Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_22_2019

TUESDAY 22nd OCTOBER, 2019

' No.105798

‘Fighting back against drugs’

…Gov't launches drug treatment court SEE STORY ON PAGE 03

…to rehabilitate, reintegrate drug abusers

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and OAS, Representative to Guyana, Jean Ricot Dormeus cut the ceremonial ribbon to commission the Drug Treatment Court. Also in photo are: Attorney General, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire and other officials (Adrian Narine photo)

Guyanese perish in NY crash

‘Let’s iron out the details’

Judgement against Jordan quashed PAGE

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…Appeal Court sets aside order granted against Jordan in personal capacity in Dipcon matter

PAGE

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-UGSS wants to meet politicians on free education plans 02 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

‘Let’s iron out the details’ -UGSS wants to meet politicians on free education plans

By Lisa Hamilton STUDENTS of the University of Guyana (UG) are interested in a public discussion with the country’s top politicians on their promise to restore free education to the university and the concerns they (the students) have.

This was disclosed by newly-elected President of

the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Jafar Gibbons who sat down on the Guyana Chronicle’s Vantage Point on Monday.

Gibbons said that while the students naturally welcome free education, many are concerned about whether this “freeness” will come at the cost of quality teachers and efficient facilities.

FREE AT WHAT COST? “From the interaction with students, to me, they are divided,” Gibbons said.

“While free education is important, it’s also the quality of the education you’re receiving. Are we going to get free education at the expense of poor lecturers or no lecturers? We’re paying our fees right now and some students will complain like

Newly-elected President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Jafar Gibbons

that. Are we going to get free education and we’re still going to the washrooms with no tissues or are we going to pay the university and get access to proper washroom facilities; more sports [activities]. It’s a deep-rooted topic but I would like for it to be free.”

In 1976, under former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, all schools of the government were made free from nursery to university and this was enshrined as a right within the 1980 Constitution. Article

27 of the Constitution states: “Every citizen has the right to free education from nursery to university as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.”

Burnham reinforced the basis of universal primary and secondary education and moved tertiary education from being the privilege of an élite few to an entitlement for everyone. However, it wasn’t until the 1994-1995 academic year, while the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan was president, that the university introduced a Cost Recovery Programme and free tertiary education ended.

This meant that resident Guyanese students were now required to pay G$127,000 per annum while the fees were higher for non-resident Guyanese and foreign students. The payment of fees was higher for those pursuing studies in Law, Medicine, Nursing and Tourism, where the fees were $300,000, $500,000, $251,000 and $158,000 respectively and these prices have increased over the years.

KEEP YOUR PROMISE The new UGSS President also wants politicians to know that students have taken their promise very seriously and plan to keep the pressure up until it is delivered. He hopes that the promises made are not simply the tune of the political season but actual plans the next government will put in place for citizens who seek higher education.

“It’s constitutionally

mandated that the university be free. I think that those making the promises, we should hold their foot to the fire,” Gibbons said.

“As the elected student representative, definitely, we would love to engage them but understand that it has to take on a serious approach in implementing that aspect of the university. It cannot be a conversation just for publicity or it cannot be a conversation just to say ‘we started the conversation’.

It has to be something with direction; it has to be [that] when we finish those discussions and those meetings, students must have access to free education.”

The President said that during the Decade of Development, which will be launched from 2020-2029, he has pledged to enforce the constitutional entitlement of free education from nursery to university. Should the government be re-elected in the 2020 elections, the President said that current students in financial default can expect amnesty. “Now that we have decided to enforce what I would say is free education from nursery to university, we will ensure that new entrants, once they’re qualified, will enjoy the benefits of free education,” the President said on the Vantage Point earlier in October.

On Emancipation Day, he had expounded: “Our expected petroleum revenues, apart from what would be devoted to our Sovereign Wealth Fund, will help us to restore education in accordance with our Constitution.

Those resources belong to future generations…we are not making fun with education… there is no better way to spend our petroleum resources than to ensure that Guyana becomes a nation of educated people. Guyana must become the best-educated country in the English-speaking Caribbean.”

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali has also promised to provide free education explaining that the Party would need some two to three years to “work out the details of this policy initiative”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Fighting back against drugs

…Gov’t launches drug treatment court

…to rehabilitate, reintegrate drug abusers

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, SC ( Photo by Adrian Narine)

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards ( Photo by Adrian Narine)

Director of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency, Major General, (ret'd), Michael Atherly ( Photo by Adrian Narine)

By Clestine Juan GOVERNMENT, on Monday, opened its first Drug Treatment Court at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, with the aim of rehabilitating drug users and reintegrating them into society.

This pilot programme was made possible with the aid of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana, in collaboration with the Organization of American States Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (OAS-CICAD), and the National Anti-Narcotics Agency.

During the launch on Monday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, SC, explained that the offenders and society will benefit greatly from this pilot programme.

The AG stressed that the programme gives offenders a choice beyond traditional court proceedings to help them get the treatment needed to overcome their addiction and be productive people in society. Additionally, the minister disclosed that the pilot programme will help within areas such as prison overcrowding and reducing recidivism, while helping to curb drug addiction in Guyana.

He explained that his

Inside the Drug Treatment Court ( Photo by Adrian Narine)

chambers, on behalf of the Government, has drafted an amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10. “The purpose of this bill is to reduce prison overcrowding by removing the custodial sentence for a small amount of cannabis,” the minister said.

The Attorney General explained that the draft bill has amended section four of the act, by making provision for possession of cannabis, of the quantity which does not exceed 30 grams, to be an offence that carries a mon-

etary fine and not custodial sentencing like before.

Also, the act has made it possible for the trafficking of cannabis to move up from 15 grams to over 30 grams.

Additionally, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said that the drug treatment court will use judicial proceedings to coordinate magistrates, prosecutors, defence counsel to work with counselors and social workers to form a treatment team for the offender.

“It is indeed a diversionary measure which will provide rehabilitative services to

Anti-Narcotics Agency, Major General, Retired, Michael Atherly said that there was a need for the vigorous implementation of the national drug strategy plan. The plan, Atherly said, aims at guiding

offenders rather than to see them in a setting which will graduate them into higher crime,” Minister Ramjattan said.

Ramjattan stressed that the goal of the drug treatment court was to encourage persons charged with drug possession to undergo treatment.

Ramjattan also stressed the nexus between drug dependency and criminal offences since drug users who do not have the money to purchase the narcotics will turn to crime just to aid their habits.

Director of the National

Upon successful completion of the programme there is a graduation ceremony by which time the participant will be rehabilitated and prepared for reintegration into their community where they

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

and monitoring the actions of government departments and their stakeholders to reduce the demand for and the supply of drug thus resulting in their abuse.

Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, said that the refurbishment of the court cost $1M and magistrates were trained for drug treatment. She also gave an overview of how the drug treatment court works.

The Chancellor explained that a person who meets the eligibility requirements must have pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of the related charge(s).

The offenders’ sentences would be deferred while they participated in the Drug Treatment Court programme.

Participants who complete the programme may receive a light sentence such as a fine or community service, or have their underlying criminal charge dismissed or have no conviction recorded.

Offenders are given an opportunity to voluntarily enter the court programme and undergo a four-phase treatment plan, supervised by treatment providers and a magistrate.

Participants are rewarded for maintaining their treatment plans and sanctioned for failure to meet their obligations.

can meaningfully contribute to society.

However, if the participant fails to complete the programme that person will be processed as normal in the traditional criminal justice system.

According to the Chancellor, the programme requires a lot of commitment from participants and dedicated case supervision from the drug treatment court team.

It may require participation for many months to help the person maintain longterm recovery strategies.

Offenders are treated with random drug tests to ensure that they stay clean.

Participants must attend court frequently so they can be monitored and encouraged to make and maintain their recovery.

The pilot programme was designed to give structure to participants’ lives and to support their recovery. Unlike traditional court, Drug Treatment Courts take a collaborative approach to justice.

The Magistrate, State Prosecutor, Defence Attorney, Probation Officer, Police Officer, Treatment Provider, and Mental Health specialists work together with each participant to seek solutions for his or her benefit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

U.S. mulls leaving some troops in Syria to guard oil: Pentagon

DOHUK, Iraq/KABUL (Reuters) - The Pentagon is considering keeping some U.S. troops near oilfields in northeastern Syria alongside Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to help deny oil to Islamic State militants, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Monday.

U.S. troops are crossing into Iraq as part of a broader withdrawal from Syria ordered

by President Donald Trump, a decision that allowed Turkey to launch an offensive against the SDF which for years was a U.S. ally battling Islamic State.

More than 100 vehicles crossed the border into Iraq early on Monday from the northeast tip of Syria, where Turkey agreed to pause its offensive for five days under a deal with Washington.

The truce expires late on Tuesday, just after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is set to discuss next steps in the region at a meeting in Russia with President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to reporters during a trip to Afghanistan, Esper said that, while the U.S. withdrawal was under way, some troops were still with partner forces near oilfields and there had been discussions about keeping some of them there.

He said that was one option and no decision had been made “with regard to numbers or anything like that”. The Pentagon’s job was to look at different options, he added.

“We presently have troops in a couple of cities that (are)located right near that area,” Esper said.

“The purpose is to deny access, specifically revenue to ISIS

(Islamic State) and any other groups that may want to seek that revenue to enable their own malign activities.”

Trump’s shift has opened a new chapter in Syria’s more than eight-year war and prompted a rush by Turkey and by the Damascus government and its ally Russia to fill the vacuum left by the Americans. Trump’s decision has been criticized in Washington and elsewhere as a betrayal of Kurdish allies who had fought for years alongside U.S. troops in a region rich in oil reserves and farmland. The New York Times reported late on Sunday that Trump was now leaning in favor of a new military plan to keep about 200 U.S. troops in eastern Syria near the Iraq border. The White House did not immediately respond to a

A convoy of U.S. vehicles is seen after withdrawing from northern Syria, at the Iraqi-Syrian border crossing in the outskirts of Dohuk,, Iraq, October 21, 2019.

REUTERS/Ari Jalal

request for comment.

“NECESSARY STEPS” Turkey is seeking to set up a “safe zone” along 440 km of border as a buffer against the YPG militia, the main component of the SDF. Ankara sees the YPG as a terrorist group due to its links to Kurdish insurgents in southeast Turkey.

Erdogan has said Ankara will resume its assault when the deadline expires on Tuesday if the SDF has not pulled back.

Turkish sources said that the priority for Ankara was to see the YPG withdraw from a 120km long strip where Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies have focused their assault, rather than the full border region. They said it remained Turkey’s goal to establish the “safe zone” the full length of the border, which includes areas where Syrian and Russian troops have already moved in.

“We will take up this process with Mr Putin and after that we will take the necessary steps” in northeastern Syria, Erdogan told a forum in Istanbul hosted by broadcaster TRT World on Monday, without elaborating. Erdogan has also

Saturday October 19, 2019

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said Turkey will set up a dozen observation posts in the “safe zone”, prompting criticism from Iran.

“We are against Ankara’s establishing of military posts in Syria,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told a weekly news conference on Monday broadcast live on state TV. “The issues should be resolved by diplomatic means ... Syria’s integrity should be respected,” said Mousavi, whose country is a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Echoing such concerns, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia believed long-term regional security could only be achieved by restoring Syrian unity and also by taking into account the interests of all the country’s ethnic and religious groups. He reiterated that Putin and Erdogan would discuss Turkey’s military offensive in their talks on Tuesday in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying that 12 Syrian prisons holding foreign militants as well as eight refugee camps had been left unguarded as a result of Turkey’s military operation.

ADVERTISEMENT Turkey’s nearly two-week old offensive has displaced some 300,000 people and led to 120 casualties among civilians and 470 among SDF fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Sunday.

Turkey says 765 terrorists but no civilians have been killed in its offensive.

On Monday, Reuters video images showed armored vehicles carrying U.S. troops through the Sahela border crossing into Iraq’s northern province of Dohuk. About 30 trailers and Hummers carrying heavier duty equipment crossed, with troops in cars coming through, an Iraqi Kurdish security source said.

The Turkish security sources said on Monday Kurdish YPG forces were advancing toward Al Hasakah, which is south of the proposed safe zone, adding some 125 vehicles had already left.

They also said more than 80 Kurdish militants had been captured alive or surrendered to Turkish forces.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

‘Guyana in good hands’

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--Bartica mayor says, as town celebrates fourth anniversary

Mayor Marshall proudly displaying the framed note sent him by President Granger

Part of the audience at the celebration

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall taking the salute during the march past, along with other town officials

Councillors Past and present

BARTICA Mayor Gifford Marshall on Monday gave the ‘Coalition government’ a clean bill of health, saying that as far as he is concerned, Guyana is in good hands.

The vote of confidence of sorts was occasioned by the celebration of the fourth anniversary as a town of a community once regarded as the ‘Gateway to the Hinterland’. It also followed Mayor Marshall’s regaling his audience with a history of how it all unfolded, from the day President David Granger, who was still in opposition at the time, sent Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan a note asking that they meet to discuss the making of Mabaruma, Madhia, Bartica and Lethem into ‘towns’, to the day it all officially came together four years ago.

Said he, “If you understand what has happened here, you will understand that this country is in good hands, and this country is being directed by a higher force. You have to understand vision and purpose.”

The event began with the usual pomp and ceremony reserved for such occasions, with visiting members of the constabularies of Linden and Georgetown putting on a colourful march past outside the Bartica Town Hall,

as Mayor Marshall took the salute along with other town officials.

“Bartica is now more than a gateway to the interior,” he said. “It’s no longer seen as a ‘landing’ or ‘a stopover’, but as Guyana's model ‘green’ town; the capital town of the CuyuniMazaruni Region.”

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS He listed as being among some of the transformative developments to have since taken place in the town the installation of modern street lights; a brand new West Indian Green Park; a newly-built Bartica Boulevard; the rehabilitation of the Municipal Market; and the redesigning of the municipal dumpsite.

The mayor further told the gathering of present and past councillors, church leaders and personnel from the Linden and Georgetown municipalities that the future is bright for the town, as among the many developments in train are the commissioning of the special needs school; the continuation of the paving of concrete roads; the construction of a magistrate court, a sports Centre and a new power plant.

Also on the cards, he said, is the establishment

of a constabulary unit of the council, all of which are geared towards positively impacting the lives of the town’s residents.

Ably supported by his hardworking councillors, Town Clerk Phebe Wallerson and Deputy Mayor Arita Embleton, Mayor Marshall said that the municipality will be redoubling its beatification efforts in the coming months, as Project Green Pathway continues with the

planting of trees alongside the roads, parks and open spaces. Also on the cards is the signing of an agreement to have a forest-protected area in the township.

OTHER PLANS In addition the mayor plans to have education remain a major priority for the municipality, and that as such he plans to continue the scholarship programme, and will make representation

At the function on Monday. From left are Acting Town Clerk of Georgetown Sherry Jerrick; Bartica Town Clerk Phoebe Wallerson; Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall, and his deputy, Arita Embleton; and Linden Town Clerks Orleena Obermuller (Photos by Carl Croker)

Members of the Linden Constabulary and Bartica council members

to have Central Government build the town’s first technical institute, aimed at developing the youths of Bartica.

These initiatives, he explained, are in keeping with the township’s ‘green agenda’, and efforts to make Bartica a true tourism hub.

