2nd SEPTEMBER, 2022 FRIDAY No. 106833 $100 Former Foreign Minister Rashleigh Jackson dies PAGESSEE2&5SEEPAGE4PNC/R reportedly cash-strapped MV Malali returns to Fort Island after 13 years PAGESEE13 President, Dr. Irfaan Ali was joined on stage by Guyanese of indigenous heritage at the grand cultural extravaganza at the Providence Stadium, East Bank Demerara on Thursday. This is the first major event of many for Amerindian Heritage Month 2022 (Delano Williams photo) ‘We are with you’ - President Ali commits to further support for Indigenous Peoples - new headquarters for National Toshaos’ Council to be built PAGESEE3
2 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022
D&I works commencetoinAnnandale
Former Foreign Minister and revered
AGRICULTURE Minis ter, Zulfikar Mustapha, on Thursday, visited the community of Annan dale on the East Coast of Demerara to meet with residents and fishermen to discuss some of the is sues affecting them. During their engage ment, many residents raised issues with the cur rent state of the roads in the community, the need for street lights, and im proved drainage and irri gation among other things. Some of the residents pre sent said that they were squatting and applied for house lots some time ago and are still awaiting word from the Ministry of Hous ing.In relation to the drain age issues in the com munity, the residents said that there was a trench that needed to be cleaned. They also said that their homes and the schools in the community are usu ally flooded when it rains because the internal drains in the community needed cleaning.Minister Mustapha told the residents that al though the government was coming to an end of its 2022 budget cycle, ef forts would be made by the ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to have some of the needed drain age works completed soon.“A machine will be sent to the area in the new week to start the works and a team from the NDIA, the GLDA, and NAREI will come back to meet with you to see how we can advance agriculture in the com munity. We have to do an assessment of the com munity to see how best we can get the drainage works done. Many of the drains in the commu nity are very narrow so it would be difficult for the machines to do the work but we will work with you,” Minister Mustapha assured residents. He also said that he would engage the Minis ters of Housing and Water as well as the Ministers of Public Works to visit the area and meet with them.
FISHERMEN’SGRANT
GUYANA has lost a titan who proudly served in the diplomatic service for decades, as 93-year-old former Foreign Affairs Minister and highly-refer enced diplomat, Rashleigh Jackson died Thursday evening at his residence. The news of Mr. Jack son’s passing broke on Thursday evening as Presi dent, Dr. Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet of Ministers joined Guya nese and members of the diplomatic corps to usher in Amerindian Heritage Month 2022 at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara Condolences(EBD).from the President was communi cated following the event by Mistress of Ceremony Michella Abraham-Ali. “To his family and colleagues, we express our condolenc es. He served as Foreign Affairs Minister from 1978 to 1990,” the message of condolence noted. A statement from the Foreign Affairs and Inter national Cooperation Min istry expressed “profound sympathy” to Mr. Jackson’s family.Mr. Jackson, the min istry said, “exuded humil ity and dignity, and was a source of inspiration to all those whom he mentored. He was held in high es teem, both regionally and internationally, enhancing Guyana’s profile externally. “He continued to the end of his life, to fight to preserve his country’s sovereignty and territo rial integrity. Guyana has lost a national icon, a true and selfless pa triot. While we grieve his passing, we hold on to treasured methods of rich interaction, and the sharing of the wealth of his knowledge.”
Minister Mustapha told the fishermen present that the Fisheries Department was working thoroughly to have the verification process completed soon. While responding to the delay in the distribution of the grant, Minister Musta pha indicated that unlike the Ministry of Education, the Agriculture Ministry does not have a register of farmers and fishermen. “We do not have a list of all of the fishermen in Guyana. Many fishermen are not licensed. We want ed to give assistance to you because we know there was a period when you were having low catches. When we announced that we would give the grant, many persons who are not fishermen started saying they were fishermen. We had a list and when we commenced the verifica tion process, we received many reports that some of the names on the list were not fishermen. We are still trying to have a list that captures all of the legiti mate fishermen because we do not want a repeat of what happened with the flood relief,” the minister explained. He assured the fisher men that once all goes well with this round of verification, distribution of the grant could com mence within the next two weeks. (Ministry of Agriculture)
diplomat Rashleigh Jackson dies
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha
‘We are with you’ -
And most recently, fol lowing the conclusion of the NTC meeting in July, a commitment was made for the council to be relocated into a new building. “I am pleased to announce that very soon, we will be mov ing into a new spar kling NTC secretariat that is being built by His Excellency and the Government of the Peoples Progressive Party.”
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 3
By Naomi Parris AMID a colourful dis play of the rich cul ture associated with the occasion, Presi dent Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali on Thurs day evening declared open BankatNational2022HeritageAmerindianMonthattheGuyanaStadium,Providence,EastDemerara. Held under the theme, ‘Celebrating our traditional culture while building one Guyana’, this year’s celebration saw a re turn after a two-year hiatus due to COV ID-19 restrictions, as Guyanese of all races flocked the stadium’s tarmac to join in the festivities.Theevening’s pro ceedings got off to a grand start with an ar ray of dances, music and heartfelt poetry. In attendance were Prime Minister Mark Phil lips and Mrs. Phillips, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and other Members of the Cabinet, members of the diplomatic corps and many persons of indigenous heritage residing in the city. In his address to the gathering, President Ali assured Guyana’s First Peoples of the gov ernment’s continued support in fostering an enabling environment for the prosperity and economic development of indigenous commu nities ensuringstronglymunityoursure“Tonight,countrywide.IreaseverymemberofIndigenouscomthatwestandwithyouinthatincre ating the pathway to prosperity we will in clude you; every one of you. Every single family, every single re gion in our equipmentengineersers,fieldsinphaseareplesyoungwantsthesaid.cover,”isGuyanesenityforisofseewhatlooksacrifices…nation,thesymbolsymbolderlyyouthelooktheboostingopmentfitsdigenoustodisproportionaltinuegovernmentfurtherdentsingleofaswillworkwillorwhetherit’scommunity,Indigenouswhetherintheriverinearea;it’sonthehill,inthevalleys,wefindyou.Wewillwithyou,andwemoveyoutogetherwebuildacountryprosperityforeveryfamily,”PresiAlisaid.Thehead-of-statenotedthatthewillcontoworktobridgegapsensurethateveryInpersonbeneequallyfromdevelandeconomic-opportunities.“Whenyougotohinterlandandyouatthefacesofelderly,whatdoseeonthoseelfaces?Youseeaofstrength;theofcharacter,symbolofdetermithesymbolofWhenyouattheyoungfaces,doyousee?Youastoryofhope,oneaspiration,onethatlookingtothefuturethesameopportueverysingleotherhas,andthatthegapthatwemustPresidentAliAnd,reiteratingthatgovernmentalsotoworkwithIndigenousPeotoensurethattheyapartofthenewofdevelopmentthecountryinsuchashealthworknurses,doctors,andheavyoperators will be provided, Presi dent Ali said, “As I said in Region Nine, every single Amerin dian with a qualifica tion that wants to be trained as a nurse, as a teacher, as a dental technician, as a medi cal worker, I am saying to you, know we are committing that we as a government will train every single one. We will provide opportu nity; we will provide money, we will provide that environment, and we will give you that opportunity.”Minsterof Amer indian Affairs Paul ine Sukhai highlighted that while Indigenous culture is widely pro moted and celebrated by Guyanese, many cultural traditions of the country’s First Peo ples are growing faint. “Indigenous culture is personal and unique to our people; it is sa cred, and we will be in denial not to admit that we are seeing this is slowly fading away,” sheHowever,said. she noted that Guyana is the only country with a govern ment that supports and promotes a full month filled with activities that seek to celebrate and recognise the con tribution of Indigenous tradition, knowledge and“Butculture.we are in a unique position. We work not only for the government, which is a committed partner in the drive to promote and preserve our tradi tional culture and way of life, including our Constitution, which makes provision for the protection and preser vation of our ways of life and culture.” She added that while the government is actively working to celebrate and preserve Indigenous culture, everyone must do their part.“Indigenous lead ers, elders and youth have a specific role to play, and we must take our roles seriously. Proactive steps must be taken to not only celebrate and promote our culture, but to keep it alive, to transmit it to the next generation to embrace it and to ensure we have pride in our Also,identity.”while deliv ering remarks at the event, Chair of the Na tional Toshaos Council (NTC) Dereck John lauded the government for its many interven tions in ensuring that Indigenous Peoples are recognised for their contributions to the melting pot that is Guyana.“Our communities are benefiting tremen dously from the out pouring support of the government; we have seen improved roads, networks being devel oped, new bridges are being built, Internet connection,” John said, adding: “We are see ing farmers are being supported, economic grants are being given.
President Ali commits to further support for Indigenous Peoples - new headquarters for National Toshaos’ Council to be built
President Ali joins the scores of Indigenous performers on stage for final performance of the night (Delano Williams photo)
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton
MAIN opposition party, the People’s Nation al Congress Reform (PNC/R) is thenymity,onpartycash-strapped,reportedlyseveralmembersspeakingtheconditionofanohaveinformedGuyanaChronicle.
The party members confirmed that Congress Place was unable to pay several staffers last month, and the situation has caused much unease to the affected staffers. One source indicated to this publication that the last private sector donor stopped contribution to the party last month, citing a loss of confidence in the direction of the party due to positions it has taken over the past few months. The members went on to say that Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton does not enjoy the sup port of all the Opposition members in Parliament, and his leadership style has alienated many from the Severalparty. employees at Congress Place in recent months have either re signed or parted ways with the PNC/R’s head quarters for other reasons. In May of this year, Misenga Jones, the wom an who challenged the use of votes from the recount of the March 2, 2020 elec tions as the basis for the declaration of the result, was fired from her po sition as office clerk at Congress Place, PNC/R Headquarters, Sophia, Georgetown.According to a friend and associate of Jones, who is familiar with the situation at Congress Place, her firing stemmed from the confrontation al behaviour of a PNC member who was very confrontational to inter national observers during the attempt to rig the 2020 elections.InFebruary, Opposi tion Leader Aubrey Nor ton wrote the Chief Elec tions Officer (CEO) of GECOM to inform him that he has selected Carol Smith Joseph as a replace ment for Amna Ally as Chief Scrutineer for the APNU+AFC. Carol Smith Joseph is currently before the court on electoral fraud charges, as she was a central figure in the Coalition’s attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 General Elections.
