Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_01_2020

10 th January, 2021

’ No. 106234

No. 106238

NOT A BLADE OF GRASS –– Guyana rejects Maduro’s latest decree over Essequibo

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

PAGE

–– commits to peaceful resolution of border controversy through ICJ 03

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard and their U.S. counterparts engaging in the first of a series of joint exercises just off the coast of Guyana on Saturday, as part of the operationalisation of the Shiprider Agreement ratified by the two countries in 2020 (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page)

Lust-en-Rust 02 residents to get electricity by Friday PAGE

‘Rat-lashing’: A 15 countryside ‘side job’ PAGE

PPP’s ‘Guardian of Democracy’ 17 Majeed Hussain dies PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Lust-en-Rust residents to get electricity by Friday

By Jared Liddell

RESIDENTS of the northern section of the little-known community of Lust-en-Rust, in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), will have access to electricity for the first time by Friday.

Minister within the ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar made this commitment during an outreach on

Saturday. The community, according to the minister, has been without electricity since its establishment over ten years ago.

Minister Indar disclosed that the necessary infrastructure for the distribution of electricity has been set up for quite some time but was not being powered.

According to him, since he took up office in August 2020, he received numerous complaints from the resi-

dents, which prompted him to mobilise teams from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to address the situation.

Minister Indar emphasised that with the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way all sectors of the world operate, it is especially important that persons have access to electricity during this period.

He pointed out that many residents in the area

Minister within the ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar going over the GPL power cable plans with key personnel from the power company have school-aged children who have little to no access to online learning, due to the fact that there is no electricity, hence there is no way to access stable Wi-Fi for their On-

line classes.

‘FEELING SAFE’ According to Minster Indar, the electricity will provide some amount of security to the residents,

erie said the commodity is “much needed.”

“Electricity is needed in this housing scheme; there are lots of families with children and so living here, and this will help them…

For years, this place has been like this; we know right now the children are at home, and they have to use the internet service. And right now, they would be hampered with not having the internet service, since they would not have electricity to power the Wi-Fi equipment,” Vickerie reiterated.

He explained that with the area being powered, there will be more development and growth in the population. Meanwhile, the residents also lauded the intervention of the minister to bring about a timely relief to an issue that plagued them for years.

Antonett Barry, who

Minister Indar and residents of Lust-en-Rust, in Region Three (Adrian Narine photos) who had expressed fear that bandits and thieves may tap into the lack of lighting in the community and wreak havoc.

“This is a housing scheme that was developed under the PPP administration, and a lot of people; thousands of people live here. And to see our citizens in a COVID environment not having access to any form of electricity and subsequent learning for their children is literally heart-breaking,” Minister Indar lamented.

Several sections of the community already have access to electricity; he noted that while the process just began in the northern section of Lust-en-Rust, the southern and remaining sections of the scheme will have access to electricity by January 22, 2021.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Malgre Tout/ Meer Zorgen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Tennessee Vick-

lives in the community with her five children, is especially appreciative of the initiative. She stated that since the pandemic hit in March 2020, her children have “fallen behind” in school, since they have no access to online learning.

With the community now getting electricity for the first time, she will now be able to ensure her children actively take part in online classes. Barry also noted that the electricity will benefit residents like herself who are self-employed, and rely on electricity for their business activities.

“I have fridge; I does sell and make a living, because I am a single mother of five. It will help me a great deal, so I can sell my ice, my icicle and so on to make a living.

And there are others like me that live here and do businesses like this, so all of us would benefit now,” Barry said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

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―Guyana rejects Maduro’s latest decree over Essequibo ―commits to peaceful resolution of border controversy through ICJ

By Navendra Seoraj VENEZUELA’S attempt to claim for itself the seas and seabed adjacent to the coast west of the Essequibo River will receive no legal regard from any other State in the world, and moreso Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has affirmed.

“I remind that sovereignty over this coast, and the land territory to which it is attached, were awarded to Guyana (then British Guiana) in the 1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity and legally binding character Guyana is confident the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold unequivocally,” President Ali told the nation in an address on Saturday.

President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, on January 7, 2021, issued a decree claiming Venezuela’s sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River.

This comes on the heels of the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it has jurisdiction to hear the Guyana, Venezuela border controversy case.

Regrettably, by decreeing that the seas adjacent to this territory belong to Venezuela, at least two fundamental principles of international law have been violated, President Ali said.

The first violation, as outlined by Guyana’s President, is that no State can unilaterally determine its international boundaries, whether land or maritime.

President Ali contended that the fixing of an international boundary under international law can only result from an agreement between neighbouring States, or a binding determination by an international court or arbitral tribunal.

“Therefore, this attempt

by Venezuela to attempt, unilaterally, to fix both its land and maritime boundaries with Guyana is a legal nullity, which cannot, and will not, be respected by any other State in the world, including Guyana,” the Head of State affirmed.

The second violation of fundamental international law, referenced by President Ali, is based on the fact that under well-established rules of international law, there is a fundamental principle that says, “the land dominates the sea.”

This means that sovereignty, and sovereign rights in the sea and seabed, emanate from title to the land that forms the coast to which those seas and seabed are adjacent.

Since Guyana has sovereign rights over the coast west of the Essequibo River, as far as Punta Playa, it follows, consequently, that only Guy-

ana can enjoy sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights over the adjacent sea and seabed.

This is precisely the issue that is before the ICJ, and which, on 18 December, 2020, the ICJ decided to resolve, i.e., whether Guyana or Venezuela has sovereignty over that territory.

pretation the Spanish-speaking country had when it signed the very agreement in February 1966.

Represented by a battery of international lawyers, Guyana said the agreement, in unambiguous terms, empowered the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General to determine an

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

CONFIDENT Guyana is confident that the international court will resolve the issue in its favour, and that this will also settle the issue of maritime rights in the adjacent sea and seabed. But, under international law, this is now for the ICJ to decide.

On June 30, 2020, Guyana, in its virtual presentation in the Arbitral Award of October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) case said that not only is Venezuela’s current interpretation of the Geneva Agreement illogical and erroneous, but also in stark contrast to the inter-

appropriate resolution mechanism to enable a peaceful settlement, which is the ICJ. Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

“At no time have we engaged in making any statements regarding the continuing inflammatory remarks emanating from the Government and other parties in Venezuela,

except to continue to affirm our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” President Ali said.

PEACEFUL RESOLUTION “We have always chosen a path of peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan issue within international law,” he affirmed on Saturday.

However, while President Maduro has rejected the decision of the ICJ issued on December 18, President Ali maintains that under international law, the court’s decision, which was adopted by an overwhelming majority of its judges, is final and legally binding on both Guyana and Venezuela.

He said it has long been a fundamental principle of international law that an international court, including the ICJ, has the competence to determine its own jurisdiction, as the ICJ did on December 18, 2020.

The United Nations Charter also obligates all Member States to comply with their obligations under international law, including as determined by the ICJ. “In this connection, Venezuela does not have the “right” to “reject” the Court’s binding decision. What is more, its legal advisers would know that to do so is a flagrant breach of its legal obligations, and will not be accepted by the ICJ, the United Nations, or any other body that upholds international law, and its norms and practices,” President Ali lamented.

The Head of State, nevertheless, remains hopeful that the Venezuelan Government will reconsider its position, and decide to participate in the remainder of the proceedings

before the ICJ, as the court decides upon the validity and binding character of the 1899 Arbitral Award, and the international boundary that it created.

“However, while I express that sincere hope, I also want to be clear that should Venezuela choose to boycott the ICJ’s proceedings, it will not deter nor delay the Court from adjudicating the case,” President Ali said, adding: “The rules of the Court expressly provide that the deliberate absence of one of the parties shall not prevent it from deciding a case.”

Unfortunately, in an effort to discredit the oldest and most respected global Court, Venezuela has ‘misrepresented’ the nature of the ICJ’s recent administrative acts. That act was to invite the parties to meet the President of the ICJ to ascertain the parties’ views on the scheduling of the written pleadings for the merits phase of the case. This is a standard practice for the court.

“Therefore, it is inaccurate, and misleading, for Venezuela to state that the Court has scheduled a ‘hearing’ on the substance of the case, without giving it sufficient time to prepare its case. In fact, Venezuela

will have more than a year to prepare its case,” President Ali said.

President Ali has since instructed Foreign and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd to summon the Officer-in-Charge of the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown to the Foreign Ministry to express Guyana’s deep concern about the decree issued last Thursday.

The Officer-in-Charge at the embassy has been told to convey to the Venezuelan authorities in Caracas, that, in accordance with international law, and the assertion of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Guyana rejects entirely the decree issued by President Maduro.

Guyana, President Ali said, will continue on the path of peaceful resolution of this matter, in keeping with international law and the jurisdiction of the ICJ. In the meantime, Guyana is alerting the international community, including sister states in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of the recent illegal actions by Venezuela.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Young teacher using social media to ‘bring life to mathematics’

By Richard Bhainie

A WELL-KNOWN Facebook entertainer and young mathematics teacher has channelled his humour into bringing life to mathematics and utilised his social media influence to reach persons far and wide.

Leon Beaton, 23, is a fourth and fifth form teacher at the Port Kaituma Secondary School in Region One .

He graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in 2016 and is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Education programme, majoring in mathematics, at the University of Guyana.

While he was in fourth form at St. Rose’s High School, he identified a unique teaching method from one of his very own teachers, Mr. Venture, and developed a passion for teaching.

“He was a training teacher from college, he was doing teaching practice at our school and after that he came to our school to teach; so he was the one that [sic] gave me inspiration to actually become a teacher because he was a young teacher and he was very good at teaching,” Beaton told the Sunday Chronicle during an interview.

Beaton explained that when enrolling at the CPCE,

Leon Beaton

it was his preference to teach Industrial Technology and to ‘minor’ in mathematics; however, he was placed in a dilemma to choose either of the two, and so he picked mathematics and a love affair with the subject ensued.

“I was never a big mathematics person in school; I never had this love for it, but while attending the CPCE, the lecturers there eventually allowed me to finally fall in love with mathematics and that’s how I end [sic] up liking it and teaching it,” he explained.

Hailing from the community of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, Beaton was placed

at the Port Kaituma Secondary School as part of his contractual obligations with the CPCE. “At that time, I counted myself as being unlucky that got chosen to be sent to the hinterland, I even tried to change it,” Beaton said. However, with some friendly faces by his side, his ‘luck’ eventually turned around.

He explained that he encountered a difficult time adjusting when he was sent to the locality, as he was just 18 years of age and barely able to fend for himself. He had also encountered several challenges, such as his apartment being without electricity and the only amenities provided to him were a bed and a gas stove.

“I spent many nights crying, wishing I was with my mother, but I met some very nice people and they helped me to adjust; the teachers at the school helped me to adjust and become comfortable and I made myself comfortable,” he said.

GOING ONLINE When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, unable to meet his students in person and worried about their well-being, given the fact that the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) was rapidly approaching, Beaton took to Facebook to teach.

Beaton was already popular on Facebook for posting comedic content; he usually shares funny pictures and videos of himself and memes, from which he garnered a massive following, most of whom are students.

Leon Beaton and his students Subsequent to uploading his teaching videos, his wider following base reached out to him and his content attracted a lot of attention on the social media platform. He reacted by creating a page dedicated specifically to mathematics content.

“So I decided that I will create a specific page to share these videos, so that people can go to the page and find everything related to mathematics in one place,” he said.

MEMES AND MATHS Cognisant of the negative perspective associated with the subject of mathematics, whereby persons are of the opinion that it is the most difficult thing to comprehend, Beaton is on a mission to ‘bring life’ to the subject.

He is determined to merge his humour with the subject

and offer a unique teaching strategy and methodology that would capture the attention of many and make them enjoy the learning process.

Beaton said that he would usually scroll through Facebook and find memes related to mathematics; however, there is often the restriction of ‘only some will understand.’ Aware of the interest in memes, he will be incorporating them into learning.

Beaton explained that as a student himself, he resorts to various individuals on the World Wide Web for teaching and reinforcing of various concepts.

“I would be happy that these persons on YouTube would be able to explain things to me, so that is the same type of feeling I want to create with people who watch my videos, I just want to help people how

these people helped me,” Beaton said.

He explained that his students play an encouraging role in everything he does and he enjoys teaching in Port -Kaituma.

