Guyana Chronicle Epaper 07 08 2017

Cultural icon Hector Stoute passes on

Page 4

No garbage pile-up No. 104997

MONDAY,AUGUST 7, 2017

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

– as City Hall hires several small contractors

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City Hall says Astor demolition unlawful Page 11

Silvertown teen feared drowned Page 3

Beefing up security: A security camera being installed on a lamp pole at South Road, Georgetown, on Sunday (Samuel Maughn photo)

Better Hope man beheaded

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AFC reposes full confidence in Ramjattan Page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Zero tolerance for domestic, sexual violence -- First Lady Sandra Granger urges FIRST Lady Sandra Granger on Saturday issued a call for zero tolerance for domestic violence and all forms of sexual violence.

The first lady was at the time addressing the closing ceremony and exhibition for the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for teenage mothers, other women and community leaders of Yarowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Nineteen participants graduated from the six-month programme, which was organised by the Women Across Differences (WAD) and sponsored by the Social Protection Ministry.

The first lady, who is also the patron of WAD, said in addition to educating the graduates about family planning and entrepreneurship, the programme also aimed to help women to recognise their value and to give them the self-confidence to stand up to abuse in all of its forms.

“My own dear hope is that we can achieve zero tolerance for domestic violence.

I dream, too, of a country where we will have zero tolerance for the violations of incest, rape and human trafficking and that these crimes are met with the full force of the law [as] all Guyanese must have the opportunity to participate in the growth and

development of their communities, their regions and their country. They must also be reasonably happy as they go about their daily lives in their communities and in their work places,” she said.

The first lady also commended the graduates on the creativity and quality of their craftwork, which was displayed in the Yarowkabra Community Centre.

“I’m particularly pleased to see the exhibition of your skills and talents and to celebrate with you the completion of a programme, which has focused on enhancing your life skills and building your self-esteem and self-confidence…. This knowledge is timely and will, I am sure, help, you, the beneficiaries to make informed decisions for your future and your future happiness,” she said.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams, who represented Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally at the closing ceremony, expressed similar sentiments.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE She told the graduates that they have the power to make a difference in their own lives and in their community and urged them to become agents of positive change.

“As a leader, [you] ought

to be a positive influence. You may not class or see yourself as a leader. Whether you’re the leader of a team, a family, I do believe that you can be a positive force in all types of situations,” she said.

Meanwhile, WAD Coordinator, Clonel Samuels-Boston, who provided an overview of the programme, said that it was modelled on her organisation’s Comprehensive Empowerment Programme.

This programme sought to reduce unplanned pregnancy among adolescent mothers and enhancing their life skills and competencies after a needs assessment conducted in November 2016 revealed several economic and social issues plaguing the community, including teenage pregnancy.

The programme started in February 2017 and featured a packed syllabus, which included training in subjects such as personal development/skills for life, sexual and reproductive health, including HIV prevention and family planning, entrepreneurial/ income earning, gender-based violence, anger management and conflict resolution.

“The evaluation and feedback revealed that most of the participants have learnt a lot and they were able to share their experiences. The beneficiaries pointed out that

Some of the craftwork produced by participants displayed at the closing ceremony and exhibition for the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for teenage mothers, other women and community leaders of Yarrowkabra

First Lady Sandra Granger shares a warm embrace with eight-year-old Kadieann Higgins, the youngest participant in the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for teenage mothers, other women and community leaders of Yarrowkabra. Granger and WAD Coordinator, Clonel Samuels-Boston (first, right), presented Higgins with a large Literacy and Language book at the closing ceremony

they can better relate with their families and now have stronger relationships…. We felt that giving people the correct information is pivotal for their personal development and that knowledge is indeed power. It can transform an individual,” she said.

EMPOWERMENT Additionally, Chairman of the Adoption Board, James Bond said he was pleased that the programme included entrepreneurial training and is geared at empowering the participants.

“You can empower yourself through education or through business. If you earn, you can empower yourself, you can feed yourself, you can clothe yourself, you can take care of yourself. If you educate yourself, you can do the same thing… it is unique that a programme captures all

of that,” he said.

Bond then challenged the community members to co-operate with each other, noting that sustainability of any initiative can only be achieved if there is community buy-in.

Several of the graduates extended gratitude to the first lady for supporting the programme and asked her to continue to reach out the community as there are many early-school leavers, who can benefit from the programmes that she spearheads.

Graduate, Nikita Gill said the programme has boosted her self-confidence immensely.

“Since I joined, this group taught me to love myself…

I can now stand and [fight my] battles without tears,” she said.

Another graduate, Gladwyn Fordyce, shared similar

views and pledged to use the knowledge that he has gained to enhance the lives of those in his community.

“We are going to mould this group, so that the WAD training would continue in Yarowkabra,” he said. Another beneficiary, Tessa Waterton, also committed to sharing her newly-acquired knowledge and skills with the members of her community, particularly young women, and those further afield.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Social Protection Ministry, Mohan Ramrattan; District Community Development Officer for Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Derrick Boyce; community leaders, including Corinne Wilson, Nurse Debra Henry and others also attended the closing ceremony. (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

No garbage pile-up

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 7, 2017

– as City Hall hires several small contractors

By Telesha Ramnarine WITH the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) now having to cope with a pull-out from their two main garbage contractors, Head of City Solid Waste Department, Walter Narine, is confident that with the help of three smaller contractors, there will be no piling-up of garbage in the nation’s capital.

Speaking with the Chronicle on Sunday afternoon, Narine said he believes that the latest action

by Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management to pull their services, opens up the op-

portunity for the M&CC to get the work done on its own.

The money that M&CC will save as a result of not having to pay these contractors will go towards paying off the debt to them, he posited. M&CC owes in excess of $300M to the two waste-management companies.

The two contactors indicated last Wednesday via letters that they will withdraw their services on Sunday.

“Well, let’s put it this way: we made an offer and they did not see favour with it,” Narine told the Guyana Chronicle.

The companies in a release Saturday said their return to work was contingent on an understanding reached with the municipality that a meeting would be held to discuss the execution of plans to make a payment to the service providers.

Up to this time (Saturday), the companies said, notwithstanding assurances given by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan that the way had been cleared for such a meeting, the municipality has not shown any inclination to meet them.

On July 7, the two companies had suspended their services, but resumed work on July 12.

Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal Inc said their attempts to engage the Council during their strike on July 7 was met by a rude demand that they restore services before talks can take place.

Unlike last month, when they continued collecting commercial waste after withdrawing their residential services, this time around, the contractors have ceased all of their operations.

‘WILL BE FINE’ Narine was less bothered. “It will be fine,” he said.

According to him, the Solid Waste Department will

City Hall says there will be no garbage pile-up in the city as Puran Brothers Disposal Services and Cevons Waste Management withdrew their services on Sunday

Solid Waste Management Director Walter Narine

now be covering Groups Seven (East/West Ruimveldt; East/North-East La Penitence; Middle Road, etc.), Eight (Queenstown, Alberttown, North/South Cummingsburg and Kingston), Nine (Albouystown, Charlestown, Wortmanville, Stabroek and Werk-en-Rust) and 10 (commercial areas including Regent, Robb, and Water streets).

The other six groups in Georgetown will be covered by three smaller garbage contractors the municipality plans to work with.

“I would like to thank both Cevons and Puran’s for the job done for the citizenry of Georgetown. They both worked very hard for us and I am thankful. The money saved by us doing the work ourselves will be paid to these guys; we never intended not to pay them,” Narine said.

Just recently, Town

Clerk Royston King told City Councillors that the M&CC was finding it increasingly difficult to honour its financial obligations to the contractors.

He said Council had been trying to keep up with current bills, although it has outstanding amounts for the years 2015 and 2016.

King said it was “extremely difficult” for the Council to sustain payments to these contractors, because the municipality is being asked to do more with less resources.

He pointed out that the Council is now doing more drainage works than it has done before.

Although help has been forthcoming from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, it is often inadequate, King noted, and called for the commercial fee to be implemented as soon as possible, and for the container-fee issue to be sorted out.

Meanwhile, M&CC has said that the monthly payments to both contractors is $45M. “Council needs every cent of its money owed by defaulters to continue to provide essential city services,” M&CC said. A new schedule for garbage collection is expected to be released shortly.

The most recent action

by Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal Inc appears to have ended in bad faith.

On Saturday, the municipal authorities viewed their action as a termination of service.

Silvertown teen feared drowned POLICE ranks and public-spirited residents from Wismar, Linden, up to press time were in a frantic search to locate Esther Weekes, 19, of Silvertown, Wismar, who is believed to have drowned in the Upper Demerara River while swimming with relatives and friends around 13:00 hrs on Sunday.

Commander of ‘E’ Division, Fazil Karimbaksh, confirmed the incident and said after dark, there has been no sign of the teen.

Weekes was at the time in the company of her aunt

and other relatives swimming in the river in the vicinity of the River View Hotel on Burnham Drive when she went on into the deep part of the river.

“She was unable to swim, she went down and disappeared under the water,” the commander said.

Those with her were unable to render assistance, since they too were unable to swim in the deep.

The police were alerted and a search was carried out, but it proved unsuccessful.

When reporters visited the home of the former Chris-

Feared drowned: Esther Weekes

tianburg Wismar Secondary School student, relatives were wailing loudly, but her aunt Sherryann DeYounge was able to explain what had occurred even as she tried to compose herself.

The visibly distraught woman said the group was bathing at the river and apparently her son fell in a doze.

“Me in know if she go to hold him or what, but both of them go down… and I just keep telling them push towards land because I can’t swim and me son push towards land, but like she

couldn’t push towards land and that was it,” she said.

The police will continue the search for the teen on Monday.

Over the years, many persons have drowned in the Upper Demerara River while swimming. While it is a regular habit for residents along Burnham Drive to use the water to bathe and for other domestic purposes, residents and the police are calling for more precautions to be taken, especially when swimming in the deeper parts of the river.

