor countries cannot buy unless they have the means, and they cannot produce unless they have the capacity.”

US HAS TAKEN NO DECISION Meanwhile, as it relates to travels to the United States, officials of the Embassy here in Georgetown have said that they are yet to receive instructions as to which COVID-19 vaccines will be accepted by persons travelling to the North American nation.

An article published by online media outlet, News Room, quoted the embassy’s Public Affairs Officer, Violeta Talandis, as saying that “We are looking to [the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] to guide which vaccines will be accepted, as part of their standard role in determining who is considered fully vaccinated for the purposes of recommended or required in-

ternational travel protocols.”

The United States had said that it will be reopening to fully vaccinated travellers from early November. The reputable Washington Post subsequently released an article which suggested that US would not be accepting persons who are vaccinated with jabs that have not been approved by the WHO or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In August, the US-manufactured Pfizer vaccine became the first to be fully approved by the FDA. Nonetheless, even as the United States finalise its travel requirements, President Ali is hopeful that world leaders would come together to eliminate these and other issues relating to vaccine injustice.

President Ali is hopeful that world leaders would unite to fight issues relating to vaccine injustice

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Politics & Society Forum Is the AFC permanently trapped in the Coalition?

ONE interesting characteristic of Coalition politics is that it is much easier to get in than to get out.

The reason is that the entrance, a courting process, pales in comparison to when in the Coalition because much is invested in trust, networking, collaboration, compromise, creditability, and so on and so forth. It is therefore difficult to simply step out of a Coalition when things are not going in the desired direction for a specific party. The politics of Coalition, at the foundational level, is simply a marriage that starts out with courtship discussions, develops into partnerships, promises and plans, and blooms. When a Coalition loses power, the seams and cracks are more exposed, leading to the final stage of breaking up. These trends were noticeable between 2015 and 2020 in the APNU+AFC Government.

The only stage missing in the political marriage of the Coalition is the outright breakup, and hence, the reason for my

aforementioned title.

To illustrate, the PNC and the AFC plus a slew of small and insignificant political backwater clubs, not parties, came together and announced their political marriage. There was more to this event than met the eye in that the declaration was masquerading a courtship laced with private insecurity but full of public euphoria.

We heard statements such as we are a rainbow party.

We represent all ethnicities in Guyana. We will work together which will make us stronger as leaders. When in government we witnessed the blooming aspects of the good life for the parochial amour-propre of those who were at the wheels of power.

We also observed a lack of clear objectives coupled with power struggles as power was centred on a gang of eight reactionaries. The consequences were that power was unevenly distributed and compromised, leading to low morale, resentment, internal squabbling, hidden

sectionalism and a slow decision-making process. Unifying principles based on trust were limited. Progress was sluggish. The Coalition was not people-centred. Sectional chieftains rather than statesmen/women reigned supreme. The rose in the political marriage was fading, heading towards divorce but held on by fake promises.

After the APN+AFC Coalition was booted out of power in August 2020, much was said of how the AFC caused the Coalition to lose the general election.

The AFC failed to bring the necessary votes for the Coalition to hold on to power.

Thus, the general consensus was that the AFC was “dead meat”, an insignificant party making a lot of noise. Its main role, after March 2020, of supporting the rigging fiasco failed, plunging that party into further insignificance. I believe that it would take two general elections to dismiss the AFC as dead meat because we will have a better sense of its perfor-

mance at the upcoming local elections in attracting votes.

The latter is its main role; everything else is secondary to it. Currently, we do not have numbers to play around with, and this might be the caveat we will continue to face since there is no indication that the AFC would participate as a single entity in local elections. That possibility will open a can of worms.

Furthermore, at this stage, the PNC needs the AFC, as opposed to the other way around, going into the August 2025 general elections even for decorative purposes. The PNC will not win a general election by itself. It would need, therefore, another partner to cover up the stains of rigging. Implicitly then, if the AFC chooses to leave the Coalition, the PNC would encourage the AFC to stick with the above programme.

Is the AFC then trapped in the cobweb of the Coalition because of previous commitments cum a fixity of purpose? I predict that the Coalition will break up soon after

the 2025 general election. If not, we will have a classic fake political marriage in Guyana with its members wallowing and waltzing in the opposition.

If I am allowed to apply the sociological saying “seeing the strange in the familiar” then the Coalition’s antics is a prime sample. In any political marriage, one would expect the various political parties to spend more time together, privately and publicly, such as holding regular meetings, answering to the press, and its supporters, etc. Appearing publicly together and presenting a wide repertoire of suggestions and strategies to advance ideas on how leadership would pan out are some hallmarks of political parties. The thought that the favourability ratings are progressing to an all-time low and collateral damage rising does not seem to bother these political mandarins of the APNU+AFC. Many of them have chosen separate ways to vent their views

Professor lomarsh roopnarine on social media without an element of concern that they are exacerbating sectarian tensions in an already fragile state, threatening future unity.

They are feeding on the vulnerability of their supporters, who are trapped doubly by propaganda and the pandemic.

Even if these individuals “succeeded” in their fused and colluded mission, they will have to confront who they are, or what they have done; politics is noted for circular tendencies. May I ask: is this the way people who once had a taste of power habituate themselves when trapped in a Coalition cell?

What is more is that the AFC does not have anywhere else to go, not even an exit from the Coalition. It will settle for trapped soft power in the Coalition.

Regrettably, the AFC is in the Coalition not for justice or development for Guyana, but for predatory material gains (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).

Understanding Energy

Guyana on its way to energy independence INTERNATIONAL prices for Brent Crude, an international benchmark for oil, passed US$80 per barrel last week, surpassing pre-pandemic prices in early 2019.

Major oil importers like China and the UK are already grappling with the impacts of high prices coupled with the continuing supply and labour shortages from the COVID-19 pandemic. But for new producers like Guyana, the upward trend in prices means something very different.

For the first time in Guyana’s history, the country is headed rapidly towards energy independence. Thanks to growing oil production offshore and the discovery of large associated gas reserves, Guyana’s relationship with the international energy markets is

in the process of fundamentally changing in a way that gives Guyana significantly more power over its own destiny.

Historically, like many Caribbean countries, Guyana has been extremely energy dependent. With this reliance comes challenges. International shortages, price fluctuations, and supply chain challenges in the global oil markets have serious and unavoidable impacts on countries which import nearly all of their energy, and rely on imported fuel oil for electricity, as Guyana has done.

The unpredictability of international energy markets makes it more difficult and expensive for households and businesses to operate efficiently. Many countries in the Caribbean suffer from the same challenges, with only a

few exceptions like Trinidad.

But Guyana’s new role as a significant oil producer changes the equation radically. Historically high oil prices simply meant higher costs for households. Now, high oil prices mean more revenues. In 2020, Rystad Energy, a global oil and gas consulting firm, analysed revenue outcomes at different oil prices for Guyana.

The price reached last week, US$80 per barrel, was the highest one they considered. At that level, they estimated Guyana would win US$310 billion over the life cycle of its oil reserves. But now it looks like that price level may not only linger, but that it could even be surpassed.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs are now expecting oil prices to rise to US$90 per barrel by the

end of 2021, which would put Guyana above Rystad’s most generous revenue scenario.

While this might mean higher prices for drivers, since Guyana will still have to import refined products like gasoline, it also means significantly more wealth to spend on increasing living standards.

The government is already making plans to update aging infrastructure and invest in new social programmes to make use of the US $400 million it has already made from oil in just a year of production.

A sustained period of high prices could give the country even more options, especially if those prices coincide with production doubling or tripling in the next few years as Liza Phase 2 and Payara begin operation.

Guyana’s new status as a domestic producer could shift this situation in electricity as well, by ending dependence on imported heavy fuel oil.

Traditionally Guyana Power & Light (GPL) has relied on this fuel to run its power plants and has been forced to pay market prices for fuel oil, which closely track those for crude.

But now Guyana is set to end that reliance and fuel its electrical grid locally. The Government’s plans to build a gas to power plant to take advantage of domestically produced natural gas and invest in a hydropower plant at Amaila Falls would not only make electricity cheaper and more reliable, but also end dependence on foreign sources.

More affordable and reliable electricity will also have

positive impacts on Guyanese throughout the country. The World Bank has cited high electricity costs as one of the primary barriers to business investment and growth for the country. President Irfaan Ali recently stated that the gas to power project could cut electricity prices by as much as 60 percent, lowering costs for households across the country.