He went on to say that with Bartica producing all of the stone being used in the construction industry, the Council will continue to lobby Central Government

for a subvention from the mining that takes place in the township, given the need to have finances to undertake the many projects in keeping with its capital township status.

Also present at the ceremony were Linden Town Clerk Orleena Obermuller, Acting Town Clerk of Georgetown Sherry Jerrick, and Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Chairman Gordon Bradford.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Coalition politics WHEN the history of Guyana will have been properly written, the year 2015 will go down as one of the most significant years in the history of Guyana. It was the year when the Guyanese electorate went against the political grain by electing a majority government that was not the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

On account of our ethnic voting patterns, the PPP, whose traditional base has been the majority Indo-Guyanese community, had won a number of the elections held here.

So when that party was relegated to the opposition benches after the May 11, 2015 polls, that relegation represented a break with a six-decade-old tradition.

Leader of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo had identified complacency and

arrogance among party and government functionaries as key factors.

Others had pointed to government corruption and general mismanagement of the ship of government and State as other contributory factors.

While all of the above may be true, few can doubt that the evolution of Partnership Politics was a major factor, if not THE major factor. Beginning in 2011 with the formation of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and culminating in 2015 with the APNU+AFC coalition, the electorate was presented with new alternatives at the last two elections.

The APNU consolidated the fractured traditional PNC base to mount a serious challenge in 2011, which, along with the AFC’s incursion into the PPP’s traditional base, caused the latter to lose its accustomed

parliamentary majority.

The big question in 2015 was whether the APNU and the AFC could, together, achieve what they did separately in 2011. After much agonising, they actually did achieve what seemed unachievable a few short years prior. The significance of the rise of Partnership Politics may be lost on some, particularly on the opposition side. We now have an entire generation of Guyanese who are being socialised in the politics of pluralism, and for whom one-party politics may be a foreign consideration. Jagdeo may have recognised this when, in assessing the reasons the PPP lost the election, pointed to young PPP supporters who opted for change by voting for the ‘coalition’. While he is hoping that that move was temporary, he

may well find out that it is more permanent than he thinks.

Can it be that Guyana has finally stumbled upon a political formula that could usher in that long-desired plural form of government that reflects the country’s ethnic diversity?

There are many who still speak about the dominance of the PNC in the APNU, and the dominance of the APNU in the coalition as a truism. Such calculations lose sight of the fact that the partnership has begun to take on a life of its own.

The idea and reality of the coalition forged a popular optimism among a majority of the electorate that drove a higher-than-normal turnout to the polls. In other words, the coalition benefited from a spirit of national consensus that is widespread in the country.

Partnership politics is never easy, and this governing coalition brings together parties with differing political cultures and ideological groundings. Significantly, it brings together at least two parties that were once political enemies. The presence of a coalition does not mean the absence of tension; the latter is inevitable. Yet, if each party intentionally puts the interests of the entire country ahead of partisan disagreements, the country would inevitably benefit. As Professor Clive Thomas, one of the early architects of the APNU, put it, the test of political substance lies not in how well one works with comrades, but in how well one is able to work with those with whom one does not share a natural political culture.

Shameful for Stabroek News to Dr. Cecil Edgar Harricharan should continue its campaign of deception be nationally recognised --on court rulings on the NCM Dear Editor,

ception comes as its previous attempt to put its own spin on the Constitution crash-landed ON reading Monday's editorial in Sta- into the CJ's ruling last Wednesday that the broek News, titled "Unconstitutional gov't opposition’s application for an order for the and cash transfers", I was reminded of a remark Desmond Hoyte once made at Cabinet, including the President, to resign a party exec. meeting. In reply to a per- was “wholly misconceived”, “vexatious” sistent suggestion that the party needed to and “an absolute abuse of the court”. With aggressively respond to yet another attack the courts offering no help in its campaign of it in the newspapers, he said, with an to out-paper the truth, the newspaper now amused chuckle, "It is hard to out-paper seeks rescue in the political announcements these people!" of the bar association and the diplomatic Indeed, it appears hard to "out-paper" the community. Maybe to show respect for the Stabroek News on the rulings of the Caribbean Court of Justice and our Chief Justice. courts of the land, these very offices should The newspaper, in gasping for oxygen for now retract their earlier positions, now that its tattered campaign of misinformation, strik- they know better.

In a letter in SN, published the same ingly avoids in the editorial any mention of the rulings of the courts, the final arbiters day as its editorial, I wrote that for anyone of the Constitution. Instead, the newspaper to persist with this campaign of deception now pins its claim that the government is would now be beyond disrespect of the unconstitutional on the press releases of the courts and the public. In this regard, MonBar Council of the Guyana Bar Association, the European Union, the United States, the day's editorial in SN is shameful.

United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth.

Regards, Stabroek News is obviously running out of railway. This last-ditch effort at public deSherwood Lowe

Dear Editor, I WRITE to openly appeal for Dr. Cecil Edgar Harricharan to be nationally recognised by being given a national award.

A Mahaiconian by birth, Dr. Harricharan came from very humble beginnings, but through hard work, dedication and discipline, he earned qualification as a medical doctor. For about 60 years, he has been providing medical services to residents in the Mahaicony/West Berbice area.

His services can also be obtained in Central Georgetown, where he has had an office (clinic) for numerous years. He has always been involved in cattle-rearing and rice cultivation in the Mahaicony/Abary backlands, where he makes weekly visits. His

contributions to religious and community development initiatives in East Mahaicony can always be relied on. Dr. Harricharan lives in Georgetown, but he has always been integral in protecting the welfare and well-being of the residents of Mahaicony/West Berbice.

His commitment, in this regard, transcends race, religion and politics. During the 1980s, when milk and other food items were banned/ restricted in Guyana, his family cattle farm was the major source for residents in the East Mahaicony/West Berbice area to be provided with cows' milk daily.

It is time for the "grandfather" or doyen in the medical field in Guyana to be properly and formally recognised for his long and dedicated service to the

country. Why should he continue waiting? The time for decisive action is now. I humbly make a public petition for the Advisory Council for Orders of Guyana to positively consider recommending the 90-year-old medical doctor for a suitable national award, which has eluded him over the years. The residents of Mahaicony/West Berbice are overwhelmingly in support of this call. I further call on the Council to allow people in the communities to have input in identifying residents in their communities for national awards.

Sincerely, Rennie Chester Inniss

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

SN once again attempts to besmirch the reputation of a gov’t minister Dear Editor, YOU must have heard of the biblical saying, “Six days you shall labour, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath Day to the Lord your God and you shall rest.”

I generally do live by this adage, but of recent times, I find it impossible. Why? Not because of another biblical saying, “There shall be no rest for the wicked.” Rather, it is down to Guyana’s Number One tabloid newspaper, Stabroek News, with its associated tabloid journalism.

With this alarmist newspaper, it is impossible to rest. And when one does, it is imper-

ative that it is done with one eye opened.

Let me say from the outset, I no longer read the Stabroek News, apart from the occasional letters. But a good friend shared with me an article published on October 20. The title of the article is, “NICIL sells land to Junior Agriculture Minister”.

I went on to read the article, which has as its opening paragraph, “Just over one acre of State lands has been sold by NICIL to Junior Agriculture Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood.” I went on to read, with the hope of being confronted with firstclass investigative journalism. I read that the land was

at Richmond Hill, Mackenzie; I also read that this is the junior minister’s hometown. I got very excited; but then in Guyanese parlance, Bradaps!

The story ends. No climax for me, at least not from this article.

Then I sat back, disappointed, and questioned myself as to what was newsworthy about what I’d just read.

In my disappointed state, many unanswered questions were flowing through my cerebral cortex: 1. What was the market price of the land, and how much did the minister pay?

2. How many persons had bid to buy the land?

3. Was this land in a

prime location in Guyana?

4. Did the junior minister use her position and political clout to purchase the land?

Because none of those questions were answered, I had to put down my stethoscope and be an investigative journalist. I made a few phone calls, not to the junior minister in question, but government ministers, Members of Parliament or anyone in high society in Guyana. I do not have any of their numbers. I called a few friends in Linden; I was told that Linden is a wasteland after the PPP destroyed it. I was also advised by persons that they would not even accept those lands if they were given

Free and quality education a better option than cash transfers Dear Editor, TWO favourite campaign promises are already being bandied about: Free education and cash transfers. The former is born of a desire to fundamentally change our society and future. The latter is an example of how to squander our oil wealth.

This opinion is not influenced by any party affiliation. To me, it seems pure and simple common sense.

We all know that investing in our education system is an urgent and vital need.

The IMF’s Article IV report found that while Guyanese children receive around 12 years of schooling, the education is only worth about six years, compared to other countries with better education systems. That means that half of the time our children spend getting an education is wasted. Perhaps it is better to call it daycare than school?

Better teachers, facilities, resources and programmes will ensure that the quality of that primary education improves. This will equip our children with the solid foundation they need to pursue further education, rather than proceeding to university unequipped for the challenge.

We must also invest at the university level as well. Improving UG’s faculty and programmes will prevent Guyanese from being forced to go elsewhere in order to

obtain a degree. This must be done if we are to halt our devastating brain drain. To me, all of this seems to be common sense. One of the best things a country can provide its youth is a quality education. Guyana’s system has fallen into disrepair. Now that we have happened into oil wealth, we have an opportunity to fix this mistake.

Compare that to the suggestion that Guyana should begin making cash transfers.

A blanket payout to all citizens cannot possibly create the same merits and values that a quality education can.

Rather, it rewards Guyanese for having the good fortune to be living in this moment.

It also counts on the recipient to be responsible with how they use the funds. Of course, the idea of limited or targeted cash transfers has been suggested as an alternative. And in a perfect world, our government would impartially distribute cash to Guyanese most in need, bereft of any racial or political considerations. But we do not live in a perfect world. I fear that the idea of targeted transfers is more likely to become a mere euphemism for buying political support with oil money.

It is the duty of all Guyanese to refrain from the near-sighted temptations that oil wealth will offer.

Every international expert and every country that has already experienced

oil wealth all urge us to look to the long-term and plan ahead. Our generation is lucky to have seen the discovery of oil, but our labour is just beginning if we are to translate that into lasting prosperity and stability. We have not earned the right to take an early retirement on an oil

free by the government. I was told again that folks would be surprised that the junior minister would invest in a piece of land, the only use of which would probably be as a burial ground.

Armed with that information, I sat down to take it all in. In the effect the Junior Minister of Agriculture Valerie Adams-Yearwood, legally bought a piece of wasteland just fit for a burial ground in her hometown that nobody wanted. Anand Persaud found it newsworthy to publish that to insinuate that the Honourable Minister was nefarious in her action. Anand would assume that the readers are cerebrally challenged like he, with hair follicles both outside and inside of our heads. Master Persaud, I have news for you. Unlike you, we have brains inside

our heads. Brains; not hair follicles. As a result, we would not fall for such low-level, tabloid-type sensationalisation tricks. It is this type of disingenuous journalism that is creating mistrust in your newspaper, with its associated reduction in readership.

In the event you may wish to cover genuine cases of stolen State lands, you can take the drive up the East Coast of Demerara to locations known locally as, Pradoville 1 and Pradoville 2. When you do make that sojourn, please give your good mate, Bharrat, my regards. He may be surprised to see you, since, for 23 years, you ignored any of his genuinely questionable actions.

Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish

“pension.” We cannot be bribed away from our longterm goal. Let us exercise restraint and look towards policies which create a lasting foundation.

Regards, Donald Singh

Tuesday, Ocotber 22, 2019 - 12:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Judgement against Jordan quashed

…Appeal Court sets aside order granted against Jordan in personal capacity in Dipcon matter THE Court of Appeal recently set aside an order for Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in his personal capacity, to pay US$2.228M to Trinidad construction company, Dipcon.

Upholding an application filed by Attorney- General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, the appellate court ordered that the attorney-general be named in the civil action against the State and functionaries of the State. The decision, which was handed down last week, stemmed from a Statement of Claim filed by Dipcon Engineering Services Ltd against Winston Jordan on February 11, 2019, for damages of in excess of $20M. The claim was made for loss and damage suffered by Dipcon as a result of Jordan’s alleged ‘failure’ to perform his duty under Section 14

of the State Liability and Proceedings Act, Chapter 6:05, and by warrant under his hand to direct payment to the Claimant in the sum of US$2,228,400.67.

In the claim, it was accepted that the Defendant, Winston Jordan, “the Minister of Finance,” was at all material times the Minister of Finance, and was obligated under the provisions of Section 14 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act, 1984 to procure the payment by warrant under his hand.

On June 24, 2019, a default judgment was granted against Jordan, with damages to be assessed. However, on September 30, 2019, the Attorney-General, through the Solicitor General, Deputy Solicitor General and Assistant Solicitor General filed an application under Part 31 (1) (a) of the Civil Procedure

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan

Rules to intervene in the proceedings, and an application on Part 12, also, to have the default judgment set aside.

The Attorney-General, who outlined eight grounds for the intervention, was keen on pointing out that the Finance Minister was performing his statutory duties in accordance with the State Liability Act, and ought to

be sued in his private capacity for performing his public function.

It was also put to the appellate court that it was the Attorney-General who should have been named as the proper party in civil actions against the State and functionaries of the State.

The court received written submissions from the parties, and on October 14, 2019, after due deliberations, it found that the Attorney-General’s Application was successful, in that Winston Jordan could not be sued in his personal capacity.

As such, the appellate court ordered that Jordan’s name be struck from the Claim, and the default judgment set aside. The Attorney-General will now be properly named, and the matter will proceed.

The case involving Dipcon dates back to 2009. How-

ever, the judgment of Justice Rishi Persaud was served after the ‘Coalition Government’ took office in 2015.

According to that judgment, the State was required to pay its debt to the company. That judgment was appealed to allow for the State to present its case.

In 2017, the Chief Justice, Roxane George, issued an Order of Mandamus directing the finance minister to pay the debt. The State refused to commence any payment until its case was heard. Its constant refusal attracted an Order of Contempt of Court, however, the Attorney-General had maintained that it was unconstitutional to issue such an order against the Finance Minister, given the provisions made in the State Assets and Proceedings Act. In July 2019, President David Granger issued a

Grant of Respite effectively preventing any arrest or jailing of Jordan. However, by virtue of the powers invested in the President under Article 188(1) (b) of the Constitution, and after consultation with the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, he granted to Winston Jordan, in his personal capacity and as the Honourable Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament, a respite of the execution of the punishment imposed on him until all appeals and remedies available to him and the State have been exhausted. Now that the appellate court has ruled, it is expected that the Attorney-General will be properly named and the matter will proceed.

Betsy Ground man drowns off Timehri --after car apparently overshoots Timehri Docks, ploughs into Demerara River THE body of an East Canje man was fished out of the Demerara River early Monday morning in the vicinity of the Timehri Docks, after he apparently missed the turn while driving and ran overboard.

Dead is 39-year-old Umdut Jagnit of Lot 5 Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice.

According to the police, Jagnit’s body was fished out of the river at around 04:30hrs after security guards in the area alerted them that a car had turned turtle in the river.

When this newspaper visited the scene of the accident on Monday, the local police related that there were no eyewitnesses to the incident, and that even though several persons who live in the area were questioned, they were unable to glean any useful

information.

