Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_09_2020

TUESDAY 9th June, 2020

'

Phase 2 of recount kicks in

No.106024

…All eyes on CEO for report

SEE PAGE 03

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

…President maintains only GECOM can declare winner Four more recover from COVID-19 08 PAGE

--taking active cases to 60

Airports likely to reopen July 1 …GCAA to cater to int’l workers, diplomats, stranded Guyanese first

Police, on Monday, escort the containers with the ballot boxes, following the recount and tabulation exercise at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The second phase of the process, which includes a report of the results by the CEO, will commence shortly (Adrian Narine photo)

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11

City teachers vow to stand by MoE 02 PAGE

--in spite of union’s call to boycott reopening of schools

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Georgetown teachers vow to stand by MoE --in spite of union’s call to boycott reopening of schools

By Gabriella Chapman TEACHERS from several primary and secondary schools around Georgetown on Monday started the process of preparing their classrooms to reflect the health ordinance that will ensure their and their charges safety from the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Their position is in keeping with a Ministry of Education decision to have those pupils preparing to sit the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations, as well as those students who’re about to do the same at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) return to school to work with their teachers in a face-to-face classroom environment.

The NGSA has been set for July 1 and 2, 2020, while the CSEC and CAPE will begin on July 13, 2020.

With both pupils and students expected to be out from next Monday (June 15), teachers and auxiliary staff will be using the extra week to lay the groundwork for when classes begin in earnest, a decision that the Guyana Teacher’s Union

(GTU) is fiercely opposed to.

In a press statement on Monday, the Union said: “The General Council of the Guyana Teachers' Union decided not to support the Ministry of Education's plan to conduct classes and examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was based on the fact that Guyana's situation remains fluid. Positive cases of Coronavirus are still being recorded, and this poses a threat to the well-being of all Guyanese whose desire is to remain healthy.

“To this end, teachers are advised to remain in the safety of their homes, and continue to give virtual support to learners as they finalise their preparations for their respective examination. There should be no sense of guilt felt by any teacher, since the Union's recommendations to have these examinations written at a later date fell on deaf ears.”

Assuring its members that they had nothing to fear, as any attempt at victimization will be resisted in the strongest possible way, the GTU said: “Your union will fight to uphold the right to life for every member. We urge that you remain safe, and continue to follow the health proto-

cols established by the WHO, and supported by Ministry of Public Health here in Guyana.”

When this publication met and spoke with several teachers in Georgetown, which is reportedly the epicenter of the virus, they all said that they will stand with the Ministry in this situation, because of the commitment they have to the future of Guyana’s children.

Asking to withhold their names and place of work, they told the Guyana Chronicle how they feel about the division, and their stance in the situation.

ONLY TO BE EXPECTED Said one teacher: “It is expected that some will resist the decision of the Ministry, because, quite frankly, they are comfortable with not having to come out to work every day.

While some may resist because they are genuinely concerned about their health, there are others who honestly just want to stay home. There are people out there working in the face of worse circumstances than us; why can’t we come out for our students for a few weeks, at this critical time in their lives?

These students need us; all we need to do is ensure we follow the guidelines, and we will be safe, and that is what I have decided to do.”

Another said that there are teachers who are at this time going out of their homes, exposing themselves to the virus for far less than educating the nation’s children.

“So I don’t see what the issue is,” she said, adding: “Some teachers are just complacent, and it is sad. And while some are talking about virtual classes and all that, some of them aren’t even doing that. Let us come out for our children, and stay safe by following health orders.

My only concern is if the Ministry will hold up their end of the Order and ensure we have all the necessities to stay safe.

Once we have that, we will be

One classroom that has been prepared to accommodate students in keeping with social-distancing guidelines

here for our children.”

One school board’s chair said that he was happy at the teacher turnout at their school to prepare for the return of the students. He noted, too, that the school has a close-knit bond among teachers and students, so resistance wasn’t really expected. The teachers’ energies right now, he said, are being directed to preparing for their safety, and the safety of the students.

Several other teachers were engaged from different schools, and they all expressed similar sentiments as those we’d spoken to earlier And while all this is reassuring, the one question on everyone’s mind is: Will the pupils and students actually come out to classes next week, since the Ministry didn’t make it mandatory.

QUESTION OF AFFORDABILITY As one teacher pointed out, she is more concerned about whether some parents can afford to send their children out to school, as they may have been affected financially due to the loss of income due to the pandemic.

The teachers said despite the situation, they are preparing, and from Monday, when the children are expected to come, they will be able to do a better assessment, and know what

A sick bay being prepared at a secondary school for the reopening of school next week

additional measures have to be put in place to help them.

The Gazetted Order from the Ministry states: “To prepare for national examinations, faceto-face contact between teachers and students is permitted at their respective schools, but classes shall not be held every day.

“The seating arrangements for classes and the national examinations shall permit only 15 learners in each classroom or examination room at a time, sitting at least six feet apart from each other.

“To control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, several measures shall be implemented by a designated responsible entity or person.

“Regarding preparatory measures, the Ministry of Education shall be responsible for ensuring that all schools have appropriate sanitation stations, including adequate water and soap, and bins with covers.”

According to the Ministry, stringent monitoring should be conducted to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is implemented prior to the commencement of classes.

Meanwhile, head-teachers will be responsible for ensuring that all schools in use have a designated sickbay or quarantine area that is well ventilated. The area must be equipped with a bed, first aid kit and personal protective gear (i.e. mask and gloves) to accommodate any learner that is suspected to be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, until emergency assistance arrives.

These guidelines have already begun to materialise at several schools, and many teachers, despite the position of the Union, said that they will be putting the interest of their students first.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Phase 2 of recount kicks in

…All eyes on CEO for report

…President maintains only GECOM can declare winner

By Svetlana Marshall THE completion of the recount and tabulation of votes cast at the General and Regional Elections now paves the way for the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield to compile his reports on the electoral process for submission to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Those reports not only include a tabulation of the matrices for the recount of the 10 Electoral Districts, but also a summary of the Observation Reports for each District. Based on the Statements of Recount (SORs), which were generated and tabulated at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has secured 233,336 votes, while the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU+AFC) raked in 217,920 votes.

But while the recount shows the PPP/C in the lead by 15,416 votes, the recount unearthed massive irregularities, and alleged cases of electoral fraud, which reportedly have compromised 90,000 votes.

During the National Recount, more than 41 ballot boxes were discovered with none of the statutorily required documents, while other boxes had missing Certificates of Employment, Official Lists of Electors, Oaths of Identity, Poll Books, Unused Ballots and Counterfoils.

There were also cases where the Oaths of Identity were unsigned, and ballots were either unstamped or partially stamped, resulting in their being deemed “Rejected”. Further to that, the APNU+AFC has cited more than 3,000 cases in which it alleged that unscrupulous people voted in the place of the dead, or persons who were out of the jurisdiction on March 2 when the General and Regional Elections were held here. According to the APNU+AFC, these irregularities have amounted to 6,000 cases, which point to electoral fraud, and have affected some 90,000 votes.

These irregularities were recorded in Observation Reports during the recount of votes at the level of the workstations, and will form a major part of the reports that would be compiled by the Chief Elections Officer.

As the tabulation of the SORS came to a close at

the Conference Centre on Monday, PPP/C Executive

inject a personal opinion, to offer any recommendation

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

count of the Elections.

While the High Court, in

the reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast,

PPP/C Representative Anil Nandlall

ANUG Representative Mark France

Mark France, while noting that the recount was a reflection of the contents of the ballot boxes, acknowledged that the electoral process is not completed. “It (the recount) was done as the law would have said and the numbers reflect what exactly were in those boxes…It is a true reflection

Change Guyana Representative Dexter George

One of the trucks used to transport the containers of ballot boxes, under heavy security, from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre to GECOM’s Head Office on High and Cowan Streets, at the close of the recount and tabulation process on Monday

Member, Anil Nandlall told reporters that while it is the responsibility of the Chief Elections Officer to compile Observation Reports, in addition to a report on the tabulation of votes, he cannot be subjective in his reporting to the Elections Commission, chaired by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

NO PERSONAL INPUT “The Order does not provide for the CEO to have any personal subjective input. He is simply to summarise the Observation Reports, and tabulate, aggregate and total the numbers, which would have been tabulated, and which would have been put on the Certificates, constituting the declaration of results for each of the region,” Nandlall said.

“There is no place; I want to emphasise, no place for the Chief Elections Officer to

of any sort, whatsoever,” he submitted.

According to Nandlall, the CEO’s duty is “mechanical and straightforward.”

According to the amended Order, which legally triggered the recount of the votes, the CEO’s reports must be submitted on or before June 13, 2020 to allow for deliberation at the level of the Elections Commission. The amended order states: “The Commission shall, after deliberating on the report… determine whether it should request the Chief Election Officer to use the data compiled… as the basis for the submission of a report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03…”

Once the second report is compiled, the Elections Commission will have no more than three days to declare the results of the final credible

March, indicated that Article 162 (1) (b) gives wide powers to the Elections Commission to ensure an impartial and fair elections process, Nandlall is contending that it is not within GECOM’s remit to investigate the irregularities that surfaced during the recount, as he pointed to Article 163 of the Constitution.

“There are things that can be done in arecount exercise, and there are things which cannot be done. So GECOM, lawfully, has no jurisdiction, no power, no authority to pronounce on credibility, legality or validity of its process. In any event by the principle of natural justice, one cannot be a judge, in one’s own cause,” he opined.

While there have been glaring evidence of irregularities, the PPP/C has maintained that the recount was merely numerical, though the Order

destroyed, spoiled, stamped, and as deemed necessary, their counterfoils/stubs; authenticity of the ballots and the number of voters listed and crossed out as having voted.

SMALL PARTIES Notwithstanding the provisions of the Order, a number of small political parties have also argued that it is not for GECOM to act on the irregularities. “In relation to the dead and migrated voters, and the question of anomalies proposed by the APNU+AFC, we do not support those claims.

We do see that persons had the right to vote; they came out, they exercised their franchise, and they did what is best for them,” Change Guyana Representative Dexter George said. According to him, the electoral process was fair.

A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Representative

of the materials, in terms of the votes, that were in those boxes. The other aspects that the recount is looking at will not be finished in terms of just looking at the numbers here,” France told reporters outside of the Conference Centre.

Nonetheless, Nandlall expressed the hope that the remaining components of the electoral process will be concluded in an orderly fashion, and in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Order, the Constitution, and the Representation of the People Act. Asked whether GECOM should await the report of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Scrutinising Team before arriving at its declaration of the results of elections, Nandlall responded in the negative.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

US Democrats introduce sweeping legislation to reform police (BBC) US Democrats in Congress have proposed sweeping legislation to reform American police, following weeks of protests against police brutality and racism.

The bill would make it easier to prosecute police for misconduct, ban chokeholds, and addresses racism.

It comes as Minneapolis lawmakers vowed to disband the city's police force.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of a white officer there sparked national

pressure for change.

However, it was unclear whether Republicans, who control the US Senate, will support the proposed Justice in Policing Act of 2020.

Mr Floyd's brother is expected to testify to the House of Representatives later this week in a hearing on police reform.

What does the bill say?

The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 was introduced on Monday by top Democratic lawmakers House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minori-

ty Leader Chuck Schumer, black senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

As she unveiled the bill, Mrs Pelosi read the names of black men and women who have died at the hands of police in recent years.

The bill forces federal police to use body and dashboard cameras, ban chokeholds, eliminate unannounced police raids known as "no-knock warrants", make it easier to hold police

liable for civil rights violations and calls for federal funds to be withheld from local police forces who do not make similar reforms.

"The martyrdom of George Floyd gave the American experience a moment of national anguish, as we grieve for the black Americans killed by police brutality," Mrs Pelosi said.

"Today, this movement of national anguish is being transformed into a movement of national action".

The bill makes lynching

a federal crime, limits the sale of military weapons to the police and gives the Department of Justice the authority to investigate state and local police for evidence of department-wide bias or misconduct.

It would also create a "national police misconduct registry" - a database of complaints against police.

Some Republican leaders have said they would consider the possibility of writing their own bill, with a hearing scheduled in the Senate Judi-

ciary committee next week.

However, members of President Trump's party have been largely reticent on signalling support for legislation.

In a break with his party, Republican Senator Mitt Romney on Sunday tweeted pictures of himself marching towards the White House with Christian protesters, with the caption "Black Lives Matter."

