Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-03-2022

FRIDAY 11th March, 2022

No.106659

Local logistics company raises bar with international anti-bribery certification

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‘Smart policing’ 03 to be implemented PAGE

–– President discloses plans to modernise Guyana Police Force

President Dr Irfaan Ali (centre, front row) flanked by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn (left) and acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie (right) with senior officers of the Guyana Police Force and government functionaries at the Police Officers’ Annual Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday (Delano Williams photo)

Acting Top 02 Cop: Serious crimes down by 18 percent PAGE

Oil price rises again owing to fears over Russian shortfall 04 PAGE

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie

‘Cross Eye’ guilty of 05 rape, assault of girl, 16 PAGE

Corwyn ‘Cross Eye’ Arthur

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Serious crimes down by 18 per cent

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

–– acting Top Cop reports

By Jared Liddell COMMISSIONER of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie has credited innovative strategies employed by the Guyana Police Force for an 18.8 per cent decrease in serious crimes over the period 2020-2021.

The Top Cop, who made these statements at

the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday, noted that this reduction signals the significant work that has been undertaken by ranks of the police force.

Serious crimes include murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, rob-

bery with aggravation, larceny from a person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.

In addition to the reduction of serious crimes, the force also saw a significant 31.5 per cent reduction in the number of robberies underarms with 608 being recorded in 2021 against the 888 in 2020.

A 16.6 per cent reduction was also recorded in murders which are reflected in the 131 in 2021 against the 157 in 2020.

Hoppie noted that the force, in 2021 alone, has managed to locate and hold in its possession 71 firearms, comprising 36 pistols, 18 revolvers and 17 shotguns.

Rape was one of the major crimes that recorded an increase in 2021. In the past year, the social ill saw a significant 15.5 per cent increase with 304 occurrences in 2021 against the 202 in 2020.

Meanwhile, touching on the issue of fatal accidents, Hoppie said speeding, along with distracted or inattentive driving resulted in 87 fatal accidents for 2021.

Overall, fatal accidents saw a 32 per cent reduction in 2021 compared to 2020, with 128 in 2020 against 87 in 2021. Road accidents also saw a significant reduction with just 99 incidents in 2021, while 139 were recorded in 2020. This figure according to the Top Cop reflects the lowest recorded in the past 16 years.

Cops, in the past year, seem to have been very vigilant on the roadways.

“Traffic enforcement throughout the country last year resulted in a total of 11,708 cases for speeding, 1,097 cases for driving under the influence and 2,089 cases for unlicensed driv-

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie at the Police Officers’ Annual Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday (Delano Williams photo) ers among others,” Hoppie stated.

He noted that with the modernisation and upgrades to the roadways, traffic signs and road lighting being undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, along with the law enforcement, these numbers are expected to see a further reduction in 2022.

DOMESTIC ABUSE In 2021, officers of the GPF reviewed and responded to 1,692 reports of domestic violence, resulting in 814 cases being made and 814 persons being charged, in comparison to 1,665 reports in 2020, where 71 cases were made and 771 persons were charged.

The Commissioner noted that ranks are undergoing strategic training to ensure their preparedness to deal with cases and victims of domestic abuse. He said the Ministry of Human Service’s CopSquad 2000 Initiate is aimed at increasing the ranks’ knowledge of laws pertaining to gen-

der-based violence and to equip them with the necessary training to deal with gender-based crimes in a manner that would protect the victims.

The programme, which will see the training of 2,000 officers from the force, seeks to ensure that once a domestic violence matter is brought to a police station, it will be handled in a manner that accords with international best practices.

He further noted that one of the recent systems put into action to tackle domestic violence is the setting up of domestic violence units at stations across the country.

This, he explained, would directly serve and provide help to victims of domestic abuse.

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Commissioner Hoppie disclosed that the police have intensified its fight against trafficking in persons (TIP) and domestic See page 3

‘Smart policing’ to be implemented

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

–– President discloses plans to modernise Guyana Police Force

By Jared Liddell IN keeping with government’s vision to improve the performance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), President Dr Irfaan Ali has disclosed plans to develop and implement ‘Smart policing’ systems to improve the accessibility and efficiency of the force.

This type of system would allow the strategic implementation of technology in the day-to-day operations of the GPF. President Ali, who made these statements at the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, said while the Police Force has continued to work to reduce crime systematically, it cannot be “business as usual.”

He noted that with Guyana on a fast-growth trajectory, systems must be put in place to ensure the safety of Guyanese, visitors and persons interested in investing in Guyana.

“Aggregate investments, both private and public, are increasing;

citizens are investing in new homes, cars and other personal belongings; businesses are expanding; those making these investments are doing so with the understanding that the country will boost security to protect them and their investments,” President Ali stated.

One of the major undertakings of the smart policing systems is the implementation of a digital platform for ticketing, directly relating to breach of road laws.

The President disclosed that government has already started discussions with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and intends to have this feature incorporated on all of Guyana’s major highways.

This system will incorporate fixed-speed radars on main roads, so as to identify those who use the roads recklessly and to photograph these infractions.

ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL The President noted that although this will be a costly investment, it is absolutely essential to

stem the road carnage.

“On all our new highways we are going to incorporate this feature where we can move towards digital ticketing and recognition in terms of speeding, in terms of seatbelt violations and so on; and that system must be automatically linked to the suspension of licence and so on,” President Ali stated.

In keeping with the digitalisation of the force, the Head of State also disclosed that government plans to pilot digital reporting booths, a system which will allow citizens to document and lodge police reports at police stations. He noted that these systems will be set up at strategic spots to allow persons ease of access.

President Ali believes that this could significantly boost the force’s information-gathering system, since any potential anxiety or fear of directly making a report face to face with a rank of the GPF will be eliminated.

“The economy is expanding but we have a very limited population, so the strategy has to

Serious crimes down ...

From page 2

violence.

He said that the force is continuing its multi-agency approach to create policies that would enable them to combat this social ill.

During 2021, the police force received 35 reports of TIP, resulting in 18 cases and 11 per-

sons being charged; only 39 reports were received in 2020 with eight cases made and two persons charged.

According to the Top Cop, training sessions are held with ranks to keep them in line with the correct standard practices for handling

issues of trafficking in persons and domestic violence.

He assured that the police force will continue to work diligently to promote security through raids, roadblocks, robust anti-crime patrol and intelligence network

be built on the effective and efficient use of technology…. In order to improve public security, the government will be investing in the technological advancement of the force, we will also be equipping the force with means, both material and human, to bring about drastic improvements to public safety,” he said.

POLICE ACADEMY President Ali also noted that while government is cognisant of the importance of technological innovations and its incorporation into policing, it is aware of the impact training and development can have on the quality and efficiency of the security sector.

According to the President, it is under this consideration that the government is currently in talks with several partners to develop a police academy in an effort to maximise on its human capital, while boosting the ability of the ranks to serve and protect the Guyanese people.

He noted that the vision currently is not the establishment of a local police bolstered by divisional anti-crime units and analytical work by way of data collection through the integrated crime information system.

DRUG CONTROL The Top Cop disclosed that during 2020, the police seized some 536 kilogrammes of cocaine, which resulted in 42 cases being made

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday (Delano Williams photo) academy, but a regional one.

“Another issue that we are discussing with development partners is the development of a police academy, not only for Guyana, but a Regional Police Academy; and 49 persons being charged and placed before the courts.

He stated that this was done through the establishment of frequent stop-and-search patrols, as well as divisional checkpoints that were set up to aid in drug control.

Hoppie added that 589kg of marijuana were also ceased and destroyed, of which 389 cases were made and 319

and we are in detailed discussions with many of our development partners in the developed and developing world on their experiences on this and we are pursuing a path of the development of a police academy.” persons charged.

“Eradication operations saw 131 fields of cultivated marijuana with an estimated weight of 2.8 million kgs, along with quantities of dried cannabis with an estimated weight of 383,000 kgs found and destroyed.

Eleven cases were made with 16 persons being charged before the courts,” Hoppie said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Oil price rises again due to fears over Russian shortfall

OIL prices rose on Thursday amid confusion over whether major producers would help to plug a gap in supplies from Russia.

The United Arab Emirates had appeared to push members of the OPEC producer group to raise output, only for the UAE’s energy minister to quash hopes.

The oil price rose more than five, after a 17 per cent fall on Wednesday.

“To suggest the oil market is confused would be an understatement,” said analyst Stephen Innes.

US President Joe Biden and other leaders have pledged to try to ease the price pressures for

households. Officials from the US have been in talks with oil producers aimed at boosting supply.

“We favour production increases and will be encouraging OPEC to consider higher production levels,” Ambassador Yousuf Al Otaiba said in a statement tweeted by the UAE Embassy in Washington.

But the energy minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said later that the Gulf state remained committed to the existing OPEC monthly output agreement, which fixes how much crude is produced by member countries.

Oil prices have jumped more than 30 per cent

March 09, 2022

G 1 6 8 20 27 28 21 March 05, 2022

I 6 13 14 15 19 22 2

PHOTO CREDIT: BBC/PA MEDIA IMAGE since 24 February, touching $139 (£105) a barrel at one point this week. The oil price had fallen back to about $106 a barrel at one point on Wednesday, but by Thursday morning it was trading at around $116.

On Tuesday, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck issued an “urgent

10/03/22 - 9 17 19 24 26

appeal” to OPEC oil producers to increase output “to create relief on the market”.

Saudi Arabia-led OPEC and an extended group of oil producers called OPEC+ - which includes Russia - have agreed to avoid a price war and keep control over the market.

10/03/22 - 3 9 8

Innes, managing partner of SPI Asset Management, said: “To suggest the oil market is confused would be an understatement as we are in an unprecedented situation.”

Commonwealth Bank commodities analyst Vivek Dhar said: “We think it will be challenging for OPEC+ to boost production in this environment.”

Worries about oil and gas supplies have led to soaring domestic heating bills and fuel prices at the pump. Both petrol and diesel prices hit new records in the UK on Wednesday, according to the RAC motoring group.

Unleaded petrol was

10/03/22 - 5 6 6

159.57p a litre on average, while diesel was 167.37p.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “A tank of petrol is now almost £88 while diesel has now gone over £92. Diesel unfortunately appears to be on a clear path to £1.70 a litre.

As this is an average price, drivers will be seeing some unbelievably high prices on forecourts as retailers pass on their increased wholesale costs.”

Energy prices have been soaring for more than a year amid a rapid rebound in demand for oil, which had collapsed during the pandemic.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

US-based ‘GT’ lawyer publishes must-read handbook

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-dedicates it to immigrants the world over

GUYANESE-born Immigration Lawyer Kinda Velloza, who is now based in the USA, has published what is, arguably, a very important handbook every aspiring migrant should have in their possession before setting out in search of those proverbial greener pastures.

Titled ‘10 Things immigrants should know before coming America’, the book, which is essentially a compilation of stories based on a number of people’s experiences, was launched today, right here in Georgetown, at ‘Ultimate Image’ on Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, and is dedicated to her son, Kiand, and immigrants the world over.

“My book is very much different from other migration guidelines,” Kinda said.

“After migrating, I and my clients have discovered that we were never educated or informed; information was not broken down. I had to figure it out on my own,” she told the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday on the sidelines of an event at her alma mater, the former New Amsterdam

Multilateral School.

“The book assists immigrants to transition in the United States; it’s my experiences as well as those of my clients, as, every day I am being consulted, persons have similar stories, and they are faced with similar hardships, whether they are from Guyana, Jamaica, and the other countries,” Kinda said, adding: “So I decided to compile the ten most important things immigrants should know before migrating to the United States. And, the 70-page book will be updated over time.”

