Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_08_04_2020

TUESDAY 4th August, 2020

'

President

No.106081

promises teamwork

…tells MoTP gov’t will be working in a unified manner

SEE PAGE 03

Region Nine has 80 active COVID-19 cases -Health authorities working to ‘tighten’ measures to prevent transmission 09 PAGE

Criminal charges against GECOM Chair dismissed

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Three killed in 08 Corentyne accident PAGE

President Irfaan Ali greets staff of the Ministry of the Presidency, during a meeting there on Monday (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

‘We’re going to work in a unified manner’

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…President Ali tells MoTP staff during meeting …promises to foster team work, discourages disunity

CONTINUING the management of Guyana, President Irfaan Ali met with his staff at the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP), on Monday, where he assured them that his government’s intention is work in a unified manner and its expectation from staff is the highest possible standard.

President Ali was accompanied by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

“Guyana requires the skills of all of us to work in a collective manner if we are to build a strong and sustainable country, a country that all of us can be proud of,” the President said. He called on the staff to remain professional even as they deliver quality services to the Guyanese people. He also advised against

President Irfaan Ali (center) along with Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira. (DPI photo)

Some of the staff of the Ministry of the Presidency at the meeting (DPI photo)

operating in a way that will

the highest office in Guyana and therefore the workers are expected to deliver the highest level of service at the higher standards…I expect all to reignite that we have to operate at a high standard and set the bar for the rest of the public servants,” he stated.

President Ali also noted that as the PPP/C Administration transitions, there will be changes of approach, new and emerging areas of responsibility and, a shift in the plans and programmes of the Government. President Irfaan Ali was declared the 9th Executive President of Guyana by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on August 2, 2020. He was immediately sworn in by the Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette

fuel distrust as this will not bode well for Guyana.

“I am here to assure you that we are going to work in

President Irfaan Ali greets his staff (DPI photo)

a unified manner in a way that will see every Guyanese

benefit from the resources of this country…This office is

Cummings- Edwards.

Carter Center pleased with peaceful end to elections …congratulates President, PPP/C; commends GECOM, Granger

ON Monday, the Carter Center commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and its Chairperson Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, for finalising the results of the 2020 elections.

The center also extended its congratulations to President Irfaan Ali for his ascension to Guyana’s highest office and applauded former President David Granger for

his statesmanship in recognising GECOM’s declaration of results.

“The center now calls on all political parties to work together to facilitate a smooth transition from one government to another. The Guyanese people have shown great patience throughout this protracted process, and they deserve a government that represents all Guyanese and that works collaboratively to move the country forward,” the

Carter Center stated in a release.

The organisation acknowledged that the 2020 elections were a “true test of Guyana’s democracy” and highlighted “deep divides” that persist in Guyanese society. It said that the current political and electoral systems reinforce these divisions and therefore urged leaders in Guyana to move towards constitutional reform before the next elections.

The Carter Center urged: “It is critical that key leaders in Guyana now reach across the divide and work to ensure that fundamental electoral and constitutional reforms are completed as an urgent priority, well before the next election.

Guyana’s political leaders spoke of these ideals during the campaign period, and the center calls on them now to work together to realise them. An inclusive reform process

– with civil society leaders playing a key role, and with strong support from the international community – will be essential.”

As the PPP/C continues the management of Guyana, the organisation urged the new government to move quickly to begin this process and noted that it stands ready to assist in these efforts and advance Guyana’s vast potential.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Kaepernick shirt used as a target at Navy Seal event (BBC) The US Navy Seals are investigating after footage emerged of military dogs attacking a "stand-in" wearing a Colin Kaepernick shirt at an event last year.

The video was reportedly taken at the National Navy Seal Museum in Florida in 2019, but went viral this weekend.

In a statement, the Navy Seals said the video was "completely inconsistent" with its values.

K a e p e r n i c k , a q u a rterback, began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice in 2016.

Several clips posted on Twitter on Sunday show a target wearing the red Kaepernick jersey being attacked by a number of military dogs.

In one video, the man appears to say "Oh man, I will stand" after being brought

down by the dogs, drawing laughter from the crowd.

"We became aware today of a video of a Navy Seal Museum event posted last year," the Navy Seals said in a message posted on Twitter.

"The inherent message of this video is completely inconsistent with the values and ethos of Naval Special Warfare and the US Navy.

"We are investigating the matter fully and initial indications are that there were no active duty Navy personnel or equipment involved with this independent organisation's event."

WHO IS COLIN KAEPERNICK? Kaepernick first started kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 when he was a player for the San Francisco 49ers.

However, he faced a strong backlash and has re-

Colin Kaepernick (C) was later joined by other players in his kneeling protest

mained unsigned for several years.

Only this year did the

National Football League (NFL) reverse its opposition to players taking a knee

during the anthem.

The decision came amid global protests over the

death of African-American George Floyd while in police custody.

Coronavirus: WHO warns of 'no silver bullet' amid vaccine search

(BBC) The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that while there is hope for a vaccine against Covid-19, one might never be found.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news briefing

there was "no silver bullet at the moment - and there might never be".

Mr Tedros implored people around the world to comply with measures such as social distancing, hand-washing and mask-wearing, say-

Tuesday August 04, 2020 – 05:00hrs The WHO chief said progress is being made in the search for a vaccine, but urged caution

ing: "Do it all."

Globally, more than 18 million Covid-19 infections have been recorded.

The death toll stands at 689,000, with both figures given by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Speaking from its headquarters in Geneva, the WHO chief said work on immunisation was progressing.

"A number of vaccines are now in phase 3 clinical trials, and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection.

"However, there is no silver bullet at the moment, and there might never be," Mr Tedros warned. "For now, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control: testing, isolating and treating patients, and tracing and quarantining their contacts."

'Keep breastfeeding'

Mr Tedros said that mothers with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding.

The benefits, he said, "substantially" outweighed the risks of infection.

Meanwhile, the first stage of a WHO investigation into the possible source of the outbreak in China is now complete, he said.

Infectious disease experts believe the virus initially jumped from animals to humans and attention has focused on a wet market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the Covid-19 pandemic began.

An advance team probing the source has concluded its mission and will be followed by a larger WHOled international group, including Chinese experts.

It is not yet known when it will commence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Broomes puts trespassers on blast via Facebook live

…Police investigation launched

A screenshot of the two alleged trespassers from the Facebook live stream

THE Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into alleged threats to former Government Minister, Simona Broomes, who once held the responsibility for Youth Affairs within the Ministry of the

Presidency.

Early Monday morning Broomes took to a Facebook live stream, while she was in pursuit of two men who had ripped off a ‘No fishing’ sign from her private property to preserve a pond adjacent to

her house. Broomes and her driver trailed the men all the way from her Meadowbrook house to the Sophia area where she confronted them about their business at her private residence.

The former minister on

Man shot dead on Durban St identified as ‘Trini’ A man who was earlier this evening shot on D'urban and Chapel Streets was identified as 25-year-old Rondel Haynes who goes by the call name ‘Trini’, he was shot in a drive-by shooting.

The man was clad in a black jersey, navy blue shot pants and sneakers. Police sources have indicated that the victim who is a known character was shot to the head.

Sandy to be sentenced today HIGH Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon, is expected, today, (August 4, 2020), to pass sentence on former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy, who confessed to shooting his reputed wife to death in 2018.

Last week, Sandy, who was initially charged for the capital offence of murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Sandy, who served as Special Assistant to the former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, admitted to the new charge which read that he unlawfully killed Reona Payne on March 31, 2018, at First Street, Alexander Village.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir while the state was represented by prosecutor Lisa Cave.

Sandy is expected to be sentenced this morning after a probation report is presented.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Sandy, after committing the act, surrendered to police at the Ruimveldt Police Station, on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from

Dead: Reona Payne

14 gunshot wounds to her body – 13 to her chest and one to the head.

The police have confirmed that Sandy used his service firearm during the shooting. Police sources also related that the soldier had, on one occasion, lodged his firearm at the police station, during a domestic dispute.

One source said the soldier had suspected that Reona was being unfaithful and was conversing with someone from overseas.

It was reported that Sandy had planned to drop Payne off at her place of work when she received a phone call al-

Former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy

legedly from the same person from overseas.

When the soldier questioned her and asked her to desist from railroading their relationship, an argument ensued and in the vicinity of the masjid in First Street, Alexander Village, Reona grabbed the soldier’s firearm and threw it out of the car.

According to the source, Sandy stopped the vehicle to retrieve the weapon and Payne exited too, and after picking up the gun he fired in her direction, emptying the entire magazine.

the livestream said that when she had first inquired their reason for being at her home and destroying her signs, they made death threats at her and made an attempt to escape. During the confrontation, Broomes identified one of the men as a former schoolmate and a Council Member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

Meanwhile the men, who were seen clearly in the Facebook live stream, maintained their innocence of the allegations. When contacted, former Minister Broomes related to this publication that at the time she was unable to answer any formal questions about the incident since she was at the

Former Government Minister, Simona Broomes

police station making a report.

Nevertheless, Broomes noted that she is hoping that a thorough investigation is done since threats of such nature should be addressed seriously.

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Editor-in-chief (ag) Linda Rutherford

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

THANK YOU Mr. Granger!

Congratulations Irfaan Ali Dear Editor LEADERSHIP is an amazing privilege and honour, even though many times it does not feel so. I have been trusted with leadership opportunities over the years and have learned many hard lessons, but will never trade those opportunities!

I am a hybrid in terms of generations. I lived through the 80s and 90s and here I am in the 21st century. I lived five years through the presidency of Mr. Burnham; all of Mr. Hoyte’s, Mr. Jagan’s, Mrs. Jagan’s, Mr. Jagdeo’s, Mr. Ramotar’s and Mr. Granger’s of course with Mr. Sam Hinds acting in between.

Now enters Irfaan Ali! Irfaan and I were classmates from form one through form five at St. Stanislaus College. We were friends!