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Cultural icon Hector Stoute passes on

FORMER City Councillor and entertainer, Hector Stoute, passed away Sunday morning at the age of 80, his relatives have confirmed.

His son, Mondale Smith, in a facebook statement said he had just seen his father when minutes later he received a phone call that he had died.

A retired army officer/ entertainer/ councillor et al, Stoute called “Briga Bobby,” WO 1088 was the husband of U.S.- based Lovern Stoute, whom he married 17 years ago.

He was married prior.

The former army officer fathered many children including Destiny, Glendon,

Hector Stoute (Mondale Smith photo)

Hector Stoute Jnr, Anastasia, Shane, Evelyn Stephens, Heather, Mondale Smith, and Younette Backer, among others.

Stoute is the son of the

late Herby Joseph of Bartica.

Smith said his father had suffered a stroke in 2014 and was still recovering. Stoute was found unresponsive by his youngest daughter at his lot QQ Bent Street residence.

“He had complained of feeling cold with bouts of pains in the region of his back and I gave him a back massage then he fell asleep.

He had told me that he wanted us to go to church today [Sunday]. He said he would be much happier after we go to church and we laughed it off. I last checked on him around 3 am and covered his feet and all was well.

This morning at about 8 I checked on him and found him motionless and cold,” Smith quoted his sister as saying.

During his youthful days, the former army officer had promoted and hosted shows such as “Oldies are Goldies” and “In search of a Star” among others. He was a singer who also toured the Caribbean and as far as England. He had served as Director of Culture in the PNC administration and office manager of Evening News.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Better Hope man beheaded

The humble home of Randolph Seenauth, where his body was found Sunday after a loud commotion

THE headless body of 51-year-old Randolph Seenauth called “Goatie” was found in his house at 125 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara on Sunday morning.

According to police, the man was allegedly beheaded by his 25-year-old nephew, who shares the house with

him.

Neighbours of the deceased told Guyana Chronicle that they heard a loud commotion coming from the house at around 04:30hrs this morning and alerted the police, who responded and made the discovery.

The body and the head were reportedly found in separate parts of the house.

This publication was told that Seenauth, who usually does odd jobs, was an alcoholic who would spend his days drinking at a rum shop

in the village. According to residents, he lived there for over two decades with his sister and her children. His sibling however moved a few months ago.

Many of Seenauth’s neighbours were unaware that his nephew lived there with him, because many days they would see him entering his house alone.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) nonetheless confirmed that the prime suspect turned himself in and is assisting with investigations.

Monday , August 7th , 2017 - 14:30 hrs Tuesday,August 8th, 2017 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday, August 9th , 2017 -05:00hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Pence denies eyeing 2020 presidential bid

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday denied that he is preparing for a presidential election run in 2020, saying the suggestion is “disgraceful and offensive.”

Pence was responding to a New York Times report that some Republicans were moving to form a “shadow campaign” as though President Donald Trump were not involved. It said multiple advisers to Pence “have already intimated to party donors that he would plan to run if Mr. Trump did not.”

The report said Pence had not only kept a full political calendar but also had created his own independent power base, including a political fund-raising group called the “Great America Committee.”

But Pence called the article “fake news” and said his entire team was focused on advancing Trump’s agenda and seeing him re-elected in 2020.

“The allegations in this article are categorically false

and represent just the latest attempt by the media to divide this Administration,” Pence said in a statement.

The Times stood by its coverage. “We are confident in the accuracy of our reporting and will let the story speak for itself,” New York Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said in an email.

Pence has good relations with conservative political groups and some of the Republican Party’s big donors, including billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch.

He is also a Trump loyalist, and there is typically little distinction between his public statements and the policies of the president.

But as investigations deepen into Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election and possible ties to members of Trump’s campaign, Pence has put some distance between himself and the president on the best way to approach Moscow.

On a trip to Eastern Eu-

rope last week, Pence condemned Russia’s presence in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, with which Moscow fought a brief war in 2008.

He also said ties with Russia would not improve until Moscow changed its stance on Ukraine and withdrew support for countries like Iran, Syria and North Korea.

The U.S. Congress recently passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia with overwhelming bipartisan support, but Trump signed it into law last week with reluctance.

“Our relationship with Russia is at an all-time & very dangerous low,” Trump wrote on Twitter after signing the bill. “You can thank Congress.”

Trump has described probes into his campaign’s ties to Russia, including those under way in Congress and a Justice Department investigation headed

by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, as a “witch hunt.”

The president has also

sent mixed messages on whether he agrees with U.S. intelligence agencies’ conclusions that Russia tried to intervene in the 2016 election to boost his chances of beating Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

White House senior counselor Kellyanne Con-

way on Sunday also dismissed the idea that Pence was looking at running for president in 2020.

“It is absolutely true that the vice president is getting ready for 2020 - for re-election as vice president,” Conway told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.

“Vice President Pence is a very loyal, very dutiful, but also incredibly effective vice president, and active vice president,” said Conway, adding that she had worked for Pence for a decade as his pollster and senior adviser.

(Reuters)

AFTER being granted approval, the first Aruba Airways aircraft landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Sunday at 11:45hrs with 150 passengers on board. The Oranjestad-based airline will offer daily flights, except on Fridays, to and from Aruba – one of the leading tourist destinations in the region. Roraima Airways is the ground handling agent for the airline (Gerry Gouveia photo).

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Editorial

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Guyana’s first Executive President TO deny anything associated with President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham can be controversial. Yesterday marked 32 years since he passed away.

The development of any nation is reliant on the intellectual growth and maturity of its citizens. Failure to rise to such level not only keeps that nation in perpetual backwardness, relitigating wars of eras where the players are no longer present to account for them, but also see a people divided and a world leaving them behind. President Burnham, depending on who is spoken to, is either good or bad.

This simplistic binary absent shades and context, in the 21st century when he was of the 20th century, reflects our state of growth, or as some may say, not without some justification, the absence of.

To the extent where twothirds of the nation’s population are being made to feel his contributions were that of alleged rigged elections, destruction of Guyana, food starvation, vendettas

against political opponents and ethnic groups, not only make vengeful and simplistic those who are disposed to such discourse, but also reflecting personalities steep in refusing to move forward, even as the world has moved on. The cliché, throwing the baby out with the bathwater, is befitting the majority of discourses that characterise anti-Burnham sentiments, and how well this bodes for the country leaves not much for the imagination.

Guyana attained Independence (1966) and Republican status (1970) under the leadership of Forbes Burnham. These are two major attainments in the life of any society where its people seek after the inalienable right to self-determination.

Where such attainments have been made under his watch, history has accordingly credited and duly recorded. Similarly, history will record those who have squandered the opportunities to deepen, strengthen, protect and defend what have been achieved. Our

sense of patriotism and nationhood forged in those formative years saw among its policies and programmes to construct a nation’s frame, where freedom would be our everlasting goal, coverage and truth our aim.

This month as the people of the British Commonwealth celebrate 179 years of severing the yoke of bondage, how much as a nation have we, after 51 years of Independence and 47 as a Republic, can stake out the strides made in our political, economic, cultural, civil and social freedoms. The present generation has to engage in factual analyses of their contributions or absence thereof, to build on the gains of others. The foundation of this nation’s self-sufficiency, among which can be placed our indigenous identity, food, pride in ethnic diversity, foreign policy, manufacturing, education, housing, energy, sports, infrastructures, new frontiers and pursuit of worldwide comity, was laid by him.

For some, admittedly, it

should not have been, but to discredit, deprive or seek to deny these hurt not him, but those alive and future generations to come.

Where the drive for self-sufficiency became intensified as the response to the global threats of increasing oil prices, safeguarding territorial integrity, protecting the nation’s sovereignty in Cold War politics which impacted our foreign currency liquidity, necessitating shrewd and prudent politics to survive as a nation, that such became fodder for division and not unity is a matter for this present generation to resolve.

In the 21st century, it remains a sad admission that Guyanese are made to feel that the government’s Diversification Programme for the Guyana Sugar Corporation, where the future of sugar was the endangered target to hurt a particular ethnic group. Similar allegations have been made to added value for rice through by-products such as rice flour and cereal,

when the trade agreement under which wheat was imported had expired. These responses to international impacts which also carried political underpinnings for the nation’s sovereignty, in the raging Cold War politics, created fertile ground not to band together in the face of external challenges, but to champion the politics of global destabilisation in countries who pursued the non-aligned path.

The rice flour industry is a thriving global business, considered a good substitute for wheaten flour, and given its gluten-free nature, healthier. Had Guyana stayed the course, it could have been a formidable competitor and be involved in the global push for healthy eating.

The yearly Caribbean food import bill is approximately US$5 billion. Lots of these items can be produced here, attracting not only foreign

revenue, but economic and employment opportunities for Guyanese.

Instead of developing the Grow More Food Programme, it became a causalty to partisan politics and it can only be surmised, based on exclusion from the market place, how much Guyana has been economically set back. When the survival of a country is dependent on external forces, it threatens the economic and political security of the nation and its people. That Guyana remains heavily import-reliant and continues to dump more than 20 percent of its fruits and ground provisions, this generation has only itself to blame for not building on the foundation laid, or accepting the propaganda that self-sufficiency was intended to impoverish them.

Paul Slowe has been very professional Dear Editor, I ATTENDED numerous sessions of the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged threat to assassinate His Excellency, Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana presently being conducted by Paul Slowe, retired assistant commissioner of police.

I listened keenly to the contrasting testimonies of the number one

to three senior officers of the Guyana Police Force, the crime chief, his deputy, the head of the Major Crimes Unit, several other police ranks and civilians.

At times I got the distinct impression that some of the persons were not really testifying, but instead they were “testilieing.” I listen for one word in the testimony of the investigators -- interrogate. I did not hear it. Hope the transcripts will prove me wrong. Instead, I heard

the words opinion and suggestion being used instead of order, instruct, command or even direct.

The word interview keeps ringing in my ears as it was mentioned frequently during the hearing.