4 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 H 2 7 8 11 19 25 28 31. 08, 2022 1/9/2022: 2 3 8 9 17 1/9/2022: 2 7 4 1/9/2022: 0 5 6 1/9/2022: 2 6 10 13 15 17 21
PNC/R reportedly cash-strapped
“Former Foreign Affairs Minister Rash leigh Jackson broke down in tears as he spoke about Venezue la’s attempt to ‘rob’ Guyana of the riches offshore Guyana.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 5
heart has fallen in Guyana. Rashleigh Esmond Jackson, at 93, has turned in his Order of Roraima. He and I were born in New Amsterdam a year apart, and our Guyana lives have intertwined in the near century that has passed. Rashleigh, as we all know him, deserves of his country the honour only one’s own home land can tender. We were at Queen’s together, where his mas tery of mathematics was legendary; and after uni versity abroad, he came back to his alma mater to teach a new genera tion.But these were the days of nation building, and in 1964, Rashleigh joined the Public Ser vice, where he remained for most of his working life.By 1966, and inde pendence, I was Minis ter of State for External Affairs, with Rashleigh as the Ministry’s Perma nent Secretary. Togeth er, we built our fledgling Foreign Service that was to serve Guyana’s needs as a new microState beset by existen tialFewthreats.more than me can vouch for the qual ity of the Ministry’s ser vice to Guyana under Rashleigh’s guidance: Names like Rudy Col lins, Anne Jardim, Miles Stoby come to mind; and there were others. In due course, as I went to the Common wealth Secretariat as Secretary General, Rashleigh went to the key position as Ambas sador and thereinequivocallywhichNamibia;rica,ApartheidUDIofhisentsevolvingtions,anaRepresentativePermanentforGuytotheUnitedNawhereGuyana’sdiplomatictaldevelopedunderkeenguidance.TheywerethedaysAfricancauses,likeinRhodesia,andinSouthAfandfreedomforcausesinGuyanawasunactive.Andacoldwarcontext,wasthespecial significance for Guyana of Non-Alignment.InanInterview for the Commonwealth Oral History Project in 2015, Rashleigh recalled those days of Guyanese diplo matic activism: “I remember in the Kingston Meeting in 1975, the section on Southern Africa was drafted by Salim Salim (of Tanzania), Paul Lu saka (of Zambia) and myself as three Heads of the three Committees of the“SalimUN. was Chair of the Committee of 24, and Lusaka was Chair of the Committee against Apartheid. I was Chair man of the UN Council on Namibia… The C’W offered the roles, and provided the personnel for the Committees on these critical issues.” And Guyana’s Am bassador was the centre of this network of key Commonwealth diplo mats at the UN. Elected President of the Council for Namibia in 1974, Rashleigh campaigned vigorously around the world.The visit to Guyana on Namibia Day (Au gust 26) was marked by a monument to Freedom in the grounds of the Umana Yana in George town.Rashleigh ends his commendable book on Guyana’s Diplomacy with reference to “the Presidency that never was”, the Presidency of the General Assembly for 1993. His account is itself such a model of diplomacy that it must suffice for me to remind that for that highest of posts in the UN, Rash leigh Jackson had been warmly endorsed by the Heads of Government of his Caribbean region. It wasn’t to be; but he deserves to be re membered for the out standing work he did in making it possible for Guyana to assume those heights globally. But Rashleigh’s ser vice to Guyana in anoth er sphere needs also to be recalled as he leaves us. It is in relation to Venezuela’s threat to the Guyana Rashleigh helped to build. From Independence, through the 12 years of the Protocol of Port of Spain, and 27 years of Venezuelan filibuster in a thwarted UN good of fices process, Rashleigh laboured in Guyana’s cause, and so to the very end, with diplomatic wariness and passion.
tribute to
“The moment came when he read an excerpt from a speech delivered to the United Nations in 1981 by the then Prime Minister, Dr. Ptolemy Reid.”He, himself had be come Foreign Minis ter of Guyana in 1978, where he remained until 1990, throughout the entire period of my own sojourn at the Common wealth, mindful that in Guyana was a brother professional committed to making the world a better place for all, and especially safeguard ing Guyana’s place in a peaceful and sustainable habitat. May New Amster dam remember with pride its gift to Guy ana of joinandESMONDRASHLEIGHJACKSON,mayallGuyanait.
Esmond Jackson…
Suffice it to quote from the Guyana’s press of 10 January 2019:
mighty purpleheart
A Rashleigh
‘A has fallen’ Rashleigh Jackson at a meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy in 2021 (Photo credit: DPI)
By Sir ARamphalShridathMIGHTYpurple
Empowering young people revolts against and his
Dear Editor, AN intimidated Norton meekly back-pedalled and admitted that, “There is nothing to be investigated as it relates to my call to the Chairman of GECOM to go.” Chewing on his previ ous words, “We hope we don’t have to close it and Claudette Singh will do the decent thing and resign… pressure her to resign or face unspecified action,” he conveniently skipped this portion and left this state ment outside of the room. Choosing not to refer to this ransom, he fast tracked to mutter, “The police has nothing to investigate….” Those are damaging, dan gerous and incriminating words, certainly not meant to lower the blood pres sure of the chairperson but rather, on the contrary, to make her gulp and gasp in fear for her life. There is no ambiguity about any veiled threat and the nature of the man is again repro duced when he continued with, “the police could be sued and if the police goes in the direction of follow ing PPP on these kinds of activities, legal action will be taken against them.” His choice of words again underscored him resorting to threats and his bullish actions, the big difference, this time he is threatening the police. Forgetting that he is not the President of the country, he wants to direct the show by dictating from outside what cannot be done and what must be done, based on his terms and conditions. No wonder the Attorney-General Mr Anil Nandlall, surmised that the man is living in ‘La La Land.’
revolving revulsion
“I am deeply disturbed at the credible reports that persons, purportedly allied to certain political forces in Guyana, have been threaten ing, defaming, and verbally abusing leading personalities in the CARICOM Secretariat, including the Secretary Gen eral, His Excellency Irwin La Rocque. This is wholly unacceptable! Accordingly, I publicly call upon His Ex cellency President David Granger, an honourable man, to denounce those who have been engaged in such threats, defamation, and verbal abuse. The voices of all decent men and women of democratic temper must join in the de nunciation and condemna tion of those whose nefari ous agenda is antithetical to everything that is good and honourable in our Caribbean civilisation,” he was quoted as saying. His words remain relevant and applicable to the batch of Coalition members and their performance in and out of me,BarbadosandPrimeattemptspersons,self-samedialimplyingmentmemorisedandisterAttorney-GeneralPerhapsParliament.theHonourableandMinofParliamentaryAffairsGovernancemusthavetheaddedcombyDrRalphGonsalves,andimploringremefollow-upaction:“ThesevileandvulgarhavingfailedintheirtocurseandbullyMinisterMiaMottleyformerPrimeMinisterofOwenArthur,andhavenowturnedtheir demonic attention to senior staff members of CARICOM and other reputable persons in Guyana and the Carib bean Community. We must continue, fearlessly, to do the right thing. The evil of the anti-democratic brigands must not be allowed any space to triumph. I await, soonest, the declaration by the Chair of GECOM of the results of the elections. It is long over-due!” Guyana and law-abid ing Guyanese cannot allow Norton to continue with his mission to disrespect the law by issuing intimidating threats. Minister Teixeira is well within her right, in timating her intention to formally write the interna tional community regarding the ‘targeting and threats to Justice Singh, as well as Norton’s “dastardly plot” to undermine the GECOM and the electoral system in Guyana. Meanwhile, the world revolts against Norton and his revolving revulsion.Yours respectfully, Jai Lall THE Government has been investing heavily in the development of hu man capital, especially as it relates to young peo ple. This is indeed a posi tive and forward-looking step, given the critical role young people can, and do play in the exciting task of nation-building. Young people comprise more than half of the total population, and the future belongs to them. Indeed, there is no better time in the country’s history to be young, given the enormous opportunities that now abound, thanks, in part, to the emergence of our evolv ing petroleum sector, but also to visionary leadership on the part of the PPP/C administration. Studies have shown that young people are much more adaptable to change, are less constrained by tradition, and are more likely to innovate and think, as it were, outside of the box.The fact is that young people do play a decisive role in decision-making, starting from the very top with the election of Presi dent Ali, who is now ranked among the youngest indi viduals to hold the office of president in the region, and, for that matter, the world at large. The same could be said of former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who, at the time of his assump tion of office as Executive President was the youngest in the country’s history, and the region. Both Dr. Ali and Dr. Jagdeo continue to play important leadership roles at the highest decision-making levels as President and Vicepresident, respectively. This is consistent with the strong emphasis placed by the PPP on the involve ment of young people in leadership roles. Dr. Cheddi Jagan was still in his twen ties when he won a seat in the Legislative Assembly in the 1947 elections, despite a limited franchise which prevented a significant num ber of working people from participating in the voting exercise, due to income and property restrictions. He subsequently became one of the youngest persons to have been elected as the colony’s Chief Minister and Premier. This tradition of involv ing young people in leader ship roles has a long history, and is currently manifested in the composition of the current PPP/C Cabinet, which is, undoubtedly, the most youthful and energetic in the country’s history. It is no exaggeration to state that the level of energy displayed by President Ali and his entire Cabinet is extraordi nary, and has been a major contributory factor in the country’s transformation along the path of modernity and economic and social prosperity.Thefact is that young people are now provided with opportunities to re alise their full potential in ways not hitherto possible. Through the GOAL pro gramme, eligible Guyanese can now realise their dream of accessing higher educa tion without having to place financial burdens on them selves or their families. The same can be said of the Na tional Youth Empowerment Programme administered by the Ministry of Labour through the Board of Indus trial Training, where thou sands of young Guyanese are trained in a variety of skill areas throughout the length and breadth of Guy ana. Young people are also the beneficiaries of the so cial policies of the PPP/C administration, especially in the areas of housing and educational opportunities. Guyana is going places with young people at the helm, which, along with the support and guidance of seniors, has catapulted the country to new and greater heights. The frontiers of de velopment are now rapidly expanding, driven by our political leaders. In all of this, the contribution of our young people has been high ly significant, and with the renewed emphasis placed on youths by President Ali, their contributions to nationbuilding and governance will only be enhanced. The fact is that the con tributions of all Guyanese, regardless of race, colour, creed, religious or politi cal affiliation, are needed if the full developmental potential is to be fully re alised. We can only move forward as a society with all hands on board, a re ality that has been fully recognised by President Ali as he envisaged a Guy ana based on oneness and social cohesion, and one in which no Guyanese will be left behind.
6 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022
The world
The Attorney-General took umbrage at Norton’s words, deeds and actions, prompting Minister of Par liamentary Affairs and Gov ernance Gail Teixeira to call on the police to investigate the threats and acts of in timidation by the Leader of the Opposition against the chair of GECOM.
“These threats and verbal attacks expose a sinister plot to bul ly and intimidate a former Judge and the chairperson of a constitutional body, the Guyana Elections Commis sion, one of the highest in the land which is established to protect the right of the Guyanese people to vote for a government of their choice in freely and fairly managed elections,” Minister Teixeira stated. Guyanese would recall and the world will not forget the “misogynist and racist attacks” by members of the opposition party against the national, regional and inter national observers at the Gen eral Elections 2020, including members of the ABCE dip lomatic corps. This country was held hostage for five agonizing months when the Granger-led PNC government had their knees on the back of Guyanese and the nation was not allowed to breathe, their freedom snatched. Mean while, the diabolical admin istration functioned illegally and a number of illegitimate resolutions and approvals wereMinisterpassed. Teixeira further stated, “Mr Norton and his party cannot accept any per son that opposes their interest and stands in their way for their thirst for power, more so women daring to stand up for what is right. This is evident even within their own party in his abhorrent treatment as the newly elected leader of his party of former General-Sec retary, Amna Ally, a woman who served her party loyally for 53 years.” Chip off the block, Norton continues from where Granger left off. It is noteworthy to reflect on former CARICOM Chair man and Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves’ pro nouncement, calling on the then President Granger to denounce those speaking ill of the Secretariat officials.
