Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04-12-2022

Resources mobilised to help Linden residents affected by landslide

A piece titled “Fraud and Criminality” appeared in the January 24, 2021 edi tion of the Guyana Chroni cle. The article contained comments which were inju rious to the reputation and

character of A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC) Parliamentarian Jermaine Figueira.

The Guyana National Newspapers Limited here

by retracts the publication, and expresses its sincere regret to Mr. Figueira for any grief, embarrassment, mockery, and torment the aforementioned article may have caused.

The Guyana National News papers Limited previously published several malicious articles that impugned the character of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Leader, and past Chief of Pakuri (St. Cuthbert’s Mission), Mr. Lennox Shuman.

The company hereby categorically retracts the contentious articles pub lished in the Guyana Chron icle, and sincerely apologises to Mr. Shuman and his fam ily for the hurt and embar rassment the articles might have caused them.

These articles were pub lished under the steward ship of the former Editorin-Chief.

We thank Mr. Shuman and his family for their un derstanding and agreement to dispose of these matters amicably.

- PM Phillips assesses situation, engages persons

Leading investment hub

GUYANA has positioned itself, for the first time, as the leading foreign direct investment (FDI) destina tion in the Caribbean, ac cording to the United Na tions Economic Commis sion for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

According to ECLAC, in its recent report on Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Carib bean, FDI inflows into the Caribbean in 2021 totalled US$8.9 billion, a 19.4 per cent increase when juxta posed with 2020.

“[This was] accounted for mainly by capital inflows in Guyana’s hydrocarbon sector, and increased FDI in the Dominican Republic,” the Commission said, add ing: “Guyana has positioned itself for the first time as the leading FDI destination in the sub-region, accounting for 50 per cent of inflows, followed by the Dominican

Republic at 35 per cent.”

Guyana, which has been showing exponential growth in FDI inflows since 2018, consolidated its position as the leading recipient of inward investment in the Caribbean in 2021, reporting an inflow of US$4.4 billion, some 116 per cent more than in 2020.

According to the Bank of Guyana, this growth was mainly due to the hydro carbon sector and the oil exploration project in the Liza field.

The sector is expected to continue to attract FDI in the coming years. One of the main players in oil production in the country, ExxonMobil of the United States, announced that it planned a US$10 billion increase in its oil investment in the Stabroek Block off the Guyanese coast, which is to include six drilling centres and 26 production wells.

The dynamism of the hydrocarbon sector was also responsible for announce ments in other related sec tors.

“In 2021, new FDI pro jects worth US$180 million were announced, an increase of 397 per cent over 2020. The sector with the largest share was telecommuni cations, owing to an an nouncement by Digicel of a project to lay a submarine cable to provide the country with high-technology tele phone and Internet services, with an estimated value of US$137 million.

“The project, however, is associated with oil-andgas exploration in the area, as the intention is to con nect oil platforms off the coast of Guyana with other territories and countries in the region, such as French Guiana, Suriname and Trin idad and Tobago,” ECLAC said.

It was reported, how ever, that even as the econ omy continues to grow, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and by extension the gov ernment, is committed to having Guyanese benefit from the investment oppor tunities that are available locally.

As part of this commit ment, the government, in December 2021, introduced the Local Content Act.

The law identifies 40 sectors or services, and requires oil firms and their subcontractors to purchase a minimum percentage of their total expenditure on those services from Guya nese vendors.

As a result, the Act cre ates an enabling environ ment for the growth and expansion of Guyanese businesses, as well as busi ness and job opportunities for Guyanese nationals.

“When we were con

sidering the Local Content Act, one of the recurring issues that arose was the question of ensuring that Guyanese businesses are not in a disadvantageous position relative to their international counterparts in competing for contracts with the oil-and-gas sector.

“This could arise, for example, where the sector is procuring a service, and the international companies tendering to supply that service enjoy a particular tax treatment on the impor tation of their capital equip ment to provide that service that Guyanese companies

might not enjoy,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibil ity for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said during his pres entation of Budget 2022 to the National Assembly on January 26.

He went on to say that in the interest of ensuring that Guyanese businesses could compete success fully under the new lo cal content framework, the government will take steps, wherever practica ble, to minimise dispari ties arising from the tax system that will disadvan tage Guyanese businesses.

All Children’s Homes’ high school graduates to get GOAL scholarships

- President Ali announces during special celebration for youngsters at State House

to pursue your studies,” Dr. Ali said.

The President implored the youngsters to take advantage of the opportunities, and told them that they are part of the development of the country.

He also encouraged them to continue to be good ambas sadors and to work together, while lauding the caregivers for their service and care.

The work of his Office, the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Human Services over the last year were also highlighted.

their lives, giving them more opportunities at an individual level, while bolstering support through new programmes at the different Homes.

One of those programmes will be the nurturing of tal ented youngsters.

we can share this time with you today. I am so happy that I’ll be sitting with you today, and we shall be eating to gether. Thank you very much. God bless you. We love you,” Dr. Ali said.

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that the govern ment will continue to roll out programmes to benefit all children, including those from Children’s Homes.

During a special Christ mas ceremony for young peo ple from over a dozen Chil dren’s Homes, the President

reminded them of their im portance to the development of Guyana.

“So, my dear children, I want you to know that we love you a lot; your country loves you. You are part of the One Guyana family,” President Ali said.

He related that in order

to ensure that the children are given opportunities, the Ministry of Education will place special emphasis on their education, including at the tertiary level.

“So, all the children from the Homes who will finish CXC will get a scholarship under the GOAL programme

“In the last year, we have been able to support many of the Homes; many of the children. We have been able to get more corporate support to make your life easier,” Dr. Ali said.

He also assured the chil dren that in the coming year, the government will be work ing on many new programmes to further enhance and enrich

“We also want to ensure that children in the Homes who have special talents that we can identify those children, and we can also give them opportunities… In many of the Homes, you have children who are gifted; some gifted in sport, some gifted in different talents; artistic talents. So we also want to work on support ing children in the Homes who have special talents,” the Head of State said.

The President, who was joined by his son, Zayd, wished the children a Merry Christmas, and said that he was elated to be able to spend time with them.

“We are so, so happy that

Along with special treats and toys, the children and their caregivers were treated to a string of lively, cultural performances from the boys and girls from the various Homes.

The Minister of Tour ism Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; the Min ister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame Mc Coy; the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President Abeena Moore and other staff of the Office of the President participated in the activity.

The President said that different teams will be dis patched to other Homes across regions for similar exercises. (Office of the President)

All high school graduates who are from Children’s Homes will each get a scholarship under the GOAL programme to pursue their studies (Office of the President photo)

- Guyana records highest foreign direct investments in the Caribbean

- ECLAC says country accounted for 50 per cent of inflows to the region in 2021

Visionary leadership responsible for Guyana’s forest preservation earnings

GUYANA’S ability to secure revenue from the sale of carbon cred its accrued from the preservation of forest resources is owed to the country’s vision ary leadership, private sector and civil society stakeholders have said.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), in a statement on Saturday, commended the Gov ernment of Guyana on its visionary leadership, which has resulted in Guyana becoming the first country to be is sued carbon credits for

successfully preventing forest loss and degrada tion under the REDD+ initiative.

“The Commission strongly believes that the deal signed on De cember 2, 2022 between

the government and Hess Corporation for Guyana to be paid a minimum of US$750 million between 2016 and 2030 is a dem onstration of Guyana’s commitment towards global climate action,”

the PSC said.

Importantly, accord ing to the Commission, the deal shows what cor porations like Hess, a partner in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, can do to demonstrate leadership and action in the fight against climate change.

The PSC envisions that the funds to be pro vided from this historic agreement will help re alise the objectives out lined in the Low-Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030).

President of the Guy

- private sector, civil society stakeholders say

ana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Manniram Prashad is also optimistic about this initiative.

He said: “Despite Guyana is projected to ramp up oil production to approximately one million barrels per day by the end of the decade, Guyana will still enjoy a net negative position in terms of carbon emis sion.

“The Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030) sets out the vision for a low- car bon economy through low-carbon energy, em ployment and develop ment opportunities, and investment in adapting to the impacts of climate change.”

The average annual weather-related disaster losses in the last five to ten years in “low” and “lower-middle” in come countries have reached US$1.3 billion and US$6.8 billion, re spectively.

Climate impacts un dermine resilience and the capacity to recover and absorb losses from these events, especially that of poorer countries and their citizens, by re ducing their agricultural productivity, weakening water and food security, increasing the incidence of diseases, and threat ening the existing in frastructure, economic productivity, and value chains.

Carbon credits earnings would further bridge hinterland, coastland divide

By Tamica Garnett

Amerindian communi ties are set to receive at least US$112 million from Guyana’s first sale of carbon credits, and village leaders are look ing forward to the funds being expended to fur ther bridge the divide in the delivery of services between the coastland and hinterland.

“It will place us in the proper direction for de velopment,” Micah Davis, Toshao of Toka Village in the North Rupununi, said in an invited comment.

He added: “This is the biggest amount I’ve ever seen being given directly to Amerindian communi ties. I don’t think that such a huge amount has ever happened to us, not that I know of.”

Utilities, particularly water and electricity, are some of the key areas Da vis is looking forward to seeing funding being di rected towards, as the hin terland communities tap into their well-deserved resources.

“Government is al

ready providing some amount for the communi ties, but there are a lot of areas that people need de velopment in, in terms of electricity and water sup ply. There’s also agricul ture. A lot of agriculture development is going on in the communities also but the weather conditions have put a lot of commu nities under strain right now. The weather condi tion a lot of persons suf fering from loss of crop,” he said.

The share that the Am erindian villages will be receiving comes as no surprise, as the govern ment had pledged that 15 per cent of Guyana’s car bon market earnings will be distributed directly to indigenous communities for village-led plans and programmes.

However, the Toshaos are, nonetheless, heart ened by the government’s commitment to continu ous development.

“When they were cam paigning, they said they would develop Amerin dian communities, and that’s what we expected.

So, to hear about it now is not too surprising because we believe that the gov ernment would do what they say. They started de livering on promises since early, and we continue to depend and believe in them,” Toshao Desmond James related.

James is the Toshao of Red Hill in Mabaru ma Region One (Bari ma-Waini). He sees the money as going a long way in helping to develop the education and health sectors in the indigenous communities.

“It will be real good for us, a big help for eve ryone. I’m sure every one will be glad to hear about it, it will very useful at this time, our villages would be able to upgrade themselves. Everything would be coming to the hinterland, just like the coastland out there, we wouldn’t have that differ ence between the hinter land and the coastland,” he said.

It was on Friday that Guyana signed the pur chase agreement with oil giant Hess Corporation

to sell 30 per cent of the country’s high-quality, REDD+ jurisdictional car bon credits for at least US$750 million.

HUGE ACHIEVE MENT

The signed deal marks a huge achievement in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which outlines how Guyana’s lush for est resources would be sustainably leveraged to advance the country’s de velopmental efforts.

The government had tabled an updated LCDS – LCDS 2030 - in the National Assembly in Au gust. The updated strategy was crafted after consulta tions with Guyana’s In digenous Peoples, who traditionally occupy many of the forested areas.

Toshaos, played an im portant role in producing the village plans, which underpin locally-led ef forts for investment in priorities identified by villages themselves, to progress the overall objec tives of LCDS 2030.

In August 2022, the National Toshao Council

(NTC) passed a resolution in support of the LCDS 2030 and its proposals for sharing the benefits of potential revenues from the sale of carbon credits in the voluntary carbon markets.

On behalf of his col leagues Chairman of the NTC, Toshao Derrick John, welcomed Guyana’s signing of the agreement with Hess Corporation, calling it an important milestone for Guyana’s programme on low-carbon development.

“As the national body which represents all elect ed Indigenous villages leaders in Guyana, the NTC is pleased that Guy ana is pioneering efforts on climate finance that will bring direct benefits to Indigenous peoples in advancing climate re silience and sustainable livelihood opportunities,” John said.