Among topics being addressed in the book are: ‘Gathering the Necessaries’; ‘Job Hunting’; ‘Filing your Income Tax’; ‘Obtaining a Degree or Certificate’; ‘Credit Cards’; ‘Commitment and Management’; ‘How to get Government Aid, if needed’; ‘Filing for your Citizenship or Green-Card renewals’; and, lastly, ‘How to bring your immediate relatives to the US’.

The book is available, Online, at Amazon.com, and costs US$19.97.

And while signed copies were available at today’s

launch, those who may have missed the event and are still interested in having a copy can call the author @: +592 615 5007.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN Prior to migrating to the US in 2005, Kinda was inspired to study law while covering the Courts as a ‘Cub Reporter’ assigned to the Berbice Assizes.

Just 16 at the time and barely out of school, she was attached to the Little Rock Television Station (LRTVS), where, under the tutelage of then Editor, Daniel Da Costa, she covered cases at the Magisterial and Judicial Courts, with a primary focus on criminal matters.

She was also instrumental in pioneering the Ancient County’s first-ever Online news agency, ‘Berbice News. com’ back in 2002, when local news was being broadcast daily through the unfailing support of the region’s business community.

Subsequent to her marriage and the birth of her son, Kinda migrated in late 2005 to the US, where she enrolled at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

Having opted to major in Criminal Justice, and excelled at undergraduate studies, she was invited by the college’s president to apply for a double degree programme. As such, she chose to pursue her Master’s in Public Administration.

“After graduation,” Kinda, who now resides in Atlanta, Georgia, recalled, “I successfully applied to the Charlotte School of Law in North Carolina; I graduated with pro bono honours, as I had joined the immigration clinic, giving free representation to persons from the Hispanic community who could have ill afforded to pay their legal fees.” Upon graduating from Law School, she applied for a post as an Associate Immigration Attorney with Taylor, Lee and Associates, a Law firm in Georgia, and got the job.

Today, three years on, though still in their employ, she has also launched her own law firm, Velloza and Associates, which deals primarily with assisting Caribbean immigrants with acquiring visitor’s visas, as well as consular and other immigration

‘Cross Eye’ found guilty of rape, assault of 16-year-old girl

A 12-member jury, on Thursday, found Corwyn Arthur, also known as ‘Cross Eye’, guilty of raping and brutally assaulting a 16-year-old girl in 2013.

Arthur was on trial before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Demerara High Court. The matter before the court was that, on December 17, 2013, he sexually penetrated the teenager without her consent.

The act also led to an assault of the teen, causing her bodily harm.

After a two-hour deliberation, the jury returned with a 10-2 verdict on each charge, asserting him guilty in both.

The case has been adjourned to April 11. A probation report, in favour of Arthur, will be presented.

Sentencing will follow.

Attorneys Muntaz Ali, Nafeeza Baig, and Latifah Elliot are on record as State prosecutors, while Arthur’s defence counsel was attorney Madan Kissoon.

The Court had heard that, on December 17, 2013, the victim was returning home from her friend’s birthday party when Arthur attacked her while on a desolate street. Arthur was armed with a knife.

The teen reportedly became nervous and hastened her steps. It was then that she stumbled and fell to the ground.

Arthur reportedly restrained her then held onto her and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands. The victim then began to scream for her life

Corwyn ‘Cross Eye’ Arthur but no one heard.

The Court heard that Arthur then hit the victim to her head with the base of the knife, causing her to bleed.

He then reportedly dragged her into the nearby bushes, placed the knife to her neck, and demanded sex.

It was also said that the victim complied out of fear.

Arthur completed the act.

When Arthur finished, the teen escaped and ran home. She also managed to escape with Arthur’s cellular phone which fell out of his pocket during the act.

The matter was reported to police and Arthur was later arrested.

In May 2021, Arthur was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment by Justice Sandil Kissoon for killing his lover’s husband.

He appeared in court for murder and opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

That charge alleged that, on May 10, 2018, he unlawfully killed Claude DeJonge at Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Kinda Velloza shows off her publication, ‘ 10 things immigrants should know before coming to America’ services.

During a brief visit on Tuesday to her hometown, New Amsterdam, Kinda made time to present 18-yearold Tyrek Tevin Thompson, a Sixth Former at her ‘alma’, with a scholarship so he could

commence studies in law.

Last year, she’d made a similar presentation to aspiring lawyer, Anika Johnson, who’d secured a Grade Two in Law 1 at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Too soon to lower guard

IT is now two years since the COVID-19 virus began to take a toll on the physical, mental and economic health of peoples all across the globe.

Guyana is no exception. Never before in the history of the world had there been such widespread disruption of economic and social life as the COVID-19 has done and, even though there appears to be some reduction in the number of viral infections in Guyana, we are still not completely out of the woods.

This view was shared by Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Clarissa Etienne, who warns that it is too soon to lower our guard.

According to the PAHO Director, the virus is likely to linger on for a while and we have to learn to live with the virus and quickly adapt to changes.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has also been urging people to get vaccinated as the country continues to proactively take measures to prevent the spread of the virus. According to Minister Anthony, the current first dose rate of vaccination among the adult population stands at 84.8 per cent while 64.7 per cent has taken both doses of the vaccines.

As it relates to the adolescent pop-

ulation, 46.4 per cent has taken a first shot and 33.6 per cent has taken both doses. This is still not enough for there to be herd immunity so essential to, as it were, break the back of the virus.

What these figures are suggesting is that while the vast majority of the adult population has been fully vaccinated against the virus there is still a significant number of people who are still to be vaccinated, especially among the adolescent segment of the population. The situation with respect to the booster shots is even more worrying as only 53,455 persons have so far taken the shots.

Meanwhile, a new vaccine, Novovax, has now found its way in several countries. The vaccine has received emergency use authorisation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and according to the Health Minister, uses protein similar to the spike protein which causes a reaction from the body, which, when it comes in contact with the COVID virus, would immediately recognise it and respond accordingly.

The vaccine reportedly has an efficacy rate of over 90 per cent which is a significant advance in terms of fighting the effects of the virus.

Guyana is not doing badly in terms

containing the COVID-19 virus which is now showing a downward trend and according to the Health Minister there are no longer any discernible COVID ‘hotspots’. This, however, should not be a reason to become complacent as the possibility of the emergence of new variants continue to exist.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony has confirmed the presence of the Omicron variant in the country following the return of positive samples which were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Of the 20 samples that were sent, 19 came back positive.

This must be a matter of concern, especially in light of the much higher transmissible rate of the Omicron variant.

And in a related development, the Minister had indicated that the Guyana Government is considering the procurement of an oral anti-viral COVID-19 pill to treat persons with mild symptoms of the disease. The WHO has granted approval for the use of the medication under the ‘emergency use authorisation listing’ given promising results in patients with non-severe symptoms.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that causes respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms

such as cough, fever and in more severe cases, difficulty in breathing. Globally, over six million people lost their lives since the emergence of the virus two years ago with over 452 million people being infected. In Guyana, 1224 persons died from the virus with an infection rate of 63,090 persons.

As noted by the PAHO Director, the Americas have been hit harder than any region with more than 2.6 million lives lost, nearly half of all global deaths.

This, she said, is a tragedy of enormous proportions the effects of which will be felt for years to come. The pandemic still remains a threat today, especially for the Americas which accounts for 63 per cent of new global cases for the first two months of 2022.

Guyana has been doing an excellent job in making the vaccines available to the full cohort of the eligible population. As noted by Dr. Etienne, while we all would like to see the back of the COVID-19 virus, it will not go away by being optimistic but by taking the necessary precautions and by becoming fully vaccinated.

The Guyana Government has been doing its part. Guyanese will also have to do theirs and the sooner the better.

PNC promised the good life but the PPP is delivering the good life Dear Editor, PRESIDENT Ali, responding during a press meet, to the allegation that, in trying to reach deadlines for completion of projects due diligence is ignored, with the implication that the quality and durability of completed works are compromised, challenged the naysayers and doom prognosticators to identify any project on which they base their baseless allegations and attempts to denigrate the undeniable near-miraculous turnaround, by the PPP/C government, from Coalition administration’s devastation to progressive transformation of the nation’s infrastructural and socio-economic landscapes.

The President reiterated the oft-noted explanation by various governmental officials, in their responses to the multiplicity of accusations by the discredited NGOs and individuals with Coalition-prompted agendas,

which every single project goes through a process that is accountable and transparent, with no dereliction of the regulatory factors. He explained that, as well, there is oversight by the Auditor General and Parliament, mainly through its oversight committees.

Reiterating that “every single question, every single scenario that is presented, we are ready and willing to provide answers where answers are required. There is no hidden agenda. The agenda and the transformation and development of this country is clear.

We will stand up to any questions on our agenda. But it is clear that the progress and development and accelerated pace … This is the first country in the world where we have people complaining about the pace at which government is going.”

Describing as laughable that someone will complain about the pace at which government is transforming the country, the President challenged the usual suspects that “no one

should believe that they will derail the development agenda of our country”.

During consideration of the Estimates of Budget 2022, it was a palpable laugh-fest, although it was nothing to laugh about, that the sanctimonious gangsters hypocritically questioned the authenticity of every line item.

Former Coalition government officials and current MPs, who had, secretly and openly, raided the nation’s coffers and resources, presented themselves as the progenitors of rectitude, integrity and moral compasses with the provision of good governance.

Outside of Parliament, the Coalition satellite NGOs and media operatives continue the charade.

The discredited tribe, who had disappeared behind a curtain of silence during the inglorious and corrupt maladministration of the Coalition government, and its gerrymandering, posturing, rank criminal activities – blatantly breaching the

country’s laws and Constitutional diktats during its term in office, subsequent to the passing of the no-confidence motion, prior and subsequent to elections 2022, have now awakened from their hibernation that lasted for years while the country was fighting on all fronts for a restoration to democratic imperatives.

Their fallacious, malicious, envious, scurrilous attempts to cast doubts on the validity of governmental projects; or in the implementation of same, in efforts to impugn the reputations of the undoubtedly committed government functionaries and to denigrate the progress generated by their efforts is being viewed as implausible by a wiser population, who are now experiencing the differences between a PNC-led and a PPP/C-led governmental construct.

Yours sincerely, Thomas Cole

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Cultural values vital to evolution of ‘One Guyana’

Dear Editor,

A NATIONAL conversation has begun on the concept of “One Guyana” that was introduced into the political lexicon by President Dr Irfaan Ali. This is an idea which the President believes would bring together the various segments of the community to promote sustainable development and create the good life for all Guyanese. A unified society (grounded in universal human values: both instrumental and affective) could maximise the benefits to be derived from the oil and other sources of wealth that flow incrementally into the public treasury.

However, identifying the cultural forces that could produce a united society is a complex challenge.

The situation is accentuated by pluralism which is characterised by social cleavages and cultural diversity. Pluralism in Guyanese society is also reflected in the divergent views expressed in relation to the ‘One Guyana’ concept. Some commentators view One Guyana as an opportunity to bring together all ethnic groups through adherence to a common set of core cultural values and institutions; some view it as an opportunity to enhance the main ‘creole’ culture system; some view it negatively as an attempt to stifle specific ethnic cultural values and institutions, while some regard it as an attempt to create a Guyanese nationalism. Yet, others view it an opportunity to create an economic rights-based policy.

The main culture system of Guyana is referred to as “creole”. In the plantation

system there was the need by the colonial class to identify their Christian-based Euro-centric culture system that has its intellectual roots in 18th century enlightenment (rationalism, natural rights, and progress), separately from the local emerging creole culture. This “low value” creole culture system has been viewed as distinct from the “high value” European culture. The emerging creole culture system has been evolving through a process called creolisation in which syncretism (a combination of two separate cultural elements is combined into a new, unique value such as in chutney music) and acculturation (where people adopt, acquire, and adjust to aspects of the European culture system such as in education). The impact of acculturation is not uniform, it varies among the ethnic groups.