Norton
The 1990s: A Critical Turning Point
The 1990 period was cho sen because of four reasons: (1) it signified the restoration of electoral democracy; (2) it ended 24 years of authoritar ian rule; (3) it marked the end of the downswing (collapse) in the economy (1977-1990); and (4) highlighted the role of debt relief in the country’s economic recovery.
Yours sincerely, Dr Tara Singh
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 7
Dear Editor, THE following views on po litical developments in the 1990s are intended to pro vide young Guyanese (18-25 years) in particular, with a broader understanding of the nature of the existing politi cal struggle for state power. They would have gathered enough knowledge on living conditions under both the PNCR and PPP/C admin istrations in the 2000s. But they would not necessarily have had a good understand ing of the evolution of the political struggle in the 1990s and even before. This is an attempt to cast their focus in this direction.
The 1992 elections (free and fair) were held under a Carter-Hoyte brokered agree ment that allowed for (i) the preparation of an accurate vot ers’ list; (ii) a balanced election commission; and (iii) votes to be counted and declared at polling places. Some PNC/R members, however, were skep tical. Former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green wrote: “I ad vised President Hoyte to abort the 1992 vote as the lists were clearly flawed but he refused to, I did not want to create mayhem.”ThePNCR’s disenchant ment over their 1992 electoral defeat was expressed in resist ance and other forms of street violence. Rioters who stormed the Election Centre and the GECOM Headquarters, terri fied President Jimmy Carter, who was forced to seek the US State Department’s inter vention. “The most personal danger I have felt since leaving the White House was in Guy ana in 1992.” Persistent social agitation (making the country ungovernable and use of in cendiary rhetoric, ‘slow fiah mo fiah,’ exploded in mayhem in January 1998 following the victory of the PPP/C at the 1997 and the 2001 elections. PNCRites claimed that the voters’ list was flawed, but an independent audit by Interna tional IDEA found the list to be 99 per cent accurate. In the 1980s, the economy was in serious distress. Guyana defaulted on debt servicing; the country’s GDP shrunk by –13.19 per cent in 1982 and –6.9 per cent in 1983; inflation was 40 per cent in 1988, while the public debt of $(US) 1.8 billion in 1988 was spinning out of control; the poverty level was 43 per cent; and international reserves were $(US) 26.6 million in 1990 (enough to cover for just four weeks’ imports). Guy ana’s PNC President, Desmond Hoyte, was forced to broker an IMF Economic Recovery Pro gramme (ERP) that required the privatisation of state corpo rations, removal of trade bar riers and price controls, allow the Guyana currency to float, provide for poverty reduction, consolidate and strengthen public sector management, ini tiate social sector reforms, and improve balance of payments. The implementation of these measures not only dis mantled the “command and control” structure of the econ omy (1968-1992), but also led to the dramatic devaluation of the Guyana dollar: from $(G) 3 to $(US) 1 in 1985 to $(G) 145 to $(US) 1 in 1993, while 17 per cent (6,000) of public service workers were retrenched, along with 7,000 from state-owned corpora tions. Industrial relations and collective bargaining became a casualty in the process. The country’s access to a conces sionary loan under the ESAF (Enhanced Structural Adjust ment Facility) in the sum of $(US) 72.7 million that was suspended in 1991 (because the PNC government could not meet the targets set) was restored in 1999. When the PPP took office in 1992, they had to allocate 50 per cent of foreign exchange (forex) for debt servicing, and 40 per cent forex were for fuel payments, leaving only 10 per cent to run government operations; they had to tame inflation which was 101.5 per cent in 1991 and brought it down to single digit; they increased international re serves at an average annual of $(US) 268.06 (during 19921999) from $(US) 191.43 in 1992; they achieved an annual growth rate of 7.3 per cent in the 1990s; succeeded in reduc ing the public external debt that was $(US) 2.1 billion in 1992 to $(US) 1.196 billion in 2000, mainly through debt relief negotiated with the Paris Club and the World Bank/IMF Enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries (EHIPC) and related Multilateral Debt Re lief Initiative (MDRI). The message from the 1990s was clear: open mar ket reforms saved the coun try from economic collapse. There is no turning back in the forseeable future. The debt burden would no longer be an albatross around the necks of Guyanese. The IMF projects that 4.8 per cent of the country’s revenues would be used to service the exter nal public debt in 2022.
The State was represent ed by Prosecutor Muntaz Ali, who told the Court that Persaud was at the Stabroek Market at the time the ac cused snatched his gold chain. Persaud fought back, and was subsequently stabbed in the chest by the then 15-yearold, who was armed with a knife, but fled the scene and was seen boarding a Route 48 minibus.Thepolice, acting on information, later arrested the teen at his Sophia home. The 21-year-old, after pleading to manslaughter, told the Court that at the time, he was young and lacked guidance. As such, Justice Kissoon set his sentenc ing date for September 26, and ordered a psycho logical evaluation, and the preparation of a probation report.
TAXI driver, Ranchal Singh, on Thursday, ad mitted to his involvement in the death of Sophia, Georgetown teacher, Si mone Hackett in 2016. His co-accused, Cle vaughn Hamilton, how ever, denied his involve ment in Hackett’s death. Hamilton is the father of Hackett’s child. Both men appeared be fore Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court on Thursday for the offence of Attorneymurder.Latchmie Ra hamat represented Singh, called “Andy” while Attor ney Alaira Murphy-Good man represented Hamilton, called East2016tweenbothDuring“Quarters”.thehearing,mendeniedthatbeApril16and19,atCummingsLodge,CoastDemerara (ECD), they murdered Hackett of ‘C’ Field, So phia.However, Singh opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. As a result, Justice Singh ordered the presentation of a probation report and deferred his sentencing to SeptemberMeanwhile,26. in Ham ilton’s case, a jury was empanelled for his trial
During the hearing, instead of pleading to the capital offence of murder, he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
A 21-year-old man on Thursday admitted kill ing Hemant Persaud, the brother of former ‘Top Cop’, Seelall Persaud, in 2017. The young man was charged with the murder as a juvenile when he was 15 years old, in a charge against him that read that on Febru ary 19, 2017, he murdered 51-year-old Persaud, called “Bhim”, of Affiance Village, Essequibo Coast. The 21-year-old, who was represented by Attor ney-at-Law Alaira MurphyGoodman, appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court for the offence.
Sophia teacher’s death… Driver pleads guilty to manslaughter, ‘child father’ to stand trial Man admits killing brother of former ‘Top Cop’
8 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022
ACCUSED: Clevaughn Hamilton Dead: Simone Hackett
CONFESSED: Ranchal Singh
DEAD: Hemant Persaud which is expected to begin on Monday.Hackett’s slashed and decomposed body was found in a canal at Cum mings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on April 18, 2016, after she was reported missing one day prior.It was said that she went to go collect a package but did not return. Hackett’s body was discovered by two schoolboys on their way to school, and was posi tively identified by her relatives. A post-mortem that was conducted showed that Hackett died as a result of incised wounds to the neck.
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Summit of Americas promise of closer ties
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 9
GUYANA and the Unit ed States continue to strengthen their efforts aimed at eliminating hunger and addressing issues surrounding food security in the Carib bean region. A team of government officials met with mem bers of the United States Agency for ofwereandDevelopmentInternational(USAID),bilateraldiscussionsheldattheMinistryForeignAffairsand International Cooperation, Ramphal House. The visit follows the Summit of Ameri cas, where the leaders of CARICOM and President and Vice-President of the United States agreed on the establishment of three high-level action com mittees. These were for food security, energy and finance.Already, the work of the food security highlevel joint committee cochaired by Foreign Sec retary, Robert Persaud on behalf of CARICOM and US Assistant Secretary of State, Brian Nichols has concluded its initial report.The visit by the US AID mission was a fol low-up to the Summit of Americas process and im plementation of the joint committee report and de veloping a medium- and long-term plan. The dialogue between the two sides saw a num ber of discussions of mutual interest in areas aligned with the Caribbe an Community’s (CARI COM) 25 by 2025 food agenda.Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Musta pha explained that there is a united decision in CARICOM as it relates to food“Wesecurity.have already agreed on what we should tackle and how we can address it in the next three years that we have set our self [sic] an agenda,” he stated.Minister Mustapha disclosed that the region’s ministerial task force has been advancing discus sions on food security, where a number of com modities were prioritised to reduce the almost $5 billion food- import bill. He outlined transporta tion as another issue that must be addressed around the region and farther afield.“Transportation is a serious problem for us too, we have to look at that to develop and work energy around the Carib bean and North America, the United States to look at those aspects,” the min isterHeemphasised.highlighted a num ber of products that were delayed during the COV ID-19 pandemic, explain ing that after 12 to 13 months, containers which were en route to Guyana with essential products were stuck in Miami. To this end, the minis ter pointed out that efforts are being made to see how a transportation model can be established across the Caribbean, beginning with Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.“Butthat is a work still in progress,” the minister stated.Efforts are also being made to develop the capa bility of technical officers across the region. “What we have been doing over the last few months, is sharing techni cal expertise around the Caribbean, but still, we need to build capacity and we will need country like the United States to help us in those Moreover,areas.”following the war in Ukraine there has been a shortfall of wheatHowever,globally.locally, an indoor wheat-production trial with several varieties has already been com pleted.The trial has proven successful, and according to Minister Mustapha, an open-field trial is ex pected to begin by the end of next month in Region Nine.He emphasised that the expertise from coun tries such as the US is needed in these interven tions to ensure proper management.Meanwhile, the min ister also emphasised that the Ukraine calamity also contributed to the hike in the price of natural gas.
USAID high-level team follows up on
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud during the bilateral talks
THE University of Guy ana Press (UGP) officially launched the ‘Archaeol ogy of Guyana, Second Edition’, which will now significantly add to the limited existing literature on the history of Guyana’s archaeology, a statement from the university said on Wednesday. “It was a moment of pride and accomplishment for authors; Dr Mark Plew and UG’s Louisa Daggers, AbD, who have been en gaged in the project for a number of years. The book provides a much-needed syn thesis of Guyana’s position in South American prehistory,”
the Holocene as a temporal backdrop—from which most of the region’s archaeology is known—the authors were able to capture a summary of research that has been done over the years which has helped bring to light the extent and rich ness of human occupation in Guyana.One of the authors of the book, Ms Louisa Daggers, a lecturer in the Department of Language and Cultural Stud ies, University of Guyana, stood proudly and delivered remarks on the cultural im portance of the book to the Guyanese populace and by extension the Caribbean. Ms Daggers explained that the publication seeks to redefine over 100 years of research into less technical phenomena. “It really is upon us to safeguard the heritage as it is at risk to changing developmental dynamics in cluding illicit trade, mining and a global phenomenon, climate change and, yes, climate change, it does have sites vulnerable to flooding, to erosion and damages over time and all of this requires us to be more proactive in the management and preser vation of our heritage,” she expressed.Theauthor believes that Guyanese archaeology is im portant and that it constitutes a very significant aspect of global heritage. “Guyanese archaeology is one which can unify us if it’s acknowledged, but we must safeguard this heritage for the future,” the authorNoturged.onlywill this book be a valuable resource for those interested in the history of human occupation in northern South America, but it will be an important point of refer ence for scholars working elsewhere such as the Carib bean which likely had ties to Guyana at different points in time.During the book launch at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT), Turkeyen Campus last month, Univer sity of Guyana’s Vice-Chan cellor, XI, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, congratu lated the authors of the pub lication noting that their ex cellent work captured in the book will add significantly to the existing literature on Guyana’s archaeology. The VC expressed: “I am really happy to see this book completed because it took such a long time to get done. Not only because of COVID but because the Edi tor-in-Chief of the University of Guyana Press, Professor TURN
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UGUsingsaid.