He took the opportunity to encourage trainee teachers to refrain from ‘trying to get away’ from teaching in the hinterland as he once tried to, because it later became one of the best aspects of his life.

“I want to encourage them to take up the challenge because the children in the hinterland are not given the same opportunity as children on the coast; give them a fair chance so Guyana can improve performance not only in certain parts, but all around,” Beaton said.

He can be found on Facebook and YouTube as ‘Sir Leon Beaton –Mathematics.’

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

‘Have passion, be efficient’ POLICE Commander of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, has advised newly promoted ranks in his division to have a passion for their job and care for the people they serve, noting that these traits will have an impact on their reputations.

On Friday, the commander and his administrative team hosted a ceremony at the New Amsterdam

– Commander Ramlakhan tells newly promoted ranks

The newly promoted ranks in the Berbice division

Commander Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan Police Station for 17 junior ranks who were promoted.

In that batch, Police Constable Ramesh Chetram was promoted to corporal after 23 years in the force, along with his colleague, Beharry Jaigopaul, who was promoted to corporal

after 19 years.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie is responsible for all promotions up to the rank of sergeant.

“To those who have not been promoted, I urge that you be patient and murmur not, one day you will reap your reward,” Hoppie said in his New Year Message.

Meanwhile, the New Amsterdam Station Management Committee also hosted a dinner for the ranks. Noting that a promotion is the advancement of an employee’s rank or position in the organisational hierarchy, the commander

and his administrative team met with the newly promoted ranks and congratulated them on their upward mobility.

The commander reiterated to the ranks that they are required to execute their respective duties effectively and efficiently at all times. He noted that law enforcement should always set out to make a positive difference while building trust internally and externally, which he noted are key aspects of policing.

When contacted, Commander Ramlakhan told the Sunday Chronicle that he wants all ranks to un-

derstand that professional policing promotes the rule of law, supports economic growth and improves the lives of all.

“Service is something all law-enforcement officers know they must pro-

fessionally provide to the communities in which they serve. This community service is necessary,” he noted.

He added: “Ranks need to be coached in order to become better

and more comfortable in their positions, and, at times, they need to be motivated to continue pursuing outstanding performance and congratulated on reaching successful goals.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Planning For The Future

GUYANA today stands at an interesting crossroad.

The nation is gearing up for the exponential escalation of its socio-economic development, while simultaneously preparing to become an integral part of the 21st century global village, a world where all the futuristic technological wonders of tomorrow are already coming into being – from self-driven electric vehicles, to Artificial Intelligence-driven robotics, and Augmented Reality-driven media, such as hologram, and also the Internet of Things, where ordinary appliances and even our living spaces become Internet-networked objects. In developed societies, homes are already converting to smart-home status, with Google Nest and Amazon’s Alexa already controlling smart lighting and heating and AC and controlling door access, and even biometrically approving who could open doors.

Global technology companies are now launching tens of thousands of satellites into the stratosphere to beam free wifi Internet to all corners of the earth, and experts project that within the next four years, every human being anywhere on the planet would have access to free, high-speed Internet connection. With 5G already rolling out in much of the world, and 6G on the near horizon, the vision of a future where literally everything is hooked up to the Internet and under AI command is already a factor that global thinkers and policy formulators are taking into consideration when developing longterm development policy.

As this country opens new development lands for new highways across virgin territory; and clears ancient land space for sparkling new hotels and other projects; and as the bridge spanning the Corriverton River linking Suriname and Guyana comes

into play; and with the modern highway from Georgetown to Brazil on stream; with luxury, gated housing communities in Essequibo and Berbice; and with international hotels on the steps of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with all these futuristic projects already well underway, it is of utmost importance that Guyanese cultivate a visionary, futuristic, technological mindset, that this nation approaches its future with an eye to 20, 50, 100 years ahead.

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is mandating countries around the world to adapt to the new future, of, for example, building smart buildings, and converting yesteryear’s old buildings from carbon-generating ‘dead’ buildings into alive, organic, breathing, sustainable buildings, where walls, floors and ceilings integrate with the natural environment in a friendly and sustainable way. Such theories are also being applied to roads and highways and bridges and other infrastructure. Much is underway in the world right now, with The Elders organisation leading a push to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which seek to align the world away from the Industrial Age’s alarming carbon footprint, to a smart, organic, breathing new world, where the natural environment and human development work hand in hand. Indeed, the world is moving in the direction of Dr Cheddi Jagan’s vision for a New Global Human Order, which he had presented to the UN. It seems fruitful, then, for Guyana to adopt a futuristic approach to its development vision, and once this early phase of President Ali’s agenda to install key infrastructure and ramp up the housing sector and make sure all sectors of the economy are functioning well is established, that Guyanese development planners design a

full technological Guyanese society.

Experts around the world worry about the 50+ years old bridges and highways and state buildings in much of the developed world, because these massive steel and concrete structures do not fit in with the goal of the Paris Agreement, being massive generators of carbon footprints, contributing heavily to pollution. Planners are grappling with the question of how to convert these structures into smart structures, where they become organic, alive, sustainable infrastructure, rather than dead weight stifling the land.

While some experts propose converting walls, ceilings and open floors to green spaces with plants and other organic, sustainable designs, others propose embedding Internet connectivity to the materials that make walls, roads and bridges and so on. For roads and highways and public infrastructure, experts are well underway in implementing a system of smart building materials, to, for example, charge electric vehicles while they use the roadway. The Internet of Things makes all these real possibilities today. In fact, several futuristic brand new smart cities exist around the world, where these technologies are under experiment and testing and refining for imminent mainstream global roll-out.

This kind of thinking is now sweeping the corridors of power around the world, and in fact a major global meeting in 2020 of the World Economic Forum – at which teenage environmental guru Greta Thunberg gave the main speech -- mandated global leaders to accelerate conversion of the world system to a sustainable, smart new world.

For small countries such as Guyana and those in the Caribbean, it would be easier to transition to this new future, simply because

there’s no major old web of infrastructure and systems to convert. This country is building from scratch, starting from the bottom, and therefore would be able to implement smart structures from the ‘get go.’

In that, there’s much optimism that Guyana would become a smart, sustainable, Internet-networked society way before the developed world catches up to the new future.

What’s absolutely necessary, is for this country to develop a national pool of visionaries, futuristic innovators, and design thinkers to imagine what’s possible for a futuristic Guyana, and to contribute ideas, suggestions, and new solutions to national planners.

Guyana cannot sit back and allow future development to be of the default future, where the country stumbles into whatever comes. Given the rich natural resources of the country, and the amazing human capital of the Guyanese people with their penchant for innovative solutions, the nation could easily be lulled into sitting back and allowing a default future to drive the ship forward. However, it would serve Guyanese well, were the nation to install a paradigm of designing the future that thinkers believe is possible, to, in other words, design the destiny of the Guyanese people, looking to a visionary future rather than just expecting everything to fall into place.

Everybody would agree on one thing for sure: Guyana is a nation that has a bright future as a key, leading member of the 21st century global community.

Such a possibility should make Guyanese stand up and design the path forward with confidence, optimism, and excited motivation.

The nation’s destiny is in the hands of Guyanese, and the nation will be what citizens make it to be.

Some pertinent questions for Hamilton Green Dear editor, IN another media, Hamilton Green queried Mr. Sam Hinds, former President and Prime Minister, to explain what he Hinds) did “to lift up Afro-Guyanese.”

I don’t speak for Mr. Hinds. He can speak for himself. But I have a reality check for the 86-year-old Mr. Green. As a historian and political analyst and a student of Guyana’s affairs, Sam Hinds did a lot for Africans, much more than what most African leaders did for them. He helped to rescue the national economy after two decades of economic malaise and near starvation. The turnaround of the economy benefited Africans and other ethnic groups tremendously. While other African leaders placed Blacks and the nation in desti-

tution, Hinds helped to transform their lives, reducing poverty and eliminating starvation.

Hinds is no bandit, no electoral criminal, no murderer, unlike several other African leaders who rigged or attempted to rig elections and ordered the murder of Africans like Rodney, Koama, Dublin, and even prominent individuals of other ethnic groups. Hinds condemned electoral fraud and obviously, that angers Green, who was part of a fraudulent government for many years. Hinds is a role model, an exemplar for Africans, on character, integrity, honesty, and professionalism, and good governance.

Green asked Hinds whether he is qualified to speak on behalf of Africans. The same question can be directed to Green – can he speak on behalf of Afro-Guyanese? Hinds is

far more qualified because of his life of morality and decency. No one can accuse Hinds of murdering anyone or unleashing thugs on political opponents or using food and sports equipment as political weapons.

Green says one needs to understand what happened in Guyana from the 1960s as a consequence of the Cold War. Does the cold war justify rigging of elections and murdering political opponents? Does it justify apartheid like or racist or minority rule in Guyana? How can the White man be condemned for racist rule in South Africa and Rhodesia, and at the same time Green justifies rigging and racism in Guyana because of the Cold War? Green asked what Hinds did for Afro-Guyanese? The same question can be posed to Green who held the second highest

position in the country, PM, though neither he nor the PNC was ever elected to office (on its own). What productive measures did Green put in place for Africans?

Green claimed that Hinds did not speak out when what he claims that hundreds of Africans were killed in Guyana. SN did a study that disputes the number of Africans who were killed. The paper also stated that almost all of those killed were ‘criminals’ or ‘wanted’ or had links with the ‘underworld.’

A similar question can be posed to Green – What did he do when these alleged killings took place? (He was Mayor).

Green accused Hinds of telling Africans to forget the history of slavery in response See page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

A Rejoinder to David Granger

By Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC MP I READ former President David Granger’s exhaustive and exhausting New

Year message.

It chronicles a compendium of alleged achievements made by the Coalition Government. It proffered explanations, nay justifications,

Some pertinent questions ...

From page 6 to others who sought reparations from the White man.

That is not correct. What Hinds said was it would be impossible to get reparations from the White man, and therefore, Africans should not depend on reparations in order to rebuild their lives. Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, and Amerindians are not tying their future to reparations.

Most Africans have moved on from slavery and don’t condition their future on reparations.

Clive Thomas concluded in a study that it was under the PPP government that Sam Hinds served (October 1992 to May 2015) that Africans made the greatest economic strides. In contrast, under the PNC government, December 1964 to October 1992), in which Green was a minister almost all of that time, the standard of living of Africans and other Guyanese drastically declined to a fifth of what it was when Jagan was ousted from office in December 1964. It was the Jagan, Hinds, Janet, Jagdeo, and Ramotar presidencies that rehabilitated the lives of Africans and the rest of the nation.

The nation has some pertinent questions for Green that can help to bring closure to some unsolved crimes.

Who shot Dr. Joshua Ramsammy? Who killed Shirley Field-Ridley? Why was she cremated so quickly? Was it to eliminate evidence to cover up the murder and the murderer? Who killed Vincent Teekah? Who killed Walter Rodney? Who planned the failed kidnapping of Dr. Clive Thomas? Who rigged elections between 1966 and 1992?

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

for the rapacious violations of the constitution, the unprecedented abrogation of the rule of law and the relentless attempts to alter the results of the 2020 elections in order to steal government, committed by him and his Coalition Government.

I was very much present in Guyana during the five-year coalition rule. I was involved at every level in the social, political and economic tribulations which occurred in Guyana. To me, Mr. Granger’s speech read like a fairy-tale from a far-off land. If the accomplishments boastfully expressed, did actually take place, no doubt Mr. Granger would have been the President today. The proof of the pudding lies in the eating. Mr. Granger is not the President. The electorate voted solidly against him and his Coalition Government.

That reality collides violently with the factual foundation of his discourse, rendering same as hollow, as it was illusory.

Such unhinged maundering must never be left on the public record without an appropriate rejoinder.

From beginning to end, Mr. Granger insults the collective intelligence of everyone familiar with realities of life in Guyana between 2015-2020. The audacity and arrogance are unnerving, but remain a stark reminder of how distanced he was and still is from the majority of the population. Indeed, it was a cerebral feature that characterised his presidency.

Nowhere in the democratic world would a political Head of State be returned to government by the electorate, who failed to host a dedicated engagement with his nation’s press corps for over three years. Such hubris remains the antithesis of democracy.