The classmate I knew was a cool guy; down to earth and fun-loving - yes he was. I remember in form two when he was happy that my family got a telephone. He liked a good laugh! We went different ways after high school and so I am sure we are both different as adults. We did meet up from time to time.

Irfaan, today I congratulate you and wish you the very

best. I pray that you will lead and serve in a manner that is selfless, impartial, equal and equitable. I wish you well for yours, your family, supporters and ALL Guyanese sake. I pray you distinguish yourself and leave a great legacy! Do well my alma mater.

To you Mr. David Arthur Granger! I was always a daddy’s girl and somethings about you reminds me of my father. My father is a quiet man, introverted in many ways! He is a man of principle, loyalty, dignity and honour. Nothing much excites him, except books and movies. I can talk for me and him. He loves history, hard work and his family. He served Guyana in the police force and travelled the length and breadth of this nation. He loves GUYANA. Living in Agricola during my teenage and early adult years was hard. Many people I knew either left the village or were killed. Boys I played and grew up with. I slept on the floor sometimes as it was a place of refuge from bullets.

Law enforcement officers barged into my home with guns and all. So much more happened, but this letter is not just about that. My dad’s presence and leadership brought

much security. Mr. Granger, I supported you when you became President and throughout your presidency.

When you became president I jumped for joy and when my former Chief Elder was part of your swearing in I jumped for more joy! I was hopeful!

I was not pleased with some of the decisions you made but you were in the driver’s seat and as a leader myself that can be a hard, lonely, difficult, hot and an uneasy seat, but I still supported you Sir! Thank you for helping me travel and live as a proud Guyanese in the Caribbean Commonwealth and world at large. Thank you for the nationalist you are. Thank you for making me feel I had a chance like every other Guyanese.

Thank you for the dignity you brought to the office of President. Thank you for the 5 Bs, the endearment with which you began your speeches saying, “Guyanese.” Thank you wishing my mother-in-law well when you gave the national award to my husband on her behalf. What a dream! She is an example to us all! Thank you for keeping your word when you gave it. Thank you for

FITUG extends hearty congratulations to President Ali Dear Editor THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins in extending our sincere congratulations to His Excellency President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali as our country’s Tenth President.

President Ali’s ascension to office came after an arduous five (5)-month delay in the declaration of March 02, 2020 Elections. The period, though seeming relatively short, was a deeply challenging time for our nation as new waves of struggles were ignited for the preservation of our country’s democratic culture and several legal hurdles have to be overcome. Though difficult, it revealed the true character of certain leaders.

As President Ali and

his PPP/C Administration take the reins of the State, they do so at a critical juncture. They must confront the global health pandemic in COVID-19 and its heavy economic tailwinds. On this score, the FITUG stands ready to work together with Dr Ali and his team as we must collectively steer the ship of Guyana out of the rough waters it currently finds itself. We are confident that our new President is up to the heavy tasks that have fallen on his shoulders as he grapples with his new office and faces up to alleviating the burdens that affect the ordinary man, woman and child.

We, at this time, recognise former President David Granger for his service to the nation and extend best wishes to him as he moves into the next chapter of his

life. As we hail our country’s new, youthful, President we must pay tribute to the thousands of Guyanese and non-Guyanese, both locally and internationally, who stood up to defend and consolidate our democracy.

Our nation will forever be indebted to the many the spoke out and championed the cries of our people. At this time, there is much work to be done and the clock is already ticking. But we are certain that our collective efforts will redound to the benefit of all Guyana.

Our country is a rich, vibrant and wonderful place.

Let us all collectively work to heal the wounds inflicted and together build a better and stronger Guyana.

Regards FITUG

never using public opportunities to divide us as Guyanese. Thank you for not rendering evil for evil and using personal freedoms to assault, belittle, demean, sideline, neglect, threaten harm and yet ask for trust. You did not engage in intellectual subterfuge, sabotage nor bullying. When you did not get your way you did not call down fire! Thank you Mr. Granger! I AM PROUD OF YOUR EFFORTS and know your latter will be greater than your former. I will miss you as my President but my faith remains in the Lord of hosts; Captain of the guard; the Mighty Warrior and Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah!

Regards Flemlyn A. Ragobeer

Claudette Singh has acted well beyond the call of duty and deserves to be recognised

Dear Editor

A NEW president was sworn in to office in Guyana, five months to the day after the election.

After numerous attempts to affect the final count to an Election Day which was recognised by every credible international and national observer group to have been a success.

One person, one woman, held fast to her oath of office to deliver the final legal verdict of the election: the Chair of GECOM, retired justice Claudette Singh. She held fast against every attempt to derail the final count, the one whereby what came out of the ballot boxes was a true reflection of what went in, the free expression of the Guyanese people’s democratic will.

I bore witness first hand to her determi-

nation to do the right thing at every step of the electoral process, to her indomitable will to overcome every obstacle, and to achieve the true results of the election by meeting all the legal challenges thrown her way. I cannot recall, in all my international experience, such a display of courage, of true grit, over such a prolonged period of time after election day, after so much pressure. And yet such is the case here: Claudette Singh has acted well beyond the call of duty and deserves to be recognised as the hero she is by all democrats around the world, especially those of Guyana.

Regards Jean-Pierre Kingsley Chief Electoral Officer of Canada 19902007

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Three killed in Corentyne accident

Amanda Small

SHOCK, grief and disbelief have overtaken three Corentyne communities as three young adults with promising futures lost their lives after a night of fun.

Jessica Gallaway, 20, of David Street Rose Hall Town,

Kwasi Lewis

Guyana Defence Force member Kwesi Lewis, and Reon Moriah 25, a labourer of Circle Street Corriverton, were all killed after the vehicle in which they were crashed into the rear of a motor lorry on the Whim Public Road, East Berbice Corentyne sometime around 23:30 hours on

Patrecia Georgeson

Jessica Gallaway

Reon Moriah

Tomeica Solomon

Sunday night.

The trio, along with the driver identified as Kerron Allder, was in a dark coloured Toyota Allion bearing registration number PWW 582 heading to Rose Hall Town to drop off Gallaway from an event at Alness village

The mangled car in which the trio perished

on the Corentyne, when the driver ran into the back of a truck that had moments before collided with another car.

According to police reports, at around 23:30 hours, two motor cars PGG 9262 and PWW 582 collided with motor lorry GJJ 5939 as the driver was about to park on the parapet.

Persons recalled hearing a bang and upon investigation they saw a burgundy Toyota Carina bearing registration number PGG 9262 badly mangled on the front right side fender and the driver nursing minor injuries after the vehicle ran into the rear right wheel of the lorry a short distance away from the entrance of the Whim Police Station Street.

As the residents were rendering assistance, the vehicle driven

by Allder came crashing into the rear of the lorry. The impact ripped the roof off the car and sent it careening into the nearby trench.

“I was by the truck after the first accident with the burgundy car when next thing is see is a car coming full speed and blam! It crash in the truck back and pitch into the trench. We run over and see the whole car top cut off. We go in the trench and start to help them people but only the driver mek it,” one eyewitness said.

The eyewitness added that it appeared as though the driver fell asleep at the wheel because the hazard (lights) on the truck were on as well as several people were on the road from the earlier

collision and he should have noticed them and slowed down or swerved to avoid the collision.

The injured were rushed to the nearby Port Mourant Hospital where the trio was pronounced dead on arrival. Breathalyser tests showed that the drivers of both cars were under the influence of alcohol and above the legal limit, while the driver of the truck tested zero.

The death of the three young adults sent their peers in a state of shock and disbelief while the parents were inconsolable.

Amanda Smalls, the mother of Jessica Gallaway could only muster the strength to reporters that her daughter was with her only the day before.

Family members described the young woman as courageous, ambitious, funny, kind and filled with potential. She was returning from a party that was held at a wash bay in Alness Village, when the tragedy struck.

The mother of Lewis, Tomeika Solomon, said she was reciting her nightly prayers before she retired to bed, asking for protection for her children when she heard her phone vibrating. After she noticed two missed calls from her daughter she feared the worst. Solomon who was in Georgetown caring for her newborn and recovering from a surgery said she left the city immediately after the news was confirmed. The young officer celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday and was in Berbice for

a week. He was due to return to base on Thursday.

“When I see the missed calls I feel it had to be something serious, as I was talking to her I couldn’t understand what she was saying since she was crying.

I barely heard Kwesi and his friends in an accident,” the distraught mother said.

She added that she strongly believes the driver fell asleep at the wheel, and that her son was also asleep or he would have cautioned the driver of the hazard lights ahead.

Meanwhile, Patrecia Georgeson, the mother of Moriah said she was too distraught to even enter her home after she returned from viewing her son’s lifeless body. Moriah was the father of a four month old child.

“I don’t even have the strength in my body to move,” she said.

She recalled seeing him at around 13:00 hours when he left to go out and received a call around midnight that her son died.

“When I reached the hospital I saw my son’s dead body full of blood. I couldn’t bear to see that; I just break down,” she said amid tears.

The two men have been friends since high school and were described as promising individuals who were hardworking, smart and caring.

Both drivers remain in police custody assisting with the investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

AFC congratulates Ali on assuming the Presidency --looks forward to swift facilitation of Election Petition

THOUGH disappointed with the outcome of the elections, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has congratulated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its win and expressed its satisfaction that a peaceful transition is occurring.

“The final declaration having been made by the Chairman of GECOM, the Alliance For Change expresses its satisfaction that a peaceful transition of Government has occurred. This confirms our people and the nation’s commitment to the Constitution and the processes and institutions of democracy,” the Coalition member said in a release on Monday.

It went on to say: “The Party wishes to take this opportunity to put aside partisanship and rancour to congratulate President Irfaan Ali on his election to the highest office.”

It also used the opportunity to

Three in custody for robbing motorcyclist

THREE men are in police custody at the Suddie Police Station in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), assisting with investigations after they were positively identified during a burglary.