Executive Director of

the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), Jean La Rose, is also look ing forward to seeing the Amerindian communi ties prudently manage the resources to bring about their overall development.

“I’m still absorbing what it really means. The bottom line of all of this is that Indigenous peo ple need to understand in the long term what they seek to have being input into their communities, because there’s so many things,” La Rose said.

She related: “Indigenous communities need a lot of support. You can talk about infrastructure for the communities, economic support for the communities, voca tional institutions for the communities, there can be focus on women and youth, particularly and addressing some of the social issues affecting the communities.”

Desmond James, Toshao of Red Hill in Region One

Micah Davis, Toshao of Toka North Rupununi Region Nine NTC Chairman, Derrick John, Toshao of Moraikobai in Region Five APA Executive Director, Jean La Rose

- Amerindian leaders say, welcome initiative by government to earn from the preservation of Guyana’s forests

A Visionary Leader

WHEN the PPP/C admin istration, under the presi dency of then-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, way back in the early 2000’s, took a decision to take the country along the path of a Low Carbon Development trajectory, it was greeted with skepticism by some opposition elements.

That did not, however, deter the PPP/C administra tion from pursuing its green developmental agenda, one in which there is the right balance between economic development and environ mental sustainability.

The idea of taking ad vantage of the sustainable utilisation of our forestry resources was first mooted

in the mid 1990’s when for mer President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan argued the case for compensation by the inter national community for our standing forests.

But it was former Presi dent and now Vice-pres ident, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo who, as it were, took the bull by the horns and made compensation a front burner issue not only for Guyana, but also for the rest of the world.

His strong and relentless advocacy for sustainable use of forest resources earned him the title of “Champion of the Earth,” a designation which no doubt gave him an enhanced voice and re ceptivity from among those

who occupy the corridors of big power environmental politics.

Now, thanks to his strong advocacy together with that of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, Guyana will now receive the minimum of US$750 million from the sale of carbon credits (for est preservation) to HESS Corporation.

There are a few mis guided elements who are attempting to create a false and misleading perception of operatives in the oil and gas industry using carbon credits to pay their way out of environmental hazards. This view is based primar ily out of ignorance or an attempt at deception. In

actual fact, the agreement is a win-win situation for both parties.

The fact is that this agreement between Hess Corporation and the Guyana Government is historic and highly significant. Guyana now has the distinction of being the first country to benefit from the issuance of the REDD+ Environ mental Excellence Standard (TREES) credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compliant carbon mar kets for successfully pre venting forest loss and deg radation, a process referred to as jurisdictional REDD+.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Ali hailed the contribution of

Vice-President Jagdeo and his far-reaching vision and efforts in lobbying for fi nancing for climate change.

The signing ceremony was the result of years of advocacy, and in the words of President Ali, is not only bold and innovative, but also indicative of the leader ship role played by Guyana on a very critical and impor tant global issue.

The importance of the forest and its significance in the fight against climate change has consistently been championed by Guy ana and more specifically Vice-President Jagdeo, a view shared by Chief Exec utive Officer of Hess Corpo ration, John Hess, who cred

ited the landmark agreement reached to the hard work put in by Dr. Jagdeo.

“It has been a long walk coming over 15 years,” the Vice-President said, add ed: “This is why we are so pleased today; we are evolv ing closer to the compliance market.”

There are going to be the pessimists and nay sayers in our midst who would seek to throw cold water on this monumental achievement. But credit must be given where it is due, namely to the hard and diligent work by our Vice-President whose vi sionary leadership on this matter is now paying divi dends.

President Ali’s vision for Guyana

Dear Editor,

IT is said by many in and out of Guyana that Presi dent, Dr Irfaan Ali is the right President at the right time for Guyana amidst the oil revenues, which he stated will be used to mod ernise the country’s aging infrastructure, improve education and health care, expand the agricultural, mining and poultry sec tors, but most importantly, to develop the country and improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Notable are President Ali’s recent visits to some of the known vulnerable areas of the city including Albouystown and Leopold Street, perhaps the two areas with the most notorious repu tations for violent crimes, poverty and high unemploy

ment.

His engagements with the residents of Herstelling and Grove on the East Bank of Demerara also show the true character of a Presi dent who cares and also revealed that he is sincere and is concerned with the development of every com munity.

In many of his speeches, President Ali has said that he is the President of all the people and that one of his administration’s primary goals is to create 50,000 new jobs, provide houses and house lots to those who need them, increase old age pen sions and salaries for public servants and the military and para-military, improve the well-being of the peo ple, especially the poor, and transform Guyana from an

underdeveloped nation to a developed country.

His “One Guyana” vision is the embodiment of a united country of one people, one nation, striving to achieve one destiny.

A young, ambitious and vivacious President, Dr Ali strongly believes in a united Guyana and has so far done and continues to do every thing in his power to bring unity to a nation that has been divided for more than six decades.

Many experts on devel opment believe that since independence in 1966, the di vision of the races has stalled progress and hampered de velopment of the country. However, history has shown that no other president has gone to the extent as Presi dent Ali has done to heal the

racial divide in the country.

His vision for Guyana rests heavily on his “One Guyana” initiative, which is solid proof of his serious ness, sincerity and resolute ness to reconcile the differ ences and bitterness between Indo-and-Afro-Guyanese and merge them into one as Guyanese

But make no mistake, President Ali knows that he cannot do it alone. To this end, he has summoned every individual from every race and ethnicity, regardless of party affiliation, every organ isation, public and private, and his Cabinet to contribute to this noble and worthy mission.

Unlike the past, develop ment is happening all over Guyana today, in every com munity and neighbourhood,

thanks to President, Dr Ali, who believes that every area of the country is vital to the country’s improvement, ex pansion and growth.

The President has em phasised that it is crucial for everyone at home and in the diaspora, regardless of race, ethnicity or party affiliation to be involved in the devel opment of Guyana. He has maintained that his adminis tration will make sure that no region and no one will be left out of the development pro cess because Guyana belongs to all Guyanese.

This is one of the reasons that he has launched the “One Guyana” initiative and his 1,000-Men on a Mission programme, which is to ad dress the problems faced by men and youths, such as crime, domestic violence,

unemployment, poverty and the lack of proper education, among others.

Since assuming office in August 2020, President Ali has focused much of his attention on the problems facing youths who are 65 per cent of the country’s popula tion. His goal is to provide them with alternatives to crimes and violence and to make them good, decent and productive citizens in the 21st century.

With the discovery of more than 10 billion bar rels of oil and billions of dollars in revenue expected, Guyana is well poised to be the wealthiest country in the world on a per capita basis under President Ali’s leadership.

Yours respectfully, Dr Asquith Rose

The PNC continues its attempts to destabilise a thriving Guyana

Dear Editor,

TO close out the previous week, President, Dr Irfaan Ali did a walkabout on the Seadam Squatting Area at Herstelling and Grove, EBD, engaging the com munities in a number of issues. Last week began with President Ali con ducting a walkabout in the Leopold Street area with the Home Affairs Minister and the Commis sioner of Police.

The EPA approved Exx onMobil to commence the US$1.3 billion gas-to en ergy project. Discussions were initiated regarding visa-free travel to Canada and Italy for Guyanese. GECOM started its coun trywide distribution of ID cards.

Guyana to receive US$750 million from HESS for carbon credits via TREES. As you com mence the crazy shopping spree over the commercial ised festive season and stay glued to the TV watching

exciting cricket and foot ball, please pause to view the week’s reviews with the news:

1) President Ali said at Herstelling: “We’ll work with you guys so that we can create better conditions for [the Venezuelans] peo ple to live also.” Despite the border issue, The PPP/C Government has welcomed Venezuelans who are seek ing betterment, having es caped hardship from their country.

2) At Leopold Street, President Ali underscored: “Every community has the capacity to make a positive influence regardless of the challenges.” He promised to work with the youths and some 50-plus young people will be trained and employed in the construc tion sector.

3) Minister within the Prime Minister’s Office, Kwame McCoy, warned, “…their {Saul and his fearmongering squaddies} intellectual authors will

continue to be isolated and fiercely rebuffed by every truly patriotic citizen of our country, even among their political strongholds; and their plans and schemes will eventually fall into the long arms of the law.” Pock ets of insurgents carefully orchestrated by the PNC propaganda machinery are perpetually popping up with their distortions, deceit and dishonesty.

4) Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips summed up: “The APNU+AFC cabal and af filiated groups continue with desperate attempts at race-baiting, which they hope will incite civil unrest against the democratically elected PPP/C Government, and end the tremendous benefits being experienced by all.”

5) Attorney General Anil Nandlall noted: “It [the CCJ], has been a great blessing for Guyana and the people of Guyana.” The CCJ has saved Guyana from

destruction via many of its pronouncements against the PNC regime. Guyana has filed the most cases at the CCJ.

6) At the Presidential CoI into the General and Regional Elections, Ro salinda Rasul declared: “I saw, most definitely, that the numbers for some of the SOPs for the APNU were scratched with a high number being written, and the numbers for the PPP were scratched with a lower number replacing those.” GECOM employees were taking instructions from PNC agents!

7) China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan remarked: “Healthcare de velopment is a common pursuit of your country. So, China is trying and when we are striving to improve our healthcare, we are trying within our ca pacity to support Guyana.” The Chinese Ambassador handed over a cash grant of US$200,000 to the Ministry

of Health to procure medi cal supplies.

8) Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, debated: “We [the government] were mindful of and determined to avoid replacing a regime that substantially disad vantaged the buyer with one that disadvantaged the seller.” The Hire Purchase Bill was revisited to provide regulation of hire purchas es, credit sales, and condi tional sale agreements.

9) President Ali said at the carbon credits sign ing ceremony: “Today’s announcement is not only bold and innovative, but is also part of Guyana demon strating leadership on a very critical and important issue. Developing counties have the capacity to present solu tions to global problems.”

The PPP/C Government has negotiated a US$750 million deal with HESS for Guyana’s carbon credit.

10) Vice President Jagdeo said: “Just to put

things in perspective, we’re selling 30 per cent of the credits available to Guy ana over the period 2016 to 2030 for a minimum of $750 million; that’s a floor. Why do we say mini mum? Because based on parameters established in the agreement, should there be movement in prices, we will share 60 per cent of the upside in movement of those prices. So, we an ticipate the market to grow, the value of credit to grow in the future years and the agreement that we’re sign ing with Hess would allow us to share those upside benefits.” President Ali was loud in praise for the VP’s innovative and invincible initiative.

As the season’s fes tivities start, do practise Invajy’s: “Smiling is the best way to face every problem, to crush every fear and to hide every problem.”

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

Visionary leadership responsible for...

FROM PAGE 4

“More focus needs to be placed on the more vulnerable groups who are the victims suffering the most from the wrath of such catastrophes. This should not only be limited to sustainable development work to lift people out of poverty by economic empower ment through education, but countries also must divert investment into building climate resilient infrastructure,” Prashad said.

The Chamber said to move towards climate resilience, countries would need to design disaster risk reduction and climate change ad aptation strategies. The objective in so doing is to build climate-resilient economies while simul

taneously developing creative financing solu tions over the long-term to be able to adequately respond to the financial and economic damages whenever such risks oc cur in member states.

In commending the government, the GOGEC said Guyana’s expanded LCDS frame work and this innova tive carbon-credit model is demonstrative of its stewardship in success fully leading in these respects.

The Federation of In dependent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) also extended congratula tions to the Government of Guyana, particularly President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on the sale of carbon credits.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Federation ac knowledged that Guyana is once again in the fore front of environmental protection and mitiga tion of the existential challenges posed by cli mate change.

“As a patriotic or ganisation, we see the agreement inked with the Hess Corporation as yet another milestone in our long-standing efforts to preserve our forests to the benefit of the world’s people. The unlocking of further resources for national development, with a substantial sum directed to our First Peo ples is yet another reason for the Federation to be optimistic for the future.