Prince Andrew 'offered to help Jeffrey Epstein prosecutors' (BBC) The Duke of York's lawyers have rejected claims by US prosecutors that he has not cooperated with the inquiry into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, insisting he has offered to help.

US officials previously accused him of providing "zero co-operation".

But in a statement, Prince Andrew's legal team said he offered help on "at least three occasions".

The lawyers suggested the US Department of Justice was seeking publicity rather than accepting the offer of help.

The duke stepped away from royal duties last year

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 - 05:00 hrs

following his widely-criticised comments in a BBC interview about his relationship with Epstein, who took his own life in a US jail cell in August, aged 66, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

The duke has been heavily scrutinised for his friendship with Epstein, but he has said he did not witness any suspicious behaviour during visits to the US financier's homes.

In a statement, the legal team said: "The Duke of York has on at least three occasions this year offered his assistance as a witness to the US Department of Justice (DoJ)".

"Unfortunately, the DoJ has reacted to the first two offers by breaching their

Prince Andrew

own confidentiality rules and claiming that the duke has offered zero co-operation.

In doing so, they are perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance

proffered."

Earlier on Monday, it was revealed that the DoJ had made a formal request to speak to the prince as part of its Epstein inquiry, by submitting a mutual legal assistance (MLA) request to the UK Home Office.

Under the terms of a MLA request if Prince Andrew does not voluntarily respond, he can be called to a UK court to answer questions.

The duke's lawyers described the request as "disappointing" because the Duke of York was "not a target of the DoJ investigation and has recently repeated his willingness to provide a witness statement".

The charges against Jeffrey Epstein Allegations against Jeffrey Epstein started surfacing in 2005 when the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida that Epstein had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home.

The financier was accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002 and 2005.

However, a controversial secret plea deal in 2008 saw him plead guilty to a lesser charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution.

He received an 18-month prison sentence and was released on probation after 13 months.

In July 2019 he was charged in New York with further allegations of sex trafficking and conspiracy and was due to face trial. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The duke's lawyers, Clare Montgomery QC and Stephen Ferguson, said they had previously chosen not to make any comment about their dealings with the DoJ but had now released a "clarifying" statement "in view of misleading media briefings".

In late January, the US prosecutor in charge of the inquiry into Epstein - Geoffrey Berman - claimed that the prince had provided "zero co-operation", and in March he said Andrew had "completely shut the door" on helping investigators.

The statement from the lawyers describes the comments "as inaccurate".

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

PM Harris sworn in, pledges to keep campaign promises (ST KITTS AND NEVIS OBSERVER) Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Timothy Harris has been sworn-in for a second term in office and indicated the work begins promptly to fulfill campaign promises to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The historic ceremony was hosted by Governor-General His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, LL.D, while Resident Judge His Lordship Trevor Ward QC administered the oaths of allegiance, office and secrecy.

The Governor-General said, “In this short but very formal and significant ceremony I now have the pleasure to invite his Lordship Justice Trevor Ward QC to come forward and to administer the oaths to Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, the Prime Minister.”

After all the three oaths were administered and papers duly signed by all the parties, Governor-General His Excellency Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton said: “May I be the first to congratulate Dr the

Hon Timothy Harris on his appointment as the Prime Minister and to invite him to deliver some remarks. May I also thank the Lordship for administering the oaths.”

Dr. Harris said, “I promised I would not let you down and promised the administration that I would lead will not let down the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”

He said that it was an honor for him to have the opportunity to be sworn in for a second time as Prime Minister.

“We shall create the modern history in St. Kitts and Nevis by making the example of the best managed small island state. That is my pledge and that is my commitment.”

Dr. Harris hailed the outgoing Team Unity cabinet and commended the work of Vance Amory, who is retiring, and Ian “Patches” Liburd who was unsuccessful at the polls. He also pledged that this would be his last term serving as Prime Minister, a promise he made in 2015, then saying he would only serve two terms if elected.

He said their success at

Couple charged with trafficking in bogus ATM cards (TRINIDAD GUADRIAN) A Canadian man and a Guyanese woman have been charged with trafficking counterfeit ATM cards and possession of card-making equipment.

The Police Servive said the couple’s arrest of the two followed several weeks of extensive investigations by officers of the Fraud Squad’s ABM Task Force.

Kingson Yogonathan, 30, a Canadian national, of Pine Place, Mausica, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in counterfeit cards and one count of possession of card-making equipment while Geeta Mohabir, 27, a Guyanese national, of the same address, was charged with one count of possession of card-making equipment and one count of trafficking in counterfeit cards.

The two were held by officers of the ABM Task Force, during an anti-crime exercise conducted in the

Northern and Central Divisions between last Thursday and Friday.

During the exercise, officers went to an apartment at Pine Place, Mausica, where they observed a man leaving the premises in a motor vehicle.

The car was intercepted and the man searched, which resulted in four counterfeit cards, along with several ATM receipts, being found hidden in his left shoe.

A further search of the apartment resulted in one bulletproof vest, a red dot scope, a quantity of card skimming equipment and a quantity of counterfeit cards being found and seized. A female suspect, who lives at the address, was also detained in connection with the finds. Yogonathan and Mohabir were charged with the offences by PC Solozano, of the ABM Task Force on Saturday 6.

the polls on June 5 is a vindication of their excellent work on behalf of the people. “Our performance really lived up and indeed some will say surpassed the promise we had made. Friday we the people of St. Kitts and Nevis made history again as the first coalition government in the Federation to return after an election with an increased majority.”

He said they made history winning the larger share of the vote this time around and

securing a National swing to Team Unity of around six percent He said in his constituency it was the strongest result of the 27 years of his representation.

“I want to personally thank from the bottom of my heart the 1,870 voters who voted for me and I commend the 607 who voted for an alternative for their participation in the democratic process.”

Dr. Harris noted that the

general election was a consensus on how the population wanted the country to be run.

“At the national level, I believe the result of the general election was a repudiation of the old ways of doing politics. Of grievance by some when they don’t get their own way, it was a repudiation of the government by unsustainable debt and gimmicks and tricks of the old order of politics.

“It was a repudiation of the bitterness and selfish

agenda of those who sought to dictate to the government, not recognizing that ultimately it is to the broader electorate to which an elected government must respond.”

The effort will now be made to deliver on the promise of a stronger and safer future according to Dr. Harris.

“We are all honored and humbled by the faith and confidence which you have reposed in us. I promise I would not let you down and promise the administration that I will lead will not let down the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The ceremony was also attended by Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), the Hon Shawn Richards, Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Josephine Huggins, resident ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan His Excellency Tom Lee, and Miss Shaiyan Harris, a daughter of the Prime Minister.

Dr. Harris said the cabinet of ministers will be announced in the coming days.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

One nation

INHERENT in this nation’s formation on May 26, 1966, is a land comprising six peoples. All six peoples on this date would have emerged with unique strands of historical experiences. This notwithstanding, among all groups are shared common experiences, and strong bonds that have been established out of these diverse experiences to make us one. Our quest for humanity, foremost, has evolved out of experiences of inequality.

Where a level playing field was created in identifying all as equal, though it could not erase past horrid experiences, it nonetheless creates the space to see each other as one, and treat each other with respect and dignity.

This is the essence of humanity, and which a new nation, in 1966 set out to achieve. Guyanese should continue to engage in seeking knowledge of the individual and collective self as far as possible, including what

inspired our nation, its symbols, and contributed to making us who we are. It is that in 2016, designated ‘Year of the Renaissance’, efforts are made, even as historical knowledge is acquired, to examine ways, including policies, laws and programmes to deepen and strengthen our oneness.

These should not be divorced from seeking knowledge of, and being influenced by world affairs which also play impacting roles.

Recent global events, be they the war against terrorism, terrorist attacks, race relations between white police officers and black citizens, ethnic differences, clashes in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere continue to serve as lessons for us here, as people reach out to each other, unshackled by past horrid experiences, in the spirit of humanity.

In the affected areas, where the bigoted and those stuck in the past hold to their preferred views, persons from both the victims and aggressor groups are speaking out against atrocities, and demanding

actions that would bring about accountability, justice and fair play in the society for all.

In this environment, it is not unlikely to see a white person speaking out against an atrocity meted out to a black person, inasmuch as part of their historical experiences saw blacks enslaved and treated as subhuman by the white race. It is not unusual to see blacks call on fellow blacks to avoid acts of aggression against whites.

Equally, it is not unusual to find Muslims condemning acts of terrorism perpetrated on fellow Muslims or non-Muslims. Conversely, non-Muslims are also calling on fellow non-Muslims not to hate the Muslim community for acts of extremism.

This is the world in which we live today, and it is a world Guyana cannot isolate herself from. In this same world, Guyana operates as a Land of Six Peoples, and through birth, marriage and other forms of association, there have been the

fusion of the various historical cultures, which today we know as the Guyanese culture, i.e. lived experiences. To ask any number of Guyanese if they see themselves as one nation, it is the belief that the answer will be a resounding yes. But to ask any number of Guyanese if they think they are treated as equals, with dignity, respect, opportunity and justice in this society, the answers will vary, among which will be some resounding nos. Digging deeper into the various reasons, some supported by evidence, no doubt, will inform the negative responses. The negative responses would undoubtedly not be based on being Guyanese, but of how one is treated in society by fellow Guyanese and the managers of the system of government, whether such perception is real or perceived.

The varied treatments have no bearing on being one nation, for the purpose of birth, identity or historical experiences of

forebears, but that of the here and now. Guyanese don’t generally dislike being Guyanese, and being born in a Land of Six Races; what they generally dislike are the negatives with which the country is associated, such as poor race-relations, poor government, crime, poor performance of the economy, and so forth. Fixing shortcomings has no bearing, nor are they reliant on distancing self from the concept of one nation.

Fixing these is reliant on strong institutions and leaders, and the society being prepared to holding them accountable, regardless. Guyanese need these as assurances, and our energy should be channeled towards making them possible, for there exists no reputable contention about our oneness as a nation, but strong contentions about the manner in which citizens are treated, and their affairs managed.

The voting irregularities on EC

Dear Editor,

ON Friday, 5th June 2020, the national recount process discovered that in 29 ballot boxes for the lower East Coast Demerara, in strongholds of the PPP/C, that none of the mandatory documents as required by the electoral laws of the country were present in the ballot boxes.

It is significant that this occurred in a large area, involving many boxes accounting for about 6000 votes.

This is no small matter in

terms of the validation of those votes and the credibility of the 2020 elections.

When taken in the context of the other numerous discrepancies, anomalies and irregularities that were uncovered during the recount process, all point to PPP/C rigging, and fraudulent elections.

My concern in this letter is to “interrogate” the PPP/ C’s position for the East Coast fiasco, based on DRO Paul Jaisingh’s narrative that Mingo instructed that at the end of the count on election night, documents were to be

placed in a bag instead of the ballot boxes. This narrative

by Jaisingh and the PPP/C is an insult to Guyanese intelligence given the known electoral capacity of the opposition PPP/C. We are asked to believe that such instructions coming from a GECOM official, senior or junior, would not have been immediately reported to Freedom House.

And they sat with that information for 3 months saying nothing. Bear in mind that this is a party that boasts about possessing the most efficient election machinery

in the English-speaking Caribbean. And knowing full well of the potential damage such instructions would have on their electoral fortunes, they did nothing? I disagree even without direct knowledge on whether or not those instructions were given. My position that the PPPC is lying is based on five decades of involvement in politics in Guyana and that party’s political conduct informs my judgment that the PPP/C and Paul Jaisingh are engaged in manufactured propaganda to cover that party’s fraud on

the East Coast. We all know if Mingo or another GECOM official had given those instructions as claimed, that the PPP/C would not have waited to act. They would have done everything in their power to expose this alleged “plot” to rob them of votes.

What is in contention in this controversy is not whether the PPP/C would have got the majority of those lower East Coast votes – but how many were valid votes cast by legitimate voters.

I and most Guyanese are not convinced by the nar-

rative of the PPP/C and Mr Paul Jaisingh on this issue, based on that party know track record on election matters. The PPP/C would have turned GECOM into an inferno.

The undeniable truth is that the PPP/C was once again caught in electoral rigging as was demonstrated on hundreds of occasions in the recount process.

Regards Tacuma Ogunseye

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

IS GECOM LEGITIMISING FRAUD? Dear Editor, The decision made by the Guyana Elections Commission to include in its tabulation, ballots which are patently unverifiable, threatens to make a mockery of the entire recount process.