It is alleged that the three men, who were armed with a shotgun, came out of a clump of bushes and demanded valuables and cash from 54-year-old Kumar Sukhanadan of Johanna Cecelia.

According to information reaching this newspaper, Sukhanadan was robbed of a 25dwt bracelet valued $140,000 and G$10,000 in cash.

He alleged that the men approached him while he was riding home from a wake house. He said they demanded cash and jewelry and made good their escape. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday July 2 around 22:00 hours at Maria’s Lodge.

He stated that he could have identified the three men. He then made a report to the Suddie Police Station where police arrested the men. They remain in custody.

make it known that, along with its Coalition partners, it intends to challenge the results of the elections by way of an Election Petition, as it does not believe that the results are legitimate. It said it hopes that the petition will be swiftly facilitated, in much the same way as the numerous other litigations throughout the months-

long election.

Noting that it is especially disappointed that the discrepancies and irregularities uncovered and highlighted during the National Recount were not taken into consideration by the Elections Commission when it made the declaration, the Party says it fervently believes that their existence should

have led to the utilisation of only valid votes.

“The AFC believes, like its APNU partner and President Granger, that the fraud and numerous irregularities and anomalies uncovered during the Recount exercise demonstrated that there was a credibility deficit in the March 2020 Elections, which will be pursued vigorously in an Election Petition. The Party and its coalition partners expect that the Election Petition will be expedited with the same alacrity as similar litigation which followed the Elections,” the AFC stated.

It has also pledged to its supporters that it will continue to fight for “the vitally needed” constitutional and electoral reforms, and against discrimination, marginalisation, disrespect and high crimes in Guyana.

Region Nine has 80 active COVID-19 cases -Health authorities working to ‘tighten’ measures to prevent transmission GUYANA’S hinterland regions continue to be heavily impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), with 80 of the 268 active cases being recorded in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) alone.

“Our spike in Region Nine comes in the wake of the exponential increase in Brazil where new cases and deaths continue unabated,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, during a virtual COVID-19 update, on Monday.

Amidst the rise in cases, health authorities will be looking to “tighten” control measures, in order to prevent the further transmission of the raging coronavirus disease.

In advising residents of Region Nine, Dr. Persaud said: “I plead with you to halt the illicit cross border movement, look out for the migrants and report their presence immediately to the Authorities; on a personal level, I ask you to co-operate and comply with the regulations of social distancing and the hygiene etiquette.”

This advice also applies to Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) where the infection rate is also high.

Health authorities have so far

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

tested 4,893 persons, with 4,419 being negative and 474 positive.

Of the positive cases, 185 persons have recovered and 21 persons have lost their lives.

And, according to Dr. Persaud, the regional distribution of positive cases include Region One, 22 per cent; Region Seven, 20 per cent; Region Nine, 19 per cent; and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 29 per cent.

“I wish to repeat Dr Tedros’ (DG of WHO) statement which I shared with you last week. He intimated, ‘It’s never too late; Even epidemics can be turned around’.

I also think that we can thwart the trajectory of this disease; in the city, behave responsibly and

respect the health guidelines; in our hotspots, Regions Seven and Nine, curtail your cross-border movement and minimize your exposure to the disease; in our mining communities, manage and control the influx of migrants and remember always to wear your masks in public,” said the CMO. Guyana, on Thursday, took a major leap in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, with the commissioning of its new Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, at the site of the former Ocean View Hotel. This “leap” is expected to radically improve the quality of service and infrastructure for patients and staff, as the country continues to battle COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, which may arise in the future.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 17.6 million cases of COVID-19, with over 680,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease.

Blood plasma patients aren’t too many in fight against COVID-19

By Dillon Goring THE ongoing coronavirus pandemic has seen persons giving their blood plasma to save the lives of others who have contracted the coronavirus disease.

But there are not too many in Guyana, since it is a voluntary exercise as in the case of voluntary blood donation During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service Dr. Pedro Lewis revealed that the main challenge that is being faced with regard to persons giving blood plasma to save the life of another person is the age factor and the origin / country of the persons infected.

He noted too that education of persons with regard to blood donation to a COVID-19 infected persons is key in helping someone’s recovery from the virus, since many of the persons are first-time donors.

“So far, we have collected about nine plasmas, mostly plasmas with ‘O’ Positive blood type, therefore the person who is receiving the blood plasma has to receive a specific blood type,” Pedro told the Chronicle.

Pedro noted that the blood unit is facing some challenges in not getting the specific blood type to the patient who is infected with the virus.

Dr Lewis also made mention of the fact that the number of persons giving blood plasma aren’t too many, taking blood plasma from another country such as Brazil would be too risky , since the climate change is a major factor .

Additionally, he made the point that there is a bad travel history in Brazil and the infectious disease in that country cannot be dealt with as easily as in Guyana.

The director explained that while the main objective might be to save someone’s life, you don’t want to give them something else such as taking blood plasma from another source.

The plasma we collect needs to have high levels of antibodies to be suitable for use as a treatment.

Tests on the plasma donated so far have shown that men and women who were very ill with the coronavirus are likely to have the highest antibody levels. This is why we are asking for people to come forward if they have had a confirmed virus or antibody test.

Tests also show that men are much more likely to have high antibody levels than women, even if they have only had symptoms of the illness. This is why we are prioritising men for donation.

Men with symptoms will be invited to give blood samples to see if their antibody levels are high enough to become a convalescent plasma donor.

If you are a woman with symptoms only, we ask you not to complete the plasma volunteer form.

You can still help NHS patients by becoming a blood donor.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

City Hall contemplating publishing Criminal charges against names of defaulting businesses GECOM Chair dismissed AS the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (MCC) continues to struggle to find a way to retrieve the billions it is owed in rates and taxes from several businesses in the City, Mayor Ubraj Narine said that the municipality is once again putting forth the option of publishing the names of delinquent tax payers, particularly businesses.

Though currently billions of dollars in debt itself, City Hall is owed over $8 billion in unpaid taxes and fees for properties in the City. And despite dealing with the issue for decades now, the municipality continues to have no permanent solution to the situation. In extreme cases, the municipality moves to the courts, but Narine said even that avenue has its challenges.

“We can move to the court yes, but we are dealing with matters from since 1996 and we’re having problems with the courts. Sometimes you are spending more than what you are able to get,” Narine explained.

As he decried the slothfulness of cases where businesses are taken to court, Narine said the resulting situation is due to the lack of strong enough laws that would enable the municipality to start lien on the assets of its debtors. “If the legislative body put something there [to enable

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine

the municipality to seize assets] we would be better off, instead of having to run to court,” Narine reasoned.

He added that: “The legislative body, they are playing with this country’s future. The laws need to be regularised at the municipality level. Nowhere in the world you go and people owe this amount of taxes; we have Giftland owe us over $100 million, Houston [Estates] owes us hundreds of millions of dollars. The entire [Chapter] 28:01 needs to be reviewed and I am calling for that heavily.”

Narine and mayors of the other nine municipalities across Guyana have been lobbying for reformation of Chapter 28:01, the Act that contains the laws that govern

and empower the country’s municipalities. Narine and the other mayors complained that the Act does not give enough power to the councils.

In 2018, the MCC had embarked on a similar activity, which had resulted in many delinquent businesses and individuals coming forward and remitting their taxes. To further encourage property owners to pay their taxes, in 2017 the municipality implemented an amnesty campaign. In June of this year, the municipality had announced another amnesty exercise, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected many persons economically.

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ACCORDING to media reports, in exercise of its legal powers, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has discontinued the private criminal charges filed against Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

This was reported by the Demerara Waves and News Source on Monday. Efforts by this newspaper to contact the DPP on the matter were futile. Nonetheless, the news entities reported that the information was confirmed by DPP’s Communication Officer, Liz Rahaman.

She stated that a letter to this effect was sent from the DPP’s office by Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack to the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. The letter states: “In exercise of the powers conferred on me by article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, I hereby discontinue the charge in the above matter.”

The private criminal charges were filed against the Chairperson for alleged malfeasance in public office by two citizens in the Georgetown Magisterial District on July 29.

They were all linked to the chairperson’s handling of the 2020 Elections, inclusive of the highly-controversial national recount.

Based on documents seen by the Guyana Chronicle, one of the two private criminal charges was filed by Onita Walcott of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara. In detailing the particular of the offence, Walcott alleged that Justice Singh, while acting in her official capacity as Chairman of the Elections Commission, “acted maliciously and unlawfully” on July 11, 2020 when she refused to accept the Chief Elections Officer’s Elections Report on the General and Regional Elections held on March 2, contrary to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution.

A similar charge was filed by Keith Ondaan of Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden. According to Ondaan, Justice Singh acted unlawfully, when she failed to heed the advice of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fung-a-Fatt, S.C and GECOM’s Legal Adviser.

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

In his sworn statement, the Lindener alleged that between March 16, 2020 and May 18, 2020, the Chairman of GECOM acted recklessly and unlawfully when she disregarded the advice of the Legal Officer of GECOM on the March 16, 2020, as well as the advice of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel Mr. Fung-a-Fatt S.C that a recount of the votes of the March 2 Regional and General Elections was unlawful and unconstitutional.

It was said that Justice Singh knowingly gazetted a Recount Order in the Official Gazette on May, 4 nonetheless.

The case was expected to be heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Meanwhile, the private criminal charges against Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield have not been acted upon by the DPP. The CEO was last granted $450,000 bail on July 24, following his appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to three private criminal charges brought against him for alleged fraud and misconduct. The charges were filed by People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member, Desmond Morian, and by General Secretary of The New Movement (TNM), Daniel Kanhai, on June 30, 2020.