This, he explained, has driven up the cost for fer tiliser, which has become a major issue for farmers across the Caribbean. In Guyana, the admin istration was able to aid farmers with billions of dollars in subsidies. But while more veg etables are being pro duced this year when compared to last year, due to the cost of pro duction, prices are still high.“So, these are the things affecting us and those are the areas [on which] I think we should concentrate,” he stated. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said the meeting will advance the ongoing works be tween the two partners, stressing the need to ex plore the inter-relation in terms of food security, energy and finance. The foreign secre tary reiterated Guyana’s commitment to working with the US on deep ening the partnership towards addressing food security and related is sues in the region. In brief remarks, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Lynch, commend ed the Guyana Govern ment for being “prolific” in leading the agriculture agenda in the Caribbean region.The mission has re iterated its commitment to work closely with re gional and international partners to develop com pressive programmes which respond to foodsecurity challenges faced by the region. The USAID team also comprised Assis tant Deputy Director of USAID, Tina Ba lin; USAID/ESC Re gional ty),LeadSpecialistsandficer,vatePhillipdevelopmentClintonRepresentative,White;SeniorAdviser,Schwehm;PriEnterpriseOfBrennaMcKay;EconomicGrowth(MissiononFoodSecuriDurwinHumphrey.
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USAID high-level...
UG Press publishes ‘The Archaeology of Guyana’ - dubbed “first book of its kind’
10 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 11
IN light of the in creasing demand for aggregate from the emerging oil and gas sector and construc tion industry, Puran Brothers Inc. plans to fill the gap with a $300 million sand and loam mining project at Re gions Three and Four. The site for this pro ject is located on the right bank of the Esse quibo River, in an area known as Ampa Bay, which consists of ap proximately 500 acres. According to the pro ject summary seen by Guyana Chronicle, the project activities entail the mining of approxi mately 30,000 CYD of sand and 10,000 CYD of loam every month. Materials will be transported from the mining site to Parika Outfall using a 1,200 CYD Capacity Barge and will offload and be transported to the pro ject site and excess will be stored at the Crane Compound.Theestimated pro ject life is 45 to 50 years based on the estimated reserves and there will be approximately 30 members of Accordingstaff.to the summary, the activi ties with the mining of sand and loam are conducting the cadas tral surveying to es tablish the perimeter boundaries of the plot of land, road alignment in keeping with the site plan, area for workers’ living quarters and op erations office, area for mechanical workshop and parking of machin ery and equipment, es tablishing mining pits for sand and loam, es tablish a decomposing area to store trees and other shrubs for the site during land clearing ex ercise and establishing a waste dump for storing overburden.Additionally, other activities are establish ing temporary camping sites with all amenities for employee comfort, safety, and security, clearing the grubbing areas based on the de velopment schedule in cluding internal roads and the main hauling road to the waterfront, and developing facili ties to moor pontoons and to facilitate the loading of same with sand and loam, building housing and operations facilities and then to commence mining. Puran Brothers’ project is expected to supplement opera tions within Guyana’s construction industry which is expected to advance even further this year, with plans to further invest heavily in the establishment and maintenance of criti cal infrastructure. The construction industry is projected to grow by 10.5 per cent in 2022. Speaking from the public investment side, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Sin gh, during his presenta tion of Budget 2022, said: “Mr. Speaker, the government is commit ted to filling the sub stantial infrastructural gaps that exist across our nation. In 2022, we will continue to invest heavily in construction projects across all sec tors, alongside major projects coming from private sector invest ment paredcentsectorTheinitiatives.”constructiongrewby29.8perin2021whencomwith2020.
And this is under pinned by both the major public infra structural buildout that is currently un derway, as well as increased private sector activity in Dr.dentialcommercial,industrial,andresiconstruction,Singh,hadsaid.
Puran
investingBrothers$300M in sand, loam project
Another death sentence for ‘Smallie’ - as Court hears of ‘forgiveness’ by murder victim’s grandmother Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”
12 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022
CONVICTED murderer Mark Royden Williams, known as “Smallie”, was on Thursday sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer Ivor Wil liams. ‘Smallie’ Williams, who is currently a death row inmate, was found guilty of the murder in late July, and was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon on Thursday at the Demerara High Court. 24-year-old Ivor Wil liams was killed on January 23, 2008 during a confronta tion at Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Prior to the sentence be ing handed down, the Court heard a probation report which stated that residents of the Buxton and Friend ship communities recalled the period as a terrifying one.It further noted that young persons from the vil lages were forced to be part of the gang that brought fear and terror to the him.time,ter,toherforgivenvictim’sreport,cialAdditionally,community.asthesoworkerpresentedtheshestatedthatthegrandmotherhadWilliams,andthatgrandson’sopportunitybeafathertohisdaughwhowasaninfantatthewassnatchedfrom
As such, in a final plea, Williams’s attorney told the Court that before sentencing, it should be considered that his client is young, and can be rehabilitated, even as he added that that period was a difficult one in Guyana’s history.However, State Prosecu tor Taneisha Saygon told the Court that the seriousness of the offence, along with the aggravating factors should be considered.Asaresult, Justice Kissoon said that the crime was a calculated effort to murder soldiers for no rea son other than the fact that they were members of the Disciplined Services. The Judge added that the case of Williams was among the worst which he noted attracted the death sentence. He indicated that the ac cused will have to suffer death for his criminal acts. In February 2017, Wil liams was sentenced to death when a jury found him guilty of eight counts of murder in relation to the 2008 Bartica Massacre, in which a dozen persons, including three po lice officers, were shot dead. Several months later, in July 2017, Williams escaped from the prison at Camp Street, Georgetown during a riot. It is believed that he was the Williams,mastermind.however, was nabbed on October 9, 2017, at Weldaad, West Coast Ber bice (WCB), while travel ling in a public minibus. In 2013, Williams was acquitted after a 12-mem ber jury found him not guilty of the charges against him in relation to the 2008 Lusignan Mas sacre, which claimed the lives of 11 persons, includ ing five children.
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Copies of the book are available at the Univer sity of Guyana Campus Store and the University of Guyana Press at a cost of GY $5,500. Additional information is provided on UG Press’ official website.
George K. Danns insisted that anything that had to be addressed in this book had to be done perfectly.”
The Vice-Chancellor also praised the work of the UG Press, noting that the UGP is aiming to publish at least one book per quarter in this initialMinisterphase. of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, who also served previously as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, delivered remarks on the his torical value of Archaeology in Guyana, noting that Guy ana has a deep archaeologi cal history but it has not been captured and documented in a way that future generations willDrbenefit.Anthony reflected that while he was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport he recognised that archaeology in Guyana was not properly highlighted and he sought to implement a programme with one of the authors Dr Mark Plew to involve local students in the museum field school.“We wanted local people to go out into field, I think that led to us building capac ity. Today, Ms Daggers is a product of that programme and I am so proud to cel ebrate this book,” the Minis ter added.Inhis brief remarks, Chair of the UGP Editorial Board, Professor Danns, ap plauded the Press and the Vice-Chancellor for their ef ficient work in ensuring that the book was handedopenturalthroughvision.likepressed:Professormaterialised.Dannsex“IwouldpersonallytothanktheVCforherAsthePresshasgoneaperiodofstrucadjustmentanditisnowandrunning.”CopiesofthebookwereovertotheUniversityofGuyanaLibraryrepositories,GuyanaNationalLibrary,NationalToshaosCouncilandtheSouthRupununiDistrictCouncilaswellasalltheIndigenouspersonspresentatthelaunch.PresentatthelaunchwereAmbassadorofChile,JuanPino;BritishHighCommissioner,JaneMiller;USEmbassyrepresentative,DeputyChiefofMission,AdrienneGalanek;DeputySpeakeroftheNationalAssembly,LenoxShuman;membersoftheseniormanagementteamandotherstaffofUG.
The Vice-Chancellor ac knowledged that the book “is a wonderful work of love and labour. This is a wonderful addition to a very small but growing literature on the archaeology of Guyana.”
UG Press publishes...
AFTER a 13-year hiatus, residents of Fort Island, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are now benefitting from the reintroduction of the ferry service which began on August 27. The MV Malali will ser vice Fort Island in Region Three.The reintroduction of the ferry service was made possible following the Presi dent, Dr. Irfaan Ali-led Peo ple’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s $82 million investment that saw the construction of a new stelling on the island. The return of the ferry service is also the fulfilment of a commitment made by government upon completion of the stelling back in May. Fort Island is home to about 95 persons and over 200 persons from the catch mentAgricultureareas. is one of the island’s main economic ac tivities, which includes farm ing and Withfishing.theferry now back in service, persons will not only be able get their produce to the market, but also sell to persons who stop with the ferry on the island. The island, which is also a major tourist destination, is home to Fort Zeelandia which was built in 1744. It is also home to the Court of Policy, a Dutch Heritage Mu seum which is the only one of its kind in Guyana. It is one of the stops on many of the circuit tours in the Essequibo River. Govern ment has already signalled its commitment to further develop the tourism circuit in the Essequibo region. Transport and Harbour’s General Manager Marcelene Merchant disclosed that “every Saturday while on its way to Bartica, the ferry would make stops to the Fort Island stelling, whether it is to drop off or to pick up passengers or their cargo and also on the return from Bartica on Sundays, the ferry would also stop at Fort Is land.”However, the general manager noted that systems are in place should the need arise for the ferry to stop dur ing the week. “If there are any spe cial request [sic] during the week--because the ferry don’t usually stop during the week-- but if there are any special [reasons] to stop and do any pick up or drop off, well then we will be more than happy to facilitate that,” she stated. As it relates to cost, adults will pay $100 from Parika to Fort Island and children $60. For adults from Bartica to Fort Island, the fare will be $420 for adults and $220 for chil dren. (DPI) The MV Malali during its Fort Island stop last weekend (DPI photo)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 13
MV Malali returns to Fort Island after 13 years as stelling rebuilt - ushering in tourism, agriculture boost
Scenes from the Amerindian Heritage
14 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022
AMERINDIAN Heritage Month 2022 got started with a grand cultural presentation at the National of Ministers were joined by Guyanese and members of the Diplomatic Corps to witness the
Heritage Month 2022 Cultural Extravaganza
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 2, 2022 15
National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD). President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and his Cabinet celebration. Guyana Chronicle’s photographer, Delano Williams captured these moments.