The Guyanese public was well schooled regarding the purpose of the recount – an exercise aimed at determining the credibility of the voting and results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Indeed, as the third recital of the Order authorising the recount makes clear, the recount exercise is aim at “…determining a final credible count”. Against the background of calls for

transparency, all Guyanese prepared themselves to be spectators at an event that promised to judge harshly any suggestion of impropriety or dishonesty. Party scrutineers stood as linesmen and women to blow the whistle at any infraction, or any breach of elections laws and regulations.

Then came the Lower East Coast saga and 41 boxes that appeared to have ballots but none of the statutorily required supporting documents. These documents are required for the specific purpose of eliminating voter fraud. It strains credulity to accept that the absence of verifying documents in all these 41 boxes is of no consequence and does not boldly scream

electoral fraud. It is shocking therefore that GECOM decided that the votes in those offending 41 boxes were to be included in the tabulation of the recount process. Fundamental questions cannot be answered.

Are those votes valid? Are the persons who cast those ballots legitimate voters? What documentation supports the legitimacy of those ballots? This recount process is not merely about counting votes, it is about counting valid votes. If one is merely counting votes, then what is the point of this recount process with its meticulous reconciliation requirements?

Paragraph 14 of the Order of May 4, 2020 which authorises the recount makes it clear

that the recount is about valid votes and not simply votes.

Paragraph 14 requires submission of a report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. Section 96 requires a report to be completed by the Chief Elections Officer “…after calculation the total number of valid votes of electors”. The distinction between simply a vote and a valid vote is thus specifically made in our electoral law and incorporated by reference into the Order authorising the recount.

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines valid as based on truth or reason. Ascribing the ordinary meaning to the word valid therefore makes it clear that the votes cast in the

41 questionable boxes do not pass the validity test. There is no evidence in the boxes that the votes are based on truth or reason.

While GECOM’s authority to issue the Order authorising the recount derives from Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of Act 15 of 2000, the power so derived is not limitless. Article 162(1)(b) requires that any action taken by GECOM must be “necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality and fairness”. By no measure could the inclusion of votes whose validity is patently suspect be considered necessary to achieve impartiality or fairness. This is especially true since all the questionable votes

were purportedly cast from a well-known stronghold of one party and overwhelming favour that party. After all, the hue and cry that gave rise to the recount in the first place arose from far less well documented allegations of tabulating of invalid votes.

How could GECOM then, with all the documentation provided and virtually unchallenged by anyone, include votes that are clearly not valid. To do so is not only unfair but also illegal.

Thank you.

Sincerely, B. Mayo Robertson

This is a victory that GECOM and all Guyanese must not lose

Dear Editor:

GUYANA, like the United States (U.S) and every other country around the world, is not without electoral challenges. Whereas the U.S. reserves the right to resolve its electoral disputes, it seems as though Guyana does not deserve the same level of right to exercise judicial and other reviews over its systems. There has been intensive lobbying of U.S congressmen and women to speak about our election, even as it is in process and under the agreed scrutinising eyes of CARICOM. The action is disrespectful to the Caribbean community, which is Guyana’s primary regional partnership, grouping, and "most significant interlocutor."

It has not escaped attention that the recent representatives speaking to this issue are not without taint to their characters. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has a sordid track record on credible elections when she headed the Democratic National Convention. She was forced to resign

in disgrace on the eve of the party’s 2016 convention for her involvement in rigging the democratic process to favour the candidate that she supported as against the other.

Who is she to talk about credible elections? The point is we are on the right side and she is allowing herself to be used to deny us due process and the use of our laws in the determination of credible election. Guyanese can now relate to how Bernie Sanders must have felt though his was not a national election but a primary. Wasserman Schultz alleged electoral corruption was condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike. We have a national election where the stakes are higher, where we have visible and countless illegality in the process and Schultz is used to tell Guyana that we must accept.

What they are signaling to us is that white is right and they determine the fate of people of colour even in places where they exercise no legal control and jurisdiction.

Shame on the Opposition.

Shame on those Guyanese who encourage this situation where

those who we vote for cannot make decision for this country but bring foreigners to tell us what to do.

These solicited, perhaps hired commentators, clearly do not to want to regard our Constitution and Election laws in determining credible resolution as promised in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s gazetted Order of 4th May, 2020. Determining that credibility as per Order relies on numbers and observation of the voting process on Election Day. The Order is a legal document and non-compliance constitutes a violation of the law. Some, local and international, seem bent on flouting this. This is disturbing and unacceptable.

It is also not lost on me-equally as the U.S representatives were they truly paying attention to Guyana-- that for less than what is being revealed from our recount exercise, no U.S electoral board would have certified/declared such as a result. As recent as the 2018 election, the North Carolina Election Board voted not to certify/declare a congressional election for the

9th District because of “claims of irregularities and fraudulent activities.”

According to the Board, it wanted “to assure that the election is determined without taint of fraud or corruption and without irregularities that may have changed the result” and proceeded to conduct an investigation into the charges. The National Public Radio reported the investigation was propelled by just “six sworn statements from voters in Bladen County alleging that people came to their doors and urged them to hand over their absentee ballots,” which is a violation of that state’s electoral laws (1st December 2018- Amid Fraud Allegations, North Carolina Election Board Won't Certify House Race).

Guyana, like the U.S and every other country around the world, is not without electoral challenges. Whereas, the U.S. reserves the right to resolve its electoral disputes, it seems as though Guyana does not deserve the same level of right to exercise judicial and other reviews over its systems.

Note is also taken that the Organization of American

States (OAS), U.S, Britain and European Union have spoken out on the election or submitted final report in as much as the process is not completed.

This is submitted at a time that questions the credibility of the process and allegations still being addressed. They have done this country a disservice with injudicious interfering with our processes, setting out to undermine our laws.

They came to observe but set out to operate as though they are presiding over the process. Guyanese should not be bullied by other nation’s public servants. They can’t go to their countries and determine how elections must be run much less show open contempt for the laws and processes governing same. The dictation they want to give to us in their own country they cannot do it; the audacity of them.

Guyanese need to take note that this process of recolonisation encouraged by persons who posture that they have our interest at heart must be equally condemned. For the persons being lobbied to dictate has no interest in our growth but how much chaos they can create

between races and groups as they siphon off our bauxite, gold, diamond, oil, gas and other resources.

Already, one of heads of mission about to retire with plans to take up a position with a particular oil company even as he fraternises with the young girls in Guyana. For those who owe the Treasury hundreds of millions of dollars, we know why they lie and are desperate to have regime change by any means necessary. They don’t want to pay taxes consistent with the laws but expect the small to comply and shoulder the responsibility for them.

At the end of the day, regardless of which party one supports, regardless of who wins, lose or draw, the integrity of our electoral process must be paramount and safeguarded. It is that integrity, that credibility, that feeling of fair play and the will of the people in a fair process that must guide us. This is a victory that GECOM and all Guyanese must not lose.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

We must let our voices be heard and stand for what is right Dear Editor DARKNESS, the term being used by many to describe what possibly awaits Guyana on the other side of these elections.

I look on in sheer horror and disbelief at a possible return of the PPP/C to office, as GECOM continues its work in the face of

domestic and international hostility. It is beyond evident, that this election has been compromised and the proof is clearly in the pudding.

Those so-called political and social “activists” who have relentlessly and shamefully assassinated the character of the GECOM Chairman, Justice (Ret’d)

Claudette Singh, with the intention to intimidate her so that she would cave to their demands, are nothing more than heralds of darkness. Day after day, week after week, we see unchecked verbal salvos by members of the opposition, their supporters and these “activists” being directed at Justice Singh, Ministers of

Government and our President. This repulsive rhetoric makes me question the intellect of these individuals, but then again I should not be surprised given that they all have agendas.

What is most alarming to me is that these very “activists” and the masses that cling to their every word seem to have selective am-

nesia. Under the current opposition’s rule, they were but mere Dachshunds; they were physically and verbally assaulted and ridiculed but, today, they parade as democratic Dobermans.

They forget that under this opposition, for the better part of a decade, genocide was committed. Many sons of the soil returned to the

soil prematurely and their families have yet to receive any justice.

These “activists” would not have dared to use such language to condemn government officials about those atrocities during that era, for fear of retaliation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Four more recover from COVID-19 --taking active cases to 60

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA continues to record positive developments in its fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), as four more persons have recovered from the disease and been medically cleared by local health authorities.

The recent recoveries were recorded in the latest COVID-19 statistics, which were presented by Director of Primary Health Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton on Monday.

Dr. Hamilton said 84 persons have recovered to date, but health authorities are monitoring 60 active cases, which include 58 persons in institutional quarantine, and two in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“As of today (Monday), of the eight tests done, there are no new cases; our COVID-19 deaths remain at 12, and the number of confirmed cases at 154,” Dr. Hamilton said.

To date, the total number of persons tested is 1,816, with the total number of negative cases being 1,662.

As she went on to observe, “Many of you would have noted over the past seven days that we have recorded only one new case.

This does not mean, however, that we can return to business as usual. In fact, I encourage you to be extremely vigilant, as our vulnerability for imported cases is heightened given the current situation in the countries around us.”

NEIGHBOURING STATS Brazil recorded 30,830 new cases and 1,127 deaths within the past 24 hours; Suriname now has 90 positive cases, with eight new cases in the last 24 hours; and in neighbouring Venezuela, there are 58 new cases.

In further advising the public, Dr. Hamilton said: “I wish to remind you of the important role you have

to play in this crisis. If you follow all guidelines, we will be on our way to limiting transmission, and flattening the curve, making our return to normalcy sooner than later. I plead with you for us to work together to defy the coronavirus disease.”

She encouraged all Guyanese to utilise the available services, or make contact with the nearest health facility, if they’re experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been in contact with someone who tested positive.

Health authorities here continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis. The potential and existing activities are part of a plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

Region Four (Demer-

Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri. Health authorities are also placing emphasis on the four hinterland regions, especially now that three of them have recorded cases of COVID-19.

Director of Primary Health Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton

ara-Mahaica) remains the epicenter of the disease, and there are a number of communities outside of Georgetown which have recorded cases.

Among communities on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and

NEED FOR SURVEILLANCE The need for surveillance in those regions is also important, because Guyana’s South American neighbour, Brazil, is now rated as the COVID-19 epicenter of the Americas.

“We continue to plead with the residents of Regions One, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine to remain on high alert recognising that our neighbours, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname are reporting new cases,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle in her update last Friday.

“Residents of Region Seven, with the new cases in Venezuela, and the upsurge

in your region, your vulnerability is increased. We are calling on the Toshaos and other authorities to ensure that residents do not cross borders, and that persons from those other countries are not entering your community.

Community members must report any migrant entering your community and anyone who has signs and symptoms, and immediately bring this to the attention of the health authorities,” Dr. Boyle advised.

As is evident, COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well. And, according to global statistics, there are over 6.7 million cases of COVID-19, with over 397,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

Finance Minister’s Office unaffected by burst pipe THE Ministry of Finance has stated that, contrary to some media reports, the burst main which it suffered yesterday did not affect the Office of the Min-

ister of Finance.

On Sunday, June 7, 2020, the Finance Ministry suffered a burst main which resulted in severe water damage to documents and

We must let ...

FROM PAGE

However, fast forward almost a decade later, they have now formed an unholy alliance with the same genocidal regime under the guise of fighting for democracy.

Editor, let us call it what it is, hypocrisy.

The intervening foreign bodies were silent during that era of genocide, but now they all have an opinion which they think is paramount.

No, it is not. Their opinions reflect their selfish interests.

We are a sovereign nation and we will not be dictated to by Yanks, Poms, Canuks or Wogs. These foreign bodies are fortunate that our President is most gracious and patient; otherwise, they would be given the Michael Jackson treatment and told to “beat it”.

It is clear that these “activists” and foreign bodies have conveniently forgotten the discretions of the genocidal regime that they now

7

vehemently support and seek to return to power, but one day we will all stand before the ultimate judge and they will all have to answer for their misdeeds. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth and when they ask for mercy, just as the sons of the soil did, they will be met with a resounding NO. Shadow and darkness, words used by the Honourable Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Sir Shridath Ramphal respectively, to illustrate the imposing, latent dread that hovers over our land. At a time when our country’s very soul is at stake, we can ill afford a relapse and descent into darkness.

We must let our voices be heard and stand for what is right.

Yours respectfully, Ryan Carryl

equipment in the main building and the disruption of all phone services.

As such, it has advised that its counter services are suspended until Thursday, June 11, 2020, but

all other services, including the payment of salaries and pensions, remain uninterrupted.