This new independence and Guyana’s new position as a major energy exporter will also give it a larger role on the international stage to engage and work with other global producers during shortages or times of higher demand.

After decades of reliance on imported energy sources, Guyana’s situation is improving.

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A proclamation to end rigging

THIS week, former Prime Minister and current Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Samuel Hinds, said that the People’s National Congress (PNC) needs to make a proclamation to end the rigging of leadership contests and elections.

In his analysis, Hinds said, “A ‘Proclamation to End Rigging’ would open many wonderful doors for all our people, our country, and most of all those who, for understandably good reasons, support the PNCR/APNU. What a great relief for all of us, some relieved from having to deny and others from being angered in hearing the denials of what are well known.

He went on to say that this “…would not be an admission to something secret, not known, should not take any skin off of anyone’s nose. It would take a great burden off

all of us Guyanese chests, particularly so, I say again as an Afro-Guyanese, the chests of so many of my Afro-Guyanese parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – who earnestly believed and wanted an opportunity to demonstrate that the PNCR/APNU would be good for Guyana”.

Hinds finally said “… but turning from our Christian foundations of truth and honesty to rigging has been our doom, initiating a slide to group and national disaster. It is timely to deliberately and firmly turn that page – avert the need for our younger people of great potential for our Guyana nation, like Amanza Walton-Desir and James Bond, to go down that same road of make believe on which we have been so long stuck”.

Hinds hit the nail on the head in his analysis which was both true and realistic.

He offered the supporters, mostly Black Guyanese, a chance to make a timely assessment of their leaders and the methods through which they sought to aspire to get into government and stay there.

Now, here are some suggestions for the PNCR since Hinds is rallying for a proclamation to end rigging. These are things that the PNCR should rally for within the next year.

Firstly, the upcoming Congress is the place to put pressure on the party to come clean about the rigging allegation and admit its wrongs.

The PNCR could even sign an official declaration at its Sophia headquarters commencing a period of reconciliation, healing, reform, and change. Similarly, David Granger and Volda Lawrence should get pressured to depart from the party decision-making processes.

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BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

Secondly, it is only hoped that Aubrey Norton, who mainly speaks about race dominance, should be ousted. Start a sanitisation process to rid the party of all that is bad and toxic within the PNCR. Even Joseph Harmon will have his feet to the fire and should be fired as Opposition Leader.

This move will cause the party to undergo reform, making it ready for the changes in the political struggle to come in the year.

If the proclamation and reforms are made, then young people would return to the party with fresh ideas and a new way of thinking. That is to say, it would not be the same type of politics that were disastrous nationally, but it would be good for Guyana.

Sadly, that would never happen anytime soon, if at all. Perhaps, it can be something to think about

ahead of local government elections and the next general elections but not now.

What Hinds and his former colleague Dr. Henry Jeffery seem to have glossed over is that the PNCR is planted firmly in the school of Burnhamite politics.

That is why every leader to date practised in their own way Burnham’s legacy of race dominance and party over national interests.

Also, the PNCR has developed a culture of rigging that is ingrained and part of the psyche that drives the party. This culture of rigging is likely to be on full display when the Congress is held by October or November this year.

That aside, the leaders of the PNCR know how to play an emotional game of politics with their grassroots supporters. That is where discrimination and racial politics come to the

fore. By making Africans or Black Guyanese feel that they are inferior to the other races (Indians specifically), the leaders can get their supporters mobilised to exploit them. Contrary to the beliefs of Hinds, the PNCR does not desire to change its ways.

Finally, Hinds is very optimistic, while Henry is very idealistic in his approach. But most Guyanese are realistic, and they look at political trends.

Many Guyanese feel the new Executive will have the same old faces with a sprinkle of the upcoming personalities. Others say it will be Burnham 2.1! That means, no proclamation will be made now or soon regardless of what are the benefits that Guyanese will procure.

Every decade, the PNCR turns out different political actors who perform from the same script.

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Questions you may need answers for THE patients’ right to ask questions of their healthcare provider is the starting point for best treatment outcomes since a better understanding of their disease conditions and how they can actively contribute to their healing are key success factors.

Firstly, ensure that the person you are engaging for advice is duly qualified to adequately address your concerns by identifying them in the pictured certification which is displayed for the public scrutiny in the case of a pharmacist. Some of the questions you may need definitive answers for are listed below.

Q: If I am experiencing severe pain can I double-up the dose of the pain medication so I may get relief in a shorter time?

A: No. Such practice is unsafe since it compromises your other organs (stomach, liver and kidneys which breakdown, metabolise and excrete medications) and may worsen your condition if there is some unknown impairment.

Q: How long after drinking medication do I see an effect?

A: The time lapse varies with different drug formulations and the disease condition you are treating. When a drug in tablet form enters the body it generally takes about half an hour before it is bioavailable but it can be shorter if the formulation is a capsule, liquid gel, dispersible tabs, effervescent tabs, chewable, sublingual or liquid. However EX(extended release), SR (slow release) and MR (modified release) formulations may take a longer time to be absorbed into the blood but their advantage is that it stays a longer time in the body requiring less frequent dosing.

So the effects can be evident for pain killers, blood pressure or blood sugar meds which are visibly measured. However, for other disease conditions such as fungi present either on the skin, scalp, fingernails or toe nails, it takes a longer time to treat since the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the drug to eradicate such micro-organisms must be maintained for a period ranging from several weeks to months depending on the severity of the condition.

Q: I am having trouble swallowing my pills. Can I crush the medications?

A: It is not advisable to alter the formulation such as crushing tablets, opening capsules, splitting or cutting medications for various reasons. Some chemical compounds

have a bad taste and hence patients will not comply with dosing, while other medications may be rendered inactive due to exposure to stomach acid or may cause irritation to the stomach lining. Disruption to the drug delivery technology, where incremental doses are designed to be released at specific times, can cause initial toxicity levels and subsequent lower therapeutic levels. So the list of products that should not be crushed are SR (slow release), EC (enteric coated), EX (extended release), MR (modified release), LA (long acting), CR (controlled release), SA (sustained action). The innovative drug delivery technology is utilised mainly by branded products although a few commonly used generics have this feature where a controlled amount of drug is released into the body over a prolonged period, removing the need for multiple dosing. Regular generic tablets can be film/ sugar coated or scored (those with a line dividing the pill into two). Only the latter may be cut using a tablet cutter to ensure precise amount of milligrams.

Q: Isn’t brand name medication better than generic? Why else would it be so much more expensive?

A: The generic drugs are at least 80 per cent cheaper than the branded ones since there is an associated high cost to conduct clinical trials to prove safety and effectiveness prior to releasing on the market. However, the generic equivalent does almost the same job since it contains the same amount of active ingredients. Since 2013 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries supported generic medications where pharmacists were allowed to substitute generics for branded products. The screening and approval process vary from country to country by their respective authorities (in USA the FDA, in Europe, the EMA and in Guyana the FDD) to ensure quality generic drugs, using bioequivalence studies.

Q: What are the necessary information to volunteer to the pharmacist?

A: Always inform the pharmacist if you have any allergies, if you are currently on any medication (both OTC and POM), pregnant or breastfeeding or buying or collecting treatment on behalf of someone. Usually there are alternatives in the event of allergies, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Medications were earlier categorised as A, B, C, D or X for pregnancy risk or birth defects depending on the trimester. However, this classification was

modified in 2015 to show safety in pregnancy, lactation and female and male reproductive potential on a more individualised manner measuring risk to benefit.

Q: Is it safe to buy medications online?

A: E-pharmacy or online pharmacy may be convenient but has its limitations, and, for sure, safety issues since many of the online platforms do not require proper storage of the meds nor guarantee that the meds are not counterfeit.

It is estimated that 25 per cent of pharmaceuticals distributed in the developed and developing countries are counterfeit. So individual assessment of the entity using criteria of physical inspection of warehousing and

storage conditions, involvement of qualified pharmacists in operational procedures (who will understand the importance of the watchful eyes of the FDD and FDA) and observe the necessary protocols in the event of a product recall, are some measures to ensure you are receiving a quality product and not just a cheap counterfeit alternative.

For further advice consult the pharmacist at Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets.

If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine.express@ gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/burg. Tel #225-5142.