MELODIOUS rhythms and harmonies of the sitar filled the auditorium of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Saturday, as the 24th edition of Naya Zamana was held. The theatrical production returned after a two-year hiatus and was staged under the theme ‘AgniSutra’- the thread of fire. Written, directed and choreographed by Dr Vindhya Persaud, the show, which is an annual production, featured captivating story-telling through dance and music. Here are a few scenes captured by the Guyana Chronicle’s photographer, Elvin Carl Croker.
16 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022
Another stunning staging of Naya Zamana
AT just 12 years old, Imee ka Divine Fraser wrote her first song titled, “See Me On My Grind,” a concept she said easily came to mind which gave her an opportunity to express her confidence in reaching her future goals. By that time, she’d already known that she wanted to become a sing er/song writer, especially with the backing that came from her father, Clarence ‘Imykal’ Fraser, who is also a musician by pro fession.Born in Jamaica, Imee ka, now 17, migrated to Guyana at an early age to live with her father. Having completed her song, she started recording at age“Imeeka13. is a prom ising and talented artist [sic] who aspires to do great things in music,” the proud father told BUZZ this“Herweek.musical ambitions are versatile, grounded and rooted in consciousness and collective vibes. Her songs are currently getting a lot of airplay,” he con tinued.Currently working with House of Relatives Pro ductions Recording Label, in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Imeeka has experienced crossover music, meaning that she not only focuses on Reg gae and R&B, but explores other genres as well. Just recently, her two songs “On the Rise” and “Starting from the Bot tom” were released and she’s currently working on producing videos for both. Having recorded more than five songs in her ca reer so far, she’s written quite a lot more and will be recording new ones soon. “I always loved music and I realised I wanted to do it as a career. I have always been singing and I always knew it was some thing I was good at,” the young musician expressed, adding, “I want to be an international artiste and at a certain age, I want to accomplish a lot.” Imeeka said she be lieves she will make it as she is ready to put in the dedication and hard work that are required.
Young musician Imeeka Divine is ‘On the Rise’
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022 17
She also sings strictly positive, conscious mu sic. “I feel it has so much impact on people. Not ev eryone likes unnecessary singing; people want rel evant music. Some people like negativity in music but not everyone. I want to inspire people with my music,” she Currentlysaid.working on an album called “Calling on the Universe,” which is to be released in January, Imeeka is also doing a col laboration with Jamaican reggae star Although‘Erup.’music is what she wants as a profession, she also has in mind pursu ing her studies further. She hopes to focus on business, which she believes will complement her music. Imeeka is also grate ful for the support from her dad. “He has always been helping me. He’s the one person who is always there to push and guide me.”
Young musician Imeeka Divine Fraser Imeeka is currently working on an album called “Calling on the Universe” to be released in January With her father, Clarence ‘Imykal’ Fraser
On the other hand, “rap is a low-hanging fruit and an easy one to target because most of society is not going to fight for the rights of those that they consider beneath them or an art form they consider below them.”
Young Thug in 2018 (Photo credit: GETTY Images; retrieved from BBC)
Young Thug: How rap lyrics put a rapper behind bars
evidentiary value that helped us solve the case,” said Phil Stirling, a former Los An geles County deputy district attorney.MrStirling conceded that unfair verdicts may result from an over-zealous prose cutor or an unfair judge, but rejected the notion that using lyrics as evidence is “racist”. “There are murders that occur in the rap world be cause of connections with gang members,” he said. “The victims are [mostly] black and brown. If [the use of rap lyrics] is racist, let’s do away with it. But who suffers in theThereend?”have been some past attempts to limit the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminalEighttrials.years ago, New Jersey’s state supreme court overturned the attempted murder conviction of aspir ing rapper Vonte Skinner. Prosecutors had used Mr Skinner’s lyrics as evidence in the case, which the Su preme Court ruled 6-0 had the effect of “poisoning the jury”.Lawmakers in California and New York have also advanced bills this year to bar the use of lyrics in state courtrooms.TheRap Act would be the first measure to do so on the federal level, though it is still too soon to tell whether it will eventually become law. But regardless of its suc cess or failure, the jailing of Young Thug has given momentum to artists pushing for change.Michael Render, better known as rapper and activist Killer Mike, is among several high-profile artists who have featured Mr Williams in their music since his indictment, also arguing that the arrest fits with a racially prejudiced targeting of rap music. “If you were writing a movie, and something hap pens that’s coincidentally similar to the movie, I’m not going to charge you and your whole movie set as a cartel,” said Mr Render.
18 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022 (BBC) - WAS a Gram my-winning rapper singing about crimes he commit ted or simply expressing himself as an artist? New legislation in the US sets guardrails on the use of lyrics as evidence in crim inal cases. Under the alias Young Thug, Jeffery Lamar Wil liams, 31, has sold more than 2.5 million albums and been hailed as “the 21st century’s most influential rapper”. But prosecutors in his native Atlanta are not im pressed. In May, Mr Wil liams was arrested on rack eteering and gang-related charges and has been in jail since. This month, he was denied bond for a third time. Prosecutors allege that Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records, the rap label Mr Williams founded, is the front for an organised crime syndicate responsible for “75 to 80% of violent crime” in the Partcity. of their evidence to make that case? The lyrics that have garnered Mr Wil liams legions of fans. “I never killed anybody but I got something to do with that body,” he proclaims on the 2018 song Anybody, for example. “I told them to shoot a hundred rounds.” Listeners of rap music rarely flinch at the genre’s predilection for violent ref erences - but rap artists in courtrooms around the coun try have been finding out for years that judges and juries might.Rap lyrics have been used in more than 500 crim inal cases around the US over the past two decades as evidence.Now, a new bill in US Congress aims to stop the practice, raising questions about free speech, artistic expression and race. The Restoring Artistic Protections or Rap Act was introduced last month by Congressman Hank John son, a black Democrat from Georgia, who argues that the use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence is “Bringingracist.rap lyrics into the fact-finding process of tentimes is just another way of creating prejudice and bias in the minds of jurors and judges, and that’s wrong,” he said.Advocates for the rap industry agree, and say that the art form is routinely un der “We’veassault. looked at this for decades and no other fictional form, musical or otherwise, is being targeted this way,” said Erik Nielson, a professor at the University of Richmond who studies the relationship between black artistic expression and US Andlaw. according to his 2019 book, Rap on Trial, co-authored with former public defender Andrea Den nis, the practice of using rap as criminal evidence is growing.“Byand large, it is ama teur rappers, those without any real name recognition, who generally lack the resources they would need to mount a vigorous defence,” he said. “But we’re starting to see that police and prosecutors have become more embold ened.”Of the more than one hundred cases Mr Nielson has consulted on, he argues that none were obvious cases of a rapper chronicling crim
“Hip hop is art, it is literature, it is poetry, it is free speech, it is jour nalism, and it should be protected as such,” said Ja maal Bowman, a congress man whose district includes the Bronx, NY, the birth place of hip hop. “It should not be criminalised.”
inal activity or mapping out crimes they’d like to commit. “They are stock lyrics that have been uttered many times by platinum-selling artists, but prosecutors do not characterise them that way,” he said.By cherry-picking lyr ics that are threatening and prejudicial, prosecutors can “play upon, but also per petuate, the stereotypes that many jurors [and judges] hold about the criminality of young black men”, even if there is no physical evidence they’ve committed a crime, said Mr Nielson.
In the case of Mr Wil liams, prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia have argued that YSL, despite gunpleadedseriousearlierplicateainfootageauthoritiesAngelesforcalticularabestrategyhavethatartistsandformIthisfromtoquestsrespondCountycrimeclientSteellong-timecharges,havedozensaretherancechargingcarjacking.murder,felonytiedin(RICO)andthewithficethegangatedness,notGrammy-winningproducingtalent,isastraightforwardbusibutastreetgangaffiliwiththenationalBloodsenterprise.InanindictmentinMay,districtattorney’sofcharged28YSLartistsconspiracytoviolateRacketeerInfluencedCorruptOrganisationsAct-famouslyusedmafiaprosecutions-andthementoaseriesofoffences,includingarmedrobberyandCitedthroughoutthedocument“infuroftheconspiracy”therappers’lyricsinofsongs.ManyoftheaccusedvehementlydeniedthewithMrWilliams’sattorneyBrianrepeatedlysayinghishas“committednowhatsoever”.FultonprosecutorsdidnottotheBBC’sreforcomment.MrWilliamscomplainedfansinJuneinamessagejail,saying:“Youknow,isn’taboutmeorYSL.alwaysusemymusicasaofartisticexpression,IseenowthatBlackandrappersdon’thavefreedom.”Butprosecutorswhobeenabletodeploythesaythatlyricsshouldfairgamewhentheyhaveclearconnectiontoaparcase.Whenprosecutingaloartist,DarrellCaldwell,criminalchargesinLosin2020,countywereabletousefromamusicvideowhichtherappershowsgunusedinacrimetoimhim-thoughhewasacquittedofamoremurdercharge,heguiltytoshootingafromavehicle.“Therapvideoitselfhad
Nicki rolls with Skeng Nicki Minaj (Photo not owned by Guyana Chronicle; retrieved from Jamaica Observer)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022 19 (Jamaica Observer) - ON Sunday morning, a bonus track was added to Nicki Minaj’s Queen Radio: Vol ume 1 hits compilation. The track is a remix of dance hall artiste Skeng’s current hit single ‘Likkle Miss’. Queen Radio: Volume 1 was released last Friday via Young Money/Republic Re cords. It is a hits compilation which features, among other tracks, Super Bass, Starships, Anaconda, Moment for Life featuring Drake, Beez in the Trap, Truffle Butter, Pound the Alarm, and Fly featuring Rihanna.Anew track Super Freaky Girl is also included. The single is currently num ber one on the Billboard Hot 100Musicchart. executive and owner of Geejam Music, Jon Baker — who recently signed Skeng to a publishing deal — shared news of the remix on his social media platform on Sunday. “What a hectic week end pulling this whole thing together. Big thanks to @nickiminaj, @skeng. don, @droptoprecords, @ rodney_borde, @ditruth. records, @buddah_truth, @ caramakesithappen, @re publicrecords and everyone else who helped to make it happen. Boarding a flight now from London to New York to shoot the video,” the post‘Likkleread. Miss’ was re leased in July. The official video for the original version has accumulated more than 2.6 million views on You Tube since its release. Nicky Minaj had teased the remix on her social me dia platforms for weeks. She also posted on Instagram that she was preparing her verse. Cara Vickers is a music executive who has had years of experience in the music industry. She is currently Skeng’s“Skengmanager.andNicki’s re lationship is organic. In this day, social media has facili tated accessibility to people. They speak regularly via di rect message on social media and“Nickiphone. has shared ad vice and encouragement to Skeng. They also have mu tual respect for each other’s craft,” Vickers told the Ja maicaVickersObserver.saidthis has been a great experience for Skeng and a golden steppingstone for the “Theartiste.song is a shared production with Droptop Re cords and DiTruth Records. Nicki openly expressed her fondness of Skeng’s music and initiated the remix. Jon Baker and I only got in volved in the tail end when administration negotiations and logistics were required,” she Shesaid.hinted at several op portunities which have pre sented themselves in taking Skeng’s career to the next level.“There are several op portunities for Skeng and the team on the table and we’re exploring our options. But as it stands, Skeng is happy having creative freedom and staying true to dancehall,” saidFormerVickers.music executive and former artiste manager Lester Gayle, who is based in the Netherlands, said the remix of ‘Likkle Miss’ will thrust Skeng into new music markets.“This is a huge boost for dancehall music especially in the United States and Europe. When you have a new-age dancehall artiste like Skeng and others facing criticisms about trap dance hall, Skeng has shown that it is making an impact into the mainstream.“Andnow the biggest female hip hop artiste has taken note and has not only done a remix with him, but has also done a video with him,” said Gayle. “I am hoping for the song and video to be shot, en ters the transatlantic market along with Nicki’s existing mega catalog. Other genres are piggy backing off dance hall, yet dancehall is omitted from the credits and acco lades.“We ought to be cele brating with the rest of the music industry. The team supports Skeng in his quest to be different, he has created his own lane and so he stands out,” Vickers said.
