Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 08-11-2022

TUESDAY 8th NOVEMBER, 2022

$100

No. 106900

Guyana stands ready to support flood-hit Dominican Republic, St. Lucia See full statement from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali:

The Government and People of Guyana stand in solidarity with the Governments and People of the Dominican Republic, Domi-

nica and St Lucia curre n t l y e x p e r i e n c i n g severe flooding as a result of heavy rainfall.

We expressed condolences to the loved ones

of those who lost their lives in the Dominican Republic and Dominica.

The people of Guyana will keep you in our prayers and we are

ready to provide any possible support during this difficult time,” President Dr Irfaan Ali posted on his Facebook page this evening.

‘Opposition becoming more irrelevant’ — Minister Teixeira says, calls out Norton for abdicating responsibility by walking out of National Assembly

MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and the government’s Parliamentary Chief Whip, Gail Texeira, on Monday, questioned the relevance of the main Opposition as she accused Leader of the

Opposition, Aubrey Norton, of abdicating his duty, when he and the rest of his party members, walked out of the National Assembly.

Led by Norton, the APNU+AFC Members of Parliament (MPs), departed en

Several GECOM staffers compromised integrity of tabulation, verification processes — witness tells elections CoI

masse after the House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, did not allow a motion brought by Norton, to discuss a “clean voters’ list.”

The coalition’s departure came moments before a number of important bills were set

to be debated, including the constitution reform commission, suicide prevention, and criminal justice reform bills.

“The opposition is becoming more and more irrelevant. The behaviour of the opposition by walk-

GPA upbraids Norton for being abrasive, evasive

— after NCN condemns APNU+AFC’s intimidation of staff

ing out of parliament when these major issues are before the house is indicative that they really more and more are becoming irrelevant, in that they are not prepared to stand up in the House, and to be able

to defend their positions,” Teixeira lamented during a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Full story on page 3.

Constitutional reform process to ‘pick up steam’

— after House clears milestone Constitution Reform Commission Bill SEE PAGE

02

Former executive member of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Jonathan Yearwood

SEE PAGE

05

SEE PAGE

08

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

Stricter penalties for delinquent drivers with passage of Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Bill

SEE PAGE

07

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TuesdAY, November 8, 2022

Constitutional reform process to ‘pick up steam’

— after House clears milestone Constitution Reform Commission Bill

By Tamica Garnett

WIDESPREAD consultations will be the ultimate objective of the 20-member Constitution Reform Commission (CRC), which could now be constituted following passage of the Constitution Reform Commission Bill 2022 in the National Assembly, on Monday.

The commission will be made up of five members from the government, five members from the opposition and 10 persons from civil society and professional organisations across the country.

“Some may say it may be a top-heavy body, but the number doesn’t matter; widespread representation matters. We did this to ensure that we have representation from the main strata of our society,” Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C. underscored in his remarks during the debate on the Bill.

The Bill was presented following deliberations at the level of the nine-member Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, which comprised both government and opposition members of parliament.

However, Nandlall noted his disappointment over a persistent lack of involvement from the opposition, which had failed to offer contributions to the Bill when it was with the committee, and subsequently offered nothing in the debate of the Bill as the entire main Opposition walked out of the National Assembly before the Bill was debated on Monday.

The APNU+AFC MPs departed en masse after the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir, did not allow a motion brought

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C.

by the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Aubrey Norton, to discuss a “clean voters’ list.”

After listening to Norton, Nadir explained that the motion was not of urgency, so he would not allow it.

As Nandlall arose to present the second reading of the CRC Bill, the opposition members promptly vacated their seats and exited the House, leaving Deputy Speaker Lennox Shuman as the only remaining member on the opposition benches.

In making his contribution to the debate, Shuman also spoke of his disappointment at the empty seats on his side of the House, saying that “constitutional reform is not and should not be a political football.”

He argued: “It is something that this country has said we are in desperate need of, yet there is a party that claims to be representing 50 per cent of the population but doesn’t want to participate.”

During his remarks, Shuman also called for greater involvement of Guyana’s indigenous communities in the reform process.

Constitutional reform is a long-awaited, and long-promised issue in Guyana, with several members of civil society lobbying for changes. Both the government and the opposition have agreed that constitutional reform is needed.

“In an evolving society [the Constitution] requires constant review to ensure that as our society evolves, as the aspirations of our people change, as our country transforms, that sacred pact between the state and citizens reflects those transformation[s] and those changes. Constitutional reform, therefore, has rightfully been a forefront issue on our government’s agenda,” Nandlall posited.

He related that promises and commitments for constitu-

before on several predecessor committees on constitutional reform. We didn’t have much to review because not much was done,” he related.

And although the opposition has been reluctant to advance this process, Nandlall said that the government is committed to working along with the APNU+AFC to achieve the promised constitutional reform.

This is of particular importance given that constitutional reform cannot move forward without bipartisan support from the government and opposition,

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton walks out of the National Assembly before the debate on the Constitution Reform Commission Bill (Delano Williams photo)

tional reform have been coming from the opposition camp since 2011, when the combined opposition first won a one-seat majority. However, notwithstanding the APNU+AFC being in government from 2015 to 2020, Nandlall said not much was done to put action to their words. .

“Between 2015 and 2020, there was a steering committee headed by [Attorney at Law] Nigel Hughes, commissioned by [then] Prime Minister Nagamootoo… $20 million was paid to this committee to prepare a report. The report was done, handed over to the Prime Minister and that was the end of the report and constitutional reform. That report never saw the light of day,” Nandlall said.

“We began by trying to get to examine and see if we can benefit from what transpired

as constitutional provisions of any kind cannot be changed without a minimum of two thirds of the National Assembly, while some could only be changed by referendum.

“Fundamental to the success is consensus across the political divide,” Nandlall said.

Once enacted into law, the CRC Bill will provide for the commission to receive, consider and evaluate submissions for the changes to the Constitution.

Those recommendations will then be submitted to a standing committee for consideration by the National Assembly.

The CRC, according to the Bill, will review Guyana’s supreme legal document to provide for future and current rights, duties, liabilities, and obligations of Guyanese.

‘Opposition becoming more irrelevant’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

— Minister Teixeira says, calls out Norton for abdicating responsibility by walking out of National Assembly

MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and the government’s Parliamentary Chief Whip, Gail Texeira, on Monday, questioned the relevance of the main Opposition as she accused Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, of abdicating his duty, when he and the rest of his party members, walked out of the National Assembly.

Led by Norton, the APNU+AFC Members of Parliament (MPs), departed en masse after the House Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, did not allow a motion brought by Norton, to discuss a “clean voters’ list.”

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira (Delano Williams photo)

The coalition’s departure came moments before a number of important bills were set to be debated, including the constitution reform commis-

sion, suicide prevention, and criminal justice reform bills.

“The opposition is becoming more and more irrelevant. The behaviour of the opposition by walking out of parliament when these major issues are before the house is indicative that they really more and more are becoming irrelevant, in that they are not prepared to stand up in the House, and to be able to defend their positions,” Teixeira lamented during a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

She accused Norton of attempting to get the Speaker to be complicit in violating

the Constitution, by bringing up the motion about the voters’ list when the only means by which this could be dealt with is through constitutional reform.

After listening to Norton, Nadir explained that the motion was not of urgency, so he would not allow it.

As Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C. then got up to present the second reading of the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill, the Opposition promptly vacated their seats and exited the House, leaving Deputy Speaker, Lennox Shuman as the only remaining member on the Opposition benches.

Teixeira said that Norton and the other members abdicated their responsibility to participate in law making for the betterment and development of the society.

“Mr. Norton can bellow as much as he likes from the far corners. But he is abdicating his responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition when we have bills here. We have bills on drinking and driving, and using drugs and driving, important because the issue has no partisanship.

“Suicide has also been a social issue of great concern across the country. It crosses partisanship and, therefore, the absence of the opposition

is noted again as abdicating their responsibility as members of parliament, and elected officials of their constituency,” Teixeira commented.

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill lambasted the opposition for leaving the National Assembly and laying the blame on government’s refusal to discuss the high cost of living.

“You walked out because you are intellectually lazy and you are politically immature. You should have been standing in Parliament to say what else can be done to improve,” Minister Edghill said.

National Assembly approves Suicide Prevention Bill

THE Ministry of Health’s ‘comprehensive and transformational’ Suicide Prevention Bill 2022 was, on Monday, passed in the National Assembly, paving the way for the decriminalisation of suicide in Guyana and marking a major step in the country’s move to address mental health countrywide.