“The FITUG, hav ing participated in the

deliberations on the Low-Carbon Develop ment Strategy (LCDS) in its present and past incarnations, is of the firm belief that the strat egy offers our people a roadmap for the future, which balances our de velopment ambitions and our environment,” the Federation said.

The group, however, lamented: “We believe that had valuable time not been lost between 2015 and 2020 [under the APNU+AFC], our efforts may have been further along. Inasmuch as we are disappointed by the lack of emphasis during that period, we believe that every effort will be made to make up some of the time lost. We also anticipate that in the coming times, further

sale will accrue greater resources for a service our country provides to the entire planet.”

In a statement, the Association for Democ racy and Human Rights (ADHR) said, too, that with the specific actions contained in the LowCarbon Development Strategy 2030, Guyana stands at the summit of advancing the global cause to reduce carbon emissions.

“This move is in view of the scientifically proven fact that in order to avert the worst im pacts of climate change, and preserve a livable planet, the carbon emis sions in the atmosphere need to be absorbed by the oceans and forests,” the Association said.

As such, the ADHR

believes that the signing between Hess and Guy ana reinforces Guyana’s position as a leader in advancing global efforts for a “green” future, with the country hav ing more than 18 mil lion hectares of forests storing an estimated 20 billion gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equiva lent, the Government of Guyana’s low-carbon trajectory lends to an economically-bright and environmentally sound future for the country.

“Even more com mendable is the an nouncement of the in stantaneous apportion ing of over US$112M, or the benchmark 15 per cent of all Carbon Credit sale to go to Am erindian communities,” the Association said.

Guyana’s growing safety and training capacity

THE steady growth in the oil and gas sector means that more than 1,000 local companies have been able to participate in the oil and gas economy. Achiev ing this feat is not just a matter of technical or spe cialised skills, but also help ing companies adhere to the robust safety practices and standards necessary to safeguard workers and the environment.

Effective training and worker development pro grammes are central to max imising and capturing the most value from Guyana’s natural resources while pro tecting the environment. Helping local companies work towards internationallevel safety and quality certi

fications is vital in an indus try like oil and gas. Because oil companies build complex engineering projects in some of the world’s most challeng ing environments, the safety standards they require from contractors are very high.

As the industry has grown, so have the safety of ferings to businesses operat ing in the sector. Companies can already take advantage of training opportunities and certification programmes through the industry-funded Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD). The CLBD has been instrumental for the business commu nity by prioritising capacitybuilding and providing guid ance for companies that want to get involved. Since 2017,

the Centre has conducted seminars for over 4,500 par ticipants, cultivated over 750 oil and gas sector vendors, and delivered Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) training and certifi cation programmes to over 310 businesses.

Last month, OPITO, a global, not-for-profit skills body for the energy industry granted certification to 3t EnerMech’s Training Centre of Excellence at Lusignan on the East Coast Demerara. The new courses on offer at the Lusignan facility include the Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emer gency Training (BOSIET), Helicopter Underwater Es cape Training (HUET) and Further Offshore Emergen

cy Training (FOET) with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS). With the globally recognised certification, the centre can now effectively train offshore workers in the skill areas necessary to maintain safety. All these measures are part of the delicate balance of marrying rapid develop ment with strong local in volvement and careful safety measures. For Guyana, the incentive for a fast pace of development is clear – the global transition away from fossil fuels is imminent. Moving quickly means more near-term revenues, while multiple projects back-toback mean economies of scale that bring down costs and create momentum for lo cal companies, and develop ing a skilled workforce.

In November, CLBD held its HSSE Management Sys tem Awards which celebrated the 30 companies that have completed the programmes this year. This is part of a

wider push to improve the safety culture for firms look ing to join the oil and gas space and ensure that they are ready to operate at the demanding levels of preci sion needed.

Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Pe ters, the Centre’s Director, who spoke at the event, high lighted that “[the] creation of an HSSE Management Sys tem in your businesses will not only help you to better compete for contracts in the oil and gas industry, but in other diverse sectors.”

Local companies receiv ing training are now in a positive position to leverage the local content provisions to succeed.

We are already seeing this policy pay off, according to the Head of Guyana’s Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Mar tin Pertab. He explained to attendees that the oil and gas sector has exceeded its 2022 targets for the training and hiring of Guyanese in this lucrative and growing sector.

By June, the contrac tors and sub-contractors in Guy ana’s oil and gas in dustry spent US$3.3 mil lion (GYD$691,243,410) on training locals, surpass ing the US$1.8 million (GYD$377,041,860) tar get by around 80 per-cent. Companies committed to hiring over 800 locals for the industry this year—a number they also surpassed in June, with more than 850 locals hired in the first half of 2022. Year-end numbers are expected to show similar growth.

It is clear that even though there is still a long way to go, Guyanese are being equipped with the right tools to be able to safely and effectively par ticipate in the industry. These extensive invest ments in training pro grammes can help create a culture of safety that is crucial to long-term suc cess of the industry and strong local participation.

Nah lash me pickney

THE following headline in The Guyana Times on November 20, 2022: “You can’t abuse people’s chil dren – Manickchand warns teachers” brings back memories of my younger years attending Messiah Government School at No. 71 Village and Skeldon Line Path Government Secondary School, in the Corentyne Berbice that are worth sharing.

Let me begin by quoting Education Minister Priya Manickchand: “You [teach ers] can’t beat people’s chil dren black and blue. You can’t abuse people’s children and believe, somehow or the other, that is the order of the day. Look at you; young, fresh citizens of this world who must inform yourselves of what is the new, civilized behaviour.”

Minister Manickchand was simply repeating a social practice that has been going on for centuries in Guyana. In a plea for more meaning ful ways of teaching, she

reasoned that it is important “to understand that every single child in there could be adversely affected by your terrible attitude or really feel like the most valued human being by your good attitude. Sometimes it’s not even what you teach, it’s how you make children feel.” In one breath, the Education Minister was a teacher, psychologist, and disciplinarian.

School corporal punish ment is when physical and psychological pain are in flicted by teachers on stu dents when they do not con form to the desired expecta tions of a classroom. A whip, wild cane, ruler, chalk board erasure, belts, or slaps are used by teachers to conduct corporal punishment.

Boys are generally whipped on the buttocks and girls on the palms of their hands. On some occasions, boys and girls are whipped on the back while sitting, a painful experience since that area is difficult to reach and rub. Corporal punishment

was implemented in Guyana during British colonial days in the nineteenth and twenti eth centuries and justified by a clause in common law doc trine known as loco parentis.

Teachers are given the same rights as parents to dis cipline and punish students in their care or supervision. For example, if a student misbehaves in school, play ground included, the teacher, instead of calling or speaking with the parents, will do what he thinks the parents would have done.

This means, in Guyana, “drop lash.” I have over heard stories of how parents encouraged teachers to dis cipline their children when out of their care, thinking if the complaint is coming from the teacher, then the teacher must be right. This situation gets worse if a relative is the teacher who is instructing the student since the conversa tion of school performance and behaviour is closer to home and normally occurs and erupts at any given time.

I remember in prepara tion to take the common entrance examination at the age of 10, the teacher was merciless in his whipping spree, averaging about 100 lashes per a day from Sep tember to May, excluding the holiday breaks.

I recall one student was whipped so much that he had diarrhoea in class, an embarrassment he carried with him most of his life. Other students did not attend school but hid in the nearby bushes. There was one stu dent who was remarkably familiar with the backlands of the school where there were black sage plants/trees. The teacher would ask him to go there every morning and bring back twenty black sage whips, and man, he was good at bringing back wellgroomed ones.

The black sage whips were green, flexible and firm and when administered on the buttocks of the khaki drill pants you could hear the sound about 100 yards away.

I ran into this former class mate some time back and I asked him why he chose to bring the best of black sage whips to the teacher. He replied by saying, “He used to drop am in me rass first.”

Was I whipped at Mes siah Government School? Oh yes, but we had a silent game to deal with the whip pings. Those of us who took the whippings and did not rub or cry were the toughest. What a reward! I did qualify for common entrance and up to this day, I am not sure if I did so because of studying or the whippings.

Now on to Skeldon Line Path Secondary, where I was growing into a young man, experimenting with things some young men did. Before I get into my story let me say that the school had some good teachers who did not hit students such as Ms. Per saud, Madan Jagdeo, and Jai, among others.

They were friendly. So, one day, I experimented with smoking a cigarette

and somehow the news went back to a teacher named by a generation of students after a TV character, Bud…Butt. He called me in and questioned me for about an hour and I caved. The next day, the man flogged me (three strokes) in front of the class. I was about to forgive this man but in a recent conversation with a fellow classmate who met him at a Line Path reunion in New York, said the teacher/ TV character was proud of how he treated students at Line Path.

In closing, I refer you, the teachers, back to Minis ter Manickchand when she declared that Guyana “will hold you accountable be cause people want a better, nicer, more developed Guy ana.” I take the position that physical punishment in the classroom is ineffec tive in the long term, since it disturbs learning and creates anti-social behav iour (lomarsh.roopnarine@ jsums.edu).

Keeping the promise to provide free education

GUYANA has come a far way in the struggle and fight to educate its citizenry on par with other educa tional institutions across the region and further afield.

IT has attained universal nursery and primary educa tion. The country, though small in terms of its popula tion, is progressing rapidly towards the attainment of universal secondary educa tion, but there are challenges that the Education Ministry has encountered which are being addressed in order to clear the way for this stellar achievement.

At the same time, the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) back in 2020 promised to focus its atten tion much more on ensuring the delivery of quality educa tion for all.

It promised to build and expand educational facilities in Guyana, expand the use of ICT in education, facilitate

the establishment of an on line university and promote e-learning for hinterland stu dents, provide 20,000 online scholarships, provide free education at the University of Guyana (UG) within five years, and provide a pathway for debt write-off for students with outstanding student loans, among other things.

The aforementioned things are already being done since the PPP/C party got into government in August 2020.

To his credit, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has reiter ated that he stands firm and committed to the promise he made to the Guyanese people. He hammered home the point that the PPP Gov ernment is working on creat ing a 21st century education system in the country.

President Ali was quoted too as saying that the govern ment will increase education expenditure to 20 per cent of the national budget, which he

noted, will ensure adequate and sustainable financing for the education sector.

Only Friday, he said that the carbon credits money which Guyana received will go into the pockets of the people and several develop mental projects aimed at the improvement of their liveli hoods, especially through education.

Firstly, the government must be commended for its stellar and committed effort to education, as seen by the type of modern and realistic policies it rolls out yearly without discrimination and marginalisation of ethnic minorities.

It has geared every policy in the education sector to wards the creation of fair ness, balance, transparency and accountability in educa tion.

Additionally, the policies that govern access to educa tion are forward-thinking and futuristic in nature.

For example, the Educa tion Cash Grant, which is $30,000, has positively im pacted the lives of thousands of students and families, assisting them with prepara tion for school, transportation costs, and other expenditures. It will be $50,000 by 2025 and is expected to further im prove school attendance and other concomitant social fac tors in a child’s school life.

Also, the policy on exam inations has yielded results for many in Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and

Sciences, thereby produc ing the best and most wellrounded students all the way through to the secondary levels.

The bottom line is the policy regiments are work ing and Guyana is develop ing rapidly into a nation that leads in the delivery of education.

Secondly, the promise to provide free education at the tertiary level is a major leap in the education delivery of this nation.

This is a big step forward

and a laudable philosophy that is enshrined in Article 27 of the Constitution of Guyana, which reads: “Every citizen has the right to a free education from nursery to university, as well as at non-formal places where op portunities are provided for education and training.”

One has to keep focused on how the government plans to roll out its promises, par ticularly when it comes to making education free at the University of Guyana.

$356M in contracts signed to upgrade Parika, Leonora markets

Residents and vendors in Region Three will ben efit from upgrades to the Parika and Leonora markets.

The two contracts for the works cost approxi mately $356.245 million and will enable vendors to ply their trade in a designated area, provid ing them with opportuni ties for enhanced trade.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to a few vendors, who were elated at the government’s interven tions.