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Scenes from fire at Brickdam Police Station

A massive fire destroyed several buildings and vehicles inside the Brickdam Police Station in Georgetown on Saturday. Authorities said over 80 per cent of the police station have been destroyed. Photographers Elvin Croker and Delano Williams captured the destruction as the fire progressed.

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Scenes from fire at Brickdam Police Station

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Four more lives lost to COVID-19 as death toll nears 800

THE Ministry of Health has reported that four more people who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus died on October 1, 2021, while receiving treatment at a government medical institution for the novel coronavirus.

The latest fatalities are two females, ages 84 and 78, respectively, and one male, age 49, all from Region Four (Demerara–Mahaica) and one female, age 89, from Region Two (Pomeroon– Supenaam). The three females were all unvaccinated, while the male had received his first dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The country’s COVID-19 death toll continues on an upward trajectory as Guyana registered the latest deaths which took the death toll to 796 since the virus was first detected in the country in March 2020.

In addition to the death toll, the number of new cases of persons who tested positive for the virus continues to increase as well with an additional 242 new cases of the virus detected from some 1,805 tests conducted within a 24-hour period.

With the new cases, the country’s overall number of confirmed cases stands at 32,297. The bulk of new cases continues to be recorded in Region Four, which

saw 118 people testing positive.

Region One (Barima–Waini) recorded one new case; Region Two recorded 17; Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara), 55 new cases; Region Five (Demerara – Mahaica), seven new cases; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 13 new cases; Region Seven (Cuyuni– Mazaruni), 18 new cases; Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) 11 new cases and Region 10 (Upper Demerara– Upper Berbice) two new cases.

There are 32 people in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital; 137 are in institutional isolation; 3,872 are in home isolation and there are seven persons in institutional quarantine.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols contained in the Gazetted COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until October 31, 2021, along with other measures, such as regular hand-washing and social distancing, to curb the spread of the virus.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit us at www.health.gov.gy

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38 persons receive mining blocks via lottery in Port Kaituma

SOME 38 miners are now owners of medium scale mining blocks in the North West District, following a lottery exercise which was observed

by Minister of Housing

and Water, Collin Croal, on Saturday.

The exercise was conducted by officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) at the Port Kai-

tuma Community Centre, Region One. Noting that some 89 applications were received, the minister was particularly pleased to see the majority representing small scale miners.

A section of the small and medium scale miners who participated in the lottery, overseen by the GGMC at the Port Kaituma Community Centre in Region One

“This exercise is aimed at providing transparency, as well as, part of our manifesto commitment to provide more opportunities for small scale miners to be able to embark on these ventures,” the Housing Minister said.

In congratulating the successful applicants, Minister Croal also charged them to conduct their activities in accordance with mining laws, and keeping in mind the effects of their operations on nearby communities.

Mines Manager, Krishna Ramdas, stated that GGMC has also managed to improve the quality of the mining blocks, compared to recent years, by making more information accessible on the mineral components and providing blocks with better access routes.

Following the draw-

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, led the execution of a mining Lottery in Port Kaituma, Region One ing process, the awardees were given the opportunity to advance the permit process with the payment of the environmental bond and other fees.

Some 202 mining blocks are expected to be distributed nationally through mining lottery exercises that are ongoing simultaneously.

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Calls made for the renaming of Middle Street, Promenade Garden _ as Mahatma Gandhi’s 152nd Birth Anniversary is observed

THE Indian High Commission in Guyana is advocating for the renaming of the Promenade Gardens and its adjacent road, Middle Street, in George-

Birth Anniversary on Saturday, India’s High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. KJ Srinivasa reflected on Gandhi’s efforts to make the

next to which that venue is located in his honour.

Gandhi, widely known as ‘Mahatma’, meaning ‘Great Soul’, was born in British

The five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee was assassinated on January 30, 1948 at the age of 78; he was shot by a fanatic at point-blank range while walking to his prayer meeting on the lawns of Birla House, in New Delhi.

Delivering the feature address at the beautiful cultural ceremony, President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali pointed to the fact that Gandhi’s teachings are particularly relevant today, as inequalities and injustices continue to expand globally.

centrepiece of everything is the people,” Dr. Ali asserted.

He further reasoned that, “The people drive the economic transformation, and the economic transformation rebound to benefit the people. The people drive societal changes, that is why we say that there must be wide consultation in the reform of the constitution, because it must be driven by the people themselves.”

Dr. Ali said that the same principles apply to the creation of policies and programmes that serve the people of Guyana. In keep-

national peace,” President Ali said.

To further honour Mahatma Gandhi’s life, the Guyana Post Office Commemoration unveiled a commemorative stamp.

The ceremony also saw the delivery of a number of verbal tributes by prominent Guyanese such as business tycoon, Dr. Yesu Persaud and well-known historian, Tota Mangar. It also featured a number of cultural items including song, dance, skit and an intriguing yoga display by members of the Indian High Commission.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali joins members of the Indian High Commission to offer a floral tribute to the late Mahatma Gandhi (Delano Williams photo) town, as a tribute to the late Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, one of the world’s most iconic social activists.

During an event to commemorate Gandhi’s 152nd

world a better place, expressing hope that the Government of Guyana would consider renaming both the garden, where the Gandhi Monument was erected, and the street

India [now Gujarat]. He was a lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who was widely revered both before and after his death, for fighting for equality and peace.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd unveil the commemorative stamp, alongside India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa and his wife, Ashwini (Delano Williams photos) The Head of State pointed specifically to issues relating to climate change and the availability and use of the coronavirus vaccines.

“The critical question of understanding Gandhi’s philosophy centres around people,” President Ali said.

He noted that even though Gandhi’s message was largely simple, its consequences are enormous.

“Today, you hear the word sanctions; countries that do not comply with certain values like democracy and the freedom of people, sanctions are imposed. Countries enabling environment to see things like terrorism, sanctions are imposed,” Dr. Ali noted.

He went further to note that even Gandhi’s messages created the conditions for sanctions. “When he said buy local, it was a simple message but it had an economic connotation… that showed the broad nature in his thinking,” the President said, adding that Gandhi’s philosophies were people-centred.

“This is where Gandhi’s philosophies and the philosophies of the government go hand-in-hand. For us, the

ing with Gandhi’s teachings, President Ali said that his government is also keen on pushing an agenda of peace throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. “If you are not at peace individually, you can’t be at peace collec-

Also attending the activity were Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd;

One of the many cultural items performed in honour of Mahatma Gandhi tively,” Dr. Ali posited.

It is for this reason, that he affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of all Guyanese. “Individual peace transforms itself into societal peace; community peace;

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, along with other government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

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Over 300 in Port Kaituma to get first-time access to water

HUNDREDS of Port Kaituma residents in the Matarkai sub-district of Region One, are set to benefit from improved water service, following the inking of a contract between the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Martakai Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for the

components by a contractor.

Upon completion, the NDC will commence the installation of pipe networks on the first well, thereby connecting Port Kaituma waterfront, and raising the water service from surface to ground level.

Meanwhile, the second well will be connected to Oronoque, where over

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal handing over the contract to NDC Chairman, Orlando Thorne upgrading of the Port Kaituma water supply system.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, presented the contract to the NDC Chairman, Orlando Thorne, on Friday last. The handing over of the contract was done at the Port Kaituma Community Centre, in the presence of Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, GWI Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailall and other officials.

“The Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Guyana Water Incorporated, has a responsibility to ensure that water services in the hinterland matches that of the coastland and this is a part of meeting that commitment,” said Minister Croal.

He explained that GWI recently completed the drilling of two wells and was in the process of activating the wells, through the installation of pumps and electrical

300 residents will enjoy first-time access to potable water. These areas are currently receiving water from a nearby river, which Minister Croal noted was not a reliable source for consumption.

“Under GWI’s programme, we plan to minimise and eventually eliminate any source or supply of water for households from rivers,” Minister Croal affirmed.

The Regional Chairman and NDC Chairman hailed the project as they stated that such collaborations were important for the development of hinterland communities.

The overall project is valued at $15 million. In addition to the improved water service, this investment is expected to ‘stir’ substantial employment and economic activity in the areas, through the community’s participation.

As part of the water

company’s expansion programme, several new wells are also expected to be drilled in the Moruca and Mabaruma sub-regions.

23

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and other officials inspect the well site at Oronoque in Region One

24

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 3, 2021

Deputy Superintendent arrested with drugs, 'ammo' DEPUTY Superintendent of Police, Dexter Brown, was, on Friday night, arrested by his colleagues in a Toyota Allion motorcar (PTT 3891) with drugs and ammunition at a roadblock at Helena Number Two Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police said his vehicle had earlier eluded a police patrol in Regional Police Division Five.