Why food security is vital to Guyana’s economic future in a COVID-19 world

By Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO Representative in Guyana The latest global economic figures indicate that impact of COVID-19 continues to be extremely sobering. In its recent outlook, ECLAC[1] has noted that by the end of 2020, global trade of goods is expected to contract between 13 and 32%. In our region of Latin America and the Caribbean, a 23% fall in regional exports is predicted, as well as lower commodity prices on world markets. Remittances to the region are expected to continue dropping and most countries will see a contraction in economic growth.

Guyana is the only country that is expected to experience economic growth in 2020 - 44.3%. This is good news but still a very precarious situation. Despite this growth projection, Guyana must be prepared for the external shocks noted above, as well as internal shocks.

The country is well placed to

do so. However, COVID-19 infections here in Guyana, are rising, with special concern being cases in Regions 8 and 9. At the time of writing, there were 474 cases of COVID-19 recorded in the country; in fact, there were 44 new cases in 24 hours.

The socio-economic position of many communities and households are constrained (some severely) and uncertain due to loss or reduction in income-earning activities.

Given the global and regional trends, it will be important to ensure that the country’s economic growth potential is not only realised but that it is also translated to sustainable development, for the benefit of all the people of Guyana. The agriculture and food systems provide an excellent opportunity and sound basis to ensure both food and nutrition security and better livelihoods and economic well-being.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations urges countries to undertake a coordinated

and integrated response to COVID-19 and its potential impacts on their food systems. The suggested approaches provide guidance for an immediate response to urgent needs, as well as opening up opportunities that can be transformational in shaping and strengthening the emergent food systems that will be relevant for the future.

These can be of immense value to safeguarding and more fully developing Guyana’s agriculture. Good nutrition is a goal that Guyana can support by making high quality, nutritious food more available to Guyana, CARICOM and global markets.

HERE ARE A FEW MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION Increasingly, throughout the Caribbean, more people are slipping below the poverty line as a result of the economic downturn being experienced as a result of COVID-19. Guyana is unlikely to be an exception, despite the economic growth

that is projected to take place.

A recent survey by CARICOM indicated that in June 2020, increasing numbers of persons reported facing greater challenges in affording food, compared to March.

Therefore, even as the health response to the pandemic takes priority at this time, it is imperative that expanding and coordinating social protection initiatives must meet the dietary needs of the most vulnerable in the population.

In this context, it is important that the country’s agriculture and farming system provide for a continuous and adequate supply of safe, wholesome food, inclusive of fresh fruit and vegetables, to satisfy the nutritional needs of all. As a related note, the relationship between poor nutrition and increased risk of problems from COVID-19 is well established.

Further, it is critical to support activities that quickly create and strengthen livelihoods and income earning, especially for smaller producers and distributors

who anchor their local rural economies and communities. Coordinated public purchase from small producers to public institutions (schools, hospitals, social welfare distribution – hampers, etc) can provide a small but reliable, stable market for farmers while also promoting balanced diets of recipients.

Bold thinking is required if agriculture and the local food system are to be resilient to the challenges of COVID-19, and are to respond to the long-term opportunities that may arise. Global and local food markets will be looking for more nutrition-sensitive, healthy foods. Guyana is in the enviable position of having the right combination of resources that can truly create sustainable agriculture and food systems development.

The 2020 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report encourages the global transformation of food systems towards affordable, healthy diets. This is the future of food systems which recog-

nizes policies and incentives that promote nutrition sensitive investment, enhanced efficiencies across food supply chains, realignment of international and internal trade and marketing and re-orients consumer behaviour to more healthy, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly consumption patterns. This is where the agriculture market opportunities will be found, locally and regionally. Much hard work lies ahead, but the investment will yield a stream of benefits. A dynamic, efficient and sustainable food system leads to a healthy, productive population, who constitute the foundation of a progressive, resilient country. Food and nutrition security is fundamental to sustainable development.

It is an achievable goal worth pursuing in the longterm interest of a resilient, cohesive and prosperous Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

‘GDF remains an apolitical national institution’ -Says Army Chief-of-Staff, pledges loyalty to new government

AS Guyana enters a new era, its progression as a nation will be dependent on the protection of its people and its national sovereignty, something which Chief of Staff (ag) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, promised to uphold and preserve, under the leadership of the country’s new President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. “GDF is an apolitical institution and it will continue to uphold its noble position and service to the people of Guyana,” said Brigadier Bess in a virtual message, on Monday.

Dr. Ali, on Sunday, took the oath of office, which will see him serving as Guyana’s 9th Executive President. He took the oath before Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The new president, upon taking that oath, automati-

GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess

cally became the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and the Minister of Defence.

“This means all officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force are subjected to the new Commander-in-Chief’s directives…As the Guyana Defence Force has done in the past it will

continue to do now, and that is to serve the state and people of Guyana under its Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Irfaan Ali,” said Brigadier Bess.

Further to this, the army Chief of Staff pledged the GDF’s loyalty to the Constitution of Guyana and the democratic government to be led by Dr. Ali. He also com-

mitted the GDF’s resources to the state, under the guidance of President Ali. In further expressing his commitment to the new administration, Brigadier Bess said: “I also recommit the service of the officers and ranks to the conduct of the GDF’s constitutional mandate, as we put our shoulders to the wheel, to deter aggression, defend sovereignty and ensure the development of our country as safe and secure space.”

Brigadier Bess, according to a past report, had charged ranks to maintain the values of the GDF with a high level of professionalism.

Bess emphasised that the Force must continue to improve, and he would do all

that he could to ensure this is done.

“We are the guardians of the country’s patrimony.

Now, more than ever, given the current political economic and social factors, and at a time when no country is immune to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must strive for excellence, show strength, resilience and extraordinary high level of professionalism in the execution of our duties,” Bess urged.

He added that: “As service men and women of GDF I wish to underscore our purpose and service to the nation. We must protect our citizens and defend the country against all enemies.

The GDF has been and will continue to be ready to de-

ter aggression, defend our national sovereignty, and ensure the development of our country as a safe and secure place.”

Bess said the GDF will continue to support the police in the maintenance of public order. Bess was appointed last June to perform the functions of chief-of-staff, after approval was granted for Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West to proceed on accumulated leave.

Bess committed himself to aiming for improvement of the Force, both in its infrastructural developments and human resources advancement.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

President Ali, other gov’t officials celebrate Raksha Bandhan

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali and other high-level government officials joined with the High Commission of India in celebrating the Hindu festival, Raksha Bandhan, on Monday.

Joining Dr. Ali in celebrating the sacred festival were Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nanadlall; and High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa, along with other members of the High Commission.

According to a press statement from the high commission, Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi Poornima, is an integral part of Indian culture and this festival has become an occasion to celebrate human bondings, relationships and a sense of togetherness by seeking and giving protection. Raksha

Representatives of the Indian High Commission tying a Rakhi on President Irfaan Ali’s wrist

body needs to feel lonely and left to himself/herself as we are all a part of a universal family, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the foundation of India’s world view and today perhaps it is extremely relevant to spread it all over the world,” said the high commission.

The celebration of Raksha Bandhan by the High Commission of India signifies the friendship, bonding and togetherness between India and Guyana and renewing their pledge to defend and protect each other and praying for each other’s long life and welfare and progress.

The exquisite eco-friendly Bamboo Rakhis used this time, are created by members of the Adivasi or tribal communities of Melghat in the state of Maharashtra. These attractive piece of art Rakhis, made of bamboo, have great symbolic value as it is

President Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips; Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo; and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall flanked by Indian High Commissioner, Dr. K.J Srinivasa and his team

Bandhan is an important Hindu festival to celebrate brother-sister relationship.

Raksha or Rakhi means a sacred thread and Bandhan means bonding.

Raksha Bandhan is thus

essentially a celebration of bondings. It is celebrated every year on a full moon night of Indian calendar month, Shrawan. On this day, sisters tie the Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers. This is a symbolic ‘binding’, a sacred

vow to ‘defend’, protect each other, with the sister praying for the long life of her brother and the brother renewing the pledge to protect her life and honour at all costs.

With the passage of time, this festival has become gen-

der neutral. Once a family festival, today it has become a social event. Now-a-days this festival is celebrated by one and all, regardless of belief systems, castes and creed. For ages, people have been celebrating this festival

in their own way. Raksha Bandhan this year has a special significance, when the humanity is facing the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as it gives a message of togetherness.

“Nobody is isolated, no-

an innovative way of making friends and well-wishers of India abroad understand an important aspect of Indian culture and also appreciate the skills of Indian village artisans.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

PPP/C gains over 30,000 votes from 2015 general elections …valid votes cast increases by over 48,000 from 2015

*please note that, in crafting the headline, I have stated that these results are for the General Elections* When 2015 and 2020 results for the general aspect of Guyana’s national elections are compared, the PPP/C secured approximately 30,680 additional votes while the APNU+AFC secured 10,719 additional ones.

In 2015, the PPP/C gained a total of 202,656 votes, but this year it gained 233,336. On the other hand, the APNU+AFC gained 207,201 votes in 2015 and 217,920 in 2020.

Meanwhile, the total valid votes cast in 2015 increased from 411,970 (with 4,000 rejected votes from an initial 415,970) to 460,352 (with 4,213 rejected from an initial 464,565). In other words, the number of valid votes cast increased by 48,382.

This comparison was made utilising the official Elections Report submitted on August 2, 2020

by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and the results of the 2015 General Elections as made public on the elections commission’s website.

For the highly contested Region Four, the comparison shows that the APNU+AFC gained an additional 3,085 votes from 2015 while the PPP/C gained an additional 10,717.

In Region Six, a stronghold of the PPPC/, based on voter turnout and votes cast in the party’s favour, the APNU+AFC lost 1,704 votes while the PPP/C gained an additional 3,830.

In the APNU+AFC stronghold, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), when compared to 2015, the PPP/C gained 377 votes while the APNU+AFC gained 2,378. The only small party which contested in the 2015 and 2020 general elections was the URP. However, the URP had performed better in 2015 with a total of 418 votes, while the party lost a total of 58 votes this year, securing only 360 votes.