One such resident was Jason McKenzie, who said that the market improve ments would do wonders for his craft business.

“It will give us a boost in the business sector. It’s going to be more organ ised, and easier for us to put forward our produce,” he noted.

Another resident, Sid diqi Hanif, expressed that he appreciates the level of

commitment to improv ing the business prospects of residents in the com munity.

He said, “I want to say how happy I am. The signing of this contract is one of the biggest leaps that we have seen in the

direction of the president’s initiative to uplift our mar ket. We hope that when the tarmac is completed, the vendors will comply with the requirements. So, we would like to thank the president for this initiative and I know that he has a lot more in the pipeline for our region.”

Rajdai Ramotar,who has been a vendor for 50 years, thanked President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali for taking the initiative, stating, “I’m happy about it because if everybody is in here, it’s going to be better. Since everybody will be in the same place, customers won’t buy on the road and turn around to go home. They will be coming in, and walking around to see what they need.”

Minister Indar assured residents that this develop ment is only one aspect of the greater plan to foster development in Region Three.

The minister said, “We respect everybody and their right to earn a living. We applaud the people coming out to make an honest living, and we want to make sure that that hon est living and the standard is improved.”

Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall said the mod ernisation of the markets will benefit vendors who conduct business on the parapets, providing them with a tarmac so that vend ing is done in a healthy manner.

Keeping the promise...

FROM PAGE 9

The President’s vision of making the tertiary level education at not only UG, but also throughout Guyana free, is commendable to say the least.

After all, tertiary educa tion was already in place at UG in 1976 and lasted until 1994, when the PPP/C Government could not sus tain the financial burden and there were several cost recovery and economic cuts made to get the country back on the path to eco nomic recovery.

Now, after years of prof itability and newfound oil and gas wealth, the PPP/C

could afford to make its promise a reality, but it should be studied carefully before the plan is announced publicly.

Additionally, UG still has a complexity of prob lems which are related to its management, manpower and money, so it will take a considerable amount of time and resources to make UG great again and its tertiary education accessible to all.

By 2025, one would think that President Ali could get this task done and deliver on his commitment, as he has done in so many other areas of socioeco nomic development.

Notably, do not be sur prised if it is in the upcom ing 2023 National Budget and a higher amount of funds go towards the educa tion sector.

Finally, the education sector is in good hands with a wider vision and commitment to the sector shown by President Ali and Education Minister Priya Manickchand. Together they plan on taking this country into the realms of a modern, reformed and technologically advanced education nation, but all hands must be on board –the unions, teachers, educa tion officials and students.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharam lall, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, led the signing ceremony.

“We believe that we have to make this centre of business much more upgraded and enhanced. We expect that vendors are going to use this op portunity to improve their businesses,” he said.

Moreover, he assured vendors that they will

not be displaced during the construction process, which is expected to last five months.

Minister Dharamlall affirmed, “While the con struction is taking place no one is going to be affected in the sense that we don’t expect you to be moving out. What we expect, at the end of the five months, is that the vendors who are on the roads will also be able to come back into the market and occupy it,”

He added that, “While we are develop ing as a country, we also have to create a better environment for people to do their business. This is an investment in your business. Regions Three and Four are where a lot of the development is currently taking place, and you have to grasp the opportunity now and make sure that you are part of this bigger plan of President Ali and the PPP/C government.”

(DPI)

Artist impression of the completed upgrades to the Parika Market

Artist impression of the completed upgrades to the Parika Market

Resources mobilised to help Linden residents affected by landslide

PM Phillips assesses situation, engages persons

By Cindy Parkinson

IN light of the recent landslide at Poker Street, Wismar, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Ber bice), Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips paid the commu nity a visit on Saturday.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that having assessed the situation, the Prime Minister then spoke with those residents who were affected by the mis hap.

He was also informed that the private contractor responsible for the acci dent has made a commit ment to rebuild the houses that were damaged due to the excavation work he was conducting in the community when the land slide occurred.

Prime Minister Phillips spoke with regional of ficials, who informed him that they are working with contractors and other in dividuals to clear the rub ble from the area so that power could be restored to the community by the end of this week.

The Prime Minister also seized the opportunity to meet with other resi dents of the community besides those affected by

the incident.

In a telephone inter view with the Guyana Chronicle, Regional Ex ecutive Officer for Re gion Ten, Dwight John expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister’s inter vention, saying: “For me, personally and also the residents of the commu nity, the Prime Minister’s visit is well appreciated. It is commendable that he has taken the time off to come to Linden to make sure that the residents who were affected by this trag edy are being looked after, and will be looked after.”

As he went on to say, “His concern as a gov ernment official and as a father and a husband is well appreciated in the community. He also spoke with other residents in the area who were not affected by the event, but he called on them, too.

“We are all family here in this area, and we should look out for each other. And that is one of the things that the Prime Min ister tried to instill in the people when he met with them; that we have to look after each other.”

According to John, the regional administration is committed to assisting

those residents who were affected by the landslide in “getting back on their feet in the shortest pos sible time.”

The REO said, too, that Symon Harry, the private contractor at the centre of the mishap has given his assurance to the Prime Minister, himself and the individuals who are affected that he will ensure that their houses are rebuilt.

He said that the Minis try of Agriculture has sent a “long-boom” excavator to assist in the clearing of the debris, and that the Linden Technical Insti tute (LTI) has provided a ‘Bobcat’ and a large frontend loader to assist in the cleanup exercise.

Dwight also noted that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is waiting for the roads to be cleared so that they can commence planting the new utility posts. He wanted the peo ple who are affected by the lack of electricity to know that it will be restored by the upcoming week.

The REO also reas sured the public that those who lost their homes are safe, and stay ing with other relatives until theirs are rebuilt.

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Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, regional officials and residents walking through the Poker Street community on Saturday in the aftermath of the landslide (Dwight John photo)

Remarkable gender parity recorded across all sectors

- Minister Rodrigues says, outlines specific areas of significant improvement

“When you study that re port in depth, when you look at the numbers of Guyana when compared to coun tries of the Caribbean or Latin America or even the developed world, this is an indication that the growth in our economy is matching the economic participation, op portunity and development of the country, and of its people as a whole,” Minister Rodrigues said.

By Tamica Garnett

THE government has been making significant strides in the area of gender par ity, and this could been seen by the remarkable equity for women in the ar eas of education, housing, finance, agriculture and many other sectors, Min ister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues has said.

In her address at the Women’s Chamber of Com merce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG) Founder’s Award and Dinner on Saturday, Minister Rodrigues not only said that a lot is being done to promote gender equal ity, but also shared statistics from a number of govern ment programmes which sig nificantly benefited women.

According to the min ister, in the area of hous ing, approximately 8,000 or 44 per cent of the 18,052 house lots allocated by the government over the past two years were allocated to single women, while another 5,136, or 28 per cent, of the applications had women as part of a joint application.

“The impact of this on these woman’s life is un imaginable, to achieve this status of independence,” Minister Rodrigues said.

Meanwhile at the Guy ana Bank of Trade and In dustry, some $4.4 billion in loans, including commercial loans and mortgages, went to women-only transactions.

At the New Building So ciety (NBS), single holders female customers received

a whopping $17.3 billion in loans, representing 25.8 per cent of the institution’s total mortgage portfolio.

Further, according to Minister Rodrigues, in ag riculture, 33 per cent of the country’s farmers are women.

This will be further bol stered by conscious targets that the government has placed for women’s involve ment in several ongoing and upcoming food security projects and programmes. This includes the shadehouse project, and black belly sheep initiative.

“This is active, and con scious planning and ensuring all the projects and pro grammes are geared towards helping women,” Minis ter Rodrigues said, add ing: “When you see women achieving it, it is because we have the right policy and programmes. These things don’t happen by accident; you have to put an emphasis on vulnerable groups, as a government, and women fall into that category.”

In education, the minister noted that approximately 69 per cent of the 6,000 scholar ships awarded in 2021 under the Guyana Online Learn ing Academy (GOAL) pro gramme were female, while in 2022, women accounted for another 68 per cent of the awardees.

Minister Rodrigues also pointed to the massive achievement the country saw in its improved ranking in the recent World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2022.

She added: “We are pas sionate about building this country, and ensuring that the next generation of lead ers, young people and chil dren, have a better Guyana left for them. That is my ultimate dream for the young people.”

In statistics from the re port, Guyana leapt from being ranked 53rd to 35th for gender equality globally.

A total of 146 countries were assessed for the report from the Geneva, Switzer land-based organization, which has been tracking progress on the closing of gender gaps globally since 2006.

For Latin America and the Caribbean, the report noted that Guyana is one of three countries that has “im proved their gender parity scores the most” from 2021 to now.

For educational attain ment, the country moved 39 places from 91st in 2021 to 57th in 2022.

As it relates to health and survival, 2021 saw the coun try scoring first with other countries, and maintaining that position in 2022 with 27 other countries placing first for political empowerment. The country also moved up two places from 44th in 2021 to 42nd in 2022.

“These numbers don’t lie. This is what the World Economic Forum report is saying; this is how our country is performing. We have a lot to celebrate; we have come far as a coun try. We have to ensure we take advantage of all the opportunities,” Minister Rodrigues said in closing.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues

‘Kicking it back old school’

- Froggy’s Grill aims to cater for mature clientele, boasts award-winning chef

looking for the one who would kiss me and turn me into a prince, but up to now I haven’t found the right one, so I am still a frog,” Singh said with a burst of hearty laughter.

He said the idea behind the business is to offer families a venue to enjoy their meals in a pleasant atmosphere.

LOCATED in the heart of the city is a new restaurant with a unique feel that caters to mature patrons; walking onto the natural wood finish stairs into a canopy of wooden nature gives you the sensation that you are in a special place.

Froggy’s Grill, located at 232 Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown, is a surprisingly cozy spot with a sense of music from the 70’s and 80’s feel. The restau rant was officially opened Wednesday last.

The proprietor, Ian Gouveia, partnered with his long-time friend Suren Singh called “Froggy” to bring something unique to the venue with an awardwinning international chef who has returned to Guyana to dazzle taste buds.

Guyanese Chef Len nox Scott, with almost two decades of service under his belt, started at Carnegie School of Home Econom ics and carried his skills to Monserrat, Trinidad and on cruise ships. He represented the Trinidad and Tobago Cu linary Team which earned its fourth Caribbean Teamof-the-Year title in five years in 2009 at the Taste of the Caribbean culinary compe tition.

“After 18 years, I am back home to give back and represent Guyana. At Frog gy’s Grill, we focus more on grilled foods, we have lovely burgers, ribs, steaks, salmon, local fish, and fresh salads,” Chef Scott said.

He continued: “One of

the things we want to do here is producing things that customers actually want, especially if it’s a particular request, especially to their order, they can even ask to speak to the chef on spe cial or specific meals and orders.”

Ian Gouveia, a business man known as a veteran golfer, told this publication that the venture will cater to a more mature clientele with an open air atmosphere that caters for a family environ ment.

He reflected that the cur rent business was envisaged at the same venue over 25 years ago, and only now has it materialized after bringing it into focus one year ago.

The businessman noted that Sunday’s are dedicat ed to family days, and the venue will be opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00PM to 11:00PM.

“Until we have every thing on stream, we will eventually offer breakfast, but we will have a fantastic lunch menu for persons to pick up or dine in at their convenience. We also have our signature chef burger and Froggy’s platter,” Gou veia said.

His business partner, Suren Singh, a.k.a “Froggy” in whose call name the busi ness now brands, has been associated with the restau rants and bars business for decades.

“Everyone knows me as Froggy, and I can’t recall how far back the name goes. I never got married but al ways loved the ladies. I keep

Award-winning Chef, Lennox Scott, along with kitchen staff, ensuring that orders are done to the delight of customers at Froggy’s Grill

A view of Froggy’s Grill on the upper flat of 232 Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown

More officers to pursue tertiary education

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has part nered with the George town American Universi ty (GAU) to create more opportunities for officers to pursue studies at the tertiary level.