The bill seeks to provide measures to fight the high number of occurrences of suicide that have pervaded Guyana’s society for a number of years.

It will see the provision of suicide prevention services and support to survivors of suicide, persons with suicidal ideations, and support for those who lost loved ones to suicide.

It will also see the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Commission, which will serve in an advisory position to the Minister of Human Services and Social Security in regards to legislation and regulations surrounding suicide prevention and mental health support.

The commission will also be responsible for the preparation of a National Suicide Prevention Plan, the planning, design and implementation of public

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

programmes to reduce suicides and suicide attempts in the country, sensitisation and awareness training on suicide and suicide prevention, and the establishment of Suicide Prevention Centres across Guyana.

Presenting the bill to the National Assembly, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, highlighted that the bill places importance on psychological support for survivors of suicide attempts as well as those suffering from mental health issues that often go unnoticed.

He said the health ministry will address the issue by providing mental health support for persons at a high risk for suicide, and training primary healthcare providers to identify and report

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud

signs of mental issues such as depression.

This, he said, would enable those persons to receive critical assistance, and thereby reduce the risk of them attempting or succeeding in committing suicide.

“This bill contemplates that if people need help, that we will be able to respond very quickly and send a team out to that person, or

those persons who need help,” he said.

He noted that suicide is a serious problem, but expressed confidence through the enactment of the 38-clause legislation, mechanisms would be put in place to curb suicide and suicide attempts, and foster the mental well-being of Guyanese.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, expressing support for the bill, underscored the importance of the decriminalisation of suicide attempts under the law.

“This bill addresses many critical areas, and I believe that it is pertinent at this point in time, because in this country, we are still encountering persons who attempt suicide and self-harm. If persons are to stop… every effort must be made to ensure those per-

sons understand quite clearly that attempting suicide is not a crime, but an appeal for help,” she said.

The bill will address mental health promotion and care across a number of institutions through government collaboration and co-operation. It will also see schools, employers and

families benefitting from education and awareness campaigns to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.

Policies to punish persons who may play a role in enabling a person to commit or attempt suicide are included in the bill as well. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Oil stable below $100/bbl as market balances Chinese data

(Reuters) OIL prices were stable on Monday, hovering close to $100 a barrel as support from a weaker dollar and recovering Chinese crude imports met renewed demand concerns linked to China’s stringent COVID containment approach.

Brent crude futures rose by 6 cents, or 0.06 per cent to $98.63 a barrel at 1026 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $92.60 a barrel, down 1 cent, or 0.01 per cent.

Both contracts dropped by over $1/bbl earlier in the session as Chinese health officials

An aerial view shows an oil factory of Idemitsu Kosan Co. in Ichihara, east of Tokyo, Japan November 12, 2021, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Picture taken on November 12, 2021. (Kyodo/ via REUTERS)

on the weekend reiterated their commitment to a stringent COVID containment approach,

dashing hopes of a rebound in oil demand from the world’s top crude importer.

Brent and WTI rose last week, climbing 2.9 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively, on

speculation of a possible end to COVID-19 lockdowns despite the lack of any announced changes.

But prices pared losses in early European trading following stronger risk sentiment, news of recovering Chinese crude imports and as the U.S. dollar weakened against other currencies, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

The U.S. dollar sank on Monday against the euro and sterling was supported by a risk on sentiment and a rally in European stock markets.

While China’s imports and exports unexpectedly contracted in October, its crude oil imports rebounded to the highest level since May.

Oil prices have been underpinned by expectations of tighter supplies as the European Union’s embargo on Russia’s seaborne crude exports will start on Dec. 5 even though refineries worldwide are ramping up output.

U.S. oil refiners this quarter will run their plants at breakneck rates, near or above 90 per cent of capacity.

China’s largest private refiner Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co (ZPC) is raising diesel output.

Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Co (KIPIC) said on Sunday the first phase of the Al-Zour refinery has started commercial operations, according to a state news agency.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Several GECOM staffers compromised integrity of tabulation, verification processes — witness tells elections CoI DETAILS of how some employees of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) participated in an alleged plot to divert votes to the APNU +AFC administration instead of safeguarding the electoral system, were heard during the second day of testimonies at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the conduct of the 2020 general and regional elections.

Over the course of his nearly five-hour long testimony on Monday, former executive member of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Johnathan Yearwood, verbalised his recollection of the events that unfolded in the aftermath of the elections, placing strong focus on GECOM’s introduction of a mysterious flash drive during the tabulation of votes in Region Four.

Along with his written statement, Yearwood provided the CoI with photos and audio recordings of various incidents that he believes compromised the integrity of the 2020 elections.

Yearwood, who was present at the Office of the District 4 Returning Officer at the Ashmin’s building as a party representative, said that the tabulation process was plagued by constant interruptions.

He testified that on the evening of March, 4, 2020, the tabulation process suffered its first major interruption as the two women who were manning the process complained of being tired and hungry.

Yearwood recalled one of the women to be a deputy returning officer and another who was “visibly pregnant.” The women were allowed to refresh themselves. They then returned to continue the process.

According to Yearwood, their efforts were short-lived.

He said that the two women soon said that they were extremely tired and simply could not continue to work.

As a result, it was announced that the process would have to be put to a halt until the following morning of March 5, but party agents protested with loud

Former executive member of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Jonathan Yearwood

objections. They were then told that in order for the process to continue a deputy returning officer needed to be on site since the appointed officer was leaving.

Yearwood said that some party agents offered to locate a deputy returning officer so that the process could be facilitated.

However, the then Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield intervened and committed to finding two staffers of GECOM to man the process.

A while after, Lowenfield made good on his promise. He introduced two other GECOM staffers to the process, neither of whom were deputy returning officers. IT technician Enrique Livan was now part of the process.

According to Yearwood, things went downhill from there, as Livan and the other unidentified GECOM staffer began entering figures that did not correspond with the figures reflected on the Statements of Polls (SOPs) in the possession of party agents.

According to Yearwood, Livan, who remains on the job, was relentless as he ignored all concerns raised by party agents.

Yearwood said that Livan eventually left the tabulation room and went into another room. He took a key device with him which was identified as a flash drive. Yearwood testified that, that device stored the tabulation figures.

The ANUG rep said that

inquiries were made and Livan said the reason for leaving the tabulation room was his tiredness.

Yearwood said that Livan continued his shenanigans, placing his head on the desk and constantly ignoring concerns about his conduct.

Livan eventually returned to the tabulation room after he was seen tampering with the contents of the flash drive on a computer.

Yearwood testified that reps voiced their concerns.

“We told him that those are not the numbers we have… Basically we were just ignored and he tried to continue with their process,” he said.

Yearwood said that this sort of approach prevailed even after countless other concerns were raised.

He said that events took a turn for the worst when District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo attempted to make a declaration of the results. He said that two attempts of this sort were made despite the constant interruptions and accompanying disapprovals made by party agents.

Yearwood recalled that Mingo was not allowed to make a declaration owing to the efforts of party agents who disrupted that process. Tabulation stopped for a couple of days after the matter was taken to court.

Yearwood told the CoI of his experiences when the process restarted following a ruling

by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George.

Yearwood said that in this scenario, the process could have hardly been considered tabulation and verification, as Mingo was basically forcing his figures on agents.

The process was moved to a shed in the yard of GECOM’s Kingston office. Yearwood told the CoI that a bed sheet and projector were used, but still the figures appearing on the sheet did not correspond with the SoPs in the possession of party agents.

Further, Yearwood said that a large piece of cloth which he insisted was a bed sheet, and the

projector, allowed little visibility for observers and party agents and this, again, was a recipe for further clashes.

CAROL JOSEPH’S ABUSE OF OBSERVERS, DIPLOMATS Yearwood said that observers and party agents alike expressed serious concern at that point. In response, APNU + AFC representative Carol Joseph became aggressive.

Yearwood said that he witnessed Joseph threaten an observer representing the Bar Association, Pauline Chase, to stomp her in the face and threatened Private Sector Representative Kit Nascimento, to spit in his face.

Yearwood recalled that Joseph told diplomats from the ABCE countries to “get the f-out of Guyana.”

Yearwood said that he was preparing to leave the premises

when Joseph hurriedly made her way to him. He said that knowing of her previous threats, he defended himself, pushing her away and ended up in the lockups. He was not charged after he was able to present video attempts of what occurred.