The portion of the speech dedicated to the prelude to the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, and its aftermath, is perhaps the most nauseating. Mr. Granger perseveres to paint a narrative radically different from that which was seen and experienced by Guyana and the world, and for which Mr. Granger and his rigging cabal were condemned and reprimand-ed by every local stakeholder organisation, the entire diplomatic community, every major international organisation in the Caribbean and the Americas, as well as 100 governments across the globe. This unsophisticated stunt is reason enough for Mr. Granger and the Coalition Government never to come close to the reins of power in the foreseeable future.

He argues that the delay in holding the elections after the passage of the No Confidence Motion of the 21st of December, 2018 “was due to the Elections Commission unpreparedness.” He could not have forgotten that the very Elections Commission, on December 27, 2018, announced its readiness to hold those elections. Mr. Granger believes that Guyanese are so ignorant that they did

not recognise that it was the chairman, that he installed unconstitutionally, who was executing his master’s diktat as the commission’s claim of lack of preparedness. Indeed, had the Caribbean Court of Justice not declared that chairman to have been illegally appointed, Mr. Granger may have succeeded in his fraudulent design.

Mr. Granger spends nearly a page and a half, detailing the litigation instituted after those elections. He conveys the impression that there were obstructionists to the democratic process. He omitted to reveal that it was those litigations that protected the will of the electorate and saved democracy. He writes not a single word about Clairmont Mingo’s vulgar attempts to use a fraudulent spreadsheet, instead of Statement of Polls, to tabulate the results of Region Four, as required by law. He neglects to inform readers that it was this fraudulent act perpetrated by Mingo in the presence of party officials, electoral observers, and the diplomatic community, which triggered the first court proceedings.

Neither did he disclose that despite orders made by the Chief Justice, Mingo completed a fraudulent tabulation of the results, which gave Granger electoral victory. He excised from his narrative that he agreed to a national recount, but then vehemently attempted to repudiate that agreement; and even when the recount

came and was observed by a CARICOM team, whom he described as the most “legitimate interlocutors” and who upheld its accuracy, legitimacy and credibility, he assailed that team’s report and disavowed the recount results.

Mr. Granger also refused to write about the powers which the chief elections officer (CEO) unlawfully arrogated onto himself to prepare a report, not of the ballots cast by the electorate, but ballots which he, the CEO, determined to be valid. This latter travesty led to even more litigation. The Caribbean Court of Justice was forced to admonish the CEO and to remind him that he is not a “lone ranger,” but a subordinate officer of the commission, subject and subservient to the commission’s authority and directions.

Mr. Granger describes this horrendous period between March 2nd and August 2nd “as necessary to ensure the functioning of the constitution…

We believe that the measures we took fortified democracy...” Alas, these words can only emanate from a delusional mind cushioned in its own authoritarian cocoon.

Fortunately, the world saw and experienced a different reality. It is for this simple reason, without more, that Mr. Granger is where he is today, and where he and those of his ilk should remain, for a long time in the future – out of government.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Commander Moore urges promoted ranks to maintain discipline, professionalism

POLICE Commander of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Senior Superintendent Dion Moore urged the recently promoted ranks to maintain their discipline and professionalism at all times while portraying leadership skills.

On Friday, the commander held a meeting with the newly promoted ranks of the division and congratulated them on their achievement. Senior officers of the division also encouraged the newly promoted ranks to keep up their hard work.

Commander Moore, in his brief remarks, highlighted that the promotion brings new challenges and opportunities and he encouraged the law enforcement ranks to be role models for their juniors to emulate.

Seated at second from right: Police Commander of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Senior Superintendent Dion Moore and other senior ranks flanked by the newly promoted police officers

31 new cases of COVID-19 recorded GUYANA, on Saturday, recorded 31 new cases of COVID-19, taking the overall number of known cases to 6,541.

These new cases were recorded in Region One (six cases), Region Four (19 cases), Region Five (one case), Region Six (one case) and Region Eight (one case); Region Nine (two cases) and Region 10 (one case). These

cases were recorded from 644 tests done.

There are currently 381 active cases. Five persons are in the COVID Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 46 in institutional isolation, 36 in institutional quarantine and 304 in home isolation.

An additional 19 persons have recovered after testing positive for COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to

6,019.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s dashboard did not include the latest COVID-19 death which took the toll to 168 on Saturday. Majeed Hussain, a stalwart of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, succumbed to COVID-19 complications on Saturday morning.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from January 1, 2021,

until January 31, 2021. All persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important.

The current curfew time is 22:30 to 04:00 hours. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

9

‘Mahaica boy’ admitted to the bar ― intensifies efforts to better represent indigenous people

By Vishani Ragobeer

DEXTER SMARTT, who hails from Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), was, on Thursday last, admitted to the local bar to practise law by Chief Justice (ag.), Roxane George.

ago, in 2020. Before that, he was able to complete his Bachelor degrees in International Relations (IR) and Law at the University of Guyana (UG).

During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Smartt related that he was encouraged to pursue a career in the legal

Attorney-at-law, Dexter Smartt after being admitted to the local bar after his petition was pre- profession while engaging in a sented by attorneys-at-law third year IR course called InFaye-Ann Barker and Dexter ternational Law. Then, Sheldon Todd.

McDonald who was the Head The young man completed of Department of Law at UG his Legal Education Certificate at the time, encouraged him (LEC) at the Hugh Wooding to pursue this field, affirming Law School (HWLS) in Trini- that the young Smartt would dad and Tobago a few months be able to serve more persons

this way.

McDonald knew that the young man was an avid volunteer, dedicating his time to serving others. And so, Smartt eventually applied and was accepted into UG’s law programme. Though McDonald passed away soon after, Smartt continued to pursue studies in this field- encouraged by his grandparents- as a way of honouring the HoD, and in addition to his own desire to become qualified.

Reflecting on the years of study, Smartt gave a heavy sigh and then said, “It was tiring…

issues. Yes, it was a challenge but he pushed through and was able to learn better time management. Additionally, he was supported by his family and friends, who were a strong support system for him.

Currently, Smartt is working with Dexter Todd and Associates, dealing with Company, Civil and Criminal matters.

But, that’s not all he spends his time doing.

He recently started his own organisation called “Ubuntu” through which he aims to provide better representation to Guyana’s indigenous people.

wondering how were they able to represent themselves properly or explain to the court what their problem was if they really don’t understand English,” he said, adding, “Most of them were even unrepresented when they went to court.”

Another issue he discovered was that when these individuals had served their time in prison, it was difficult for them to return to their home communities because they were unable to identify the region or village they hailed from.

Attorney-at-law, Dexter Smartt (centre) with Chief Justice (ag.), Roxane George (right) and attorney-at-law, Faye-Ann Barker but fun. It was very edifying, The impetus for this has its “Many of them just know because every day you learnt genesis years ago, when he the call name of the area (and) something, which was great.” was engaged in a project that I saw that as being a very very He spent three years pur- allowed him to visit prisons big issue because we can’t suing law at UG and then an and interview prisoners. claim to reform somebody if additional two at the HWLS “In doing so, I realised that that’s the way we treat them for his LEC. During this time, eight out of 10 Amerindian when they go back on the Smartt was juggling multiple prisoners didn’t understand streets,” Smartt lamented. jobs and a myriad of health English properly and I was Through this organisa-

tion, in the months since he has returned to Guyana from Trinidad, he has engaged in consultations and research.

He has given himself up to January next year to engage with toshaos and other indigenous peoples’ representatives, including the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, to see how he would be able to assist.

A crucial component of this engagement would include collaborating with them for language translation services.

He also indicated that he will be directing some of his efforts towards fostering youth empowerment and education.

“Service is very important to me. Most of my life has been about service and I’ve been volunteering for about 14 years,” Smartt emphasised.

In his professional life, he intends to qualify himself further. He is currently pursuing a Diploma in Global Leadership and he will be starting a Masters in Energy and Environmental Law in March; he is already thinking about pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), possibly in International Law. “I do not intend on stopping,” he half-joked, “I like learning, because the more I know, I can better service people but at some point I’m going to pause, because I can’t serve people if I don’t have enough time.”

Aside from his unfolding academic and professional journey, Smartt said, “I dedicate my entire LEC journey and admission to the bar to medical professionals because of how much my doctors did to keep me alive over the years.”

Karanambu and Piraiba Lodges granted approval to reopen CONTINUING its mission to have the tourism sector return to some level of normalcy, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has granted two additional tourism businesses, the Karanambu and Piraiba Lodges with “conditional approval” to reopen.

The GTA has increased the number of inspections and training to support tourism

businesses with their preparations for safe reopening. During this period, the GTA employed a two-step process to ensure that all tourism businesses have the necessary resources and training to facilitate operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two-step approach entails a submission of the business-written Standard Operating Pro-

Karanambu Lodge - (Wildlife Worldwide photo)

cedures (SOPs) to the GTA for a desk review, followed by an on-site inspection of these businesses to verify implementation of the SOPs and approval by the GTA. Director of the GTA, Carla James, in a media release expressed satisfaction at the consistent pace at which businesses have been granted their conditional approval, saying, “Our team [have] been working assiduously with these businesses to ensure that they have all the necessary measures in place to safely reopen, and we will continue to monitor their adherence to all of the stipulated protocols as outlined by the Ministry of Health.”

With the addition of the two new tourism businesses, the GTA has so far granted 13 tourism businesses conditional approval to reopen and has marked them ‘Safe for Travel.’

The GTA during this period recommends domestic and international travellers use only approved tourism businesses to book and plan their tour activities.

James stated that the year 2020 has redefined the landscape for travel, creating a “new normal.” She added that in 2021, with the advent of a vaccine, the GTA welcomes the opportunity for travellers to visit a safer Guyana.

Piraiba Lodge - (Adventure Guianas photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Home Economics teacher releasing cook book

By Jeune Van Keric

A RETIRED teacher, now caterer, who once served in the classrooms of Botswana, is expected to soon release a compilation of recipes.

Included in her book is “Steamed cassava and meat pie” and “Sweet potato custard pudding”, the recipes for two dishes which had grabbed first and second place at two consecutive national root vegetable competitions sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Trained as a Home

Economics (secondary) teacher at the Lilian Dewar College of Education (now Cyril Potter College of Education), Roxanne Warde returned to her alma mater-- the Berbice High School-- where she served for 15 years. There, she served as Head of Department and Deputy Head Mistress.

It was during 1999 that an opportunity arose for local teachers to serve in Botswana, a country on the African continent.

“I took the opportunity to serve, as I wanted to experience something that was different. And it was

Roxanne Warde (standing third right) with staffers of Semane Community Junior Secondary School in Botswana indeed different… Initially, I was hit by the culture shock, but I had to quickly compose myself, as I had my daughter, Lizanne, with me. But it’s a decision I do not regret until this day,” she reflected with a smile while seated at her home at Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice.

“I spent six years at the Semane Community Junior Secondary School, in Serowe Village, the birthplace of many presidents, and I was able to experience much, especially whilst teaching Home Economics.

“To be able to eat a boiled egg back then was only allowed when they (the children) start working. So, when they came to the Home Economics class, they had to prepare varying dishes; I would give them the foods. Their response was as though I was sent from heaven; they would hurriedly put the food items in their pockets. Previously, their teachers would share it among themselves,” Warde recalled.

In Botswana, the main dish is Seawaa, which is made into a semblance of a thick porridge from white corn. It is referred to as ‘polenta’ or ‘pap’; it is served with a meat stew.

During her tour of duty, Warde visited Libya and South Africa, in which latter country lemon grass (a medicinal bush) is blended with masala and other ingredients and added to curries to give it a unique flavour. However, the taste

Roxanne Warde enjoying her retirement years as a caterer is strange to the Guyanese palate.

After her six-year tour of duty, in 2006, she returned to her homeland and commenced teaching at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, where, again, she attained the position as Head of the Home Economics Department. It was during this tenure that she guided students to the FAO’s national awards, which focused on root vegetables, or what is referred to locally as “ground provision”.

Students were able to gain first placement with a dish called “Steamed cassava pie”, which had been included in the FAO’s international recipe book.

The following year, the

students grabbed the second place with a dish called “Sweet potato custard pudding”.

“I love cooking; I would mix things up and tell my relatives to have a taste, which is most often teasing to the palate...

Now, having retired since 2016, I am continuing catering, having done so for organisations and varying functions over the years.

It is what keeps me going… I have also taught students in the Citizens Empowerment Programme, which has resulted in some persons becoming employed within agencies. And I am working on my very own recipe book,” Ms. Warde said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Politics & Society Forum APNU+AFC coalition displayed a penchant for establishing commissions of inquiry except an introspective one

LAST week, I posited that the APNU+AFC coalition was not only fragile but loose which affected its ability to govern Guyana effectively and efficiently.