Many scholars have seized upon and explained societal changes in terms of “creolisation,” which has caused “fundamental change in culture and social structure of ethnic groups but did not lead to a unified society”. (Prof. R.T. Smith). The Amerindians, for example, have not been greatly affected because of their geographic location (hinterland) and away from the centre of political power. Indo-Guyanese have resisted attempts at acculturation/syncretism and have been inclined to embrace only those cultural values that are compatible with their instrumental (material) needs. Professor Philip Singer and Dr E Araneta highlighted the “tenacity of East Indian culture despite creolisation”.

Previous attempts to push forth unity Guyana, like Suriname, and Trinidad &

Tobago, have not been wholly successful in eradicating the plural features of Guyanese society. This point did not escape the scrutiny of scholars like Dr Erique Araneta and Professor Philip Singer who stated that for Indo-Guyanese what was evolving has been a process of “Hinduisation” and not creolisation. While they accept some basic western values and institutions (such as education, dress code, language, commerce, etc.) which facilitate their instrumental (materials) needs, they (Indo-Guyanese) have preserved the integrity of core Indian cultural values such as songs, music, festivals, rituals, dances, arts, cuisine, and kingship.

Indeed, all the ethnic groups of Guyana have persisted in keeping some core elements of their respective cultural values/institutions intact, against the dangling thrust of western values.

In trying to forge nationalism in Trinidad and Tobago, there had been stiff opposition by the Indian leaders who felt that their traditional cultural values/institutions would have been downgraded and marginalised.

Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams’ response was swift and furious; he described Indians then as “a hostile and recalcitrant minority”.

Guyana leaders should avoid this type of caustic rhetoric and always be mindful that ethnic identity and personality are shaped by

cultural values/institutions, and they exist in a symbiotic relationship that could not be easily severed. People are skeptical of state sponsored ideology as experience has shown how this could lead to dictatorship or totalitarianism. They are therefore likely to feel comfortable with a well-thought out and articulated policy.

What is becoming evident is that ‘One Guyana’ should be founded upon an Economic Rights-Based Policy and not on an ideology of nationalism. An economic rights-based policy should be built upon some core instrumental values such as (i) a modern Constitution, (ii) equality of access to opportunity, (iii) empowerment programmes, (iv) and mutual respect for diverse cultures.

Upon these core instrumental values/ institutions should be added affective universal human values such as (i) natural rights, (ii) freedom, (iii) citizens’ allegiance to State, (iv) defence of territorial integrity, (v) and respect for national symbols, and national anthem. In the pursuit of an economic rights-based policy, ethnic groups’ cultural values/institutions should not be stifled, but respected.

Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Caribbean warned of possible backlash from adopting Russian sanctions

By Earl Bousquet CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) member-states are being warned of possible economic backlashes from adopting US and UK-led sanctions against Russia for its continuing military intervention in Ukraine.

Saint Lucia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire and regional Maritime Consultant, Cuthbert Didier, both say Caribbean sanctions against targeted Russians can backfire, at least in the short-term.

That’s after Antigua & Barbuda indicated, on March 4, it will apply the sanctions against Russian citizens named on the USUK lists -- and suspend processing all Citizenship

by Investment Programme (CIP) applications from citizens of “Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.”

Saint Lucia’s Opposition Leader Allen Chasta-

net had earlier called for CARICOM to also adopt Washington and London’s sanctions, including stopping Russian CIP applications.

But Hilaire does not feel Caribbean jurisdictions “should penalise people just because they happen to have been born in Russia.”

According to Hilaire, Saint Lucia’s CIP processed 40 Russian applications between 2016 and 2021 and raised $97 million -- and will continue to process “all applications” based on its usual Due Diligence investigations.

The tourism minister, who also has responsibility for the island’s CIP, assures that Saint Lucia “will not do business with banks and entities sanctioned by the United Nations, or our partners in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development).”

He says applications “will not be processed on

the fallout of a war”.

Didier -- a former long-serving General Manager of Saint Lucia’s Rodney Bay Marina -says adopting sanctioning mega-yachts could stifle the burgeoning sector and struggling economies in small Caribbean island-states.

Islands prone to effects include: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St Maarten, St. Thomas and St. Vincent & The Grenadines -- and the French and Dutch Caribbean ‘Overseas Departments’ and ‘ABC Islands’, respectively.

Didier says he understands why some CARICOM nations may want to adopt sanctions against Russia, but “The danger is that, sadly, we will make Peter pay for Paul – and at a time when the Caribbean’s mega-yacht industry

is booming…”

He says, “Registering these mega-yachts -whether Russian or Chinese, coming from Europe or the Asian region or the Pacific Rim – it’s big business.

“However, I think in the long run as these investors -- these same Russian billionaires -- organise their papers, this will go away in about six months.”

Didier advises that the Caribbean “needs to realign our tourism product so (that) we can handle transparent paperwork in registering these mega-yachts and push to have them homeport in the Caribbean.”

He’s accumulated decades of experience organising the world-famous annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) involving scores of yachts (sometimes over 100) racing across the Atlantic Ocean, from The Canary Islands to Saint Lucia.

But while Didier may sound like the only Caribbean mariner sailing against the breeze on the Russian superyachts issue, Didier’s definitely not alone in advising caution against Caribbean imposition of sanctions.

Many observers feel Caribbean governments “should not lose good and rare opportunities to do clean business” with non-sanctioned Russians and feel the islands that can should use all opportunities to legally fuel and harbour mega-yachts, as a new part of an old industry.

But as many also feel there may be “risks” of economic and political backlashes from the major nations behind the sanctions, should they achieve their goals.

Still others feel the Caribbean should adopt the European Union’s stance of not adopting the sanctions against Russia, which supplies 30 per cent of their oil and 40 per cent of their gas.

India too, has joined Germany and other EU member-states in refusing to adopt the sanctions.

Meanwhile, CARICOM Heads of Government, at their March1-2 Intersessional Meeting in Belize, issued their latest statement “On the War and Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine”, in which they also expressed concern for safety and security of Caribbean and other “non-European” citizens trying to flee Ukraine.

But be all that as it may, the Biden Administration remains hell-bent on pursuing the targeted billionaires who raised their money on the Russian free market after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and moved mainly to Europe and the USA. Most acquired UK economic citizenship by investing at least one billion pounds (Sterling) or the equivalent in US dollars; and several also bought top UK and European football clubs, added to their superyachts and other extremely valuable Europe and American-based properties.

Now, they’re banned from legally heading their UK-based companies, scrambling to hide, offload and otherwise secure cash and property through complicated share transfers involving interlocking family directorships.

“We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” President Joe Biden said recently of the scores of

listed Russian billionaires friendly to his Russian counterpart targeted for sanctions by London and Washington last week.

Indeed, Chelsea Football Club’s owner Roman Abramovich (who also owns several yachts) was on Thursday added (with others) to the growing list of sanctioned Russian billionaires, in a move seen by many as taken to block his ability to sell Chelsea.

His whereabouts were unknown Thursday, with some media speculating he may be on one of his yachts, possibly in the Caribbean.

Whether more CARICOM states will follow Antigua & Barbuda can’t be predicted.

Currently, the only one prepared to refuel Russian-owned yachts but will have absolutely-no-problem processing owners’ applications for economic citizenship is St. Vincent & The Grenadines -- which never joined the other five members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) that all have CIPs. Meanwhile, Dmitry Rybolovlev, owner of AS Monaco Football Club (and with many other assets in Europe and the USA) was tracked on his mega-yacht ‘Anna’, plying between the string of Grenadine islands shared between St. Vincent and Grenada.

‘Anna’, which purchased 40,000 gallons of fuel in St. Vincent & The Grenadines last week, was also tracked spending several days anchored in Carriacou, (part of the three-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique).Grenada has a CIP programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

‘Banana’ found guilty of killing Regent Multiplex owner

KURT ‘Banana’ Erskine was found guilty of manslaughter, on Thursday, by a 12-member jury, for his involvement in the 2015 robbery and fatal shooting of the owner of the Regent Multiplex Mall, Ganesh ‘Boyo’ Ramlall.

After a two-hour deliberation whether Erskine was guilty of murder, the jury returned with a verdict that confirmed he was liable for the lesser offence of manslaughter.

Erskine’s case was tried before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court.

The now-convicted man will return to Court on March 28. A probation report will be read to the Court on that day, after which Erskine will be sentenced.

The accused man denied that, on July 5, 2015, he murdered Ramlall during a robbery act at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Special prosecutors Konyo Sandiford and Narissa Leander presented the State’s case. The accused is represented by attorney-at-law, Lyndon Amsterdam.

Erskine’s co-accused, Fezeel Bacchus, has been released from prison because of

the time already served, after taking a plea for the lesser count of manslaughter.

On February 28, 2022, Bacchus was sentenced to six and a half years for his role in the fatal shooting. However, he was released from prison the following day due to him being on remand since July 2015.

Bacchus testified on behalf of the state in Erskine’s trial.

According to reports, the businessman had just returned home and proceeded to use the outside bathroom when he was confronted by four men who shot him about

Man gets six years’ jail for killing boy during ‘wedding house’ brawl FIVE years after 13-yearold Daveanand Sanichar was fatally chopped to his head with a cutlass, and another teen injured during a ‘wedding house’ brawl, the accused, Kevin Sahoy, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for the crime on Thursday.

Sahoy’s sentencing was handed down by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court.

Last month, Sahoy appeared at the High Court for murder but he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He confessed that he unlawfully killed Sanichar on August 14, 2016 at Plantain Walk Access Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Sahoy also admitted that he wounded another teen, James Lall, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Sahoy was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy, while prosecutor Cicelia Corbin is on record for the State.

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Singh-Lammy made his plea of mitigation in favour of his client.

He told the court that his client was only 20 years old when he committed the crime. He also told the court that his client was not the aggressor.

While delivering her sentencing remarks, the judge considered Sahoy’s plea and the fact that a young life was lost.

She also considered that Sanichar and Lall were the aggressors and confronted

the commencement of his High Court trial.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that, on the day in question, Sanichar, who was at a function in the village, had an altercation with some men over his aunt.

Kevin Sahoy and the deceased boy, Daveanand Sanichar Sahoy with a cutlass on the day in question.

In the end, the judge imposed a six-year sentence for manslaughter and a threeyear sentence for wounding Lall.

She ordered that the sentences run concurrently and that the prison authorities deduct the time Sahoy spent on remand from his sentence.

He was jointly charged with co-accused Raymond Wong for the crime. Wong is currently on remand awaiting

He reportedly left the function and returned with his friend Lall, 19. They were both armed with cutlasses and continued the argument.

Reports are that Sahoy, one of the persons with whom he had the argument, took the cutlass away from the teen and dealt him a chop to his head.

It is alleged that, while the teen was on the ground, he was severely beaten by Wong.

Kurt ‘Banana’ Erskine and the now deceased businessman, Ganesh Ramlall

9

his body and relieved him of his licensed firearm, jewellery and wallet.

It was also reported that after Ramlall saw the gunmen approaching him, he raised an alarm and called out to his relatives to secure the house.

The bandits successfully escaped. Ramlall was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Days later, police arrested Bacchus who confessed to being the getaway driver.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Cox gets 17 years behind bars for death of school boy outside Covent Garden Nursery

SHANNON Cox, 24, was, on Thursday, sentenced to serve 17 years for his role in the 2017 fatal stabbing of 16-Year-Old Brian Charles Yearwood outside the Covent Garden Nursery School, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Last month, Cox was

arraigned before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court.

Cox pleaded guilty to the capital offence, which stated that on April 29, 2017, in the County of Demerara, he murdered Yearwood.