Overall, Yearwood told the CoI that there were attempts

by GECOM staffers at almost every step of the process to misrepresent the will of the people.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

APNU+AFC attack on media

BUILDING on its poor press freedom record while in government, the APNU+AFC, even in political opposition, continues to show contempt for media workers by intimidating them as they carry out their duties. The National Communications Network had cause to speak out on Monday about the intimidation faced by two cameramen at the APNU+AFC rally in Mocha.

The company published the testimony of the victims that a named member of the APNU+AFC approached them during the rally and demanded to see their identification cards. Despite the presence of other cameras at the event, these men were singled

out because they were state media employees.

NCN outlined other instances of state media workers being harassed and obstructed by agents of the APNU+AFC. The journalists on the frontline of the 2020 elections know this story well. A few of them, following the violence they faced at the hands of APNU+AFC activists during that tumultuous election, have now left media work altogether. Recognising this, the Guyana Press Association in a statement on Monday said: “As we approach election cycle, the GPA expects that the media would be allowed to operate without intimidation, resentment and free from abuse, especial-

ly from those who hold political offices.”

There is a pattern of violence here that must be named and condemned lest it continues to go unchecked where those associated with the political opposition are prepared to aggress, even using physical force, any person that they perceive does not support their agenda.

Immediately, this brings to mind the case of the parliament staff who was attacked after APNU+AFC members stole the Speaker’s ceremonial mace in December 2021.

Rather discomforting, it is clear that the violence is not reserved for media workers only, but also for anyone who dares to challenge the obstruc-

tionist tactics of the political opposition so much so that they are subject to verbal and physical abuse. It is even worse that affiliates of the coalition would come out to defend it.

No better can be expected when the very leadership of the political opposition has issued a statement calling out NCN for defending its staff, and further went on to attack the Guyana Press Association, which has also condemned the harassment faced by media workers.

“The Guyana Press Association condemns this most reprehensible act of harassment and intimidation of media workers. We urge the Leader of the Opposition,

Mr Aubrey Norton, to first and foremost set the tone of relations with the media by being forthcoming with proper and detailed answers rather than being abrasive and evasive when asked for details and supported evidence,” the GPA statement read.

Even staff of this newspaper have felt Norton’s abrasive tone when questioned during his weekly press conferences. Mr Norton has even sought to throw jabs at the newspaper’s credibility, referring to it as an unserious stakeholder in public policy discourse.

These statements delegitimise the work of journalists in Guyana, who work tirelessly to keep the nation abreast with

current affairs.

Earlier this year, the Guyanese media corps had cause to celebrate as the country moved 17 places in the World Press Freedom Index.

This improvement in press freedom was no doubt due, in part, to the openness and accessibility of officials of the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali government. It was certainly a step up from the control games played under the David Granger-led coalition government. If Guyana is to preserve its press freedom gains, the aggressive and hostile approach to the media, which the Opposition Leader has adopted as modus operandi, must be discouraged.

Guyanese Americans are key stakeholders in their constituencies for US elections

TODAY, Tuesday, November 8, is Election Day in America. Guyanese Americans and other Caribbean American and Indian American people cannot afford to be left out of the voting process.

Their vote determines the outcome. Thus, community leaders and political activists are appealing to them to come out and cast their votes, when polling stations open

6:00 hrs.

Guyanese Americans are a very small group in terms of overall percentage of voters, but they constitute an important chunk of voters in key areas and are enough to tilt the balance in close races, providing they come out to vote.

Historically, they have had a very low voter turnout of less than 25 per cent as per house-to-house and street in-

terviews among those eligible to vote.

Guyanese must vote and make a wise choice on the party or candidate best positioned to further their interests not only in New York State, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Georgia, but also in other areas.

The Guyanese, Caribbean, and Indian Americans are urged to come out and vote for the party or candidate

that would best serve their interests.

People are hurting financially, and thus the economy would influence how they vote. The incumbent Democrats are being blamed for the poor economic situation and high inflation.

Guyanese are in the thick of the electoral contest in America, not as candidates or campaigners, but as voters and poll workers and their

votes matter in the swing states.

There is a lot of enthusiasm among Guyanese voters, and many actually voted early all over the country while others said they will vote today.

Few Guyanese volunteer for or donate to the election campaign as I did for decades. Several Guyanese have been working at polling stations over the last two

weeks for early voting and several will be on duty on November 8 at schools and senior centres. Schools are closed to facilitate the election process but it is not a national holiday.

Go out and vote for the party that will govern you, community leaders appealed.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

Stricter penalties for delinquent drivers 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

— following passage of Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022 in National Assembly

By Naomi Parris WITH the aim of reducing the number of road fatalities caused by drunken and reckless driving, the National Assembly on Monday passed the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in his presentation supporting the bill, said the new amendment will put into focus revocations, suspensions and higher fines.

He further noted that the amendment will also foster a cultural change and a change in the way roadways are used.

“I think now we have a

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

better course of action … we have not only the tools, but we also have to do the awareness, taking it to the population, clearly to drivers and would be drivers,

what expectations are [and] what the legal sorts are,” Benn said.

Minister Benn said the Bill has been passed during a significant time, as the

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

country recently recorded a reduction in road fatalities.

“For the first time in 16 years, last year we reduced road deaths in Guyana by 28.8 per cent in one year.

We are now at this point slightly above that figure and so the being of this legislation is now even more important and significant,” he related.

In emphasising the physical and mental turmoil that is brought on by road fatalities and vehicular accidents, Benn said: “For every life lost, there are 15 other injured people and of that 15 the other half of them are permanently disabled either physically or mentally.”

Considering this, he said the objective of the new amendment is to add more tools, new resorts, new efforts, and new energy to the issue of road fatalities.

Going forward, Benn said more attention will be placed on the younger demographic of drivers.

“Our young people beContinued on page 14

GPA upbraids Norton for being abrasive, evasive

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

— after NCN condemns APNU+AFC’s intimidation of staff

T H E G u y a n a P re s s Association (GPA) in a stern statement on Monday called on the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton to stop being “abrasive” and “evasive” with media workers.

The statement followed the release of a report from the National

Communications Network (NCN) that two of its videographers were intimidated by an APNU+AFC member at one of the party’s public meetings at Arcadia Four Corner, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, on Sunday.

This encounter was the latest run-in a party member has had with media

workers, and it demonstrates that persons have been adopting Norton’s posture when dealing with media workers.

Norton has developed a habit of using aggressive behaviour as a smokescreen to avoid giving direct answers to questions posed to him.

The GPA called on

Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton

Norton not to continue his party’s history of negative encounters with the press.

“We urge the Leader of the Opposition Mr Aubrey Norton to first and foremost set the tone of relations with the media by being forthcoming with proper and detailed answers rather than being abrasive and evasive when asked for details and supporting evidence,” the GPA said.

The press association further said: “Gone should be the era when a TV news camera is snatched and taken to Congress Place, media workers are labelled vultures or identified in an unflattering manner by political figures at public meetings.”

The GPA condemned all acts of intimidation and attacks on media workers, and referred to the treatment of the NCN videographers as a reprehensible act of harassment and intimidation of media workers.

The GPA said media workers are to be respected by all, and called on politicians as well as other members of the public to respect the need for media workers to operate in an environment free of intimidation, particularly given that the country is approaching another election cycle. The Local

Government Elections (LGEs) is set for March 13, 2023.

“The GPA expects that the media would be allowed to operate without intimidation, resentment and free from abuse, especially from those who hold political offices,” the statement said.

The two videographers and their media house, NCN, had reported the matter to the GPA on Monday.

According to the statement from NCN, the two cameramen were intimidated by APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Nima Flue-Bess, who had demanded that the cameramen present identification. However, upon stating their place of employment, the cameramen were told there was no need for them to record the event. This was in spite of other camerapersons being allowed to record the said event.

“Having stood their ground to execute their duties, MP Flue-Bess then called police officials present to have the cameramen removed. The inspector and sergeant on the scene engaged the cameramen and then threatened to seize their equipment if they recorded the event. It was only after the intervention of a senior officer that the cameramen were able to proceed with the execution of their duties,” the NCN statement said.

According to reports from the two videographers, they were confronted by several persons, denied access to sound by persons operating the sound system and were verbally abused.

The media house noted that it is particularly ironic that the main opposition would hamper state media from executing their duties, when Norton and other members would so often complain of not

getting coverage from state media.

The media house also noted that this is not the first time a staff member of NCN has been attacked, intimidated and denied access to events hosted by APNU+AFC. “During the National Toshao’s Conference in July, another camera operator who arrived to give coverage to the opposition’s reception for the leaders at Bookland Gardens, Woolford Avenue, was turned away by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Aubrey Norton.