In total, for the 2020 general elections, the results are as follows: ANUG – 2,313; APNU+AFC – 217,920; CG – 1,953; LJP – 2,657; PPP/C – 233,336; PRP – 889; TCI

– 680; TMN – 244 and URP – 360.

It saw the PPP/C winning the elections by 15,416 votes against the APNU+AFC. In the elections, the PPP/C took the lead in six regions, while the APNU+AFC took the lead in four, including Region Four. Both parties secured most of their votes in Re-

like the URP which contested in nine regions.

The results for Region One are as follows: APNU+AFC – 3,909; LJP – 170; PPP/C – 8,002; PRP – 24 and URP – 6. This amounts to 12, 439 votes from which 328 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 12,111 valid votes. The PPP/C took

The results for Region Three are as follows: ANUG – 302; APNU+AFC –23,808; CG –319; PPP/C – 47,851; PRP –136; TCI –77; TMN – 56 and URP – 43.

This amounts to 73,077 votes from which 485 votes were rejected, resulting in a total of 72,592 valid votes. The PPP/C took the lead.

gion Four and the least in Region Eight, which has a small population.

The party with the lowest number of votes altogether was new comer, TNM. Meanwhile, the new comer party with the highest number of votes was the LJP with 2,657. The latter party contested in only six regions for the general elections, but outperformed others

the lead.

The results for Region Two state: ANUG – 85; APNU+AFC – 7,340; CG – 151; LJP – 121; PPP/C – 18,785; PRP – 57; TCI – 18 and URP – 64. This amounts to 26,872 votes from which 251 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 26,621 valid votes. The PPP/C took the lead.

The results for Region Four state: ANUG – 1,426; APNU+AFC – 116,941; CG –935; LJP – 755; PPP/C – 80,920; PRP – 52; TCI – 22; TMN – 10 and URP – 19. This amounts to 203, 742 votes from which 1,665 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 202,077 valid votes. The APNU+AFC took the lead.

The results for Region Five are as follows: ANUG – 88; APNU+AFC – 14,502; CG – 100; PPP/C – 18,326; PRP – 52; TCI – 22; TMN – 10 and URP – 19.

This amounts to 33,735 votes from which 256 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 33,119 valid votes. The PPP/C took the lead.

The results for Region Six state: ANUG – 164; APNU+AFC – 20,399; CG – 272; PPP/C – 43,440; PRP – 172; TCI – 60; TMN – 16 and URP – 44. This amounts to 65,079 votes from which 512 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 64,567 valid votes. The PPP/C took the lead.

The results for Region Seven are as follows: ANUG – 77; APNU+AFC – 4,813; CG –67; LJP – 884; PPP/C – 3,728 and URP – 23. This amounts to 9,756 votes from which 164 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 9,592 valid votes. The APNU+AFC took the lead.

The results for Region Eight state: APNU+AFC – 2,152; LJP – 450; PPP/C – 2,052 and TMN – 11.

This amounts to 4,778 votes from which 113 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 4,665 valid votes. The APNU+AFC took the lead.

The results for Region Nine are as follows: APNU+AFC – 4,887; LJP – 277; PPP/C – 7,070 and URP – 27. This amounts to 12,457 votes from which 196 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 12,261 valid votes. The PPP/C took the lead.

The results for Region 10 state: ANUG – 171; APNU+AFC – 19,169; CG – 109; PPP/C – 3,162; PRP – 47; TCI – 37; TMN – 16 and URP – 36. This amounts to 22,990 votes from which 243 votes were rejected resulting in a total of 22,747 valid votes. The APNU+AFC took the lead.

In total, for the general elections, the results are as follows: ANUG – 2,313; APNU+AFC – 217,920; CG – 1,953; LJP – 2,657; PPP/C – 233,336; PRP – 889; TCI – 680; TMN – 244 and URP – 360.

City Hall contemplating publishing names ...

Two weeks ago, Narine had cause to halt ongoing works at a property owned by the Livestock Development Company (LIDCO), which, according to Narine, currently owes the City approximately $700 million in taxes. Last year December, City Hall again moved the halt a land sale transaction by Houston Estates, given that the company owes the City approximately $500 million in taxes and interests. That matter is currently before the court. Earlier this year,

Giftland Mall was accused of operating in breach, given that the company was operating despite owing over $100 million. In addition to those businesses, Narine shared that the Ocean View Hotel, which earlier this year handed over its property to the government for the building of a new Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, is also in arrears.

Narine said the MCC has already written to the Ministry of Public Health, and Communities

about the situation. He noted that taxes are also owed on the Ashmin’s Building located on High Street. “And there are many others which I will publish the name very soon,” Narine declared.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Gerry Gouveia, said that while City Hall has not reached out to the PSC, the body would be willing to work along with the municipality in ironing out an arrangement to ensure the businesses honour their taxes.

“I am always open to the Mayor and we have a very good relationship and if he feels that the intervention of the PSC is needed he certainly has the option of reaching out to me,” Gouveia noted.

He added “People who owe the city that’s a bilateral arrangement between the city and that business, and the city must have recourse for how they would deal with those businesses. But if they want to introduce a third party such as the PSC we would

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be happy to intervene but taxes owed is a bilateral agreement.”

Gouveia noted that businesses should be paying their taxes. “I believe that legitimate businesses pay their taxes and those who don’t pay should be dealt with by the necessary authorities, be it the GRA or City Council, there must be recourse. I fully insist that all persons and business pay their taxes, we fully support all obligation for the people to pay their taxes,” Gouveia said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Blood Bank urges more donors DUE to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Blood Bank is urging citizens of Guyana to donate more blood.

In a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Director of the National Blood Bank Dr Pedro Lewis noted that the blood bank is running low of all types of blood.

Dr Pedro outlined that due to the pandemic, most blood donors are not going to the blood bank to donate blood and as a result, the

also be identified at this stage.

A brief interview to determine if your sexual lifestyle and medical history permits you to donate blood.

This session is very private and confidential. The actual blood donation stage where a unit (less than a pint) of blood will be taken.

REFRESHMENTS The entire blood donation process takes 20 minutes. A person, who fits the criteria, can donate blood every two months. Blood donation allows the body Dr Pedro Lewis, Director of the National to produce new red blood Blood Transfusion Service cells which carries oxygen blood drive is at a standstill. the effects of more persons around the body. Once these “We are hoping that persons requiring surgeries and other new cells are replicated, will start to calling, we are medical attention. The goal it allows the individual to checking in with some or- of the NBTS is for all the feel more rejuvenated and ganisations to start seeking blood supplied in Guyana to healthier. Blood cannot be external collections, the first be collected from voluntary, stored for long periods. One two months January and healthy donors. The unit of unit can be processed into February were good but after blood you donate is screened three component parts, each the pandemic, production and delivered through a net- of which has the potential has decreased.” Dr Pedro work blood banks country- of saving a life when used told Chronicle. wide and used as needed. to treat separate medical Dr Pedro explained that Every day, pregnant women, conditions. because of the blood bank’s children, youths, adults and We appeal to all our production shortfall, they are the elderly need blood in voluntary donors and new now forced to go out into the both our public and private donors to visit the NBTS, outlying regions to do blood hospitals. our blood-donation facilcollection. The frontal issue, If you are 17 years or Dr Pedro noted, is that the older, in generally good ities at New Amsterdam, hospital needs to have blood health, free from any blood- West Demerara, Suddie on standby in cases of emer- borne disease and weigh at and Linden hospitals or gency and urgent attention , least 110 pounds, you can one of our mobile units when blood is required by a become a Voluntary Blood and “give a pint!” The patient .

Donor. The donation process NBTS, located at East and At the moment, the blood is very simple and requires Lamaha streets, (Georgetown Public Hospital Combank is receiving about 30% the following steps: pound) opening hours are of blood supply to deal with 08:00hrs to 18:00hrs from its capacity. By year’s end, REGISTRATION Monday to Friday and the blood bank should be in OF DONOR receipt of about 70 – 75 % of Mini health checks com- on Saturdays, 9:00hrsblood for patients in its care. prising : your body weight, 1 5 : 0 0 h r s . F o r f u r t h e r He further explained that pulse, blood pressure, tem- enquire please call: 223 the blood bank would need perature and HB (Iron) level. 7182, 225 4972, 669 8776 even more blood to cushion The donor’s blood type will OR 644 9590.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

CARICOM welcomes end to Guyana’s elections impasse --congratulates PPP/C, Ali THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Monday welcomed the conclusion of Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, and congratulated Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on his accession to Presidency, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on their victory.

“The Chairman of CARICOM, Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines called the President to extend his best wishes, while Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque personally conveyed his congratulations to the President at yesterday’s Swearing-in Ceremony,” the statement noted.

CARICOM has also commended the people of Guyana for the patience and maturity they displayed during the protracted process, and pledged its continued support to the country in its development efforts under the new government.

Under the stewardship of Past Chairman Mia Mottley of Barbados and her successor, SVG’s Dr. Gonsalves, CARICOM had expressed its concerns about the delayed conclusion to Guyana’s elections.

Mottley had stated that the prolonged resolution of Guyana’s elections was not only unbecoming of the political parties involved but

portrayed the entire Region in a bad light.

She’d called on political parties which believed that there was evidence of fraudulent or improper conduct during the elections to take the route of an Elections Petition.

After taking up the position of Chair, Gonsalves led calls by CARICOM for stakeholders in Guyana to declare the results of the elections without further delay.

Four Prime Ministers from the Region, including Mottley and Gonsalves, had visited Guyana shortly after the elections in March to talk to both sides, and urge patience, especially after the loss of one life due to protests.

In addition, CARICOM had sent a three-member Scrutinising Team to observe Guyana’s National Recount despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

That team had concluded in its report that the will of the Guyanese people was expressed on March 2, and reflected in the physical recount.