The state was represented by prosecutor

Lisa Cave, while Cox was represented by attorney-at-law Madan Kissoon.

During his sentencing hearing on Thursday, Cox’s probation report was read in court by a probation officer.

In his probation report, the court learned that Cox

is the father of a five-yearold girl, who was born one month before his involvement in this matter.

However, it was said that the relationship between Cox and the child’s mother ended after his conviction.

Cox described his incarceration as challenging. He said that to cope with these challenges, he spends time reading books from the prison’s library.

Additionally, in his report, Cox told the probation officer that he has benefitted from a certified six week ‘Anger Management’ programme.

Further, he stated that as a result of his eagerness for rehabilitation, he has requested to be a participant in various training programmes which will be offered at the prison.

The personnel at the Camp Street Prison related that immediately after Cox’s admission to the facility, he was indisciplined. They, however, recorded that with time his behaviour has improved significantly.

According to the probation officer, Cox’s brother and other relatives believe that he is innocent and that his association with the wrong company on that day in question may have led to his current arraignment before the court.

In his probation report, Cox maintained that he is innocent and “although he is not a perfect person, he is not a murderer.”

Meanwhile, the victim’s mother, Beverley Yearwood, during her interview for the report, said that her deceased son was a peaceful, disciplined, and well-mannered individual, who was also well-behaved in school; since she never received any adverse reports from his school.

She divulged that for the last four years, her family finds it difficult to cope with her son’s death.

The grieving mother said that since the trial commenced it has awakened the memories of the

Shannon Cox and the late Brian Charles Yearwood crime which prematurely ended her son’s life and as such, the pain and hurt have resurfaced.

The victim’s father, Charles Yearwood, was also interviewed by the probation officer.

According to the probation officer, Charles Yearwood said he has been questioning himself as to why his son was taken away in such a dreadful manner, and although it has been five years since the incident, his son is continuously in his thoughts.

Though he confessed he is not pleased with the Court’s ruling thus far, he would like whoever is responsible for his son’s death to face the consequences.

The father also said that he hopes that Cox has learned a lesson and he would like him to make better choices in future.

In his plea of mitigation, Cox’s lawyer asked the court to consider that his client is remorseful and can be rehabilitated.

State prosecutor Cave, in her address to the Court, asked the judge to consider that a weapon was used to inflict five fatal wounds onto the teenager. She also said that Cox showed no remorse for his action.

She also asked the judge to send a strong message to like-minded individuals that such acts cannot be tolerated.

In sentencing, Justice Morris-Ramlall said she

considered the nature of the offence and the circumstances of the case.

The judge also said that the teen lost his life in an incident that was “senseless” and “unprovoked.”

Madam Justice considered that Cox is a young offender and had a previous good record and is currently on a “road to self-development” while behind bars.

However, the judge maintained that Cox did not express remorse for his actions.

After considering the aforementioned, Cox was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment. The judge further ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time Cox spent on remand from his sentence.

Cox was one of two persons tried in this matter. His co-accused, Andy Daniel Peters, was freed of the charge by Justice Morris-Ramlall last month after Peters’ lawyer, Latchmi Rahamat, successfully argued Cave lacked sufficient evidence to convict him.

According to previous reports, Yearwood, who was a resident of Grove, EBD, was involved in a heated argument with two persons outside of the Covent Garden Nursery School where a concert was being held. That argument led to Yearwood’s demise.

He was rushed to the nearby Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was declared dead.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

‘Drafting Arbitration Clauses’ workshop set for April

A TWO-DAY virtual workshop on Drafting Arbitration Clauses will be hosted in April through collaboration among the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General’s Chambers, IMPACT Justice and the Young Members Group of the Caribbean branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

A release from the AG’s Chambers said the workshop, titled ‘Drafting Arbitration Clauses: Practical Workshop’ will take place on April 5 and April 7, 2022.

This training forms part of the Guyana Government’s commitment to creating a modern platform for arbitration as an effective method of settling commercial and other disputes in Guyana, the release said.

It further noted that the workshop, which will be conducted via the Zoom meeting platform, is open to young Attorneys-at-Law and other interested persons who are adults aged 40 years and under.

The workshop will highlight the relevance of including arbitration clauses in contracts and provide an introduction to the drafting of enforceable arbitration clauses, according to the release.

The sessions will be free of charge and facilitated

by Ms Shan Greer, FCIArb along with Ms Kimberly Williams MCIArb. Participants will receive certificates.

The Guyana Bar Association, the Berbice Bar Association, and the Private Sector Commission have all been invited to notify their respective constituents who would be interested in participating.

For interested persons who are not part of this group, registration can be done through the Legal Affairs Ministry’s official website, mola.gov.gy.

Registration closes on March 31, 2022.

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Dharmic Sabha’s Phagwah Mela set for Saturday

THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will host its traditional Phagwah Mela – Rang Rasiya – Saturday, at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar.

According to a release, the gates of the Kendra will open at 16:00 hrs and there will be an exciting array of cultural entertainment and varied stalls offering delicious sweetmeats, curries and their accompaniment, hot snacks straight from the pot as well as Phagwah items.

Mehendi and face-painting for the ladies and children will also be available.

“The folk dance festival featuring folk dance groups from across the country will be the highlight of the event.

A fabulous line-up of outstanding Guyanese artistes, including Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Singh-Ranglall, Suraj Singh, Kishan Sugrim, Ganindra and Sonia Raghubeer, will be backed by talented musicians for the cultural programme. Dharmic Nritya Sangh of Naya Zamana fame will also be performing for this exciting event,” the release noted.

Tickets cost $500 and are available at the gates and patrons can enjoy a full evening

The Kendra will open at 16:00 hrs and there will be an exciting array of cultural entertainment of entertainment revolving around Phagwah.

The Sabha has extend-

ed thanks to its sponsors Digicel, ICEE and Malta, Toolsie Persaud Limited,

E-Networks, NTN, Ansa McAL and Demerara Bank Limited.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Guyana, Barbados look to deepen bilateral trade

THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), along with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), is currently hosting a special Barbadian delegation in an effort to deepen bilateral connections between Guyana and Barbados.

According to a release, the visiting delegation consists of Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados to Guyana and Suriname, Alphea Wiggins and Consultant of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security of Barbados, Dr. Leroy Mc-

Clean.

The visit is as a result of the St. Barnabas accord which was signed by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, which seeks to create one domestic space between both countries in areas across multiple sectors.

The team is scheduled to meet various government entities, private sector organisations, local companies and other stakeholders to ensure imports and exports are of equal benefit to both countries.

Earlier on Thursday, the team, along with President of the GMSA, Rafeek Khan and Executive Director, Ni-

zam Hassan, met with the Agriculture Business Development Officer of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and Executives of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA).

The release noted that, at both meetings, the focus was on deepening mutual ties and exploring possibilities of products and produce which

can be supplied to Barbados.

The discussions were also centred around “AGROFEST” which is usually held in Barbados to add value to their agricultural sector and promote food security.

At this festival, Guyanese products and services will be exhibited at a special pavilion which will offer a taste of Guyana to Barbadians.

“GMSA’s President reiterated that the St. Barnabas accord will see major investment opportunities in both people and businesses with a greater focus of strengthening bilateral trade in specific sectors with synergies for future development,” the release noted.

COVID-19 squeezes differently-abled community THE Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has reported that a survey of 1,500 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Guyana found that COVID-19 has significantly reduced the quality of life of persons in this community.

According to a release, it was found that 75 per cent of respondents had limited access to healthcare due to the pandemic, while 47.5 per cent were completely unable to access health services during the lockdown.

In addition, the majority of respondents were of the view that their disabilities resulted in a greater chance of them contracting coronavirus.

“Another key finding of the study was that the pandemic greatly reduced the independence of respondents. The majority indicated that both their mobility and financial independence had diminished, which in turn resulted in a notable sense of disempowerment. This is especially important given that most respondents considered themselves to be relatively independent prior to the pandemic with support from relatives, friends, and benevolent members of society, the release said.

GCOPD noted that, in the area of education, the PWDs that were enrolled in an educational institution prior to the pandemic had some difficulty transitioning to virtual learning.

The few PWDs that were employed, prior to the pandemic and participated in the survey, did not experience any difficulty with their employers and none loss their job as a result of the pandemic, the organisation said.

“Another area that was drastically impacted was the social lives of PWDs. 93 per cent of respondents enjoyed relatively healthy social

lives prior to the pandemic, which were halted due to the imposed restrictions and lockdowns.

Although many believed that they had coped well with the restrictions, 63 per cent reported psychological and emotional distress.

“It is well documented that all Guyanese have been impacted as a result of the pandemic; however, PWDs have been more severely affected due to their vulnerable status and social location prior to the pandemic. The data gathered reflects the need for more inclusive disaster and crisis response policies,” the release said.

GCOPD said, too, that it remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities are represented in all spheres of society.

The study conducted from November 1 to December 4, 2021 was made possible with funding from the US Embassy in Guyana.

GCOPD is the umbrella body that represents the majority of Disable People Organisations (DPOs) from across Guyana, working in the areas of advocacy and capacity building.

The DPOs represent all types of disabilities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Local logistics company raises bar with international anti-bribery certification

PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage (PSSCB) Inc. has stepped up, yet again, to raise the bar on standards for local businesses, by having recently secured an international anti-bribery and anti-corruption certificate.

The company, which is 100 per cent Guyanese-owned, received its

commercial transparency worldwide. The Tcertification review process is based on internationally accepted standards and requires companies to complete global anti-bribery training, adopt a code of conduct and update due diligence information annually.

“Reports include daily screening of names against

the release said.

Just a few months ago, PSSCB gained the spotlight by becoming the first local company to acquire the ISO 45001:2018 Health and Safety Certification in Logistics, Customs Brokerage, Transportation and Business Services in Guyana.

The company simultaneously acquired ISO

CEO of PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage (PSSCB) Inc., Phil Surooj and his wife, Alisha Singh, display the two ISO certificates which the company recently received Tcertification from TRACE – an international non-profit business association dedicated to anti-bribery, compliance and good governance.

According to a release, TRACE is widely recognised for establishing compliance standards and advancing

international sanctions and enforcement lists. The successful completion of Tcertification demonstrates those companies’ commitment to commercial transparency, allowing them to serve as valued business partners to multinational companies,”

9001:2015 for quality in those services. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Phil Surooj, shared that the achievement ought not to be seen as a win for his company, but for Guyanese-owned businesses.

“This is not just about PSSCB and what it has been

able to achieve. This is a demonstration that local businesses, especially small and medium scale businesses, are capable of raising the bar very high and competing even with multinational corporations in terms of standards,” Surooj shared.

He said that he was inspired by President Irfaan Ali’s speech at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) awards ceremony last year, where the Head-of-State called on local businesses to ‘step-up’ and ‘think big’.

“The local content act makes it quite clear that the government is committed to supporting the private sector and ensuring that we benefit from the opportunities here.

So it is now for us [businesses] to step up and show the government that we also mean business,” the CEO added.

He took the opportunity to encourage other businesses to keep building on small successes and achievement and not to limit their potential, since there is enough room for every Guyanese business

to have a share in the market.

Founded in 2001 to make it easier and less expensive to reduce the risk of bribery, TRACE is widely recognised for establishing compliance standards and advancing commercial transparency worldwide.

Members include hundreds of multinational companies across all industry sectors.?TRACE is headquartered in the United States and registered in Canada, with a presence on five continents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Cevons Waste Management receives ISO certification

By Shamar Meusa

CEVONS Waste Management Inc., a major player in Guyana’s niche solid waste management sector, received its ISO 9001:2015 certification on Thursday last, boosting its brand internationally; a move Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, said should be followed by other companies.