In May this year, in Linden, the NCN team was again attacked during a poorly attended walkabout the opposition had in Amelia’s Ward,” the NCN statement said.

The media house also pointed out that a member of their news team was also treated aggressively when they posed a question to the opposition leader over claims he threatened to remove Jermaine Figuera as Region 10 party chairman, after he shook hands and interacted with President, Dr Irfaan Ali while on a walk-about in Linden.

“After evading the question, Mr Norton instead attacked the company’s coverage of his party’s events. NCN forthrightly condemns these attacks by the APNU+AFC on its staff and views it as a direct attempt to intimidate and prevent them for performing their duties at a public event. This exposes a glaring double standard by the APNU + AFC which claims that NCN withholds coverage of their events,” the media outlet said.

The company said that in addition to making a report with the GPA it has also lodged a formal complaint with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Telemedicine trial at Nappi Village showing signs of success

By Cassandra Khan

THE telemedicine simulation exercise that is ongoing at the Nappi Village health post in Region Nine, appears to be successful thus far, a team of health officials discovered during a visit on Saturday.

Chief Medical Officer

“More so, it is the first telemedicine equipment that I’ve observed with the demonstration that the nurse did this afternoon and it was very impressive,” he said.

Allicock related that this initiative would help to cut back on transportation costs for residents.

“The doctors could

In April 2022, Minister Anthony, along with other key officials from the Ministry of Health, officially opened the $13.6 million health post in Nappi.

The facility provides medication and other forms of treatment for persons suffering from diabetes, hypertension,

rector of Family and Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, the purchase was made possible through the Maternal and Child Health Improvement Project.

“This vehicle will be used to continue to provide services for women of reproductive age, neonates and children”, she explained.

Marishah Singh, a Region Nine community health worker communicating with a doctor at the GPHC

The $3 million ATV which was handed over to the Maternal and Child Health Department at the Lethem Regional Hospital

(CMO), Dr Narine Singh, who represented Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony as head of the team, saw first hand the progress that was made.

The telemedicine system allows doctors in the capital city to easily contact community health workers (CHWs) in rural communities, in this case Nappy Village, to offer assistance where necessary.

At part of the exercise, a medical specialist from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is able to assess and diagnose a patient’s condition through a computerised system with a video conference set up, which is operated at the Nappi end by Marisha Singh, who is a community health worker.

Regional Administrator for Region Nine, Brian Allicock, in his remarks said that he is happy that the region is getting the support needed for improvement of the health sector.

do the diagnosis from where they are and advise the nurses accordingly how to treat that patient as they look at it from here,” he said.

He added: “I’ll ask the people who are operating the equipment to care it.

You know, because if you don’t care it, you lose it.”

Deputy Toshao Sylvester Fredricks thanked the Ministry of Health and the government for using Region Nine for the pilot project.

He and the villagers are overjoyed at the initiative and are very much appreciative.

The CHW who operates the equipment said that the technology is very reliable and she is currently learning a lot.

She noted that villagers would no longer have to travel to Lethem to see a doctor and that it would be easier for them to be diagnosed by a doctor from the GPHC, through telemedicine. She emphasised that that will save time and money.

heart disease, and several other health issues.

In his brief remarks at the opening ceremony, Dr Anthony had said that the facility forms part of the PPP/C government’s larger vision of improving the healthcare sector and providing easier access to these services.

“We can use the internet to be able to communicate with a doctor in Georgetown, and that doctor will work with the CHW or the nurse that is stationed here, to be able to make a diagnosis, and then offer treatment,” Dr Anthony said.

Meanwhile, the Maternal and Child Health Department of the Lethem Regional Hospital on Saturday received a new All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to boost its current expanded immunisation programme.

The $3 million ATV was purchased through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan.

According to the Di-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Guyana to get €5M EU grant for forest preservation

THE “Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding”, between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Government of Guyana will be signed today.

The Government of Guyana and the European Union share a 50-year-long fruitful partnership, advancing

work together on shared priorities in programmes on the environment, sustainability and forest governance.

The MoU underlines the genuine partnership between Guyana and the EU, focused on longterm sustainability. It is a reflection of the unwavering commitment of Guyana to protect its unique rainforest.

According to EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes, Guyana is unique because it is one of the few countries in the world with a negative carbon footprint.

He outlined that Guyana is an example for the world and the forest partnership is a recognition of the sustained efforts by the country to preserve its forests and

ensure that timber harvesting is regulated.

According to President Dr Irfaan Ali, Guyana remains committed to fighting climate change and developing sustainably.

He pointed out that Guyana’s development is structured in a Low Carbon Development Strategy, which will help Guyana to build a global model for forest climate services and other ecosystem services.

The MOU, which is being signed on the sidelines of the COP 27 in Egypt, on November 8, has four main objectives: (1) Increasing the area of protected, restored or sustainably managed forests, including mangroves; (2) increasing the number of forest-related jobs; (3) maintaining the close-to-zero annual rate of deforestation of natural forests; and (4) looking for ways to facilitate investment and trade in legal and sustainable wood products between Guyana and the EU. According to a joint press statement by the EU and Guyana, the forest partnership is a win-win for Guyana and the EU. With an initial

EURO five Million grant from the EU for activities, immediate results are expected in supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities, supporting small-scale producers, promoting sustainable trade in forest and agriculture commodities and building capacity to drive behaviour change.

“Youth and women are expected to play an important role in the planning and implementation of activities related to the partnership. Reflective of its continuing strong stewardship on forests, climate and the environment, Guyana launched its visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.

The LCDS sets out how forests and biodiversity can be maintained, whilst the country expands green jobs, transitions the domestic energy supply to clean and renewable energy sources, and adapts to the impacts of climate change,” the joint statement noted.

In recent years, both the EU and Guyana have implemented several forest-related actions, rec-

ognising the urgent need for strategic and focused cooperation. Building on the strong engagement in, and motivation for, forest conservation by the Guyanese government, both sides are increasing their co-operation on forests to make an important contribution to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Climate change is one of the world’s primary concerns and affects Guyana as it threatens the very existence of this coastal low-lying, rapidly developing state.

Guyana and the European Union aim to support the role of Guyana’s forests in sustainable development and address challenges related to deforestation, forest degradation, climate change and loss of biodiversity.

The Forest Partnership with the EU places Guyana at the top of the world in terms of its protection of the rain forest. It is timely and underscores the strong commitment to continuing the bold ambition and innovative programme on climate, environment and forests.

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Minister Bharrat to advance talks on LCD 2030 at COP27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, is in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, for the 27th Conference of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - COP27.

“Africa COP” where there will be a renewed focus on the concerns of Africa and other developing countries.

Speaking in advance of Monday’s opening ceremony, Minister Bharrat said: “Guyana has long been a global

as an oil producer. In fact, our new realities increase our ability to fully understand the challenges the international community must address – including how to align the need for climate security and energy security and balancing

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat in Egypt for the 27th Conference of parties to the UNFCCC - COP27

Minister Bharrat is joining over 100 world leaders at what has been dubbed the

leader in the fight against climate change. This has not changed due to our new role

the need for food security with maintaining the world’s forests. And at the core of

everything we do in the coming days will be ensuring that we act in solidarity with developing countries from all over the world – to ensure that progress is made on their priorities, especially around finance.”

The Minister is expected to focus on Guyana’s climate priorities – including engaging in discussions around promoting the LCDS 2030 which was first launched by President Irfaan Ali in October 2021.

The LCDS 2030 is the

successor to the 2008 LCDS, which was launched by then-President Bharrat Jagdeo and was the first low-carbon development strategy from a developing country.

In particular, Minister Bharrat is expected to support the formation of global partnerships to promote actions on maintaining the world’s forests, citing Guyana’s experience as an example.

He is also expected to join with other countries in advancing the framework for increasing the scale of global

carbon markets as outlined in LCDS 2030.

As well as promoting Guyana’s national objectives, Minister Bharrat is expected to add Guyana’s voice to those of CARICOM and other developing countries in calling for increased support for developing countries’ investment in dealing with climate change and “loss and damage”, which is being addressed as part of a COP for the first time.

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U.S Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs visits Guyana

U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter, visited Guyana, on Monday, to meet with stakeholders in government to discuss i s s u e s o f s h a re d interest in the bilateral partnership between the United States and Guyana.

Assistant Secretary Bitter met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud, to discuss visa matters and intercountry adoptions.

According to the US embassy in Georgetown, the

United States is committed to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States by both immigrant and non-immigrant travellers. Visas for work and tourism are the foundation of President Biden’s foreign policy and international visitors are essential to the U.S. economy and travel and service industries.