Nicky Minaj, who is from Trinidad, has collabo rated with Jamaican artistes since she emerged on the music scene more than 13 years ago. In 2012, Beenie Man was featured on the track Gun Shot, which is includ ed on Nicky Minaj’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album. That album has been certified 2x platinum in the UnitedTwoStates.years earlier in 2010, she jumped on a re mix of Gyptian’s ‘Hold Yuh’, which helped the original version scale several Bill board charts, and later cer tified Recording Industry Association of America gold. In 2013, she teamed with Mavado for Give it All to Me which was featured on DJ Khaled’s Suffering From Success album. Last year, she did a re mix of Skillibeng’s Croco dile Teeth which was fea tured on a re-release of her Beam Me Up Scotty mixtape. The remix topped out at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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22 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022
Moondial
Tips
Moll Kempton
Tips
Rebel Territory
The Warriors were frustrated by the rain as Rashada Williams and Chamari Athapathtu came out to chase and, after two overs, the rain set in and the match was abandoned with the Warriors 13-0. This result means the points are shared between the two teams so the Trinbago Knight Riders, who defeated the Barbados Royals yesterday, now sit on three points and the Warriors, who have a game against the Royals in hand, have just one. The final group game be tween the Barbados Royals and The Guyana Amazon Warriors will take place tomorrow as the teams seek to qualify for Sun day’s final. (CPL)
Moonovercloon RACING TIPS
Mighty Maggsie
Serena Williams (USA) stands on the court prior to her match against Anett Kontaveit (EST) (not pictured) on Tuesday - day three of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament - at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center (Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
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AFTER a 2-4 defeat to Bo naire in their opening match of the 2022 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Champi onship Qualifiers, Guyana toppled The Bahamas 4-0 at the IMG Academy, Florida, yesterday morning.
Shared South Africa
By Steve Keating NEW YORK, NY (Re uters) - Serena Williams credited Tiger Woods on Wednesday as one of the main reasons she was still playing tennis and had the golf great on his feet during her stunning win over world number two Anett Kontaveit to reach the third round of the U.S. Woods,Open.like Williams considered to be the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) in his sport, cheered her on from the stands at Flushing Mead ows in what is expected to be her final tournament. Perhaps more than any other athlete, the winner of 15 golf majors can relate to what Williams, is going through as she wrestles with the idea of impending retire ment while trying for one more shot at Grand Slam glory.Woods has turned come backs into an art form in a career spent defying the odds. In April, he made per haps his biggest comeback when he returned to compe tition at the Masters just 14 months after a car crash that had doctors considering the possibility of amputating his right leg. "He's one of the rea sons I'm here, one of the main reasons I'm still play ing," said Williams after her 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-2 win over Kontaveit."Sowe talked a lot. He was really trying to get me motivated."There are a few people, but we were like, Okay, we can do this together, you know?"The two sporting greats are both chasing history, Woods hunting Jack Nick laus's record of 18 majors and Williams, one Grand Slam shy of equalling Mar garet Court's mark of 24. Both records seem out of reach although Williams with her win over Kontaveit moves into the third round with a chance of writing a fairytale ending to her career.Woods has already shown anything is possible when he ended an 11-year major title drought at the 2019 Masters to claim a fifth Green Jacket. "I didn't know what I wanted to do," said Wil liams, who signalled her intention to retire earlier this month."Iwas just lost, so many questions," she said. "When you can rely on someone like that, I mean, my goodness, he's Tiger Woods, it was really helpful to getHavingclarity."been world num ber one for 319 weeks, Wil liams arrived in New York ranked below 600, unseeded and with just a single match win from three events com ing into the season's final GrandButSlam.Williams delivered a very Tiger-esque effort, tapping into her famous fighting spirit to register an impressive win. "It was a privilege to watch greatness," tweeted Woods. "Congrats @sere nawilliams."
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We’llhavewan
TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) and Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) women en dured an agonising no-result as rain washed out their Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) game in Basse terre. After a delayed start, the Knight Riders were put into bat but struggled to form significant partnerships and could only post 105 from their 20 overs, thanks to a late unbeaten 25 off 25 from HayleyCherry-AnnJensen. Fraser was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers tak ing 3-21 from her four overs while Shamilia Connell was economical taking 1-10 from hers.
Christopher Witter led the way with a double with goals in the 19th and 29th minutes, while Bryan Wharton made his mark in the ninth after an own goal by The Bahamians in the fourth, gave Guyana the lead.The boys now face St Martin (September 3), the British Virgin Islands (Sep tember 5), and Bermuda (Sep tember7) to see who will progress to the championship stages.The winners of each of the four qualification groups will join the 16 top-ranked nations in the region to compete for the confederation’s title in 2023. The CONCACAF finals will take place in Guatemala in February 2023, with the four semi-finalists progress ing to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2023.
Irish
Guyana rebound to topple The Bahamas 4-0
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Rain ends play as TKR vs Warriors match abandoned CONCACAF Boys U-17: American Racing Tips Saratoga Race Maggie T Race Ellanation Race Tiz A Giant Race Mosienko Race Eylara Race Security Code Race Fieldstone Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Same Again Doc Race 2 Luv To Win Race 3 Broke An Broken Race 4 The Great Oz Race 5 Marten River Race 6 Veloce Race 7 Niagara Skyline English Racing Tips Haydock 08:53 hrs Qoya 09:28 hrs Kitai 10:03 hrs Khanjar 10:38 hrs Street Life 11:13 hrs Leitzel 11:48 hrs Sp[ear Fir 12:18 hrs Shibuya Ascot 09:00 hrs Hello Deira 09:35 hrs City Of Kings 10:10 hrs Dowally 10:45 hrs Al Marmar 11:20 hrs 11:55 hrs 12:25 hrs Midnight 12:50 hrs 13:20 hrs 13:50 hrs Bold Act 14:20 hrs Atlanna 14:55 hrs Country Pyle 15:25 hrs Rattling 15:55 hrs Racing Greyville 12:05 hrs Beckoning Beauty 12:23 hrs Kalahari Blue 12:45 hrs Joy To The World 13:03 hrs Geronimo 13:21 hrs All The Time 13:39 hrs The Bund 13:57 hrs Admire Me 14:15 hrs Liketheclappers Racing Kilbeggan 11:30 hrs Musie Of Tara 12:00 hrs Frontline Worker 12:30 hrs Carrarea 13:00 hrs Menindee 13:30 hrs 14:00 hrs 14:20 hrs
Under the eye of the Tiger, Williams aces second-round test
Rainbow Mirage
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Theme Park
T20 star, Tim David, has stormed into Australia's T20 World Cup squad on the back of his big-hitting exploits on the franchise circuit. Yesterday morning Australia revealed a 15-player squad to defend their World Cup title on home soil this October-November, and David’s selection over leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson was the only change from the group that won the 2021 tourna ment in the UAE. The 15 will also travel to India in mid-September for a three-match T20I series, with the exception of David Warner, who will be rested, with Cameron Green taking his place.David, who has born in Singa pore to Australian parents before moving to Perth as a two-year-old, represented that country 14 times in T20 internationals in 2019-20, but under ICC rules is eligible to play for AustraliaDescribedimmediately.as"an out-and-out match-winner" by Australia legend Ricky Ponting, David has forced his way into the national squad courtesy of a series of breathtaking performances in T20 leagues around the world."He's the sort of player that could actually win you a World Cup," Ponting said of the 26-year-old recently. "He's not just the average run-of-the-mill guy that might just sneak into a squad ... he actually reminds me a bit of someone like an Andrew Symonds back in the 2003 World Cup. You know if you get them in and you give him an oppor tunity, they're a chance of winning a tournament for you. That's how I'd be looking at him right now.
'Match-winner' David bolts into Aussie T20 World Cup squad
DID BANGLADESH CAPI TALISE ON THE START? Not really. Shakib slowed down and Sri Lanka kept chip ping away at the other end. Cha mika Karunaratne struck in his first over with a short delivery just outside off that was nicked to the keeper by Mushfiqur.
Erratic Bangladesh exit Asia Cup as Sri Lanka progress
Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka put on a half-century stand (AFP)
24 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022
"I know there are some other great world-quality players in the middle order for Australia, but prob ably none of them boasts a resumé as good as Tim's over the last two years."Those past two years have seen David amass 1 874 runs at a phe nomenal strike-rate of 168.40 in 86 T20 Thegames.right-hander averages a boundary every 4.5 balls, and his strike-rate swells to 204.80 when batting between overs 16 and 20.
THE SHORT BALL PLOY
The first three overs saw Sri Lanka score only 13 runs before the openers made up for lost time in the following two overs of the power-play. But just when it looked like Sri Lanka were in charge, Bangladesh's short ball ploy did wonders. Ebadot Hossain made a dream start as he removed Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka and Danushka Gunathilaka with short balls. Taskin Ahmed also joined the fun with a short-pitched delivery that consumed Danushka Gunathilaka to leave Sri Lanka struggling.