Gonsalves, on behalf of CARICOM, had therefore

called on political leaders

matter of a declaration for

here to “respect the rule of

“a peaceable restoration to

law”, and act quickly on the

normalcy”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Criminal proceedings against Infantino grotesque and absurd, says FIFA

BERN (Reuters) - Global soccer body FIFA has described the decision by Swiss authorities to open criminal proceedings against its president Gianni Infantino last week as grotesque and absurd.

Swiss authorities said on Thursday that proceedings had been launched against the current

FIFA boss by a special prosecutor looking into meetings he had with Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber. Lauber and Infantino have already denied wrongdoing.

“There is no factual basis whatsoever for this criminal investigation,” FIFA deputy general secretary Alasdair Bell told a news conference held by video on Monday.

“There is no description of criminal conduct of any kind that has been communicated to FIFA. There is something a little grotesque and unfair in all this because we are 100% confident there will never be a criminal charge against the FIFA president,” he added.

“But we have a situation

where, objectively, there is damage to both FIFA and the FIFA president simply because of the existence of this criminal investigation.”

The AB-BA watchdog, which oversees the Attorney General’s office (OAG), said Thursday that special prosecutor Stefan Keller had found indications of criminal conduct related to their meetings.

Keller was appointed in June to review complaints against the two men and others.

The proceedings concerned abuse of public office, breach of official secrecy, assisting offenders and “incitement to these acts,” it said.

“If someone opens a criminal investigation there needs to be a

good reason and we don’t have any reasons,” said Bell. “We have some anonymous complaints but we don’t know who made them.”

FIFA said that, at the time of the meetings held in 2016 and 2017, the OAG was conducting investigations in more than 20 cases related to a scandal in which FIFA became embroiled before Infantino was elected president in 2016.

“You go to the most senior law officer in the country to offer information for a criminal investigation and then you end up being a subject of a criminal investigation yourself,” said Bell.

“This is why we are saying there is something kind of absurd about this.”

Brandon King bats for Black Lives Matter

JAMAICA, West Indies and Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman Brandon King is doing his part in supporting the Black Lives Matter and assisting communities by the COVID19 pandemic.

The 25-year-old opening batsman scored a 72-ball 132 against the Barbados Tridents to propel the Guyana Amazon Warriors to the 2019 CPL final. It was the highest individual score in CPL history.

For 2020, King wants to do more than shine with the bat. He wants to shine off the field as well as he announced on social media

on Monday.

“Over the past few months, I’ve had some time to really think about how I could make a positive impact on communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and also the Black Lives Matter movement,” King wrote.

“So this year I will be sporting my black SG stickers and along with my management team, GGSM, we will be donating USD$100 for every six I hit during this year’s CPL tournament. Donations will be split between the Greater Trench Town Foundation in Jamaica and a charity in Guyana

to be decided at a later date.”

King believes that more than ever before athletes need to do more to champion causes that make their communities better.

“As athletes, we have the platform to speak up and make effective change,” he said.

“I am encouraging my sponsors, other athletes, and friends to join in on donations by either supporting a #BLM initiative of your choice or by matching my donations towards these local charities.

“I am hopeful and looking forward to getting back out on the field very soon.”(Sportsmax)

Championship play-off final:Brentford and Fulham set for richest game BRENTFORD play Fulham today for the chance to return to the English top flight for the first time in 73 years - and earn about £160m in the process.

The west London rivals, separated by just four miles, meet in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Fulham could seal an immediate return to the Premier League.

Victory in the match, often dubbed the richest game in football, would be worth £135m to Fulham and about £160m to Brentford over the next three years.

Brentford finished third in the table, one place above Fulham on goal difference, and won both league meetings during the regular campaign.

If they fail to win, the Bees will have taken part in more unsuccessful play-off campaigns in the English Football League than any other club, with this their ninth attempt.

Free-flowing Bees eye historic promotion Brentford recorded eight

straight victories either side of the coronavirus lockdown to give themselves a chance of automatic promotion, but narrowly missed out on a place in the top two following defeats in their final two matches of the season.

Head coach Thomas Frank, who was appointed in October 2018, has moulded an attacking side which finished as the top scorers in the Championship this season.

Including their play-off semi-final win over Swansea, their forward line of Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins have scored 59 goals between them - but the Bees also have the second-best defensive record in the division.

“We have big ambitions and big dreams,” Frank said. “We believe in ourselves but need to go to Wembley confident but humble.”

The Bees have enjoyed their best campaign since suffering relegation from the top flight in 1946-47 and will move into a new 17,500-capacity stadium before

next season.

Opponents Fulham spent 13 consecutive seasons in the top flight before dropping back into the Championship in 2014, and Slavisa Jokanovic led the Craven Cottage outfit to promotion via the play-off final two years ago.

“They are a bigger club than us,” Frank said. “This is not a mind-game, this is a fact.

“They got relegated from the Premier League last year and have the parachute money.

“They have experience from the final two years ago and they have more experience in their squad to play a game like this than us.

“Yes, we beat them twice [this season] and that can maybe give us a bit of confidence. But the final is another story.”

When Scott Parker took over Fulham in February initially on a caretaker basis after the sacking of Claudio Ranieri, the Whites were heading for relegation from the Premier League.2019,BBC Sport)

20

Twenty five youths receive cricket gear from Basil Butcher Memorial Fund

TWENTY-five junior cricketers, drawn from six clubs, on Saturday became the first recipients of cricket gear from the 2020 edition of the Basil Butcher Cricket Development Programme, organised by the ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, with support from the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The players were drawn from the RHTYSC, Albion, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Canje, Blairmont, and West Berbice cricket teams.

The simple presentation ceremony was done at the Area H Ground in the presence of BCB and RHTYSC officials and parents of the players.

Club Secretary/CEO and BCB president, Hilbert Foster, hailed the project as another red letter day in the ongoing development of Berbice cricket and signals the commitment of both the club and Board to work beyond the call of duty to make sure that the rich tradition of the county game is kept alive.

Foster disclosed that a total of 87 players would receive a pair of

cricket equipment under the project in observance of the legendary player’s 87th birth anniversary, which would be observed on the 3rd of September.

Butcher, who was born in 1933, played 44 test matches for the West Indies, scoring 3104 runs at an average of 43.11, with seven centuries and sixteen half centuries. He died in Florida on 16 December, 2019.

Foster, who was accompanied by BCB Assistant Secretary, Ameer Rahaman; BCB Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu; and executives of the RHTYSC, urged the attentive players to emulate the hard work, dedication and positive attitude of the late Basil Butcher.

The BCB president spoke widely of the importance of education, faith in God and discipline. A clearly emotional Foster also urged the players to reject racism and to be the agents of change in Guyana.

The young players were told that the two organisations were committed to investing in their future but they would have to take

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Players pose after receiving their gear, courtesy of the Basil Butcher Memorial Project

Four Under-17 female cricketers who received cricket gear advantage of the opportunities given to them. He stated that the coronavirus has curtailed a lot of the BCB plans for 2020, including at least 20 tournaments, a professional first division league, numerous coaching programmes, including a cricket academy and personal developmental sessions.

Despite the pandemic, however, the two organisations have successfully completed several programmes including sharing out 2500 food hampers, donating face masks and cleaning items across the county. The BCB has also been quite busy hosting its annual Mother of the Year and Father of

the year award programmes, while clubs have benefitted from donations of cricket balls, cricket gear, score books and youth information booklets among other items.

Additionally, the BCB has used the break period to obtain a second sponsorship for a twoday first division tournament, which would start as soon as the ongoing Banks DIH tournament is completed.

The board has also acquired its own pitch covers and would shortly receive a second coaching set for its coaches from an overseas-based Berbician.

Foster expressed disappointment that over the last three decades, former players and officials, who now reside overseas, have forgotten their roots and the game that had made them household names.

He stated that giving back to society is one of the best things that a human can do and urged the former players to get on board the development train in the Ancient County.

BCB Public Relations Officer

and RHTYSC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu, who is overseeing the project, stated that over the next month, another 62 youths would receive cricket gears while food hampers,100 gallons of cleaning detergents, bicycles, score books and school bags would be distributed to clubs, schools, Town Councils and Government institutions like police stations, post offices and fire stations.

The two organisations would like to express thanks to all the donors to the Basil Butcher Go Fund me account and others like Bissondyal Singh, former national player Sheik Mohamed, Papie Jafarally, Kevin Sinclair, Poonai Bhigroog, C and K Pharmacy, Dennis Deroop, Hand in Hand Insurance, Roland Williams ,Deonarine Shane and national player Guadakesh Motie. A special visit would also be made to Linden, where Mr Butcher lived most of his adult life, to hand over gear and bicycles to youths.

England pace aces create ‘headache’ for Root ahead of Pakistan Tests

ENGLAND have the luxury of six specialist pacemen in their 14-man squad for this week’s first Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford -- a welcome “headache” for captain Joe Root.

The skipper can call on veteran new-ball partners James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the express pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood and the impressive Sam Curran and Chris Woakes.

The hosts rotated their quicks during last month’s 2-1 series win over the West Indies which, together with the upcoming campaign against Pakistan, forms a programme of six Tests in seven weeks.

That is a particularly tough schedule for fast bowlers in a season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

England’s management has argued no paceman can play all six Tests, with the restrictions imposed by maintaining a bio-secure “bubble” requiring several options to be immediately at hand.

But it is an issue they will need to handle with care given they have now lost the opener in eight of their past 10 multi-match Test series, which for all their resilience could prove costly if it happens against Pakistan.

Broad revealed on Sunday he

felt “so low” after being omitted from the West Indies opener that he considered retiring.

The recalled Broad responded with 16 wickets at a miserly average of under 11 in the next two matches as he joined long-standing England new-ball colleague Anderson as one of a select group of seven bowlers to have taken 500 Test wickets.

At 34, and bowling a generally fuller length which makes his ability to move the ball late off the seam an even more challenging proposition, Broad is in arguably the best form of his career.