Assistant Secretary Bitter congratulated Embassy Georgetown for its work in facilitating legitimate travel to the United States, and the recent reduction in non-immigrant visa interview wait times from

900 days to under 90 days.

Prior to assuming her role as Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs in August 2021, Ambassador Bitter was the Dean of the Leadership and Management School at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).

She was Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

In Washington, Assistant Secretary Bitter served in the Executive Secretariat as Special Assistant to Secretary of State Colin Powell and served as Director of the State Department Operations Center.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd; United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud, after discussing visa matters and intercountry adoptions

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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Stricter penalties for delinquent...

From page 7

tween the ages of 15-34 are the most severely impacted.

Much more work has to come into play in respect of this cohort and also minibus operators, taxi operators in respect of [the]question of drinking and driving,” he said.

Given the incidents that occur on the road, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., said the protection

of citizens remains a top priority for the government.

“Public safety is an important objective and security-priority, of our government. An integral factor in the equation of public safety is [the] safety of our roadways. We must be able to traverse our roadways,” he said.

He added: “Our children must be able to traverse our roadways. Our citizens must be able to traverse our roadways with a sense of

security and psychological peace of mind that some erratic, drunken driver is not using his vehicle as a lethal weapon along the roadways of this country. We must have that sense of security.”

Further, the Attorney General stressed that stakeholder collaboration is also needed to eradicate road fatalities from Guyana’s roadways.

“This can’t be the government’s job alone, and legislative changes alone

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

can never be able to curb this horrendous, tragic loss of human life in our country,” he said, noting: “Every member of society, every responsible organisation in this country must join hands with our government, as we begin to chart a new course of making our roads safe.”

With the Bill passed, the charge of motor manslaughter will be introduced. This will see a person who causes the death of another by driving a motor

vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs being charged with motor manslaughter.

HARSHER PENALTIES There are also harsher penalties for the cause of grievous bodily harm while driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug.

Currently, the penalty is a fine between $30,000 and $60,000, or 12 years in prison. The new legislation introduces a $200,000 fine for first-time offenders and no less than $300,000 for repeat offenders. The Bill also states that persons convicted under this section will be prohibited from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for 12 months.

Additionally, the fine for driving or attempting to drive while blood alcohol levels exceed the prescribed limit will move from $7,500 to $200,000.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, in supporting the Bill said it establishes the importance of assuming and acknowledging each person’s responsi-

bility on the roadways.

“I hope that with these measures put in place through the new pieces of legislation, we can move in a direction where people see the need to have a Guyana that is completely law-abiding, really built on the fact that you need to preserve the life of every citizen of this country.

Whether we choose to go about it in a non-thinking way or do it consciously and [as the] centre of who we are and what we are as Guyanese, we must be responsible people, she said.”

Adding to the debate, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand emphasised that the act will promote and encourage greater adherence to protocols to reduce fatalities on the roadways.

“That is what we seek here to do today: keep our human resources intact.

Look after them, offer them opportunities and see them thrive and grow in this new Guyana that we envision,” the minister said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Additional pumps deployed to flood-hit Charity

TWO additional tractor pumps were, on Monday, put into operation at Charity, to help drain the water that had accumulated fol-

lowing torrential showers.

This was disclosed by Region Two Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, who told this publication that there are

A pump in operation at Anna Regina

Pensioner killed while crossing Agricola Public Road

AN accident on the Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara, on Monday morning, has claimed the life of a 66-year-old pedestrian.

Dead is Imtiaz Isahack of Eccles, EBD. According to a police press release, the accident occurred in the vicinity of the Agricola Police Outpost and involved motorcar PYY 1162. The driver, a 50-year-old man from Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, is presently in custody assisting with investigations.

Inquiries disclosed that at approximately 08:10 hours, the motorcar was proceeding north along the roadway when it collided with Isahack who was crossing the road from west to east on a pedestrian crossing.

The driver of the motorcar alleged that the pedestrian “walked into his path” without looking and the front left of the vehicle collided with him. He was flung into the air before landing on the road.

He received several injuries to his head and body and was pronounced dead at the scene by EMT. The man’s body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Mortuary and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver showed no trace of alcohol.

now three pumps working in the area.

He said that a high build up and overtopping of water were recorded in the Pomeroon River.

According to Oodit, a regional team comprising of engineers and drainage and irrigation (D&I) workers visited Charity and prompt action was taken following an assessment.

The pumps will help to drain the water and bring relief to vendors and businesses operating in the area.

Oodit said that the garbage dumped by vendors has clogged most of the drains in the Charity Ursara Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

He noted that that was one of the main contributing factors that leads to flooding in the NDC whenever there is heavy rainfall.

While speaking to the publication, he pleaded with vendors and residents to dispose of their garbage at the designated garbage sites and to avoid dumping it in

drains and other parts of their surroundings.

Meanwhile, vendors were forced to pack up and leave the market earlier than usual since their stalls were flooded and business was very slow.

O n e v e n d o r, K o m a l Singh, said that she decided to stop selling at 11:00 hours because of the water.

“Charity Market is busy on Monday. It is, when we do get our sales. However, today business is dull and I had to close up,” Singh said.

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Other vendors and business owners made similar comments when approached by this publication. Some had no choice but to move around without footwear.

They blamed the flooding on poor drainage in the area.

“It was just 20 minutes [this time] and look what happen. All over the water flood. The water overflowing,” one vendor said.

The regional administration is currently monitoring the situation.

‘End youth tokenism’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

— Commonwealth young people tell COP27 leaders

— calls for more money, support for youth-led climate projects

REPRESENTATIVES for the more than a billion under-30s in the Commonwealth have called on leaders, at the start of COP27 in Egypt, to end youth tokenism and pledge more finance and

support for youth-led climate solutions.

The Commonwealth Youth Statement on Climate Change, released Monday, appeals to governments and change-makers to recog-

nise young people as partners and solution providers in the fight against climate change – and commit to solid partnerships that finance and forward youth-created solutions and technologies.

Collectively, youth leaders from across the 13 Commonwealth Youth

Networks, led by the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN) and the newly-launched Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation (CYSU) network, have made demands for action on seven key climate recommendations, with particular focus on global public health, the transition to low-carbon technology, developing sustainable cities and ocean protection.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, welcomed the proposals, saying: “Young people across the world are already battling the impacts of climate change. Without action, the force and frequency of violent weather, shortages of food, water and the threat of rising seas will continue to intensify.

“Our youth activists have proven to be some of the strongest voices in the fight to stay below 1.5C warming. They have taken the lead in putting this existential issue to the very top of national and global agendas. Often, they have been the catalyst for action and positive change.

“If we neglect their voices, we will fail in our mission to find solutions to this climate crisis and in our pursuit of a just and sustainable world.”

In recognition of the talent and drive of the under-30s, the statement calls for increased investment in schools and universities to encourage the development of innovative and climate-smart solutions; monetary-backing of youth-led multi-sectoral climate programmes; and cementing young people as key partners in climate mitigation, adaptation, and recovery efforts

in line with Article 11 of the Paris Agreement.

Lucky Abeng, CYCN Grassroots Engagement and Participation Lead, said: “We hope to use this Youth Statement to change the narrative of youths demanding action from governments.

Instead, we want to uplift the Commonwealth’s young people, rightly spotlighting their role as creators and innovators, with the potential to generate global solutions to the climate crisis.

Michelle Maeclem, CYSU Steering Committee member, said: “We need governments and societies to embrace the potential within youth populations. Only by countries increasing investment into the research, development, trial, implementation, and protection of youth-created and led technologies, can we see real progress on combatting climate change.”

The statement outlines how inaction on climate change threatens the future of all young people, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and marginalised, and burdening the under-30s with the exacerbated challenges it brings.

These include displacement, loss of livelihoods, water and food insecurity, access to healthcare and the rise of new climate-related diseases and worsening mental health due to climate anxiety.

With an additional 2.5 billion people set to be living in the world’s towns and cities by 2050, the statement also calls for immediate action to implement sustainable policies to help these areas respond effectively to climate challenges.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 8, 2022

MVP Sports in support of Arinze... (From back page) develop and also help in achieving national identity; knowing certain countries, you know they are identified by certain sports. We can do the same if we have the kind of support like athletes from those countries,” he said.

“We need solutions, athletes need to find comfort in representing this country.

It’s not only about national pride, but sustenance for themselves; athletes need to get money. Once athletes get an incentive to compete, they will do well, once the athletes do well, the association and the country looks good,” the national sprinter continued Chance believes that associations need to work closer with the Private Sector to learn more about the business of sport. He said that both of his endorsements were achieved through his individual mobilization, when the association should be the vanguard.