According to Police Headquarters, acting on information at about 21:15hrs, law enforcement stopped a car driven by the

Deputy Superintendent Dexter Brown searched by police and they found 9.4 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa and two rounds of 9mm am-

The car the officer was driving when he was arrested Deputy Superintendent of Police.

“While the vehicle was at the roadblock, the police patrol from the Regional Police Division Five drove up, resulting in DSP Dexter Brown driving through the roadblock in an attempt to escape.

However, he was pursued by the ranks and was intercepted at Lima Dam, Mahaica, ECD,” police said.

The vehicle was

munition.

He was escorted to the Cove and John Police Station where the contents in the 10 bulky parcels were weighed in his presence and amounted to 9,466 grams.

That, along with the ammunition, were sealed and lodged.

He was subsequently arrested and the vehicle is in police custody as the investigations continue.

The drugs seized by police from the vehicle driven by the Deputy Superintendent

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 3, 2021

25

CANU seizes US$2.2M worth of marijuana in Pomeroon, six arrested

SIX persons were, on Friday, arrested with US$2.2M worth of marijuana at the mouth of the Pomeroon River by agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

Reports indicated that the marijuana was being loaded on three go-fast boats that were destined for Caribbean territories. According to CANU, the operation was conducted over a two-week period by drug enforcement officers along with ranks of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard.

“The aim of this operation was to gather critical intelligence on the movement of narcotics from Guyana by a local drug trafficking organisation to other Caribbean territories.

The operational area included Regions Four, Five, Six and Seven. In addition to 1007.2 lbs. of local as well as foreign marijuana, this joint operation netted three Go–Fast vessels with six outboard engines. The narcotics would have a street value of $US 2.26 million

The narcotics seized by CANU at its final destination. Six the six men are Fabian local persons are in custody Gonsalves, Frank Gonassisting with the investiga- salves, Antonio Ramlagam, Pertab Singh, David Jartion,” CANU noted.

Reports indicated that dine and Dinesha Williams.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

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Academy would create growth and development in sport—Minister Ramson SPORT in Guyana will rise to new heights under the establishment of the Guyana Sports Academy, according to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. In his presentation at the inaugural Guyana Sports Conference at the National Cultural Centre yesterday morning, Minister Ramson pointed to the fundamental changes that would take place once the academy is fully established.

Minister Ramson said that the academy would help to generate and unearth Guyanese talent through a partnership between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and sporting associations and federations.

The idea behind the academy, which will be officially launched in the coming weeks, is to create a climate of growth and development in sport.

“Our Sports Academy

is not a building, it’s a programme and it is going to change how we understand talent.”

Minister Ramson spent a large portion of his presentation on talent and the need to understand that it is more than physical attributes. He indicated that it can be nurtured through consistency and a systematic approach to learning.

He used several examples to reinforce this and indicated that Guyanese athletes need more time and better methods to achieve their goals.

CORE SPORT Initially, the focus would be on 12 core sport, which among other variables, currently have systems in place to attract more participants.

The core group include cricket, football, athletics, basketball, table tennis, swimming, hockey, squash, rugby, volleyball, tennis and badminton.

The Minister noted that the sporting disciplines could increase or change in time.

The academy itself will be set up through a tripartite structure, inclusive of a nursery, competitions/tournaments and elite training.

Minister Ramson pointed out that the nursery level would be the introduction level, which will target athletes or those with potential between the ages of 12-25.

At this junction, the NSC will ensure that programmes and venues are provided.

At the tournament level, the Government of Guyana, through the NSC will provide at least 12M annually to the governing bodies of the core sport, which will help them to organise and facilitate competitions/tournaments.

Above-average performers, who excelled at these tournaments or those who show inordinate improve-

RACING TIPS

ment, will be selected for the elite training.

The sessions will last on average four to eight weeks and will see selected individuals dedicating themselves to training. In order to achieve this, the Minister announced that a stipend would be given.

Minister Ramson said that training the elite athletes would require either the use of older or retired athletes who understands the ins and outs of the sport, or even overseas coaches.

Yesterday’s inaugural Guyana Sports Conference set the stage for the academy and allowed open and frank discussions between the stakeholders on a number of topics, including governance/responsibilities, nurturing talent and mindset, revenue, sponsorship, the media, nutrition, injuries and psychology, tournaments, elite training and international competition.

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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 03, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Chris Gayle -- 88 (The Oval, 2009)

(2)

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Today’s Quiz: (1) Which West Indian bowler has claimed most T20 Int’l wickets against Australia to date?

(2) Which Australian bowler has taken most T20 Int’l wickets against the West Indies to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue ……………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

Dreamers turned believers: Afghanistan’s grand ambitions

UP until 2010, Afghanistan had not so much as competed in the group stage of a Men’s ICC World Cup. Eleven years on, participation is no longer the goal.

Rashid Khan dreams of winning a World Cup and he sees no reason why they cannot make that a reality.

Eleven years old when Afghanistan made their debut at a major ICC event the T20 World Cup 2010 in West Indies - Khan stepped onto the big stage for the first time at the 2016 edition in India.

He took 11 wickets at 16.63 for the tournament, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker as Afghanistan reached the Super 10 stage. Two of those wickets came in the surprise result of the tournament when Afghanistan beat West Indies by six runs. They were the only team in the tournament to beat the eventual champions.

In the five years since Afghanistan have developed further in men’s cricket. In 2018, they

Afghanistan ‘s ace leg-spinner Rashis Khan played their first Test match, and in 2019 they enjoyed their first victory in the format.

“We have achieved a lot over the last 10 years as a team,” Khan, an ICC Live the Game ambassador, said.

“Where we came from, where we had no facilities, we came from that stage and we’ve played lots of World Cups.

It’s a dream of every country to be called a Test team and we’ve got that as well, we’ve

played Test games. We have achieved a lot.”

But it’s in white ball cricket where they have truly thrived.

Automatic qualifiers for the Super 12 stage of next month’s T20 World Cup, Afghanistan have two of the top five T20I bowlers in the world on the ICC rankings in Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman, and the No.1 T20I all-rounder in Mohammad Nabi.

He won’t put a timeframe on it, but given the talent they have nurtured, he is confident Afghanistan can now dream of collecting silverware.

“We have that target in the future that one day we have the ability to win the World Cup, especially the T20 World Cup. That’s the focus of everyone back home.

“That’s the dream of everyone, that’s the target of every player and we are capable of achieving that target. We have that belief in our skills and ourselves, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to achieve that target in the future.”

The leg-spinner has already fulfilled things beyond his wildest imagination, being crowned the ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Decade at the start of the year.

“Unbelievable,” he said.

“I never had that in the mind to be called ICC T20I Player of the Decade.

“To be called the Player of the Decade was more than special for me. It was a dream.”

Having had his own eyes opened to where cricket could take him and his com-

patriots as a youngster, he harbours ambitions of doing the same for the next generation.

“To take Afghanistan cricket to the next level. As soon as we achieve that level, especially for the youngsters back home, it gives them lots of hopes, lots of future plans and gives them the kind of energy to come up and do the same for the cricket of Afghanistan.

“That will be the target to win the World Cup for the country.”

That next generation is already coming through. Khan himself is only 23 years old, but he’s among the more experienced members of Afghanistan’s T20WC squad with 95 T20Is to his name.

As an elder statesman in everything but age, he sees exciting things to come from 16-year-old wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, who took seven wickets at the last ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup but is still waiting for his first senior cap.

“He is someone who can deliver well in the future for Afghanistan.”

Among the current squad,

there’s also 19-year-old Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has sat as high as 14th on the T20I batting rankings, and 23-yearold Hazratullah Zazai, who has been as high as fifth.

“These two are really destructive batsmen. If they look after themselves well, then they have that kind of self-belief that they can play at any stage and they can play some massive, massive innings.”

While the spinner would not put a timeline himself on just when Afghanistan can collect that silverware they are dreaming of, it would be foolish to rule them out of going all the way this year.

After all, they have won seven of their past eight T20I series, with only a rained out tri-series final against Bangladesh denying them the chance to make that a perfect eight from eight.

They’ll have to step it up a gear to improve on their second stage performance from 2016 but there’s no doubt that is within reach.