Two issues hamstrung the coalition from delivering in the first years in office: (a) to iron out internal dissonance, and (b) the miscalculation of the PPP/C’s power and influence, namely, its stellar record of resistance against political recklessness. While I am not surprised by the above oversight largely due to incompetence and heavy-handedness, it is outlandish that the coalition did not care a whit to establish a commission/ committee to address the self-styled pantheon of political minds within its rank and file. Most leaders in the coalition had rarely sat at the same table before, had remotely taken each other’s ideas and put them to use, and had certainly never been involved in shared leadership. Yet, there they were, leading a nation, rubbing shoulders with each other like roosting geese.

Moreover, it is not that the coalition had found commissions/committees of inquiry unattractive to address what it perceived as pressing issues. The coalition had displayed a penchant for establishing a cauldron of committees for everything else but itself. Arguably, a committee, saddled with the responsibility of building trust, and lubricating communication at varying levels, would have been forward-looking insofar as forestalling unverified, leaked information and promoting magnanimity of the coalition. These routine engagements combined with the miss-

ing habit of introspection were simply alien practices in the coalition, which paradoxically, are required criteria in any administration commonly known as checks and balances in government.

Even if there was a committee to address internal schisms and anomalies, the coalition would have had to come to grips with the following concrete concerns. How does one transform a political culture where productivity is not rooted in its consciousness? What do you say to politicians who put themselves first and the citizens second in line as to who gets what, how, and when? What do you say to politicians when it is incumbent upon them to be there but are missing in action? How can you convince politicians that they are not above the law? Any attempt to answer these questions would be an agog endeavor, revealing that some Guyanese politicians have been amorphous and clueless. Their knowledge of how public policies should be developed and administered to benefit the nation needs routine nursing and nurturing.

They are generally not avid readers, and that deficiency is exposed when they speak. To their credit, they are adept at flaunting party loyalty and being popular among voters. I call this behavior patronymic politics. We have hit a dead-end with these politicians.

So, what we have had is the above in the coalition coupled with the preposterous interference of institutions that ensured its passage to power. I am still flummoxed why former President David Granger would want to besmirch an established pro-

cedure and prefer a unilateral approach of choosing a GECOM chairperson.

Did he know something that the citizenry was unaware of? Was he not confident anymore of the people seated in GECOM to repeat what occurred in the aftermath of the 2015 general elections, a victory to his party? With each passing day, I hearken back to the thought that the results of the 2015 general elections might have been tampered with to gift the APNU+AFC coalition a slim victory.

This is a blind spot in the narrative of Guyana’s general elections that, if explored, the findings might cupboard the 2015 general elections as another rigged election in Guyana.

What is of interest here also is that we saw the first engagement with the courts on matters relating to government, a move that was first voiced

by Forbes Burnham when asked about electoral rigging. He reportedly said to take such matters to court. And boy, did we see court matters? Here again, there are questions.

Did Granger and his gang know more about the judicial system than the citizenry suspect but could not confirm? The plethora of court cases by the coalition was procedural to find solutions, but in the same vein, the goal was to invade and assault the courts because they appeared corrupt and compromised as the final arbiter. In the contestation of power, the courts are the final stop on dispute resolutions. It is a sad commentary to suspect, much less see, politicians who have been involved in the dispensation of justice by using the judicial system to vault their interests and judges who

clandestinely collaborated with them.

This is a shameful

and despicable act, grave enough to disrobe them from administer-

11

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine ing justice. (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums. edu).

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Understanding Energy

Guyana’s success in 2020 likely to continue in 2021 LAST year was undeniably a tough one for Guyana. But despite an extended election process, the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding economic disruption across the world, Guyana’s oil and gas sector proved to be strong during a challenging time.

Over the past year, Guyana’s growth rate has surged to over 26 percent, making it the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean to experience any GDP growth in 2020.

In a recent interview, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said that Guyana could continue to attract major new investments through “incentives” despite the challenging times.

Stability and the right incentives to balance the inherent risks associated with frontier exploration and development are crucial. Now Guyana is even being used as an example for other Latin American oil producers looking to replicate its success.

According to a recent S&P Global article,

Guyana has become a fierce competitor and a model for others in just five years. “Brazil now faces competition for oil investments from countries around the globe, including neighbours such as Guyana and Uruguay,” officials at Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency told reporters. Guyana has emerged as a major player when it comes to investment in oil and gas.

After a series of disappointing auctions for offshore blocks in Brazil that attracted no international bids, Latin America’s largest producer is increasingly concerned that its challenging contract terms won’t generate investor dollars. The rapid success of Guyana and new discoveries in Suriname have caused Brazil to make significant changes to its production sharing regime in 2021.

Meanwhile, even as global oil prices reached historic lows in the second quarter of 2020, Guyana continued to rake in revenues and attract major new investments. The country received revenues from four oil lifts in

2020, bringing the total in Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund to nearly USD$200 million after just one year of production from the Liza Destiny.

Exxon, the operator of the Stabroek Block, estimates that Guyana’s government could receive five to six lifts of oil in 2021, each valued at more than USD$50 million or more if prices continue to rebound. And when the larger Liza Phase 2 and Payara projects start production, overall revenues and Guyana’s share will increase dramatically.

Guyana’s globally competitive contract terms are responsible for the new projects underway. While other oil and gas projects around the world were put on pause or cancelled altogether, Guyana secured a USD$9 billion investment, the Payara project, in September 2020. According to international consultancy Rystad Energy, Payara was one of only a few major offshore projects to move forward globally as investments in the offshore oil and gas sector declined by nearly 70 percent.

While Guyana has had great success relative to other global oil producers in 2020, the country must remain globally competitive and continue to attract new investment to stay on a development trajectory. As Vice President Jagdeo noted, the money being invested to develop the current three projects is about “eight times more than we have in all of our bank accounts.” This scale means that active engagement with foreign investors is necessary for Guyana.

While the oil and gas sector drove eco-

nomic growth in 2020, an attractive business climate will help Guyana’s other industries generate new investment, jobs and revenues as well. Vice President Jagdeo mentioned in the same interview that Guyana now has 29 hotel development proposals and predicted at least seven or eight would lead to new hotels in Georgetown, creating hundreds of jobs due to the demand from the energy industry.

A rising tide of investment can lift boats in several sectors.

Guyana’s newfound oil investments, however, should not be taken lightly. Valerie Marcel, an associate fellow at the think tank Chatham House said, in an interview last week, that Guyana must be careful with its new oil revenues because “Guyanese haven’t had the experience with this type of windfall, and it is coming so suddenly.” But she did highlight how Guyana has already implemented several mechanisms to ensure that the country reaps the benefits of the growing oil sector.

Guyana’s future appears bright, even though the economic climate is likely to remain tough for oil producers and regional competition for investment will continue. In neighboring Suriname, Apache is expected to drill a fifth well in the Bonboni prospect in 2021, and an upcoming oil block auction is also expected to catch international attention.

Offshore exploration in Guyana will continue in 2021 despite cutbacks elsewhere.

Exxon and its partners recently began drilling the first well in the Canje Block at the Bulletwood prospect, and more wells in the block could be drilled in 2021.

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

The Science of COVID-19

Acute kidney injury: Protein or blood in urine

By Dr. Haimchand Barran MMSc Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases Fellowship -- Nephrology Nephrology Department -- GPHC AS mentioned in previous articles, some patients with COVID-19 have displayed kidney damage through acute kidney injury (AKI), mild proteinuria (protein in the urine), hematuria (blood in the urine), or slight elevation in creatinine (blood marker testing for kidney function). Today, we will cover protein and blood in the urine in our continuing series.

PROTEIN IN URINE People with proteinuria have unusually high amounts of protein in their urine.

The condition is often a sign of kidney disease.

Your kidneys are filters that don’t usually let a lot of protein pass through. When the kidney is damaged, then proteins such as albumin may leak from your blood into your urine. You can also have proteinuria when your body makes too much protein.

Kidney disease often has no early symptoms.

Protein in your urine might be one of the first signs.

Your doctor may spot proteinuria on a urine test during a routine physical.

Over time, as it gets worse, you might have symptoms including foamy or bubbly urine; swelling (edema) in your hands, feet, belly and face; urinating more often; shortness of breath; fatigue; loss of appetite; upset stomach and vomiting; and muscle cramps at night.

Some common things can cause proteinuria include dehydration, inflammation, low blood pressure, fever, intense activity, high stress, kidney stones, taking aspirin every day, and very low temperatures.

Conditions that damage

your kidneys can also make you have too much protein in your urine. The two most common are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Other serious conditions that can cause proteinuria include immune disorders such as lupus, kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis), a blood cancer called multiple myeloma, preeclampsia (which affects pregnant women), a buildup of protein in your organs (amyloidosis), cardiovascular disease, intravascular hemolysis, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed, kidney cancer, and heart failure.

Things that might make you more likely to have protein in your urine include obesity, being over 65 years of age, a family history of kidney disease, and being of African American/Native American/Hispanic/or Pacific Islander descent.

Some people get more protein into their urine while standing than while lying down. This condition is called orthostatic proteinuria.

A urine test, called a urinalysis, can tell whether you have too much protein in your urine.

BLOOD IN URINE Having blood in your urine can be a sign that something is wrong with your kidneys or another part of your urinary tract.

The medical name for blood in your urine is hematuria.

There are two types of hematuria: if you can see the blood in your urine, it is called gross hematuria; and if you cannot see the blood in your urine without looking at it under a microscope, it is called microscopic hematuria.

Anyone can have hematuria, but you might be more likely to have it if you have a family history of kidney disease; have an enlarged prostate (in men);

have a history of getting kidney stones; are taking certain medicines, such as pain relievers, blood thinners and antibiotics; participate in strenuous (difficult) exercise; or have, or recently had, an infection.

There are many reasons that you might have blood in your urine. Having blood in your urine does not necessarily mean you have kidney disease.

Some common causes are menstruation; strenuous (difficult) exercise; sexual activity; and having a virus, injury or infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other more serious problems can also cause you to have blood in your urine. Some of these problems include kidney or bladder cancer; irritation or swelling in your kidneys, prostate (in men) or another part of your urinary tract; polycystic kidney disease; blood clots or diseases that cause problems with blood clotting; and sickle cell disease You may not notice any symptoms if you have microscopic hematuria. If you have gross hematuria, you may notice that your urine is pink, red or brown. This happens because the blood in your urine makes it a different color. If you have gross hematuria, you may also get blood clots in your urine, which can be painful.

If you notice that your urine is a different colour than normal, or if you are having pain when you urinate, tell your healthcare provider. He or she can do some tests to figure out why you have blood in your urine or what is causing the pain and what treatment would be best for you.

The treatment for having blood in your urine depends on what is causing the problem. For example, if you have blood in your urine because of an infection, your doctor might tell you to take an antibiotic medicine. If you have

blood in your urine for another reason, you might need a different kind of treatment.

To find out why you have blood in your urine, your doctor might ask you for a urine sam-

ple. The urine sample can be used to test for signs of an infection, kidney disease or other problems. Your doctor will use the results of the urine test to decide if you need more tests or if you can start a treatment.

Dr. Haimchand Barran This article is submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme. For questions, email ministersecretaryhealth@gmail.com.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

177 sexual assault cases pending at High Court

By Mesha Sealey

A total of 177 sexual assault cases are pending trial at the High Court, according to a list provided by the Supreme Court of Judicature on Friday last.

Of this number, 130 involve children under the age of 16. five of the 130 cases include carnal knowledge of girls under 15 years of age, two relate to carnal knowledge of a child under 12 years of age, 111 invovle the rape of a child under 16 years of age, nine cases are sex by abusing a position of trust, and 22 relate to sexual activity with a child family member.

When contacted, Di-

rector of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, told the Sunday Chronicle that sexual abuse was the second-most reported form of child abuse, with child neglect taking the number one position.

“Sexual abuse, for us right now, is of great concern.

There are too many children being sexually abused, and these are only the ones that come to our attention,” she stated.

Greene added: “It’s only the tip of the iceberg, because a lot of children are being abused, but it’s not known.