According to him, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) are like parents, and “the president and administrators need to consider the needs of their athletes, like therapists and gears, for instance”.

He said these parents need to “treat their athletes like their children”; like it is the association’s responsibility to take care of them, and not like a “liability”. Chance also indicated that since his return from the Commonwealth Games in August this year he has been trying to meet with the Minister of Sports or officials at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports but so far those attempts have been futile.

Chance believes that athletes and the association that govern the sport can

have a “mutual beneficial relationship”, instead of the often-strained relationship owed in a lot of instances to the athlete’s mistreatment.

He related that the recent Keevin Allicock story was an eye-opener that more should be done for athletes.

“The whole issue with Keevin at the South American Championships is just the first time it is actually being publicised for many persons to understand how athletes are being treated. It was an embarrassment and wake up call,” he observed.

Chance was awarded a full athletics scholarship to the University of South Carolina in 2018 and broke the school’s 16-year-old 400m indoor record a year later.

His personal best outdoor time is 46.05 seconds in 2019 while his indoor best is 46.15 that same year. His season best this year is 46.66 seconds as he sets sights World Championships in Hungary.

Chance, who competed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, indicated that he cannot thank MVP Sports enough for their timely gesture. He said that training and competing in the United States and anywhere is expensive and MVP Sports will help him cover those expenses since his goal is to compete in as many events leading up to the World Championships.

“MVP Sports is definitely putting me closer to where I want to be with regards to support, being able to get to more competitions and being able to support myself as an athlete in the United States.

It’s not just about living expenses, supplements etc. its more than that, like therapy, so I am definitely grateful for what MVP is doing for me,” he said.

The athlete, who recently competed at the Joint Services event in Guyana over the weekend, before winging out to the United States of America, “extended gratitude” to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo for his support.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 8, 2022

T20 World Cup:

Why South Africa keep 'choking' in ICC competitions

By Daniel Gallan IT’S the day before South Africa's final T20 World Cup group game against the Netherlands. Jeremy Snape, a mental skills coach who has worked with Crystal Palace and England Rugby, joins the BBC for a video call.

A win over the lowest ranked team left in the tournament will see the Proteas progress to the semi-finals.

Defeat, well, that's not likely to happen, is it?

Our conversation focuses on the concept of choking, which Snape describes as "losing from a winning position, or losing a game you should win, as a result of psychological pressures and the weight of expectation".

We play with hypotheticals where South Africa need 20 runs from the final 15 balls in the final against England.

This is now moot. South Africa crashed to a 13-run loss to a Dutch team containing four South African-born players. It's just one more sorry chapter in the sweeping tragicomedy that is the Proteas at International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.

And that's the point. This reverse, as clear an upset as you'll see, has come with a

degree of predictability.

Since 1999, when South Africa managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory against Australia and thereby tumble out of the World Cup semi-final, this cricket team has worn the chokers' tag like a pillory.

Semi-final defeats in the 2007 and 2015 50-over World Cups hurt, as did T20 World Cup semi-final losses in 2009 and 2014. Since 1999, South Africa have also lost in four Champions Trophy semi-finals.

"Is every defeat a choke?" asks Snape, who worked with the Proteas between 2008 and 2011 in a bid to help rid themselves of this unwanted baggage.

"That depends. Often a team is simply beaten by the better team. Even if you perform at your best it doesn't guarantee success.

"But perceptions and traits can stick to teams, even if those individuals weren't involved in past mistakes or chokes.

"It's similar to generational trauma. Things that happen to older generations can have a lasting impact down the line."

Was Quinton de Kock thinking of Allan Donald's dropped bat at Edgbaston 23 years ago when he took

Temba Bavuma is the latest in a long line of South Africa captains to see the Proteas fail when well placed to win a major tournament

guard on Sunday? At any point during his disappointing performance did Kagiso Rabada cast his mind back to the capitulation against New Zealand in 2011? It might have helped if they had done.

"We spend thousands of hours in cricket having throwdowns and talking tactics but very rarely talk about how the biggest opponent is in our own head," ex-Gloucestershire all-rounder Snape says. "The psychological component is for me the biggest obstacle.

"The first step in any elite environment should be talking about pressure and expectation. Those are two variables that are invariably going to come up during a game. But your mind can't be

empty. It has to be filled with something.

"So if we anticipate that these things will arrive, and we unpack what they mean to us, we can overcome them by filling our mind with something positive, rather than something catastrophic."

Any athlete who fails to do this can easily slip into a fight or flight response.

And though the threat of an inswinging yorker is not the same as a saber-toothed tiger, like our ancient ancestors a batter is more likely to survive if he keeps a cool head.

"We're in our best state when we're playing on instinct," Snape adds. "When we're choking, we dial up the consequences of our failure. We start to worry about

Kenyan pair Chebet and Lokedi win New York Marathon Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi made it a double success for Kenya at a hot and humid New York City Marathon.

CHEBET, 33, followed up his Boston Marathon win in April to lead the men home in two hours eight minutes 41 seconds, after Daniel Do Nascimento of Brazil had collapsed while in front.

Lokedi, 28, took the women's race in 2:23:23.

Marcel Hug and Susannah Scaroni won the wheelchair races, each setting new course records.

It was a fifth New York victory for Switzerland's Hug, 36, whose time of 1:25:26 broke a 15-year-old record by almost four minutes. Chebet moved into the lead when Do Nascimento collapsed after 20 miles in a race experiencing record heat.

The temperature climbed

Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and Evans Chebet (right) celebrate their victories in New York

above 22C at the year's final major marathon, which is usually run in more autumnal conditions. Organisers - who later confirmed Do Nascimento did not require hospital treatment - had issued

tips for runners in dealing with the unusual heat and humidity before the race.

Ethiopia's Shura Kitata finished second, while Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands was third.

Lokedi's victory came after she pulled away from runner-up Lonah Salpeter of Israel in the final stages.

Marathon world champion Gotytom Gebreslase of Ethiopia was third.

what people will say about us and our character. We start to worry about tomorrow's newspapers rather than what the bowler might do next.

"That psychology moves into our physiology. It's almost an emotional hijack.

Our knees get weak. We fixate on a single task, such as playing the ball over extra cover even when the shot isn't on.

"Our hands lose their sensation and our dexterity and agility diminish. It's a difficult spiral and it comes from a place of perceived shame and rejection."

This is partly why it is so fascinating for the rest of us.

Upsets in sport have a charm in their own right, but there is something relatable when elite athletes stumble over a psychological hurdle when it matters most.

Snape equates this with getting nervous before delivering a best man's speech or writing an email to your boss when you're angry. Embarrassment and rejection are terrifying emotions and many of us would do anything to avoid them.

But this binary thinking can lead to a calcification in the mind, both for the athletes themselves and for those of us seeking an answer to the choking conundrum.

"In truth, the choking tag is a lazy construct most of the time," Snape says. "We can get fixated on this black and white issue when so often it's way more complicated and nuanced.

"It's headline grabbing and tugs on our emotions.

But it's because we can all empathise with what the players are going through that we attach ourselves to their struggle."

That will be little consolation to captain Temba Bavuma and his teammates.

They head home in ignominy. Again.

This loss also brings an end to Mark Boucher's tenure as coach. The former wicketkeeper criticised South Africa's energy levels, suggesting his team failed to adapt to the 10:30hrs start. It felt like a lame excuse but perhaps there's a nugget of truth in his explanation.

The Proteas were flat, but it wasn't the time of day that was to blame. Senior players were far from their best and every decision, including the one to bowl first, seemed to be steered by an invisible hand.

That hand continues to grip the throat of South Africans. Only a World Cup win will loosen its hold.