“We are working assiduously to ensure that the full operation

of the Ministry is swiftly restored,” the Ministry said in a release. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

Porter jailed for drug trafficking CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Monday, sentenced a 24-year-old porter to three years’ imprisonment and fined him 19.7M, after he was found guilty on a drug trafficking charge, while his co-accused was acquitted.

Randy Chester was on trial, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, with his co-accused, Christopher Garraway, a 45-year-old driver.

The men were on trial for the charge which read that, on January 16, 2020, at John Fernandes terminal at Back Road, Mandela Avenue, they had 22 kilograms of cannabis and 2.74 kilograms of cocaine, for the purpose of trafficking.

Chester was represented

by Amora Giddings while Garraway was represented

Randy Chester and Christopher Garraway

by attorney-at-law, Siand Dhurjon. The state was represented by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Narissa Leander.

The men were allegedly seen and intercepted by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit while they (Chester and others) were on their way to Berbice with the narcotics in a large rice fertilizer truck.

The truck was searched and the narcotics were found.

Chester was found guilty, since he had given CANU ranks a statement admitting to handling the drugs, which were in 'salt bags' and loading them into the truck which was to transport the items to the Berbice Bridge, where they were to be collected by someone else.

Although CANU provided the court with video recording of the scene which showed the exchange of the drugs between Garraway and Chester, the Magistrate found that Garraway was not properly identified as the provider of the drugs, since the video only showed him from the side and could not be relied upon as proof.

The Chief Magistrate was left with no other alternative than to acquit Garraway from the charge.

Meanwhile, Chester was found guilty and sentenced to serve 3 years in prison and fined $19,788,000.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

MoPI condemns destruction of East Coast road features THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) has condemned acts of destruction recently done to road features at an identified section of the main thoroughfare on the East Coast of Demerara.

The ministry is therefore appealing to residents and business-owners in the vicinity where the act was carried out, to refrain from damaging/ destroying the 'much-valued' road features, particularly between the recently completed road expansion sections from Better Hope to Belfield. The added designs are for the protection and safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

According to a MoPI release, it was brought to their attention that on June 4, 2020, the Best Buy Variety Store allegedly caused person or persons to dismantle the road

features installed in the vicinity of Nonpareil, so as to facilitate parking for its customers.

The release noted that while it may be seen as convenient for

business-owners, the ministry "strictly prohibits the demolishing of the road features."

Also, " it will not be granting permission for the

A section of the damaged road feature

removal of the safety features along the East Coast highway.

Additionally, the MoPI made it clear that the Best Buy Variety Store will be held accountable for the destruction of public property. The

Similar to what was destroyed

damage has been estimated at US$ 4000.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to prevent such activities from recurring, the MoPI is urging citizens to report any such action to

its Public Relations Department at telephone number 227-0799, or via email mopiguyana@gmail.com or by Facebook Messenger at Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

PAHO issues guidlines to reduce COVID-19 among blacks, indigenous peoples Washington, DC, June 8, 2020 (PAHO)—The Pan American Health Organization has published a guide with recommendations on measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission among indigenous populations, Afro-descendants, and other ethnic groups. These focus on promoting hygiene, social distancing, and improving access to basic health services in their communities.

The PAHO guidance notes that these groups face singular challenges, such as higher poverty levels, lack of access to some basic services such as water and sanitation, and cultural barriers, including language barriers. Other factors that can increase their vulnerability include health service access barriers, a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, less access to social safety nets, mistrust caused by a history of racism, and high levels of informal labor among members of these communities.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants, who generally live far from the health services, “can be mitigated if these groups participate from the outset in any decision that affects their health and, with health sector support, embrace prevention measures and connect with the health services network if COVID-19 impacts their territories,” the PAHO document says.

In the Amazon basin, for example, there are indigenous populations in over 2400 territories and 800 communities, some 200 of which live in voluntary isolation. “Documented health challenges in these populations include tu-

berculosis, malaria, and vaccine preventable diseases such as measles and yellow fever.

This is compounded by food insecurity, which affects 85% of the population, and lack of water and sanitation services,” the guidance notes.

The reasons that ethnic groups may face higher risks of contracting COVID-19 include barriers to adopting certain basic hygiene practices, such as handwashing if there is no soap and water, and difficulty practicing social distancing, which may not be culturally acceptable or practical, the PAHO document notes. “These problems must be solved through measures promoted from the perspective of indigenous peoples or Afro-descendants, with support from the health sector and/or other sectors involved in meeting priority needs such as soap for hand-washing,” it adds.

Another challenge for these communities is lack of access to culturally appropriate, good-quality basic services capable of managing potential COVID-19 cases in these populations. PAHO recommends that care for COVID-19 should be inclusive and that health care workers in indigenous and Afro-descendant communities should coordinate actions with community leaders to transmit all necessary information to the communities. The PAHO document includes recommendations for indigenous groups, Afro-descendants and other ethnic groups, for their community leaders, governments, and health personnel.

In this regard, it suggests that governments should promote opportunities for participation and dialogue, not only to deal with the immediate effects of

COVID-19, but also to handle the post-emergency phase, which should include economic and social recuperation.

PAHO’s guidance suggests it is important to “ensure that all members of the household know what to do if someone in the family comes down with COVID-19 and the specific support they should provide. It should be kept in mind that in some communities, the Western concept of “household” is often not applicable, with “households” consisting of the extended family, which represents the community as a whole,” the guidance says.

Communication is also key in reaching ethnic groups, and health authorities should provide information in indigenous languages, with culturally appropriate messages using symbols and images where possible, validated by the community, PAHO says. It adds that each measure that governments take should take into account cultural realities of those groups, and outlines the need for measures to protect these territories, such as actions to provide potable water, soap and disinfectants, as well as food and other basic necessities. With respect to the proper management of dead bodies in the context of COVID-19, the document notes it is important to follow national protocols and guidelines with specific responses that are safe, dignified, culturally acceptable, and tailored to the traditions and customs of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, and other ethnic groups, taking into account the PAHO/ WHO recommendations on dead body management.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Roshan Khan steps down as chairman of RK’S Security - to focus on spiritual and humanitarian pursuits: new leadership team takes over

RK’s Guyana Security Services on Monday announced that Dr. Roshan Khan Snr. has stepped down as chairman and will now transition to a 'Strategic Adviser' role on the new board.

According to a press release from the company, the transition will also see a new leadership team installed to manage the development and growth of the security firm.

The release stated that Dr. Roshan Khan Snr founded RK’s Guyana Security Services on August 7, 1979.

“With humble beginnings, a grand vision, and pure grit, Dr. Roshan Khan Snr. was notably the first person to take security out of Georgetown. The company admirably expanded to serve all 10 regions of Guyana -- a first amongst its competitors.

It currently employs over 500 employees with the capacity for more,” the release said.

It noted that the new leadership team will be led by Chief Executive Officer I – Mrs. Ingrid Abrams (Retired Female Senior Police Officer), and Chief Executive Officer II - Dr. Rosh Khan.

They will be supported by Chief Operations Officer – Mr. Dennis Abrams; Chief Transport Officer and Security Adviser – Mr. Colin Boodie, and Chief Training Officer – Mr. Ovid Glasgow (Assistant Commissioner of Police, Rtd). Other members of the board include: Mrs. L. Dinnauth – Finance Director; Mrs. Rajdai Ragubeer – Dep-

uty Finance Director; Mr. Roshaad Lall, and Mr. Irzad Zamal as Board Directors.

Dr. Roshan Khan Snr said, “Thank you, Lord God. Thank you staff and officers,

Dr Roshan Khan

some of whom have gone to the great beyond. Thank you to all my customers, past and present, for giving me a wonderful opportunity to serve you.”

Mrs. Ingrid Abrams, the Chief Executive Officer I, said, “On behalf of the company, I take this opportunity to thank our Founder for his vision and unwavering leadership. His entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional dedication steered our company to this moment, and we look forward to working with him as a strategic advisor. Through innovation and steadfast execution, we will deliver on the mission of RK’s Guyana Security Services to provide safety and security across

July 1 pegged for re-opening of int’l travel THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is working towards the phased re-opening of international travel, commencing July 1, 2020, first catering to persons such as international workers, diplomats and stranded Guyanese and subsequently to visitors.

This information was shared by Director- General of the GCAA, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, at a GCAA-hosted webinar on Monday dubbed “Path to Clear Skies”.

Present were the Regional Director of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); representatives from International Air Transport Association (IATA); representatives from American Airlines, LIAT and Caribbean Airlines; representatives from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F. Correia (Ogle) International Airport; Director General (DG) of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and a number of other international agencies.

In an interview with the newspaper, Field explained: “Limited international flights for international workers, diplomats --- we’re looking at that --- and increased repatriation flights because we’ll be doing that for some time down the road because there are so many Guyanese that are stranded out there. We hope that by August we’ll be able to open a little more to have visitors from foreign lands.”

At the meeting, American Airlines proposed that it would be able to resume flights to Guyana out of Miami beginning July 7, 2020.

However, they will not be able to facilitate flights out of New York until December, due to various constraints.

“You just can’t re-open the door like that. It’s like a car, you have to warm it up, they have to get their operations wound up slowly, slowly. Bring back the aircraft; do the checks on those aircraft before they even put them out there to fly; TURN TO PAGE

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Guyana. We are taking action to focus and execute on a strategy that will propel this company into the next phase of its evolution while providing long-term value to our employees and customers.”

Dr. Rosh Khan, the Director of Business Development and Chief Executive Officer II

added, “Dr. Roshan Khan Snr has successfully positioned our company for long-term success. We remain eternally grateful for my father’s contributions while he served as CEO/Chairman. Moving forward, we commit to upholding the vision and values that started our company and

will build upon the successes through a series of efforts around restructuring, retraining, retooling, and rebranding over the next year. We remain optimistic about Guyana’s future and look forward to playing a pivotal role in the safety and security of our nation and its people.”

The company expressed the hope that this transition will enable Dr. Roshan Khan Snr. to pursue his humanitarian and spiritual paths more fully and attentively while serving the country and humanity at large.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

CJIA ensures it’s up-to-date

--with COVID-19 precautionary measures IN keeping with international best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has implemented a number of measures, reminding travellers of the health protocols in place.

Before one enters the airport building, there is a sign on the door which mandates that masks must be worn beyond the said point. There are also sinks nearby, where persons can wash and sanitise their hands prior to entry.

If a potential traveller is required to wait in line to speak with a receptionist, he/ she must stand on the bright yellow markings placed on the floor, which asks persons to

keep their distance by staying 6 feet or 2 meters away from the next person.

Meanwhile, rules have also been implemented for the seating arrangements, whereby persons must not sit on the seats with warning signs. Seats with a warning sign state: “As a precautionary measure against COVID-19, we ask you to keep as much distance between you and others as possible.” Thermal body cameras have also been installed at strategic locations, and enable quick detection of elevated body temperatures. However, elevated body temperatures should be confirmed with secondary evaluation methods, such as a Non-contact infrared thermometer (NCIT), which

The self-check-in kiosks at the country’s main international airport

is hand-held and pointed to the forehead. The CJIA is also equipped with this equipment.

To reduce high levels of physical contact that increase the probability of contamination, self-service tools in the form of kiosks are also available.

“We are 100 per cent committed to your safety; we have put in place strict measures to guard against COVID-19.

These are in keeping with the guidelines, initiated by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Public Health,” the CJIA has stated.

On June 6, 2020, the first group of

stranded Guyanese passengers, who were given the green-light by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) to return to these shores, touched down at the CJIA aboard an Eastern Airlines flight.

Over 130 passengers, who were stranded in various parts of the United States since Guyana’s airspace was

One of the sinks and sanitisation areas at the CJIA

Thermal cameras at CJIA

CJIA staff demonstrate seating arrangements

closed as result of the coronavirus pandemic, arrived on Saturday. American citizens, who have been

stranded here, were awaiting their chance to return to their homeland aboard the outbound Eastern Airlines flight.

Reports are that a second flight is expected in Guyana in the coming days.

Distance markers for standing in line to make reservations

Church donates to the needy in ‘Parfaite Harmonie’

OVER 100 persons in need from La Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank Demerara, were last Sunday in receipt of a number of hampers during a distribution exercise by the Shepherd’s Touch Church of God in Christ headed by Pastor Jose and Anastacia Francis.