Afghanistan begin their T20 World Cup campaign on October 26 in Sharjah.

(ICC-Cricket.com)

One-off women’s Test set for draw after just seven wickets fall on day three Sandakan, Nissanka among

INDIA Women have slim hopes of forcing victory in the day-night Test against Australia heading into the final day in Carrara.

The hosts closed day three on 143-4, still 85 runs from the follow-on target of 228 and 234 runs behind India’s 377-8 declared, which is the highest score by a visiting women’s team in Australia India seamers Jhulan Goswami (2-27) and Pooja Vastrakar (2-31) found plenty of movement with the pink ball, with Goswami accounting for Australia openers Beth Mooney (4) and Alyssa Healy (29).

Vastrakar, meanwhile, removed Southern Stars skipper Meg Lanning (38) and Tahlia McGrath (28) during an excellent India bowling performance, although Ellyse Perry (27no off 98) remains unbeaten at Metricon Stadium and a draw seems the likeliest outcome.

Perry had earlier become the first woman to

Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry became the first Australian man or woman - to take 300 international wickets, alongside scoring 5,000 runs. do the double of 5,000 runs and 300 wickets in international cricket when she had Vastrakar (13) caught by Mooney at gully India added 101 runs in 43.1 overs to their overnight total of 276-5, during which time Australian debutant Stella Campbell, 19, made Taniya Bhatia her maiden Test wicket, caught

behind by wicketkeeper Healy.

Campbell also pinned Deepti Sharma (66) lbw shortly before India’s declaration - the replays showed the delivery pitched outside leg stump but with DRS not in operation, the decision stood.

The lack of DRS went in India’s favour during the Australia innings, though, when Lanning - dropped on 17 and 32 - was out lbw to Vastrakar despite inside-edging the seamer’s nip-backer onto her pad.

India will feel they can push for the four points available for a win if they dismiss Perry early on day four but Australia will expect to secure a draw, a result which would see both sides bag two points.

Australia lead the multi-format series 4-2 after winning two of the three one-day internationals, with the one-off Test match followed by T20 internationals on October 7, 9 and 10, also in Carrara.

(Sky Sports)

five players added to Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad

PATHUM Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan and Ramesh Mendis have been added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, while Lahiru Madushanka is left out from the original squad after failing to recover in time from the fractured collarbone he suffered against South Africa.

The additions take Sri Lanka’s travelling contingent to 23 players, including four reserves, though they scarcely add any weight in terms of international experience. While Sandakan has 20 T20I caps to his name, the other four have just 15 combined. It is also unlikely that any of them will make their way into Sri Lanka’s preferred starting XI, though they do add much-needed injury

cover.

As such, the inclusion of Sandakan, who had been omitted from Sri Lanka’s recent home series against South Africa, means there will be four specialist spinners in the squad, with him joining Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Praveen Jayawickrama.

In the highly-rated Nissanka, Sri Lanka have a potential future star with an impressive domestic record - his century on Test debut in the West Indies only reaffirmed his standing - though he is yet to impress in the shorter formats of the game.

That said, he did get a few promising starts in the recently concluded SLC T20 Invitational, including an unbeaten 76 off 54 balls.

Bandara, meanwhile, was a surprise inclusion in Sri Lanka’s tour of the

West Indies earlier this year and is renowned for being a livewire in the field.

However, aside from an unbeaten half-century in a losing cause against West Indies, he hasn’t done much for the national side, having been dropped for the South Africa series following a modest showing against a weakened India.

In much the same way, both Bhanuka and Mendis have made little impression in the limited outings they’ve had for the national side.

While Sri Lanka begin their World Cup campaign with qualifiers against Namibia, Ireland and Netherlands, they will also play two T20Is against Oman in the leadup to that, on October 7 and 9. The team will fly out for Oman on October 3. (Cricinfo)

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

Brazil legend Pele leaves hospital BRAZIL legend Pele has been released from hospital after undergoing surgery for a colon tumour.

The 80-year-old had the operation at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on September 4.

Pele, the only player to win the World Cup three times, left the intensive care unit 10 days later, but was readmitted soon after as a “preventative measure”.

“I am so happy to be back at home,” Pele said in a statement on Facebook.

“I want to thank the entire Albert Einstein Hospital team, who made my stay a pleasant one, with a humane and very affectionate welcome. Thanks also to all of you, who from afar, make my life complete with so many messages of love.”

His medical team say he will continue undergoing

chemotherapy.

Pele had been having treatment at the hospital since August 31 after the tumour was detected in routine tests.

His health has been a concern in recent years. He had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months, and he was admitted again for a urinary infection in 2019.

Pele is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games and one of only four players to have scored in four World Cup tournaments.

Lionel Messi recently passed him as the leading South American men’s scorer in international matches following a hattrick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying win against Bolivia. (BBC Sport)

Pele is the only player to win the World Cup three times,

Chelsea top after return to winning ways, Shastri calls Dhoni the greatest white Man Utd held ball captain ever

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, (Reuters) Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Southampton to move top of the Premier League but Manchester United stuttered again at home on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by high-flying Everton.

After consecutive defeats for only the second time since Thomas Tuchel took charge, Chelsea needed a response and they got it as Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell struck late on after Southampton had been reduced to 10 men.

Tuchel’s side move to 16 points from seven games, two more than Liverpool who host Manchester City in today’s big clash.

Manchester United and Everton are also locked on 14 points after the early kickoff at Old Trafford ended honours even.

Brighton and Hove Albion also have 14 points after a 0-0 home draw with Arsenal played in torrential rain.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of a last-gasp winner against Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday, starting on the bench, United took a deserved lead when Anthony Martial was played in by Bruno Fernandes to score in style just before the halftime interval.

United were pegged back though when Andros Townsend finished off a sweeping move -- the wing-

Manchester United’s Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their first goal with Bruno Fernandes REUTERS/Phil Noble played strong,” Tuchel said. er celebrating with a trade- dramatic ending.

“There are a lot of things mark Ronaldo pose in front “It’s about picking the of Everton’s travelling fans. right moments (to give Ron- for him to improve but we R a f a B e n i t e z ’s s i d e aldo a rest),” Solskjaer said are happy and relieved we thought they had snatched a when asked about the de- scored in the late minutes.”

Leeds United kickstartlate victory when Yerry Mina cision to put him on the slotted in but after a VAR bench and start with Edinson ed their campaign with a first league win -- Diego review he was adjudged to Cavani. have been offside.

After Chelsea failed to Llorente’s early goal proving It was a let-off for Unit- score in their last two games, enough to beat Watford 1-0 at ed but they were still left it was unsung academy prod- Elland Road.

Promoted Norwich City frustrated at dropping uct Trevoh Chalobah who more home points after put them in front after nine earned their first point of the season and ended a run of 16 last `weekend’s 1-0 defeat minutes.

by Aston Villa, especially Romelu Lukaku and consecutive Premier League with a tough-looking run of Werner both had goals defeats as they ground out a league fixtures ahead. ruled out and when, on the 0-0 draw at fellow strugglers “We had 75% possession. hour, Ben Chilwell tripped Burnley.

N e w c a s t l e U n i t e d ’s We got hit on one break that Tino Livramento in the cost us and we lacked that area to earn Southamp- troubles also continued as cutting edge to get the im- ton a penalty that James the Magpies went down 2-1 portant second goal,” United Ward-Prowse converted, at Wolverhampton Wanmanager Ole Gunnar Solsk- it looked as though the derers for whom South jaer said. visitors would earn a point. Korean forward Hwang “We just couldn’t get But Ward-Prowse was Hee-chan struck twice from that second goal you need in red-carded for a poor tackle assists by Raul Jimenez to games like this as Everton on Jorginho and Chelsea took help Wolves move clear of the relegation zone. can score a goal from no- advantage to claim the win.

Norwich remain botwhere.”

“It was absolutely a de‘RIGHT MOMENTS’ served victory. We played a tom with one point with Ronaldo came off the good match of football, an Newcastle and Burnley, bench but this time the Por- entertaining match of foot- who are also winless, on tuguese could not summon a ball because Southampton three.

TEAM India head coach Ravi Shastri has termed MS Dhoni as the greatest white-ball captain ever to have played the game.

Dhoni has won the ICC trophy in every format and India made it to the No.1 position in Tests for the first time under his leadership only. Moreover, his finishing ability made him a key player for the country for a lot of years before he decided to hang his boots last year in August.