(BBC Sport) Race 6 Our First Lady Race 7 Spin A Yarn

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:20 hrs Ballycotton 08:55 hrs Ponderosa Pine 09:25 hrs Spring Will Come 09:55 hrs Warbonnet Creek 10:25 hrs I Am Who I Am Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 08:20 hrs Gatwau De Miel 08:50 hrs Camilla’s Choice 09:22 hrs Mister Wilson 09:52 hrs The Big Doyen 10:22 hrs Eric Bloodaxe 10:52 hrs Londonofficecallin 11:22 hrs Emancipator 11:52 hrs Royal Rhythm American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Alicia’s Way Race 2 Massey Hall Race 3 Courageous Oh La Race 4 That’s Pretty Nice Race 5 Kobe’s Legacy

English Racing Tips Lingfield 09:00 hrs Peace Of Rome 09:30 hrs Saligo Bay 10:00 hrs Art Of Illusion 10:30 hrs Jubilee Express 11:00 hrs Ozzie Man 11:30 hrs Stellar Magic 12:00 hrs Shot Boli Hereford 09:15 hrs Parramount 09:45 hrs Abington Park 10:15 hrs Dixon Cove 10:45 hrs Fazayte 11:15 hrs Highstakesplayer 11:45 hrs Miss Jeanne Moon 12:15 hrs Cornicello Chelmsford City 12:30 hrs Iconic Moment 13:00 hrs Ottoman Prince 13:30 hrs Jumbeau 14:00 hrs Bedazzling 14:30 hrs Doctor Mozart 15:00 hrs Red Walls 15:30 hrs Fantastic Fox 16:00 hrs Vaynor 15:30 hrs Show Me Show Me

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CONMEBOL calls for 'unity in support' of World Cup tournament CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, says it is "time to leave controversies behind" and has called for "unity in support" of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

It comes after FIFA wrote to competing nations asking them to "now focus on the football" instead of the competition's controversial build-up.

Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.

The World Cup starts on November 20 and runs until December 18.

The FIFA letter was criticised by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ campaigners in England and Wales, while, on Sunday, ten European football associations - including those of England and Wales - said "human rights are universal and apply everywhere".

In a statement, CONMEBOL said: "Conmebol and its ten member associations join the call for world football unity in support of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

"A country eager to show its hospitality and warmth, magnificent sports venues and 32 prepared teams with their greatest potential and ensure a tournament that will undoubtedly go down in history.

"As few times in history, human society today needs the powerful message of sport

The World Cup in Qatar runs from November 20 to December 18

in general and football, the most popular of them, in particular.

"This message is powerful because it is universal, it goes far beyond political or ideological disputes, temporary disagreements and occasional confrontations. It is a message full of optimism, tolerance, inclusion, diversity, union.

It added: "The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the best opportunity to consolidate the values on which football is founded. Due to its scope, its prestige and tradition, the World Cup multiplies the positive impact of these values.

"This is especially so in the new generations, in girls, boys and young people, who hope and seek that football is not tarnished or distorted with biased or partial visions.

"Let's open the field to those values - effort as a path to self-improvement; the articulation of individual talent and teamwork; respect for the rival; the competition with loyalty - and let them be

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday November 8, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Virat Kohli-319 runs (IND) (2) Ales Hales-116* (ENG vs SL, Chattogram) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who took most wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014?

(2) Who had the best bowling figures in a single game in the 2014 tournament?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

protagonists during this FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

"The time has come to leave controversies and controversies behind and value and enjoy a true ecumenical party, eagerly awaited by the entire planet. Let the ball start rolling to bring joy and emotions to everyone!"

FIFA's letter, signed by its president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura, urged that football should not be "dragged" into ideological or political "battles" and it should not be "handing out moral lessons".

Peaceful protests have been planned by some players, while England's Harry Kane and nine other captains of European teams will be wearing 'One Love' armbands. to promote diversity and inclusion.

Denmark will wear "toned-down" shirts to protest against Qatar, with kit provider Hummel saying it "does not wish to be visible" in a tournament it claims "has cost thousands of lives", while Australia's squad has released a video urging Qatar to abolish its laws on samesex relationships.

England's Football Association (FA) has backed calls for compensation to be awarded for "any injury or death related to any construction project" for the World Cup. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has said criticism of his country's hosting of the World Cup amounts to "hypocrisy", while calls for a boycott "are being peddled by a very small number of people, in 10 countries at most, who are not at all representative of the rest of the world". (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 8, 2022

West Indies renew rivalry with England ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Nov 7, CMC – West Indies Women will host England Women in an eight-match white-ball series starting next month, as they beef up preparations for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

West Indies Women set to do battle with England Women.

The tour will run from December 4-22 and will see a three-match One-Day International series, along with the first T20I, being played at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here, and the remaining four T20 Internationals being played at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

West Indies Women suffered clean sweeps in their last bilateral outings against England Women, going down 5-0 in their last T20 series three years ago and 3-0 in an ODI series four years ago.

“We are really looking forward to this series against England. It will be hugely important for us,” said West Indies Women captain Hayley Matthews.

“I’m hoping we can pick up some points in the ICC Women’s Championship as we take on a strong opposition at home.

West Indies Women set to do battle with England Women

“We also have our eyes on the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa. It is always a big thing playing in a World Cup and this will be my first as captain so I will look to lead from the front.

“We will go in looking to play really good cricket and give it all we have.”

The Caribbean side has been drawn in Group Two for the February 10-26 World Cup, alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.

Group One comprises Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

West Indies are currently in a period of turbulent form where they have won only two of their last 10

ODI series and three of their last 10 T20I series.

ITINERARY December 4 – 1st ODI at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground December 6 – 2nd ODI at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground December 9 – 3rd ODI at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground December 11 – 1st T20I at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground December 14 – 2nd T20I at Kensington Oval December 17 – 3rd T20I at Kensington Oval December 18 – 4th T20I at Kensington Oval December 22 – 5th T20I at Kensington Oval CMC ed/22

Team Unknown cart...

(From back page)

government’s intent to develop Linden and all sports.

The event was also attended by the president of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde.

“The fact that they are willing to partici pate in a development project post-game with the winning team is very thoughtful”, the organisers expressed.

The organising body, New Era Entertainment, thanked ExxonMobil Guyana for their unwavering support of Lindeners, which has not gone unnoticed.

Martinelli named in Brazil’s... no Guimaraes, Liverpool's Fabinho and West Ham's Lucas Paqueta.

A talented selection of forwards sees the likes of Manchester United's Anthony and Tottenham's Richarlison join Paris St-Germain star Neymar in Qatar.

Firmino has not played for Brazil since last year's defeat by Argentina in the Copa America final, with his form this season not enough to force his way back in, with Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, plus Barcelona's Raphinha, also preferred.

Brazil have won five World Cup titles, with their most recent victory in 2002, but lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarter-finals in 2018.

BRAZIL SQUAD Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras) Defenders: Dani Alves (UNAM), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)

(From back page)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham) Forwards: Antony (Manchester United), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid). (BBC Sport).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday November 8, 2022

PM T20 Softball tournament bowls off Friday …Systems in place for mega softball extravaganza

By Frederick Halley WITH just three days remaining before the start of the sixth edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in collabora tion with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, the organisers have assured that all systems are in place for the mega softball extravaganza.

Some 30 teams, including four women teams, will be vying for supremacy when the action bowls off at 09.00 hrs on Friday with prize monies topping over two million dollars.

At Sunday’s draw, held at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) pavilion in Queenstown and conducted by GSCL President Ian John, it was revealed that the Masters Over-40 category will now consist of 10 teams, an increase of two from the original eight while the All Stars Open also sees an increase of two and now has eight teams.

John also disclosed that the four women’s teams will contest two semi-finals on Saturday afternoon with the two winners advancing to Saturday’s final. East Coast Warriors will take on

Trophy Stall Angels while Upper Demerara All Stars oppose 4 R Lioness. The women’s games will be of 12 overs duration.

The winners are guaranteed $200,000 and a trophy and the runners-up $25, 000 and a trophy. The player of the match in the final will collect a trophy while the player of the tournament gets a blender.

The winners of each of the three other categories (Open All Star, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over50) will waltz away with a huge $600,000 first prize and a trophy while the runners-up will collect $50,000 and a trophy. Each man-ofthe-match gets a trophy.

The MVP in the All Stars Open is guaranteed a 50inch flat screen television, the same as the Over-40 Masters winner while the Legends Over-50 MVP will receive a three-piece sofa.

Following are the preliminary round fixtures: Open All Stars – Friday morning: Group A - Name Brand vs Danging All Stars, Florida Finest vs Ariel All Stars; Group B – Speedboat vs Softball Cricket All Stars, City Star Boys vs Regal All Stars. Friday afternoon: Group A – Name Brand vs Florida Finest, Danging All Stars vs Ariel All Stars. Saturday morning: Group A – Name Brand

vs Ariel All Stars, Danging All Stars vs Florida Finest.