One Timehri Docks resident told the Guyana Chronicle that he heard about the incident at around 03:00hrs, and that when he went to the

persons there. He said that when the car in which Jagnit was found was fished out of the river, the man’s lifeless body was in the back seat, and the seat belt was secure-

The Timehri Docks where the car went overboard

The Toyota 192 in which Jagnit’s lifeless body was found

scene, there were only a few

ly wrapped around his legs.

He said he also noticed that the window on the driver’s side of the car, a Toyota 192, was down. “I find that very strange,” the man said, adding: “If a man driving and he plunge overboard, he won’t

fit in the back seat so neat.

And then the window went down; that means if he wanted to escape, he could have.

I find that to be a miracle.”

Other residents theorised that the only way a car can

go over a very clear dock in the circumstances, is if it was deliberately driven into the water by the occupant in an apparent suicide bid, or if he was carjacked and his assailants tried to ditch the car and the body. “But why he would leave till Berbice to come here to commit suicide?” one resident wanted to know. “Nobody knows this man; nobody never see him before,” he said.

Police said that the area was canvassed for anything of evidential value, but nothing was found, and no marks of violence were seen on the body. Jagnit’s body is presently at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

Trial of ‘wedding house’ murder accused to continue today THE trial into the murder of Aliston Henry, who was beaten to death at a ‘wedding house’ in 2017, at Grove, East Bank Demerara, commenced on Monday, October 21, 2019, before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court.

Currently on remand for the indictment is Rajen Dindial, 36, a former resident of Section C Block Y, Golden Grove, EBD. Dindial had denied that, on September

3, 2017, at Sarran Street Grove, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Aliston Henry.

He eHeis represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, Jed Vasconcellos and Sophia Findlay. The state was represented by state prosecutor Sarah Martin.

The trial commenced with the testimony of several witnesses and was adjourned until today (Tuesday, October 22, 2019).

According to reports, on the day in question, while at the wedding house cele-

Rajen Dindial

bration, Henry had a misunderstanding with Dindial and pushed down a portable toilet which was nearby.

The accused became annoyed and dealt Henry several lashes about his body with a food paddle.

The injured man was placed in a push cart and taken home by public-spirited persons. He was then taken to the hospital where he succumbed days later.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Gov't to roll out education campaign on constitutional reform …school visits, debates, TV series to be part of programme

AS the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) continues its focus on promoting understanding and garnering interest in Guyana’s constitution and the need for constitutional reform, a number of initiatives are in the pipeline.

These initiatives include a debating competition for schools, school visits, and a television series.

A Constitutional Reform Public Education Scripting Committee, headed by Cochairs Tamara Khan and Abiola Wong-Inniss, is working on the project. Also on the eight- member committee is author Ruel Johnson and President of Move on Guyana, Vishal Joseph.

Khan explained that many citizens are confused and feel too daunted by the complexities of the constitution to be motivated to get involved in the conversation on constitutional reform; the committee is therefore aiming to package the education aspect with an entertainment factor to make it as simple and alluring as possible.

“It’s a series of projects on public education to simplify the constitution. A lot of people are intimidated by the document, the wording is high in many parts of it and yes, we need to start with reforming the language of the document, but the programme will help to point you in certain directions. So there’s the television series, debate, and town hall lectures. We want vox pop, hash tags, we want to generate some interest on Facebook,” said Khan, who is also a Legal Adviser at the OPM. It was President David Granger who had said that constitutional reform should involve the citizens of Guyana, with consultations being

held at the very grassroots level.

“The president said the constitutional reform should be led by the citizens. Because it is the citizens that

all about.

“I’m glad that they’re including youth in the process.

It shows that when we talk about constitutional matters, we’re no longer just talking

President of Move On Guyana, Vishal Joseph

have to live with the decisions. In the pages of the constitution our lives are affected, determined and so it is only with familiarity that we can properly benefit from the constitution. The rules are for empowering the people, that is what it is,” Khan notes.

Khan explained that since the OPM first began looking into constitutional reform, consultations indicated that citizens could not be involved or give their input on constitutional reform until they first understood what the constitution is and what it contains.

With the average Guyanese unaware of what is in the constitution, the need for education and sensitisation is widespread.

Joseph praised the public education initiative for securing youth involvement, as well as the steps being taken to ensure that citizens’ understand what the constitution and constitutional reform are

The committee has been meeting for the past two months, our first script is almost done and we’re working with producers. We have a lot of material that is more

Legal Adviser to the Office of the Prime Minister, Tamara Khan

about the older persons sitting at a table and youths are being seen as consultants in this process, safeguarding and contributing to their own future,” the CARICOM Youth Ambassador noted.

“I like the overall objective. The layman must be able to understand their constitution and not wait for others. They must be able to say look, I have my copy of the constitution in an easier-to-read format. Let me as someone who might not necessarily be seen as a technical person on the constitution, let me offer my two cent on how I feel this is playing out.”

Work has already begun on scripting the television series, while the school debates have also already begun, and is expected to begin airing from early next month.

“We have a broadcast committee who are working on scripting a television series on constitutional reform.

than one broadcast, but we’re ironing out the entertainment value of the first one,” she explained.

The television series will be looking to not only catch the attention of citizens, but also to get their involvement.

“We’re still working on the timing, but there’s going to be several components of it. There’ll be a vox pop component of it, where we will go out and ask people about the particular area of the constitution that we intend to deal with, about if they’re familiar with it in a general sense. If they have questions we will answer those questions,” explains Johnson.

“It deals with scripts and shows that explain to people the fundamentals of the constitution; it envisions that it will eventually go on to discuss the issues of constitutional reform. The idea is that we will take it to places where people congregate.

Relevant to Guyanese people and get a direct man-in-thestreet, woman-in-the-street perspective on these issues.

It will be issues that people are not familiar with.”

Author Ruel Johnson

The show will be aired on the National Communications Network (NCN), with the date to begin airing still being decided on. The school debate aspect will also be aired on the NCN. The debates are being moderated

by Dr Rovin Deodat.

“The recording of that started, and the airing will be at the end of the month. We selected secondary schools from all the regions; we chose 16 schools based on population size,” Khan explained.

Khan said the committee understood the importance of getting students involved, hence the debates and school visits.

“It’s not a school document, and that’s the feeling we get as we work with the debaters. This is not something that they would have engaged in at all. So we want to go and we do the talks at schools, having town halltype sessions,” Khan said

“What we’re trying to do is stimulate interest and awareness. You don’t know what’s inside and the only way to get you to know is for you to start pulling. So what we did when we crafted the moots is, we pulled out various provisions from the constitution and we crafted moots out of those provisions in a simple way. But it was done in such a way that in order to argue the moot you kind of have to refer to the provision and sort of deconstruct the provision; we tried to pull out provisions that were not too convoluted. And generally when they argue they state their moot, they define their moot and then they pull out the provisions to arm themselves and start their arguments.”

Khan said that thus far from what she’s seen of the debates, the students have been very receptive. Johnson and Joseph have also been involved with helping to judge a few of the debates.

“I’ve had the honour of judging on two of those debates. The topics are beautiful, they’re challenging for the students; they bring a lot more out of them than the traditional run- of-the-mill debates,” Joseph commented.

Outside of the current tasks on which the committee is working, Khan says plans are also in place to widen the scope by holding carrying out community meetings to take the education campaign directly to citizens in their communities.

Protect LGBTQ from bullying

----children services PA director, Ann Greene urges DIRECTOR of Children Services, Ann Greene, wants to see the establishment of laws in Guyana which protect Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Other (LGBTQ+) youths from being bullied.

Greene called for same at a reception on Thursday at the British High Commissioner’s residence in observance of ‘Spirit Day’, an annual day to raise awareness of anti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools.

The event is the third of its kind to be hosted in Guyana by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and attended by representatives of

the diplomatic corps, civil society and private sector. “It is love and acceptance.

Every human being born into this world has a right to be here, being placed here by the Superior being of the Universe with their own purpose,” Greene said in her speech to the gathering.

A release from SASOD informed that Greene relayed that LGBTQ+ people in Guyana are oppressed and marginalized because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and suffer discrimination in accessing their civil rights.

However, she advocated that the needs of LGBTQ+ persons are just the same as

any person and should be granted regardless of their human characteristics. In addition to laws against bullying, the Children Services Director called for specific interventions to address the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth in Guyana. Greene said these include targeted social programmes, safe schools, care centres, safe access to recreational facilities and activities, access to adequate health services and supportive workplace policies.

“The beauty of standing up for your rights is so that others can see you standing and stand up as well,” she said. The reception featured a short programme which also included remarks from the British High Commissioner to Guyana,

Greg Quinn, along with musical renditions and the recitation of the ‘Spirit Day’ Pledge. In his brief remarks, Quinn called for persons to promote diversity and tolerance for LGBTQ+ persons. “LGBTQ+ persons are not asking for special rights; they are seeking to be afforded the same rights as any other Guyanese citizen,” the High Commissioner said. Meanwhile, representing SASOD, Homophobia(s) Education Coordinator, Valini Leitch said that taking a stand against LGBTQ+ bullying is not a one-day affair but requires collective, daily action.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Bartica Town Council wants part of royalties from quarrying ---Mayor says money will be used to further transform town

MAYOR of Bartica, Gifford Marshall has reiterated an earlier call he made for the town of Bartica to benefit from a small percentage of the royalties that quarry owners pay to the government.

Speaking recently on the Guyana Chronicle’s `Vantage Point’, Marshall pointed out that not many persons are aware that the stone used to construct sea-defences and build schools and roads countrywide is provided by three quarries which are located in the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) district.

Those quarries, he said,

are mandated to, and pay a hefty sum of money in royalties to central government, with the monies being used to support the government in paying salaries and take care of other projects countrywide.

Marshall reasoned that while the Bartica township receives a subvention from central government, it should be able to tap into a fraction of the resources paid by the quarries, the money will go a long way towards the true capital town it aims to be, by being able to carry out its own road maintenance, build its own bridges and buying

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall

its own street lights.

His view of independence means, “finding your

Man stabbed to death during fight at Meten-Meer-Zorg A FATHER and mother are left to mourn the loss of their son, Noel Singh, a young fisherman of MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), who was fatally stabbed in front of his house, on Sunday evening.

The 22-year-old fisher-

Dead- Noel Singh

man, who lives with his father, was killed by a 20-yearold resident of Ocean Garden, Meten-Meer-Zorg. “I bin inside when my son went outside…somebody come in and tell me come see what happening, somebody ah beat am (Noel) up,” said Noel’s father, Dennis Singh in an invited comment, on Monday.

Dennis said he rushed outside and saw Noel and the suspect tussling in a nearby drain, but when he attempted to intervene, the suspect ran away. “When I go to pick up Noel he couldn’t even talk because of how he get stab up,” said the victim’s father, adding that his son was stabbed about three times in his chest, close to his heart.

Dennis’ neighbours, after hearing calls for help, rushed

to the scene and managed to take Noel to the Leonora Cottage Hospital. Noel was, however, pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

When asked what could have prompted the tussle between his son and the suspect, Dennis said he does not know, but noted that the assailant

Nesha Singh talking about her son

would often throw bottles at their house and trouble persons in the community.

Noel’s mother, Nesha Singh, who lives a few houses away from Dennis, also said that the assailant would often cause trouble in the community. “Brafee (suspect’s nickname) and he friends them does deh riding through the area with knives and always picking trouble with people,” said Nesha, adding that just Saturday, the assailant and his friends were riding through the community.

The distraught mother was still baffled as to why someone would kill her son because she said Noel would often be out at sea and would never interfere with anyone.

Nesha, who was in tears,

said: “he was a quiet boy I don’t know why somebody would do that to him…five years now he working out at sea and he would never trouble anybody so I don’t know why.” Both Nesha and Dennis said their son was a hardworking person, who would always help them financially or in any

Noel Singh’s father, Dennis Singh talking to the Guyana Chronicle on Monday (Adrian Narine photos)

other way possible.

Although Noel’s parents were unsure as to why he was killed, a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said the victim and the suspect had a misunderstanding about six days ago. The police said the suspect had assaulted the victim. “On the date and time mentioned the victim and the suspect had an argument and the suspect stabbed him several times about his body,” said the police. The suspect is yet to be apprehended, but the police had confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing and the suspect was being sought.

own initiative is very, very important, we believe that in the next two to three years, the municipality of Bartica should be in a position to set a budget and find at least 75 per cent of that budget.”

The Bartica Mayor said what currently obtains is that the municipality have to put a budget together, identify a project, then approach the Ministry of Communities or the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for funding. “We want, in the next couple of years, to be able to take care of 75 per cent of our needs, that is where we are aiming and (we) believe we will

get there once (we) have the support from central government,” he added.

To this end, Marshall said he has had discussions at the level of the Ministry of Communities and will soon hold dialogue with the Ministry of Natural Resources, with the hope that they will be given the green light, in order that they can fast-track the development of the town.

Responding to a query as to the percentage, Marshall emphasised that it is… “just a fraction”... adding “we can’t take 50 or 25 per cent because the resources they pay support the national

economy; we (the township) are just a few square miles and we could start with a fraction.”

Mayor Marshall reminded that Bartica has been transforming through the “go green” approach, as a result of a green mandate concept that was thrown out by President David Granger. Noting that it is a tall order he, however, said it is the responsibility of the municipality to embark on a sensitisation effort in order to assist residents to understand the vision and direction in which the township is heading.

Relatives plead for missing man’s return

TWENTY-SIX-old Michael Bansus, of Cummings Lodge, has vanished, for over a month, without a trace, and his family is calling on members of the public to assist them in gathering any information in relation to his whereabouts.

Vianne Bansus, Mi chael’s cousin, related to the Guyana Chronicle that the last time she heard from him was on September 12, during a video call. She later said that the last time anyone from the family had seen him was on September 22, at the Amerindian Heritage games.

“He was last seen there at Everest ground by some other relatives after 12:00 pm the Sunday night, that was on the 22nd of September,

26 year old Michael Bansus (Photo from Family member Vianne)

and the Monday he did not report to work, he works at forestry, and the Tuesday and Wednesday he did not turn up either, and his supervisor went to the Sparendaam station to make a report cause he wasn’t able to make any contact with him.”

She further related that upon receiving the report the

Police officers accompanied Michael’s supervisor to his home, where they were still unable to locate him but found his passport and other official documents still there.

She said this suggested to them that he had not left or he would have taken those documents with him and this made the family fearful that something had happened to him.

Vianne said that she and family hope someone would reach out to them and provide them with some information on the whereabouts of her cousin.

She further said that it was the first time he had ever not made contact with anyone in the family.

Man alleges physical assault from wife RESIDENT of Kuru Kuru on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, Joshua Josiah, is calling on members of the public to assist the Guyana Police Force with any information on the whereabouts of his wife Joanna Omar, who according to him, physically assaulted him and his girlfriend and destroyed several items belonging to him.

Josiah stated that he and Omar are currently in the process of getting a divorce.

He related that, on October 15, 2019, himself and exwife Omar, had and alteration, where she had breached the restraining order that he had on her in an attempt to assault him. He related that, on the day in question, Omar, having knowledge of the restraining

order, joined a taxi that he was in and began a conversation with him about his payment of child support. He said “I told her, we have agreement with the court, I’ll be making my payment through the court, if you find that I’m not making the payment on time, you can always go to the court or the police.”