The company received the official ISO (International Organisation of Standardisation) certificate during a ceremony at its Mandela Avenue location but had completed the certification process since December last.

Minister Edghill was present for the handover and provided brief remarks.

Don Smith, the Senior Adviser with responsibility for quality in the company, said it is a tremendous achievement for the company, adding that it comes as part of the vision and commitment of the ownership and management as well as dedication and hard work of employees.

Giving a brief background of the company, Smith said that Cevons

started off as a private waste management collection company in 1997 with two employees and one garbage truck.

Since then, the company has grown to become a market giant and household name in Guyana, boasting over 200 employees and a fleet of more than 100 vehicles.

As the solid waste management needs and services in the country expanded over the years, Smith said the company followed suit and now offers expanded services including road marking, recycling, heavy duty equipment rental, among other things.

Smith added: “Our mission is to provide our customers with exceptional waste management and disposal services that protect, preserve and improve the quality of life in Guyana, and for all Guyanese. Our pursuit of this mission is what led us to become ISO certified.”

Meanwhile, Candelle Bostwick, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Compliance Service, which is the company that conducted the certification, congratulated Cevons’s management

Cevons CEO, Morse Archer (second from left) receives the ISO 9001: 2015 certificate from Global Compliance Service CEO, Candelle Bostwick (Second from Right). Also in photo is Minister Juan Edghill (first from right) (DPI photo) and staff on the achievement.

Bostwick highlighted the certification means that the company would have implemented a quality management system which is compliant to the ISO 9001 standard that is the most globally-recognised standard for quality and meeting customer requirements.

Bostwick added further: “Certifications brings confidence; it adds value to our local businesses. Five years ago, local business (sic) who (sic) would have wanted to aspire to an international standard had to source certification bodies out of Guyana.

“To have our local businesses access services that are internationally-recognised and with our presence in Guyana; our local businesses do not have to think about that administrative cost and it makes certification more affordable.”

GREAT EXAMPLE Delivering brief remarks at the ceremony, Minister Edghill said based on his interaction with Cevons’s CEO, Morse Archer, and his company many years ago and even to now, he is happy to see the company reach such an achievement.

The Minister said, “It is

an example for others to follow in Guyana. I would like to add my congratulations and that of the Government of Guyana to this company on this great achievement.”

To this end, he stated that Archer and his company emerged in an environment where the “prevailing diatribe” was that black businesses were not able to succeed.

Minister Edghill emphasised that the success of one’s business has nothing to do with location, skin colour, parentage or ancestry, but with vision, proper execution, overcoming challenges

and climbing for the highest heights.

The minister said the story of Cevons Waste Management is a success story that should be celebrated as one of “moving from a hustle into an internationallyrecognised and certified business.”

He urged this is possible for every Guyanese, once they want to put those principles in place.

The public works minister lauded Guyana’s future as bright and praised the country of the many opportunities which have been created.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Policeman among hundreds who sign up for GOAL scholarship –– during Minister Parag’s outreach to Region One OVER the past few days, Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, has been conducting scholarship outreaches in various parts of the country.

On Wednesday, she journeyed with her team to Region One, where she led a

studies.

“We understand the challenges and we are working to eliminate those challenges for you; but in the meantime, all you need is some Internet to download the teaching materials to study, and then connectivity again to upload

Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag series of outreaches at Port Kaituma and Mabaruma.

Minister Parag encouraged residents to take full advantage of the government’s landmark 20,000 online scholarships initiative being administered via the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which is headed by Professor Jacob Opadeyi, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana.

Last year, when the programme was first introduced, a total of 6,000 persons were awarded scholarships and have since begun their studies in various fields. From Region One alone, 240 applications were submitted for GOAL 2021. Of that amount, 238 persons received scholarships and are currently studying at universities in India, Germany and the wider Caribbean region.

The initiative offers Guyanese, from all walks of life, the opportunity to study online and to be able to earn qualifications ranging from certificates, all the way to PhDs. “…and you don’t have to take a cent out of your pocket for it,” Minister Parag emphasised.

She clarified that although constant connectivity is an issue in some areas, it should not be a deterrent to those who want to apply, since this would not have any major implications on a person’s

your work. You don’t always have to be online,” Minister

hubs across the country. As a matter of fact, Minister Parag disclosed that, soon, the Port Kaituma Secondary School will be equipped with a stateof-the-art computer laboratory, which would ensure that more persons in the region are technologically savvy.

Based on questions from potential candidates, Minister Parag dispelled misconception that persons are required to “pay back” the government for the scholarships.

NOT BONDED “You are not bonded to us,” Minister Parag said.

She noted, however, that persons will be asked to provide some form of community service for a period ranging from one week to no more than three months.

Persons such as policeman, Emmanuel Rogers are eager to take on courses that will bring career development. “I’ve been following the GOAL programme for quite some time now, and it is something that I welcome.

I think it’s very important for persons to take the scholarship programme seriously…

Rogers encouraged.

Among his three choice options, the 30-year-old has signed up for courses in criminology and victimology, as well as a diploma in creative writing. “I have always had a love for reading and writing,” he added.

TECHNICAL COURSES Meanwhile, Minister Parag was keen on reminding the potential applicants that GOAL is also facilitating a myriad of technical courses, stemming from garment construction and event planning, to massage therapy and decorations, all of which require no formal qualifications.

As a matter of fact, the recently appointed Regional Education Officer of Region One, Chiveon Dovell-Success, was one of the first persons to complete the course in garment construction. “I did the programme last year.

Now, I can make my own clothes, like the outfit you see me wear here,” the REdO said in her remarks to encourage persons to get registered and begin their GOAL journey.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime

Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag assists one of the many applicants at Port Kaituma People’s Progressive Party/

First time applicant, ‘Mr. Vincent’ has taken an interest in garment construction

Policeman, Emmanuel Rogers is a proud applicant of GOAL 2022

Parag explained.

She also highlighted government’s continued efforts to establish even more Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

opportunity, and I would encourage anybody to take it,” Mrs. Dovell-Success noted.

The 20,000 online scholarships initiative is the brainchild of Dr. Irfaan Ali-led

it is very smart that the government could recognise the importance of an educated population, and that is why persons should come out and apply, like I am doing today,”

Civic Government, which continues to invest heavily in the education and training of Guyanese. The administration is cognisant of the fact that the magnanimous transfor-

mation projected for Guyana would mean nothing for Guyanese, unless more and more persons are qualified to capitalise on the opportunities that are bound to come on stream.

During the outreaches in Region One, residents spared no effort in registering for their desired courses.

As Wednesday’s outreach wrapped up, in excess of 70 applications were completed on the spot and submitted to the GOAL team.

So far, Minister Parag has conducted similar outreaches across Regions One, Two and Five, while teams of GOAL officials have already reached out to residents of Region Three. Over the next two days, another team will be in Region Nine while Minister Parag is slated to take on Region Six on Friday.

The ministry’s aim is to ensure that GOAL benefits from a healthy balance across all spectrums, including ethnic and geographic. “Our people in every nook and cranny of this nation must be properly educated and qualified to benefit from the opportunities that will soon begin to unfold,” Minister Parag asserted.

After two extensions, the registration period for GOAL will finally end this Saturday at mid-night.

(Ministry of Public Service)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Actor Jussie Smollett sentenced to probation, jail for staging fake hate crime CHICAGO, March 10 (Reuters) - Actor Jussie Smollett, one-time star of the TV drama “Empire,” was sentenced in a Chicago court to 30 months’ probation and 150 days in jail on Thursday for staging a hate crime against himself.

Smollett, 39, was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution and fined $25,000 by Cook Coun- Actor Jussie Smollett appears at his sentencing ty Circuit Court Judge hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 10, 2022. Brian James Linn.

Cassella/Pool via REUTERS Smollett was found guilty by a jury in De- felony disorderly conduct each time he was accused cember of five of the six counts he faced, one for of lying to police.

Prosecutors said Smollett, who is African American and gay, lied to police when he told them he was accosted on a dark Chicago street by two masked strangers in January 2019.

Smollett claimed the attackers threw a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressions of support for former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Police arrested the actor a month later, saying he paid two brothers

$3,500 to stage the attack in an effort to raise his show-business profile.

He eventually pleaded not guilty to six counts of felony disorderly conduct.

His case took an unexpected turn in spring 2019 when the Cook County state’s attorney’s office dropped a 16-count indictment against him in exchange for Smollett forfeiting his $10,000 bond without admitting wrongdoing.

The dismissal drew criticism from then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and

Chicago’s police superintendent, who called the reversal a miscarriage of justice.

In 2019, a special prosecutor assigned to the case recommended charging Smollett again and a grand jury returned an indictment.

Smollett’s acting career declined after the incident. He lost his role as a singer-songwriter in the final season of “Empire,” a Fox television hip-hop drama that ended a five-year run in 2020.

‘Black Panther’ director Coogler mistaken for bank robber

(Reuters) - “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler was briefly detained by police in Atlanta in January after he was mistaken for a

bank robber, video footage released by Atlanta police on Wednesday shows.

Coogler, 35, was detained by police before being re-

leased on January 7 after he went to Bank of America (BAC.N) to make a transaction, according to a report from Variety.

“From we got the call, sounded like someone was trying to rob the bank,” one of the officers says in the bodycam footage.

The director handed the bank teller a withdrawal slip with a note written on the back that reportedly read, “I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I’d like to be discreet,” the Variety report said.

The bank teller misinterpreted the situation as an attempted robbery when the transaction amount exceeded $10,000 and informed her boss, Variety reported.

Bank of America did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Black Panther became the second-highest grossing movie at box offices worldwide in 2018, heralded for its vibrant celebration of African culture and applauded

Director Ryan Coogler poses for a portrait while promoting the movie “Black Panther” in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., January 30, 2018. Picture taken January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni as a milestone for racial di- Academy Awards - in the best original score, best versity in Hollywood.

The film was nominat- costume design and best ed for six Oscars, including production design categobest picture. It won three ries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Nat’l AIDS Programme counselling married couple in Facebook feud FOR those who know, the ‘Kunchi’ incident grabbed the attention of Guyana’s Facebook community for a day or so, but it was the video of a wife alleging her husband’s infidelity that snatched the scene and left many in shock, but still glued to their screens.

On Monday, a series of short videos were uploaded to Facebook in which a woman, who appeared to have been indirectly addressing her husband’s mistress, purportedly exposed the medical history of herself and her husband with accusations of a similar fate of the ‘other’ woman.

The visibly distraught married woman not only instructed her husband’s alleged mistress to stay clear of the married man, but also advised that the ‘other’ woman seek medical attention, disclosing that both her and her husband had been living with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) some 14 years.

The Facebook commentators swarmed to the videos, downloading and sharing them everywhere, even submitting parodies using popular TikTok trends.

Dr Tariq Jagnarine But in a smaller part of the social networking site, a conversation struggled to break through on the importance of confidentiality and respect for people’s medical history, real or perceived.

A number of Facebook users berated the woman for making the accusation against her husband and his alleged mistress, while others egged the issue on.

The entire ordeal did not sit well with the Head of Guyana’s National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine who said “disappointment” was what he felt about the events.

Dr Jagnarine told The

Buzz it was disheartening to see such an issue broadcasted on a social media platform.

He said his agency, which forms part of the Ministry of Health, has intervened in the matter and is providing counselling to the couple involved. Dr Jagnarine said clearly that the video presents and points to the level of stigma and discrimination still ongoing in Guyanese society against persons living with AIDS. “We are happy that we are able to work with both of them and come to a common consensus,” Dr Jagnarine said in very terse remarks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Shenseea debuts on four charts Shenseea

(Jamaica Observer) – ‘R U That’, the latest single from Shenseea’s forthcoming album ‘Alpha’, makes its debut on four major Billboard charts.