The exercise was a continuation of the work by the religious organisation, the main branch of which is located at Port Kaituma, in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Over the past few months, the church, having distributed a number of hampers in Port Kaituma, has been helping a number of Venezuelans who’ve sought refuge in that Region. “Distribution has been ongoing since March, and today marks another day we are sharing food hampers to those in need in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Pastor Jose said last Sunday during the distribution exercise in ‘Parfaite’, where the church also has a branch.

“Seeing a lot of persons who are in need, who come to us on a daily basis for help as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Pastor Jose said, “we decided to share on a larger scale, of more than a 100 hampers this time.”

Since Guyana was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, measures implemented to curb the spread of the disease has been curtailing

The hampers for distribution

economic activities and reducing income for many persons. “No work at all; everybody at home through the virus, and people need things,” said one recipient.

“This is very good what you are doing; this is the second time I coming here. I get hand sanitisers, gloves and so on, and its very good things. This very good for me, thank you very much, amen for this,” she said.

Another recipient of a hamper last Sunday shared that prior to coming out for the hamper, he was not even sure where he and his family’s next meal would’ve come from. “I deh studying what I would cook tomorrow, and this

man just come and tell meh if I want help to come here. And this bring hope.

Thank you very much,” he said. The hampers included items such as footwear, clothing, crockery, and bibles.

The project received support from other organisations such as Food for the Poor, Anastacia Stationery and several private citizens from around the country. “This thing is a very good thing, because right now people in a li’l stress, and we have to thank you for helping us out with these things; it’s a very, very good thing,” another hamper recipient expressed.

Two of the recipients of hampers

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

East Coast, East Bank schools gear up for Monday reopening

TEACHERS and auxiliary staff of various schools on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara on Monday commenced preparations for the re-opening of schools on Monday June,15, 2020 for students and pupils sitting examinations in the following month.

The Guyana Chronicle visited the Victoria Primary School on the East Coast of Demerara, where the teachers and auxiliary staff alike turned out in their numbers to begin preparations to house pupils sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Headteacher of the school, Miss Nanette Grandison stated to her delight that, “The teachers are out, [in] full attendance today and we would have started preparations, as expected by the Ministry of Education.”

Additionally, Grandison, held a meeting with the teachers and auxiliary staff of the school to outline a shift system.

“Basically, we discussed the expectations for the classes and for this week our preparations, so each teacher is leaving here knowing what they are expected to do or what they have to do: who will be monitoring; break time; who will be ensuring that the children maintain social distancing; who will be looking at sanitisation, so we are ready,” the headteacher said.

Nevertheless, Grandison noted that the upcoming examinations are crucial since they will determine where a pupil will further his/her education at the secondary level.

As such, to address the major concern of pupils not maintaining the social distancing rule during and after class sessions, teachers have been assigned to overlook various aspects of a day’s activities.

Grandison will also be meeting with the parents of pupils in the following days to discuss further concerns.

Meanwhile, a Grade Six teacher who requested anonymity, stated that she is optimistic that all will go well and is hoping that all parents will come out to the meeting with the headmistress in the coming days and will send their children to school for the in-class sessions.

She added that she is hoping that students are reminded of their work and attend the practice sessions, in order to have excellent results.

However, the teacher noted that some children might not have their masks and may want to touch and play with their peers, which is not allowed.

Meanwhile, on the East Bank of Demerara at the Houston Secondary School, the headteacher, Mr. Williams (only name given) stated that he and the teachers along with the cleaners of the school

A sweeper /cleaner attached to the Houston Secondary School on the East Bank of Demerara working to prepare for the return of students on Monday, June 15, 2020.

protective equipment) PPE so that teachers will be able to work effectively on Monday.

Mr. Williams further noted that he does not have too many concerns, since the Houston Secondary School does not house many students and only have 23 students sitting the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certifi-

A sink already installed at the Victoria Primary School

are anticipating that the ministry will send the necessary cleaning agents and (personal

A carpenter builds a sink at the entrance of the Peter’s Hall Primary School on the East Bank of Demerara on Monday

cate (CSEC).

“With respect to that number and given that we have a large auditorium, we can provide them with adequate spacing so that social distancing can be observed, so we don’t have much of difficulty with that aspect,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that going forward with the examinations with the necessary guidelines in place is one of the best decisions made, since he believes that if Guyana is to wait to re-open schools in January 2021, the country will see a setback which will place students at a disadvantage; as such, going forward with the in-classroom sessions and re-opening must be looked at holistically.

Upon visiting several other schools along the East Coast and East Bank corridors, the Guyana Chronicle

observed various sanitation exercises and projects being implemented in schools.

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The headteacher of Victoria Primary School on the East Coast of Demerara Ms Nanette Grandison, engaging teachers and auxiliary staff in a discussion pertaining to preparations for schools re-opening to pupils on Monday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

World Bank predicts…

COVID-19 to plunge global economy into worst recession since World War II WASHINGTON, June 8, 2020 — The swift and massive shock of the coronavirus pandemic and shutdown measures to contain it have plunged the global economy into a severe contraction.

According to World Bank forecasts, the global economy will shrink by 5.2% this year.[1] That would represent the deepest recession since the Second World War, with the largest fraction of economies experiencing declines in per capita output since 1870, the World Bank says in its June 2020 Global Economic Prospects.

Economic activity among advanced economies is anticipated to shrink 7% in 2020 as domestic demand and supply, trade, and finance have been severely disrupted. Emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) are expected to shrink by 2.5% this year, their first contraction as a group in at least sixty years.

Per capita incomes are expected to decline by 3.6%, which will tip millions of people into extreme poverty this year.

The blow is hitting hardest FROM PAGE

in countries where the pandemic has been the most severe and where there is heavy reliance on global trade, tourism, commodity exports, and external financing. While the magnitude of disruption will vary from region to region, all EMDEs have vulnerabilities that are magnified by external shocks. Moreover, interruptions in schooling and primary healthcare access are likely to have lasting impacts on human capital development.

“This is a deeply sobering outlook, with the crisis likely to leave long-lasting scars and pose major global challenges,” said World Bank Group Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu.

“Our first order of business is to address the global health and economic emergency. Beyond that, the global community must unite to find ways to rebuild as robust a recovery as possible to prevent more people from falling into poverty and unemployment.”

Under the baseline forecast—which assumes that the pandemic recedes sufficiently to allow the lifting

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July 1 pegged ...

the pilots who were furloughed or where ever, you have to bring them back batch by batch and put them through recurrent training before they release them out there, and they cannot do all that in one go,” Field said.

LIAT and Caribbean Airlines are also working to phase in continuous travel once again, and will conduct their operations to other countries until Guyana re-opens for regional travel.

Back in May, Field had told the newspaper that the GCAA was examining the re-opening of its airports through a four-phase programme.

The said timeline has since been approved by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF).

Phase One has been deemed as the planning stage which includes stakeholder engagement; Phase Two is the implementation phase and re-opening to regional travel; Phase Three is the re-opening to international travel and Phase Four will extend into 2021.

The GCAA Director-General said that Monday’s stakeholder engagement webinar falls within Phase One and more deliberations are to come. Through the process, Guyana will be ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the regulations which will be put in place to enforce them.

of domestic mitigation measures by mid-year in advanced economies and a bit later in EMDEs, that adverse global spillovers ease during the second half of the year, and that dislocations in financial markets are not long-lasting — global growth is forecast to rebound to 4.2% in 2021, as advanced economies grow 3.9% and EMDEs bounce back by 4.6%. However, the outlook is highly uncertain and downside risks are predominant, including the pos-

sibility of a more protracted pandemic, financial upheaval, and retreat from global trade and supply linkages. A downside scenario could lead the global economy to shrink by as much as 8% this year, followed by a sluggish recovery in 2021 of just over 1%, with output in EMDEs contracting by almost 5% this year.

The U.S. economy is forecast to contract 6.1% this year, reflecting the disruptions associated with pandemic-control measures. Euro Area output

is expected to shrink 9.1% in 2020 as widespread outbreaks took a heavy toll on activity. Japan’s economy is anticipated to shrink 6.1% as preventive measures have slowed economic activity.

“The COVID-19 recession is singular in many respects and is likely to be the deepest one in advanced economies since the Second World War and the first output contraction in emerging and developing economies in at least the past six decades,” said World Bank Prospects Group Director Ayhan Kose.

“The current episode has already seen by far the fastest and steepest downgrades in global growth forecasts on record. If the past is any guide, there may be further growth downgrades in store, implying that policymakers may need to be ready to employ additional measures to support activity.”

The pandemic highlights the urgent need for health and economic policy action, including global cooperation, to cushion its consequences, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen countries’ capacities to prevent and

deal with similar events in the future. It is critically important for emerging market and developing economies, which are particularly vulnerable, to strengthen public health systems, address challenges posed by informality and limited safety nets, and enact reforms to generate strong and sustainable growth once the crisis passes.

Emerging market and developing economies with available fiscal space and affordable financing conditions could consider additional stimulus if the effects of the pandemic persist.

This should be accompanied by measures to help credibly restore medium-term fiscal sustainability, including those that strengthen fiscal frameworks, increase domestic revenue mobilization and spending efficiency, and raise fiscal and debt transparency. The transparency of all government financial commitments, debt-like instruments and investments is a key step in creating an attractive investment climate and could make substantial progress this year.

FFTP celebrates 29th anniversary

FOOD For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc. has been serving the country for many decades, coming from a long way of delivering food and basic necessities to less fortunate homes. The well-known organisation, which has built upon its initial vision of serving the poor, celebrated its 29th anniversary on Monday.

The organisation stands as the largest provider of relief and sustainable projects across the country. The focus remains on serving local people and contributing to poverty-alleviation efforts that would encourage and build more resilient communities.

Committed to the development of the health, housing, education and agricultural sectors, FFTP Guyana throughout 2019-2020 has built upon and increased the capacity of many of its distribution efforts and projects.

FFTP Guyana’s dedicated and driven team, supported by local and international donors, continues to lay the ground for fruitful achievement of innovative ideas and strengthened partnerships.

The years have seen the strengthening and implementation of many partner-

ships across governmental and non-governmental organisations. One of FFTP Guyana’s largest partnerships exists with the Ministry of Public Health.

Throughout 2019 and the first half of 2020, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and several health departments across the country benefited from frequent donations that directly contributed to strengthening of the health sector’s response to health concerns and emergencies.

Amongst donations received by the health sector were medical supplies, equipment, protective gear, renovation materials and folding beds. One hundred folding beds were donated in 2019. These donations have significantly improved the capacity of the maternity ward at the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation and other health centres across the country.

PROVIDING HOMES Aside from its works with the MoPH, the organisation through a partnership with the Central Housing & Planning Authority in 2019 saw the completion of phase one of the Prospect Community Development Project.

Through this project, 20 families who had been displaced by fire or were living in unfavourable conditions at Broad and Lombard Streets were relocated to Prospect Housing Scheme. Phase One of the partnership saw the provision of two-bedroom homes equipped with an indoor sanitary facility and a rain-harvesting component. Each home was provided with beds, dining tables, tabletop gas stoves and tiled bathrooms, along with a playground, which was also constructed for the new homeowners and their children.

Providing accessible housing to those who are poor has been at the forefront of FFTP Guyana’s work since its housing project began in 2005. To date, approximately 4000 housing units have been built for low-income families in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, aimed at reducing social and intergenerational poverty.

A VOW TO PROTECT THE NATION’S CHILDREN Committed to investing in the nation’s children to ensure their health and success in academics, FFTP

Guyana has over the years contributed towards the public education system through donations of school supplies and furniture, along with the implementation of School Feeding Programmes.

To promote sustained nutritional meals for children who are in need, FFTP Guyana in 2019 constructed 10 nutritional feeding centres in Region Two. Over 1300 students enrolled in 10 schools have begun to benefit from these centres, as it enabled the schools to begin accessing the state’s Hot Meal Programme.

Additionally, FFTP Guyana awarded students under its School Feeding and Angels of Hope programmes for their academic performances, which was designed to assist children who have been abandoned or orphaned by their families. The Angels of Hope programme currently provides assistance in food, clothing, personal care and school items to nine children’s homes across the country.

AGRICULTURE Under the theme, Promoting Food Security and Supporting the Agriculture Industry, FFTP Guyana in 2019 initiated and built upon

existing food-security projects in regions that struggle with access to food.

Numerous small farmers and farmers groups throughout the country have received tools, training and equipment from FFTP Guyana to improve their techniques and increase healthier produce and sustained production.

For those who were desirous of pursuing agro-based employment such as animal husbandry and agro-processing, animals such as sheep, pigs and bees were provided in addition to equipment and infrastructural work.

A COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE Food For The Poor Guyana Inc. has been working efficiently and will continue working to ensure alleviation of poverty in the country through the support of its local and international donors to whom the organisation remains eternally grateful.

However, due to the impacts of COVID-19, most fundraising efforts have been paused. To continue its service to the poor of the nation, FFTP Guyana now more than ever needs fundraising support from the Guyanese people.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

PPP/C asks High Court for hearing if electoral process is challenged THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has moved to the High Court, asking that it be heard in the event that there is a legal challenge to the results of the National Recount of the Ballots cast at the General and Regional Elections.

“Please be informed that, should any legal proceedings be filed in the Supreme Court of Judicature in relation to, or in connection with, or in any manner whatsoever, touching and concerning the National Recount of ballots cast at the General and Regional Elections held in Guyana on March 2, 2020, being conducted by the Guyana Elections Commission, at the Arthur Chung Convention Center, I hereby respectfully request

an opportunity to be heard before any Order of Court is made or any relief is granted by any Court,” PPP/C’s Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall said in a letter to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

The letter, seen by the Guyana Chronicle, was dated June 8, 2020.

In the letter, Nandlall indicated that he was acting on behalf of the PPP/C – an interested party that would be aggrieved or affected by any order or relief. The PPP/C wrote the letter in anticipation that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) may challenge any decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to use the current tabulated votes from the National Recount to declare the results of the

Strict COVID-19 measures for Linden businesses THE Linden Mayor and Town Council has stated that as of Monday, June 15, 2020, a number of COVID-19 measures will be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus amongst businesses.

The Town Council will conduct random inspections to ensure compliance with the list of health/safety measures and “strict penalties” await businesses ha are non-compliant.

As of Monday, line markings will be placed at business places to outline the necessary physical distancing required by local and international health authorities. Businesses are also requested to stay within their boundaries.

Meanwhile, market vendors must ensure that facemasks are worn at all times and should encourage customers to remain one metre or three feet apart while purchasing

goods. The allocated distance must be visibly outlined.

Vendors must “prominently” display food-handling certificates and other certificates of compliance. Added to this, ready-to-eat food must be placed separately from food that is likely to be contaminated, such as raw meat, fish and poultry.

Workspace and equipment such as knives, scales, cutting boards and more must be sanitised prior to being used to serve the public and every for hours thereafter. Other hygienic practices such as handwashing every two-three hours and hand sanitisation are also highly advised to prevent the spread

General and Regional Elections held last March.

Based on the Statements of Recount (SORs), which were generated and tabulated at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), PPP/C secured 233,336 votes while APNU+AFC raked

in 217,920 votes. But while the recount shows the PPP/C in the lead by 15,416 votes; the recount unearthed irregularities and alleged cases of electoral fraud, which, according to the APNU+AFC reportedly have compromised 90,000 votes.

The anomalies cited by the APNU+AFC were recorded in Observation Reports during the recount of votes at the level of the workstations at the Conference Centre, and will form a major part of the reports that would be com-

piled by the Chief Elections Officer, for submission to the Elections Commission.

The Elections Commission, headed by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, will then deliberate on the CEO’s report, and determine the way forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Skerritt has brought new optimism, says former president Ken Gordon PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Former Cricket West Indies pres-

ident, Ken Gordon, has endorsed the current regional governing body’s head, Ricky Skerritt, as “absolutely the right man” to lead the organisation and says he has brought a renewed optimism to West Indies cricket.

The Trinidadian business magnate, who ran the then West Indies Cricket Board between 2005 and 2007, said while there were massive challenges facing West Indies cricket, Skerritt possessed the necessary leadership skills to confront those issues.

“Ricky Skerritt is the reason why I’m more optimistic about cricket now than I’ve been for 10 years,” Gordon told i95 FM Sports.

“I think we have absolutely the right man. Mistakes are going to be made given where we’ve come from but I think we’re very fortunate to have Ricky Skerritt at this time. He’s taking it one step at a time.”

He added: “The reality is if you’ve got the right leader anything is possible. It’s not obvious and it’s not going to happen easily but if you can set standards and build an environment and keep doing the right thing, you’re going to get a lot of licks but that’s what makes the difference between ultimate success and failure.”

Skerritt, a former St Kitts and Nevis cabinet minister, stunned three-term incumbent

Dave Cameron in elections staged in Jamaica in March last year, to take over the helm of the governing body.

However, Skerritt has found himself presiding over a cash-strapped CWI, and the situation was made even worse this year with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which has forced the cessation of cricket across the globe.

In the face of declining revenues, CWI announced last month it would slash staff and player salaries by 50 per cent starting from July, in an effort to stay afloat.

Gordon, who oversaw the Caribbean’s hosting of the historic 2007 Cricket World Cup, said the issue of financing the organisation would be a “huge challenge” but believed Skerritt’s expertise would prove vital.

“You don’t get anything that is important easily and you have to make hard decisions, and that’s why it is so important to have the right man in there now,” Gordon stressed.

“How far the new president is going to be able to persuade people to face up to that, is a huge challenge but it’s a challenge that doesn’t lend itself to compromise because you can’t make the money.

“I repeat, I’m more optimistic now than I’ve been

for the last 10 years because I think for a change we have somebody who’s going to try to do the right thing.”

He added: “I’m not suggesting to you he’s on a bed of roses at all but … I’m hearing good sounds from around him, some of the past players are now coming out to say he’s doing the right thing.

“Maybe all of that will swing public opinion. He has to make his own moves, he has to react to some of the openings that he gets, he has to be a diplomat, he has to be a financier and he has to pray.”

Skerritt, along with new vice-president, Dr Kishore Shallow, have made several major changes since taking over the board, overhauling the selection structure and changing the management personnel of the representative teams.

However, the performance of the senior men’s team has remained inconsistent and Gordon said it was an area Skerritt needed to address.

“We have to solve the problem of our team. We’ve got one or two promising people but the reality is it is our consistency that is bringing us down and it’s because we’ve done so little development of the mind,” Gordon noted.

“I think this is one of the things that Ricky will have to confront in a very serious way.”

Not athletes’ job to fix racism, says Sport England board member (REUTERS) - It is not the responsibility of elite athletes to fix the issue of racism in sport and the heads of governing bodies must study the true extent of the problem to find solutions, Sport England board member Chris Grant said.

Professional sportpersons including Lewis Hamilton and Raheem Sterling have become leading voices in the anti-racism movement amid protests over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in police custody in Minneapolis.

Former England women’s soccer player Eniola Aluko told Sky Sports that soccer could lead the way in dealing with the menace and urged the game’s European governing body UEFA to “come down really hard on racism” to prevent incidents.

“These problems have grown up quietly over decades,” Grant, a senior black administrator in British sport, told the BBC. “I salute Raheem, I salute Eniola Aluko and Alice Dearing, who’ll be our first black swimmer hopefully at Tokyo (Olympic

Games) next year, for standing up and speaking out.

“At the same time, it’s not their job to fix this and that’s why I have written to the chairs of UK Sport and Sport England asking them to work with other leaders in sport to see the real extent of these problems and to fix them. “... You can’t fix the system by dealing with things one at a time. I’m suggesting a commission which will take a historic perspective, will look at the roots of inequalities in sport... and will hear the experiences from grassroots up.”

The BBC reported that UK Sport chair Katherine Grainger had agreed to discuss the matter.

“We acknowledge that, sadly, racial inequalities still exist and we’re determined to do everything in our power to eradicate it,” Grainger told the BBC. “Sally Munday (UK Sport chief executive) and I have arranged to meet with Chris to discuss this important issue.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Former captains warn against Ben Stokes replacing Joe Root as Test skipper

DAVID Gower and Kevin Pietersen have raised concerns that Ben Stokes might be burdened by the additional responsibility if he is asked to stand in as England’s Test captain this summer.

Joe Root is set to miss at least one of the three Tests against West Indies in order to be present at the birth of his second child, due in July.

Root has confirmed that he will miss however many matches he needs to, with Stokes - the current vice-captain - the most likely candidate to lead the side in his absence.

And while Root has thrown his support behind Stokes, saying last week that he would be a “fantastic” stand-in, both Gower and Pietersen have expressed their concerns that the burden of

the role could prove too much for him to handle.

Gower, whose 32 Tests as England captain in the 1980s included only five wins and 18 defeats, drew a comparison between Stokes and Ian Botham, who failed to win a single Test in the role between 1980 and 1981.

“I prefer Ben Stokes to be your de facto leader by example,” Gower told the Mail on Sunday. “He works his nuts off, and trains super hard. He’s a driven cricketer.

“The obvious comparison is Beefy [Ian Botham], who was of that ilk, who inspired and led just by being there.

Whether that is diminished by the pressures of leadership, only Ben will know. I’m sure he’ll do it with gusto. I’d just want

Kevin Pietersen (right)has warned that Ben Stokes could struggle with the pressure of captaincy PA Images via (Getty Images) someone else to worry about ing-out with Peter Moores in the bits and pieces that make up January 2009, said that the job captaincy.” can leave players in “a difficult Pietersen, whose own ca- place to be”. reer as Test captain lasted only “I’m not so sure,” he told three matches before his fall- talkSPORT. “The entertainers

and the guys that have to carry that mantle in the team sometimes aren’t the best captains, and sometimes struggle with the extra added pressure.

“You get looked at completely differently: responsibilities change, communication changes, the way in which you carry yourself in the dressing room changes. It’s a difficult place to be. I struggled with it: I absolutely hated it, and I was rubbish.

“It’s a completely different story. So do I think I want to see Ben Stokes change from who he is and the current player he is?

Probably not. Jos Buttler would be my guy.”

Stokes is highly likely to step into the role while Root is absent, after being handed the vice-captaincy again last year

and being given Root’s vote of confidence. Along with Buttler, Rory Burns is the other realistic candidate after captaining Surrey to the County Championship in 2018, but neither player is sure of their place in the side.

The nature of the schedule against West Indies, with all three Tests crammed into a three-week window, could leave Root’s participation in the series in doubt.

The Daily Telegraph reported last week that he will have to self-isolate at home for seven days before he can re-join the squad in its bio-secure ‘bubble’, and depending on the exact date that his wife gives birth he could find his involvement jeopardised by a lack of opportunity to prepare.(ESPN Cricinfo)

CSA lacks will to conclude Thabang Moroe case-SACA THE South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has accused Cricket South Africa’s board of a “lack of will” to conclude suspended CEO Thabang Moroe’s disciplinary proceedings which remain unresolved more than six months after Moroe was put on paid leave.

Moroe continues to earn his full salary of R350,000 a month (approx. US $20,809) while acting CEO Dr Jacques Faul has been asked to continue in the role for as long as needed.

Faul was seconded from the Titans franchise to head up CSA for what the organisation’s president Chris Nenzani said would be a maximum of six months.

That period elapsed last Friday, with Moroe’s case yet

to be resolved. At the time of writing, CSA had not yet responded to requests for comment to clarify when Moroe’s case will be concluded.

“It appears as if the Covid-19 pandemic is being used as a convenient excuse for the delay, in spite of the fact that CSA is operationally fully functional at the moment,” Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO, said.

“There appears to be a distinct lack of will at board level to deal with this matter, despite the dire need for finality on this material issue for all stakeholders in cricket. It is interesting to note that there were no such delays in dealing with the numerous other CSA disciplinary matters.”

Moroe was the seventh

CSA employee to be suspended when the organisation imploded late last year, and the only one whose case has not progressed significantly. Of those, only one has returned to the organisation.

Corrie van Zyl, who was working as interim director of cricket before he was suspended, was acquitted of wrongdoing in relation to delayed payments of player’s commercial rights to SACA, and now works under director of cricket Graeme Smith.

Chief operating officer Naasei Appiah and head of sales and sponsorship Clive Eksteen were both found guilty of misconduct and are understood to be appealing. However, financial manager Ziyanda Nkuta, procurement manager Lundi Maja, and administrator Dalene

There have been allegations of misconduct against Thabang Moroe (Getty Images)

Nolan, have all been dismissed.

Moroe’s case, which includes charges of credit card misuse, is dependent on the completion of a forensic audit, which is still in progress. SACA believe CSA are also using the incomplete audit as a reason to prolong Moroe’s case. “CSA will point to the forensic audit that has not yet been completed, despite the fact that the crises that have enveloped CSA over the past 18 months are evidence of a prima facie case against Moroe.

It is hard to imagine another professional environment where such vacillation on a matter of such importance would be tolerated by a board of directors,” Breetzke said.