He stated that the woman got heated and started to physically assault him, leaving him with several scratches on his face. Upon his request the taxi driver took them to the Kuru Kuru Police outpost. He related that while being there and awaiting an officer to deal with the matter, he noticed that Omar had left, and subsequently he received a call that informed him that she was at his home where she had cut

his current girlfriend in her face with a cutlass.

In addition to the assault of his girlfriend, Josiah related that Omar also destroyed his chairs, toilet, sink, car, and many other household items totaling over $900,000 in damages. Josiah said that he had made a report at the police station, but no arrest has been made.

Josiah further related that his concern was not just for his safety but also for that of his children, saying, “my kids could be at danger, because she know charges could be brought against her, next thing you know she decide to hurt my kids or something, so that’s why I’m really concerned that the police are not doing more to catch her.”

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

$1.7B in solar farm projects for Regions 8, 9 –– Pre-bidding conference held for Bartica and Lethem contracts

THE townships of Bartica, Mahdia in Region 8 and Lethem, Region 9 will benefit from an overall of 3.15-megawatt solar-powered mini-grids system totalling $1.7Billion (US$8.6 Million).

The project is being funded by Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). The 1.5-Megawatts solar photovoltaic power plant at Bartica will benefit 15,000 residents in Bartica, while the 1-megawatt Lethem solar will benefit an estimated 5000 people. Presently, Bartica (Cuyuni Mazaruni) has an installed capacity of 4.4-megawatts; Mahdia (Potaro-Siparuni), 1.2-megawatts and Lethem (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 3.06- megawatts. Lands have been identified for the projects; in Bartica, 7.5 acres of land and Lethem, 5.2 acres.

A pre-bidding conference for the Bartica and Lethem projects was held at the Cara Lodge on Monday.

The event attracted some 20 local and international contractors who had the opportunity to seek clarifica-

tion on the scope of the jobs.

While providing an overview of the project, GEA’s Project Coordinator, Mfon Akpan explained that the projects include engineering, procurement, construction and installation, commissioning and turnkey delivery of the solar plants including battery Energy Storage Systems in Bartica and Lethem. The jobs are to be executed in two lots/

phases.

According to Akpan, the construction of the two projects will commence in the first quarter of 2020. Both will be completed and commissioned by the first quarter of 2021. “If one contractor shall be awarded both lots, the execution of the project must run concurrently. So, this tells us that if you win the 2 bids, this means that

you have 330 calendar days to finish the project,” Akpan explained.

The contractors were advised of the consequences if the work was not finished within the stipulated time. “If you don’t complete within the 330 days, we are going to charge you 0.05 percent of your total contract amount every day that you delay delivery.” Akpan cautioned.

GEA’s Project Coordinator, Mfon Akpan

Contractors who participated in the event

Birth registration should not be taken lightly -Minister Felix MINISTER of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, on Saturday, emphasized the importance of birth registration to residents of Khan Hill, Barima-Waini (Region One).

The Minister, who was among several government ministers at a community meeting in Region One, said birth registration ought not to be taken lightly, as the document garnered from this process is essential to accessing health care and education and also gives a person their identity. “It is important that the births of children [are] registered and when you register the birth, you collect the birth certificate. The first certificate you get in this life is your birth certificate and it is a very important document.

It makes you a person with an identity …you have a name.

You can verify your name by your birth certificate. Next, it gives you a nationality,” he told the residents.

Minister Felix, moments before addressing this issue, inquired from the adults present at the venue whether their children had birth certificates; most responded positively.

Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, addressing residents of Thomas Hill

He said some residents of hinterland communities do not view birth registration as important and this is reflected in the low amounts of birth registrations and in other cases, when the children are registered, their birth certificates are not collected.

The Minister of Citizenship emphasized the usefulness of the birth certificate when children have to go to clinics to receive their vaccinations. He said that children without birth certificates can be taken advantage of. “When children don’t have birth certificates, it exposes them to child-labour and crime… men who take advantage on your girl children; with a birth certificate you can establish

that this child is underage,” he said adding that a birth certificate can also prevent marriages which require parental consent. “These are important issues which you need to consider. Ensure your children have birth certificates. If you don’t have it, later on you [will] end up in problems. Some people need to get old-age pension and they have to prove they are 65. If they don’t have the birth certificate, they have a problem,” he said.

Minister Felix informed the residents that according to the law, a mother has one year to register her child after birth. Following this, there is a process called late registration. The Minister advised

residents against utilizing the latter option, explaining that it can be problematic if the person(s) who witnessed the birth is unavailable. He said sometimes officials will depend on school records, health centre records or consult the Toshao, a process which is tedious. Meanwhile, residents raised several issues with Minister Felix, who in turn, informed that he will communicate same to the subject ministers to have the challenges addressed. Subsequently, Minister Felix visited the village of Thomas Hill, located a short distance away.

(Ministry of the Presidency)

The potential contractors were also informed of the importance of ensuring they are fully in compliance and have all necessary documents in place before the submission of bids. These include business and VAT registration, NIS and GRA compliance and financial and technical capacity. Tendering for the construction of the Bartica and Lethem solar farms will officially be opened on November 26, while tenders for the Mahdia project will be conducted separately.

The projects fall under the government’s Renewable Energy Solution for

the Hinterland Initiative.

It is aligned with the country’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) framework to achieve, among other things, the transition to 100 percent renewable energy in the power sector; affordable, reliable and clean energy services for all; ensure security and quality of energy for business growth and increase energy efficiency.

Also present at yesterday’s event was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA), Dr. Mahender Sharma. (DPI)

Truck driver crashes, dies while transporting fuel to Aurora Mine

A DRIVER attached to Trail Boss Interior Trucking Services Inc., crashed and died while transporting fuel to Guyana Goldfields’ Aurora Mine from a port facility on Sunday.

The man has been identified as Aterick DeFreitas, 39, of Kuru Kuru, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

He was reportedly behind the wheel of the truck (GVV 7176), when it toppled while descending a hill.

“It was reported that the driver lost control of the tanker while travelling down a hill, and it careened off the road and crashed into a ravine. The tanker was one of three heading to the Aurora Mine,” Guyana Goldfields disclosed on Monday.

Following a report of the accident, AGM’s emergency response team visited the site, where the company’s medical officer reported that the driver had succumbed to his injuries.

Trail Boss Interior Trucking Services Inc. was contracted by AGM, a subsidiary of Guyana Goldfields, to transport fuel to its Aurora Mine.

Guyana Goldfields’ Interim Chief Executive Officer Allen Palmiere said in a

DEAD: Aterick DeFreitas

statement, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident, and our condolences go to his family. Our immediate focus is to support his family, friends and colleagues at this most difficult time.”

As he went on to say: “Safety for everyone is our highest priority, and this was the first time that an accident of this nature has occurred while fuel is being transported off-site to Aurora.

“Health and safety are core values of AGM and, as such, frequent training is conducted on all occupational health and safety programs. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, and the necessary authorities have been notified. Operations continued at the Aurora Mine.”

12

Passport Office for Mabaruma

THE government continues to deliver in Hinterland communities as the township of Mabaruma is slated to have an Immigration and Passport Office constructed within the sub-district.

While it will be located in Mabaruma, the office will serve residents of the Mabaruma, Matarkai and Moruca sub-districts. The announcement was made by Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, at a community engagement with residents of Hosororo, Region 1, on Saturday last. At the engagement, the DG assured residents that the government is there to serve the people and to act in their best interest.

While underscoring that the government places a high premium on public services, such as education, health and increased river and road connectivity, Harmon also stated that the administration is also focused on the decentralisation of public services.

During the meeting, a resident requested more efficacy in the registration system in

the region to ease the burden residents faced over the last few decades in obtaining birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates. “Residents leave from here to go to town to look after birth certificates and sometimes it takes months to come back,” the resident said.

DG Harmon explained that the establishment of the passport office in the township will allow for greater extension of government services and, referring to the registration of births and deaths, he stated that-"We have begun the decentralisation of government services so that the access to direct services is much easier for citizens. In all of the townships, we are going to establish these extensions of government services so you can expect that coming very soon so you won’t have to go to Georgetown, everything is right at your doorstep. This is what we call a paradigm shift.” Similar interventions have been made in the townships of New Amsterdam, Lethem and Linden. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Police probe discovery of body in Patentia drain

THE body of an unidentified male of East Indian descent was found floating in a drain at Front Street, Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on Monday.

According to a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the body was clad only in short blue jeans and bore blisters. A black plastic bag was also tied around the head of the partly decomposed body.

“Further examination of the body revealed that the face was swollen around the eye,” said the police.

According to the police, the body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting identification and a post-mortem examination.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with residents of the community, who said that they did not see anything suspicious between last night and yesterday morning.

Residents who saw the body said that it was hard to identify because the face was disfigured, but some of the features were similar to that of Abdool Ghani, a resident

The spot where the body was found (Adrian Narine photo)

of the community who has not been seen since Friday.

Persons described Ghani as an alcoholic who would often be found sleeping on the streets, although he owned a two-storey house in the community.

Residents of the community said Ghani would often drink and be close to the area, but they have not seen him since Saturday.

The residents said the missing person does not have any immediate relative in the country, so they did not get to enquire

about his whereabouts.

One resident said the community would often be quiet and crime-free.

Apart from the occasional theft and robbery, the resident said they would not have much to worry about.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

$100M Wauna Primary School commissioned THE government has once again delivered on a promise in the education sector this time through the commissioning of the Wauna Primary School in Region 1, Barima-Waini.

The $100M facility was commissioned by Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Hon. Keith Scott on Saturday.

“The government promised that education will come first for all young people in this country. And, to have a proper education, we have to encourage you to stay in school. In order to encourage you to stay [in school], you must have the best environment so that you can learn,” Minister Scott told the gathering of pupils, teachers and community members.

He told pupils that their school was designed to transform the life of any person “who walks through the door". Beyond the academic, the school will also provide technical education to students in the higher levels.

From his department, Minister Scott said that trainers

from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) will guide those students who wish to pursue studies in the technical field.

Such students will be exposed to training in refrigeration, electrical installation, welding and cooking, among other courses. Eventually, Information Technology (IT) will be taken to the community, and by extension, the school, Minister Scott said, will aid development.

There was a revolutionary approach to teaching on the way, Minister Scott assured the gathering “This government has every intention of making

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Hon. Keith Scott greets students before the commissioning ceremony

Some of the Wauna Primary School students

The newly-constructed Wauna Primary School

Gov't plugs $1.2M into hosting of Rupununi Expo …two-day event opens on November 23 ORGANISERS of the 2019 Rupununi Exposition and Trade Fair, on Monday, received a major boost for the hosting of the event when Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock contributed some $1.2M towards the two-day event.

The exposition, which is hosted annually by the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will open on Saturday November 23 in St. Ignatius Village, Lethem, Region Nine.

The exposition seeks to identify and promote the economic potential of the Rupununi Region as well as highlight the unique talent and cultures of the indigenous peoples.

During the handing over ceremony at the Ministry’s Head Office located at Thomas and Quamina streets, Minister Allicock said: “we are very pleased to be supporting the Rupununi Expo 2019. We have a donation in the form of support of $1.2M and we hope that it works for your organization and the peoples of region nine, and, by extension, the entire country”.

Member of the Chamber, Michelle Skeete, after accepting the cheque, expressed appreciation to the ministry for the support. More than thirty villages are expected to participate and will

Michelle Skeete receiving cheque from Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

be showcasing a variety of products.

According to organisers, participants will continue to benefit from training programmes associated with production and marketing of produce to meet international standards, which will open doors of opportunities for local businesses.

Prizes will be awarded for outstanding products in the areas of Craft, Processed Foods, Agro Produce, Tourism, Local Juices and Innovative Initiatives. There will also be activities

sure that you are given every opportunity to be able to profit by our desire.” He reminded those present that the government has made education a priority for all of Guyana, including the hinterland.

The Department of Education, in the region, had already budgeted for some micro-science kits which will allow teachers, in the absence of a science laboratory, to carry out experiments, until the science lab was built. The construction of the lab was scheduled for the new school year.

(DPI)

for the sporting fraternity where teams from the respective villages will compete in football, cricket, volleyball, archery, a road race (5K), cycling and horse racing.

The two-day event will also have a mixture of indigenous talent through dance, songs, skits and the popular Miss Rupununi Pageant.

Booths and stalls will be available and prizes will be awarded for success in the many activities.

Teenage vendor accused of a series of robberies remanded AN 18-year-old vendor was, on Monday October 21, 2019, remanded to prison by Magistrate Faith McGusty on a series of armed robbery charges.

Leon Patterson appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the four charges when they were read to him.

Particulars of the first charge stated that, on October 11, 2019, at Meadow Brook, Georgetown, Patterson, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Jorome Mitchel of a motorcycle valued at $290,000.

The second charge stated that, on October 14, 2019, at Baramita South Ruimveldt, Patterson, while in the company of another, and armed with a gun, robbed Richard Porsha of a motorcycle valued at $435,000.

The third charge stated that, on October 14, 2019, at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Patterson, while in the company of another, and armed with a gun, robbed Tyrese George of an IPhone 7 plus valued at $87,000.

The last charge stated that, on October 14, 2019, at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Patterson, while in the company of another, and armed with a gun, robbed Timothy Eastwick of a motorcycle valued at $175,000 and a Phone valued at $60,000.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail being granted to Patterson based on the seriousness of the offences. Harris also told the court that Patterson was no stranger to the court and that he was fearful that if Patterson was granted bail he might repeat the offences.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the prosecutor, remanded Patterson to prison and adjourned the matter until November 25, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Foreign Minister discusses elections with E.U., US Ambassadors

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Karen Cummings, on Monday met separately with United States Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Her Excellency Sarah-Ann Lynch, as well as with the Ambassador of the European Union, His Excellency Fernando Ponz Cantó.

The parties discussed on-

going cooperation and electoral assistance, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It said that Dr Cummings, highlighting the importance of the upcoming general elections scheduled for March 2020, gave the reassurance that the Guyana Government would remain impartial while allowing the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

to finalize preparations.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Lynch gave her reassurance that all ongoing projects in Guyana, funded by the United States, would continue to be implemented as planned.

The EU ambassador was accompanied by members of an electoral exploratory mission.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Karen Cummings meets with Ambassador of the European Union, His Excellency Fernando Ponz Cantó and members of an electoral exploratory mission.

Duo accused of drug trafficking remanded

Shafeek Latif

Naresh Totoram

TWO men, who were last week busted with over 42 kilograms of cannabis by the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) during an operation, was, on Monday, October 21, 2019, remanded to prison.

The men Shafeek Latif, 39, and Naresh Totoram, both residents of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, who sits at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

The duo denied the charge which alleged that, on October 15, 2019, at Parika Public Road, EBE they had 42.824 kilograms of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Magistrate Ally-Seepaul remanded the men to prison until November 8, 2019, for disclosure.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that the bust was made following an operation in the wee hours of Tuesday, October 15, 2019, which led to the arrest of the two defendants, who were in a motor car at Parika.