The song, which features American rapper 21 Savage, debuts at No. 37 on Hot R&B/HipHop Airplay, No. 25 on Rap Airplay, No. 34 on Mainstream R&B/HipHop Airplay, and No. 36 on Rhythmic Airplay Top 40.

‘Alpha’, which features production from the likes of Rvssian\ among others, is scheduled for release on March 11 via Rich Immigrants/Interscope.

Among the tracks are ‘Target’ featuring Tyga, ‘Lick’ with Megan Thee Stallion, ‘Bouncy’ featuring Offset, ‘Henkel Glue’ featuring Beenie Man, ‘Lying if I Call it Love’ featuring Sean Paul, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Body Count’, and ‘Hangover’.

On Billboard’s Global 200 chart, ‘No Lie’

by Sean Paul featuring Dua Lipa re-enters at No. 188, while ‘Cheap Thrills’ by Sia and Sean Paul dips to No. 200.

‘Cheap Thrills’ is having better luck on the Global Excluding US

200 chart, backtracking from No. 149 to No. 153. ‘No Lie’ steps up from No. 130 to No. 113, while the recently RIAA-certified, 5x platinum (Latin) single ‘Nostalgico’ by Rvssian featuring Rauw Alejandro and Chris Brown slips from No. 165 to No. 188.

Ini Kamoze’s ‘Here Comes the Hotstepper’ single rises from No. 18 to No. 11 on R&B/HipHop Digital Song Sales chart.

Over to the streamand sales-driven Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers lead for 113 weeks with ‘Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers’.

Shaggy’s ‘Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection’ holds at two, while Sean Paul’s BPI-certified silver hits collection ‘Dutty Classics Collection’ re-enters at number three.

‘World on Fire’ and ‘Set in Stone’ by Stick Figure are numbers four and five, respectively, while ‘Live at Red Rocks’ by Rebelution jumps back onto the chart at number six.

‘Mad Love: The Prequel’ by Sean Paul inches up to seven,

while ‘Labour of Love’

by UB40 re-enters at number eight, its highest peak on this chart. The album was first released in 1983 when this reggae chart never existed.

Holding firm at nine is the album ‘Here Comes the Hotstepper’

by Ini Kamoze while ‘Greatest Hits’ by UB40 crashes from numbers three to 10.

Here’s a bit of chart trivia for you. Twentyfive years ago this week on the Billboard Reggae Album chart dated March 14, 1997, Bounty Killer held down the number one spot with ‘My Xperience’.

Interestingly, three of the acts on this week’s chart were on the chart 25 years ago.

At two was ‘Natural Mystic’ by Bob Marley and the Wailers (the album later peaked at number one), ‘Boombastic’ by Shaggy (peaked at number one), ‘Best of Vol One’

by UB40 was number four, while ‘Til Shiloh’

by Buju Banton was number five.

‘Maestro’ by Beenie Man (which peaked at number three) was number six, and ‘The Best of Vol Two’ by UB40 was number seven.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Bonner ton...

FROM BACK PAGE

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 311 WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 202 for four) K. Brathwaite c Overton b Wood 55 J. Campbell c wkp.

Foakes b Overton 35 S. Brooks c Root b Stokes 18

N. Bonner c wkp. Foakes b Lawrence 123 J. Blackwood c Overton b Woakes 11 J. Holder c wkp. Foakes b Stokes 45 J. Da Silva lbw b Leach 32 A. Joseph c (sub,) Pope b Overton 2 K. Roach run-out 15 V. Permaul not out 26 J. Seales not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-3, w-4, nb-3) 11 Total: (9 wkts, 157 overs) 373 Fall of wickets: 1-83, 2-101, 3-111, 4-127, 5-206, 6-279, 7-282, 8-326, 9-372 .

Bowling: Woakes 30-688-1 (w-1, nb-2), Overton 32-7-85-2 (w-2, nb-1), Wood 17-4-45-1 (w-1), Leach 43-20-79-1, Stokes 28-7-42-2, Root 5-0-30-0, Lawrence 2-2-0-1.

Position: West Indies lead by 62 runs.

for five.

Unbeaten on 29 then, Da Silva added only three before perishing in the fifth over following the resumption, pinned lbw on the back-foot by left-arm spinner Jack Leach.

And Alzarri Joseph lasted seven deliveries for his two before pulling seamer Craig Overton (2-85) to backward square where substitute Ollie Pope took a regulation catch in the next over.

On 282 for seven, West Indies appeared set to fold but Bonner refused to budge and Roach and Permaul proved to be of the same mind, all combining to blunt England’s attack on a flat track.

Bonner reached his half-century in the second over after the first drinks break of the day to be unbeaten on 68 at lunch, and was on 98 at tea with the Caribbean side on 322 for seven.

He brought up his hundred off the second delivery after the interval, with a boundary behind square off Leach and collapsed into Roach’s arms in relief.

Roach was run-out four overs later and Bonner’s long vigil finally ended in the third over before the close when he feathered a leg-side catch to Foakes off part-time off-spinner Dan Lawrence.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

GCC hockey ladies head to Canada for ‘Big Apple’ Championship THE Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) female hockey outfit, the GBTI Ladies, will compete in the Big Apple International Indoor Hockey Championship, which is scheduled for March 12 – 13, in Toronto, Canada.

The ladies, who have been the local national champions for several years, have also enjoyed great success against regional teams as multiple winners of the Diamond Mineral

Water Indoor Festival here in Guyana.

The team comprises several national players and includes players from the Under-16 team that twice visited Trinidad and Tobago prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, playing unbeaten in the Paragon Indoor Championship.

Although a few of the club’s strong players were unavailable due to other personal commitments, coach Philip

Fernandes is confident that the team will be able to make a good showing.

Fernandes indicated that the USA has a very strong female hockey programme as the country has close to 1.5 million players, most of whom are female. The competition usually features teams from both the USA and Canada with occasional entrants from Europe and this year Guyana will be bringing a Caribbean flair to

The GCC GBTI outfit who will be competing at the Big Apple International Indoor Hockey Championship in Canada this weekend

the Ladies’ division.

The GBTI GCC Ladies will compete in Pool Two and face the Sharks in their opening match tomorrow at 09:40hrs.

They return to the floor later on the same day to take on NE Premier and then Team Red, who are expected to be a USA

national selection.

The result of these matches will determine the schedule for the following day.

Matches will all be played at the University of Toronto’s Athletic Centre.

The full GCC squad reads: Abosaide Cadogan,

Alysa Xavier, Gabriella Xavier (captain), Sarah Klautky, Makeda Harding, Madison Fernandes, Mickelly Rahaman, Kirsten Gomes, Kerensa Fernandes, Samantha Fernandes, Carina Moller and Aliyah Gordon The coach is Philip Fernandes.

Sacramento Kings 106-100 and Orlando Magic beat New Orleans Pelicans 108-102.

Fred VanVleet scored 26 points on his return after a five-game absence because of injury as Toronto Raptors eased to a 119-104 victory against San Antonio Spurs

while Los Angeles Clippers recovered from 10 points down to beat Washington Wizards 115-109. Utah Jazz secured a dominant 123-85 win against Portland Trail Blazers.

Boston Celtics beat Charlotte Hornets 115-101 for their

fourth successive victory.

New York Knicks led from start to finish in their 107-77 win against Dallas Mavericks, while Chicago Bulls ended a five-game losing streak by beating Detroit Pistons 114-108. (BBC Sport)

Phoenix Suns qualify for NBA play-offs with win over Miami

Devin Booker helped Phoenix Suns extend their lead at top of the Western Conference to 8.5 games from Memphis Grizzlies

PHOENIX Suns became the first side to reach the NBA play-offs with a 111-90 win over Miami Heat.

Devin Booker had 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Western Conference leaders, who lost to Milwaukee Bucks in last

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year's NBA Finals.

"The play-offs are upon us," Booker said. "We're looking forward to it. We don't want to fall short again."

Duncan Robinson replied with 22 points for Eastern Conference leaders Miami.

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now lost six of their past seven games after slipping to a 139130 overtime defeat against Houston Rockets.

Jalen Green scored a season-high 32 points for Rockets including 13 consecutive points between the fourth quarter and overtime as Lakers began to fade.

LeBron James, back in the Lakers side after a one-game absence with a knee injury, scored 23 points 14 rebounds 12 assists.

Elsewhere, Malik Beasley scored 33 points with a franchise-record 11 three-pointers as Minnesota Timberwolves beat Oklahoma City Thunder 132-102 for a sixth straight win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 43 points to help Milwaukee Bucks to a 124-115 victory over Atlanta Hawks, while Denver Nuggets beat

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Coe says gender parity in sight for athletics but dropout rate a concern

PARIS, France (AFP) — The sport of athletics is moving towards gender parity at its highest executive level but needs to ensure women stay in the sport beyond 18, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe says.

In an interview with a small group of reporters to mark International Women's Day on Monday, Coe said that at each election for a federation or area association “we see more women coming into the sport in senior positions”.

Kicking off a week of initiatives to celebrate female athletes and their role models under the hashtag #BreakTheBias, Coe said the number one Olympic sport was aiming for a 5050 male-female split on its decision-making World Athletics Council by 2027.

The percentage is currently 30 per cent and the target of 40 per cent should

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe

be reached in elections next year.

World Athletics have also revamped championship timetables to highlight women's events and this year's World Championships in Oregon will end with the women's 4x400m relay for the first time in its history.

A clutch of female stars including double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica, 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin of the US and distance specialist Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands are spearheading the elite end

of the sport.

Yet Coe is concerned by the number of women dropping out of athletics once they reach adulthood.

“If you speak to most coaches in the system, or any federation, the biggest attrition in our sport is between 18 and 21,” Coe said.

“Any coach will tell you that is probably the toughest coaching challenge, to take a good athlete from the upper echelons of the junior ranks into the senior ranks.”

The reality, Coe said, was that the majority of athletes who win medals at world junior championships do not even go on to compete in world championships at senior level.

“Often they are not actually getting into the upper echelons of the sport, they are calling it a day for all sorts of reasons,” he said.

“It may be professional pressures on them... they just won't have enough time, or in some hard-pressed communities, they may be breadwinners in a family.”

Coe said when he visits athletics clubs around the world, young women tell him that peer pressure is a major obstacle to them continuing in the sport.

“Sometimes you get the feeling that their friends don't quite understand the commitment and time they are devoting to it,” he said.

Coe said he was determined to break down the barriers to female participation at all levels of athletics.

Crucial to that aim was World Athletics' Gender Leadership Taskforce, chaired by former US sprint hurdler Stephanie Hightower, which was “trying to understand a great deal more of what we can do”.

One potential barrier to women's participation is that they must feel safe while training and competing.

That issue was put into stark focus by the harsh treatment of 15-year-old Russian figure skating prodigy Kamila Valieva at the hands of her coaches at the Beijing Winter Olympics last month.

Coe was speaking from the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Muscat, Oman where 17-year-old Ukrainian athlete Valeriya Sholomitska finished fourth in the women's under-20 10km event.

Boxers licensed in Russia, Belarus banned from fighting in UK

RUSSIAN and Belarusian boxers have been banned from fighting in the UK if they hold a boxing licence issued by their native country.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) announced the decision in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but it is not a complete ban for Russian or Belarusian fighters.

The BBBofC said it "will not permit boxers registered/ licensed by the Russian Boxing Federation or Belarusian Federation of Professional Boxing to compete" in the UK. The loophole means a Russian or Belarusian fighter could still fight in the UK should they hold a boxing licence from another country.

It could pave the way for Russian fighters like David Avanesyan - who is scheduled to defend his European welterweight title next weekend in London - to continue fighting in the UK with a different boxing licence.