Is it that the police are interviewing suspects instead of interrogating them? I am wondering if the police are afraid that when they interrogate suspects they will breach the Judges Rules or more so, they will come into

conflict with their own training manual on Human Rights in Policing. If law enforcement officers are to conduct effective investigations into major crimes -- including a threat to kill the President -- and the word interrogate does not come out readily to mind, or is not uttered, well then, the investigations will be prosaic. Shocking issues and concerns emerging from the CoI left me with the indelible impression of

their potential to not only rock the foundation, but the apex of discipline in the GPF. No wonder there was a call for an inquiry.

Please permit me to mention that the chairman has been conducting the inquiry in a truly professional manner, even though the leader of the opposition described him as a junior officer who is enquiring into matters involving the commissioner of police and other senior

officers and that he has to deal with a battery of eminent attorneys- at – law, including a former chief justice. Those who know Paul Slowe and worked with him will tell you about his professionalism. I eagerly await the conclusion of the inquiry and the Slowe report.

Regards, CLINTON CONWAY Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

The rich legacy of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham lives on Dear Editor, THE death anniversary of Mr. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham is today (6th August) and the time is taken for a reflection on his life.

The Burnham government had developed a national policy which envisaged Guyanese controlling the commanding heights of our economy by harnessing local resources for our benefit. It was this vision, bolstered by a dream, that led to the establishment of institutions such as the Institute of Applied Science and Tech-

nology (IAST) which operates out of the University of Guyana (UG) Guyanese are encouraged and delighted about the abilities of our fellow citizens and the potential of our natural resources; to see these being taken advantage of and put to productive and developmental use, must make us all proud. This, because over the past few decades, due to several factors, would have allowed large transnational corporations to now control most inputs and outputs of our economy.

Using indigenous materi-

als, the institution is working to address the major factors limiting the development of paved roads in Guyana, due to the exorbitant cost of stone aggregate and binding materials (such as bitumen). Working to improve the process of “firing of coastal clays” for the production of aggregate materials and for combination with lime, fired rice husk, and other binder materials, this is expected to produce wear-resistant concrete-like binders.

Recognition of other innovative visionaries must not go unnoticed, such as Team STEMGuyana for their

10th-place performance at the recent robotics competition (congratulations to the team, on this outstanding performance) and the discovery of the anti-bacterial effects of passion fruit by Professor Raymond Jagessar, which is indeed good news for the healthcare industry, reminds us once again, of Mr. Burnham’s belief that “Yes we can” is made reality. It was this belief in our ability and desire to prove ourselves that put Guyana on the road of converting our rice into flour, our processed carambola (five-finger) entering the

European market, the mass production of plantain chips, earlier condemned, but are today in our supermarkets, though imported from Central America.

In the metropolitan countries, the demonised rice flour is sold as health food. Gerber and Kellogg, major food brands, have converted rice into cereal for adults and baby foods.

Mr. Burnham’s advocacy for the use of our local herbs as staple teas, was not met with much enthusiasm.

Today, these ‘bush teas’ are sold in the supermarkets,

most, if not all with imported labels. Jamaica sells us Cerassie tea, which we call corilla, Britain and the USA sell us lemon grass tea, all of which are growing in our backyards. The potential for local job opportunities has not escaped me. Thirty-two years after his departure, Mr. Burnham’s dream lives on; as Guyanese, we continue through the IAST, to do Research and Development to harness our nation’s resources for the benefit of all.

Regards, SHARMA SOLOMON

E. B. John needs to apologise to Yarde Dear Editor,

ALLOW me to correct a piece of misinformation that was carried in the Stabroek News of August 1, 2017, under the caption “GPSU parties should agree to read from the same page”. This is necessary because I feel that the readers must be aware of the smut campaign that is being waged against the leadership of the union and must be properly informed. You would have covered the GPSU’s press conference of Thursday July 27, 2017, where the GPSU expressed its disappointment at being invited to discuss wages, salaries and allowances for 2017, when the commitment was given that the 2016 negotiations were not finished and that the negotiating teams should complete 2016. You would have had photographs of the GPSU team at the press conference and these were carried both in the print and electronic media. Despite all of this, there was a letter by E B John in the Stabroek News which deliberately intended to mislead the readers with a set of misinformation as follows, and I quote.

“His articulate exposition was made in the equally eloquent silence of the President of the union sitting

alongside him. One wondered how many viewers (including the legally informed decision-makers) recognised the schizophrenic status of the main employment officer of the Government, no less than the chairman (ag.), of the Guyana Public Service Commission, in plain view, unrepentant about explicitly identifying himself as the GPSU’s active vocalist.”

Mr Editor, at the time of the press conference, Mr Yarde was attending The World Credit Unions Conference in Vienna, Austria, Europe six time zones away.

Hence, it was physically impossible for Mr Yarde to be sitting next to me at the press conference. It seems to me that Mr John has a personal grudge against Mr Yarde for him to hallucinate like that and seized that opportunity to launch a salvo at the chairman (ag.) of the Public Service Commission.

In fact, we saw him doing this before when Mr Yarde was appointed Chairman (ag.) of the Public Service Commission.

Mr John has a peeve with Mr Yarde being the Chairman (ag.) of the Public Service Commission.

He voiced it before in his article: “We are caught in an injudicious system” in the Stabroek News of May 25, 2017. It was pointed out then that the appointment of Mr Yarde to the PSC

and later as Chairman (ag,) was done in keeping with the Constitution of Guyana – the supreme authority -- in a letter to the Editor by Ms Dawn Gardener on May 29,

2017. Mr John needs to realise that the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is sacrosanct and leaves no room for personal fetish as Mr John seems to want. Mr Editor,

Mr John’s conduct exposes who is schizophrenic. This unmerited, unethical and unprofessional behaviour seems to occur at any time that Mr John feels he has the opportunity to deni-

grate Mr Yarde. This behaviour must be exposed and condemned by an informed public.

Regards MORTIMER LIVAN

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

AFC reposes full confidence in Ramjattan

-- youth arm calls for review of laws relating to marijuana possession SEVERAL public security hiccups over the last month have not diminished the level of confidence the Alliance For Change (AFC) has in its Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, who serves as public security minister.

According to the party in a release on Sunday, their support for Ramjattan was reaffirmed through a motion which was unanimously approved at the AFC’s third

National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Saturday.

“A motion was unanimously approved that the party reposes its full and complete confidence in its Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan as minister of public security,” the release from the party said.

On July 9, the country witnessed the most destructive fire at the Georgetown

Prison, which also resulted in several prisoners escaping.

While most of them have been recaptured, three of the escapees are still on the run.

Subsequently, on July 24, 13 prisoners who were being held at a holding facility at Lusignan – due to the July 9 fire – escaped. Eleven were recaptured, one was killed and one remains at large.

The AFC said it was noted at the meeting that despite

the challenges, public order has been maintained and that the recapture of most of the escaped prisoners was done in a relatively short period of time and largely without incident.

The party said the motion specifically took into consideration, the decades-long historical and systemic difficulties relating to the public security sector.

Meanwhile, at that fo-

quantities of marijuana, an overhaul of existing guidelines for sentencing, and the granting of bail for narcotic offences.

After the youth arm had presented its case, the committee agreed that modification of the existing laws, will among other benefits, lend to reduction of the overcrowded prison population.

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

rum, Youths For Change (YFC) – the party’s youth arm – made “robust and vigorous” representation to the committee and the party’s leadership for review of the laws relating to marijuana possession.

The AFC noted that this case was presented by YFC President, Cynthia Rutherford, who pressed the party’s leadership to lobby for reform of the laws on this matter. Rutherford is a budding attorney.

Members of the AFC National Executive Committee (NEC)

AFFECTS YOUTH Discussions, according to the party, highlighted the magnitude of this issue which particularly affects youth.

“During extensive discussions, it was noted that the current laws result in many young people -- particularly young men and numerous mothers of young children -- being imprisoned for possession of small quantities of marijuana, at maximum detention facilities alongside hardened criminals.”

The incarceration of mothers and youths in Guyana for small quantities of marijuana has been a bitter issue for many. Almost on a daily basis, social media sites are littered with comments criticising authorities for not striking down the law which criminalises marijuana possession.

Jamaica is the only country in the Caribbean which has decriminalised the use of small quantities of marijuana.

This issue has been championed for a number of years by party veteran, community activist, executive member and Member of Parliament (MP) Michael Carrington. Carrington some time ago tabled a bill in the National Assembly, calling for the removal of the mandatory sentencing which prevents magistrates from using their discretion.

The party stated that YFC specifically urged changes to the law as it relates to mandatory imprisonment for possession of small

UNANIMOUS REAFFIRMATION The AFC also reported that the committee unanimously reaffirmed that it is still against the parking meter contract in its current form and until otherwise advised, the party will remain in “vehement disagreement” with the contract.

Party Leader Raphael Trotman detailed the countrywide outreaches executed by the party over the past three months, along with one major outreach to the New York Chapter of the party.

He urged the committee members, particularly parliamentarians, to utilise the period of parliamentary recess to conduct more outreaches on the coastland and in hinterland communities to strengthen and expand the party’s membership.

Political advisor and elder statesman of the party, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, presented an extensive report to the NEC on three major advances on governance matters at the national level.

Those include constitutional reform, a code of conduct for public officials, and passing of the Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2017.

The prime minister highlighted that these successes formed collective evidence that the AFC was keeping its covenant with, and promise to, the people, to advance these fundamental matters in the interest of all Guyanese.

In addition, the party noted that a comprehensive report was presented on the Cummingsburg Accord – the agreement signed between AFC and APNU for shared governance -- and the NEC reaffirmed the united strength of the coalition Government. Building on that, the AFC said that committee urged implementation of inter-coalition mechanisms for regular and routine dialogue amongst parties.

Also underscored at the meeting by Chairman Ramjattan, Vice-Chairperson Cathy Hughes and General-Secretary Marlon Williams, was the “significant successes” made by the party in 2017. The three executive members urged the committee members to continue the work at the grassroots level.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 7, 2017

Burnham fought inequality, poverty and illiteracy

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-- says President Granger in tribute to late President PRESIDENT David Granger on Sunday paid tribute to Guyana’s first Executive President and founder of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of his death.

The wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Mausoleum at the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens, where the former President was laid to rest.

President Granger in his remarks said the late Forbes Burnham, OE, SC, will always be remembered with reverence for his fight against inequality, poverty, illiteracy and other social ills, which affected the lives of the ordinary Guyanese.

“We recall Forbes Burnham’s courageous campaign to transform the backward colony of British Guiana when he entered office on 14th December 1964 up to his death on 6th August 1985.

Forbes Burnham described his mission as “... a struggle… against poverty, ignorance, unemployment, hunger and exploitation….”

He launched a process of national transformation to eliminate the inequalities associated with economic, geographic and demographic disparities.

Forbes Burnham’s policy of national transformation was based, in part, on providing easier access to public education,” the President said.

He noted that the institutions which were established by the late President still sustain social change and the evidence of his monumental achievements is visible everywhere, particularly in the University of Guyana at Turkeyen, the Cyril Potter College of Education, the Cooperative Training College at Kuru Kuru, the Technical Institute at New Amsterdam in East Berbice-Corentyne, the first hinterland secondary school at St Ignatius, in the Rupununi, the extension of free education as an en-

titlement and the Teaching Service Commission and production of local textbooks, among others.

“Forbes Burnham will always be remembered with reverence. We renew, on this solemn commemoration of his death, our collective commitment to continue his campaign ‘…against poverty, ignorance, unemployment, hunger and exploitation…’”

President Granger said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Basil Williams, who also serves as Chairman of the PNC, in his brief remarks

said the late prime minister and first Executive President of Guyana was a giant of history, who transformed not just a nation, but also the Caribbean.

“Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was a consummate statesman and a freedom fighter whose keen commitment to the development of Guyana and its people is undeniable. Burnham played a significant role in shaping the political, social and economic landscape of Guyana. It was under his leadership that Guyana attained political In-

Attorney General Basil Williams, paying his tribute to the late President

dependence and Republican status. It was also under his leadership that many of the transformative infrastructural developments of Guyana materialised. Under Burnham, Guyana’s status in international and regional affairs was elevated and respected,” Minister Williams said.

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham served as Prime Minister of Guyana from 1964 and as President from 1980 until the time of his death in 1985 at age 62. He was a lawyer, a politician, a fierce freedom fighter and a father of six children.

The event was attended

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, other Ministers of the Government, members of the diplomatic corps as well as representatives from the 10 administrative regions.

President David Granger lays a wreath at the Mausoleum where the late President was laid to rest

A portrait of late President Forbes Burnham

A section of the attendees at the commemorative service

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Inside the mind of a victim I WANT to break away, or break out and be free, free to live a normal life, but part of me keeps saying it’s impossible I am too deeply entrenched in this type of existence. What would I do without it, who will I be? I have been sexually abused consistently and I’ve grown and developed with this being part of my life now.

It’s the life I have come to accept.

This lifestyle had taught me how to think, how to act, what to say, and above all, it had taught me how to mask my true feelings, to smile and make it look genuine,

to behave in a manner that people would expect from a young girl. But deep inside it feels like my inner most soul is struggling for recognition it is fighting to be free: A soul that had been supressed and denied. It needs to be free but I am afraid. I am afraid of what being free might mean. I’d be raising the lid on a secret that my family are unaware of. I would be exposing myself and the perpetrator to enquiries and investigations, speculation and judgement. It sounds like my worst nightmare and at the end of the day it will all boil down to my word against his.

Adults always take sides and make children out to be liars, our words bear no weight. My family might even blame me and say I like to play ‘big woman’ and I got what I deserved. I could see Aunt Chrissie saying something like that, that’s exactly how she thinks. I couldn’t bear going through all that.

I feel worthless and dirty already; I couldn’t stand to feel scorn from my loved ones or bear their looks of distaste and contempt.

It hurts inside not to have the ability to lead a normal life. I look at other young girls and I want to feel free

like them, to laugh, run, dance and sing from my heart. But I have this big secret in my head holding me down like a burden. It takes away from my freedom to enjoy everything because it’s in my brain and it always will be, it is part of my existence.

The part that I do not want, the part that was forced upon me, the part that haunts me and defines what I am, who I am and all I am likely to be.

Well, no one knows the truth apart from me and him and for all concerned I will keep it that way. It is best to have a peaceful life so I will keep pretending that it

never happened I am good at pretending and I will keep hoping that it won’t happen again. I won’t let it happen again, I will be sure to stay out of his way and never be alone with him and if he tries anything next time I will fight and scream and call for help and…and he’ll shut me up like he did before the way he does so well.

There must be a way out.

I couldn’t have this strong feeling inside of me longing to be free telling me there is a way out of this if there isn’t. I just need to find the key.

The Childcare and Protection Agency have trained

counsellors among their staff who listen and work with clients to help them through various situations that have occurred in their lives. With child sexual abuse cases, eventually a victim can begin to rebuild their life without the (self) stigma or lack of self-confidence which is often attached to abuse cases.

If you know of a child who may be abused or neglected in anyway call the Childcare and Protection Agency Hotline on 227 0979.

A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection

$11.5B expended in agriculture sector

OF the $20.6B allocated to the Agriculture Sector in the 2017 Budget, $11.5B has been expended so far for the year.

This was highlighted in the Ministry of Finance 2017 mid-year report, which was tabled in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday.

According to the report, the total budgetary allocation was for agricultural expansion, diversification, and improved drainage and irrigation. Of the $11.5B which was expended in the first half of the year, $1.2B relates to capital investments.

These interventions, the report stated, largely focussed on promoting government’s agenda to enhance agricultural development in the Intermediate and Rupununi savannahs.

During this year, requests for proposals were issued for the construction of agricultural stations in Regions Nine and 10, while the construction and rehabilitation of agriculture centres in those regions are planned for the latter half of the year.

The expansion of farms has also commenced at Hosororo and Ebini, where the cultivation of spices and orchard crops increased.

In addition, demonstra-

The tomato-drying facility at Paramakatoi, Region Eight

tion farms were operationalised at St. Ignatius, Kato, and Hosororo, while a turmeric factory, capable of producing one tonne every 24 hours, was also constructed at Hosororo.

The report pointed out too that additional efforts resulted in the establishment of a factory to produce sun-dried

tomatoes in Paramakatoi.

This factor has the capacity to produce 70 tonnes of sundried tomatoes per year.

It was highlighted too that ongoing diversification efforts reached the wider agriculture sector, with the fisheries sub-sector showing signs of growth.

For the first half of 2017,

aquaculture production increased by 12.2 per cent when compared with a similar period in 2016. The overall increase in marine production between these periods stands at 9.7 per cent.

Interesting to note, is that the private sector interest in tuna resulted in a catch for the first half of this year of

over 390,000 pounds.

Meanwhile, it was underscored that flood risk management continues to be a priority for government in order to maintain a resilient agriculture sector, which is able to withstand the effects of climate change.

Guyana made a commitment to the United Na-

tions (UN) to work towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Goal 13 requests of countries to “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”.

To this end, the Ministry noted that efforts will continue to be made to improve drainage and irrigation systems countrywide with over $2.1 billion expended in the first half of the year on the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of those systems and structures.

In addition to these initiatives, another US$4M was committed for the procurement and installation of fixed and mobile pumps. Nine fixed pumps and five mobile pumps are to be procured.

The nine fixed pumps are to be placed in the coastal regions, while the five mobile ones will be deployed, as needed, within Georgetown.

Procurement of these pumps will commence in the second half of this year.

And in an effort to further improve the management of drainage and irrigation systems, Government has completed mapping 10 per cent of those systems maintained by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 7, 2017

City Hall says Astor demolition unlawful

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has served a notice to The Discount Store on Regent Street to cease demolition of the Astor Cinema, contending that no permission was requested nor granted by City Engineer Colvern Venture.

According to information received by the Guyana Chronicle, the new owners of the cinema land were to apply for permission to start such work 14 days in advance.

This requirement is necessary as it would allow the city engineer to erect barricades, and put in place other arrangements, that would serve to protect those in the vicinity, and who may happen to be passing by.

Owner of Discount, Rizwan Khan, however, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that he had already submitted an application to City Hall’s building inspector and pondered whether Venture had knowledge of this.

He claimed that he has never instructed anyone to demolish the building and those doing

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has served a notice to The Discount Store on Regent Street to cease demolition of the Astor Cinema

so are out to destroy and loot the property.

Meanwhile, the Church Street landscape, which featured the Astor Cinema for many decades, is expected to change considerably with the removal of the cinema.

Manager of the Discount Store and daughter

of Khan, Fariah Khan, had confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that they are the new owners of the cinema land.

Located at Lot 189 Church and Waterloo Streets, Astor was the last cinema in the city to close its doors, which it did in early 2013, after more than 70 years

of being in the movie business.

Khan said the new owners do not know for sure if they will be erecting another ‘Discount’ store at this location.

“It is undecided at the moment what we will do with the land,” she offered.

After demolition work started, she said they had invited the public, including per sons from churches and masjids, among others, to visit the location and take, for free, whatever they wanted.

“Sometimes it’s good to give back to charity,” she said.

The news of the cinema’s closing was announced via a ‘For Sale or Rent’ sign on the building in April 2013.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 7, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Vending on Bourda Market pavement from September

By Telesha Ramnarine BEGINNING September and likely continuing through the ‘Christmas Season’, some Bourda Street vendors will be allowed to sell on Regent Street, on the pavement just in front of Bourda Market.

This temporary arrangement will be facilitated by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), which is seeking to construct stalls, the likes of those outside of the Guyana Post Office (GPOC) at Bour-

da Street.

According to reports received, the Bourda Street vendors between Regent and Robb Streets will be allowed to sell on the pavement in front of the market during the first phase of the project.