Sexual abuse is something that is done behind closed doors. A lot of times, children don’t have a voice to

tell of being abused. Some children don’t even know it’s abuse. It’s a norm. That is the extent of the sexual abuse.”

According to a report by the CPA, for the period January to October 2020, almost 900 of the 4,030 child abuse cases reported were of sexual nature. While the figures recorded were lower than that of the previous year, which saw 890 child sexual abuse cases being reported, Greene noted that this was not due to low prevalence, but rather to a drop in the number of persons reporting child abuse.

Greene previously told this newspaper that with schools being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency had lost one of

its most critical partners in the fight against child abuse.

Teachers throughout Guyana have played key roles in identifying and reporting cases of children being abused for many years.

However, with the arrival of COVID-19, schools had been shut since March 2020, leaving the CPA at a disadvantage, in terms of child abuse reports. Although the school closures served as a defence mechanism against the deadly virus, it left many defenseless children confined within proximity of their abusers.

In December, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security had partnered with telecommunications

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene giants—Digicel and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT)-- The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Telecommunications Agency to create a toll-free hotline as part of the measures for promoting the reporting, prevention and response services to cases of violence.

The 914 hotline aims to integrate the services available at both the Domestic Violence Units, and the Childcare and Protection

Agency, and it is the hope of all stakeholders involved, including local authorities, that the 24-hour service will result in more persons reaching out to the CPA in cases of all forms of abuse, especially those involving children.

“It is up to us-- as adults, as Guyanese-- to look and see the signs, and know that child protection is everyone’s business.

Every adult should be concerned about the children,” Greene reiterated on Saturday.

Motorcyclist dies in Linden Highway accident THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Dayle Jordan died instantly on Friday night after he crashed his motorcycle into a motor pickup on the Yarrowkabra Public Road, Soesdkye/Linden Highway; his 29-year-old female friend, who was the pillion rider, is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

They are both residents of La Retraite, West Bank Demerara. Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the accident occurred at around 23:30h.

It is alleged that Jordan overtook a car and crashed into the pickup which was proceeding north along the Dead: Dayle Jordan western side of the road.

The pickup was being driven by a 51-year-old resident of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.

Jordan and his friend were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and Jordan was pronounced dead.

Police said the driver of the pickup was found to be above the legal limit of alcohol with .77% and .70% micrograms.

He is in custody assisting with the investigation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

‘Rat-lashing’: A countryside ‘side job’

By Navendra Seoraj

A FERAL feline is often revered as the ultimate “rat catcher,” but, in an open field, with plants as high as 3.3 feet, their expertise is unavoidably substituted by that of sugar workers, who scour acres of land to track and exterminate a very ‘dangerous,’ “sweet-toothed” rodent, the holochilus brasiliensis, commonly referred to as a “savannah rat.”

This “medium sized” species is said to be between 167 mm and 211 mm in head-tobody length, while the tail stretches between 183 mm and 214 mm - almost the same size or longer than the core part of its body.

The dorsal colour is cinnamon, the flanks are a brighter orange and the underparts a paler orange, apart from a white throat and chest and some white in the unguinal area.

But don’t be fooled by its small frame and ‘adorable’ look, this creature, as described by many persons, is cunning, nimble and moves freely on land and in water; qualities fitting of a sly rodent, which, most times, cannot be captured using live traps.

Those physical features

Agriculture Manager, Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, Andrew McLeod alone are enough to have any human falling, tumbling and even running out of breath in pursuit of this rodent.

Thankfully, capturing such a rodent is not a daily task of an average Joe, but the same cannot be said for sugar workers, as the fate of every sugarcane plant rests on their shoulders.

Sugarcane, saccharum officinarum, is a perennial grass in the family poaceae, grown for its stem (cane) which is primarily used to produce sucrose (sugar). And, while the sucrose is delectable for human beings, it is the sugarcane that attracts savannah rats. They feed on tender

shoots during the periods of migration and mating, especially where estates border the savannahs.

The thousands of hectares of land aback the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate have been ideal for savannah rats to have “fine dining,” but the “guardians of sugarcane” -- sugar workers -- have served as the security at the door of this ‘restaurant.’

If allowed to ‘dine’ at Uitvlugt, the bill those hungry rodents would rack up would be insurmountable for GuySuCo. DANGEROUS Agriculture Manager at the Uitvlugt Estate, Andrew McLeod said savannah rats -- one of three major pests that affect sugarcane -- are dangerous if left uncontrolled, because they are capable to destroying up to 78 per cent of an estate’s cane within one year.

“One rodent bites close to 17 stalk of cane per night, so if your cultivation is invaded with rats, you could lose 78 per cent of your cane within a year if not controlled,” McLeod told the Guyana Chronicle during an interview on Wednesday.

With an unimaginable potential economic loss, it is paramount that the estate

Though not “rat lashing”, one would imagine that the scene would be similar to this which shows planters cultivating a field at Uitvlugt (Adrian Narine photo) invests in proper pest control, which, in many cases, comes in the form of an eight-member “rat lashing” team, chosen from among the very workers who cultivate sugarcane.

Manual rat hunting is by no means contemporary, as it is a profession that dates back to the early days of cultivation when this form of pest control was among the few effective methods known to man.

Almost like a game of cricket, persons from the eight-member team head to the cane fields equipped with their wooden batons, ready to use hand-eye coordination and skillful swatting

techniques to decimate their targets.

Synonymous to a tiger eyeing its prey, the “rat lashers” would trail their targets quietly using subtle hints and signs to guide their movements through the lush cane fields, until the time is right to attack.

“The men would go through the cane field and identify the rats’ nest and starting hitting… they have to hit in a particular way to ensure that the rats do not escape,” McLeod explained, adding that the intensity and scene is reflective of any realistic hunting exercise.

In cases where the batons are ineffective, the rat hunters

would convert to arsonists and undertake an exercise called circle burning.

This includes persons positioning themselves at various points around the field and lighting small fires simultaneously, to chase the rats into the centre of the field. In this way, rats would either run to the centre of the field where they are exterminated or they would perish in the blaze.

Escaping the hunters is almost impossible because even the rats, which manage to evade the blaze and reach the drains, meet a sad demise with the baton See page 16

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Pensioner found floating in Hampton Court trench

A 74-year-old resident of Devonshire Castle, Region Two, was found floating in a nearby trench at Hampton Court, Saturday morning.

Dead is Deodat known as ‘John’ (only names given); he is suspected to have

drowned. His daughter, Sabitree Deodat, told this newspaper that he was last seen alive on January 6, 2021 at around 17:30h; she said he left her house to visit her brother but he never made it there.

The saddened daughter said that her brother, Go-

piechand Deodat, became worried and mounted a search for him. The son telephoned neighbours asking if they saw his father but no one did and so he began a search in nearby trenches but it was futile.

On Saturday, the son continued the search when

he observed a body floating in the trench. He raised an alarm and residents assisted him in removing the body and Gopiechand discovered that it was his father.

Police from the Anna Regina police station were summoned to the scene; no marks of violence were ob-

served on the body, which is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

Deodat leaves to mourn his three children.

Dead: Deodat known as ‘John’

‘Rat-lashing’: A countryside ...

From page 15

which comes back into play.

Those methods claimed the lives of over 42,000 rats last year and over 50,000 rats in 2019, at Uitvlugt alone.

While there are other effective methods of pest control like rodent baiting and field sanitisation, manual hunting undoubtedly remains critical in the extermination of savannah rats. It has even evolved from the “pied piper” to a competition among members of the “rat lashing” team.

SIDE JOB In addition to their day’s pay, workers, through the rat lashing exercise, are given an opportunity to pocket a little more cash once their rat catching technique is efficient enough to earn them 25 or more kills.

Yes, it’s not as easy as exterminating one rat. In order to qualify for payment, rat lashers would have to kill 25 rats.

“We only pay an individual for rats if they catch 25 and over… any rat caught below will not be paid… they only receive the normal industrial day’s pay,”

A stock image of the Holochilus brasiliensis aka savannah rat McLeod said, adding that qualified persons are paid $38.60 per rat.

This system encourages competition among workers, as the eight-member team is split further into groups of two, not just for safety purpose but to compete equitably.

Altogether, the team would need over 50 rats to be paid. There’s, however, another catch to the exercise.

The tails of the rats are used for accountability purposes, but bamboozling the ‘judges’ is out of the equation because the house rat has a shorter tail than that of the savannah rat.

Being a champion of this exercise is no easy task, but one worker called Cooper, has reigned supreme for the past few years, holding the record of 105 rats in a single day.

Surpassing this record has been no easy task for workers, but the art of rat lashing remains an important way of saving sugar and building camaraderie among workers.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

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PPP’s ‘Guardian of Democracy’ Majeed Hussain dies

By Rehana Ahamad STALWART and revered “foot-soldier” of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Majeed Hussain, passed away on Saturday morning, having lost his battle with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The 59-year-old Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident leaves to mourn his wife and three children, along with many friends and colleagues within the political arena, his party comrades in the PPP/C, and some within the Parliamentary Opposition.

from March 2, (Elections Day) right through to August 2, every day for 24 hours,” Teixeira recalled.

She added, “These comrades, led by Majeed and others, safeguarded the attempt to derail our democracy. We will always have our debts to leaders like Majeed, and we will miss him, because he was someone who was always available, never said no, or can’t be done, and always delivered,” Teixeira told the Sunday Chronicle.

The minister indicated that even though Hussain lost his

The late Majeed Hussain (PPP/C photo)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a Facebook post, said that Hussain’s passing represents a significant loss to not only the PPP/C, but Guyana as a whole.

“He was a comrade, a friend, and a dedicated worker who was committed to the cause of the upliftment of the Guyanese people,” Jagdeo said.

In expressing his condolences to Hussain’s family, the former President reflected on Hussain’s role during the 2020 General and Regional Elections, where he fought against efforts to “subvert our democracy.”

“Guyana has lost a true son of the soil,” the Vice President maintained.

Meanwhile, PPP/C’s Chief Whip and Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira, described Hussain as a tireless person, whose contributions as a ‘Guardian of Democracy’ was invaluable.

“He was the key leader of the Guardians of Democracy that guarded the ballot boxes

battle against COVID-19, he would forever be remembered as a great leader within the PPP. “We wish to say to his family and friends that we are honoured to have had him work with us for so many years and be a leader of our party for so many years. They should be very proud of him, always,” she maintained.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, shared similar sentiments via his Facebook page, emphasising that Hussain was an outstanding “foot soldier” for the PPP/C. In addition to being a leader of the ‘Guardians of Democracy’, Hussain was also a Justice of Peace, who provided much support to his party in that capacity.

“He sat with me, sometimes all night and into daylight hours, to swear the numerous Affidavits which had to be filed in the series of litigation which permeated that (2020 election) period. He was always ready upon call, without excuse or hesitation, despite the hour,” Nandlall said in his Facebook

post.

In a previous Facebook post bidding 2020 goodbye, Nandlall examined at length, the 2020 General and Regional Elections, where he said that the unprecedented ordeal has produced many great and unsung heroes, among them, a dedicated Majeed Hussain.

“Hopefully, sooner than later, this epoch will be analyzed and properly documented for posterity and the contributions of so many recognized and put into perspective. When this analysis is done, Majeed Hussain will feature as prominent

as any,” Nandlall maintained.

In offering condolences to the family, Nandlall said that Hussain was a proverbial ‘work-horse’ whose rich legacy of struggle for the PPP and the Guyanese people will live on.

OPPOSITION MPs EXPRESS CONDOLENCES In an invited comment, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Amna Ally said that she is quite saddened by the passing of the PPP/C stalwart, describing him as a very hard worker.

“I’d like to express my condolences to his family and party. I’ve known Majeed for a very, very long time. Despite our political differences, Majeed and I had a very cordial and nice relationship; I am really sad at hearing this news,” Ally said.

Also in an invited comment, Opposition Member of Parliament and Leader of the Alliance for Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, joined the government in mourning the loss of Hussain. Ramjattan, who was once a notable member of the PPP/C, shared good relations

with the late Hussain. The two worked closely during their stint as members of the party’s youth arm, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).

“I want to congratulate his efforts while I was leader of the PYO, especially when we had to change the constitution of the PYO,” Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle.

Much like Nandlall, Ramjattan also described Hussain as the proverbial ‘work-horse’.