According to informa tion from the university, Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, and his management team in tend to build a highly edu cated Police Force that will “serve and protect” more efficiently and effectively.

“The Georgetown American University, an institution that is owned and managed by Guya nese, wishes to continue, in every possible way, to contribute to the devel opment of Guyana,” the university said.

The signing of a Mem orandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Police Force and the university is a clear indication that both parties are desirous of con tributing to the country’s development.

The objectives of the agreement, which was fi nalised after three months of discussions between the institutions, are to at tract officers of the GPF who satisfy the relevant criteria to pursue degree programmes in cybersecu rity, nursing and medicine at GAU, and create a path way for qualified employ ees of the Police Force to receive priority consid eration for admission into programmes offered by the university.

Further, the intention is to also collaborate to provide access to digital education and associated services throughout Guy ana.

Both parties antici pate a relationship that will be of mutual benefit and, consequently, na tional development.

- as Guyana Police Force signs agreement with Georgetown American University

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Dr. Calvin Brutus and Dr. Melissa Varswyk, Chief Executive Officer of Georgetown American University, display the folder containing the signed Memorandum of Agreement, in the presence of Superintendent Nicola Kendall, Strategic Planning Officer

New Chesney water well to serve 12,000 residents

APPROXIMATELY

12,000 persons from Kilcoy, Chesney, Gi braltar, No. 1 Village and parts of Albion, Berbice, will soon en joy a better level of service, following the completion of a newly

drilled well at Chesney, Region Six.

According to the Chief Executive Offic er (CEO) of the Guy ana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, who visited the well site on Friday, the well is a

success story for resi dents who have concerns about receiving a low level of service. It also forms part of GWI’s in vestment programme.

Baksh, who ex plained that the well is currently being tested and developed, pointed out that it is expected to be completed by next week.

He also pointed out that it is being done by an in-house team, which will save the company a considerable amount of money.

This well will replace the existing one at Kil coy, which was used to

serve the community. The CEO said it has be come aged, but will be rehabilitated and kept for redundancy for continu ity of water supply when needed.

GWI’s Manger of Ground Water and Well Services, Orin Browne, said that this is the third well being drilled by the in-house team since ac quiring the new rig.

Browne said: “It boasts one of the most sophisticated and com plex designs in the histo ry of deep-well in-house drilling in Guyana… it is designed to produce in excess of 500 cubic

metres of water per hour, which is double the typi cal well.”

The well, which was drilled to a depth of ap proximately 1,100 feet, has the production ca pacity to supply a treat ment plant on its own and is expected to last for 30 years. However, the technical well-drill ing team is confident that it will surpass its lifespan by a large mar gin, with proper mainte nance.

He noted that GWI mobilised as fast as pos sible after listening to the cries from the com munity.

Meanwhile, Baksh highlighted that plans for the Berbice Region also includes the drill ing of a new well at Port Mourant in first quarter 2023, as well as another one at Adventure, where a water-treatment plant will be constructed to serve Tain - No. 50 Vil lage.

The New Amsterdam water-treatment plant is also expected to see an upgrade.

Those projects will tremendously improve quality and level of ser vice for areas in West Canje and along the East Bank of Berbice.

Approximately 12,000 persons from Kilcoy, Chesney, Gibraltar, No. 1 Village and parts of Albion, Berbice, will soon enjoy a better level of service, following the completion of a newly drilled well at Chesney

Parika/Bartica online ferry booking service commences

THE PPP/C Admin istration, through the Public Works Ministry, is committed to improv ing ferry services coun trywide.

As a further demon stration of this commit ment, the Parika/Bartica online ferry booking ser vice has commenced.

Persons will now be able to book their tickets to travel by ferry from the Parika Stelling to Bartica.

According to the Pub lic Works Ministry’s press release, commuters can begin booking tickets as early as Monday, Decem ber 5, as the online book ing of tickets commenced at 12 noon on Friday.

Public Works Minis

ter, Bishop Juan Edghill, outlined the benefits of the service and urges per sons to take advantage of the ease of travelling by ferry.

He said: “As we de velop new roads and bridges…build new high ways and rehabilitate stel lings, our aim is always for the improvement and enhancement of the lives of our citizens. So, we are happy about this on line system coming on stream to join the Parika/ Supenaam, which was launched back in Octo ber because this system will alleviate a greater percentage of the stress associated with travelling, especially for those who

travel more frequently.”

The minister affirmed: “As a government, we are ensuring that we do exactly what we set out to do, which is improving

lives.”

The $6.8 million on line ticket booking sys tem was launched in October and saves time for persons travelling by

ferry.

Additionally, the on line system ensures that persons secure a spot on the ferry, especially those persons travelling with

vehicles.

To access the online ticketing system and book ferry passes, per sons can log on to https://ferrypass.gy.

Preserving the health of Guyanese through dedicated service

- Medical Extension Officers remain important stakeholders in the health system 44 years on

The MEDEX (Medical Extension Officers) Pro gramme has existed for 44 years, and Guyana’s Medex Programme has produced a total of 319 MEDEX who function as mid-level managers pri marily in the rural, river ine and hinterland areas.

However, currently there are only 57 Medex within the public health system.

ing of local mid-level health care practitioners to serve the citizens living in remote areas of the country.

Adding that the need was great as there was no School of Medicine in Guy ana, the Chief Medex said all medical doctors were trained in Cuba, and access to medical services was lim ited in remote and coastal tribal areas.

essential elements. This avenue allowed school leav ers with a minimum of five

CXC subjects or more with Mathematics, English and one Science subject with

grades 1-3 for entry into the programme. Currently, she said two

training batches of medex students are being trained si multaneously; Medex Sarah

TO PAGE 20

Carleen Howard-Mohabir

Such medical profes sionals are trained in nurs ing and some amount in medicine. They can handle most of the primary and routine care provided by physicians.

In an interview with this publication Chief Medex (Ag) Carleen Howard-Mo habir said that Medex plays an integral role in the de velopment of the Primary Healthcare System in Guy ana through embracing and cultivating all policies and procedures in both rural and urban areas.

“Our labour almost goes unnoticed to those who are ill-informed of our roles and our significance to the system. We are multifac eted as we function as a substitute for the doctor, pharmacy assistant and mid wife. Additionally, some have branched off into vari ous specialties,” the acting Chief Medex noted.

Noting that the MEDEX programme is governed by the Legislative Medex Act of Guyana 1978, which was founded by Dick Smith, who started the International Medex programme, Ms. Howard-Mohabir said she approached the Ministry of Health to facilitate the train

She explained that in digenous Amerindians were most at risk among the di verse Guyanese popula tion. Their susceptibility to dehydration, diarrhoea and malnutrition was mark edly increased due to the inaccessibility of healthcare services.

Over the past four dec ades, she explained that Guyana’s Medex Pro gramme curriculum changed since the initial batches were trained in den tistry. This was eventually made into a separate train ing programme.

The first batch of 22 MEDEX graduated on Oc tober 18, 1978 and was immediately dispatched to health centre and district hospitals in remote areas of Guyana. The training programme was and is still accredited by the University of Guyana.

Since then, Chief Me dex (ag) Howard-Mohabir said the programme was further developed as a di rect response to the limited number of qualified Medical Doctors at all health facili ties countrywide.

In 2000, Guyana was sacrificing its existing nurs ing workforce to be trained as MEDEX, which created additional gaps within the system.

As a result, she ex plained that in 2006 the first batch of eight students from “The New-Pathway” underwent a 42-month train ing programme where 26 completed successful train ing in 2010.

The New Pathway pro gramme included compo nents such as nursing and midwifery before complet ing the Medex phase, which includes managing and treating Chronic and NonCommunicable diseases while conceptualizing the pathophysiology and other

Chief Medex (ag)

Preserving the health of Guyanese through dedicated...

FROM

Daniels co-ordinates that programme.

In 2024, twenty-seven students will complete their training; in 2025, thirty-six students will complete the course. These persons are from regions one to 10.

This will increase the availability of MEDEX at health facilities as the quali ty of care and the number of available services to clients in the respective villages and regions will improve.

“Some of our major con tributions are reduction of maternal and child mor tality and morbidity with key involvement in other programmes such as Vector Control, HIV/AIDs, Tuber culosis, Mental Health, Vis ual Inspection with Acetic Acid Clinics (VIA), Chronic Disease, Port Health and other relevant departments. . Inter-sectorial collaboration is pivotal as the community is our client,” Chief Medex (Ag) Carleen Howard-Mo habir said.

She continued: “We continue to explore the genesis of the community health problems while we conduct health education and promotion on positive health-seeking behaviour example, planned pregnan cies, recommended intervals between pregnancies, modi fiable practices related to diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol abuse. In addition, some MEDEX function in the capacity as Regional Maternal and Child Health Supervisors,” the Chief Me dex emphasised.

In recognition of ME DEX to the health care sys tem of Guyana, the Ministry of Health has acknowledged and recognised the contribu tions made by Medex.

“As the Chief Medex, I am elated to be a successful graduate of the first batch of New Pathway, after which I underwent a Diploma in Management, Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing. Currently, I am reading for my Masters in Public Policy and Adminis tration. Clinically, in 2011, I functioned as a Health Centre Manager.

From 2013 to 2015, I served as the Regional Ma ternal and Child Health Supervisor for Region nine, after which I returned to

Georgetown and managed Central Georgetown Health Centres. In May of 2022, I assumed duties of the Chief Medex,” Mrs Carleen Howard-Mohabir told this publication.

Below are some of the MEDEX who contributed to reducing mortality and morbidity amongst pregnant women and other members within the community.

For Ms. Holly Edghilo Gill, her career started in March 1992 at the George town School of Nursing. She was appointed Nursing Assistant in 1994, appointed a midwife in 2000 and ap pointed MEDEX in 2006.

Reflecting on a chal lenging time, Ms. Gill said “One out of many was in the month of June 2019. During this time, rain fell consist ently, a pregnant woman was in labour around 1 o’clock in the morning and she was not co-operating well, she began to hem orrhage while she was 9 cm, and the baby was born with no complications. The bleeding for the mom wors ened after the delivery of the placenta. On examina tion, she had two cervical lacerations. A medevac was not possible due to the weather. I prayed and with God’s guidance I managed to suture the lacerations and managed to control the bleeding. Three days later, the patient moved to GPHC.”

Meanwhile, for Medex, Sharon Hope, her medi cal career commenced on 1st June 2000 as a singletrained midwife, followed by completing the Medex Programme in 2006 and Bachelor of Science in Pub lic Health Nursing in 2019.

“In my sixteen years as a Medex, my most memo rable experience was in 2010, while escorting a pregnant woman with complete breech presenta tion to GPHC for deliv ery,” she said, explaining

different communities in Region Seven, where she is currently stationed at Ku rupung and Isseneru Health Post.

One memorable experi ence for Medex Josephine was in the year 2009, when she referred a 14-year-old mother for delivery.

While conducting fol low-up visits in the com munity, the mother did not adhere to the referral. By this time, she had specific issues during labour. An emergency call for a Me devac was done. In the aircraft, the mother’s pain became intense and regular; and the baby was born over the Essequibo River, fol lowed by the placenta.

When they were eventu ally on the ground, Medex Murpy recounted, “while in

services and lots of preg nant women with deliveries being done at home by a relative or a nanny; malaria was the disease of the day along with acute diarrheal diseases,” she noted.

In 2000, a great oppor tunity arose for Miss Au gustus to be trained as Med ical Extension Officer, and by 2002, she was appointed MEDEX. Further, wanting to provide adequate care for the women in Kopinang, Mahdia District Hospital, Kato Cottage Hospital and Paramakatoi Health Cen tre., Medex Augustus be came certified as a midwife.

she was white like chalk. At that time the facility was not equipped with any infusions. I could have only reassured and monitored the mother until the aircraft came to medivac her to Georgetown,” she recalled noting that the mother even tually received the neces sary care.