The rest of the vendors, between Robb Street and North Road, will be accommodated on the pavement during the second phase, after the first set of vendors would have returned to their original spots on Bourda Street.

According to M&CC’s

Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, temporary stalls on the pavement will be constructed after consultation with the traffic department.

The Ministry of Infrastructure stands ready to offer assistance, she said.

The new stalls on Bourda Street will be constructed by the M&CC in collaboration with a private partner, Lewis disclosed, and hence the stalls will be owned by the City Council.

Vendors will now have to pay an increased rent and The M&CC met with the Bourda Street vendors recently to update them on the new plans

will also have to secure their electricity.

Meanwhile, the M&CC wants to erect stalls on Bourda Street that are the size and pattern of those outside the GPOC. The vendors there were displaced approximately two years ago when the M&CC decided that no vending could take place there because of the dangers posed by the old Bedford School building.

Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen recently said the government is ready to lend a helping hand to the project, but the M&CC is holding back the works.

She noted too, that since the Council has been waiting on the Engineer’s Department to come up with a pattern for the stalls for quite some time now, the M&CC should move forward with this idea that she is proposing.

Town Clerk, Royston King, responded that City Engineer, Colvern Venture, did submit the drawings but the committee dealing with the matter is looking at other options.

King said he can have those who are still plying their business at Bourda Street to remove in three days, but the mayor declined his offer after calling for proper consultations on the matter.

Back in July 2015, King and senior M&CC officials met with some 20 vendors who plied their trade on Bourda Street. The purpose of that meeting was to inform the vendors that they will no longer be allowed to do business there because the Council was ready to go ahead with plans to demolish the said building The news was not welcomed by the vendors, but King explained that the situation was no longer tenable as

the derelict building posed a threat to their very existence as well as passers-by.

“The Bedford building has been in a state of disrepair for a number of years.

The Council had issued a call for persons who have derelict structures to remove them, since they serve as a haven for criminal elements and persons of unsound mind.

Also, these structures are an eyesore and pose a threat to the lives of the passers-by and occupiers of neighbouring buildings,” King had said.

“We cannot allow you to operate in an environment that will compromise your safety and health,” he said, adding that while the Council is cognisant of the socio-economic factors affecting citizens, vendors need to cooperate with the administration so that the relocation process can be a smooth one.

Two arrested for cannabis find in Berbice

TWO persons have been arrested after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) uncovered 11 kilograms of

dried cannabis in a Number 51 Village, Corentyne, Berbice yard on Sunday.

The two persons were

a rrested in a fenced yard and are being processed for court.

Some of the cannabis wrapped in clear plastic

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday August 7, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Bowie’s perfect dip snatches 100m gold from Ta Lou By: Brian Homewood LONDON (Reuters) America’s Tori Bowie delivered a finish line masterclass when she timed her dip perfectly to win the women’s 100 metres world championship gold in spectacular style on Sunday, leaving Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou with a consolation silver.

The momentum of 26-year-old Bowie’ exemplary dip sent her sprawling onto the track but by the time she recovered enough to look at the big screen she saw that she had won by one-hundredth of a second and denied Ta

Lou the chance to claim Ivory Coast’s first world title in any event.

Olympic champion and race favourite, Elaine Thompson, never got going and finished fifth, as Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers took bronze.

Ta Lou appeared to have the race sewn up but fatally failed to throw herself at the line and there were moments of suspense before the result appeared on the stadium scoreboard.

The 26-year-old Bowie, who finished in 10.85 seconds, went one better than her silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro last year

while Ta Lou was left to ponder another desperately unlucky finish.

“I never give up until I’m over the line,” Bowie said. “Ta Lou went away fast but she always does. It didn’t bother me and I just kept pumping my legs and arms until the finish.

“The dive doesn’t feel too good now. But that has saved me at championships in the past. I’ve got a couple of days to recover before the 200 heats so I’ll be okay.”

Ta Lou was also unlucky not to walk away with a bronze medal in Rio after being denied a place on the podium by the rarely-resorted to thousandths

measurement.

“I am just happy to have this medal; it is a dream come true,” she said. “I didn’t expect to be in the top three because all the girls have the power and the talent to make the podium.”

T h o m p s o n ’s s h o c k defeat came after Usain Bolt finished third in the men’s 100 metres on Saturday; making it the first time since the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki that Jamaica failed to win either 100 metres race.

It was also the first sprint double for the U.S. since Helsinki when Gatlin and Lauryn Williams

were the champions.

Thompson, who had looked in fine form in the heats and won on the same track in trainers to protect an injury in a Diamond League meeting one month ago, was at a loss to explain her defeat.

“I don’t know what happened. I just wanted to get a good start but they race well,” she said.

“I’ll have to watch the video back because I don’t know what went wrong.

“I have to give those three girls a lot of credit, so big congratulations to them. I didn’t execute my race which is a shame, but I’m healthy.”

GHB and Buddy’s Gym partner ahead of Pan American championships By: Stephan Sookram THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has joined forces with Buddy’s Gym, located on Sheriff Street to allow the Guyana team unbridled access to the

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gym facilities ahead of the Pan American Indoor Championships.

During a brief ceremony on Saturday at the Gym, President Philip Fernandes collected membership cards from the representative of Irish Racing Tips Cork 09:05 hrs Brutal 09:35 hrs Delayed Eloquence 10:05 hrs Silent Sun 10:35 hrs Coquin Mans 11:05 hrs Slievenamon 11:35 hrs Pass The Ball 12:05 hrs An’Ball Curragh 09:25 hrs Nelson 09:55 hrs Kailee 10:25 hrs Fleet Review 10:55 hrs Conversely 11;25 hrs Steelriver 11:55 hrs Enter The Red 12:25 hrs Bainne American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Caniform Race 2 Daddyisdooley Race 3 Achnaha Race 4 Javelin Race 5 Castaway Race 6 Collective Effort Race 7 Annie Rocks Race 8 Bluegrass Jamboree Race 9 Dream Paassage

the Gym for both the male and female teams to utilize the venue for the next six months.

Speaking to the media, Fernandes said,” I think this is a very important occurrence for the Guyana National Hockey team. In the past, we have tried our best to prepare teams with the limited resources that we’ve had and we’ve had our challenges.

“Preparing a top hockey team requires a lot of different aspects, not just technical and tactical training but also psychological competence and also speed, endurance training, strength, all these different things.”

He noted that this time around, the partnership means that the teams will now take their endurance levels to greater levels than they have in the past, adding the GHB sees the sponsorship as an important one in forging

champion teams.

The teams have no easy task as they face several first world teams including the United States, Canada and Uruguay. Fernandes is aware of this but also underscored the importance of having a high quality facility to train at.

Meanwhile, coach of the team, Dwayne Scott stated, “There’s a lot that goes into this. The contribution itself we cannot be anymore grateful for it and it will definitely help us to prepare mentally and physically for this tournament.”

Guyana will come face to face with the best in the Western Hemisphere when they host the Pan American Indoor championships in October of this year. Apart from the US and Canada, Mexico, Barbados, Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago are in the Mens draw. Uruguay will send a female team.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Jadeja bowls India to series-clinching victory COLOMBO (Reuters) Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja broke the back of Sri Lanka’s resistance after lunch to secure India’s series-clinching victory by an innings and 53 runs in the second Test on Sunday.

The all-rounder claimed his ninth five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka, forced to follow on after being shot out for 183 in the first innings, made 386 in the second before collapsing minutes before the tea break on the penultimate day.

It was a first victory by an innings or more for India in Sri Lanka and, following their biggest victory by runs in Galle last week, ensured an eighth straight series triumph under Virat Kohli.

“We said this morning that even if we don’t get

wickets early on, we are going to enjoy the tough times because they really improve you as a side and you need those tough times to improve as cricketers,” the India captain said.

“We were very happy that we went through that difficult phase as well, for you never want to get complacent as a side.”

Kohli will fancy equalling Australia’s modern era record of nine consecutive Test series wins when India host Sri Lanka for three matches later this year.

Sri Lanka will take a modicom of confidence into that series from a second innings resurgence that was built around the 191run stand between Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal

Ravindra Jadeja struck three times in three overs after lunch as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 386

Mendis, who fell for 110 on Saturday.

Lefthander Karunaratne’s gallant 141 merely delayed the inevitable on Sunday,

though, as Jadeja (5-152) and spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin (2-132) tormented Sri Lanka on a worn-out track where the ball spun alarmingly and often kicked off.

Sri Lanka had resumed the fourth day on 209-2 at the Sinhalese Sports Cricket Ground with Karunaratne continuing his grim battle with the Indian bowlers.

Nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara threw away his wicket, attempting a bizarre reverse slog against Jadeja who dismissed Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal for two in his next over.

Karunaratne and former captain Angelo Mathews resisted India for a while during a 69-run stand but Jadeja returned to wreck Sri Lanka after the lunch break.

Karunaratne’s defiant knock, which included 16 boundaries, came to a cruel end when he was presented with an unplayable delivery that reared up, hit his gloves and ballooned into the air for Ajinkya Rahane to catch behind the wicketkeeper.

Mathews followed next, edging Jadeja to perish

caught behind for 36 and Hardik Pandya claimed a couple of late wickets to hasten Sri Lanka’s collapse.

“We were outplayed in the first innings both with bat and ball,” Chandimal said after his team lost a test inside four days for the second time in the series.

“Credit goes to them, they batted brilliantly in the first innings and put us under huge pressure.

I’m really happy the way guys played in the second innings.”

Jadeja, who smashed 70 not out and claimed

seven wickets from the test, was adjudged man-of-thematch.

Rahane was the bright exception in India’s otherwise poor catching display, grabbing four in Sri Lanka’s second innings alone.

Wriddhiman Saha also shone behind the stumps, taking a couple of spectacular catches, effecting a stumping and conceding only four byes on a pitch where the ball frequently misbehaved.

Pallekele hosts the dead rubber third and final Test from Saturday.