“He was one of those that slugged it out during very difTURN TO PAGE 20

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Region One students ‘connected’ ― as DCEO completes first leg of assessing education system in hinterland

By Vishani Ragobeer A number of students in Region One, Barima-Waini, will be able to benefit from increased access to online classes following the development of an interconnection online system for learning, coupled with the refurbishment of Information and Technology (IT) labs.

On Saturday, the three secondary schools in this regionPort Kaituma, Santa Rosa and North-West-- were engaged in a single live Mathematics class conducted via the Zoom platform. This first class was a mathematics lesson, geared at preparing the students for their upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

These schools, and their dorm facilities, are all equipped with free WiFi provided through the e-Governance platform. This allows for the mitigation of internet challenges that plague hinterland and rural regions. This is crucial because the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in learning to the online sphere.

This shift, however, has disproportionately affected learn-

ers across Guyana since there is not an equitable distribution of resources.

Access to the internet and other Information and

through the efforts of the newly-established Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development Unit of the Ministry of Education. This unit is led by

Students of the North West Secondary School joining in the region’s interconnected online system for learning on Saturday (Photo courtesy of Marti DeSouza)

Communication Technologies (ICT) has been a great challenge, forcing many learners, parents and teachers to resort to the use of limited data plans.

Limited data, however, is not sustainable nor conducive to virtual learning for these learners, especially with the emphasis on video streaming, which utilises large amounts of that data.

Saturday’s connection system was made possible

Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO), Marti De Souza.

ASSESSMENT OF HINTERLAND SCHOOLS This unit has been reviewing the existing infrastructure in hinterland schools to ensure that some support can be provided in this new school term and beyond. This first region assessed was Region One, where the schools’ interconnection system has been

developed.

In Region One, there are these three secondary schools and an additional nine ‘primary tops’- which are those

and hear their concerns and try to address them,” DeSouza told the Sunday Chronicle during an interview on Saturday.

Students in Region One during the virtual Mathematics class on Saturday

primary schools with extensions that offer secondary level classes. And, as part of his ongoing assessment in the hinterland regions, DeSouza visited all of these schools in the region. His aim was to engage the students and teachers on their challenges and identify how the ministry and its departments could provide some redress.

“It was really exciting that I was able to interact with the students and teachers directly

He highlighted that internet connectivity was an issue at all of the schools and it was one that much focus should be directed to. He also highlighted that an assessment of the IT labs was done. And following that assessment, the systems in the North West and Port Kaituma Secondary Schools were ‘up and running’, and could be used by the students to complete their School Based Assessments (SBAs) and conduct any necessary research.

In the week ahead, he said that efforts would be made to refurbish the computer systems at Santa Rosa and replace the missing or non-functional parts.

“We’re trying to get all three labs in tiptop shape… the experience we want to give the children must be a good experience so that they don’t have to be frustrated because a mouse is not working or a keyboard is sticking,” DeSouza emphasised.

Another prevalent issue raised was the number of untrained teachers in the region.

This, he reasoned, is something that the unit will have to engage the National Center of Educational Resources Development (NCERD) on, in order to engage the teachers in some professional development courses.

Following this assessment of Region One, DeSouza will be making his way back to Georgetown to engage the central education ministry on his findings. Subsequently, as part of his unit’s mandate, he will fan out to the other hinterland regions and engage in similar TURN TO PAGE 20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

19

CHEC gets short-term deadlines as works at CJIA continue

By Rehana Ahamad

THE Government of Guyana seems to be taking no chances as it relates to the realisation of the much-delayed Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) modernisation project.

On Friday last, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, met with officials of the contracted firm, China Harbour Engineering Consultants (CHEC), to impose stricter short-term deadlines.

Also part of the meeting was the Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir.

During the engagement, the company was asked to prepare and submit a Resource Allocation Plan outlining how it intends to proceed with the project, in keeping with the latest timelines agreed to by both parties. The overall deadline for construction works was given as December 31, 2021.

ready at least by March. “I will be following this project weekly,” Edghill told the CHEC team.

He was, at the time, highlighting several outstanding areas of concerns that were supposed to have been addressed by CHEC before the end of December 2020; the company was given a list of 71 ‘to-do’ items from the government.

“We have started the year with a deficit. About 21 items that were supposed to have been completed by December 31 were not completed…you are already outside of that timeline,” Edghill told the CHEC team.

In acknowledging the extensive scope of works, Edghill advised the team to start completing the tasks given, simultaneously.

“We know how the long the civil works have been taking you and we can’t have wishful thinking that if

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill engages the team from China Harbour Engineering Consultants (CHEC). Left of the Minister is CJIA CEO, Ramesh Ghir

During the recent meeting, CHEC agreed to furnish Minister Edghill with preliminary designs of outstanding aspects of the project, at least by January 31; these include the curtain walls, a corridor to facilitate the two new air bridges and a superstructure for the building at the front of the airport.

These designs are expected to reflect components of the original contract signed by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government, before it demitted office in 2015.

When the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration assumed office that same year, several amendments were made to the project, much to the displeasure of the PPP/C which eventually returned to power in 2020.

Nonetheless, CHEC has committed to having the final designs for the project

we start in October, we will finish by December 31. It is not going to happen and we are not going to tolerate it,” Minister Edghill asserted.

He warned that if “slippages” are found, the government will have to make the necessary intervention.

“The new things to be done as well as the old items to be fixed have to be done together…we cannot allow for last minute rush,” Edghill maintained.

Over the past nine years, more than US$150 million has already been exhausted on the CJIA expansion project which has encountered a plethora of other problems, many of which stem from the fact that the project was handled by three separate governments – the PPP/C’s Donald Ramotar administration, followed by the APNU+AFC administration, and finally, the PPP/ C’s Irfaan Ali government.

CHEC had recently demanded more monies to complete the project, as per the new government’s specifications; however, after a series of consultations, the company agreed to finance some $1.8 billion in works, at no cost to the government or the people of Guyana.

An artist’s impression of what the modernised and expanded Cheddi Jagan International Airport will look like

20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

PPP’s ‘Guardian of ...

TURN FROM PAGE 17

ficult times in the 1990 – 1992 with Ronald Singh and Lionel Peters and so…the proverbial ‘work-horse’ I would say… almost anything you asked him to do for the PPP then, he would do…he was very loyal, and that loyalty remained right up to the time of his death,” Ramjattan reflected.

The former Vice President reminisced on his last and final meeting with Hussain, during the recount of votes cast on March 2, 2020.

uty Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman, also joined in to express condolences on Hussain’s passing.

“A person with profound care for people; he didn’t care what party you were from.

He worked dedicatedly for his family. He was an excellent and passionate friend and didn’t mind much where you met nor the circumstances under which you were there; he was simply happy to see you,” Shuman said in a Face-

REFLECTION: Majeed Hussain participates in the PPP/C’s mask distribution efforts (Photo taken from his Facebook page)

“At the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, I met him and we had a long chat, talking about the good ‘ole’ days.

My condolences go out to his family…I know that he is one who has struggled hard over the years,” Ramjattan recalled.

He added, “It’s a bad thing that his passing was so early, but it was good to know the memories of great people like Majeed Hussein.”

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (JLP) and Dep-

book post.

A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Parliamentarian, Jermaine Figueira also took to social media to express condolences.

“On behalf of the people of Region Ten, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends of Mr. Majeed Hussain who was assigned responsibilities for CDCs in the region.”

Region One students ...

TURN FROM PAGE 18

Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Development, Marti De Souza

assessments, in an attempt to help improve education delivery there.

“I know that other hinterland regions might have their own unique problems, so I know it’s not a one-size-fits all. I have to go out and engage all of them,” he posited.

DeSouza, who hails from the hinterland village of Santa Rosa, is familiar with the disparities in hinterland education; he acknowledged that the pandemic has exacerbated these.

But, he contended that there has been a good re-

ception to this new unit for hinterland development which helps to motivate him to push forward with his work.

“I think there is a general sense on the ground that people are excited that there is actually a unit or body set up to deal with hinterland schools because for so long hinterland schools have been at a disadvantage for many reasons: geography, access to training and so on…. Even though (the unit) is small, it’s showing people that we can do things,” DeSouza emphasised.

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Golden Jaguars ‘fitness evaluation’ on hold due to delayed COVID-19 results

By Rawle Toney

GOLDEN Jaguars head coach Marcio Maximo had his planned two-day physical evaluation and fitness test for the locally based shortlisted players postponed due to the delay in the return of their COVID-19 tests.

Last week, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) tested all 32 players, along with 10 staff, for COVID-19, with the Federation stating that under the protocols developed through the UEFA Assist ‘100-day Bounce-Back’ programme, training cannot begin until test results are received.

In a release yesterday, GFF said they “expect to receive further test results this weekend and hope to conduct the first wave of physical tests on Sunday.”

The evaluation and fitness test will see the national squad being split into two

groups of 16, with weekly COVID-19 tests planned to monitor the wellbeing of the group as they progress through their training schedule.

Maximo is shifting gear and heading into full preparation following the granting of approval for the resumption of national team activities by the National COVID-19 Task Force.

Despite their inactivity for over a year, Maximo will be hoping to select the best local talent to team up with the plethora of overseas-based players ahead of Guyana’s March 25 clash in Port of Spain against ‘Soca Warriors’ in the CONCACAF leg of the Qatar World Cup Qualifies.

Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group F alongside Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St Kitts & Nevis.

Following their March 25 clash with Soca Warriors, Golden Jaguars will return home to roar against The Bahamas on Tuesday, March 30.

On Friday, June 4 Guyana will travel to St Kitts & Nevis for their third game and then

host Puerto Rico on Tuesday, June 8.

Meanwhile, Guyana will play Guatemala on July 2, 2021 in their bid to feature at the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the second time, after qualifying for the tournament in 2019.

The country’s national team have not seen any action since their 1–1 draw with Jamaica in Kingston on November 18, 2019 and with the advent of COVID-19 months later, football globally had to shut down as governments the world over put systems in place to curb the spread of the virus.

Since football has returned, Guyana’s opposition Guatemala played Mexico on September 30, 2020 when they lost to El Tri 3-0. Guatemala then played to a scoreless draw on October 6, 2020.

Should Marcio Maximo and his troops come out successful, they will be drawn in Group C of the CONCACAF Gold Cup alongside Jamaica, Suriname and Costa Rica.

The 2021 Gold Cup will begin on July 2, 2021, with a Preliminary Round which

will include 12 CONCACAF member associations competing for the final three spots in the 16-team Group Stage.

The Group Stage of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup will kick off on July 10, 2021.

The 12 CONCACAF national teams, which qualified directly through their performances in the CONCACAF Nations League group stage, the guest participant, AFC Asian Cup Champions Qatar and the three Prelims winners have been divided into four groups.

The Knockout Stage, to be played among the top two finishers in each group, will, for the first time in Gold Cup history, see teams on opposite sides of the bracket meet from the quarterfinals onwards.

In previous editions, teams have only competed against opponents on the same side of the bracket until the Final. This change will add further unpredictability and excitement to the competition, which was expanded from 12 to 16 teams for a hugely successful 2019 edition.

SCG crowd hurls racist abuses at Bumrah & Siraj NEW DELHI: The Indian team management has filed an official complaint with match referee David Boon alleging racist comments were hurled at fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj from the crowd during the third day’s play of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Times of India (TOI) has learnt that the two pacers were constantly abused by a certain set of people who were reportedly drunk.

“Bumrah and Siraj were called monkeys, wanker and motherf***** by the people almost throughout the time they were fielding.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane spoke to the match officials and then the team management went up to Boon and lodged a formal complaint,” team sources told TOI. It is learnt that the pacers had informed the team management during the last session. Members from the support staff came out from the dressing room and were

by their side at the boundary line during the rest of the session.

The SCG is allowed to host a maximum of around 10000 spectators during the Test match. So, every abuse was apparently clearly heard.

The matter will be taken up

by Cricket Australia.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is in touch with the Australian board.

The matter is brought to the notice of ICC officials and the security authorities. (Times of India)

WEST Indies captain for the Bangladesh series, Kraigg Brathwaite, is confident the second-string team will give a good account of itself, despite facing a difficult task.

The regional team, who are off to the third overseas tour since the sport was impacted by the pandemic, will be missing 12 first-team players. Team captains Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, and Test vice-captain Roston Chase are among the players that opted out of the tour for health and safety concerns.

Brathwaite will be joined by in-form batsman Jermaine Blackwood and

bowlers, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, and Alzarri Joseph as some of the available first-team players on the tour but for the most part the team will consist of fringe players debutants.