In the case of Medex Sampson Bartholomew, he started to work as a Com munity Health Worker in 1994, trained as a Malaria Microscopist in 1999 and

that in a complete “breech presentation,” the legs are tucked, and the foetus is in a crouching position which can result in complications or a Caesarean Section.

Medex Hope continued: “On our way, she started complaining of severe uter ine contractions, I kept re assuring her. Furthermore, when we arrived at the Har bour Bridge it was closed and the mother said, ‘ME DEX, I feel the baby com ing, I can’t bear it anymore, so I decided to check her. Hoping and praying not to see the buttocks protruding. Unfortunately it was sit ting there. My first breech delivery was done on the Harbor Bridge with sweat streaming down my face. I gave God all the glory; the delivery was a success, and a bouncing baby boy was born without any complica tions or Caesarean Section,” she revealed.

As for Medex Josephine Murphy, she commenced her medical career in 1980, when she completed the Community Health Work er’s programme.

Because of her passion and need to receive addi tional skills, she became a Registered Nursing Assis tant in 1987. As the com munity’s need increased, it created a gap in service delivery. This provided the need for a MEDEX which she concluded training for in 1996.

Medex Murphy served

the ambulance proceeding to Georgetown Public Hos pital, a car collided into the ambulance where I ended up at the side of the road, feet folded and with baby in my arms uninjured. “I must say I was in shock”. We all reached GPHC safely where continuity of care was done for the mother and baby,”

Meanwhile, Medex Liza Augustus started her career in 1996/1997 when she received training in firstaid from the Guyana Red Cross Society and commu nity health worker’s pro gramme, where she gained employment at RDC Re gion eight in 1998. One of the many pieces of training was in malaria microscopy.

“Being a health worker at that time was very chal lenging since there was no supervisor around for guid ance, no family planning

Having these skills, maternal and child health services were improved. Climbing the ladder an other round, she commit ted herself to the Public Health Nursing program, and in 2019, she earned her degree.

Medex Augustus con tinues to prove herself a worthy team player in the health sector. She worked at the Kopinang Health Centre and served the villages of Kopinang, Maikwak, Kaib arupai, Kamana and Waipa. She is currently the Health

began working as a Medex in 2002.

Visitor and supervisor for Region eight, based at the Maternal and Child Health Department of Mahdia Dis trict Hospital. She manages twenty-three health facili ties within the region.

“A memorable experi ence I can recall is a mul tigravida mother (pregnant more than once) who was in an abusive relationship and was three months preg nant. One incident caused her to experience vaginal bleeding. She bled until

“An outstanding per sonal experience was when I was working for seven years with Iwok rama as a medical per sonnel in dealing with tourists from different countries. A memorable experience occurred when there was a motor vehicle accident where the driver who was involved almost lost his entire arm as it was clipped off during collision with him and a truck, he almost bled to death but he was saved by applying a tourniquet and pressure to the stomp of the amputated arm. The incident occurred fast and was confusing. An ar rangement was made to take the person to George town. The funny thing was that two air-craft came. As I escorted the patient, we realized that one aircraft was carrying the arm separately and the patient’s life was in my hands. I thank God he arrived alive and received timely admission that to the hospital,” Medex Bar tholomew recollected.

Medex Holly Edghilo Gill

Medex Sharon Hope

Medex Josephine Murphy

Medex Liza Augustus

Medex Sampson Bartholomew

Human Services Ministry offers free self-defence classes today

THE Ministry of Hu man Services and Social Security continues its calendar of activities for 16 days of activism, with the rollout of two events today.

The day will start with ‘DefendHER!’ from 13:00hrs at the Police Of ficers’ Mess, Eve Leary. This is a free, active semi nar which teaches a series of self-defence techniques to women above 16 years through MAXIDO adult self-defence training sys tem.

The techniques that will be taught at a threehour activity tailored to suit everyday situations that women in Guyana face on a daily basis, and will seek to equip women with the necessary skills to protect themselves.

Minister of Human Services and Social Secu rity, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said: “This initiative is new and focuses on selfdefence techniques, spe cifically with women. It is done in collaboration with MAXIDO’s self-de fence training and we are encouraging women 16 years and older to come over on Sunday and go through a series of tech niques that will help you in defending yourself. It is a fact that many women encounter situations such as robberies and violent crimes and these tech niques will help you to resist in a highly skilled manner that could perhaps be life-saving.”

Persons desirous of coming out must be dressed in active wear and are encouraged to sign up at https://forms.gle/ W3ydKxu5v3NbWGS37.

Immediately after that, the action heads over to “Orange Avenue” (Camp and Lamaha Streets) for

the “Younited” fair and concert.

This event features several booths from safe space, equal Guyana, Herventure, women of WIIN and much more. There will also be a se ries of games with prizes to be won and a concert showcasing the talent of the Ministry’s Young In fluencers. Admission is also free and open from 16.00hrs.

To date, the minis try has completed sen sitisation exercises in Regions Four, Five and Six, hosted consultations on Guyana’s CEDAW Report, a massive ‘Talk Yuh Mind’ rally as well as campaigns on elderly abuse, sexual violence and bullying and body shaming in schools.

- persons also encouraged to join the ministry for the ‘Younited’ fair and concert

Mocha Arcadia women gain advanced sewing skills

A resident of Mocha-Ar cadia, East Bank Dem erara, Ms. Roxanne Mel ville, has always wanted to learn different sewing techniques so she may make practical yet stylish clothing.

On Wednesday, Novem ber 30, 2022, she was one of the nine graduates who received certification in gar ment construction during a graduation ceremony at the Mocha Arcadia Community Development Centre.

A collaboration between the Mocha Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) made the programme possible.

Ms. Melvelle told BIT’s

her the chance to learn this practical talent.

She has hinted at the possibility of starting a busi ness with her peers now that she is accredited and certi fied, as well as of teaching her talents to her children.

With such a promising future in front of them, Ms. Melville invited people to participate in the BIT pro grammes to learn valuable life skills that will benefit them.

Ms. Gillian Burton-Per saud, Political Adviser for the Ministry of Labour, urged the graduates in her keynote address to use their education and experience to pursue novel endeavours like fashion shows to further

representatives that she has long been fascinated by peo ple who possess the knowl edge and abilities necessary to design and create clothing suitable for a runaway and has desired to one day pos sess those same abilities.

This chance came to her one afternoon when she noticed a few women leav ing the Mocha Seventh Day Adventist Church with what looked like sewing supplies. When questioned, it became clear that they were under going training in garment construction, so Roxanne soon sought to join and was granted her request.

She describes her expe rience as being both won derful since she had finally been able to accomplish her long-term ambition and rather tough, especially for someone her age.

To that end, Ms. Rox anne expressed her gratitude to the Board of Industrial Training and, by extension, the government for giving

their careers.

Burton-Persaud empha sized that people’s interest in the abilities of local fash ion designers will increase as their capabilities will contribute to the transforma tion of the nation’s fashion business.

She further expressed hope that they will ex plore different options to make this a possibility. Ms. Burton-Persaud also urged them to teach the craft to other willing residents to enhance their livelihood and aid in community de velopment.

Also present at the cer emony were the Board of Industrial Training, Human Resource Offic er, Melinda Kelly, Mo cha Arcadia Neighbour hood Democratic Coun cil (NDC); Chairman, Rudolph Adams, Mocha Seventh Day Adventist Church, Head Elder, Lin coln Green, among other officials.

Ms. Roxanne Melville identifies practical yet stylish clothing on display after the graduation ceremony at the Mocha Arcadia Community Development Center

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday December 04, 2022)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

Khalil siblings win men’s...

From page 44 Open Championship after doing so in 2016 & 2019.

In 2019 when Ashley won the Women’s title, her sibling Jason-Ray, won the Men’s title to become the first brother/sister combination to win both titles in the history of Guyana’s Squash.

And, on Friday night in the Men’s final in which both players had to dig deep mentally and physically, Ja son-Ray defeated Alex Ar joon in an epic contest, 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, as history repeated itself, to bag his second senior Men’s title.

Defending Women’s Champion, Nicolette Fer nandes, was present, but only to play the role as coach and referee in the Men’s Final.

Defending Men’s Cham pion Shomari Wiltshire also did not play since he is over seas.

RACING TIPS

South Africa Racing Tips

Scottsville 08:50 hrs Captain Fontaine 09:25 hrs Lucky Miss 09:50 hrs Gunsmoke 09:34 hrs Blazing Kiss

Irish Racing Tips Fairyhouse 08:25 hrs Lossiemouth 08:55 hrs The Dabbler 09:25 hrs Champ Kiely 09:55 hrs Mighty Potter 10:30 hrs Honeysuckle 11:05 hrs Lucky Max 11:35 hrs Better Days Ahead

English Racing Tips

Kelso 08:35 hrs Domandlouis 09:05 hrs Cyclop 09:35 hrs Git Maker 10:05 hrs Aubis Walk 10:40 hrs Faithfulflyer 11:15 hrs Mr Globalist

Huntingdon 08:45 hrs Poker Master 09:15 hrs School Days Over 09:45 hrs Art Of Illusion 10:20 hrs Nickle Back 10:55 hrs Pic D’orhy 11:25 hrs Hard As Nails

American Racing Tips

Aqueduct

Race 1 German Jayvo Race 2 Umbria Race 3 Flashy Alex Race 4 Highway Harmony

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race

If there was a trophy for the most flamboyant squash outfits in the tournament, especially in the final, Ashley Khalil would have collected two.

The night’s action com menced with Steve Xavier beating Louis DaSilva, who had got the better of Regan Pollard on Wednesday, 11-

3.11-9, 10-12, 11-3.

While the Final was more a battle of attrition and stamina, the third-place playoff between the Ince cousins, 32-year-old Daniel and 18-year-old Samuel Ince Carvalhal, was fast-paced and entertaining.

The contest was between the English-born cousins, who went at each other with all their shots in a match highlighted by very long rallies.

In a thrilling contest, Daniel, looking as fit as his 22-year-old younger cousin, matched him for speed com ing from the back of the court to retrieve dropped shots.

Samuel, watched by his mom and grandfather, played some nice backhand drives and showed good use of the court and when the match was completed, it was the teenager who was beaten by his more experienced cousin 3-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8. Both players were given a stand ing ovation from the sizeable gathering.

Ashley took the first game 11-4 before Taylor galloped to five-point lead with some quality Squash in game two before Ashley fought back well and a beau tiful 25-shot rally levelled the

score at 6..

But despite Taylor’s best efforts, Ashley prevailed 11-8 before winning the third game 11-8 to take champion honours.

In the Men’s final that followed Jason-Ray won the first game 11-7 in a contest in which very long rallies tested the fittness of both players.

The second game includ ed a 30-shot rally which end ed with a perfectly executed drop shot which Jason-Ray could not reach as the hardfought game ended 10-12 in favour of Alex Arjoon.

The third game com menced at 1-1 and the south paw Arjoon took the game 9-11 to take a 2-1 lead.

As the match progressed, the length of rallies and the tiredness of the players be gan to take effect not only physically but mentally, and a couple of 50/50 calls by the ‘Ref’ did not help.

The fourth game saw Jason-Ray take a 9-2 lead to eventually win 11-3 and the match, 11-8 with Arjoon contributing to his own de mise by hitting the ball low from the middle of the court twice… as the usually calm and level-headed Arjoon lost the mental battle to give Jason-Ray his second title.

Brazil soccer legend Pele remains 'strong' amid cancer battle

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reu ters) -Brazilian soccer great Pele said yesterday he was "strong" and grateful for the widespread support he has been receiving after being hospitalised in Sao Paulo earlier this week as he battles colon cancer.

The 82-year-old said in an Instagram post that he wanted to keep "everyone calm and positive" after a medical report showed he remained in stable condition while also being treated for a respiratory infection.

"I'm strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treat ment as usual," Pele said. "I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy".