SCORECARD

INDIA 1st innings 622 for 9 decl (C. Pujara 133, A. Rahane 132, R. Jadeja 70no, W. Saha 67, L. Rahul 57, R. Ashwin 54; R. Herath 4-154) Sri Lanka 1st innings 183 (N. Dickwella 51; R. Ashwin 5-69) Sri Lanka 2nd innings (Overnight: 209-2) Dimuth Karunaratne c Rahane b Jadeja 141 Upul Tharanga b U. Yadav 2 Kusal Mendis c Saha b H. Pandya 110 Malinda Pushpakumara b R. Ashwin 16 Dinesh Chandimal c Rahane b Jadeja 2 Angelo Mathewsc Saha b Jadeja 36 Niroshan Dickwella c

Rahane b H. Pandya 31 Dilruwan Pererast Saha b Jadeja 4 Dhananjaya de Silva c Rahane b Jadeja 17 Rangana Herath not out 17 Nuwan Pradeep c S. Dhawan b R. Ashwin 1 Extras: (lb-5 nb-2 w-2) 9 Total: (all out, 116.5 overs) 386 Fall of wickets: 1-7 U. Tharanga,2-198 K. Mendis,3-238 M. Pushpakumara,4-241 D. Chandimal,5-310 D. Karunaratne,6-315 A. Mathews,7-321 D. Perera,8-343 D. de Silva,9-384 N. Dickwella,10-386 N. Pradeep Bowling: U. Yadav 13 - 2 - 39 – 1,R. Ashwin 37.5 - 7 - 132 – 2, M. Shami 12 - 3 - 27 – 0,R. Jadeja 39 - 5 - 152 - 5 H. Pandya 15 - 2 - 31 - 2(nb-2 w-2).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Moeen Ali’s unbeaten 67 takes game away from Proteas MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Moeen Ali’s sparkling strokeplay in his undefeated 67 put England in total control of the fourth Test with a lead of 360 over South Africa at Old Trafford.

England ended a third day curtailed by early evening rain on 224-8 and, with two full days remaining, will be confident of wrapping up a 3-1 series win.

Although the comfort of their first-innings lead meant there would have been few nerves in the England dressing room, the hosts were struggling at 134-6 when Moeen walked to the crease.

Jonny Bairstow, whose first-innings 99 had been key to England’s lead, soon departed for 10, leaving Moeen with only the lower order for support.

England had struggled against the spin of Keshav Maharaj who was making the most of the rough outside off-stump to the left-handed batsmen.

But Moeen took the game

to the left-arm spinner, putting on a 58-run partnership with Toby Roland-Jones and eliminating the concern over the rough with positive footwork.

He was fortunate to be dropped on 15 by Dean Elgar at slip off Maharaj but, with that let-off behind him, went on to bring up a fifty with a towering six that was caught on the players’ balcony by a beaming Bairstow.

Three times Moeen hit Maharaj for six and his confidence, shot selection and execution raised the question of why he is batting down at number eight.

“I think it was my best (innings for England) in terms of trying to take momentum and putting pressure back on them,” Moeen said.

“I had a few hacks early on that I got away with but I felt the situation of the game needed a little impetus, a few shots. Sometimes you can be a sitting duck and I just felt today I didn’t want to do that,” he added.

After Roland-Jones departed, top-edging as he tried

Kirui wins world marathon title after duel with Tola

Kenya’s Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui celebrates.

KENYA’s Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui prevailed in a compelling east African duel with Ethiopian Tamirat Tola on the streets of London to win the men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday.

Kirui, victor at the Boston Marathon in April, finally broke Tola, the fastest man in the field, with five miles (8.05 km) of the 26.2mile course left after they had gone head-to-head over the second half of the race.

At the 19-mile mark, Tola, the fastest man in the field, had made his decisive effort and sped away from the 24-year-old Kenyan but within two miles Kirui had

hauled back the lead before surging away immediately and emphatically.

Kenya’s fifth men’s world champion at the distance eventually crossed the line at Tower Bridge in 2 hours 8 minutes 27 seconds, finishing one minute and 22 seconds ahead of Tola (2:09:49).

The fading Ethiopian just held on for silver by two seconds from the fast-finishing Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu.

Britain’s Callum Hawkins created the biggest cheers from the big crowds lining the streets when he came home in a remarkable fourth place in 2:10:17 amid familiar African domination. (Eurosport)

to pull Rabada, Broad joined Moeen and the pair will resume on Monday after rain

Moeen Ali counterattacked after tea as England’s lead quickly grew.

cut play short in the final hour.

South Africa’s first-innings batting had left them with an extremely difficult task but their bowlers were not intent on ending the series without a fight.

Paceman Morne Morkel

got the early breakthroughs, striking twice before lunch.

Alastair Cook went in the seventh over, attempting a cover drive, but his thick edge flew to Theunis de Bruyn, who comfortably pocketed the catch at gully.

Tom Westley went in similar fashion, edging to substitute fielder Aiden Markram, who held on at a gully to leave England on 30-2. After lunch, England opener Keaton Jennings, who has struggled throughout the series and was badly in need of a good score, departed for 18, making a mess of a short delivery from Rabada to give Hashim Amla a simple catch at first slip.

England skipper Joe Root looked composed and confident again but fell one run short of his half-century after dragging on a low delivery from Duanne Olivier.

Olivier had his tail up, causing problems with his clever right-arm medium-fast deliveries and, after troubling Stokes outside the off-stump on several occasions, got his reward when the England

batsman edged to skipper Faf du Plessis at first slip.

Broad had earlier claimed the final wicket of South Africa’s first innings.

Olivier’s attempted pull

by her team officials.

This, though, was the sort of scene that the IAAF want to see ended. Earlier this year, they froze new transfers of allegiance to stop oil-rich countries luring talented athletes from poor countries with offers of school and financial rewards.

my life and, hopefully, there are more to come.”

This was only Chelimo’s fourth marathon. Having won on her debut in Seoul, she finished eighth at the Rio Olympics before her runner-up spot behind Kiplagat in Boston in April.

C h e l i m o ’s v i c t o r y stopped Kenya celebrating

ended in a top-edge which was safely gathered by keeper Bairstow. James Anderson ended with his best figures in a Test on his home ground of 4-38 in 17 overs.

SCORECARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 362 (J. Bairstow 99, B. Stokes 58, J. Root 52; K. Rabada 4-91) South Africa 1st innings (Overnight: 220-9) D. Elgar lbw b Anderson 0 H. Kuhn c Stokes b Ali 24 H. Amla c Bairstow b Roland-Jones 30 T. Bavuma b Anderson 46 F. du Plessis b Anderson 27 Q. de Kock c Bairstow b Broad 24 T. de Bruyn c Root b Anderson 11 K. Maharaj lbw b Ali 13 K. Rabada c Stokes b Broad 23 M. Morkel not out 20 D. Olivier c Bairstow b Broad 4 Extras: (b-3 nb-1) 4 Total: (all out, 72.1 overs) 226 Fall of wickets: 1-2 D. Elgar,2-47 H. Amla,3-84 H. Kuhn,4-131 T. Bavuma,5-132 F. du Plessis,6-146 T. de Bruyn,7-167 K. Maharaj,8-189 Q. de Kock,9-220 K. Rabada,10-226 D. Olivier Bowling: J. Anderson 17 - 5 38 – 4, S. Broad 16.1 - 4 - 46 – 3, T. Roland-Jones 11 - 3 - 41 – 1, M. Ali 21 - 5 - 57 – 2,

B. Stokes 6 - 0 - 34 - 0(nb-1),D. Malan 1 - 0 - 7 - 0 ENGLAND 2nd innings A. Cook c de Bruyn b M. Morkel 10 K. Jennings c Amla b Rabada 18 T. Westley c sub b M. Morkel 9 J. Root b Olivier 49 D. Malan c de Bruyn b Maharaj 6 B. Stokes c du Plessis b Olivier 23 J. Bairstow c Rabada b Olivier 10 M. Ali not out 67 T. Roland-Jones c Maharaj b Rabada 11 S. Broad not out 0 Extras: (b-9 lb-9 nb-1 w-2) 21 Total: (for 8 wickets, 66.2 overs) 224 Fall of wickets: 1-16 A. Cook,230 T. Westley,3-55 K. Jennings,4-72 D. Malan,5-129 J. Root,6-134 B. Stokes,7-153 J. Bairstow,8-211 T. Roland-Jones To bat: J. Anderson Bowling: M. Morkel 12 - 2 - 39 - 2(nb-1),K. Rabada 15.2 - 4 37 - 2(w-2), K. Maharaj 27 - 5 - 92 – 1,D. Olivier 12 - 5 - 38 – 3.

Bahrain’s Chelimo wins women’s marathon gold LONDON (Reuters) - Rose Chelimo, a Bahraini who switched allegiance from her Kenyan homeland, sprinted away from her former compatriot Edna Kiplagat to win the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships after a tactical battle and exciting finish on Sunday.

Chelimo, who had looked beaten, fought back over the last few hundred metres approaching the Tower Bridge finish after Kiplagat struck for home too soon with two kilometres left.

Forging away to victory, the 28-year-old, who acquired Bahraini citizenship two years ago and was cleared by the IAAF last year to run for her adopted country, denied Kiplagat what would have been an unprecedented third world marathon gold.

Chelimo finished strongly in 2 hours 27 minutes 11 seconds, seven seconds clear of Kiplagat.

American Amy Cragg made a tremendous final burst to overhaul another Kenyan Flomena Daniel, who had looked set for the bronze medal.

Cragg also closed in swiftly on the tiring 37-year-old Kiplagat but had to settle for third place in the same time of 2:27:18.

Chelimo had enough energy to wave to the crowd as she approached the line and took the Bahraini flag offered

Rose Chelimo of Bahrain poses with gold medal.

Chelimo was one of those athletes, who has achieved success particularly in half-marathons since switching allegiance, and she was effusive in her praise of Bahrain.

“My life will change because I am a world champion for my country now. It is so special for Bahrain, the country is so happy for me to be the winner in 2017. They support me a lot,” Chelimo said.