According to reports, on the day in question, about 03:00 hours, after conducting surveillance, CANU intercepted both men who were occupants of a Spacio motorcar at Parika Public Road, EBD. Two bulky salt bags containing the suspected narcotic were found on the back seat of the car.

The cannabis was weighed and amounted to 42.824 kilograms with a street value of $21,412,000.

United States Ambassador to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Her Excellency Sarah-Ann Lynch, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Karen Cummings, and Consular Section Chief, Ms. Karen Wiebelhaus.

Trial of trio accused of 2013 robbery and murder commences THE trial into the murder of security guard John Friday, who died during the 2013 robbery committed on the Lethem Post Office, commenced on Monday, October 21, 2019, before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court.

Currently on remand for the indictment are Alvin Kissoon, formerly of Caneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara, Calvin King, formerly of Savage Street, North East La Penitence.

The men denied that, on January 18, 2013, at Lethem, they murdered Christopher John Friday in the course of or in the furtherance of a robbery.

The state was represented by prosecutors Abigail Gibbs and Mandel Moore while the two defendants were represented by attorneys-at-law Adrian Thompson and Lyndon Amsterdam.

According to reports, the two accused committed the crime at the Lethem Post Office where they torched several safes and stole the $9.8M on January 18, 2013. The men tied up Friday, who was a security guard, beat him and, as a result, he died.

During the investigation, the two accused were intercepted with the money, a number of Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) phone cards, and two pay slips.

Strategy to tackle speech dysfluency on the cards A GREAT deal of stigma is attached to having a speech dysfluency, but advocates, some of whom are suffering from the disability, are urging Guyanese to discontinue the trend of making fun of persons who stammer or stutter.

According to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Senior Rehabilitation Assistant, Aloma Fredricks, stammering or stuttering is known as the involuntary repetition, blockage or disruption in the flow and rhythm of speech.

Persons who suffer from the dysfluency are often teased, bullied or misunderstood; this is so because many Guyanese are not aware of the causes and effects or may not know how to relate to persons who may suffer from the speech dysfluency.

However, Paul Garraway, a final year medical student of the University of Guyana, plans to promote an initiative to change the way Guyanese see persons who suffer from a speech dysfluency.

Garraway, who is currently an ‘out-patient’ of the Speech Therapy unit of GPHC’s Rehabilitation Department, stated that he was doing some research on stammering, when he stumbled upon a British-based association which advocates for persons living with the speech dysfluency, and celebrates International Stuttering Awareness Day, as a yearly event, to educate people on how to relate to persons who may stutter.

While Guyana does not acknowledge the day, it is celebrated every

year on October 22. Garraway noted that one of his goals was to have the day acknowledged and celebrated across the country.

Garraway added that, in 2020, he intends to form an association, which will assist both adults and children who do not stutter, to better understand the condition, and thus find it inappropriate to make fun of persons who stammer or stutter, not only in Guyana but in the entire Caribbean.

Diego Barnett, a graduate of Queens College, and one who also attends speech therapy at the GPHC, noted that, during his school days, his peers were very ignorant and insensitive towards his speech dysfluency.

“Over my years of experiencing this stuttering, I felt a bit embarrassed sometimes and I think that I shouldn’t feel discouraged but I should try to encourage others also, so I see myself with this movement and helping out,” Barnett stated.

He added that many of his peers never really understood the condition and would mock him, hence he intends to join forces with Garraway, to ensure that Guyana is aware of the speech dysfluencies, and Guyanese are educated enough on the disability and how it affects persons living with the dysfluency, so that persons can exercise patience when communicating with someone who stutters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Spring Garden Mandir is Essequibo Coast Praant motorcade winner –– Golden Fleece Mandir cops second

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhya Persaud presenting the first prize to members of the Spring Garden Mandir

By: Indrawattie Natram CRAFTSMANSHIP and creativity were on display during the 2019 Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Coast Praant Annual Diwali Motorcade which culminated, on Saturday, at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

This year, 10 mandirs along with one family, participated in the motorcade,

bringing the number of floats to eleven (11). As the floats rolled through the streets of Anna Regina to the community centre ground, many persons lined the roadway to view the spectacular and colourful floats. The floats depicted Diwali – the festival of lights.

Convincing the judges this year with its message was Spring Garden Mandir.

It copped the first position.

The mandir’s coordinator,

Ravin Sharma, said that the float depicted the various forms of Mother Lakshmi and Mother Durga- the goddesses who are adored in Hinduism. Sharma explained that the participant who acted as Goddess Durga performed at the top of the float, sending a message of good over evil.

Second position was given to the Golden Fleece Vishwa Jhotir Mandir. The Golden Fleece Mandir, which copped the top spot for the

The Spring Garden float

past five years, displayed the eight forms of Mother Lakshmi, the churning of the ocean and Lord Vishnu.

The Airy Hall Mandir copped the third prize while the Anna Regina Mandir came in fourth and the Aurora Estate Mandir fifth. The other floats received consolation prizes. They included Affiance, Queenstown, Cotton Field, Reliance, The Ramnarine Family and Maria’s Lodge.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, congratulated the Essequibo Praant for hosting the first motorcade which kicked off a series of countrywide motorcades for the Sabha. During her address to the gathering, the Sabha's President said that she was very amazed with the creative ideas that were brought to life by the members.

She observed that every

year, the event gets bigger.

Speaking on the festival of Diwali, which is scheduled to be celebrated on October 27, she urged residents of Essequibo to kindle that light within with positive thoughts.

The cultural programme featured dances and songs by local artistes.

They were backed by the Merritone Band and Baksh Sound System.

Guyana Lottery Company and Let’s Bet Sports Christmas Promotions ON Friday, the Guyana Lottery Company and Let’s Bet Sports launched two Christmas Promotions at the Guyana Lottery Office, Robb Street, Georgetown.

During the launch, Brand Ambassador for Let’s Bet Sports, Rawle Toney, said that the promotion was for the non-winners that play the virtual and live games to get a chance to win any of the prizes, by just spending a thousand dollars or more on a Pre Match or Virtual Ticket, at any of the lottery agents countrywide. Those who were not successful in the bid to win, on any of the virtual games and live sport betting, will have to full out the coupon at the back of the ticket and place the ticket at the agent in their respective areas.

He added that, the Let’s Bet Sports will be giving away a brand new Ruckus Motorcycle, a 43-inch flat screen TV and a10-inch Samsung tablet. The pro-

motion which commenced yesterday (October 21) will end on December 14, 2019.

The General Manager of Guyana Lottery Company, Tracey Lewis, said that, in addition to the above,

the company will be giving away over 30,000,000 in cash and prizes, which include 2 Brand New KIA RIO 2019 Hatchback Cars, 1 Apple IPhone, 1 Samsung Galaxy S10, 1 65” TV, 2 Canon T7

EOS Cameras with Lens Bundle, 2 Apple Macbook Air Laptops, 2 Apple IPad Tablets, 2 Bose Surround 700, 2 Xbox Consoles and 5 100,000 Food Vouchers.

She added that they di-

Person already taking part of the Christmas promotion

Members of the Guyana Lottery Company and Let’s Bet Sports with one of the Christmas promotion prizes. (Photo by: Adrian Narine)

vided the agents into five different areas as follows: 1. Houston, Linden, Kwakwani, Mahdia, Lethem and Port Kaituma. 2. West Coast Demerara, West Bank Demerara, Essequibo, Bartica, Leguan. 3. Turkeyen –Bush Lot. 4. Golden Fleece - Corentyne. 5. Georgetown.

18 prizes will be won per area.

Lewis appealed to the general public to “purchase $1000 on a single Lotto Supa 6 ticket and get a coupon, fill in your name, address and telephone number CLEARLY and drop it in the box at the local agent in your area…..”

The promotion started on October 5 and will end on November 23, 2019.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Spotlight: National Day congratulations reveal China's expanding 'friend circle'

BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Around the time the People's Republic of China (PRC) celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding, congratulatory messages poured in from leaders of foreign countries and international organizations in a show of the world's best wishes.

Those messages, and particularly the changes in the amount and content of such messages over the past seven decades, provide a telling glimpse of the remarkable achievements China has accomplished in both national development and international diplomacy, and the great contributions it has made to world peace and prosperity.

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE On Sept. 30, 1950, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, whose country was the first to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC a year earlier, sent a congratulatory message to Chairman Mao Zedong on New China's first anniversary, wishing the Chinese people a greater victory in their fight for independence and national construction.

That telegraph, now treasured in China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was one of the messages Beijing received that year from leaders, governments and parties in nearly 20 countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, the German Democratic Republic, Vietnam, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Cuba.

Upon the founding of the PRC, the Communist Party of China (CPC) decided to make a fresh start and lean to socialist countries in building ties with the outside world.

In the 1950s, China, India and Myanmar jointly proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which helped open a new chapter of China's diplomacy with countries outside the socialist world, especially the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

On the 10th anniversary of the PRC's founding in 1959, China received 171 congratulatory messages from 44 countries, including Hungary, Poland, Mongolia, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and Norway.

In his message, Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh said the victory of the Chinese revolution and the founding of the PRC were the most important international events after the October Revolution in Russia.

It had a particularly profound and extensive influence on the national liberation movements in Asia, Africa and Latin America, he said, adding that it also helped make

opment.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his congratulatory message this year, described China as a major participant in the work of the United Nations and a main pillar for international cooperation and multilateralism.

While speaking highly of China's splendid achievements over the past 70 years, foreign leaders also expressed their confidence in

In our Wednesday 16, 2019 edition of Around China, we inadvertently published an incorrect map of the People’s Republic of China. Today we republish the article with the right one. We also take the opportunity to apologise for the error, and any inconvenience it might have caused. the peaceful force in the world stronger than ever before.

OPENING TO WORLD The 1970s marked a special period with great significance in China's diplomacy.

In the early 1970s, China established diplomatic relations with some major Western countries such as Canada, Italy, Britain and the Federal Republic of Germany.

In 1971, at the 26th UN General Assembly, all the rights of the PRC in the United Nations were restored with the help of developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In February 1972, Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit the PRC. On Sept. 30, 1972, the eve of the PRC's 23rd founding anniversary, Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka sent a congratulatory message to China, wishing the PRC more prosperity and the Chinese people more happiness. That short message, with just a few dozen Chinese characters, bore special significance, because just one day earlier, the two countries decided to establish diplomatic ties.

Seven years later, in a message congratulating China on its 30th founding anniversary, also the first after the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, U.S. President Jimmy Carter said that a strong and secure China was welcome to actively participate in world affairs.

He expressed his belief that an increasingly constructive and cooperative relationship between China and the United States would increase the prospects for peace and stability in Asia and the world.

With the launch of reform and opening up in 1978, China embarked on a path of leapfrogging development, making increasing contributions to global growth despite global political and economic turbulences.

In 1997, on the 48th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk said in his congratulatory message that China's miraculous overall development and its outstanding role in the international community had won respect and appreciation around the world.

TOWARDS REJUVENATION As a stabiliser and driver of the world economy in both the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 2008 global financial crisis, China became the second-largest economy in 2010.

Over the years, China contributes nearly 30 percent of annual global growth.

Now China has established official diplomatic ties with 180 countries, and become one of the most valued partners for countries across the world. From the Belt and Road Initiative to the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China has been contributing its wisdom and solutions to promoting world peace and common devel-

China's future, and their expectations for more contributions by China to the global good.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that over the past 70 years, China has made remarkable achievements in such fields as economy, society as well as science and technology.

China, he added, now enjoys a well-deserved high prestige on the international stage and plays a very important role in solving major global problems.

Noting that China has become the most prestigious and influential country in the world in just 70 years, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the Chinese people will certainly achieve the two centenary goals and realise the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, while applauding China's phenomenal transformation over the last 70 years, noted that China's growth and development will benefit not only the people of China but also the region and the world.

"China will stay on the path of peaceful development," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his National Day speech. "We will continue to work with people from all countries to push for jointly building a community with a shared future for humanity."

Interview: Westerners should 'try to understand from China's point of view' about Hong Kong, expert says (Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a U.S. expert on China, also chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Los Angeles, the United States, Oct. 15, 2019. Kuhn urged Westerners on Tuesday to "at least try to understand from China's point of view why Hong Kong is so important" to China. )

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a U.S. expert on China, urged Westerners to "at least try to understand from China's point of view why Hong Kong is so important" to China.

Speaking with Xinhua in an interview, Kuhn, also chairman of the Kuhn Foun-

dation, said "I'm no expert on Hong Kong, but I have gotten a better understanding over the years of why Hong Kong is important to China."

Hong Kong's return to China has promoted national pride as its colonization was part of China's "Century of Humiliation', according to the U.S. expert. The city is

also an important entry port for foreign technology and capital to mainland China.

Kuhn noted that despite the rise of Shanghai, Shenzhen and other cities that are pretty much worldclass, Hong Kong is still important. He also noted Hong Kong's key role in the economically vital Guang-

dong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development plan. Speaking about the Western point of view regarding Hong Kong, Kuhn said there were a lot of strands to the question and no simple answer.

"But, violence is never the answer. There is always a better way," he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

7th Military World Games to boost exchanges, mutual learning: experts BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing 7th Military World Games in China has provided a platform for friendly exchanges and mutual learning among military personnel of various countries, foreign officials and experts have said.

Viktor Baranets, a military observer for Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, has said the Games could bring soldiers closer, making an important contribution to the development and enhancement of mutual understanding and contacts between different countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping officially opened the games Friday evening in Wuhan, the capital city of China's central Hubei Province. Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan international relations expert with a focus on China-Africa relations also said the event shows that China does not seek to use its military power to harm, threaten, or coerce other nations to do its bidding in the

The delegation of Guyana enter the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 7th International Military Sports Council (CISM) Military World Games in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 18, 2019.)

international arena.

China is using the opportunity to promote innovative

approaches to military cooperation, Cavince stressed, adding that military har-

mony and cooperation are an important component of safeguarding world stability,

safety, peace and development gains.

Egypt sent the largest

delegation in its history this year to participate in the Wuhan games. China has been world-class in the preparation and organization of the games, which is very impressive, said Brigadier-general Hazim Ali Ibrahim, head of the sports sector of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Noting that the Military World Games is an important platform for military sports and cultural exchanges, he said that Egypt is looking forward to enhancing friendship and cooperation through the Wuhan Military World Games.

The Military World Games is a multi-sport event for armed forces organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM) since 1995.

This year's games on Oct. 18-27 has attracted around 10,000 athletes from more than 100 countries.

6th World Internet Conference opens in China's Zhejiang

WUZHEN, Zhejiang Province, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -The sixth World Internet Conference opened Sunday in the river town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province.

With the theme of "Intelligent Interconnection for Openness and Cooperation -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the three-day conference will bring together more than 1,500 participants from over 80 countries and regions, including members of the Internet Hall of Fame, Nobel Prize winners and Turing Award winners.

Executives from major tech companies from home and abroad such as Microsoft, Qualcomm, Alibaba Group and Huawei will share their insight on the future development of the internet at 20 sub-forums, covering popular and cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and industrial digitization.

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of

(Guests discuss at a forum during the sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 20, 2019. The sixth World Internet Conference opened Sunday in Wuzhen. With the theme of "Smart, connectivity, openness and cooperation: jointly build a community of shared future in cyberspace," the three-day conference will bring together more than 1,500 participants from over 70 countries and regions, including members of the Internet Hall of Fame, Nobel Prize winners and Turing Award winners. )

the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central

Committee, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the conference.