The news comes after Ukrainian former heavyweight world champion Wladimir

David Avanesyan is Russian and fights next week in London

Klitschko called on Russian boxers to be barred from competing in the sport.

Klistchko said WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol should be prevented from fighting Mexican star Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in Las Vegas in May. "It's nothing against the personalities or athletes, it's about the politics of Russia," Klitschko told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Every Russian representative in this case needs to be sanctioned because this way we show Russia that the world is against this senseless war. And there is no good in this war.” (BBC Sport)

Sussex sign Pujara and Phillipe as overseas players Cheteshwar Pujara (left) has previously featured for three other counties while Josh Phillipe has played second-team cricket for Durham

SUSSEX have signed India's Cheteshwar Pujara and Australia's Josh Phillipe as overseas players after the release of fellow Australia player Travis Head.

Middle-order Test batter Head had been due to captain the county in the Championship and One-Day Cup. But as well as his international commitments Head, 28, is expecting his first child in the coming months.

Pujara, 34, will be available from the opening County Championship fixture against Nottinghamshire on April 7.

The right-hand batter, who was left out of India's current Test series against Sri Lanka, is also set to feature in the 50-over One-Day Cup. Wicketkeeper-batter Phil-

lipe, 24, will join Sussex from June to play in both the T20 Blast and County Championship.

He will replace Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, 29, who is set to play from the second round of County Championship fixtures on April 14, once his country's three-Test series against Australia finishes later this month.

Rizwan is expected to feature in Pakistan's ODI series against the West Indies in early June.

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, 23, is also set to return as Sussex's second overseas signing for the T20 Blast.

Sussex say a new County Championship captain will be confirmed before the start of the season. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Rawalpindi pitch 'not a good advertisement' for Test cricket: PCB

RAMIZ Raja, PCB chairman, has conceded that the drawn Rawalpindi Test was not a good advertisement for Test cricket. He reiterated the claim he made when he first took over the post that Pakistan needed a complete overhaul of its pitches, but said the process could begin only after the end of the 2021-22 season.

"A drawn match is never a good advertisement for Test cricket, and I totally understand that we need to get a result in five days these days, and we get it 90% (of the time), but I want to remind you of 2 or 3 things," Ramiz said in a video posted on PCB's official Twitter feed.

"First of all, a number of headlines were in relation to the comments I made when I took over (as chairman) that pitches in Pakistan need to be redone, massively redone, but I took over in September and the season had already begun.

"It takes 5-6 months to prepare pitches, and during the off-season, you will see - soil is coming from Australia; we've experimented, consulted soil experts and prepared soils, and we will redo 50-60 pitches all over Pakistan once our season ends in March-April."

New Zealand beat India as Amelia Kerr impresses

Amelia Kerr gets a bear hug from Katey Martin (ICC via Getty Image)

WOMEN’S World Cup hosts New Zealand produced a clinical performance to beat India by 62 runs in Hamilton.

India, despite impressing with the ball, struggled with the bat and fell well short of the White Ferns' 260-9.

Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr both hit half-centuries for New Zealand, before Kerr turned the match with two wickets in two balls.

New Zealand go joint-top of the early group-stage table on four points, with India on two points.

India face West Indies, who have a 100% record so far, at the same venue tomorrow (01:00hr GMT), with New Zealand back in action almost 24 hours later (22:00hrs GMT, tomorrow) against tournament favourites Australia.

NEW ZEALAND SHOW CLASS New Zealand were surprisingly beaten by West Indies in the opening game of the tournament, but have bounced back with consecutive victories.

Their batting was solid, if unspectacular, in posting a stiff target for India.

However, it was in the

field where their class - and potential tournament-winning pedigree - shone through.

They kept a miserly check on the run-rate, with the pace, accuracy and hostility of Lea Tahuhu (3-17) complemented by a battery of skilful seam and spin bowlers.

And perhaps the most skilful of them all is 21-year-old leg-spinner Kerr, who halted an India fightback with a superb 30th over.

As Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, two of India's most experienced players, began to find the boundary with more regularity, Kerr stepped up.

First she had Raj expertly stumped with a fizzing legbreak before and from the very next ball Richa Ghosh was bamboozled by a googly that rocked back her off-stump.

India did have moments of their own, but they were mainly in the field, where the death-bowling of Pooja Vastrakar (4-34) caught the eye.

There was also a landmark moment for 39-yearold Jhulan Goswami who became the joint leading wicket-taker in World Cup history by claiming her 39th victim. (BBC Sport)

While saying this, however, Ramiz more or less confirmed the suspicion that the Rawalpindi pitch - on which only 14 wickets fell over five days - had been prepared to nullify Australia's fast-bowling strength as well as cover for Pakistan's weakened resources, with fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf, the opener Abid Ali, and the leg-spinner Yasir Shah all out injured.

"I understand the frustration of the fans - undoubtedly it would have been very good if we had a result, but this is a three-Test series, and we need to understand that a lot of cricket still remains to be played. Just for the heck of it, we can't prepare a fast pitch or a bouncy pitch and put the game in Australia's lap.

"It's important that when we play at home, we play to our strengths. We also had limited resources, unfortunately. Our opening-ball pair was disturbed because Hasan Ali and Faheem were both unfit. Similarly we had a brand-new opening pair - Abdullah Shafique had played only 2-3 matches, and we were keeping a worrisome eye on his form, and whether he could handle such a good bowling attack or not. Imam-ul-Haq was also making a comeback.

"So when your opening batting pair and bowling pair are both disturbed and raw, you can't take chances. Our leg-spinner wasn't ready, Yasir Shah was unfit, so we got on the field with an under-resourced 15, and Australia, don't forget, are a global powerhouse, and were coming here after winning the Ashes. We respect their talent. So we couldn't go into experimental mode so early, keeping our strengths in mind.

"I understand that we have gained a lot of confidence from this performance. The batting has sparkled, and on the bowling front, a spinner (Nauman Ali) has taken six wickets.

Australia bowlers bowled 239 overs in Rawalpindi and took just four wickets (AFP/Getty Images)

So these are bright points."

Ramiz hoped for more exciting cricket in the second and third Tests, but suggested that pitches with low bounce would remain the template for the rest of the series.

"Fans should understand that we will make every effort to have a result-oriented series, but you can't wave a magic wand and get green pitches or result-oriented pitches. We need to beat Australia, and we need to prepare our strategy accordingly, and the strategy is for low-bouncy tracks where reverse can happen, where lbw and bowled will be in play, where our spinners can show their performance, and where the batters, who have grown up on low-bounce pitches, can utilise that advantage.

"I want to say again that it wasn't a good advertisement, but keep your morale high and keep watching. It's a big achievement to have brought so many great Australian players here, and on an individual level there's a lot to look forward to, from both the Pakistan team and the Australian team. ”I hope that this series, going forward, will become more interesting, but only one match is done, so don't jump the gun, there's a lot of cricket to be played.”

(Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Chelsea sale halted by UK government, club owner sanctioned ROMAN Abramovich's attempt to sell Chelsea has been halted after the oligarch was sanctioned by the UK government as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian put the European champions up for sale after the threat of sanctions was raised in Parliament.

The freezing of Abramovich's assets, which include Chelsea, means the club cannot sell further match tickets.

The move is intended to stop Abramovich making money from Chelsea.

The government has issued a special licence that will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket-holders to attend matches.

Chelsea have said they "intend to engage in discussions" with the government and will seek amendments to the special licence to "allow the club to operate as normal as possible".

Meanwhile, Chelsea's shirt sponsor, telecommunications company

Roman Abramovich has owned Premier League club Chelsea since 2003

Three, has requested that the Blues "temporarily suspend" its deal with the club.

Three has asked for "the removal of our brand from shirts and around the stadium until further notice".

The company added: "We recognise that this decision will impact the many Chelsea fans who follow their team passionately.

"However, we feel that given the

circumstances, and the government sanction that is in place, it is the right thing to do."

Chelsea will be unable to buy or sell players, or offer new contracts, while the sanctions are imposed on Abramovich. Chelsea-owned players who are on loan at other clubs will be able to continue to play for those clubs.

The London club's merchandise

shop has also been shut.

"Once you start digging down into what this could do - yes, they can play their games but will they even be able (to)?" former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin told the BBC World Football podcast.

"Massive amounts of questions but yes, it's not hyperbole to say the future of the club is in serious danger."

The government is open to considering a further addition to the special licence which will allow the sale of the club.

A condition for that to happen would be that Abramovich - one of Russia's richest people who is believed to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin - receives no funds.

He has previously said that proceeds of any sale would be donated to victims of war.

On Wednesday, there were 20 credible parties looking at a potential Chelsea takeover and interest in buy-

ing the club has not been dented, despite Abramovich being sanctioned.

It is understood that although the news took many investors by surprise and there is confusion about what happens next, there is still plenty of desire to purchase the club.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has said the government is "committed to protecting" the club.

"Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities," she tweeted.

"I know this brings some uncertainty, but the government will work with the league and clubs to keep football being played while ensuring sanctions hit those intended."

Dorries later told BBC Sport: "Abramovich has links to Putin, who is mounting a barbaric and evil attack against the people of Ukraine.

"We in this department stand with the people of Ukraine and I'm afraid sanctions have consequences. Abramovich's actions have consequences too." (BBC Sport)

MCG to host public 'No way' are England out, says captain Heather Knight memorial service for Aussie CAPTAIN Heather Knight says England are "no way" out of the Women's World Cup, despite losing their first two games.

The defending champions followed a 12run loss to tournament favourites Australia with a seven-run defeat by West Indies in Dunedin on Wednesday.

"We have to keep our heads up. We can't feel sorry for ourselves," Knight told BBC Sport.

"We've just got out of the habit of winning. One or two players standing up and winning us a game will flip that."

England went winless in losing the Ashes series to Australia in January and February.

Although another defeat by Australia when they met the tournament favourites in their opening game was expected, England had never before lost to West Indies at the World Cup. The top four from the eight-team group will reach the semi-finals, so England can still advance, albeit now with a much reduced margin for error.

Their next game is against South Africa in Tauranga on Monday.

"We have made it tricky for ourselves, but no way are we out of this competition," said batter Knight, who led England to victory in 2017.

"We have to turn up fighting with one of our best performances against South Africa."

England dropped five catches against West Indies, as well as conceding 23 runs in wides after giving up 21 wides to Australia.

"There were a lot of things that are in our control, that if we do better we will win today and probably would have won that first game as well," added Knight.

"The fielding performance just wasn't us.

I don't know where that came from."

great Shane Warne

England Women captain Heather Knight

Opener Lauren Winfield-Hill made 12 against West Indies, extending a run that has seen her go without a half-century in a oneday international since 2016.

Amy Jones managed only one and has a top score of 28 across the Ashes and World Cup this winter.

Emma Lamb is the only batting reserve in England's squad of 15.

"We keep asking questions about Winfield-Hill at the top of the order," 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley told BBC Sport.

"Amy Jones is the world's best keeper, but there are questions over her lack of runs.

"Every game now is a final. That puts a lot pressure on England. They have to be aggressive and fearless otherwise they are on a flight home. (BBC Sport)

Shane Warne's statue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has become a site for fans' tributes

THE 100 000-seater Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host a state memorial service for legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne on March 30.

Warne, 52, died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand on Friday.

The MCG has become a site for fans' tributes to Warne, with flowers, beer and photographs left in remembrance.

"There's nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the 'G’," tweeted Victorian Premier Dan Andrews.

Tickets to the service will be available to the public and it will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

The event has been organised after

Warne's family took up Andrews' offer of a state funeral, an occasion to honour those of national significance.

Warne, who took 708 Test wickets, the second most of all-time, was born and raised in Melbourne and represented Victoria domestically.

It has already been announced that one of the MCG's stands will be renamed the SK Warne Stand in tribute to him.