The stand-in captain, however, insists the team is up for the challenge.

“We are all up for the challenge… it will be a tough series in Bangladesh but we have confidence and we have belief that we will do very well,” Brathwaite said.

“We have some members of the squad who will be playing there for the first time

so it will be something new to them, but they know they have the talent and are capable of performing at this level.”

The tour will comprise of two Test matches, as part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Test Championship, and three One-Day Internationals (ODI) as part of the ICC’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

The ODIs present the first opportunity for the West Indies to earn Super League points which count towards the pre-qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023.

(Sportsmax)

‘WI up for the challenge ‒ skipper Brathwaite insists

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Aussies take control of third Test after fine bowling, fielding display AUSTRALIA appear on course to win the third Test against India after a sublime bowling and fielding display on day three at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

India were 195-4, trailing by 143 runs, but lost their last six wickets for just 49 runs to be dismissed for 244.

World number one bowler Pat Cummins claimed four wickets and the home side pulled off three superb run-outs to punish sloppy running by the tourists. Australia closed on 103-2, a lead of 197 runs.

Marnus Labuschange remains unbeaten on 47, while Steve Smith is 29 not out.

If Australia’s best two batsmen continue to build on their fine partnership so far on day four, India face

having to chase a highly improbable target or bat out more than a full day to avoid defeat.

The four-match series is level at 1-1, with the final Test in Brisbane starting on January 15

Ravichandran Ashwin was one of the three India batsmen to be run-out on day three

This is the first time in 12 years India have had three batsmen run-out in the same Test innings and, given the day started finely poised, it could well have cost them the chance of back-to-back series wins in Australia, after their first-ever series victory there in 2018-19.

The first run-out was the most spectacular as Hanuma Vihari pushed a delivery to the right of Josh Hazlewood at midon and immediately set off but the tall fast bowler got down brilliantly and released the ball in one motion to knock out middle stump.

Cummins said that Hazlewood had “done a Jonty Rhodes” on BT Sport after play and the former South Africa international, widely regarded as one of the best fielders of all-time, would indeed have been proud of such a display.

Hazlewood himself played it down, telling ABC Grandstand on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra that is was “good luck” he was in the middle of a bowling spell at the time so had not stiffened up.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who has four Test centuries, was caught short of his ground for just 10 as Cummins swiftly picked up Ravindra Jadeja’s drive to mid-on and connected, with Labuschagne backing up the stumps.

Then Labuschagne capped off Australia’s exquisite day in the field, hustling back from short leg to turn and throw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end to dismiss Jasprit Bumrah for a duck.

CUMMINS UNDERLINES NUMBER ONE RANKING India were also undone by another stellar performance from fast bowler Cummins, who held a disciplined line and length around the top of off-stump and eventually wore the tourists down.

First he forced Ajinkya Rahane, leading India in the absence of Virat Kohli, to chop on to his stumps

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 338 INDIA 1st innings o/n 96-2 Rohit Sharma c & b Josh Hazlewood 26 Shubman Gill c Cameron Green b Pat Cummins 50 Cheteshwar Pujara c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins 50 Ajinkya Rahane b Pat Cummins

22 Hanuma Vihari run out Josh Hazlewood

4 Rishabh Pant c David Warner b Josh Hazlewood 36 Ravindra Jadeja not out

28 Ravichandran Ashwin run out Pat Cummins 10 Navdeep Saini c Matthew Wade b Mitchell Starc 3 Jasprit Bumrah run out Marnus Labuschagne 0 Mohammed Siraj c Tim Paine b Pat Cummins 6 EXTRAS: (lb-2, nb-2, w-5)

9 TOTAL: (all out, 100.4 overs)

244 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-85, 3-117, 4-142, 5-195, 6-195, 7-206, 8-210, 9-216.

Bowling: Mitchell Starc 19-7-61-1 (nb-2), Josh Hazlewood 21-10-43-2 (w-1), Pat Cummins 21.4-10-29-4, Nathan Lyon 31-8-87-0, Marnus Labuschagne 3-0-11-0, Cameron Green 5-2-11-0.

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings David Warner lbw Ravichandran Ashwin

13 Will Pucovski c (sub.) b Mohammed Siraj 10 Marnus Labuschagne not out 47 Steven Smith not out

29 EXTRAS: (lb-1, nb-3)

4 TOTAL: (two wkts, 29.0 overs)

103 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-35.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 8-1-26-0, Mohammed Siraj 8-2-20-1 (nb-1), Navdeep Saini 7-1-28-0 (nb-2), Ravichandran Ashwin 6-0-28-1.

11:10 hrs Muckamore 11:40 hrs Motts Cross 12:10 hrs Flemenstide English Racing Tips Exeter 09:10 hrs Sandymount Rose 09:40 hrs Karl Philppe 10:10 hrs Bear Ghylls 10:40 hrs Eclair Surf

for 22.

India fought back as Cheteshwar Pujara ground his way to 50 off 174 balls and Rishabh Pant hit a more fluent 36.

But after Pant took a nasty blow on the elbow from Cummins, he then nicked Hazlewood to David Warner at first slip and, four balls later, Cummins got one to lift sharply at Pujara, who edged behind to keeper Tim Paine.

India had lost two crucial wickets without scoring and Australia ruthlessly cleaned up the tail, with Jadeja also taking a blow to his left thumb that meant he did not bowl in Australia’s second innings, while keeper Pant was replaced by Wriddhiman Saha in the field.

And dismissing Australia openers David Warner and Will Pucovski cheaply provided only momentary encouragement for the tourists before Labuschagne and Smith bedded in imposingly before the close. (BBC Sport)

Southwell 08:50 hrs Swinton Noon 09:20 hrs Ravenscar 09:50 hrs Young John 10:20 hrs Drew Breeze 10:50 hrs Maykir 11:20 hrs Tellmeyourstory

11:50 hrs Nick Vedder South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 07:50 hrs Marygold 08:30 hrs Oscar Wilde 09:00 hrs Tierra Del Fuego 09:30 hrs Ecstatic Del Fuego 10:00 hrs In The Dance 10:30 hrs Impressive Duchess

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

29

CWI: Full-strength sides expected for home tours

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) does not anticipate this year’s home tours being hit by player withdrawals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contending the decision by 10 first team players to opt out of the upcoming Bangladesh series was based on “unusual circumstances”.

Describing as “temporary” the current policy where players were allowed to decline selection in light of the potential risks posed by the coronavirus, CWI chief executive Johnny Grave said he expected selectors to have the full slate of players to choose from, following the Bangladesh tour.

West Indies are scheduled to host tours by Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan following the Regional Super50 Cup in February.

“We all have to accept that we’re all operating, working, living in very different times, under very different circumstances,” Grave said.

“We made it very clear to the public, the fans and players that during this unprecedented time, playing in these unusual circumstances we would give

the players the opportunity, if they didn’t feel safe, didn’t want to leave their families or they had reservations, that we would support their decision not to tour.

“We’ve had players do that in the case of the England tour, both in the men’s and the women’s. We’ve had players pull out of New Zealand (and) we’ve clearly had more players [pull out of) Bangladesh but (that in part is because we’ve had such a long period of playing cricket in these bio-secure environments that are very different and very unusual for players, especially when we’re expecting them to go out in front of the world and perform at their best.”

He continued: “This isn’t something that’s restricted to West Indies cricket and also, it is a temporary policy. It’s not something that we anticipate lasting forever. It’s purely to do with the unusual circumstances, particularly playing away from home.

“We don’t expect this policy to continue after the Bangladesh tour because we’ve got four home tours that follow it, and we would expect all

players to be available to play within the region.”

West Indies have been the most active international side since the global lockdown of the sport ended last July, making history with a threeTest tour of England that same month in cricket’s first-ever bio-secure bubble.

Since then, the women’s side toured England for five Twenty20 Internationals while the men travelled to New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests spanning November and December.

The tour of Bangladesh, which will see a depleted unit feature in three One-Day Internationals and two Tests during January and February, will mark the third tour for the men’s side amid the ongoing pandemic.

And with Test captain Jason Holder – one of the players to opt out of the Bangladesh tour – alluding to “bubble fatigue” following the New Zealand series, Grave said CWI had gone to great lengths to provide the requisite psychological support for both players and support staff.

“It’s taxing on everyone’s

Rabada returns as Proteas name squad for Pakistan tour

SOUTH Africa have included uncapped seamers Daryn Dupavillon and Ottniel Baartman in an extended 21-man Test squad for their first tour to Pakistan for 14 years later this month.

South Africa will play Tests in Karachi and Rawalpindi, starting on January 26 and also welcome back fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, as well as spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde.

“Considering that the conditions that will be faced are largely unknown to the South African team, we wanted to strengthen the attack with the skill sets that Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde have to offer, while giving players like Daryn Dupavillon and Ottniel Baartman an opportunity after making strong cases for themselves in recent seasons,” convener of selectors Victor Mpitsang said on Friday.

The side will be led by captain Quinton de Kock as

they come off a 2-0 home series win over Sri Lanka that concluded on Tuesday.

The squad will depart for Pakistan on January 15 and enter into a period of quarantine in Karachi before beginning training and intra-squad practice matches.

South Africa ace paceman Kagiso Rabada

The decision to take an extended squad provides cover in the event of COVID-19 infections or injuries, with the quarantine period require-

ment meaning replacements cannot be flown in at short notice.

International cricket has returned to Pakistan in the past 16 months following a militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.

The country has hosted Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe since September 2019, while England recently announced 20-over series for their men’s and women’s squads later this year.

South Africa squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Ottniel Baartman.

mental health so we’re very aware of that and that’s why we’ve put in these types of supportive policies and put in more people to support the team,” Grave told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest radio show, adding that a security and compliance officer had been added to the touring party for Bangladesh.

“That is to do everything we can to ensure the players are safe and by default means they are going to be less worried about it (safety), if we can give them more support and security while they’re there.”

The West Indies have begun leaving the region for the upcoming tour and are expected to arrive in Bangladesh by today.

CWI chief executive Johnny Grave

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

Tokyo Olympics ‘safe and secure’ despite virus emergency - organisers TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo Olympics organisers insisted Friday that the novel coronavirus-postponed Games will still go ahead despite Japan declaring a state of emergency less than 200 days before the opening ceremony.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday announced the month-long measure covering the greater Tokyo area, taking effect from yesterday, as the country battles a surge in infections.

Tokyo 2020 chiefs have already said another postponement of the Games - set to begin on July 23 - is out of the question.

And they insisted yesterday that the emergency would not derail plans.

“This declaration of emergency offers an opportunity to get the COVID-19 situation under control and for Tokyo 2020 to plan for a safe and secure Games this summer, and we will proceed with the necessary preparations accordingly,” organisers said in a statement.

Suga said Thursday that

Japan is committed to holding a “safe and secure” Olympics, and that he believes the public mood will change when the country begins vaccinations, currently scheduled for late next month.

But International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told the BBC that he could not “be certain” the Games will go ahead, because “the ongoing elephant in the room would be the surges in the virus”.

Japan’s state of emergency is less strict than the harsh lockdowns seen elsewhere or even the country’s first virus emergency last spring.

It primarily targets restaurants and bars, which will be asked to stop serving alcohol by 19:00hrs and close an hour later.

Vaccine priority for Games?

But the emergency may harden public opinion against the Games, with a majority opposed to holding them this year even before the third wave worsened.

Tokyo recorded 2 392 new

infections yesterday, slightly down from the previous record of 2 447 logged a day earlier.

Still, Japan’s outbreak remains comparatively small, with just over 3 850 deaths overall.

Japan has yet to approve a coronavirus vaccine, with

endary former West Indies fast bowler said.

“We have a good mixture of youth and experience coming into the camp and I’m especially looking forward to working with some of the younger talent we have coming through.”

The training group comprises the core of the existing international side with Taylor joined by the experienced likes of Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shemaine Campbelle and Shakera Selman.

However, selectors have included the uncapped duo of Vincentian Japhina Joseph and Trinidadian Steffi Soogrim, with Quiana Joseph returning to the mix four years after playing her only two One-Day Internationals.

Players will benefit from a coaching staff which includes former West Indies players Robert Samuels and Corey Collymore, ex-Barbados off-spinner

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ahead.