Fifty years after the birth

of the internet, efforts should be made to seize new opportunities and address risks and challenges to build cyber-

space into a shared community that benefits all humanity, Huang said.

The senior official also

called for enhanced efforts to develop the digital economy, unleash the digital dividend, and protect the security and order of cyberspace.

During the conference, reports on China and world internet development will be released to forecast the future trend of internet development.

The reports will review global internet development over the past five decades and the history of Chinese internet during the last 25 years.

Around 15 top scientific and technological projects in the internet sector will also be unveiled, covering AI, 5G, big data, cloud computing, digital manufacturing, industrial internet and other internet-related fields.

The number of internet users in China hit 854 million in June 2019, with the internet availability rate reaching 61.2 percent, according to the China Internet Network Information Center.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Alliances for electoral victory –– Min Bulkan tells Reg. 1 residents

THE alliances formed by the Coalition Government, which yielded a resounding victory in the General and Regional Elections of May 2015, will see a repeat come March 2020. This is the prediction of Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan.

The minister was speaking to residents in the Barima-Waini village of Arukamai at the weekend. He said the current and future successes of the government rest extensively on its status as a coalition.

“We believe that what Guyana needs is more unity and more coalition. One party alone does not have the skills or expertise to lead this country and so we need more alliances, not a few men going alone - lone rangers,” Minister Bulkan noted.

With March 2, 2020 ap-

proaching, Minister Bulkan said several small parties have begun announcing themselves. The parties present various narratives, but none speak of national unity.

“We believe in national unity, and we believe that Guyana belongs to all people,” he conveyed.

The governing coalition is comprised of six partiesthe A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) formed in 2011- which of itself is made up of five parties; the National Front Alliance (NFA), the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA), the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Justice for All Party (JFAP). It was later joined by the Alliance for Change (AFC) in 2015, where together, the coalition was victorious in the elections that year.

But despite the numerous

“small parties” now coming out, the Communities Minister opined that the 2020 elections will largely depend on the trust the Guyanese populace has on incumbent President David Granger and his administration. For its part, the government is going to the elections in March with a great degree of confidence, as His Excellency, President David Granger, came into office and proved himself, earning the respect of the vast majority of the Guyanese people.

“He’s proven himself to be a caring, kind and considerate human being. A leader who is concerned about all the people of Guyana, particularly young people. A leader who leads,” Minister Bulkan stated. (DPI)

Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan, addressing some of the residents of Arukamai in Barima-Waini.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Guyanese perish in NY crash

TWO families in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Regions are mourning the deaths of two elderly women who were killed on Sunday morning in an accident in the United States of America.

The crash reportedly occurred around 12:30am Sunday at Thruway in Seneca County, New York City.

According to information reaching Guyana Chronicle, the two women were killed and three others were injured in the head-on collision. The two women were identified as Monica Dyal of Cullen and Dalen Singh of Sparta Village. Dyal was said to be a permanent resident of Canada while Singh was on holiday. Singh, a mother of six children, was

expected to return home in two weeks. She was 79 years old.

Daughter of Dyal, Kumarie Seurattan, said she received the tragic news of her mother's death from her other siblings. She said that her mother was travelling with a family friend from Canada to New York on holiday.

The family is currently in a state of shock

Monica Dyal

Dalen Singh

and is awaiting the post-mortem examinations.

Dyal was the mother of three children. Those that are living in Guyana are currently making arrangements to travel to New York for the funeral.

Police investigator David Woorden for the Seneca County said that the preliminary investigation revealed that it was a head-on collision from a wrong-way driver. The eastbound lanes were shut down for several hours following the crash. He said investigators are looking for witnesses of the crash.

However, he is happy that family members came forward to identify the bodies.

Man sentenced for simple larceny MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty on Monday, October 21, 2019, sentenced a man to two years’ imprisonment on a simple larceny charge.

Uriel Amsterdam appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty, with explanation, when the charge was read to him.

Particulars of the charge stated that, between October 8, 2019 and October 9, 2019, at Lot 94 Fourth Avenue, Subryanville, he stole $200,000 cash, a gold ring valued at $42,000 and a gold chain valued at $70,000, property of Tamika Archer.

“I just take the ring and the chain I in know about no money, I was drinking and a man tell me to help him do some work and I see the ring and chain and pick it up, I sell them to buy baby clothes”, Amsterdam said.

Police Persecutor Quinn Harris told the court that Archer and Amsterdam were known to each other.

Harris also told the court that, on the day question, Archer left her home and locked up her valuables in her room, leaving Amsterdam alone. He added that Amsterdam used an instrument and opened the bedroom door and stole the items. Amsterdam was later contacted and told of the allegation. During a caution statement, he admitted to the offence and was later charged.

Magistrate McGusty, after listening to both Amsterdam and the prosecutor, sentenced him (Amsterdam) to two years’ imprisonment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, October 22, 2019

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22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

India on verge of series sweep as South Africa crumble again day three on a precarious 9-2.

It got worse for the Proteas as they lost skipper Faf du Plessis in the first over to a beautiful delivery by Yadav.

Hamza added 91 runs with Temba Bavuma (32) but apart from them and George Linde (37), no other South African batsman reached double figures.

In their second innings, South Africa were jolted early by Yadav who bowled Quinton de Kock for five before Mohammed Shami ran through the top order with a three-wicket burst.

South Africa’s Dean Elgar being checked by the team The right-arm quick bowler physio after being hit by an Umesh Yadav bouncer on bowled Hamza for a duck, Day 3 of the 3rd Test match between India and South Aftrapped Du Plessis lbw and rica at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.. had Bavuma caught behind (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS) to tighten the noose around NEW DELHI (Reuters) avoided defeat inside three the tourists.

- India subjected South days.

Elgar made 16 before Africa to the ignominy of Theunis de Bruyn was sustaining a sickening blow a follow-on and were two unbeaten on 30 after coming wickets away from inflict- in as concussion substitute to his helmet and was sent ing a series whitewash on for Dean Elgar who went to hospital after he was dithe visitors after dominat- for tests after being hit flush agnosed with a concussion. ing day three of the third on the helmet by an Umesh “The opening batsman and final test in Ranchi on Yadav delivery. will be closely monitored Monday.

Anrich Nortje was on Replying to India’s 497- five with India closing on a over the next 24 hours, 9 declared, South Africa victory which would consol- followed by reassessment were all out for 162, conced- idate their place on top of the every 24 hours until signs ing a massive first-innings World Test Championship and symptoms resolve,” lead of 335 runs. table. the South African team Asked to follow on, Earlier, Zubayr Hamza said in a statement. they were equally poor (62) scored his maiden Test “The soonest he can resecond time round as fifty in an otherwise insipid turn to play is in six days’ they slumped to 132-8 batting performance by at stumps having barely South Africa who resumed time in keeping with the standard concusCRICKET QUIZ CORNER sion management (Tuesday October 22, 2019) protocol.”

For the visiCOMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL- Bourda tors, only Linde, Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) who made 27 CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett before being run out, will emerge Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) from his test deAnswers to yesterday’s quiz: but with head held high, having re(1) Kamran Akmal & Dwayne Bravo (Red sisted with the bat Steel-2015) in both innings as well as taking four (2) 6 wickets.

India wickToday’s Quiz: etkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (1) Which WI player has scored most Test runs sustained a finger without a century? injury in the final (2) Which WI player has registered most ODI runs session and was without a hundred? replaced by Rishabh Pant behind Answers in tomorrow’s issue the stumps.

23

Ferocious Tigers storm to GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships...

FROM BACK PAGE

Marzana Fiedtkou, who finished as the female MVP and highest goal scorer with 17, stamped her authority in the game with three early goals.

She scored in the fourth, fifth and seventh minutes.

Sonia Jardine then scored one of her two goals in the 15th minute to carry the eventual champions 4-0 ahead, but Sandy Roopnarine, who has been consistent in the tournament, answered before the break.

Jardine would go on to score her second, while Gabriella Xavier made it 6-1.

Roopnarine and Shebiki Baptiste scored consolation goals in the final minute of the clash.

Along with the second place trophy, the Tigers’ Briawna Gordon was adjudged the best female goalie.

OVER 35 FINAL In the first championship clash of the final day, the dominant Vintage side looked to again whip Hot Shotz in the

Over-35 division. In their last preliminary game, Vintage had won by a 10-3 margin.

Although the final proved to be another goal-laden clash, with a whopping 19 goals, Vintage could not replicate their dominance.

The defending champions had scoring spurts, but they were sporadic. They went ahead 3-0 in the early first half, but cooled down, and Hot Shotz’s Aderemi Simon and Dwight Sullivan took over.

The pair scored five consecutive goals in an impressive fight back. By the half, Old Fort were ahead 6-4.

Hot Shotz kept firing shots, which propelled them to a 10-6 lead, and although Vintage would score three unanswered goals in the last five minutes, they still fell short 9-10.

Kevin Spencer led Vintage’s attack with five goals.

Simon, who finished with four goals for the winners, was named the MVP of the division,

while Spencer was again rewarded with the trophy for the most goals (16 goals).

In the Second Division final, two goals each from Kareem McKenzie and Meshach Sargeant propelled Bounty GCC Pitbulls to a 6-1 victory over Bounty GCC the Sequel.

Rahim Oliver and Tariq Nelson also found the back of the net for the winners. The Sequel’s lone goal came in the sixth minute of play off the stick of Dwayne Scott.

McKenzie was voted as the MVP, Omar Hopkinson from YMCA Old Fort Top Form finished with the most goals (13), while D’Andrade, who also played as custodian for Top Form, won another best goalkeeper’s award.

Madison Fernandes from the GBTI GCC Spartans and Shakeem Fausette from Saints, also received the Toco All Star Junior Players awards.

Fruta Conquerors FC are LIMACOL...

ing, as each team had more than 10 attempts on the other’s goal, the game had to go the route of extra time as no-one could find the back of the net at the end of 90 minutes.

It would take a captain’s effort from Nicholas Mc Arthur to let Fruta surge ahead, his timing in the air proving impeccable as he headed pass the flailing Santos keeper for the first goal of the tournament.

The Fruta captain was not finished there; he capitalized on a sensational through ball from Ryan Hackett and slipped it slyly by the keeper for his second of the match and

FROM BACK PAGE

the tournament sealer.

For his efforts, the team carted of $400,000 with Santos taking $200,000.

In the third place playoff, Riddim Squad edged out Pele with a lone goal in the closing minutes of their game to cop the $100,000 prize. Pele received $50,000.

Mc Arthur picked up the most-goals award for his twelve goals, inclusive of two hat-tricks, along with the most valuable player award.

Joel Yhap, his team was given the best goalkeeper award.

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 2nd innings (follow-on)

INDIA 1st innings 497-9 dec (R. Sharma 212, A. Rahane 115; G. Linde 4-133)

Q. de Kock b Yadav

5

D. Elgar retired hurt

16

Z. Hamza b Shami

0

Q. de Kock c Saha b Yadav

F. du Plessis lbw b Shami

4

Z. Hamza b Jadeja

T. Bavuma c Saha b Shami

0

F. du Plessis b Yadav

5

T. Bavuma st Saha b Nadeem

H. Klaasen lbw b Yadav

South Africa 1st innings (overnight 9-2, Z. Hamza 0, F. du Plessis 1) D. Elgar c Saha b Shami

G. Linde run out (Nadeem)

27

H. Klaasen b Jadeja

D. Piedt b Jadeja

23

G. Linde c Rohit b Yadav

T. de Bruyn not out

30

K. Rabada c Jadeja b Ashwin 12 A. Nortje not out 5 Extras (b5) 5 Total (8 wickets, 46 overs) 132 To bat: L. Ngidi

D. Piedt lbw b Shami

4 62 1 32 6 37 4

K. Rabada run out (Yadav)

0

A. Nortje lbw b Nadeem

4

L. Ngidi not out Extras (b8, lb3, nb1)

Fall of wickets: 1-5 (de Kock), 2-10 (Hamza), 3-18 (du Plessis), 4-22 (Bavuma), 4-26 (Elgar, retired not out), 5-36 (Klaasen), 6-67 (Linde), 7-98

0

Total (all out, 56.2 overs)

0 12 162

(Piedt), 8-121 (Rabada)

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Elgar), 2-8 (de Kock), 3-16 (du Plessis), 4-107 (Hamza), 5-107 (Bavuma), 6-119 (Klaasen), 7-129 (Piedt), 8-130 (Rabada), 9-162 (Linde)

Bowling: Shami 9-5-10-3, Yadav 9-1-35-2, Jadeja 13-5-36-1, Nadeem 5-0-18-0, Ashwin 10-3-28-1

Bowling: Shami 10-4-22-2, Yadav 9-1-40-3, Nadeem 11.2-4-22-2 (nb1), Jadeja 14-3-19-2, Ashwin 12-1-48-0.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

Pakistan turn to teens to begin new era in Australia PAKISTAN have turned to the next generation for their Australian tour, naming a trio of teenage tearaways to spearhead their T20 and Test campaigns down under this summer.

New head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq, the former captain, swung the axe to end the international careers of Mohammed Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, hailing a “brave and bold” future while former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed had earlier been announced as a casualty.

Sixteen-year-old Naseem Shah and 19-year-old Musa Khan have been included in Pakistan’s 16-man Test squad, along with 19-year-old Shaheen Shan Afridi who is a comparative veteran with three Tests and a handful of limited-overs matches already to his name.

Musa, from Islamabad, has 17 wickets in seven first-class matches and topped 145kph on his debut in the Pakistan Super League T20 competition earlier this year.

The 16-year-old Naseem also has 17 wickets in five firstclass matches and has collected nine in three matches in this season of Pakistan’s first-class competition, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

But Pakistan will not be relying entirely on a baby-faced pace attack against the world’s best Test batsman in Steve Smith and the rest of the Australians. Mohammad

Azhar Ali and Babar Azam are the new captains of the Test and T20I sides respectively (Getty Images)

Abbas, who wreaked havoc on the Australians during their series in the UAE last October, has also been selected.

And there has been a recall for Imran Khan Senior who played the last of his nine Tests in Sydney in January 2017.

The 32-year-old Imran was selected to provide backup to Abbas while Misbah touted his new-ball ability, but reserved his most glowing praise for the new kids on the block.

“We know that Australia will present different and exciting challenges for us. There is a need to play a different type of cricket, the balance of the squads is reflective of us having options to play aggressive, attacking cricket,” Misbah said.

“It’s a brave and bold decision to select the likes of Musa and Naseem, but we know that their fresh and attacking ap-

proach will give us something different.

“The Australian wickets will give them the opportunity to express themselves, gain valuable experience and it will help us to take 20 wickets to win the Tests.

“I am pretty sure these two lads will surprise a lot of people with their pace, controlled swing and ability to bowl long spells at a consistent speed.

“Abbas’s calibre and prowess is very well documented, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has already shown the world that he is a star in the making.”

Sarfaraz, sacked in the wake of a 3-0 T20 loss to Sri Lanka at home, had his place in both squads taken by 27-yearold Mohammad Rizwan, whose only Test was in New Zealand in 2016.