“I am feeling good and am happy to be the winner.

This is one of the best days in

a marathon double alongside men’s champion Geoffrey Kipkorir Kirui on the first occasion both races had been held on the same day.

Chelimo proved a worthy winner of a race that only came alive in the final few kilometres over a tricky, tight-cornered four-lap circuit of central London around some of the city’s most famous sights.

Watched by huge and enthusiastic crowds, British stalwart Aly Dixon, at the age of 38 and with no chance of winning, was the unlikely

home star he opened up a 32-second lead by the half-way point as she gestured cheerily to the crowd to give her more support.

The real race, though, had not even started. A pack of 14 were still only edging up the pace gradually, allowing Dixon, who eventually finished 18th, to lead until the 18th mile.

Even when caught, she managed to hold on to the main contenders until the two-hour mark as they held off making the first move.

American Cragg eventually broke but, when the field splintered, Chelimo pushed for home only for the more rangy Kiplagat to storm past her.

She had, though, made her move too early with a deceptive uphill stretch towards the finish.

“I think that last 2km was the most difficult. All the way I worked so hard, but the last 3km was too long for me.

I think I was too tired after the previous sprints (to try to break Chelimo),” Kiplagat said.

Of her distinguished rival, Chelimo said: “Edna is strong. At 35km I pushed, after some time Edna came and I said to myself ‘let her go’. I already accepted to be second.

“But then I caught her, I was encouraged and thought ‘maybe I can try’ and I succeeded.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Pollard’s special not enough to save Barbados Tridents

A SENSATIONAL lone-hand from Kieron Pollard was not quite enough to take Barbados Tridents home in a thrilling match in Lauderhill. Chasing an improbable 155 to win on a slow pitch, the Tridents slid to 54 for 5, requiring a further 101 off 48 balls when Pollard played one of the great Hero CPL innings.

Pollard’s 62 off just 33 balls single-handedly took the Tridents to the brink of victory but a lack of support from his teammates meant that when he was dismissed off the last ball of the 19th over, the Tridents hopes of victory went with him.

After a cautious start, Pollard’s power took the slow pitch out of the equation and he muscled six sixes and two fours in an astonishing assault. He was aided by some wayward bowling from the Tallawahs but the enormity of the task at hand demanded more than just poor bowling.

Every time the match seemed to be slipping away from the Tridents, Pollard responded with muscular power, heaving boundaries over the leg side and clubbing them down the ground. When he took 18 off the 18th over, bowled by Shakib, reducing

the equation to 25 off 12 balls, the match finally seemed within the Tridents grasp.

However, a superb over of death bowling from Mohammad Sami, who finished with 4 for 12, stopped Pollard at the last hurdle. After conceding just five from the first five balls, Sami dismissed the key man as he attempted an audacious ramp shot off the last ball of the over.

the air by Kane Williamson at backward point.

Despite the loss of Sangakkara, the Tallawahs continued onwards unperturbed with Lendl Simmons using his feet to manufacture three boundaries. At the end of the Powerplay, the Tallawahs had scored 45 for 1.

Once the field dropped back, the Tridents reined the Tallwahs in with four tight overs of spin, costing just 20.

Andre McCarthy scored a half-century off 37 balls.

Until Pollard’s assault, the Tallawahs had been in control of the game for the majority of the match—a middle-order blip notwithstanding.

After winning the toss, the Tallawahs innings started brightly with Kumar Sangakkara hitting three sumptuous boundaries square on the off side before an attempted fourth was brilliantly plucked out of

The pressure of that period told in the 11th over when Wahab Riaz struck three times in four balls, dismissing Simmons caught at mid-wicket, Imad Wasim, trapped leg before wicket, and Rovman Powell, chopping onto his stumps. The over ended up as a triple-wicket maiden and threatened to derail the Tallawahs effort with nine overs to go.

The gutting of the Tallawahs middle order brought together Andre McCarthy, who was unbeaten on a run-a-ball 20 and Shakib Al Hasan. Their critical partnership of 81—dominated by McCarthy but culminating in a Shakib cameo—owed a fair bit to the poor fielding of the Tridents who dropped McCarthy twice.

The Tallawahs’ total of 154-5 was the highest of the season to date, and on a sluggish pitch the Tridents were faced with a tough task.

That task became significantly more difficult after a tight opening two overs ended with Imad bowling Williamson with a ball that turned past the outside edge to take the top of off stump. The Tallawahs maintained the pressure through the Powerplay and when Shoaib was run out in the fifth over, leaving the Tridents 23 for 2, the odds were firmly stacked against them.

Another run out—a direct hit from Sami—saw the back of Hosein and when in his following over Sami removed the struggling Dwayne Smith for 21 off 31, and Nicolas Pooran for a first ball duck, the match rested solely on the broad shoulders of Pollard. In the end, even his best was not enough.

Hope, Blackwood hit half-centuries CANTERBURY, England, (CMC) – Jermaine Blackwood continued to press his case for a return to the Test side with another half-century while Shai Hope was again among the runs, as West Indies rallied against Kent on the opening day of their three-day tour game here Sunday.

dra Bishoo, 23.

Fast bowler Charlie Hartley claimed four for 80 while left-arm seamer Adam Ball (2-27) and off-spinner Adam Riley (2-37) chipped in with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Kent lost Daniel Bell-Drummond without scoring in the first over, caught at the wicket off pacer Joseph,

Shai, who was among the runs against Essex last week, faced 121 deliveries and struck five fours while Kyle counted five fours in a 78-ball knock.

Kyle played on attempting pull a short one from Ball at 74 for three and with four runs added, lefthander Shimron Hetmyer was caught low down at the wicket in Ball’s next over, without scoring.

Shai then combined with the enterprising Blackwood to put on 70 for the fifth wicket and rally the innings for the tourists.

Blackwood, who gathered

a half-century against Essex, struck six boundaries off 92 balls but once again, failed to carry on.

The partnership was broken when Shai gloved one that bounced from Riley to Ball at slip and Blackwood added a further 30 with Shane Dowrich (15) before played back to a full length one from Hartley and falling lbw.

Three wickets tumbled for 23 runs to leave the Windies 201 for eight but Joseph anchored two successive 32-run stands with Bishoo and and Miguel Cummins (8 not out) to ensure the tail wagged.

SCORECARD

Jermaine Blackwood hit his second half-century of the tour.

Opting to bat first at Kent County Ground, the Windies fought back from a position of 78 for four to be bowled out for 265 in their first innings late in the day.

Hope top-scored with 57 while Blackwood scored exactly 50 and Kyle Hope, 36.

Tail-ender Alzarri Joseph chipped in with 31 and Deven-

to end the day on one for one.

The Windies had a dodgy start, losing Kraigg Brathwaite (8) and Kieran Powell (13) cheaply, both lbw to Hartley to leave the total on 36 for two.

Shai Hope then joined his older brother Kyle – who made 36 – in a 38-run, third wicket stand which stabilised the innings.

WEST INDIES 1st Innings *K Brathwaite lbw b Hartley 8 K Powell lbw b Hartley 13 K Hope b Ball 36 S Hope c Ball b Riley 57 S Hetmyer c wkp Rouse b Ball 0 J Blackwood lbw b Hartley 50 +S Dowrich run out 15 R Reifer c Hunn b Riley 13 D Bishoo c wkp Rouse b Gidman 23 A Joseph lbw b Hartley 31 M Cummins not out 8 Extras: (lb3, nb3, w5) 11 TOTAL: (all out, 83.4 overs) 265 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-36, 3-74, 4-78, 5-148, 6-178, 7-183, 8-201, 9-233, 10-265.

Bowling: Hunn 16-4-48-0, Hartley 17.4-4-804, Haggett 14-2-460, Ball 11-2-27-2, Riley 17-5-37-2, Gidman 8-2-24-1.

KENT 1st Innings D Bell-Drummond c wkp Dowrich b Joseph 0 S Dickson not out 1 Z Crawley not out 0 TOTAL: (1 wkt, 4 overs) 1 To bat: *S Billings, W Gidman, A Ball, +A Rouse, C Haggett, A Riley, C Hartley, M Hunn Fall of wicket: 1-0.

Bowling: Joseph 2-2-0-1, Cummins 1-0-1-0, Reifer 1-1-0-0.

T&T grab honours over Barbados; Guyana, Jamaica eye first innings

Guyana spinner Ashmead Nedd … grabbed a five-wicket haul against Windwards.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago bundled out archrivals Barbados cheaply to take command of their fourth round match in the Regional Under-19 Championship here Sunday.

Sent in at Molineaux on the opening day, T&T were dismissed in their first innings for 143 with Sachin Seecharan (53) and Navin Bidaisee (51) gathering half-centuries.

Off-spinner Dante Niles was the best bowler with four for 27 while fast bowler Jarion Hoyte claimed three for 25..

In reply, Barbados were sent tumbling for a paltry 77 to concede a first innings deficit of 66.

They were undermined by off-spinner Avinash Mahabirsingh who snatched five for 28 while Leonardo Francis (2-4) and left-arm spinner Justyn Gangoo (2-31) supported with two wickets apiece.

Not a single Barbados batsman managed to pass 20 with Marc Cyrus the top scorer with 14.

Trinidad had earlier been struggling on 35 for four but were rescued by Seecharan and Bidaisee who put on a crucial 78 for the fifth wicket.

At St Paul’s, Guyana were making a strong reply against Windward Islands, with Javid Karim closing in on a half-century.

Sent in, the Windwards were bowled out for 154

with in-form opener Kimani Melius hammering a top score of 77 and fellow opener Wayne Edward getting 21.

Melius struck six fours and two sixes off 160 balls as he posted 49 for the first wicket with Edward and 39 for the third wicket with captain Johnnel Eugene who made 18.

They were 115 for three at one stage but declined badly to lose their last seven wickets for 39 runs.

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd led the Guyana attack with five for 37.

Opener Karim then hit a patient unbeaten 44 to lift Guyana to 90 for one at the close – just 64 runs behind with nine wickets intact.