Shastri also highlighted MS Dhoni’s achievements in his career while proving his point. Rather the 59-year-old believes no one is even close to the former India skipper when it comes to the white-ball cricket.

“Dhoni is the greatest white-ball captain ever. Just look at his record in ICC tournaments. What has he not won? IPL, Champions League, all ICC tournaments, two World Cups. There is no one close to him when it comes to white-ball cricket. He has to be the greatest. The King Kong, you can call him in that fashion,” Shastri said while speaking to Fancode.

As far as the ongoing IPL is concerned, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), under MS Dhoni‘s captaincy, have made it to the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons. They will face Rajasthan Royals on Saturday evening and many reckon the Men in Yellow will rest a few players having qualified for the playoffs already. But Shastri doesn’t think like that as he feels CSK would not want to lose the momentum.

“The ball is in CSK’s court, how they want to play.

They have qualified, they are going to finish 1 or 2, there is no question about that. It’s how Dhoni sees it. Does he want to rest players or does he want to try one or two players for the game? The endeavor would be to win. They would start as favorites, but no one likes to lose momentum,” the India head coach further added.

(CricTracker)

MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri

32

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

Warwickshire land glorious domestic double with Bob Willis Trophy win

WARWICKSHIRE sealed a historic first-class double as they claimed the Bob Willis Trophy on Friday with an emphatic inningsand-199-run victory over Lancashire at Lord’s.

Requiring four wickets to collect another honour a week after being crowned winners of the LV= Insurance County Championship, Warwickshire took just 70 minutes on day four to bring the curtain down on the English season.

Resuming on 171 for six, Lancashire needed 269 runs just to make their opponents bat again and while there was some spirit among their lower order, particularly Luke Wood (28) and Tom Bailey (24), they subsided

to 241 all out.

In truth, the Red Rose, the championship runners-up, were second favourites after they slipped to 12 for six on the opening morning and while they battled to 78, Warwickshire racked up 518 to underline their champion status.

Danny Briggs and Liam Norwell finished with three wickets apiece in Lancashire’s second innings as Warwickshire scooped a trophy named in honour of their ex-fast bowler, who served the Bears with distinction from 1972 to 1984.

Willis, a former England quick renowned for his acerbic and forthright wit off the field, might

New county champions Warwickshire won their second piece of silverware in eight days. have had something to here. their lower order ensured say about the first-class Any thought of victory they progressed past the inseason stretching into Oc- for Lancashire had long nings-and-220-run defeat at tober but would have been since evaporated when Rob the hands of the West Indies pleased about the outcome Jones and Wood came out in 1950. to bat on an overcast Friday Warwickshire had to morning, now only seeking wait 11 overs for the initial to avoid their heaviest ever breakthrough but it came first-class loss. courtesy of their first-class Some lusty blows from debutant Manraj Johal,

Suarez scores as Athletico Madrid beat Barcelona

Luis Suarez has now scored against all 31 teams he faced in La Liga.

REIGNING champions Atletico Madrid went level with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and inflicted further damage on Ronald Koeman’s struggling Barcelona with a deserved win in Spain’s capital.

Thomas Lemar scored the opener, finishing well at the end of a move involving Joao Felix and Suarez.

Suarez then slotted in against his former club to put Atletico in charge.

Antoine Griezmann also featured against his former club as a late substitute as Atletico basked in their superiority.

For all the woe surrounding Barca this season, this loss was actually

their first in La Liga - but it leaves them eighth in the table on 12 points, five behind Diego Simeone’s side, who are second only on goal difference but have played a game more than rivals Real.

Prior to this, Barca had three wins and three draws to their name, with back-toback chastening 3-0 losses in the Champions League doing most to harm Koeman’s position at the club.

Barca had chances on Saturday, especially at 1-0, with Philippe Coutinho volleying an effort just wide and Frenkie de Jong just inches away from converting from close range following Memphis Depay’s header across goal.

Coutinho also had a great chance to get the visitors back into the game in the second half but saw his shot from inside the box saved by Jan Oblak.

Despite having much more of the ball, Barcelona were second best at the Wanda Metropolitano, falling to a defeat that may well test president Joan Laporte’s assertion from earlier on Saturday that Koeman would continue at the club regardless of the result in Madrid.

They now have a twoweek break from action for internationals, with their next fixture at home to Valencia on 17 October.

(BBC Sport).

whose fuller length delivery clattered into the leg stump of Wood, shuffling across his crease.

Jones missed a tentative prod forward and was struck on the back leg by slow left-armer Briggs, who had Jack Blatherwick stumped in his next over after the tail-end batter attempted to club his second six.

Bailey’s 24 off 23 balls ensured Lancashire surpassed their heaviest defeat by a county – which remains an innings-and200-run loss to Yorkshire in 1938.

But the ball after thumping his fourth four, Bailey got a top-edge to Norwell, with wicketkeeper Michael Burgess darting towards fine-leg to complete a sensational diving catch and bring the match to an end.(PA Sport).

Azeem Rafiq’s sister files formal complaint to Yorkshire Cricket Board

AZEEM Rafiq’s sister has filed a formal complaint against her employer, the Yorkshire Cricket Board (YCB), alleging mistreatment at the organisation.

Amna Rafiq, 26, self-certified for sick leave from her role as clubs and community development manager.

BBC Sport understands the conduct of certain individuals has been raised.

Amna is believed to feel shunned by her employer after Azeem’s racism claims against Yorkshire County Cricket Club, as first reported by the Daily Mail.

The club and the YCB are separate organisations but the latter describes itself as the “governing body for recreational cricket in Yorkshire” and “working closely” with partners of Yorkshire CCC. Yorkshire CCC chief executive Mark Arthur is a director for both organisations.

YCB said in a statement: “The Yorkshire Cricket Board believes that any internal matters concerning its staff should not be discussed publicly due to employee welfare, confidentiality and data protection reasons.”

Last month, an independent investigation found that

A former England youth captain, Azeem Rafiq captained Yorkshire in a Twenty20 fixture in 2012.

Azeem was the “victim of racial harassment and bullying” in his time at the club.

In September 2020, he had said the incidents left him close to taking his own life.

Yorkshire have released a summary of the panel’s report and recommendations but said the full report can not be released for legal reasons “in relation to privacy law and defamation”.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has now said it is exploring whether charges may be

brought against Yorkshire following the outcome of the report.

Earlier this week, ECB managing director Neil Snowball confirmed to BBC Sport that they were still awaiting the full report from Yorkshire.

“We have now begun our own regulatory process and have asked Yorkshire for further details on the findings, and a copy of the report,” the ECB said in a statement.

“If we do bring any charges, these would go before the Cricket Discipline Commission.” (BBC Sport)

33

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

Lancelot Richard Gibbs…. lean limber and lissom

By Edwin Seeraj

A few days ago (Thursday, September 29 to be precise), one of Guyana’s finest sons and cricketing icon, Lancelot Richard Gibbs, celebrated his 87th birth anniversary without a great deal of pomp and ceremony.

Presently residing in Florida in the United States of America, he is no doubt reflecting on his journey in life that has been primed with fulfillment, fun and famous moments that have touched the lives of family, friends and fans for over eight decades.

Gibbs was a truly worldclass off-spinner who played with immeasurable pride and passion for Demerara, Guyana, Warwickshire and the West Indies, and represented the latter in 79 Test matches in a distinguished career between 1958 and 1976.

On the local scene, he turned out for the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and started off as a leg-spinner, only switching to off-breaks after the late West Indian middle-order batsman, Robert Christiani, got stuck into him.

He was a tall, lean figure who delivered the ball from a great height through his long, supple fingers which allowed him to extract turn and bounce from almost any wicket. He was also a master in the art of variation and the subtle use of the crease which proved time and again to be the bugbear of batsmen the world over.

Gibbs first played for Guyana against the touring MCC side in 1954 and was engaged in 330 first-class matches bagging 1024 wickets at 27.22 runs each. He made his Test debut at the Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad, in the second game of the five-match series during Pakistan’s first visit to the Caribbean in 1958.

He duly topped the bowling averages with 17 wickets at 23.05 runs apiece and subsequently booked a spot on the West Indies team to India and Pakistan later that year.

However, his performances in Asia were overshadowed by the brilliance and domination of speed aces, Wes Hall and Roy Gilchrist.