While there has been upheaval in the pace department

with Hasan Ali ruled out of the tour with a back injury and the retirements from Test cricket of Mohammad Amir – who will still visit Australia with Pakistan’s T20 squad – and Wahab Riaz, Misbah also made moves with his spin bowlers, adding Kashif Bhatti to support Yasir Shah.

“Yasir has matured and gained experience since his last tour to Australia, and he remains our most successful bowler in the Test format. We know he can deliver and will continue to back him to deliver the goods,” Misbah said.

“Our Test batting is experienced, talented and pretty settled, so, we have not tweaked it much, except including prolific Abid Ali in place of Fakhar Zaman and adding Iftikhar Ahmed, who can also bowl off-spin.

“We have a strong batting line-up that we expect to perform in the two Tests.”

Opening batsman Abid Ali has scored exactly 7,000 first-class runs in 104 matches at an average of 39.54, with 18 centuries and 31 fifties.

The 32-year-old from Lahore has made 300 runs in his two Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches this season, including a career-best 249 not out in September.

Misbah has called up former Perth Scorchers leg-spinner Usman Qadir, the son of famous leg-spinner Abdul Qadir and who had previously said it was his “dream” to represent

Zidane distracted by speculation about Real Madrid future ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Zinedine Zidane has admitted that constant speculation about his future as Real Madrid coach has been bothering him in the build up to today’s Champions League Group A game against Galatasaray.

Real landed in Istanbul reeling from a shock 1-0 defeat to Real Mallorca, their first loss in La Liga this season which allowed Barcelona to take over at the top of the standings.

Just as when his side were humbled 3-0 by Paris St Germain in the Champions League last month, the latest domestic defeat has led to suggestions in the Spanish media that Zidane’s job is at risk and Jose Mourinho could be in line to replace him.

“I won’t say that I’m not bothered by (the speculation), it does bother me, but all I can do is give everything and think positively,” Zidane, who has won three Champions League titles as Real coach, told a news conference on Monday.

“What has happened is in the past and in football everything you have done gets forgotten quickly, it’s what you do in the present that

Zinedine Zidane has won three Champions League titles as Real Madrid coach.

matters.”

The 13-times European champions are bottom of Group A with one point and defeat against Galatasaray would leave their hopes of remaining in the competition hanging in the balance.

Zidane, however, believes his team can turn things around.

“We all know we have made a bad start in the Champions League but tomorrow is a new game and we’re going to try and win,” he said.

“Every game at Real Madrid

is like a final, I first came here 18 years ago (as a player) and I know what it’s like and how you are always under pressure,” added the 47-year-old.

Real captain Sergio Ramos said the players were also getting fed up of the uncertainty about Zidane’s position.

The French coach returned to the club in March 10 months after resigning from the role, after successors Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari were sacked.

“It would be very easy for the club to say Zidane will stay until the end of the season and then this speculation would end. We are tired of hearing about all the coaches that could come to Real Madrid,” Ramos said.

“We’re only focused on winning tomorrow. Everyone has a different way of measuring form but we’re relaxed, we know that if we work hard we’ll get our reward.”

Real are still without injured pair Gareth Bale and Luka Modric but Toni Kroos has returned.

Australia rather than the country of his birth.

But under Misbah’s new reign the younger Qadir has been welcomed back into the fold, with his experience of Australian conditions in a handful of BBL and domestic one-day matches.

Misbah has indicated towering pace bowler Mohammad Irfan will be a key weapon for the T20 side in Australia, with one eye on next year’s World Cup. “For the T20Is, Mohammad Irfan has been rewarded for the form he has shown recently. Based on horses for courses and his form, the Australian conditions will present Irfan with the opportunity to excel,” Misbah said.

“If we can successfully manage his workload, then he can be a valuable asset for us in the next global event.

“Similarly, Khushdil Shah has been added as he is in-form and has displayed his power-hitting abilities, while Usman Qadir brings to the table his experience of playing in Australia.

“Usman also provides cover for Shadab Khan, who is on track for reclaiming his match form.

“Asif Ali has been retained due to his sparkling form in the National T20 Cup, while we have kept faith in Iftikhar Ahmed who has all the ability and talent in the middle-order.”

Pakistan T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail,

Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

Pakistan Test squad: Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan Snr, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah.

Pakistan’s Tour of Australia Gillette T20 Internationals Warm-up match: v Cricket Australia XI, October 31, Bankstown First T20: November 3, SCG, 2.30pm (Fox & Kayo) Second T20: November 5, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo) Third T20: November 8, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo) Domain Test Series Warm-up match: v Cricket Australia XI, November 1113, Perth Stadium (d/n) Warm-up match: v Cricket Australia XI, November 1516, WACA Ground First Test: November 2125, Gabba Second Test: November 29 – December 3, Adelaide (d/n)

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan picked first in Hundred draft as Gayle misses out

AFGHANISTAN’s Rashid Khan was the first pick in Sunday’s inaugural The Hundred draft.The leg-spinner will earn £125,000 after being picked

by Trent Rockets.

Australia team-mates Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will play together at Welsh Fire while David Warner was drafted by Southern Brave. However, West Indies opener Chris Gayle, South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga all missed out on selection. The BBC will have live television coverage of 10 men’s matches from The Hundred next summer and up to eight live matches from the women’s tournament, including both finals.

Rashid, 21, will play alongside England Test captain Joe Root, who described him as “one of the best players in the world”. “It’s going to be great to have Rashid join us at Trent Bridge next summer,” Root said.

“I’ve played against him and I know he’s a fierce competitor and one of the best players in the world.” In total 96 players were selected in the first major player draft in British sport, with 474 going unsold. Lancashire and England batsman Liam Livingstone was drafted

by Birmingham Phoenix, joining Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali and Jason Roy on the maximum £125,000 contracts.

Domestic players Liam Dawson, Lewis Gregory, Sam Billings, Phil Salt, Alex Hales, James Vince, Adil Rashid, Tom Banton, Tom Abell and Ravi Bopara also picked up six-figure contracts. Former England batter Ebony Rainford-Brent said the opportunities for

domestic players is the “most exciting” thing about the new tournament.

Ryan Sidebottom, the former England bowler, added: “It’s absolutely brilliant the homegrown players have been selected. “It happens in the Indian Premier League and the Australian Big Bash so to see the English players getting picked up for big prices is amazing.”

The second £125,000 pick was West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, who was signed by Southern Brave. Australians Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and D’Arcy Short (all £125,000) were signed

by Northern Superchargers, London Spirit and Trent Rockets respectively. Rashid’s Afghanistan team-mate and fellow spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, 18, was also signed by the Superchargers - another £125,000 pick - while all-rounder Mohammad Nabi (£100,000), was selected

by London Spirit. Nepal’s 19-year-old leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (£100,000) was picked by Oval Invincibles, as was West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine (£125,000).

Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir (£100,000) will play for London Spirit while New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (£100,000) joins Birmingham Phoenix.

The teams have one last chance to add to their squad with a ‘wildcard’ pick next summer.

The centrally-contracted England Test players were already assigned to teams prior to Sunday night’s draft, along with two ‘local icons’.(BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

25

BCB launches 2nd annual Ivan Madray Memorial first division cricket tournament THE busy 2019 Berbice Cricket season, on Thursday last,became even more busier with the Berbice Cricket Board(BCB) launching the second edition of the Ivan Madray Memorial first division tournament. The BCB president, Hilbert Foster, who leads an aggressive marketing drive by the country’s most active cricket board, launched the tournament in company of Treasurer Dr. Cecil Beharry and sponsor, Chaitnarine Chintamani of Laparkan Trading.

Mr. Chintamani, a nephew of Ivan Madray, is pumping $335,000,00 into the tournament which will feature the eleven first division teams in the Ancient County.

The teams are West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tuc-

Chaitnarine Chintamani (second left) hands over sponsorship to BCB Treasurer, Dr. Cecil Beharry, as BCB president Hilbert Foster looks on.

ber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors, Albion, RHT Thunderbolt Flour, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon. The tournament will be played on a knockout basis and while the 2018 edition was played using the

SBF Petroleum CGI Jaguars One-Day League…

FOLLOWING a runfest in round 5, the penultimate group of matches today could be even more scintillating as teams up the ante with just one round left.

At the Everest ground, Georgetown, fresh off their commanding win over East Bank, will want to keep their winning ways intact against West Berbice. Leon Johnson shook the monkey off his back to hit a ton while Chris Barnwell ended his barren patch with some runs and

Jonathan Foo

hundred-ball format, the 2019 edition will be played on the 20/20 format, with the finals been played under lights at the Albion Ground.

Foster disclosed that players like Shimron Hetmyer, Veerasammy Permaul,,

Romario Sheperd, Clinton Pestano, Nial Smith, Keon Joseph, Jonathan Foo, Kevlon Anderson, Alex Algoo, Devindra Bishoo, Kevin Umroa, Kevin Sinclair, Anthony Bramble and Gudakesh Motie are expected to play in the tournament.

Foster expressed gratitude to Mr. Chintamani for his continued investment into the development of Berbice cricket and for his commitment to uploading the memory of his famous uncle who, in 1956, became the third Berbician to play test cricket after John Trim and the legendary Rohan Kanhai.

Madray was followed shortly after by Basil Butcher and Joe Solomon as the historic Port Mourant club produced the first five Test cricketers from Berbice. The

BCB president reassured the sponsor that the tournament would be well organised and all funds used for the intended purpose.

Chintamani expressed delight at once again teaming up with the BCB as he was satisfied with the organising of the 2018 edition of the Ivan Madray Memorial tournament and he expressed confidence that the relationship would be strengthened in the future.

The Laparkan executive stated that his famous uncle played a major role in his early development, especially instilling the importance of discipline and education. The sponsorship of the tournament, Chintamani stated, is to pay homage to his role-model, mentor and hero.

He praised the outstand-

ing work of the BCB and urged the board to always uphold its high standards. The tournament is expected to be completed by early December as the BCB strives to complete close to 30 tournaments in 2019 at all levels.

Meanwhile, the BCB, on the 29th of October, will be launching a two- day first division tournament with sponsorship from Beverage giants, Banks DIH Ltd. For over a decade, no two-day or three-day tournament has been played in Berbice and Foster had committed himself to correcting the situation before his term ends on the 31st of December, 2019. The sponsorship deal, worth over $2M, includes the hosting of anti-suicide and anti-drug campaign.

Penultimate round set for more fireworks today

could look to carry on today.

West Berbice suffered a loss in the last round and,

with not much left in the tournament, the likes of Keon Joseph and others will be keen on contributing.

The defending champions, Essequibo, lost their first match on Sunday after going unbeaten for four rounds but the chances of them retaining the title are still high, especially with the likes of second leading run-scorer Kemol Savory, Captain Anthony Adams, Ronsford Beaton and Kevon Boodie, all in top form.

East Coast will not want

to take Essequibo lightly, especially after they were hammered for 85 runs in the last match. Robin Williams and the experienced Amir Khan are a few of the main players who could lead from the front today at the Lusignan ground against the champions.

East Bank and Upper Corentyne will do battle at the GCC ground, Bourda with the latter franchise coming off a strong win thanks to form players, Alex Algoo and National players Clinton Pestano and Anthony Bramble,

who could play major roles come this round.

Vishaul Singh scored an unbeaten fifty in the previous outing for East Bank but should their batting fail like it did, spin twins Eon Hooper and skipper Shawn Perriera, who collected six wickets in the last game, could be the equalisers.

Meanwhile, Albion hosts a big game as West Demerara tackle the lower Corentyne franchise. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Romario Shepherd and Ronaldo Renee were the

match-winners for East Bank in round 5.

On the other hand, Jonathan Foo and Nial Smith are the batting and bowling x-factors for Lower Corentyne and, should they fire, it could be similar to how they stopped the seemingly unstoppable Essequibo.

Matches bowl off at 9:30hrs, weather permitting.(Clifton Ross)

Sheffield United end Arsenal’s unbeaten run with impressive home win (REUTERS) - Sheffield United moved into the top half of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Bramall Lane on Monday that ended the Gunners’ eight-match unbeaten run.

Unai Emery’s side had not been beaten in any competition since their 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Aug 24, but they missed out on the chance to move up to third as the hosts earned a deserved victory.

Lys Mousset poked home the winner from close range on his first league start for the Blades after Nicolas Pepe wasted a gilt-edged chance for Arsenal earlier in the

first half.

“For the club to host a game like this, the magnitude of it - to play well and get a win is massive,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told Sky Sports.

“We came under pressure in the second half but we limited them to a few chances and we backed up a good performance with a good result.”

The result leaves Arsenal in fifth place on 15 points, two behind Leicester City and Chelsea, while Sheffield United moved into ninth on 12 points.

Arsenal came into the game

with five wins in their last six games in all competitions, while the Blades had lost their last three home games in a row.

The defeat continued a poor run of away form for the Gunners, who have now picked up just two points from their last four league matches on the road.

Emery was left unhappy with the result and believed his side should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a shirt pull by John Egan on Sokratis Papastathopoulos, which was waved away by referee Mike Dean.

“With VAR, the foul on Sokratis

should have been reviewed,” said the Arsenal manager.

“It was clear but we have to accept it. We did not deserve to lose and we will think about where we can improve.”

Pepe squandered a glorious chance to give Arsenal the lead midway through the first half when he got on the end of a Sead Kolasinac cross but miscued his finish horribly from six yards out.

Mousset punished the visitors’ wastefulness when Jack O’Connell headed a corner into his path for the striker to bundle in from close range after half an hour.

Granit Xhaka connected well with a half-volley on the brink of half time but was denied by a flying save from Dean Henderson, and after the break Arsenal substitute Dani Ceballos fluffed a volley from a promising position to give the goalkeeper a comfortable save.

United’s defence held firm and the home side threatened to double their lead through John Fleck, who hit a rasping shot into the side netting before striking a swerving effort from distance which had to be gathered at the second time of asking by Bernd Leno.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

GPF end 12-year wait for Commander-in-Chief T20 cricket title A spirited performance from Cadet Officer Stephan Harris ensured the Guyana Police Force (GPF) produced a historic win in the Commander-in-Chief’s T20 cricket tournament over the weekend.

Played at the Police Sports Club ground, the GPF opposed their military counterparts, the Guyana Defence Force, and won by six wickets.

Batting first, the GDF posted 106 all out off 18.3

overs with Captain Mc Farlane scoring 36 runs and Lieutenant Philips scoring 24 It was here that Harris showed his exemplary performance with the ball, bagging 3-18 from his four overs, while support came from Assistant Superintendent, Ronald Ali. In their turn at the wicket, Harris scored a classy 56 en route to Police’s 107-4 off 19.3 overs.

Harris was supported

by Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram who scored 24 runs.

Bowling for the GDF, Captain Mc Farlane bagged 1 for 12 from 4 overs.

Man-of-the-match, Cadet Officer Harris also copped the Best Bowler and Best Batsman awards.

Officer-in-Charge of Impact Base, Senior Superintendent Ravindranauth Budhram receives the winner’s trophy from Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West

No insularity under my watch, assures Pollard PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Newly-appointed West Indies white-ball captain, Kieron Pollard, has reassured the region that insularity in selection will be eradicated during his tenure.

The Trinidadian will oversee his first assignment next month when West Indies take on Afghanistan in India in three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals.