Pele, one of the greatest footballers of all-time if not the greatest, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday to re-evaluate his cancer treat ment.

He had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021 and has been receiving hosital care on a regular basis.

In a report yesterday, medical staff at the Albert Einstein Hospital said Pele

has responded well to treat ment for a respiratory in fection diagnosed after his hospitalisation and that his condition had not worsened in the last 24 hours.

"He is still undergoing treatment and remains in stable condition," the doctors said.

The latest medical note came after newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported earlier in the day that Pele - whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - had been receiving palliative care after chemotherapy stopped having the expected results.

The newspaper also said he had a general swelling and cardiac issues when admitted to hospital earlier this week, as previously reported by ESPN Brasil.

His manager, family members and the hospital have not confirmed that in formation.

On Thursday, Pele said in an Instagram post that he was at the hospital for a "monthly visit".

Pele, who played for Bra zil and club sides Santos and New York Cosmos as a striker, was one of the world's best known sportsmen at his

peak and is regarded as one of the best soccer players of all-time.

He won the World Cup with Brazil three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970 - a feat no other player has achieved. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, with 77 goals in 92 games.

Messages of support came in from players and fans at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

French striker Kylian Mbappe tweeted, "Pray for the King".

England captain Harry Kane said the whole national team wished him well.

"We send our best wish es to him and his family as well. (He is an) inspiration amongst our game, incredible footballer, incredible person," Kane said.

The Torch tower in Doha was also lighted up yesterday with a message of support saying "get well soon" and a picture of his face.

A sign with the same message was displayed by Brazilian fans at the Lusail Stadium on Friday ahead of Brazil's 1-0 defeat by Cameroon.

Late burst gives England a sniff after Babar ton

ENGLAND have been re warded for their attacking. fielding approach with four wickets in the final session as Pakistan slid to 499-7 at the end of day three of the first Test in Rawalpindi.

The tourists were made to toil in the field throughout yesterday afternoon with little reward as Babar Azam led Pakistan's resistance with a glorious hundred, but per severed with their approach and claimed four scalps in the setting sun on the docile track to lead by 158 runs.

Despite his masterful ton before tea, Babar's innings came to an end when he cut Will Jacks straight to point, and departed to a standing ovation.

It was the first sign of any spin in the track, and gave life to the rest of the England

bowling attack, as Pakistan lost four wickets for just 88 in the final session.

It was the first chance offered up by Babar, who played elegantly for his 136 from 168 deliveries and did not rise to England's ag gressive fielding and body language, but remained calm and composed at the crease.

Jacks finished the day as the most prolific of the England bowlers, with 3-132 from 32 overs

Naseem Shah was the final wicket to fall in the day, hitting to deep midwicket, but Jack Leach had a lot of ground to make up before taking a good catch.

Before Jacks' late two

wickets, Mohammad Rizwan drove the ball straight to Ben Stokes at short midwicket to give James Anderson his first ever wicket in Pakistan.

In the first over after tea, Ollie Robinson caught the edge of Saud Shakeel's bat on the way through to the wicketkeeper, which had set the tone for the rest of the session.

Earlier in the day, Paki stan had almost been in com plete control, with Babar be coming the seventh player to score a century in the match, and successfully building on the hosts' overnight total of 0-181.

Stokes remained without one of his bowling options during the day, after Liam Livingstone remained unable to take the field with a right knee issue that saw him re

Magnificent Marnus in rare air with second-innings ton

By Andrew Ramsey at Perth Stadium

MARNUS Labuschagne has become just the third Aus tralia men's player to score a double-century and a hun dred in the same Test after once again putting the West Indies to the sword.

Two days after he posted 204 in Australia's first innings of the opening NRMA Insur ance Test at Perth Stadium –the second double-century of his career to date – Labuscha gne reached another ton shortly before lunch on day four as Australia chased quick runs.

The only others to have achieved the rare milestone in the Baggy Green Cap are Doug Walters who posted 242 and 103 against the West Indies at SCG in 1968-69 and former skipper Greg Chappell whose 247 and 143 came against New Zealand at Wellington in 1974.

Labuschagne joins an ex clusive club that also features West Indies greats - Brian Lara and Lawrence Rowe, India's Sunil Gavaskar, England's Graham Gooch and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara.

However, the 28-yearold rode his luck as Australia pushed their lead past 450 with a declaration from captain Pat Cummins coming at lunch on

day four.

Labuschagne was targeted by a series of short balls by rival quick Alzarri Joseph, that brought false stroke from con secutive deliveries.

The first induced an at tempted pull shot that took the top edge of Labuschagne's bat and flew over the slips to clear the boundary rope at deep third

to reach 19.

Next ball brought an even more dramatic outcome, with another top edge clattering into Labuschagne's helmet before looping to gully where it was caught.

But as the foot-weary West Indies bowlers gathered in rare celebration of their sixth wick et of the match to that point,

attention was drawn to umpire Richard Illingworth who con firmed Joseph had overstepped, by signalling no-ball.

Labuschagne returned to the middle, where he set about flaying the bowling in partner ship with opener David Warner (who was dismissed for 48) and then with Steve Smith who had also posted a double-hundred in Australia's first innings of 4(dec)-598.

Smith was unbeaten on 19 when Labuschagne reached his second ton of the match with a boundary from spinner and captain Kraigg Brathwaite.

"Obviously a bit of luck today," Labuschagne told Fox Cricket when he went to lunch unbeaten on 104.

"With that bouncer, he (Jo seph) was bowling quite fast there and I got away with one but it's always nice.

"It's something I've never done before and I'm obviously very proud.

"It got the beans running.

"I played some rogue shots for a few shots after that (dis missal off a no-ball), and then tried to compose myself and get the heart rate down.

"But that was a really good spell, I think he was hitting 145, 146 (kph) … a real good battle." (Cricket .com.au)

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 657

PAKISTAN 1st innings (o/n 131 for no wicket)

Abdullah Shafique

c Ollie Pope b Will Jacks 114

Imam ul-Haq c Ollie Robinson

b Jack Leach 121

Azhar Ali lbw Jack Leach 27

Babar Azam c Jack Leach b Will Jacks 136

Saud Shakeel c Ollie Pope

b Ollie Robinson 37

Mohammad Rizwan c Ben Stokes

b James Anderson 29

Agha Salman not out 10

Naseem Shah c Jack Leach b Will Jacks 15

Zahid Mehmood not out 1

Extras: (b-7, nb-2) 9

Total: (seven wkts, 136.0 overs) 499

Fall of wickets: 1-225, 2-245, 3-290, 4-413, 5-473, 6-475, 7-497.

Bowling: James Anderson 20-4-47-1, Ollie Robinson 18-2-64-1 (nb-2), Jack Leach 42-5-160-2, Will Jacks 33-5-132-3, Joe Root 16-3- 54-0, Ben Stokes 7-0-35-0.

placed by substitute Keaton Jennings on Friday.

England had made in roads before lunch, with the spinners taking three wickets, after both openers – Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq – brought up their centuries, with the Test becoming the first in history where both opening stands have been over 200, and all four depart

ed having scored tons.

Jacks had only been brought into the side on the morning of the match when Ben Foakes was unwell with a viral infection which swept through the touring party, but in the absence of Livingstone had to step up as a bowler and proved a useful option for Stokes. (PA Sport)

LeBron James overtakes Magic Johnson on NBA all-time assists list

LEBRON James surpassed Magic Johnson on the NBA's all-time assists list as Los Angeles Lakers battled to a 133-129 win against Milwaukee Bucks.

James took his assists tally to 10 144, with his 11 against the Bucks, moving him past Johnson (10 141) into sixth.

Former Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton, who retired in 2003, tops the list with 15 806 assists in his career.

James scored 28 points as Lakers - led by Anthony Davis with 44 points - held off a late Bucks surge.

Giannis Antetokoun mpo topscored for Milwau kee with 40 points, but his side missed key chances as Grayson Allen and Jrue Holiday both failed with three-pointers in the last sec onds of the game.

In Boston, Jimmy Butler returned from a seven-game injury absence to help Miami Heat to a 120-116 overtime victory over Eastern Confer ence leaders, Celtics.

Jalen Brown scored 37 points for Celtics, including a three-pointer that forced overtime.

Tied with little more than

Victory over Bucks also marked LeBron James' 900th career win a minute left on the clock, Butler landed a jump shot that proved the clincher, the defeat ending Boston's 10game home-winning streak. The leaders of the West ern Conference also lost as Phoenix Suns were narrowly beaten 122-121 by Houston Rockets.

In San Francisco, NBA champions Golden State Warriors beat Chicago Bulls 119-111, while Brook lyn Nets made it four wins in succession with a 114-105 victory against Toronto Raptors. (BBC Sport)

Babar Azam punches into the off-side (AFP/Getty Images)

Messi scores in his 1,000th game as Argentina progress

LIONEL Messi produced a moment of magic on his 1,000th career appearance as two-time champions Ar gentina beat Australia to reach the World Cup quar ter-finals.

Messi, 35, was winning his 119th cap for his country and they needed his brilliance to take them through to the next round and a tantalising tie against the Netherlands on Friday.

Argentina had barely threatened in the first half but Paris St-Germain's Messi stroked in a delightful low finish to spark wild celebra tions from their fans.

The South American sup porters had been on their feet singing all game and they had further delight when Julian Alvarez punished Mat Ry an's mistake to double their advantage.

Australia had offered very little but surprisingly pulled

one back with 13 minutes remaining when substitute Craig Goodwin's strike took a huge deflection off Enzo Fernandez.

They could have levelled shortly after through Aziz Behich, whose incredible solo run took him past four players, but his shot was su perbly blocked by Lisandro Martinez's sliding challenge as Argentina edged through.

Magical Messi delivers in milestone match

Australia frustrated Ar gentina for 35 minutes, sit ting deep and compact, al lowing no space in behind - Alejandro Gomez's wild shot that flew way over was the only sniff they had.

But every time Messi got his left boot on the ball there was a buzz of excitement in the stadium, sharp intakes of breath anticipating something special.

And the little magician showcased exactly why he is considered one of the greatest of all-time in his landmark game, starting and finishing a move that had blue and white

shirts dancing in the stands.

Messi saw a free-kick from the left cleared but Argentina recycled the ball, Brighton's Alexis Mac Allis ter fizzing a pass into Nicolas

Arms outstretched, Mes si ran away to celebrate in front of his adoring faithful after converting his ninth World Cup goal - remarkably his first in a knockout-stage match - to move just one behind Gabriel Batistuta's Argentina record.

A trademark jinking run then came to nothing, but thrilled those watching, who broke out with chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi".

He could have drawn lev el - or even surpassed Batis tuta - in the second half, but slipped at the vital moment to scuff a shot straight at Ryan and fired another two efforts off target.

Ryan, the former Brigh ton keeper, had a moment to forget on his 10th World

Cup appearance - the joint most for his country - when he took a heavy touch from a back-pass, allowing Man chester City's Alvarez to nip in, spin and score into an open net.

Following their groupstage heroics, Australia were looking to spring another surprise and had hope, cour tesy of Goodwin's 20-yard drive that took a fortuitous deflection with 13 minutes remaining.

They could have taken the game to extra time when full-back Behich embarked on a mazy run to beat numer ous defenders, but Martinez reacted in the nick of time.

An even better chance fell to the Socceroos in the 97th minute when Garang Kuol brought the ball down in the area but his shot on the turn was well kept out by Emiliano Martinez's re flex save. (BBC Sport)

Netherlands beat US to book quarter-final place

THE Netherlands survived a late scare against the United States to move into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless display of finishing.

The US had the game's biggest early chance when Christian Pulisic was denied by the legs of Dutch goalkeep er Andries Noppert and the failure to take that opportunity proved highly expensive.

Louis van Gaal's side re sponded in the finest Dutch traditions in the 10th min ute when Memphis Depay crowned a magnificent 21-pass move by turning in Denzel Dumfries' cross.