Masters Over-40 – Friday morning: Group B – Fisherman vs East Coast Titans, NYSCL vs Canal Number One Scorpions; Group A/C – Regal Masters vs Ariel Masters, Softball Cricket All Stars vs Corriverton, Hibernia vs Success Masters; Friday afternoon – Group B – Fisherman vs NYSCL, East Coast Titans vs Canal Number One Scorpions; Group A/C – Regal vs Corriverton, Softball Cricket All Stars vs Success Maters; Saturday morning – Group B – Fisherman vs Canal Number One Scorpions, East Coast Titans vs NYSCL; Group A/C – Regal vs Success Masters, Softball Cricket All Stars vs Ariel Masters, Hibernia vs Corriverton.

Legends Over-50 – Friday morning: Group A – Jai Hind vs Invaders, NYSCL vs Parika Defenders; Group B – Trophy Stall vs Regal Legends, Toucana Rangers vs East Coast Legends; Friday afternoon – Group A – Jai Hind vs NYSCL Legends, Invaders vs Parika Defenders; Group B – Trophy Stall vs Toucana Rangers, Regal vs East Coast Legends; Saturday morning – Group A – Jai Hind vs Parika Defenders, Invaders vs NYSCL Legends; Group B – Trophy Stall vs East

Coast Legends, Regal Legends vs Toucana Rangers.

The Open and Legends categories will see the winners of Group A opposing the runners-up in Group B while the winners of Group B battle the runners-up in Group A in Saturday’s semi-finals.

It should be noted that since the Masters Over40 division has 10 teams, based on Sunday’s draw, Group B consists of four teams while Groups A and C have three each. The winners of Group B play the runners- up from A/C while the winners of A/C take on the runners-up of B, based on the “criss cross’ system.

Among the venues identified to date for the preliminary rounds are Police Sports Club, Guyana Defence Force, Demer-

ara Cricket Club, Muslim Youth Organisation, Queen’s College, Transport Sports Club and Gandhi Youth Organisation. All four finals are set for the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, November 13.

At Sunday’s draw, John urged teams to ensure their lists of 15 players are submitted to the GSCL, with the cut off time being Thursday. No additional players will be allowed after the cut off time. He also advised that all teams will be responsible for their own welfare and are asked to purchase balls from Trophy Stall since only balls from that entity can be used in the tournament. A meet and greet is also planned for Thursday afternoon at 16:30 hrs in the DCC pavilion.

Among the several

sponsors are Banks DIH Ltd. (Rainforest Waters), Danny Persaud (YouTuber) It’s Our Life ARD, Trophy Stall, Pro Signs, I & S Trading, Tourism Guyana, Reliance Services, Parsram Discount Store, Ameer & Amrit Furniture Store, Khan’s Trading Enterprise, HL Latino America Furniture (Panama), P&P Insurance, Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Chung’s Global Enterprise, Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc., Crown Mining Supplies, Rudisa Motor Company (Guy) Inc., Freelancer Advertising Agency, Krisna & Amp; Balram Printery, Rajiv Gandhi University and Ofimak Office Supplies (Panama).

Olympic star Duffy eyes fourth world title after winning again on home soil HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Bermudian Dame Flora Duffy boosted her chances of landing an unprecedented fourth women’s triathlon world title after she stormed to victory here Sunday in the penultimate leg of this season’s calendar.

The win in the World Triathlon Championship Series maintained Duffy’s 100 per cent dominance on home soil having won the 2018 edition in similar fashion before missing out a year later through injury. Racing here in 2020 and 2021 was cancelled because of the government’s COVID-19 protocols.

Sunday’s margin of victory was almost as great as 2018 when she finished one minute 46 seconds ahead of

Olympic champion Flora Duffy

her nearest rival. This time, the gap was one minute 38 seconds as she crossed the line with Bermuda flag in hand on a breezy afternoon with an occasional shower in two hours one minute 26 seconds.

Racing in Bermuda for the first time since becoming Olympic champion last year, the 35-year-old Duffy did not disappoint the thousands of fans who lined the course, sprinting clear of her rivals.

American Taylor Knibb

finished second in 2:03:04 with Britain’s Beth Potter completing the podium in 2:03:17.

Sunday’s race – entailing a 1 500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike ride and 10-kilometre run – came nine days after Knibb was crowned Ironman 70.3 world champion in Utah, where Duffy finished fifth on her debut in the longer event.

Duffy emerged in second place after the swim and shared the bike lead with Dutchwoman Maya Kingma, who eventually finished sixth, before drawing clear on the run.

“I’m so thankful for Maya on the bike. She was so strong and we worked together nicely, and then the crowd just pulled me through on that 10-km run,”

said Duffy.

Duffy finds herself firmly in contention to retain her world ahead of the final in Abu Dhabi in three weeks’ time, sitting in second place on 3 856 points, just 69 adrift of British leader Georgia Taylor-Brown, who opted out of Bermuda to concentrate on preparations for Abu Dhabi.

With victory in the United Arab Emirates capital counting for an increased 1 250 points, the incentive for Duffy will be clear, with victory in the final race guaranteeing her the crown regardless of where her British rival finishes on November 25.

“Honestly, I think this is a little bit more special than in 2018 because I was under a lot more expectation to

have a race like this today,” said Duffy.

“In 2018 I managed to pull off that victory without any real major expectation whereas I knew everyone was going to come out and see me back here as Olympic champion so that made it even more special.

“I was hoping for a good day here and the race played out perfectly. The crowd was incredible and it was just such a special day.

“It sets me up great for Abu Dhabi. I needed to win today to keep that title chase open; thankfully, I did and so we will see what happens in three weeks.”

Duffy’s fellow Bermudian Erica Hawley, 24, crashed out on the bike leg, one of 10 athletes who did not finish the course.

MVP Sports in support of Arinze Chance for 2023

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo (left) hands over the endorsement package to Arinze Chance at the store’s Giftland Mall location

GUYANA’s national indoor 400m record holder and University of South Carolina standout, Arinze Chance, has landed his second major endorsement in Guyana, while joining the time-immemorial chorus of those who have called for substantial support for local athletes.

According to a release on Mon-

day, Chance received the endorsement of local sports equipment and apparel giant, MVP Sports over the weekend, and in an unselfish act of sportsmanship, called on the local administration of sport to do more for athletes. Powerade, which is distributed by Banks DIH Limited, has also endorsed Chance.

“For any athlete to succeed,

they need support and financial support is the most important form of support; athletes need encouragement,” Chance indicated, adding that his experience from competing across the world has taught him some valuable lessons about the sport. He said that importance of incentives for athletes cannot be understated.

He related that his counterparts right here in the Caribbean - Trinidad, Jamaica and others - are far more incentivised and supported at all levels than athletes here in Guyana and the results can be seen in those countries’ performances internationally, along with the added national benefit of sports tourism there.

According to Chance, Guyana loses a lot of athletes along the way as a result of this lack of more tangible support; he believes the lack of support is the missing link for greater success from sport generally, and affects Guyana’s ability to develop a national identity.

“Sports assist in helping a country TURN TO PAGE 20 ►

Martinelli named in Brazil’s World Team Unknown cart off ExxonMobil Futsal in Linden Cup squad but Firmino misses out

The victorious Team Unknown unit displaying the championship trophy in the presence of tournament officials and representatives from sponsors at the end of the ExxonMobil Futsal Championship

TEAM Unknown will now be known as the 2022 champions of the ExxonMobil Futsal tournament after defeating Team Achievers 17-8 in the final at the Retrieve Hard Court, Linden, on Saturday evening.

According to a release, Team Unknown has pocketed $500,000 for its firstprize position and will collaborate with ExxonMobil Guyana to execute a commu-

nity enhancement project in Linden.

Meanwhile, Team Achievers won the second prize of $200,000 while the third, Y.M.C.A, copped $100,000, and fourth, Team R9, got $50,000.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips in delivering closing remarks, congratulated all of the players for their outstanding performances and emphasized the TURN TO PAGE 22 ►

Gabriel Martinelli made his international debut this year and has three caps for Brazil

ARSENAL forward Gabriel Martinelli has been named in Brazil's squad for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar but Liverpool's Roberto Firmino has been left out.

Martinelli, 21, has scored five goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season, while Firmino, 31, misses out despite six goals in 12 games.

Striker Gabriel Jesus has been recalled after being left out of September's friendlies.

But there is no place for their Arsenal team-mate, defender Gabriel.

Brazil start their campaign against Serbia on 24 November, followed by games against Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G. There are 12 Premier League players in Tite's squad overall, with Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City's Ederson to battle for the starting goalkeeper's spot.

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has been named, while the midfielders include Manchester United's Casemiro and Fred, Newcastle's BruTURN TO PAGE 22 ►

PM T20 Softball tournament bowls off Friday …Systems in place for mega softball extravaganza PAGE

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022