Karim put on 40 for the first wicket with Raymond Perez (19) and 50 in an unbroken stand with Kevelon Anderson who was unbeaten on 22.

At Conaree, Jamaica were also closing in on first innings lead against Leeward Islands following a steady batting performance.

In pursuit of 163, the Jamaicans were 114 for four, requiring a further 49 runs for first innings advantage.

Andre McCarty struck 42 and added 54 for the second wicket with Carlos Brown who made 24. Inform Raewin Senior was unbeaten on 25.

Sent in earlier, the Leewards were fired by opener Jamie Cornelius’s 40, Dimitri Adams’s 36 and Kadeem Henry’s 31.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday August 07, 2017) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Warriors & Tallawahs (2) Lendl Simmons-1029 runs Today’s Quiz: (1) How many games are scheduled for Hero CPL 2017?

(2) Who took most wickets in Hero CPL 2016? How many?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 7, 2017

Sport has the potential to drive economic development

… President Granger says as he declares open 20th Upper Mazaruni District Games PRESIDENT David Granger said that sport can be an important tool for social development as it bridges gaps and brings together people of all backgrounds.

It is for this reason, he said, that his Administration is working on the formulation of a National Sports Policy, which aims at utilising sport to harness the personal, social and economic development of our peoples and to become a guidebook for cooperation among regions and improving relations with external states.

The Head of State made these remarks yesterday in his address to residents of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), where he declared open the 20th Annual Upper Mazaruni District Games, which is being held at the Kamarang Sports Ground.

“These games are pointing Guyana in the right direction.

These games are an excellent example of what I believe in…

Sport can be a tool for economic development.

It can create employment, stimulate business and attract tourists… That policy will help to ensure that the people of not only the Upper Mazaruni, but of all of Guyana could bring their talents to bear to improve their lives and to improve the quality of life of the whole country.

We want to see in this National Sports Policy, every region doing what the Upper Mazaruni is doing here,” he said.

These sentiments were

shared by Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Ms. Dawn Hastings-Williams, who said that these games have the capacity to propel tourism development in the Upper Mazaruni. She explained that if the organisers continue to expand the games by attracting athletes from more communities and if village leaders could

barriers of class, race and religion and foster social cohesion and community cooperation… Sport can be a tool for economic development.

It can create employment, stimulate business and attract tourists. A National Sports Policy will foster personal development and human health and promote psychological

The Golden Arrowhead and the flags of the various teams were hoisted on makeshift flagpoles during a flag raising ceremony before the commencement of the games​

work to put in place the necessary amenities such as proper accommodation, then the potential for tourism development would be vast.

President Granger assured that the Government stands ready to work with citizens to unlock their talents, skills and organisational abilities, which have ensured that these games are held year after year.

To this end, the Ministry of Education presented cheques to five communities valued at $500,000 each to maintain their respective sports grounds. The communities are Kaikan, Chinoweing, Phillipai, Kako and Waramadong.

“Sport can break down

and emotional well-being, and challenge athletes to surmount their limitations and teach the values of discipline, team work and leadership,” he said.

Additionally, the policy will ensure that more citizens are provided with the widest range of opportunities, support sports associations, clubs, organisations and schools by entrenching the development of community-based sporting competitions. In June, the Ministry of Education’s Department of Sport commenced a series of consultations with Sports Federation and Associations to garner feedback to inform the policy document.

Meanwhile, Minister of

Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry said that through sport, young people can benefit from very valuable qualities such as team spirit, discipline and healthy competition, all of which the Upper Mazaruni Games have been achieving over the years. “The Ministry and the Government of Guyana will continue to work

minds gainfully engaged.

Meanwhile, 19-year old Gerald Issacs from Waramadong Village said that he is confident that his 50-member contingent will shine at this year’s games. Last year, the team placed fourth. “Taking part in this type of competition benefits me a lot. It keeps me fit, clears my mind, takes

The expressions on the faces of these Upper Mazaruni sprinters show fierce competition as they approach the finish line

towards development of its young people through various forms, particularly through education, culture and sport,” she said.

President of the District Sports Council, Mr. Rudolph Wellington, recalled that President Granger’s attendance at this annual event dates back to when he was Opposition Leader.

He said that over the years, more games and events have been added to the weeklong event, such as swimming, athletics, archery, cricket and table tennis. Mr. Wellington is encouraging youths on the coast to form groups and clubs; noting that sports is a sure way of keeping young

me away from stress and depression and it keeps me happy,” he said.

McFarlane George, an athlete from Kamarang, said that his entire village is very proud to be hosting this prestigious sporting event. George said that he is in great shape right now, having just played in a nationwide Football Tournament held last week. He is urging all athletes to remain disciplined and committed in whatever game they choose to play.

Mr. Sandro Edmonds, who is a member of the Paruima Sports Club, said that he has a contingent of 64 athletes, who have all been undergoing vigorous training in the lead up to this event.

He also lauded the organisers of the event, which he said is a tremendous stepping stone for young people. However, he noted that his community would like to see more of their athletes representing Guyana at the national and international levels.

As part of the ‘Green Generation Guyana’ programme, Minister Hastings-Williams and President Granger also distributed a quantity of school bags and books to primary school students who attended the event.

This programme, which was launched by the Ministry of Communities, targets young children in an effort to raise a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones and President of the Guyana Football Federation, Mr. Wayne Forde were also in attendance.

The games, which are being held under the theme, “In the spirit of unity, we claim victory” run from August 6-13. The communities participating in this year’s event include: Pariuma, Waramadong, Kamarang, Kako, Jawalla, Phillipai, Imbaimadai, Chinoweing, Quebanang, Kaikan, Arau and for the first time ever, Chenapau from the Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) and San Juan from neighbouring Venezuela.

Brathwaite the hero at the death as Patriots beat Warriors again

THE St Kitts & Nevis Patriots made it two from two against the Guyana Amazon Warriors as they came out on top in the fifth match of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

A remarkable game came to life in a dramatic final over from Carlos Brathwaite, in which he conceded only four runs and took three Warriors wickets, giving the Patriots their second victory of the tournament, and turning the match on its head.

After the losing the toss and being inserted by Warriors captain Rayad Emrit, the Patriots batted steadily, rather than spectacularly, to reach 132-3.

However, smart bowling from Mohammad Nabi and Hasan Ali proved that any total was defendable at Lauderhill, and the Patriots came through for an unlikely win.

At halfway, observers may have thought they were 10 or 15 runs short of a winning total, after a subdued Chris Gayle was unable to reach his typical strike rates, but his 66 guided the Patriots to a competitive total of 132-3.

The Warriors started well

with the ball, with off-spinner Steven Jacobs almost having Gayle caught and bowled.

The highlight of a quiet Powerplay which saw just 22 runs was when Chadwick Walton pulled off a wonderful stumping off the bowling off Jacobs, dismissing the dangerous Evin Lewis for just 4.

Hafeez was run out attempting a second run when Keemo Paul threw from the deep and Walton leapt high to divert the ball onto the stumps.

Hafeez had looked in good touch but the wicket brought Brandon King to the crease, and the 97-run partnership between himself and Gayle formed the backbone of the Patriots innings, and was ultimately match-winning.

Keemo Paul changed his pace very well and bowled tidily, while Steven Jacobs bowled his full notifications before the half way stage, keeping the pressure on Gayle and King.

However, they progressed nicely, though a missed opportunity for a run out in the fourteenth over would have seen Gayle gone before the death, one of the only mistakes made

by Walton on an otherwise great day for the keeper. Tanvir, who bowled tidily at the top of the innings, went the distance at the death as Gayle freed his arms, taking 13 off of one over.

off a quicker ball in the fourth over, leaving the Warriors 122, there was pressure on the batters.

The pressure was released after Mohammad Hafeez

his spell of 4-0-18-1, eventually luring Azam (21) into skying a delivery which Brathwaite caught for his one wicket.

Gajanand Singh, in for a rested Martin Guptill, played

Sheldon Cottrell bids adieu to Chadwick Walton with a salute ( Ashley Allen - CPL T20 / Getty Images)

In reply, Walton was unable to carry his form with the gloves through to his batting, hitting a short delivery from Sheldon Cottrell straight to Evin Lewis at deep-square leg. When Samuel Badree had opener Steven Taylor stumped

dropped both Babar Azam and Jason Mohammed in the following two overs.

Mohammad Nabi was the star with the ball for the Patriots, keeping a lid on the fluent Mohammed. He beat the bat on a number of occasions during

solidly for his 28, before eventually falling in that dramatic final over.

The turning point for the game was in the seventeenth over when Jason Mohamed hit Hasan Ali into the deep, and an outstanding catch was claimed

by substitute, Fabian Allen.

Shortly after, Shannon Cottrell had the dangerous Keemo Paul caught behind in the 18th over to give the Patriots a chance at the death.

A chase, which had until the final over been straightforward, collapsed under pressure as keeper, Devon Thomas ran out both Emrit and Tanvir with direct hits from behind the stumps.

Succumbing to the pressure, Gajanand Singh then turned the ball onto his own stumps, leaving five required from the final ball. Despite a wild swing, the new batsman Rashid Khan was unable to lay bat on it, and Brathwaite wheeled away in celebration.

His team will be delighted to have made it two from two and will look ahead to their next game against St Lucia on Saturday as a chance to keep momentum going.

The Warriors on the other hand will go into their g a m e a g a i n s t Tr i n b a g o Knight Riders on Friday wondering how they lost this match, and looking to regain their form.

Sport has the potential to drive economic development See

Page 23

Bowie’s perfect dip snatches 100m gold from Ta Lou See Page 19

Tori Bowie of the U.S. in action.

Tori Bowie of the U.S celebrates.

GHB and Buddy’s Gym partner ahead of Pan American championships See Page 19

GHB president Phillip Fernandes (right) collects a membership card from the Buddy’s Gym representative during Friday’s ceremony. In the background are several members of team Guyana. (Adrian Narine Photo) 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

MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2017