“It’s a decision for each country to make,” the Canadian told Sky Sports on Wednesday. “And there will be people saying they are jumping the queue, but I think that is the most realistic way of it going

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori (left) speaks during the opening session of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics executive board meeting in December 2020 (Photo: AFP)

Walsh takes up first assignment with Coolidge training camp ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Head coach, Courtney Walsh, will oversee his first assignment since taking charge of West Indies Women four months ago, when the Caribbean side gather here for a three-week camp starting this weekend.

A 24-member group, headed by captain Stafanie Taylor, will undergo training at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, and will also be tested four times in keeping with the protocols instituted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All players were tested twice before their arrival here.

Walsh, who took over the side last October, said he was looking forward to the sessions, also the first for the side since their Twenty20 International four of England last September.

“It’s very gratifying that the camp can take place during this challenging COVID-19 period, as the players are excited about getting down to work,” the leg-

Suga saying he hopes the first jabs can begin in late February.

Health workers and the elderly are expected to be first in line.

Pound said this week that athletes should be given high priority for the vaccine to ensure the Games can go

Ryan Austin, former Leeward Islands player Steve Liburd and Level Three coach, Samantha Lynch.

High Performance manager, Graeme West, will have oversight for the camp.

Walsh said he believed the blend in the coaching staff augured well for player development.

“We have Samantha Lynch joining us and she did her Level Three coaching certification training at the same time as me, so I know her very well,” said Walsh.

“This camp will be a good experience for her, and I expect her to quickly become an asset to the team.

“Also, we have Steve Liburd who went to England with the team last September, to help with the fielding, and Ryan Austin to focus on our spinners.

“I think we have a good blend of players and coaches and I’m looking forward to a great camp.”

The camp kicks off preparation for the World Cup qualifiers slated for July in Sri Lanka.

SQUAD – Stafanie Taylor, Aaliyah Alleyne, Reniece Boyce, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Japhina Joseph, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Steffi Soogrim.

Gabba

ahead.”

International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach said last year that the body would “undertake great efforts” to ensure as many participants and spectators as possible were vaccinated before the Games.

But organisers say they are also not relying on vaccines to move ahead with the Games, and in December unveiled antivirus measures they say will allow the event to happen even if the pandemic has not been brought under control.

The countermeasures and the delay have helped put the Tokyo Olympics on course to become one of the most expensive Summer Games in history, with a final budget of 1.64 trillion yen (US$15.8 billion) unveiled in late December.

The extra costs - up 294 billion yen (US$2.8 billion) from figures released a year ago - come despite organisers trying to scale back elements of the Games in a bid to save money.

Test...

India fear multiple quarantines will impact home series against England

THE confirmed case of the UK strain of Covid-19 in Brisbane could add to India’s fears of playing the fourth Test at the Gabba. Apart from the obvious medical concern generated by the new strain, BCCI officials also worry that it could impact travel plans and upset the schedule for the home series against England.

That is one of the key issues outlined by the team management and the BCCI in their communication with Cricket Australia(CA) this week, ESPNcricinfo understands.

Though there is currently no special restriction on travel from Australia into India, the BCCI fears that the rules might change quickly to keep pace with the health implications, and impact the team.

At present, all travellers from the UK to New Delhi - even those testing negative on arrival - have to serve a mandatory week-long institutional quarantine period and a further week of quarantine at home (though there is scope for exemption for those with connecting flights).

If a rule like this is applied to the team, it would affect the cricket schedule.

India are scheduled to fly out of Australia the day after the end of the Test series on January 19 and the England series is scheduled to start on February 5.

Over the past few weeks, the Indian team management has expressed its reluctance to travel to Brisbane more than once, mainly because of the

hard quarantine protocol put in place by the Queensland government to deal with the Covid-19 situation. And now, with Brisbane under a threeday lockdown because of the reported case, the BCCI and the Indian team management are concerned.

teams were free to mill around within the hotel in designated areas.

It is understood that Cricket Australia has also told BCCI that it was tough for it to find a replacement venue for the final Test considering most Test grounds

Indian players and support staffers arrive for a training session in Sydney ( )

The other reason for the Indians’ concern, as reported earlier, is the possibility that they would be placed under severe restrictions during the Test in Brisbane, with the Queensland government’s rule forcing them to only leave the team hotel for training and the match itself.

Earlier this week, the BCCI told Cricket Australia that it would not agree to players’ movement being limited to the team hotels. Cricket Australia, which has booked hotels exclusively for the teams in both Sydney, where the third Test is currently on, and Brisbane, has in reply pointed out that the

across Australia have been hosting the Big Bash League matches . Another significant challenge of finding an alternate venue is that exemptions would be required to travel to a state other than Queensland, which the CA feels is impossible given the constraints.

The Indian team has suggested staying on in Sydney.

However, it is understood that no request to prepare a second pitch at the SCG - the only viable venue should the Test need to be moved out of Brisbane - has been made yet.

(Cricinfo)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 10, 2021

31

Former cricketers, executives coming on board BCB development plans … Nagamootoo brothers Halley and Deonarine the latest

THE outstanding work of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to attract the attention of sponsors and former cricketers as the board strives to fulfil its commitment to return the game to the highest level after the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control.

The very vibrant board over the last three years under the presidency of Hilbert Foster has developed a reputation of attracting sponsoring from across the country, Caribbean and North America for tournaments and a wide range of developmental programmes.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the BCB’s marketing effort is its ability to have former players to come on board to sponsor events and tournaments.

Current players like Shimron Hetmeyer, Kevin Sinclair and Romario Shepherd

are sponsors of tournaments while former West Indies opener Clayton Lambert recently spearheaded a $1.5M gear project, which attracted support from former national players Ray Joseph, Leslaine Lambert, Kevin Darlington and Demerara-born Nolan Mc Kenzie. Former national captain Jerry Angus also contributed to the joint BCB/RHTYSC Basil Butcher gear project.

Others like Anthony Bramble, Veersammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Esaun Crandon, Ishwar Singh, Gudakesh Motie have also assisted to support the BCB work programme.

One of the BCB new initiatives for 2021 is to host several one-day cricket tournaments at venues where clubs may be struggling to attract youths to join, and where the passion for the game has dropped off .

Another objective of the

FIFA to trial concussion substitutions at Club World Cup next month FIFA will trial substitutions for actual or suspected concussion at the Club World Cup in Qatar next month.

Each team will be able to use one concussion substitution per match with the switch able to happen regardless of the number of changes already made.

It will be the first international competition to trial the proposal.

Teams can use five normal substitutes per game but to avoid disruption they will only have three opportunities to make changes, in addition to half-time.

Tigres from Mexico, Egyptian club Al Ahly, Bayern Munich from Germany, South Korea’s Ulsan, Auckland City from New Zealand, hosts Al Duhail and the winners of South America’s Copa Libertadores will compete for the title next month.

The introduction of concussion substitutes was proposed as a measure to help tackle football’s growing concern over dementia.

Campaigners have been calling for changes in the way the game is played after several former players were diagnosed with dementia, which has been linked to heading footballs.

Some football associations have already banned heading in children’s games or training.

The Professional Footballers’ Association is setting up a task force to look at the issue.

BBC Sport understands the Premier League is awaiting the final protocols for how concussion substitutes could work in the English game before deciding with clubs when it will begin its own trial.

The Football Association also remains keen to implement the trials at the earliest opportunity.

It is thought that teams may be able to use concussion substitutes in the FA Cup fourth round, which is due to run over the weekend of January 23-24. (BBC Sport)

tournaments would be to give clubs who struggle to compete against the more established clubs like the RHTYSC and Albion an opportunity to win a BCB tournament.

The board hopes to organise these tournaments at venues such as Whim, Bush Lot Farm, Port Mourant, Skeldon, Chesney, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh and Bush Lot on the West Coast.

Former West Indies player Mahendra Nagamootoo and his younger brother Vishal, who also played for Guyana, have agreed to sponsor the tournament in their home village of Whim.

Port Mourant and Belvedere would clash for the Nagamootoo Brothers trophy.

The West Berbice-born Troy Halley who played for several teams in that area, contacted the board and agreed to sponsor another at the Bush

Lot ground. Four teams - Bush Lot United, Bush Lot Rising Star, Achievers and D’Edward would play in that tournament.

Fyrish and Courtland at the Chesney ground. Deonarine who played 18 Tests for the West Indies was born in

Narsingh Deonarine (right), Mahendra Nagamootoo are among those on board the BCB developmental plans

Guyana and West Indies player Narsingh Deonarine would be the sponsor of the Deonarine Cup to be played between Chesney,

Chesney.

He received co-sponsorship from Faheed Ahmad, Jaynath Chakravarthy, Khavita Deonarine and Dariel Inshan

Ali Deonarine..

Meanwhile, former BCB executive Lloyd Simpson, at the request of BCB president would shortly be handing over an office photocopier to the board, as efforts continue to reduce overall operating costs.

Foster hailed the cooperation of the former cricketers who are now living overseas for remembering their roots and paying it forward.

He stated that the players were very impressed with the current state of Berbice cricket and most importantly they have confidence in its leadership.

The BCB boss expressed thanks to them and reassured that 2021 would see unmatched development in the county. Several other former players are in discussion with the board and more tournaments would be unveiled shortly.

Regional Super50 Cup

Goolie, Webster in Red Force 22-man squad

WITH exactly a month to go to the start of the Regional Super50 Cup in Antigua, T&T Red Force selection panel trimmed its 36-man training squad to a provisional squad of 22 on Friday.

The practice match which was also scheduled for Friday was called off at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, as a wet outfield forced the players to train instead.

Among the 22 hopefuls are the experienced Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul and Rayad Emrit.

Those like Jyd Goolie and Tion Webster who showed form during the practice matches have also made the cut. The selection panel expects to name the final 15 to travel to Antigua next week Thursday for the Regional Super50 Tournament which starts in February.

Meanwhile, former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, the older brother, Darren, who announced his international retirement in October 2018, has been appointed as the team’s mentor.

The senior Bravo, 37, has been training with the team since December keeping himself fit after he came out of retirement in 2019 to play international T20s only and

represent West Indies again in the shortest format.

The team is expected to leave on January 26 with the tournament starting on February 9. Guardian Media Sports understands that Trinidad and Tobago will play in the opening match of the tournament, but the fixtures are yet to be released by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

cent close to settling on the squad I want. I think it’s important to have an idea of who you want to carry now and not wait two weeks before a tournament to have an idea of your squad. It’s too short so I’m close to 100 per cent sure of what I think is the squad,” he told the media yesterday at the NCC. Meanwhile, Furlonge also

Kieron Pollard will lead T&T Red Force in the Regional Suer50 Cup

Red Force head coach David Furlonge said while there will be two further practice matches next week, his mind is almost made up about who he wants to take to the tournament.

“I would say I’m 95 per

said, “It’s interesting to see what happens now when I have to deal with the players who are left out of the squad because it’s a very difficult squad to select but some players will have to be left out and

we’ll have to talk to some of those players and make them understand why.”

Rayad Emrit has also expressed satisfaction that the competition is high for places in the final squad. He said, “We would hope the chances are good but everybody who is here is capable of making the team. However, it’s good to see that there is a lot of competition for places. The selectors are obviously going to have a difficult time selecting this team because everybody is available once again and it’s good to see that competition for places is there.”

The Red Force will have two practice matches tomorrow and Wednesday according to the chairman of selectors, Rajendra Mangalie.

TTCB 22-man provisional squad: Kieron Pollard (capt.), Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Jyd Goolie, Tion Webster, Jadon Seales, Khary Pierre, Mark Deyal, Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo.

Jason Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul, Isiah Rajah, Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Cariah, Anderson Phillip, Akeal Hosein, Reyaad Emrit, Terrance Hinds, Imran Khan,Lendl Simmons and Denesh Ramdin. DJ Bravo (Mentor). (Extracted from Trinidad Guardian)

SEE PAGE 27

COVID-19 results

Head coach Marcio Maximo addresses a previous Golden Jaguars squad at the National Training Centre (Photo: compliments Franklin Wilson) Wilson)

SCG crowd hurls racist abuses at Bumrah & Siraj SEE PAGE 27

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite SEE PAGE 27

‘WI up for the challenge’ Mohammed Siraj (left) and Jasprit Bumrah have complained to the match officials (Getty Images)

‒ skipper Brathwaite insists

Former cricketers, executives coming on board BCB development plans

SEE PAGE 31

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021