WHO STARRED IN THE WIN THEN? Kusal Mendis was very good on the night against both pace and spin. He made 60 off 37 but could have been dismissed long before as Mushfiqur dropped him early in the innings and Bangladesh dismissed him off a no-ball later on. He made them pay with a crucial fifty to keep his side afloat before Dasun Shanaka took over. The skipper halted Ebad ot's momentum with successive sixes that brought his side back into the game before Mustafizur Rahman bowled a bouncer to pouch Kusal Mendis. Sri Lanka did keep losing wickets in the end but Shanaka kept them in the hunt with timely boundaries before Chamika and Asitha stunned the Bangladesh attack right at the death.To make matters worse, Ma hedi overstepped when Sri Lanka needed 3 off 4 as the batters fetched two runs apart from the extra to complete the win and knock Bangladesh out of the tournament. (Brief scores: (Scores: Ban gladesh 183/7 in 20 overs (Afif Hossain 39, Mehidy Hasan 38; Chamika Karunaratne 2-32) lost to Sri Lanka 184-8 in 19.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 60, Dasun Shanaka 45; Ebadot Hossain 3-51) by two wickets). Cricbuzz. com)
GLOBETROTTIG
BANGLADESH RING IN THE CHANGES
Australia squad for T20 World Cup: Aaron Finch (capt.), David Warner*, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wkp.), Tim David, Josh Inglis (wkp.), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson (Cameron Green replaces David Warner for In dia tour)
Purchased for a whopping A$1.53M by the Mumbai Indians at the IPL auction last February, David's strike-rate of 216.28 in eight matches was the highest by any player to have faced at least 50 balls in a single IPL seasonHeentered the IPL after smash ing 278 runs at a strike-rate of 194.41 in February's Pakistan Super League (PSL), a series he played in having initially been sounded out by Austra lia's selectors for a home T20 series against Sri Lanka at the same time. The 26-year-old then followed up his IPL breakout season with a successful T20 Blast competition with Lancashire in England, smoking 405 runs at a strike-rate of 174.57. Standing 196cm, he also bowls occasional right-arm off-breaks, and has taken 12 wickets from his 121 T20 Davidgames. played one match for Tasmania, in the 2021-22 Marsh One-Day Cup against Western Aus tralia, taking 2-25 and hitting 36 off 23 ballsIna sign of the times, David is yet to make his first-class debut and has only played 16 List A matches, most of them with Surrey in 2021 when hit two centuries and averaged 68 with a strike-rate of 150.44. For an Australian squad looking to become the first team to win backto-back T20 World Cups, he adds an undeniable X-factor to a very well-balanced group. "This is a similar squad to that which became the first Australian men's team to win a T20 World Cup, who are now very excited about playing the tournament at home," Chairman of Selectors, George Bai ley said in a "Mitchellstatement.Swepson was unlucky to miss out based on conditions in the UAE at the last World Cup where we planned for tired, spinning wickets compared to what we would expect are good batting conditions along with the larger grounds in Australia. "Tim (David) continues to es tablish himself with some quality performances in leagues around the world, earning a place in the squad. He is a highly gifted, natural ball striker who will add extra batting depth to the group which has had a lot of success in T20 cricket in recent"Wetimes.expect him to play a similar role to what he has been playing in the past few years."
David started his career with the Perth Scorchers but it wasn't until he moved to the Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|10 that he began to make a name for himself, impressing on Ho bart debut with a 33-ball 58 against reigning champions Sydney Sixers. Mitch Marsh, player-of-the-final in last year's T20 World Cup, retains his place despite returning to Perth on Tuesday with ankle soreness following Australia's win over Zim babwe in the first Dettol ODI. Australia's T20 World Cup begins on October 22 in Sydney with a trans-Tasman clash against New Zealand.
AN erratic display on the field from Bangladesh resulted in their exit from the 2022 Asia Cup yesterday, as Sri Lanka clinched a thriller by two wick ets to reach the Super Four. Despite appearing to have seized the initiative at junctures, Bangladesh conceded extras (8 wides and 4 no-balls) that proved to be costly as Sri Lanka chased down 184 with four balls to spare.
With calls growing louder for a change in their approach, Bangladesh dropped both their openers for this crucial clash. The experiment to open with Sabbir Rahman didn't work as he fell early but Mehidy Hasan Miraz dazzled in the power-play striking a fewHeboundaries.gaveBangladesh a strong start even though Shakib Al Hasan struggled at the other end. Shakib finally got going with back-to-back ramp shots for boundaries but Wanindu Hasa ranga castling the free-flowing Mehidy was the key.
Just when Shakib appeared to have found his mojo, Maheesh Theekshana castled him to peg the opponents back. As a result, Bangladesh found themselves reeling at 88-4 with 9 overs left in the innings. Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah then rebuilt and changed the whole complexion of the innings with their partnership.
Tim David has dominated T20 leagues around the world (Getty)
THE FINISH Afif signalled his intentions as he hit Hasaranga for a six and a four off successive deliveries and Mahmudullah got into the groove by repeating those feats in Hasa ranga's third over The carnage continued as Afif smashed Asitha Fernando as well, to guide Ban gladesh to 138-4 with the final onslaught yet to come. While Afif and Mahmudul lah fell in succession against the run of play, Mosaddek Hossain starred with the bat again, with an unbeaten cameo to guide his side past an imposing 180.
The 26-year-old dictated play with penetrating groundstrokes and got the crucial break in the third set by claiming the fifth game, before racing to victory in two hours 10 minutes.
World number one Daniil Medvedev
After an inconsistent run-up to Flushing Meadows, Medvedev gained momentum after his straight-sets win over Stefan Kozlov in the first round on Monday and picked up where he left off againstRussianRinderknech.Medvedev frustrated Rinderknech with his flawless shot placement and pounced on the Frenchman's serve to keep him pinned back on the baseline, while also saving all three break points he faced.Medvedev capitalised on several unforced er rors from Rinderknech to easily clinch the opening set and although he faced greater resistance from the world number 58 in the second, he was able to break through and prevent a tiebreak.
Ecuador player Byron Castillo
King, Gordon take down title-holders Patriots
Playing in the opening game of the Men’s Ca ribbean Premier League (CPL) at Warner Park here Wednesday night, Tallawahs gathered a challenging 183 for two off their 20 overs with opener King lashing 89 from 57 totingbackbonethreeGordondeliveries.thensnatchedfor32tobreaktheofPatriots’batasthehostslimped136foreightinreply.
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022 25
MANCHESTER, En gland (Reuters) – FIFA will hold an appeal hear ing on September 15 in the case of an Ecuador player that Chile claim played while ineligible during World Cup quali fying, the governing body told Reuters yesterday. The Chilean Football Association has appealed FIFA’s June 10 decision to dismiss their complaint that Ecuador’s Byron Cas tillo was born in Tumaco, Colombia in 1995 and not in the Ecuadorean city of General Villamil Playas in 1998 as stated on his officialCastillodocuments.playedin eight of Ecuador’s 18 qualifying games for the Qatar World Cup. Ecuador have denied that the player was ineli gible.FIFA said it had asked the Ecuadorean Football Association (FEF) to make Castillo available for the appealThehearing.Chilean FA (ANPF) appealed the deci sion on July 1 and recently urged FIFA to speed up the process.Ecuador picked up 14 of their 26 points in match es Castillo played. If they had lost points for the games in which Castillo appeared, they would have missed out on a place in Qatar.Ecuador are in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Senegal and the Neth erlands. The World Cup kicks off on November 21. Eduardo Carlezzo, the lawyer representing the Football Federation of Chile in its FIFA Appeal, told Reuters in an email that the governing body had called Castillo himself to testify.“Wethank FIFA for this clarity around our appeal hearing and for calling Byron Castillo to answer the many questions they must have regarding his eligibility and therefore Ecuador’s qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he wrote. “We have provided a significant amount of evidence to FIFA proving that the player was born in Colombia and (that) his Ecuadorian birth cer tificate is fake. Finally, on September 15 Byron Castillo has the oppor tunity to explain the sit uation and then, for, the sake of fair play, justice can take its course.”
NEW YORK: (Reuters) - World number one Daniil Medvedev maintained a strong start to his U.S. Open title defence on Wednesday, dispatching France's Arthur Rinderknech 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach the third round.
Sherfane Ruther ford, who smashed four sixes in top-scoring with 33 from 22 balls, tried to rescue the innings in a 41-run, fifth-wicket stand with Bravo (13) but Gordon triggered a second collapse which saw four wickets fall for 11 runs in the space of 13 deliveries. Brandon King pulls during his half-century for Jamaica Tallawahs (Photo courtesy, CPL Media)
Awaiting Medvedev in the third round will be Wu Yibing, who became the first Chinese man to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows after beating fellow qualifier Nuno Borges of Portugal 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
FIFA sets date for Chile appeal over Ecuador World Cup player
Coming off a dis appointing last season where they missed out on the playoffs, Tallawahs started strongly, courtesy of King,, the West Indies right-hander hitting eight fours and half-dozen six es to energise the innings after being asked to bat. He put on 116 for the first wicket with fellow Jamaican Kennar Lewis – who lived a charmed life in scoring 48 from 46 balls with half-dozen sixes – before adding a further 51 for the sec ond wicket with Rovman Powell who slammed a four and three sixes in a 15-ball unbeaten 30. King reached his half-century off 36 balls at the end of the 12th over before perishing to the first delivery of the final over, holing out to long-on off captain and medium pacer Dwayne Bravo.The Patriots run chase started badly. Evin Lewis departed for four with nine on the board in the third over before open er Andre Fletcher, who made 31 from 34 balls, steadied the innings in a 37-run fortherunswicketsderailed.clustersthenBrevispartnershipsecond-wicketwithDewald(14).However,PatriotslostwicketsintwotoseetheirchaseFirstly,threetumbledfor15in20ballstoleaveinningsperchedon61fourinthe11thover.
OpenstormsMedvedevintothirdUSround
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Bran don King struck a spar kling half-century and fast bowler Nicholson Gordon produced a three-wicket burst to fire Jamaica Tallawahs to a Nevistle-holders47-runcomprehensivevictoryovertiStKittsandPatriots.
Rebels, Carr Tec crowned OMSCC Divisions 1 & 2 champions
TWO new champions were crowned in Divisions 1 and 2 when the Ontario Mas ters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) 2022 season cli maxed at the Ashtonbee Reservoir Numbers One and Two grounds respec tively last Sunday. With defending champi ons Canadian Legends un able to defend their Division 1 crown after suffering a semi-final loss to eventual winners Rebels, who turned back the challenge of War riors, newcomers Carr Tec thrashed United to emerge winners in Division 2. Both winners were in debted to two outstanding innings, the left-handed Chris Vernon, with a brilliant unde feated 77 leading the charge for Rebels and the veteran Suresh Persaud smashing a boundary-studded 92 for CarrAfterTec. losing the scalps of Eion Katchay (six), Za heer Haniff (15) and Richard Driffield (0) with only 51 on the board, Rebels owed their recovery to a fine third-wick et partnership of 110 between Vernon and Ian Baldeo (33) as they reached a challenging 174 for four in their allotted 20 overs.Vernon’s knock included two fours and seven sixes while Baldeo counted two fours and two sixes. The wily Terry Mathura was his team’s best bowler with two for 22 while Avinash Singh took one for seven and Rabindra Diaram one for 17. Rebels, who defeated Hawaiian Sensation in the semi-final the previous week end and who hold an envi able record of contesting six consecutive finals, suffered immediate setbacks, slipping to 13 for four in the first three overs.They never recovered from that precarious position despite a fighting knock of 30 from skipper Rakesh Dial who struck a four and two sixes. Rovendra Mandolall, on whom much depended, made a disappointing 11 as Warriors were dismissed for 141 in 18 overs, losing by 31 runs.Kumar Doodnauth, who caused the early damage, ended with the impres sive figures of three for 21 while Driffield and Katchay claimed two for 19 each. In the Division 2 final, Persaud was in a no-non sense mood, blasting two fours and 11 massive sixes in his 92 as Carr Tec reached a commanding 221 for four in 20 overs.Hewas well supported by fellow opener Anand Nirmal who struck a four and four sixes while Anil Veerasammy hit a quick-fire 34 with six sixes before going via runout. Rudy Ramdayal ended with two for 24. United made a spirited reply with openers Sharaz Hamid stroking two fours and seven sixes in 55 and Ramdayal a four and three sixes in 36 while Fazil Rasool chipped in with an undefeat ed 36 as they were left high and dry on 174 for six when their 20 overs expired. Imti az Abjal claimed two of the wickets.The respective MVPs were Vernon (Warriors) and Persaud (Carr Tec). Several special awards were also handed out during the impressive presentation ceremony. In Division 1, for mer Guyana National captain Damodar Daesrath (Hawiian Sensation) took the prize for the highest ranked player while also claiming the most wickets while Chien Gittens (Canadian Legends) scored the most runs (275) to claim thatInprize.Division 2, Leguan Island’s Vishaul Balram was the highest ranked player and scored the most runs (429) while Patrick Shivrat tan of Ramblers took the most wickets (12). Media personnel Fred erick Halley and Ravi Mad holall were also presented with plaques in recognition for their coverage of the tournament. Among the several sponsors were Trophy Stall (Canada) and Oil Chang ers.