In the historic series against Australia in 1960-61, he did not play in the first two Tests but by the end of the

tour, he did not only head the averages again with 19 scalps at 20.78 runs each, but had established himself as one of the finest exponents of his craft.

At Sydney, in his first game (the third of the series), he took three wickets in four balls and helped his team to surge to a comprehensive victory by 222 runs.

In the next Test in Adelaide, he completed the hat-trick, the first in Australia since 1903-04 as he dismissed Ken MacKay, Wally Grout and Frank Mission with consecutive deliveries.

His best bowling figures were achieved against the Indians in the Barbados Test of 1962 when he ended with eight for 38 off a marathon 53.3 overs. Incredibly, all eight wickets were snarled in a magical spell after lunch in which he sent down 15.3 overs, 14 maidens and conceded a mere six runs as the West Indies were propelled to another huge win.

At this juncture of his career, Gibbs had fortified his place in the team and in the 1960s he went on additional tours to England (1963, 1966, 1969); India (1966-67) and Australia and New Zealand (1968-69). He also played at home against the Australians (1965) and Englishmen (1968).

During this period he reaped rich rewards but as Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith became less effective, he was used more as a stock bowler and was burdened with a heavy workload.

By the end of the decade the wickets dried up and in the 1971 and 1972 series in the Caribbean he lost his place as the selectors tried newcomers, Jack Noriega, Tony Howard, Arthur Barret, Inshan Ali and Raphick Jumadeen.

In 1968, he commenced his five-year relationship with Warwickshire and claimed his best first-class bowling analysis of eight for 37 against Glamorgan in 1970. The following season was phenomenal as he had a bountiful harvest of 131 wickets at a measly 18.89 runs apiece.

Gibbs was recalled for the 1973 series against the visiting Australians under the captaincy of his fellow countryman, Rohan Kanhai, and though the West Indies went down 2-0, he had a splendid series. He,

West Indies legend, Lance Gibbs, was the spinner to reach the 300-wicket landmark in Tests.

along with the late Max Walker, took the most wickets in the series (26) but Gibbs had sent down 50 overs more than his rival as he was carrying the weight of a docile attack.

He was on the successful trip to England in 1973 and played in the drawn rubber when the Englishmen paid a return visit a year later.

Under new captain and cousin, Clive Lloyd, he toured India and Pakistan in 1974-75 and took seven for 98 in the first innings of the deciding fifth and final Test in Bombay (Mumbai) which went a far way in ensuring a West Indies win of the encounter.

His final series was on the ill-fated tour to Australia in 1975-76 when the West Indies were drubbed 5-1. Among the few highlights of the West Indies party on tour was the master craftsman having Ian Redpath caught by Michael Holding in the final Test to overtake England’s paceman Fred Truman’s then world record of 307 Test victims.

He then departed the Test arena rather reluctantly as the regional team implemented the four-pronged

pace policy with the emergence of a stream of high-calibre fast bowlers.

He was the first spinner to reach the 300-wicket landmark in Tests and in the process claimed no less than 18 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket bags. His eventual tally of 309 victims is some 151 more than his nearest West Indian spin rival of the 1950s, Sonny Ramadin, who ended with 158 wickets from 43 Tests.

The twilight of Gibbs’ career was the dawning of the One- Day International game but he still managed three matches including the West Indies inaugural ODI encounter against England at Headingley in 1973, and one of the opening fixtures of the very first World Cup in 1975 against Sri Lanka in Manchester.

Gibbs was one of the legends that were involved in the now defunct Adam Stanford Twenty/20 Regional Tournaments that were held in 2006 and 2008, and consistently continues to perform ambassadorial roles for companies and organisations seeking to promote their products and services.

Radford says fitness will be key to T20 World Cup success

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Former West Indies batting coach Toby Radford said fitness will play a critical role in the success of the Windies squad during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup from October 17 to November 14 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Radford said any chance Kieron Pollard’s side had of defending the title will come down to the fitness of notable players in the 15-member squad.

“There is a fine line with having experience, and this team has a lot of experience in (Dwayne) Bravo, (Kieron) Pollard, (Chris) Gayle, and (Ravi) Rampaul,” he said on the Mason and Guest cricket talk show on Tuesday last on VOB 92.9 FM. “These are guys that have been there and won World Cups, but there is a fine line between having all that experience and tactical awareness and how it will affect you, because you more probably will get injuries, probably slower between the wickets, might be slower in the field.”

In light of the physical requirements, Radford said he was concerned about medical exemptions being extended to some players and felt there was an unbalanced approach from Cricket West Indies (CWI) in the implementation of its fitness policy.

“You have to be seen to be fair across the board,” he said. “Either everybody does it (meet fitness standard) or nobody does it.

“You can’t choose who gets tested and who gets an exemption. It doesn’t seem to be a fair system. I think it’s either all the players are tested, and they all need to pass it or they

Toby Radford, former West Indies batting coach. don’t. Otherwise, it makes a mockery of the test.

“You’re leaving out players who are on form and younger and fitter, generally, saying they haven’t passed the test and you are taking people 10 years older who struggle to run between wickets and the field.”

The composition of the 15-member squad was heavily criticised after lead selector Roger Harper said some notable players were not considered because they had not met CWI’s fitness standard and others were granted medical exemptions by CWI’s medical committee from undergoing fitness testing.

34

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

Gaikwad century in vain as Rajasthan beat Chennai

Yashasvi Jaiswal was playing in only his 11th IPL game RJASTHAN Royals kept alive their Indian Premier League play-off

hopes with a sensational chase of 190 against already-qualified Chennai

Super Kings.

Yashasvi Jaiswal hit 50 off 21 balls and Shi-

vam Dube 64* off 42 as Rajasthan won with 15 balls to spare.

Earlier, Chennai made 189-4 with Ruturaj Gaikwad hitting a maiden T20 century from the final ball.

Rajasthan are now sixth in the table, but will likely need to win their final two games to earn a play-off spot.

They are one of four teams on 10 points, with net run rate looking more likely to decide who progresses.

Chennai have already qualified, but a place in top two, which means playing in the qualifier and having two chances to reach the final, is no longer in their own hands.

Delhi dent Mumbai’s play-off chances with four-wicket win SHREYAS Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin produced a match-winning stand of 39 to help Delhi Capitals beat holders, Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Chasing 130, Delhi were 30-3 and 93-6 but Iyer made an unbeaten 33, and Ashwin (20*) hit a six to win the game.

Earlier, Mumbai made 129-8 with Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with 33, while Avesh Khan took 3-15 and Axar Patel 3-21.

The defeat means Mumbai’s play-off hopes are no longer in their hands.

Delhi are already guaranteed a spot in the top four, but this wins puts them in pole position to gain a top-two place and a chance to automatically qualify for the final in the qualifier on 11 October.

Avesh and Nortje impress again Teams have found batting hard at Sharjah in this edition of the IPL, with pitches low and slow meaning the average first-innings score, in five games, is just 134.

Mumbai, who have now only one of their five

Shreyas Iyer missed the first half of this IPL season as he recovered for a shoulder injury suffered while playing for India against England. games since the tournament restarted, failed to get that because of some superb bowling from Delhi Capitals.

Left-arm spinner Axar, who tormented England over the winter, was impressive but 24-year-old India pace bowler Avesh and South Africa’s Anrich Nortje were the main stars.

Both bowled with pace, and accuracy, and were extremely economical, only conceding 34 between them

in eight overs. They bowled a remarkable 31 dot balls.

Nortje once again showed his middle-over prowess as he got the key wicket of West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, bowling him for just six.

It was part of a wicket maiden from Nortje, and Avesh then only conceded one from the next over, and it was clever captaincy from Rishbah Pant to front-load the innings with his key bowlers and put pressure on

Mumbai.

Avesh, who is yet to play for India, got India opener Rohit Sharma in the powerplay, before coming back to bowl Hardik Pandya and Nathan Coulter-Nile with two deadly yorkers in the 19th over.

He now has 21 wickets this year - with only Harshal Patel’s 26 for Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead - and if Delhi are to win their first title he and Nortje are going to be key components.(BBC Sport).

Brutal hitting sees Rajasthan home Faced with a required run-rate of 9.50 an over, Rajasthan had little option but to go out and attack.

They did just that, motoring to 75-0 after five overs.

Jaiswal, who left home at the age of 10 to pursue a career in cricket, hit his first IPL half-century, with him and Evin Lewis, who made 27 off 12 balls, both hitting over mid-wicket and straight down the ground with alarming frequency.