And after participating in his first selection meeting, Pollard said he was focussed on ensuring that performance and not nationality would determine the composition of teams going forward.

“One of the major things we (selectors) talked about is the insularity that has been going on in the Caribbean and it is something we want to [stamp out],” Pollard said here in a wide-ranging radio interview.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, which part of the islands

West Indies white-ball captain, Kieron Pollard.

you’re from, once you’re performance is there, once you fit into the dynamics of the team, [once] you fit into what we’re looking for, you’re going to be selected. “[The fact] that sometimes you veer to where you’re from is unfortunate, maybe as a home captain or coach, but at the end of the day we will try to pick the best team.

“Me, knowing myself and how I go about things – and

this is something I’ve been preaching since the franchise system started in the Caribbean T20 before the CPL – the bigger picture is the cricket and which ever persons are doing well, they’re going to be selected.”

He continued: “I have it in myself in terms of my principles and high sort of integrity, to always go out and pick the best players, no matter what part of the islands they’re from.

No matter what happens,

people are going to talk – you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. But once I can lay down in my bed and sleep comfortable at nights, that would be most comforting to me.”

Pollard has replaced Jason Holder as one-day skipper and Carlos Brathwaite as T20 captain, and takes over a side struggling in both formats.

Currently, West Indies are ranked number nine in the 50-overs version following on from their disastrous World Cup showing earlier this year in England, and are also ninth in T20s even though they are reigning World champions.

Pollard conceded that helping the Windies improve their fortunes would be a challenging task but that he was ready for the pressure associated with the captaincy.

“It’s international cricket, the people are crying out for success, they are crying out for wins and it’s expected pressure is always going to be there,” he

pointed out.

“If there’s no pressure then it doesn’t make sense and we as individuals sometimes tend to perform better when our backs are against the wall. We’ve been struggling, it’s no secret but it’s something hopefully with the new coach (Phil Simmons), myself, some new players we can try to change going forward.

“So I’m looking forward to embracing that pressure, still coming out with a smile but most importantly every time you step on that cricket field, you give a hundred per cent and try to improve as individuals.”

Pollard is one of the most experienced T20 cricketers around, having played nearly 500 matches overall, but has no extensive captaincy experience at international level.

He led Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League for five years before moving on to skipper St Lucia Zouks in 2017 and this

year, took charge of his native Trinbago Knight Riders after Dwayne Bravo was ruled out with injury.

The 32-year-old said he intended to bring his now familiar aggressive captaincy approach to his new role.

“I just try to be ahead of the game, I try to out-think the opposition, think of what they’re going to do before it actually happens,” he noted.

“I’m aggressive but sometimes my aggression is mistaken for arrogance which is expected because everybody has an opinion. But at the end of the day, a will-power to win is something that’s embedded in me so it’s something that comes out when I’m leading a team and trying to get the team over the line.

Sometimes I can be very calm and collective and you wouldn’t know what’s going on [with me].”

Bermuda’s World Cup hopes hang by thread after Kenya loss DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – Bermuda have a day to regroup after a third successive defeat left their hopes of securing a place in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup hanging by a thread, following a 45-run Qualifier defeat against Kenya here Monday.

Bermuda will hope to kick-start their campaign on Wednesday when they face Namibia, who lost their opening two games.

After winning the toss at the ICC Academy, Kenya owed their first win of the tournament on a wearing pitch to 24-yearold Indian-born Dhiren Gondaria, who rode his luck with

Left-hander Delray Rawlins … counter-attacked for a top score of 37.

an unbeaten 85 from 67 balls to lift the African side from 66 for four after 12 overs to 138 without further loss.

In reply, Delray Rawlins (37) and Janeiro Tucker (22) rallied Bermuda after another poor start with a fourth-wicket stand of 58, but both perished in the space of four balls as the innings petered out.

Experienced leg-break bowler Collins Obuya claimed four for 27.

Bermuda made one change to their team that lost the previous day by five wickets to Singapore, Allan Douglas replacing Malachi Jones.

And they were off to a flyer thanks to George O’Brien, the 35-year-old pacer removing Alex Obanda for a first-ball ‘duck’ with just the fourth ball of the innings.

They were firmly on top by the end of the powerplay, as seamer Kamau Leverock took a wicket in each of his first two overs en route to registering two for 30, the best full T20 international figures of his career.

But Bermuda would take just one further wicket, courtesy of Rodney Trott, as Gondaria helped Kenya recover with the highest individual score of the competition so far.

Gondaria was fortunate, however, gaining a reprieve while facing Leverock in the 17th over when the Bermuda bowler’s third ball hit the batsman and then the stumps without dislodging the bails.

Gondaria, who struck six

fours and a six and put on 72 in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand with Rushab Patel (15 not out), was also dropped by O’Brien two overs later, again off the bowling of Leverock.

In reply, the wickets of Okera Bascome for a first-ball duck, Stovell for four and Terryn Fray run out for three left Bermuda up against it at seven for three inside three overs.

But in Tucker and Rawlins, they had their most in-form and talented players together at the crease to spark a recovery before the tail crumbled meekly, leaving the aide on the cusp of elimination with three games remaining.

Rawlins, the England-based

Sussex star, belted five fours and two sixes in a 26-ball knock. He did his best, reverse sweeping left-arm spinner Shem Ngoche (2-15) for his first boundary in the fifth over before charging Obuya for a trio of straight-driven fours.

He pulled Rakep Patel for a couple of big hits over the leg side in the 12th over but a third attempt resulted in a top-edge being taken at short fine leg by wicketkeeper Irfan Karim.

Fourteen teams spread over two groups are vying for six places as qualifiers for next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

27

T&T, Guyana basketball fraternity ‘rocked’ by Andrew Ifill’s death

By Rawle Toney

NO more ‘Mr. Dunk’, no more ‘Ball-Eye’…Andrew Ifill sent fans and administrators of the game of basketball in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago into mourning when news of his death spread across both countries.

Ifill, 40, is considered as one of the best forwards Guyana has ever produced, and when he migrated to the Twin Island Republic over 12 years ago, he became one of the best players to grace the courts on the Island.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport last evening, Businessman and Coach Shak Attack basketball club Gordon Felix, who was Ifill's employer, explained that the famed Guyanese basketball player died in the washroom of his job, Lifestyles Motors.

Felix said Ifill actually died on Sunday, October 20, between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.

According to Felix, someone went to the premises to releave Ifill and the doors were locked. The person, a female, called out to him and Ifill responded that he's in the toilet and asked for the woman to “hold on.”

After over an hour passed

"He had no enemies; he was well-liked! Mannerly, loving and his death rocked me more than my own sister's," Felix said.

Felix recalled he lost his sister two days ago, but he was not moved by her death since she was bedridden for over three years. However, he said he's still in shock and at a lost since Ifill was like his son, given the fact that they lived together.

"My son just got a scholarship to play in the FLASH BACK! The late Andrew Ifill in USA and Ifill was action for ‘Shak Attack’ basketball club a major part of that happening. in Trinidad and Tobago He was there for my son, both on and calls to Ifill went unanand off the couch. To be swered, the coach and busihonest, this one hit me harder nessman explained that he than my own sister's death. rushed down to the building I didn’t cry for my sister, and opened up. It was then but I couldn’t hold it back they found the former Na- for Ifill," Felix sorrowfully tional player face-down in explained. Ifill was inactive the toilet, motionless. Felix on the court at the time of his said upon the discovery, he death, as Felix noted that "he called the country's medical wasn’t playing for well over response team, who pro- a year, but he was in the gym nounced the Guyanese dead. and working out and so on.

He had gained a little weight, but he was still sound with the basketball; one of the most dominant players I’ve ever coached and worked with. He lived with me for a long time and he was like my son. I'm going to miss him so much; I know I’m not going to get over this no time soon."

MOST DOMINANT PLAYER IN TRINIDAD Trinidad and Tobago National Coach, Christopher Jackson Charles, told Chronicle Sport that he was the first person to take Ifill to Trinidad, adding “I had come to Guyana to coach the Trinidad women’s team around 2006/2007, I think, and I saw him play. He was the best player in the tournament; the male team played against Guyana and DC Jammers. I approached him and asked him if he wanted to play in Trinidad…he said yes.” Jackson coached The Maloney Pacers basketball Club and it was Ifill, the coach said, that opened the doors for other players from Guyana to come to Trinidad to play the beautiful game of basketball.

“He was a great Caribbean, not just Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, player.

Very dominant and he use to rock Maloney Gardens (the

home court of the Maloney Pacers). We had some fun times. He was very respectful and mannerly. The time I asked him to come, he was working at Banks DIH. He didn’t hesitate to leave his job in Guyana to come play in Trinidad. It was because of Ifill, we started looking for players from Guyana. Even Stanton Rose (current CBC MVP) played for us, and Timothy Thompson and other really good players from Guyana; I’m going to miss him,” Jackson said.

A GUYANESE BASKETBALL LEGEND Lugard Mohan, former National captain, who played alongside Ifill, where they had a then-third place finish at the Caribbean basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship in Barbados, said “Ifill is one of the hardest working player I played with, always working on his craft to get better, never saw a shot he didn't think like, hence the alias "ball-eye"… SIP balleye.” Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Michael Singh, reflecting on Ifill’s impact on the game locally, said “Ifill was one of the players I started my career with, playing Third Division basketball for Colts

around 1995, and both of us progressed into first division together… I watched him progressed as a national player, he was tutored by the late Phillip ‘One Foot’ George.

I spoke to him almost nine days ago and he related to me that he would love to represent his country, versus Grenada in Guyana in December and if his leg had any juice, he would love to play for his country at the CBC in 2020, wherever that would be held.”

“I can safely guarantee you that we will be acknowledging him…especially at my level, we’re going to acknowledge and celebrate the life of Andrew Ifill,” Singh related.

Ifill made a life from basketball, playing professionally throughout the region, Dubai and in Mexico.

He last represented Guyana at the 2014 CBC Championships in the BVI, where he teamed up with former Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers guard, Rawle Marshall, to guide Guyana to a 5th place finish. In that tournament, Ifill finished with an average of 12.2 points, six rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Twenty-six teams to battle in PM’s Softball Cup are eight teams drawn in two groups of four. Each team will play the other teams in their group with the top two teams, THE battle lines have been Avenue, Georgetown, the 26 after their three preliminary drawn and teams in the annu- teams that have confirmed games, qualifying for the semial Prime Minister’s T20 Soft- their participation in the three finals. ball Cup are getting ready to categories have been further In the Legends (males take the field for yet another grouped for the November 1 over 50 years old) category, highly anticipated competi- tournament. there are 10 teams in three tive tournament.

In the Open (male of any groups. The three teams in Last Sunday at the GNIC age) and Masters (males over Group A will play the three Sports Club ground, Woolford 45 years old) categories, there teams in Group B while the four teams in Group C will play each other once.

The top two teams from Group C will join the group winners from groups A and B for the semi-finals.

In the Open Category, the teams are: Group A -SVC NY, Farm All Stars, Bartica All Stars and Cotton Field Wild Oats and Russell Jubeer (left) receives the sponsorship from KFC’s in Group B -- Regal Senior Accounts Clerk, Oma. All Stars, Grill Mas-

…KFC, Ink Plus join list of sponsors

ters, Speedboat All Stars and United Brothers.

In the Masters Category, the teams are: Group A -- Success Masters, Invaders, Narine Masters and Corriverton Masters while in Group B the teams are: Wellman Masters, Ink Plus’ Customer Service Representative, Reama Sookdeo (right) Fishermen Mashands over her company’s sponsorship to Treasurer of the GSCL, ters, H.S. MasRussell Jubeer ters and defending champions Softball Cricket League Inc Treasurer, Russell Jubeer, Regal Masters.

(GSCL), will release the full was on hand to collect the In the Legends Category, sponsors’ contribution from the teams are: Group A – fixtures including the match Ink Plus, KFC and Elegance venues shortly.

Savage Legends, Guyana/ Jewellery and Pawn Shop.

Meanwhile, sponsors have Florida Hope and NYSCL Other sponsors on board also confirmed their support Pro. Group B – Marine Legto date include Banks Beer, for the third edition of the presends, Parika Defenders and I-Bet Supreme, Crown Mintigious tournament since they President’s XI and Group ing Supplies, Bedessee Sportanticipate tremendous exposure C – Regal Legends, Orlando ing Goods, Star Party Rentand ultimately value for their Legends, Rockaway Legends als, Cyber Sports and USA advertising dollar. and Ramchand’s Legends.

The organiser, Georgetown Last Thursday, GSCL’s Cricket Zone.

28

Ferocious Tigers storm to GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships female title

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 22, 2019

…-Hikers survive late scare en route to male title defence

The Tigers took their ceremonial team photo after claiming the title.

Pepsi Hikers continued their reign as first division male champions.

By Faizool Deo THE GBTI GCC Tigers restarted the reign of the Bourda club after a flawless campaign handed them the spoils of the first division female battle in the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Meanwhile, in the feature male clash, multi-year defending champions, Pepsi Hikers, survived a late scare against the YMCA Old Fort Delta Force in their first division final.

Prior to those finals, the

YMCA Old Fort Hot Shotz saved their best for last to stun defending champions, Bounty GCC Vintage, in the Over-35 final, while Bounty GCC Pitbulls whipped Bounty GCC The Sequel in the Second Division final.

The one-week, four-division championships culminated with an intense last few minutes of play in the men’s first division final.

Hikers were sitting comfortably with a 3-0 lead at the break, but more coordinated attacks first led to greater opportunities and then goals.

Omar Hopkinson drew

one back with nine minutes left in the clash as he fired in a scorcher from the left side of the box; with a two-goal cushion, the Hikers still felt safe, but Old Fort turned up the heat in the last five minutes and Jason De Santos was ready to be their hero.

He scored a sneaky goal in the 36th minute after he stole the ball from the centre line and battled his way through the defence for a successful strike.

Robert France then carried Hikers back up after he found the back of the net.

In the last two minutes, De Santos fired two shots past the

goalie, but one was disallowed, which resulted in the 4-3 finish.

The Hikers also won two of the three individual awards. Defender Andrew Stewart was named the Most Valuable Player, while Aroydy Branford, who exploded in his first two games, finished with the most goals (13).

The best goalkeeper’s award went to Delta Force’s Paul D’Andrade.

FEMALE FINAL The female final was less intense and although the GCC Spice proved that they are a very good side, they were always second best to sister Turn to PAGE

23

Fruta Conquerors FC are LIMACOL Champs

Bounty GCC Pitbulls won the second division title.

T&T, Guyana basketball fraternity ‘rocked’ by Andrew Ifill’s death

Fruta Conquerors celebrate with the Limacol after their 2-0 victory over Santos FC on Sunday night.

AFTER an intense month of footballing action, Fruta Conquerors FC can call themselves Kings of the LIMACOL football tournament.

The team overcame their

rivals, Santos FC, 2-0 in the final of the tournament on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The match, touted as the grudge match of the best two

youth teams in Georgetown, lived up to expectation, with fans petering on the edge of their seats when the ball went into either of the final thirds.

Still, both sides were kept in the game during the early

PAGE

stages by their respective shot-stoppers, both men pulling off saves that left the crowd in awe.

Not for the want of try Turn to PAGE

23

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27 Andrew Ifill

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019