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) T&T Red Steeel and Barbados (2) 24 Today’s
in
The BCB members re assured NAMILCO that the tourney will be well organ ised, with a start time of mid-September on the cards.
26 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022
(2) What was the highest made CPL
According to Foster, some 300 plus playing uniforms will be issued as part of the primary school programme, adding that BCB is seeking to erect practice nets across every school in Berbice.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (September
By Frederick Halley
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD
BCB secretary Angela Haniff accepts the sponsorship cheque from NAMILCO's Managing Director, Bert Sukhai (Adrian Narine photo) 02, 2022) -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Tridents
A U21 and 1st Division Rose Hall Team, along with some 19 coaches, will be working across Berbice, as most, if not all clubs now have permanent coaches. Foster hinted at possible visits from West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards and former captain, Darren Sammy as part of their clinics that are hosted by ex-West Indies stars. Meanwhile, McLeod added that young people who represent the nation at any sport or level are a great investment. He outlined that NAMILCO will continue to provide for the future, as they see the opportunity to expand the nutritional well-being of athletes and Guyanese alike. (Clifton Ross)
Quiz:
(1) Who scored most runs the first CPL season (2013)?
in
2013?
Answers tomorrow’s
issue
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THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and long-time part ner, National Milling Com pany (NAMILCO), joined forces yet again, as they launched the ground-break ing Secondary Schools coaching programme, tar geting institutions across the Ancient County. During Wednesday's press conference held at NAMIL CO's East Bank site, BCB president Hilbert Foster, NA MILCO's Managing Director Bert Sukhai, Operations Man ager Ralf Hemsing, Financial Controller Fitzroy McLeod and other BCB executives inked the huge deal.
Division 1 winners Rebels celebrate their victory after whipping Warriors Division 1 MVP Chris Vernon collects his award from OMSCC vice-president Hardatt Ramcharran
BCB/NAMILCO launch Secondary Schools cricket coaching programme
matches
Foster said the BCB has worked beyond the call of duty and with that in mind, has sought to organise such an event to further develop its youths.Some 23 secondary schools, - 6 from Region 5 and 17 from Region 6 - will be the focal point for the coaching team led by Winston Smith.
Mr. Sukhai said he was pleased to be on board again, as the board and the milling giant have forged a strong relationship over the years. He said they have been involved for a long time and when Fos ter approached about sponsor ing, he readily agreed. "Proud to be a part of ac tivity with the Berbice Cricket Board; we are seeing results on the international level and we are proud to be a sponsor," he said.
individual score
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022 27
YMCA Old Fort dominate Night 2 of the Lucozade Indoor Hockey tournament
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (left) and Ukranian Marta Kostyuk were playing each other for the first time
BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Power-house Trin bago Knight Riders (TKR) wasted little time in laying down their marker for this year’s Men’s Caribbean Pre mier League (CPL) title by repelling a strong challenge from St Lucia Kings at War ner Park here on Wednesday. Asked to chase 144 in the second game of the tourna ment, TKR overhauled their target with four balls to spare to get their campaign up and running with a three-wicket win.Tion Webster top-scored with 58 from 45 deliveries while New Zealander Tim Sei fert chipped in with 34 from 39 balls, defying an outstanding spell of bowling from West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph who finished with four for 17 from four overs. TKR looked to be coasting until Joseph struck three times in the penultimate over, re moving Seifert, captain Kieron Pollard (17) and Prasanna (1) in quick succession to make the contest very tense at the end. Earlier, Kings had rallied to 143 for nine from their 20 overs after being sent in, Ro shon Primus striking 38 from 25 deliveries and Mark Deyal carving out 35 from 24 balls. However, Kings’ push for a bigger total was stalled by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein who grabbed four for 13 from his four “We’llovers.take the two points. Yes, the last couple overs, we would have wanted to finish it before that but you have to take everything into the equation,” Pollard“Thesaid.guys haven’t played T20 cricket together for a while so these things sort of happen and it’s good that we’re on the winning side of this match.” Captain Roston Chase, in his first competitive game in nearly three months after recovering from injury, rued the one over from off-spinner Mark Deyal – the ninth of the innings – which leaked 19 runs.“Ithought we didn’t get off as we would have liked in the batting,” Chase said. “I thought we were maybe 20, 25 runs short and probably the over I gave Mark from this end probably cost us the game as well, so it was mis-reading on myKingspart.”were 32 for two in the fifth over but recovered through a 44-run, third-wick et stand between Deyal and Chase, who made 19 from 23 balls.The left-handed Deyal struck four fours and a couple sixes before becoming one of three wickets to fall for one run in the 13th over sent down by Hosein.
The pair exchanged a quick tap of the racquet on Court 17 after Kostyuk whacked the ball into the net on the third match point and the three-time Flushing Meadows finalist let out a triumphant roar.
“I cannot force anybody to shake my hand. It's their decision. How did it make me feel? It's not the most important thing in the world right now.”
TKR survive late Joseph fireworks to grab points
NIGHT 2 of the Lucozade Indoor Hockey tournament saw YMCA Old Fort boys and men capture a solid victory over their oppo nents with nine goals. The first six of the nine matches of the night show cased the junior category with the opening match pit ting GCC Spartans against GCC Tornadoes. The Spar tans continued their success ful stride from the previous night by winning 3-0. It was the YMCA Old Fort boys team, comprising Under-21 national boys, who raided the newcomers to the game, GCC War Dogs. The young captain Shaquan Favorite secured 4 goals for his team, Simeon Moore and Warren Williams a double each and one from Daniel Woolford, giving them a 9-0 victory.Saints
“Well, I wasn't surprised. I don't believe that mak ing a big deal out of it is important. I always shake hands with my opponents,” said Azarenka, who added that Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska had done the same in Washington, D.C., last month.
BelarusianhandsUkraine'sKostyukrefusestoshakewithAzarenka
In photo Tiffany Solomon (GBTI GCC Tigers) takes a shot on goal in a penalty corner against Old Fort Igniters
S7N just like the Old Fort boys with young na tional players also made light work of the inexperienced GCC War Dogs with a 16-0 drubbing. Shakeem Fausette led the scoresheet for his team with 5 goals. The Saints Club junior girls, Saints Conquerors, showed dominance like their junior counterparts by defeat ing YMCA Old Fort Scouts 10-0. In the last 2 matches of the night in the junior cat egory, Saints Aces girls lost to YMCA Old Fort Samurais 0-2 while Saints Superstars defeated Saints Scorpions 3-0.In the lone ladies match between GBTI GCC Tigers and YMCA Old Fort Igniters, the nippy Sonia Jardine led her team with 3 goals giving her team the highest score so far in the ladies division 7-0. In the most competitive game of the night in the men's category, Saints Splin ters pulled off a massive victory over GCC Sequel. Devin Hooper opened the scoresheet with a penalty cor ner goal in the 5th minute but 2 minutes later Joshua Joseph answered for his team with a raiding field goal. A minute later, Dwayne Scott kept his team ahead on the scoresheet by shooting a ball past goalkeeper Alleyne. With the game deadlocked and both teams fighting for possession of the ball, GCC showed great composure and skill but it was the speedy Splinters who kept the pace of the game high causing GCC to be outnumbered on severalTheruns.Saints fans erupt ed when Edmond Chninian found the back of the GCC net in the 39th minute. GCC scrambled to draw the game as Chninian again received a pass with seconds left in the 40-minute game and flicked it over the keeper from the far right of the goal. The Saints Splinters celebrated as they won the match 4-2. The last match of the night saw the young national boys of YMCA Old Fort whip the Hikers Cadets 9-3. Warren Williams who se cured 2 goals for his team in the junior category led his team scoresheet with 6 goals. The tournament con tinues nightly, and we look forward to seeing the gen eral public.
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of waging an unprovoked imperial-style war of aggression.
It marked the latest uneasy moment at the year's fi nal major, where Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians compete alongside one another against the backdrop of militaryBelarusconflict.isbeing used as a key staging ground for Russia's war in Ukraine, which Moscow terms a 'spe cial operation'.
Primus, who hit three fours and two sixes, then rallied the innings first in a 25-run, sixth-wicket stand with Ack eem Auguste (11) and then in a 35-run, seventh-wicket part nership with Alzarri Joseph (7).
Tion Webster celebrates his half-century against St Lucia Kings (Photo courtesy CPL Media)
Webster and Andre Rus sell (5) perished in successive overs to leave TKR on 107 for four in the 14th over but Sei fert put on a further 33 with Pollard to steer the innings away from danger.
(REUTERS) - Geopolitical tensions simmered at the U.S. Open yesterday as Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk refused the customary handshake at the net when Belarusian Victoria Azarenka defeated her 6-2, 6-3 in the second round.
In reply, TKR were car ried by Webster, who blasted half-dozen fours and three sixes, inspiring an 81-run, third-wicket stand with Seifert after the innings tottered at 19 for two in the fourth over.
28 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday, September 2, 2022 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 National U-17 champion boxers, training staff honoured at appreciation dinner
GUYANA Boxing Association (GBA) president and National Sports Commission Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle (centre), flanked by coach Terrence Poole manager Seon Bristol, training staff and the newly crowned champions, Guyana National boxing U-17 team during last evening's appreciation dinner held at the Mirage. (Adrian Narine photo)
The Guyana starting XI pose before the match (Photo: GFF) Under the eye of the Tiger, Williams aces second-round test Rain ends play as TKR vs Warriors match abandoned Story on page 23 Story on page 23 CONCACAF Boys U-17: Guyana rebound to topple The Bahamas 4-0 Story on page 23 Golfer Tiger Woods in the stands before the second round match between Serena Williams of the U.S. and Estonia's Anett Kontaveit (REUTERS/Mike Segar.)