Anderson, four years older and a swing bowler who thrives in home conditions, is closing in on 600 Test wickets, with England’s all-time leading bowler clearly not done yet.

- RAW PACE World Cup winners Archer and Wood provide England with the option of genuine 90-milesper-hour-plus pace, with speed through the air an asset even when pitch and overhead conditions favour the batsmen.

Then there is Curran, whose left-arm angle adds variety to an otherwise all right-arm attack. The Surrey bowler has won every Test

England’s James Anderson (left) and Stuart Broad have taken more than 1,000 Test wickets between them (AFP Photo/Michael Steele) he has played in at home.

Woakes, who took 5-50 in the West Indies decider, has a better home average than either Broad or Anderson, with his 81 Test wickets in England coming at just 22 apiece.

Woakes is now more inclined to deploy a sharp bouncer, which

makes it harder for batsmen to routinely push forward in the hope of blunting his movement.

That still leaves the pace bowling of star all-rounder Ben Stokes who, as he showed before guiding England to an astounding one-wicket win with a brilliant century during last year’s Heading-

ley Test against Australia, can also drag his side back into matches by sheer force of personality with the ball.

But the West Indies finale may serve as a model for England.

Stokes was unfit to bowl, although he featured as a batsman, and that meant England deployed

Anderson, Broad, Archer and Woakes in an attack featuring spinner Dom Bess after omitting batsman Zak Crawley.

England could now drop Bess or still play four specialist quicks even if Stokes is fit to bowl for the first Test, which starts at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

There were times when Archer, who clearly thrives on responsibility, was relegated to the role of first and second change during the West Indies finale and appeared to bowl accordingly.

Archer was making his return after missing the second Test due to a breach of coronavirus protocols.

It may be, however, that even Anderson and Broad will have to accept they cannot always be the “main men” from now on.

England often appear so obsessed with the Ashes that the opponent in front of them becomes relegated to a warm-up act for their next confrontation with Australia.

But this season’s compressed schedule may have inadvertently given England a template for how to regain the urn Down Under in 2021/22.

“With the talent that’s waiting in the wings it’s an exciting place to be and long may those headaches continue,” said Root.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Let’s praise the members of the 500-wicket club

By Ian Chappell-Former Australia captain BROADLY speaking Freddie Trueman was right when, on claiming the record for most Test wickets, he volunteered, “Any booger who passes that mark will be bluddy tired.”

West Indies off-spinner Lance Gibbs eventually broke Trueman’s record of 307 Test wickets. It took him about 27,000 deliveries and his reward was a huge carbuncle on his spinning finger, so presumably he was sore as well as tired.

Since then the record has been stretched to 800 wickets, which would have been thought of as unattainable in Trueman’s day, by Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Murali deserved to be tired - it took him a mammoth 44,000-plus deliveries.

An indication of how unlike-

ly that record might sound is provided by the story of the former Australia fast bowler Rodney Hogg, who wrote when Shane Warne was only just beginning his first-class career that Warne would claim 500 Test wickets.

He was writing for the Truth, a Melbourne newspaper, and the editor sacked him for such a reckless prediction. “That’s ridiculous,” he claimed, “no one will take 500 Test wickets.”

Warne finished his career with 708 victims.

With Stuart Broad’s recent ascent there are now seven members of the 500-wicket club: three spinners followed by four faster bowlers. To achieve that landmark Broad has delivered in excess of 28,000 balls, but in defiance of Trueman’s prediction, he seems to be going from strength to strength.

In an era of stringent media training Broad was refreshingly

honest in an interview following his omission from England’s side for the first Test against West Indies.

He didn’t lambast the selectors he just expressed his disappointment and then proceeded in the next two Tests to display why they were wrong. Any selector worth the title should be delighted at such a positive player reaction to an omission.

Capturing his 500th Test wicket was a particularly satisfying part of Broad proving his point. Incredibly, the victim was Kraigg Brathwaite, the same player that Broad’s partner in bowling excellence, Jimmy Anderson, dismissed to reach his milestone. In contrast to Anderson’s fulfilling achievement - a bowled dismissal at Lord’s in front of an appreciative crowd - Broad reached his milestone in muted circumstances, in a ground devoid of fans, with only

his grateful team-mates at hand to applaud his laudable achievement.

However, there was one mitigating factor. Thanks to the vagaries of cricket in the Covid-19 era, his father, former Test batsman Chris, was the match referee and he was able to enjoy the moment with his son.

Isn’t that the game of cricket?

Isn’t that sport in general? It takes on the one hand and gives on the other.

The seven members of the 500-Test-wicket club are an eclectic group of bowlers; two leggies, an offspinner, a swing bowler and three seamers. The one missing ingredient is an outand-out speed merchant, which is probably an indication of how tough on the body that is as an occupation.

Of the group, Broad has the best average for his best performance in Test cricket: a minus-

Stuart Broad has joined their ranks. Who are the others in the bracket? cule 1.88 for his 8 for 15 against Australia. However Indian legspinner Anil Kumble has the honour of a record that won’t be broken: he was the first member of the group - and currently the only one - to have taken all ten wickets in an innings.

Muralitharan has two records that will likely never be beaten. He has an incredible 67 five-wicket hauls and an almost equally amazing 22 ten-wicket matches. Warne is next on the list with a far distant 37 and 10 respectively.

The four seamers in the club have all only taken three

ten-wicket match hauls, which is probably an indication of the extreme physical exertion required for a fast bowler to achieve such a feat. Even Trueman, never one to hide his light under a bushel, only achieved three ten-wicket hauls.

It’d be interesting to hear the response if “Fiery” Fred Trueman was around today.

“Eh Fred, young Broad equalled one of your records.”

“Oh aye, but it took him 13,000 more deliveries to bluddy do it,” might well be the expurgated version.(ESPN Cricinfo).

Dortmund set August 10 deadline for Man Utd target Sancho deal BORUSSIA Dortmund have set a 10 August deadline to agree a deal for forward Jadon Sancho - who is Manchester United’s top summer transfer target - to leave the club.

The German club have told United they want in excess of £100m for the 20-year-old England winger.

There is no agreement yet on a fee, which would be paid in instalments.

Dortmund have set the deadline because they want undisturbed preparation for the 202021 Bundesliga season.

The new campaign starts on 18 September, with the transfer deadline for international deals on 5 October.

Sancho has been at Dortmund for three years, having signed from Manchester City in August 2017 for a fee of about £10m.

Jadon Sancho scored 17 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances last season as Borussia Dortmund finished second.

In July, Dortmund beat United to the signing of 17-year-old English midfielder Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City in a deal that could be worth over £30m.

They also bought Norway forward Erling Braut Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg earlier in the season - another player United tried hard to bring to Old Trafford.(BBC Sport)

Trott appointed England batting coach for Pakistan Tests FORMER England and Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott has been appointed as an England batting coach for the upcoming three-Test series against Pakistan.

Trott, who played 52 Test matches for England, retired from playing all forms of cricket in 2018.

The first Test against Pakistan begins at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday, with daily highlights on BBC Two. Ex-New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel and Warwickshire bowling coach

Jonathan Trott retired from Test cricket in 2015 having scored 3,835 runs from 52 Tests at an average of 44.08.

Graeme Welch will also join the coaching set-up.

All three are former Edgbaston colleagues of England director of cricket Ashley Giles.

Patel, 40, who has already announced his intention to retire at the end of this season, again fulfils the role he had on tour this winter, now supplemented in the pace department by the highly-respected Welch, 48, the former Bears and Derbyshire seamer.

Trott, 39, scored almost 19,000 first-class runs in his career, marking his interna-

tional debut in 2009 with a century against Australia in a home Ashes victory.

He was part of the England side that became the number one Test team in the world and was named the International Cricket Council’s player of the year in 2011.

He retired from international cricket after the 2015 Test series in the West Indies, having scored 3,835 runs at an average of 44.08. He also averaged 51.25 from 68 one-day internationals.

(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Todt has mixed feelings on Hamilton smashing Schumacher records

By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Jean Todt, who presided over Michael Schumacher’s golden years at Ferrari, says he would have to congratulate Lewis Hamilton if the Briton smashes the great German’s Formula One records - even if he would prefer them to remain intact. ix times world champion Hamilton enjoys a 30-point lead in the championship after four races and, with Mercedes dominant, is set to equal Schumacher’s seven crowns.

The 35-year-old, who won his home British Grand Prix for a record seventh time at Silverstone on Sunday despite a dramatic last-lap puncture, is also only four victories

short of the German’s record 91.

On current form, Hamilton can equal that at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September and surpass it a week later at Ferrari-owned Mugello — where the Italian team will mark their 1,000th world championship grand prix.

“If you have a link to the records, you’d like the records to stay,” former Ferrari boss Todt, now president of the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA), told reporters at Silverstone.

“On the other side, normally a record has a duration in life. All the records are due to be broken.

“Clearly Mercedes and Lewis are putting everything together to bring the record... clearly it’s admirable. If it’s well-deserved, you can only congratulate him.”

FILE PHOTO: Mercedes’ Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (L) and Jean Todt, Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President attend the FIA Champions news conference for FIA Prize Giving 2017 in Paris, France December 8, 2017. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

The Frenchman led Schumacher to five championships in a row between 2000-04 when the Italian team were as dominant as Mercedes now.

The Schumacher era, despite Ferrari fans looking back on it fondly as the team struggles, was also sometimes dubbed ‘Formula Yawn’ for the predictability of the outcome.

Todt, who became particularly close to Schumacher and his family, said he respected and admired Mercedes’ continued achievements but with some reservations.

Mercedes have taken the last six drivers’ and constructors’ titles and have won all four races so far with four pole positions.

“I admire the competitivity,

the reliability, the durability,” said Todt.

“But for the sport I think like all of the people who like things more unpredictable, they would like to see more change.”

Todt said both Schumacher, who has not been seen in public since suffering severe head injuries in a 2013 skiing accident, and Hamilton shared a “special fighting spirit’ and spoke also of his respect for the Briton’s anti-racism campaigning.