SACA have made repeated calls for the CSA Board to step

down, and have been at loggerheads with CSA over a variety of issues under the Moroe administration, who they took to court over a proposed restructure of the domestic game.

The case was withdrawn in February after the plan was scrapped. Since then, relations between SACA and CSA have improved, and Breetzke made an appearance at a CSA press conference, outlining the organisation’s plans to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. That marked the first time SACA and CSA representatives addressed the media together in the last three years.

However, the two bodies continue to clash over the Moroe issue, over which there remains no deadline to resolve.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Giggs explains why he learnt more from Van Gaal than Ferguson RYAN Giggs has revealed that Louis van Gaal has been key to his managerial career after the Welshman learnt vital lessons while assisting the former Manchester United boss.

Giggs spent his whole playing career at Old Trafford under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson, winning 13 Premier League titles in the process.

He had 23 years to pick up tips from the legendary United manager before making the step up himself after he hung up his boots in 2014.

The Wales manager took interim charge of Man Utd after David Moyes was sacked before becoming assistant to Van Gaal when he arrived in the summer

of 2014.

The Dutchman was widely criticised for his tactics and management style at Old Trafford but Giggs, who is now manager of the Welsh national side, credits his former colleague for shaping his managerial career.

“Obviously I had different international managers, but that’s only obviously a short space of time. That’s why I talk about Louis (van Gaal), regarding my coaching, because I’m actually two years in the meetings, [taking] responsibility, and I talk so fondly of him because that was really my first coaching role. Whereas when you’re playing, you don’t know the

Ryan Giggs explains why he learnt more from Van Gaal than Sir Alex Ferguson preparation,” Giggs told The Official Manchester United Podcast.

“You don’t know what the manager’s seen on the videos.

Players get seven or eight minutes of watching the opposition, but the coaching staff watch hours and hours.

“So that is completely dif-

ferent, it’s completely different, even though you’ve worked under a manager for so long. It was more sort of the man-management and the different things that Sir Alex would do that I’ve picked up on, whereas with Louis obviously I’ve seen first-hand different systems, why you play the different systems, the reasons for this and the reasons for that, It was a really good experience.”

Giggs enjoyed two years alongside Van Gaal before leaving United in 2016 following the arrival of Jose Mourinho and he secured his first fulltime management job in 2018 as head of the Welsh national team. And the 46-year-old said

it was his four games in interim charge at Man Utd that convinced him to pursue a career in management.

“Amazing experience, amazing, and one, really, that made my mind up that I wanted to become a manager,” Giggs said about his time in charge at Old Trafford. “I would say up until then that I was still unsure.

“I just felt comfortable.

I felt comfortable decision-making. I felt comfortable in that position. It was a brilliant experience. I was still doing my pro licence, but actually being in the job, having to make the decisions, all the pressure that you put yourself under, you can’t prepare yourself for that.”(Goal.com)

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Mayweather reacts to Conor McGregor retiring: I’m waiting to punish you again F L O Y D M a y w e a t her Jr. isn’t taking the news of Conor McGregor retiring too well.

The 31-year-old McGregor announced his retirement over the weekend, ending his 12-year professional career. Not surprisingly, Mayweather isn’t a happy camper about the Irish fighter retiring, as makes it clear that he’ll be waiting for when he returns.

It’s easy money for Mayweather in fighting guys like McGregor, who is a fish out of water inside a boxing ring.

Mayweather says he’ll “punish” McGregor again when he comes back. At

this point, it’s not likely that boxing or MMA fans will want to waste their money on watching an old Mayweather fight McGregor again. Floyd beat McGregor by a 10th round TKO on August 26, 2017, in Las Vegas.

Nevada.

The Mayweather-McGregor fight wasn’t competitive enough for there to be a rematch, and McGregor hasn’t done much in his own career in the UFC since that loss. He’s only fought twice in going 1-1, and he doesn’t look like the same fighter he once was. You can argue that money ruined his ambition/hunger for the sport.

McGregor’s fortune is estimated at US$120 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which says a lot about why he’s choosing to retire. He doesn’t need to continue to work to live well.

It’s understandable why Mayweather wants McGregor to come back to fight him in a rematch.

Their previous match in 2017 together brought in 4.3 million pay-per-view buys, making it the second-highest PPV event in the history of the sport.

Mayweather-McGregor brought in a live gate of US$55,414,865.79 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McGregor got a guar-

anteed purse of US$30 million compared to Mayweather’s US$100 million, but they made a lot more than that from the pay-per-view upside.

What Mayweather doesn’t understand is the fans see his desire to fight McGregor again as a pathetic money-grab attempt, and they don’t like the look of this. It was such an incredibly shoddy fight, and way overpriced at US$100 per household on payper-view.

Off the quality of the performances by Mayweather and McGregor, that fight should have been for free because it was low-level stuff from

Floyd Mayweather (at left) has sent a warning to Conor McGregor while reacting to his shock retirement.

both. Mayweather fought like he was fighting in slow motion, and McGregor looked clueless and inept. In a word, McGregor looked amateurish.

That makes sense because McGregor had never boxed before in his life in a professional or amateur boxing match.

Nevertheless, the Nevada

Commission sanctioned the fight between Mayweather and McGregor, who had an 0-0 record, as counting as a professional boxing match.

Fans wouldn’t mind watching Mayweather fight McGregor in the octagon, but not another boxing match. (Boxing News)

Mary Pierce on winning French Open 20 years ago and ‘huge miracle’ of forgiving her abusive father

By Vicki Hodges WITH both feet aloft in midair, her long blonde plait rising above her head, Mary Pierce circled her racket between her legs and executed a perfect ‘tweener’.

Monica Seles could only look on as the ball sailed past before kissing the baseline.

The incredible shot, the highlight of Pierce’s 2000 French Open quarter-final win over the third-seeded American, has been watched millions of times on YouTube.

It was the start of a heady few days. Victory over the top-ranked Martina Hingis followed before the crescendo of defeating clay-court specialist Conchita Martinez as Pierce claimed her second grand slam, and first on the red dust, 20 years ago.

“My dream in tennis came true,” Pierce tells Telegraph Sport from her home in Florida after leaving the south of France, where she had been coaching before lockdown.

“On top of winning the French Open, along the way I hit the most amazing shot of my career. Then there was the epic match against Martina Hingis where we’re both cramping in the third set.”

The memories are flooding back as Pierce, who was born in Canada to an American father and French mother, retells

the story of her unexpected victory when she became the first Frenchwoman to win in Paris since Francoise Durr’s 1967 success. To this day, she remains the last French player, male or female, to win the second major of the year.

“The vibrations of the crowd’s voices together was so powerful. It hits you deep in your core for what you feel, what you live for,” Pierce, who should have been at Roland Garros today on what would have been the women’s singles final before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the major until late September, added.

Aside from a run to the final of her home slam in 1994, Pierce’s other nine showings in Paris had not yielded a run beyond the fourth round. The odds were stacked further against Pierce adding the Suzanne-Lenglen Cup to her 1995 Australian Open silverware when an injury sustained before the major threatened her chance of taking part.

But life took a dramatic twist for Pierce in 2000. For a player whose outstanding natural ability was haunted by the gloomy shadow of her abusive father and coach, Pierce was finally able to come through the darkness.

It was in the March at Indian Wells where the Catholic-raised Pierce became a born-again Christian.

“I woke up in my hotel room one morning and I felt I couldn’t keep living my life this way. That’s the moment I prayed, repented of all my sins and gave my life to Jesus.”

It also led to the ‘huge miracle’ of Pierce forgiving her father Jim for the hurt and suffering he caused with his brutal, drill-sergeant training methods and foul-mouthed courtside outbursts which led to the Women’s Tennis Association banning him from attending all tour matches in 1993.

“Our relationship was reconciled. I could love him, which was a huge miracle, and my life just totally changed 20 years ago.”

Looking back, does she wish things could have been different? That she had not been coached by her father?

“If my dad wasn’t my coach, and things hadn’t happened the way they did, I’d just say to myself, well that’s how it’s supposed to be, that was my path,” she said.

“If I wasn’t strong mentally, physically, emotionally then I wouldn’t have been able to handle the way he trained me. It made me tough, it made me strong, it made me resilient.”

Pierce, now 45, admits that cutting ties with her family when she was 18, and starting to work with a ‘professional’

coach was a relief. “It was nice not to live in fear anymore.”

She is considerate as she reflects on the latter years of her father’s life. When his hard exterior softened and he apologised for his behaviour.

“I think he might have said once that he was sorry for everything,” Pierce said. “But that was very late on in his life. My father got very sick in February 2016 with bladder cancer. I was with him from A to Z in the whole process, all the hospital appointments, the operations. I knew his medications, his timings, his dosages, I knew it better than his nurses.

“I wanted to make sure he was well taken care of, because I knew he could be in a lot of pain if not properly taken care of. I didn’t want him to be in any pain or suffer.

“I was able to be with him when he passed away in April 2017. In the later stages of being sick he also gave his life to Jesus, he really softened. He really changed.”

That Pierce’s father dedicated his own life to her tennis career is astounding given he had no background in the sport.

Pierce, who divides her time between coaching in the south of France, Mauritius and America, only took up tennis by chance when she was 10 and joined her best friend on court during one of her lessons.

“At the end of the session, the head of the tennis club came up to me, asked who I was and how long I’d been playing. I said ‘45 minutes’, to which he replied ‘no, how many years’. I said it was my first day.”

Asked to return the next day with her parents, Pierce’s life changed overnight. A few months after playing tennis three days a week, she was entering tournaments. Four years on, Pierce was on the professional circuit and winning titles.

Tennis had never been an ambition, nor a dream. She considered a career in medicine, and was keen on becoming a paediatrician, but out of fear, she wouldn’t quit playing. “My dad was so strong, I was scared and felt I can’t say no.”

Aside from the intimidation and abuse, Pierce spoke glowingly of her father’s dedication.

“When I look at what my dad did, I think that was incredible,” she said. “To have no tennis background but he was there every single lesson that I took, listened and watched what the coaches would say, he read all the tennis magazines, he watched and taped every match on TV.” Dedication and hard work are two vital components Pierce expects from her own

tennis proteges. Pierce, who also won the French Open doubles title in 2000 alongside Hingis, says she is ‘very serious’ but adds “at the end of the day, you’ve got to have fun”.

She flashes a radiant smile with that last remark. Tennis might not have been Pierce’s career ambition in her formative days, but her passion for the sport today cannot be questioned.

When asked about the likelihood of a merger between the men’s and women’s governing bodies, Pierce, who is on the ITF Board of Directors as the female player representative and the women’s chair of the ITF Players’ Panel is overflowing and fervent in her response.

“I believe the best events will be the combined events like Indian Wells, like Miami.

The season should be shorter, have less tournaments and there should be minor and major leagues, like in baseball.

“There’s an elite group, not a ton, and these tournaments will go around the world, showcasing the best players over a 10-day or two-week period.”

It is a vision she has had since 2000. Since that audacious shot between the legs, her maiden French Open and the year she wrote the next chapter of her life.(Extracted from The Telegraph)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Athletics ex-boss stands trial for taking bribes to clear Russians of doping

By Tangi Salaün PARIS (Reuters) - Lamine Diack, the former head of the governing body for world athletics, was at the heart of a corruption scam that saw Russian athletes pay six-figure sums to have their names erased from doping lists, prosecutors told a French court on Monday.

Wearing a dark grey suit, Diack, 87, who led the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) from 1999 to 2015, stood before the French judges on the first day of trial as charges of corruption, money laundering and breach of trust were read out.

Prosecutors allege Diack solicited bribes totalling 3.45 million euros ($3.9 million)

from athletes suspected of doping to cover up test results and let them continue competing, including in the 2012 London Olympics.

They also say Diack obtained $1.5 million of Russian funds while negotiating sponsorship and television rights to help finance Macky Sall’s campaign for the 2012 Senegal presidential election, in exchange for slowing anti-doping procedures.

Diack has previously denied wrongdoing. He spoke on Monday only to confirm his identity and is due to testify on Wednesday.

His lawyer William Bourdon described him as “serene and determined”.

“The fact financial exchanges

took place is not enough on its own to prove corruption,” Bourdon told reporters at the end of the first session.

Diack, who has been under house arrest ahead of the trial, faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

His son, Papa Massata, who fled France for his native Senegal after the French investigation began, is also accused of playing a role in the plot, and is being tried in absentia.