Both fell in the space of five balls, to leave Rajasthan - who made five changes, including

dropping England’s Liam Livingstone - 81-2, but that did not affect them.

Captain Sanju Samson took the anchor role, and allowed Dube to attack and he obliged, including hitting Moeen Ali for successive sixes over mid-wicket.

When Samson fell for 28 his side needed just 20 from 4.2 overs and the game was practically over, and allowed Glenn Phillips to chip in with an eight-ball 14.

It was a bad day for Chennai’s overseas pace bowlers with England’s Sam Curran going for 55 from his four overs and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood 54

KKR monitoring Russell’s injury day to day KOLKOTA Knight Riders (KKR) captain, Eoin Morgan, insists the franchise is monitoring the fitness of West Indies star Andre Russell on a day-by-day basic but remains unsure of exactly when the player will return to action.

The bit-hitting all-rounder was forced to leave the field after making a good save on the mid-wicket boundary and jumped himself off the field as soon as he threw back the ball.

The 33-year-old did not feature for the team against the Dehli Capitals, or Friday’s encounter against the Punjab Kings XI. Despite Russell missing the second game in a row, Morgan did not shed any more light on the player’s current injury status.

“Lockie and Russell are being monitored day by day.

They have to rehab extremely well in order to be fit,” Morgan said.

Earlier, David Hussey, KKR’s team mentor, had described Russell’s injury as a hamstring injury but expressed hope that the player could return to the line-up soon, “He said he felt something pop in his leg, his hamstring.

We’ve got the best medical staff in the business so they’ll tend to him and hopefully, it’s nothing too serious, because he’s a key part of our team,” Hussey said.

In addition to the Knight Riders, the West Indies will also be closely monitoring the situation, with the player expected to line up for the World T20 later this month.

(Sportsmax).

The injured Andre Russell

35

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

West Indies legends win World Cup

AN inspired spell of slow bowling from Prem Singh took the West Indies to victory over India as they copped the inaugural Legends World Cup title in Fort Lauderdale, USA on Thursday last.

Chasing 138 to win on a slow track at the Central Broward Regional Park was always going to be a difficult task and Singh spun webs around the unsuspecting Indian players, taking five wickets including a hat-trick to end with figures of 5/12, as India was routed for 84.

The spinner ripped out the middle order as India who was depending on skipper Ketan Patel and Fazal Alam folded. Patel who was very consistent in the tournament scored 35 off 41 balls with one six and two fours, while Alam made 16.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Bhim George bowled brilliantly as well in taking 2/12 off his four overs to lend support to Singh.

The two spinners bowled a combined eight overs,

conceding just 24 runs and taking seven wickets between them.

Earlier, West Indies got off to another great start as openers Peter Singh and Joseph Buffong attacked early. Buffong the attractive right-hander was smooth in scoring 36 off 23 balls as he and Singh posted 42 runs in 4.4 overs before being separated. Buffong stroked six elegant fours that caught the eyes.

George then stroked a composed 29 and skipper Zamin Amin a quickfire 22 not out to give the West Indies a fighting score.

The Indians missing frontline skipper and regular skipper Ritesh Patel found the going tough against a well-oiled West Indies that was coached by Joe Siewsawak. Bowling for India Raju Jasani took 2/24.

The West Indies played unbeaten over four matches to claim the title and had a lot to thank former West Indies Test player Mahendra Nagamootoo for, as he

The West Indies were well led by Skipper Zamin Amin (third from left) and former Test player Mahendra Nagamootoo, fourth from left. In photo with the West Indies team is chairman of CCUSA, Mahammad Qureshi (in black) who hosted the tournament. copped two of the man of the match awards.

SCORES: West Indies Legends 137/6 (20) (Joseph Buffong 36, Bhim

George 29, Zamin Amin 22no, Raju Jasani 2/24) vs India Legends 84 all out (18) (Ketan Patel 35, Fazal Alam 16, Prem Singh 5/12, Bhim George

2/12) – West Indies Legends won by 53 runs. Player of the match – Prem Singh.(Extracted from Trinidad Guardian)`

‘You can’t beat experience’ - Pollard confident veteran players will make big difference at World Cup ence because we have seen different scenarios time and time again,” he added.

“We react (to those scenarios) and we get the other players to react and understand the magnitude of what we are in and what we are about to do. Having guys like that to lean on is great,

West Indies captain, Kieron Pollard, and veteran all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo.

WEST Indies captain, debate in the Caribbean, with ple World Cups, as a major Kieron Pollard, believes the several questioning the age advantage, particularly in team’s overall experience of the squad. At current, the tight situations. will be a critical factor in team boasts four players over “It’s great to have all the bid to successfully de- the age of 35, with an average these guys and myself playfend its World T20 title. ing together again,” Pollard age of 30.6.

The final 15 selected to Pollard, however, sees told India.com. represent the West Indies for the likes of Chris Gayle, “This hasn’t happened the tournament in the United Ravi Rampaul, and Lendl in a very long time. No Arab Emirates and Oman, Simmons in the squad, sev- matter which way you look has stirred up considerable eral of who have won multi- at it you can’t beat experi-

and guys that can get you out of situations where people might think, or you might think as well, that you can’t get out of it.

“The younger guys get to learn and get to understand some of the things that are needed to be successful, especially from a

T20 aspect. As I’ve said before, we would have seen it time and time again all over the world, different situations, different conditions, different bowlers – having guys like that to help the younger guys, I think you can’t ask for anything better than that.” (Sportsmax)

36

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 3, 2021

Sport has a friend in my government _Prime Minister Phillips

PRIME Minister Mark Phillips yesterday said that his government understands the value of sport in the lives of its citizens and would continue to put systems in place to enhance its overall development in Guyana.

The senior government official, who was the guest speaker at the inaugural Guyana Sports Conference at the National Cultural Centre, pointed out that “a main priority” of the ruling administration is to create more opportunities for culture, youth development and sport activities due to their critical importance to overall development.

He noted that it would however take the combined effort of all stakeholders to ensure not only the success of programmes and strategies but the progression of athletes.

“The approach of building a relationship of partnership with sports associations and federations is the only assured way to achieve sustainable national success in sport. Sport has a friend in my government.”

IMPROVED FACILITIES Prime Minister Phillips said that his government has led with the renovation and enhancement of facilities as its core objective for development this year.

“Facilities have been a priority.”

He noted that the Racquet Centre and the National Gymnasium are being transformed into modern day-night facilities with enhanced lights and security.

Additionally, he reminded that the National Stadium, which was opened to the public just last year, is being converted into a multi-sport facility with a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a new football ground.

“All of these are on track to be completed before the end of the year.”

Along with major construction work, which is being done at the new track and field sites in Linden and New Amsterdam, the Ministry has just completed the payment for two new track and field synthetic tracks to the sum of G$272M. A new stand is also being built at the Leonora Track and Field Centre, along with a warm-up track, while a new pump was purchased for the National Aquatic Centre and a complete overhaul is being done to the Colgrain Swimming Pool.

“The exciting new work, which is being done has not been limited to just the Ministry’s facilities. There are 25 grounds across the country being upgraded for a total expenditure of G$250M. All of these projects at the various grounds have commenced and will be completed before the end of 2021.”

The Prime Minister added that some of the grounds will

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips delivering remarks at the Sport Conference also have lights for night usage and that forty-two 1000-watt flood lamps and 800-watt LED lamps have already been delivered.

The government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, have also produced 17 lawnmowers and 17 brush cutters to support ground maintenance, which will be delivered from tomorrow.

SPORTS ACADEMY The Prime Minister said that his government realises that facilities alone will not aid in the overall development to which it inspires.

“Even as we aspire to a world-class level in our sport

sector, we acknowledge that we must ever continue to build our skill to achieve higher heights—that is where the [Guyana] Sports Academy comes in.”

The academy’s programmes would work on increasing inter-association collaboration, athletes’ development and improving systems pertaining to sport administration and governance.

“Sport today is a business—big business, a fact that we cannot deny. But more than its worth, the government understands the value that sport has to the lives of our citizens, including the lessons it teaches about working together.”

Academy would create growth and _ development in sport Minister Ramson

SEE PAGE 29

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. addressing the gathering on Saturday .

The audience at yesterday’s inaugural Guyana Sports Conference.

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SUNDAY,OCTOBER 3, 2021