The stadium was the scene of some of the most memorable moments in Warne's career including a hat-trick against England in 1994 and his 700th Test wicket against the same opposition 12 years later.

(BBC Sport)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022

Dottin a ‘game-changer’ for spectacular catch: Mohammed DUNEDIN, New Zealand (CMC) – Vice-captain Anisa Mohammed has hailed Deandra Dottin’s spectacular catch in Wednesday’s shock win over reigning World champions England, and believes it set the standard for an enterprising fielding display from West Indies Women.

The Caribbean side pulled off their second straight win of the ICC Women’s World Cup when they upset England by seven runs in another dramatic finish, this time at University Oval.

With England starting well in pursuit of a modest 226, Dottin pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to remove Lauren Winfield-Hill in the ninth over – leaping high and full stretch to her left at point – and end a dangerous 31-run opening stand.

“I think I had the best seat in the house to see that,” said Mohammed, who played a key role in the outcome

Deandra Dottin (second from right) is congratulated by teammates following her brilliant catch against England

with a brace of wickets and a crucial run-out late on.

“I think Deandra is one of those persons; she sets a very high standard for herself and in whatever aspect of the game she plays and to see her come out and execute, (is pleasing).

“I think that was a crucial moment in the game. Deandra is a game-changer whether she’s with bat, ball or in the field. And I think it was a spectacular catch, and I know that we would continue to get more from Deandra.”

The effort galvanised West Indies and they ran through the England top order to reduce the innings to 94 for five in the 26th over.

Sophia Dunkley (38) and Danni Wyatt (33) repaired the damage with a 60-run, sixth-wicket stand and number nine Sophie Ecclestone (33 not out) and number 10 Kate Cross (27) added a further 61 for the ninth wicket, before West Indies hit back at the end with quick wickets.

Mohammed praised the fielding, pointing out it had been a big improvement over the first game against New Zealand when several chances were squandered.

“Last game we dropped five catches. On Wednesday I think we had one or two catches but fielding is a crucial part of our game,” Mohammed said.

“I think that’s one thing we do together as a unit and to see us come out

and execute and put some pressure on England, I thought it was a good start for us and hopefully we can continue growing as a team.”

The victory over England came on the heels of last week’s against hosts New Zealand, a narrow three-run win in similar nerve-jangling circumstances at Mount Maunganui.

Mohammed said the early tournament form had provided the side with additional self-belief.

“To win the two games against the top teams in this tournament is definitely a motivation for us,” said the record-breaking off-spinner.

“And it kind of gives us that confidence knowing that if we can defeat the top teams then going forward once we play our best game, we can go all the way in this tournament.”

West Indies face India in their next match tomorrow at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Hearn reveals Joshua Chelsea beat Norwich hours after options for next fight owner Abramovich sanctioned

EDDIE Hearn says Anthony Joshua has given him his four-fighter list of potential options for his next fight in May or June after learning that IBF/ WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk won’t be available to face him in their contractual rematch.

Usyk is still tied up in defending Ukraine from the Russian invasion, and he won’t be free to defend against Joshua. Hearn says he spoke with his promoter Alex Krassyuk and got the official word from him about Usyk’s availability.

According to Hearn, he believes Joshua’s number one choice for his next fight is former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. However, the 36-year-old Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is coming off consecutive knockout losses to Tyson Fury, and he’s not sure if he wants to continue his career.

Assuming Hearn can get Wilder to agree to the fight, Joshua needs to think carefully before he makes this choice.

Joshua must know that by fighting a dangerous puncher like Wilder, he’ll be risking his fight with Usyk and potentially the remainder of his career.

While it may seem to some boxing fans that Wilder is totally shot after his two defeats against Fury, he’s still highly dangerous and can potentially KO Joshua.

The shots that Fury was hit with by Wilder in their three fights would likely have put Joshua to sleep to the point where even a long count would not have saved him.

Wilder said recently in the interim that he wants to go on a mental journey to decide whether he wants to continue fighting. After everything Wilder went through in his two fights with Fury, his

Two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua

view about boxing has been altered, seeing the seamy side of the sport.

If Hearn can’t get Wilder to agree to the fight with Joshua, he should have no problems getting one of the other three fighters from AJ’s list to face him in May or June.

Fighting Joshua is like hitting the lottery for fighters, and aside from Wilder, he can pretty much fight anyone he wants without worry of being turned down.

“I think Joshua was talking about Ortiz or Wallin, a southpaw would make more sense, Joe Joyce, and AJ talked about Deontay Wilder,” said Eddie Hearn to iFL TV on Joshua’s interim opponent.

“I think if you asked AJ right now ‘what’s your top choice?’ I think he’d go for Deontay Wilder. That’s a big fight.

It’s not an interim fight, let’s be honest.

It could be a bigger fight than Oleksandr Usyk.

“He has no fear of fighting these people. He would rather fight (these people). He’s all about resumé, legacy, challenges,” said Hearn. (Boxing News 24)

CHELSEA beat bottom club Norwich as Mason Mount scored one and made another on the day his club's long-term future was thrown into uncertainty.

Travelling fans at Carrow Road chanted the name of Roman Abramovich hours after it was announced Chelsea's Russian owner had been sanctioned by the UK Government.

On the pitch, Chelsea's players responded to one of the most dramatic days in the club's 117-year history by storming into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes on their way to a fourth successive league win.

Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring in the third minute after meeting Mason Mount's corner before Kai Havertz set up England's Mount for his eighth goal of the season.

Norwich were much better after half-time and Teemu Pukki gave his side hope from the penalty spot after Chalobah handled, but Havertz sealed the points with a late third for Chelsea.

While the win strengthened Chelsea's grip on third spot, Norwich are five points from safety with just 10 games left.

BUSINESS AS USUAL ON THE PITCH While Chelsea's future off the pitch is precarious right now, it was pretty much business as usual on it.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta spoke before the game about "this not being a normal day" while Tuchel talked about "a lot of noise" around the club.

Within hours of the announcement that Abramovich had been sanctioned, Chelsea's main shirt sponsors - mobile network provider Three - suspended their deal with the club.

Nevertheless, the Blues wore their usual kit with the sponsor’s logo as the timing of Three's suspension made it impossible to get a fresh kit with no logo to Norfolk.

MThere were 'Champions of Europe' banners in the away end although the Abramovich chants were greeted with some boos from the home fans.

Yet any concerns Tuchel might have had about the day's worrying off-field developments seeping onto the pitch were quickly dispelled as Chelsea raced into a 2-0 lead.

Chalobah got between Grant Hanley and Christoph

Chelsea have won 10 games away from home in the Premier League

Zimmermann to put the visitors ahead before Mount lashed home the second high into the roof of the net.

Andreas Christensen - out of contract at the end of the season and in a state of short-term limbo following today's announcement that Chelsea are unable to offer new deals - went close with a header.

Mateo Kovacic grazed the woodwork from 20 yards and Mount was denied a second goal by Tim Krul before Havertz sealed Chelsea's 10th Premier League away win with a fine 90th minute finish after a lay-off

by N'Golo Kante.

ANOTHER HARD-LUCK TALE With the flag of Ukraine flying at Carrow Road, Norwich produced a spirited second-half performance before Havertz's fifth goal in his last six appearances killed off their hopes of salvaging a point.

This was another hard-luck tale in a season of hardluck tales for Dean Smith's side.

Having got to half-time after conceding only two goals, they came out fighting in the second half but were unable to avoid a 19th top-flight defeat of the season.

Smith will still believe his side can avoid a quickfire return to the Championship.

Norwich still have to entertain fellow strugglers Burnley but time is running out on the Canaries.

They have 10 matches left including games against West Ham (home), Tottenham (home) and Manchester United (away), who are all chasing European places. (BBC Sport)

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 11, 2022 Nkrumak Bonner's century was his second in Tests. Both have come at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

Bonner ton hands West Indies crucial lead NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – An attritional career-best hundred from Nkrumah Bonner frustrated England, earned West Indies a precious 62-run lead and set up a riveting penultimate day of the opening Test.

The 33-year-old right-hander stroked 123 as the home side battled the entirety of yesterday’s third day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium to reach 373 for nine at the close, in reply to England’s 311.

Bonner received magnificent support from the lower order, adding 73 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (32), 44 for the eighth wicket with Kemar Roach (15) before putting on a further 46 for the ninth with Veerasammy

Permaul (26 not out).

All told, West Indies gathered a mere 171 runs from 90 overs but despite the slow pace of scoring, wore England down over the three sessions to leave the tourists deflated at the end.

At the centre of that enterprise was the resolute Bonner, the Jamaican striking 12 fours and one six in a marathon innings consuming 355 deliveries and a shade over 9-¼ hours.

For Bonner, the hundred was the second of a fledgling, 10-Test career and also his second at the venue, following his 113 against Sri Lanka last March.

“It means a lot to me. I was looking back at my stats before this game and I

realised I hadn’t scored major runs in the Caribbean and today the team needed me and I’m glad I stepped forward,” Bonner said afterwards.

“All of my runs are always gritty. I’m not a free-scoring guy. I am very disciplined. My power is concentration.”

He added: “It’s a good venue, a good pitch to bat on. Obviously we’re in a decent position.

“Tomorrow we really want to bat at least an hour, try to get a hundred (runs) lead and put some pressure on the English batters.”

Resuming the morning on 202 for four and still 109 runs adrift of first-innings lead, West Indies suffered a major set-

back in the fourth over when all-rounder Jason Holder wafted indecisively at an out-swinger from all-rounder Ben Stokes (2-42) and nicked off to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, after adding two runs to his overnight 43.

His dismissal ended a crucial 79-run fifth-wicket stand, leaving the home side with a massive void to fill, but Bonner confidently stepped up to spearhead the fightback.

His first ally was Da Silva, the righthander facing 88 deliveries in two hours and hitting a single four, as West Indies reached lunch without further loss on 271 TURN TO PAGE 22

GCC hockey ladies head Rawalpindi pitch officially to Canada for ‘Big Apple’ rated 'below average' by ICC Championship 23 PAGE

The GCC GBTI outfit who will be competing at the Big Apple International Indoor Hockey Championship in Canada this weekend

(AFP) - The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch, where the first Test between Pakistan and Australia ended in a tame draw on Tuesday, has officially been rated "below average" by the match referee and given a demerit point.

In all, 1 187 runs were scored for the loss of only 14 wickets in the Test, as bowlers toiled and batters dominated on a lifeless flat track Under ICC rules, demerit points remain active for a rolling five-year period and if a venue accumulates five, it is suspended from hosting international cricket for a year.

The Rawalpindi pitch, though, did avoid the harsher punishment of three and five demerit points which are awarded to those venues whose pitches are marked as poor and unfit, respectively.

The pitch for the 2017 Ashes Test at the MCG, which also ended in a tame draw, was rated poor at the time "The character of the pitch hardly changed over the course of five days," match referee Ranjan Madugalle said in his report.

"There has been no deterioration apart from the bounce getting slightly lower. In my view,

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this does not represent an even contest between bat and ball."

"In keeping with the ICC guidelines I rate this pitch as below average."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accepted the admonishment and said a "massive project" was already underway to improve the country's Test pitches.

"This is the first time any Pakistan venue has received a demerit point," the board said in a statement.

"The PCB remains confident and optimistic that we will not only see good contests in the Karachi and Lahore Tests, but in all future international matches as well.

PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had earlier effectively admitted that the pitch had been prepared specifically to stymie the Australian pace attack.

He said he understood the frustration of fans but added that "just for the heck of it, we can't prepare a fast pitch or a bouncy pitch and put the game in Australia's lap ... It's important that when we play at home, we play to our strengths."

The second Test in the three-match Australia series starts in Karachi tomorrow.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022