The court rejected a request by Papa Massata’s French lawyer that the trial be postponed because coronavirus border restrictions meant his Senegalese lawyers could not be present. Senegal has refused to extradite him.

Former IAAF President Lamine Diack attends trial in Paris Four other defendants have been charged in the case: Habib

Cisse, Diack’s former lawyer at the IAAF; Gabriel Dollé, who oversaw doping tests at the IAAF;

former head of Russian athletics Valentin Balakhnitchev, and former Russian athletics’ head coach Alexei Melnikov.

Balakhnitchev and Melnikov were not in court.

Dollé denied taking bribes in order to allow Russian athletes to compete. He told the court he had agreed only to keep a low profile on the large number of positive Russian doping tests to help the IAAF find sponsors.

“Mr Diack had asked me to consider the fact that the IAAF was in a perilous financial state and needed sponsors,” he told the court. “There was never any question of allowing the Russian athletes to participate in international competitions.”

Barcelona and Real Madrid renew close-run title race

By Richard Martin BARCELONA (Reuters) Barcelona and Real Madrid resume one of the tightest title races in recent memory when La Liga kicks back into action this week in empty stadiums, after a three-month pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Just before the season was postponed on March 10, former Real great Jorge Valdano had likened the two teams’ inconsistent form to a race between two limping men, but both sides are set to be refreshed and stronger after the long break.

Barca are boosted by the return of Luis Suarez from a FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Real Madrid v Barcelona - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 1, 2020 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Real Madrid’s Casemiro REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

knee injury that looked set to rule him out for the season, and his aggression and power should help them ease their problems in breaking down sides.

Real will again enjoy the services of Eden Hazard after he was sidelined with a fractured ankle in February. Also back is Spain forward Marcos Asensio, who should ease the burden on Karim Benzema, their runaway leading scorer with 14 strikes.

Barca, targeting a third consecutive Spanish title, led Real by two points when the season was postponed.

The break has also given their ageing squad some much-needed rest, while the

extra time on the training ground should help them further adapt to the ideas of coach Quique Setien, who succeeded Ernesto Valverde in January.

With no fans allowed into venues and Real playing their home games at the 6,000-capacity Alfredo Di Stefano stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is being refurbished, it will be a title race unlike any other.

“We will miss that boost and support you get from the crowd, who have a huge influence,” said Setien.

Barca have a slightly more comfortable run-in in their remaining 11 fixtures in the space of five weeks, with home games against Athletic Bilbao

and Atletico Madrid plus trips to Sevilla and Villarreal looking like their toughest games.

Real, who beat Barca in March only to blow their lead at the top by losing to Real Betis, have five potentially tricky fixtures: Valencia, Getafe and Villarreal at home, plus trips to Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao.

“It would be strange to say we are worse than Barca after we beat them just before we went into confinement,” said Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

“Even though we then lost to Betis, I think we’re in good shape. We’re all really excited about starting the league season again and fighting for the championship and winning it.”

Former Australia captain Clarke honoured in Queen’s Birthday list SYDNEY (Reuters) - Michael Clarke has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday list for Australia with the former cricket captain recognised for both his sporting career and community work.

The 39-year-old, who retired from cricket in 2015, was appointed an Officer in the general division of the Order of Australia, the citation on the Governor General’s website said.

Former women’s captain Lynnette Larsen and two-time Olympic hockey

gold medallist Renita Garard were both named a Member of the Order of Australia.

“That makes it more special for me,” Clarke told The Australian newspaper on Monday. “Obviously it’s an honour to receive it, but the fact it recognises the work I’ve done for charities makes it very special.”

Clarke played 115 Tests for Australia, including 47 as captain, and led the side to their fifth one day World Cup title in 2015. He scored 8,643 test runs at an

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke

average of 49.10, with 28 centuries.

Clarke has been heav-

ily involved in numerous health and children’s charities.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 9, 2020

GFA president says soccer could return with ‘Mega League’ by August

- Virtual meeting with GFF set for this week

By Clifton Ross GEORGETOWN Football Association (GFA) president, Otis James, is looking at a blockbuster restart following COVID-19, by kicking off the 2020/21 season dubbed the ‘Mega League’

by August; once the green light is given from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

James told Chronicle Sport during an exclusive interview on Monday that major plans are in the pipeline, as the GFA is eager to kick-start their season after months away from action. The pandemic curtailed a number of plans within the soccer community, as a number of tournaments across all levels had to be put

on an indefinite pause due to the lockdown state locally.

The first step according to the GFA boss, however, is a virtual summit set for this week with their parent body, the GFF. James noted that the meeting will touch on a number of topics, mostly regarding a way forward in a safe and productive manner for the footballers and fans alike.

“First of all, our head body is the GFF, so we are waiting on their green light. We will be having a virtual meeting with them this week because everyone needs to be on the page. We want to restart the season by planning our ‘Mega League which should start in August and continue throughout into 2021”. He said.

He said the ‘Mega League’ is a way for the GFA to better market their season with regard to taking on its own identity; quite similar to how in cricket the local domestic season is highlighted by the inter-county known these days as the ‘Jaguars Franchise League’.

“We also want to open the season with an Under-13 tournament as well as an U-15 which can be played on the weekends because schools will be closed”, said James who believed that the time-off due to school being closed for the summer is ideal for hosting junior tournaments alongside the possible launching of the new season.

The former international FIFA referee further stressed that

because of the pandemic, a number of off-field plans were also truncated, thus resulting in the executive committee recently agreeing upon hosting the Mega league which, he said, will be stretched automatically and will run into the following year, annually.

With no live sports to go around, the fans globally and locally have been wrongfully, yet uncontrollably, deprived of entertainment and James has been communicating with his players and feedback from them as well as fans is that of utter yearning; adding that the time off is both good and bad for the players.

“We have a WhatsApp group where we communicate every day and the guys really want to

GFA president Otis James is optimistic that the newly proposed ‘Mega League’ 2020/21 season could kick off in August In closing, James was adaget back out there and play. The good part about the lockdown is mant that following the upcomthat our players and fans will be ing virtual conference with the extra eager to see football, but GFF head body, more clarity the bad part I think is fitness; so I will be given on plans to re-open continue to urge them to see what the floodgates of football and they can do in order to maintain a whether or not to potentially minimum level of fitness, so when keep August as a possible rethey get back out they will be back start date for the 2020/21 GFA to maximum playing levels”, ex- season. pounded the GFA president.

FIFA open to salary cap and transfer fee limit proposals

PARIS, France (AFP) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday called for discussions over proposals to introduce salary and transfer fee caps to football in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

World football’s governing body intends to finalise plans in the coming weeks for a financial relief package following the economic damage caused to the sport by the global health crisis.

FIFA announced in April it would release US$150 million (133 million euros) to its 211 member associations “as the first step of a relief plan”. UEFA shortly afterwards said it had allocated 236.5 million euros to its 55 member federations.

Last month, the German FA and Bayern Munich Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge urged industry talks about a salary cap and reforming the transfer system to keep football “credible”.

“On the financial and governance

aspects, I also heard some interesting proposals on a wide range of topics,” Infantino wrote in an open letter to FIFA’s members.

“From salary caps to transfer fee caps or other taxation mechanisms, to the possible obligation for governing bodies, competition organisers and clubs to build reserves or to contribute to a reserve fund which can be of assistance in hours of need such as now, I personally advocate for clearer and stricter financial regulations – imposing full transparency and good governance principles, and not only limiting this to the transfer system but to the entire football ecosystem.

“FIFA is doing already a lot of work on this area, even if we face some strong vested interests who fight against our plea for a better global governance in our sport.”

A recent study by accounting firm KPMG said the transfer value of players in 10 of Europe’s top leagues could

plummet by up to 10 billion euros due to the economic crash caused by coronavirus.

‘Balanced’ international calendar The French league, declared over in late April, said it would have to take out a government-guaranteed loan of some 225 million euros to tide over clubs impacted by the loss in income from broadcasters.

Last season’s Champions League finalists Tottenham have received a £175-million loan from Bank of England to help them through the crisis, as the club predicted losses of £200 million over the next year.

Infantino is hoping to push through the rescue package by the time of the next Fifa council meeting later this month.

“The need for top-club football to resume has understandably taken priority, but we must also consider national teams, women’s football, lower-tier

FIFA president Gianni Infantino domestic leagues, youth and the grass roots game,” Infantino said.

“We have to show unity across all aspects of football and make sure football can resume in its globality.

This is our priority, and our financial relief plan will also follow this principle.”

While domestic leagues are gradually restarting, the international calendar has been decimated, with Euro 2020 and the Copa America both postponed until next year.

However, Infantino said a reworked international schedule could be published shortly.

“On another very important topic, namely the international match calendar, I am happy to report that we also made some good progress,” he said.

“In consultation with different stakeholders, we are closer to present[ing] a balanced solution that takes into account everyone’s challenges and needs.”

Will saliva ban threaten cricket’s kings of swing?

London (AFP) - An International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting on Wednesday could see the global governing body uphold a recommendation to prohibit the use of saliva in order to stop the transmission of the coronavirus.

Bowlers traditionally get the ball to move or swing in the air, thereby making it harder for batsmen to hit, by applying shine to one side via sweat -- which can still be used -- or saliva.

However, as a temporary measure to combat COVID-19, the ICC’s cricket committee has suggested banning the use of saliva.

Massie’s match -- One of the most extraordinary individual performances in cricket history saw Australia swing bowler Bob Massie take 16 for 137 on his Test debut against England at Lord’s

in 1972.

Yet Massie won just five more caps and took only 15 more wickets, with the bowler himself saying he had struggled on a subsequent tour of the West Indies where he adjusted his action and was never the same cricketer again.

Massie’s remarkable maiden Test and the lavish swing he generated at Lord’s led to suggestions he’d applied lip salve to the ball in order to maintain the shine -- an accusation he has always denied.

“Some days things go just right,” Massie said by way of explaining his remarkable introduction to Test cricket.

Reverse swing -- It used to be thought that as a cricket ball got older it would swing less.

But a technique pioneered by Pakistan paceman Sarfraz Nawaz, part-

ly in response to the slow and batsmen-friendly pitches of his homeland, led to the development of reverse swing.

“Just using sweat won’t be of much help because that will only make the ball wet and that shine will be missing,” said Sarfraz.

Sarfraz confused a succession of batsmen by bowling in-swingers with an old ball.

He helped compatriot Imran Khan add reverse swing to his armoury and in the 1990s there were probably no better exponents than the Pakistan fast-bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

In 1992, the pair took 43 wickets between them as Pakistan won a fivematch Test series in England 2-1.

Mint condition -- Over time, teams all round the

world came to realise that in order to generate reverse swing it was vital the ball was ‘looked after’ properly, with one side polished and the other kept bone dry.

Swing bowlers such as Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones were pivotal to England regaining the Ashes from Australia in 2005.

But it was England opening batsman Marcus Trescothick who later revealed he had put Murray Mints sweets to good use in the field because sucking them stimulated most saliva, which could then be applied to the ball.

Play on with Pollock?

-- It seems unlikely cricket chiefs will row back from the saliva ban but former South Africa paceman Shaun Pollock, even though he is a member of the ICC cricket committee, gave current

swing bowlers a glimmer of hope by suggesting health checks in place for next month’s behind closed doors threeTest series between England and the West Indies might make it redundant.

“I think the environment that’ll end up being created is almost going to be like a bubble,” Pollock told the Following On Cricket Podcast.

“People will get tested, they’ll go into a two-week camp where they’re just going to sit and monitor how the conditions of their bodies change.

“And if there are no symptoms, it doesn’t really matter about shining the ball then, because you’re in the bubble and no one you come into contact with will have coronavirus.

“So you can just get on with normal proceedings.”

Ring legend Manny Pacquiao

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

PAGE 19

Former CWI president Ken Gordon

Skerritt has brought new optimism, says former president Ken Gordon

Pacquiao takes aim at Philippines presidency RING legend and current WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is eying a run for president of the Philippines in 2022.

The eight-division world champ originally got into politics in 2009 and won a senate seat in 2016. Incumbent president Rodrigo Duterte is ineligible for re-election and the election to decide Duterte’s successor will take place on May 9, 2022.

In the meantime, the 41-year-old Pacquiao is expected to continue to fight for one more year. He may next fight in oil-rich Bahrain, which is reportedly looking to bankroll some major boxing events. (Fightnews)

Not athletes’ job to fix racism, says Sport England board member See story on page 19

GFA president says soccer could return with ‘Mega League’ by August Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY,JUNE 09, 2020