“I do admire people who engage for something where they feel they can bring something,” he said. “If he can bring something to that, I admire that and as much as we will be able to contribute we will do it.”

Players’ body urges ICC to address contract breaches, non-payment

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A third of international male cricketers have not been paid or suffered breaches of contract from events regulated by the global governing body or its member nations, the international players’ federation said on Monday.

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) said after the release of its ‘Men’s Global Employment Report 2020’ that the Interna-

tional Cricket Council (ICC) had a duty to protect those working within its regulatory framework.

An ICC spokesman told Reuters that the body was looking at the contents of the report.

The report cited examples such as Bangladesh players not receiving their share of prize money from an ICC event, and their counterparts in Zimbabwe, another ICC full member, still waiting for their board to pay their contracts.

It also listed unresolved

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payment issues in Twenty20 and 10-overs leagues in several minor cricket-playing nations including Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

“Systematic contract breaches and non-payment of players are issues that urgently need addressing,” FICA Chief Executive Tom Moffat said.

“The ICC has an obligation to protect people working with-

Bangladesh players not receiving their share of prize money from an ICC event. in its regulatory frameworks and it’s time something was done about this issue.

“We continue to urge decision makers to work with FICA at global level, and players’ as-

sociations at domestic level, to develop joint solutions to issues ... many of which are likely to be exacerbated by the current global situation.”

FICA also called for an

end to “blanket bans on players from certain countries playing abroad” and limitations on the number of overseas league contracts a player may hold.

Four wins put Walcott in command at Century EDMONTON, Alberta, (CMC) – It may be early days yet but already Rico Walcott is beginning to turn the screws on the season at Century Mile.

On Sunday, the experienced reinsman won four of the 10 races on the day’s card to complete a bumper weekend, which also saw him pick up three wins on Friday’s eight-race card at the western Canada racetrack.

Walcott now sits on 26 wins from 77 outings, 12 clear of second placed Rigo Sarmiento, laying the platform for a run at his maiden title at Century in the track’s second year of operations.

After not featuring in the curtain-raiser, he opened his account in race two over over a mile when he com-

bined with favourite Tizthunderinow to edge the three-year-old and upward maidens by a nose.

The pair duelled with 7-1 bet Smiley through the half in 47:12 seconds before getting clear in the lane. However, they then came under threat from Wiser Times and were forced to battle to the wire in a tight finish.

Walcott followed up immediately in race three when he piloted another favourite Backstreet Bobby to a dominant 4-¼ length victory over the three-year-olds and upward in a 6-½ furlong sprint.

The six-year-old gelding overcame a stumble at the start to race off the pace before bidding on the final turn, reeling in pacesetter Bionic Bird and storming

through the stretch.

A short 4-½ furlong dash in race five provided Walcott with his third win of the card when he carried odds-on bet Bang On to a 1-½ length win over the two-year-old maidens.

And he capped off a fine outing when he won race seven with 2-1 chance Dense Fog, going six furlongs for the three-year-olds and upward.

Hard To Come Home out-sprinted West of Sabinal to the lead before Walcott brought Dense Fog from off the pace to challenge in the stretch and take the wire 2-½ lengths clear of his rivals.

The Century season got underway June 21 and wraps November 1.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Speedster Edwards, Hampshire part ways LONDON, England (CMC) — Former Test pacer Fidel Edwards will not represent Hampshire in the revamped English domestic championship which bowled off here Saturday, following a mutual decision by both parties.

And the 38-year-old’s five-year stay at the south coast outfit could also now be over, especially with the status of Kolpak players expected to change from next season due to the United Kingdom’s Brexit agreement.

Hampshire said in a statement that the novel coronavirus pandemic, which forced cricket authorities here to scrap the traditional County Championship for a

shortened tournament, had “caused significant difficulties with the availability of players who do not permanently reside in the UK”.

Edwards, who snatched 165 wickets in 55 Tests for West Indies, is currently in his native Barbados.

“Circumstances have conspired against a return for Fidel and sadly, it may be that he has played his last game for the club,” said Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White.

“Personally, I can’t speak highly enough of Fidel and the impact that he has had.

He’s been an unbelievable player over his whole career but most recently with us.

“We will miss him in

Former West Indies Test pacer Fidel Edwards

every way. He’s been a great teammate and a wonderful performer, and we all look forward to welcoming Fidel

back next year to pay tribute to his outstanding contribution to the club.”

Edwards arrived at

Windies legend CurtlyAmbrose disappointed with Joseph

WEST Indies legend Sir Curtly Ambrose has admitted to some level of disappointment with the performance of young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph in the recently concluded series loss to England.

The 23-year-old was tipped for a breakthrough performance ahead of the England series, but that promised failed to materialise. Joseph had several bright spells of bowling when the teams met in the Caribbean last year, but in the rematch on English soil, these were few and far between.

Joseph claimed figures of 2 for 98 in the first Test, before getting 1 for 84

in the second Test. He was replaced in the final Test by off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall.

Ambrose, himself once one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, believes the young West Indian may have been guilty of being too passive.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the performance of Alzarri Joseph. The pitches they played on, obviously, they were not the quickest, but as a fast bowler, you can’t be telling yourself that boy, it’s a slow pitch so I am just going to amble in and put it on a spot, no. Whether a pitch is fast or slow, you as a fast bowler have to put out your best, and Alzarri, to

me, he was bowling within himself and not looking to bowl fast,” Ambrose told the Antigua Observer.

“Alzarri Joseph is not a put-on-aspot, hold-up-one-end type of bowler.

Jason Holder, the captain, can do that.

He can’t really bowl fast, but he can come at one end and put it on a spot and swing it around, seam it around and get a couple of wickets, but Alzarri is a guy who has to run in and bowl fast, look to rough up batsmen. He will look to get wickets obviously, but rough batsmen up and let them know that ‘I am here’.”

(Sportsmax)

Hampshire on a Kolpak deal and made an instant impact, picking up 45 wickets from a mere eight matches in the 2015 season.

After injury put paid to his campaign the following year, Edwards snared 33 wickets in the 2017 season before producing a superb 2018 haul of 54 wickets.

Last season he was good enough to finish with 45 wickets at an average of just under 26.

Edwards, who last played for West Indies eight years ago, said he still hoped he still had a future in the county game.

“It’s a bit sad that my Hampshire career looks to be ending in these circumstanc-

es, during the pandemic, but there is a lot to celebrate and remember from my days at Hampshire,” the right-armer said.

“I want to thank all my teammates and the staff at the club who have made me feel so welcome and of the course the supporters too.

“I hope this isn’t it for me and county cricket, but for now I am proud to have pulled on the Hampshire shirt and look forward to returning for my testimonial match in 2021.”

Edwards is now set to turn out for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League which bowls off later this month in Trinidad.

‘He needed to rough batsmen up’

West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph

Walsh in at Patriots after Helmot tests positive

West Indies fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh.

LONDON, (CMC) – West Indies fast bowling legend, Courtney Walsh, has joined the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

coaching staff ahead of this month’s start of the Caribbean Premier League(CPL), after head coach Simon Helmot tested positive for COVID-19.

Noted cricket website, Cricinfo, reported that Australian Helmot was preparing to travel to the Caribbean to assume duties for the T20 franchise tournament being staged in Trinidad, when he obtained the unexpected results.

“I tested positive five hours before I was to fly out, and I’m shattered that I won’t be able to be part of Patriots this season,”

Helmot was quoted as saying.

“I was asymptomatic and my second test has come back negative, but I’m still in home isolation until the department of health and human services give me a green signal.”

He added: “Victoria is currently in stage four of lockdown after a recent spike in cases.

Because of my quarantine restrictions, I wouldn’t have been able to make it in time for the season owing to the quarantine protocols.

“I’m incredibly thankful to Mahesh Ramani, the franchise

owner, and the CPL team of Pete Russell, Tom Moody and the others for working incredibly hard behind the scenes to put it together.”

Helmot’s absence is a double blow for Patriots with assistant coach Malolan Rangarajan also set to miss the CPL campaign because of obligations to the Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

As a result, New Zealander Mark O’Donnell will join Walsh for Patriots’ outing in the tournament which runs from August 18 to September 10.

Walsh, a former Test captain, holds the record for the most wickets by a West Indies bowler with 519 scalps.

Players and officials are expected to begin arriving in Trinidad by chartered flights on Monday for the CPL tournament which will be played behind closed doors in a bio-secure environment because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All persons were scheduled to be tested before departure and then again on arrival, before undergoing a two week quarantine.

Gianni Infantino was re-elected for a second term as FIFA president in June 2019.

Criminal proceedings against Infantino grotesque and absurd, says FIFA

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Brandon King bats for Black Lives Matter

Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman Brandon King

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19

.. to lend support to Caribbean communities affected by pandemic

Players can be red-carded for

deliberately coughing, say IFAB & FA

Players can be red-carded if a referee deems they deliberately coughed at an opponent.

PLAYERS who deliberately cough at other players or match officials can be red-carded, say football’s rule-makers and the Football Association.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said such and offence fell within “using offence, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”.

It added: “As with all offences, the referee has to make a judgement about the true nature of the offence.”

The guidance comes amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

“If it were clearly accidental, then the referee would not take action nor if the ‘cough’ took place with a large distance between the players,” added IFAB. “However, where it is close enough to be

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clearly offensive, then the referee can take action.”

The FA also issued guidance for grassroots football which will come into force immediately.

In a document, it wrote: “If the incident was not severe enough to merit a sending-off, a caution could be issued for ‘unsporting behaviour’.”

It added that referees must not look to punish “routine” coughing and “action can only be supported where it is evident it was a clear act against someone else”.

In terms of the Premier League and English Football League, there is no written guidance and it would be down to the referee’s discretion as to the punishment.

(BBC Sport) TUESDAY,AUGUST 4, 2020