The US battled hard but lacked a cutting edge and were punished in similar fashion with the final kick of the first half when Daley Blind arrived with perfect timing on the end of another Dumfries cutback.

The Dutch were given anx ious moments when the US pulled a goal back in the 76th minute as Haji Wright's freak

deflection from Pulisic's cross looped in at the far post.

But they restored their two-goal lead five minutes later when creator Dumfries turned scorer, side-footing in a volley at the far post from Blind's cross.

VAN GAAL'S DUTCH

MARCH ON van Gaal has been over this course before with the Netherlands, when he guided them to a World Cup semi-final in Brazil in 2014, only to lose on penalties to Argentina after a goalless draw in Sao Paulo.

And his vast experience means they cannot be un der-estimated here as they set up a last-eight meeting with either their 2014 conquerors Argentina or Australia, who were due to meet at 19:00hrs GMT yesterday.

No-one would pretend this is a classic Dutch side but they have a sprinkling of quality in all areas and the beauty of their first goal, which would

have delighted the purists in their homeland, was a graphic demonstration of their capa bilities.

Virgil van Dijk is the world-class defensive leader alongside Nathan Ake, while both full-backs Blind and Dumfries made crucial con tributions.

Frenkie de Jong brings control to midfield and there is real threat in the shape of Depay, who scored his first goal of this World Cup, and one of the break-out stars of this World Cup, Cody Gakpo.

It was a display that de lighted the band of Dutch fans inside Khalifa International

Stadium as van Gaal's side march on.

The States' main man Christian Pulisic looked close to tears after the final whistle as he reflected on the chance that got away in those opening moments, an opportunity that might have made this a very different tie.

Pulisic was sent through on goal by Tyler Adams' clever delivery but the outstretched leg of Dutch keeper Noppert made the block. Pulisic should have scored and he knew it.

The US were soon in ar rears and could never get close enough to the Netherlands, apart from Wright's goal, which was heavily laced with good fortune.

The left side of their de fence was brutally exposed by the Dutch for all three goals and this, mixed with poor finishing, meant their World Cup ends in the first knockout round.

There is something for them to build on after get ting out of the group stages here, but there will also be disappointment at the sense of a missed opportunity. They will depart Qatar and start their preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which they will jointly host with Canada and Mexico. (BBC Sport)

Otamendi, who laid it off for Messi to take a touch to set himself before caressing a precise finish into the bottom corner.

Lionel Messi, 35, was winning his 119th cap for Argentina

Netherlands' Daley Blind celebrates scoring their second goal v United States, with Memphis Depay and team mates at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar, FIFA World Cup 2022 (REUTERS/Matthew Childs)

Tyson Fury v Derek Chisora:

The 'Gypsy King' retains WBC heavyweight world title as Oleksandr Usyk watches ringside

TYSON Fury retained his WBC world heavyweight title with a brutal stoppage of Derek Chisora - to set up an undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury, 34, maintained his unbeaten record in front of 60,000 people at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fellow Briton Chisora, 38, was hurt repeatably by the dominant champion and the referee waved off the one-sided contest in the 10th round.

Usyk, holder of the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA belts, was ringside in London.

For Chisora, it was the 13th loss of his 46-fight ca reer.

Earlier this week, the pair shook hands and promised to stand toe-to-toe in the opening three minutes with Chisora promising "the best first round the heavyweight game has ever seen".

And, in front of an in credible atmosphere - despite the cold conditions at an out door December night in Lon don - the two fighters tried

to provide the entertainment they had promised.

But the fight did prove a mismatch as Fury was a level above his opponent and can now look forward to a poten tial undisputed heavyweight showdown with Ukrainian Usyk in 2023.

Dubois survives huge scare to retain WBA (regu lar) belt

Earlier, Britain's Dan

iel Dubois survived a huge scare, coming back after being knocked down three times in the first round to beat South Africa's Kevin Lerena and retain his WBA (regular) heavyweight belt.

The 25-year-old was fac ing a second defeat of his career and also suffered what appeared to be a knee injury in a horrendous opening three minutes.

However, after regaining his composure in the second, Dubois, who has gained 18 of his 19 victories inside the distance, caught Lerena in the third, sending him to the canvas.

Lerena got up, but it was the signal for a barrage of punches from Dubois as the home favourite sensed this was his moment.

A truly brilliant uppercut

- which drew gasps from the fans when replayed on the stadium's four big screensrocked Lerena's head back and the South African was on the verge of going down again when referee Howard Foster moved in to stop it.

A loss for Dubois would not only have seen him lose his WBA regular belt, but end his hopes of fighting Usyk in the future.

It was a superb recovery as he showed great character to turn this fight around in such dramatic style.

"It was amazing. He caught me on the top of my

head. I feel my knee went," Dubois told BT Sport Box Office.

"But I have the heart of a warrior, and I just thought, calm down.

"I was looking for shots that weren't there, I had to recover and come back out. I saw the opening, went for it and the rest is history.

"I felt a bit rusty, like I wasn't there in the first round, but at least I was able to land my shots.

"I've never boxed in front of as many people, hopefully many more to come."(BBC Sport)

Ponting returns to Test commenrtary after 'scary' chest pains

RICKY Ponting has returned to work for the Seven network after a "scary moment" when the Australian icon suf fered chest pains during a commentary stint.

Ponting raised con cerns when he left Sev en's broadcast of the first NRMA Insurance Test between Australia and India on Friday after feel ing unwell.

"I probably scared a lot of people yesterday and had a scary moment for myself," Ponting said today back at the ground with Seven.

"I was sitting in the comms box halfway through the stint and got a couple of really short and sharp pains to my

chest. I tried to stretch it out and get rid of it, and probably didn't want to give too much away when I was on air.

"I had a couple of those incidents, got through the stint and went to walk to the back of the commentary box and got lightheaded and dizzy and grabbed the bench.

"I mentioned to JL (Justin Langer) on the way out, who was com mentating with me, that I had had these pains in my chest and Chris Jones (Seven's executive pro ducer) heard me and just reacted straight away and got me out of there.

"Ten or 15 minutes later, I was in the hospital

getting the best treatment that I possibly could.

"I feel great this morn ing, I am all shiny and new this morning

I think the bottom line is, the fact that I was will ing to share it with JL and the fact that your mate looks after you, I think as people of our age, we are a little reluctant to share

much or talk about our health and I think that is a good learning curve for me yesterday, especially with what has happened in the last 12-18 months to really close people around us.

"My little mate looked after me and got me down there and I'm back, shiny and new this morning."

Australian cricket was rocked by the deaths of Shane Warne, Rod Marsh and Andrew Symonds in the past year.

Warne, aged 52, and Marsh, at 74, died within 24 hours of each other in March, both after heart attacks. Symonds passed away in May after a car accident.

Former Australia cricketer Ryan Camp bell suffered a cardiac arrest in April, with the 50-year-old given just a seven per cent chance of survival before recover ing after being placed in an induced coma

"Anything like that is super scary, so we wish him the best."

Langer also highlight

ed the importance of rais ing the alarm.

"If Ricky Ponting comes to me and says something is not quite right, then you know something is not quite right," Langer said on Seven.

"It's a great lesson for everyone that after our 12 months it has become very public with Rod Marsh, Shane Warne of course and Ryan Camp bell.

"When someone says they have something going on, it's good to talk up and it's good to see the little fella not being the tough guy, not being the ice man, and reaching out." ( AAP & cricket.com.au)

Tyson Fury claimed the 23rd knockout of his career

Daniel Dubois was down three times in the first round

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting

Brathwaite hundred keeps WI alive but difficult final day looms

PERTH, Australia (CMC) –

Unflappable captain Kraigg Brathwaite surpassed 5 000 Test runs with an 11th hun dred in demanding circum stances, but West Indies were still facing a monu mental challenge to save the opening Test, heading into today’s final day at Perth Stadium.

Set an improbable 498 for victory after Australia declared their second in nings on 182 for two at lunch here yesterday, West Indies produced a sterling effort to close on 192 for three with the right-handed Brathwaite unbeaten on 101.

The Caribbean side seemed poised to end the penultimate day in an even stronger position but vice-captain Jermaine Black wood perished in the third over before the close when he was taken low down at short leg by Marnus Labuschagne off off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2-54) for 24.

Brathwaite reached three figures in the same over by scrambling a single into the onside, to edge ahead of the peerless George Headley on the list of most Test centuries by West Indians.

He was his usual com

posed, compact self from the outset but still managed to score at a fair clip, striking 11 fours in a 168-ball knock in a shade over 4-½ hours.

And he found another great ally in debutant Ta genarine Chanderpaul, the 26-year-old stroking 45 to follow up his first innings 51, in an invaluable 116run first-wicket stand which frustrated the hosts’ hopes of early breakthroughs.

West Indies still require a further 306 runs on the final day but survival is likely to overshadow any quest for victory.

“It all starts from the first hour tomorrow but we don’t want to think too far ahead,” Brathwaite told a post-match media conference.

“I think once we take it hour by hour, session by session, we’ve got to believe. It was obviously good to get through today and obviously day five is very important but that first hour tomorrow is very, very crucial.”

Labuschagne had ear lier written his name on a distinguished list of players – including West Indies icon Brian Lara – who have scored double and single centuries in the same Test, when he

marched to an unbeaten 104 to follow up his first innings 204.

Resuming on three with Australia on 29 for one, the right-hander flayed the West Indies attack to all parts of the ground, striking 13 fours and two sixes from 110 balls in 2-½ hours.

He extended his sec ond-wicket stand with open er David Warner (48) to 81 before putting on a further 81 in an unbroken third-wicket partnership with Steve Smith who made 20.

West Indies’ lone suc

cess in the morning suc cession was when Warner clipped a forward defensive stroke at off-spinner Roston Chase onto his pad and into Shamarh Brooks’ grasp at short leg, in the first over after the drinks break.

On 95 in the final over before lunch, Labuschagne reverse-swept the first ball from Brathwaite to the back ward point boundary before clipping the very next deliv ery to the ropes at fine leg.

For the second time in the contest, Brathwaite and Chanderpaul squared up well

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA 1st innings 598-4 decl.

WEST INDIES 1st innings 283

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (o/n 29 for one)

U. Khawaja c wkp. Da Silva b Roach 5

D. Warner c Brooks b Chase 48

M. Labuschagne not out 104

S. Smith not out 24

Extras: (lb-2, w-1, nb-1) 4

Total: (2 wkts decl., 37 overs) 182

Fall of wicket: 1-20, 2-101.

Bowling: Roach 7-2-30-1, Joseph 10-1-42-0 (nb-1), Holder 8-1-39-0 (w-1), Chase 6-0-31-1, Seales 3-0-18-1, Brathwaite 3-0-20-0.

WEST INDIES 2nd innings (target: 498 runs)

K. Brathwaite not out 101

T. Chanderpaul b Starc 45

S. Brooks c Smith b Lyon 11

J. Blackwood c Labuschagne b Lyon 24

K. Mayers not out 0

Extras: (lb-6, nb-5) 11

Total: (3 wkts, 62 overs) 192

Fall of wickets: 1-116, 2-133, 3-191.

Bowling: Starc 13-3-36-1, Hazlewood 13-3-39-0 (nb-1), Lyon 22-6-54-2, Green 10-0-42-0 (nb-1), Labuschagne 2-0-9-0 (nb-3), Head 2-16-0,

Position: West Indies require a further 306 for victory with seven wickets intact.

to Australia’s quicks, keeping the attack wicket-less as they took West Indies to tea on 84 without loss – their second half-century stand of the game.

Chanderpaul, equally un ruffled, struck four fours in a patient 126-ball innings which lasted 157 minutes, to be unbeaten at the interval on 35 with Brathwaite on 40.

He was eyeing up another

half-century when he dragged on a short ball from Mitchell Starc, about half-hour after the resumption.

Brooks lasted 20 balls before edging Lyon to slip for 11 and Blackwood, who counted three fours off 64 balls in nearly an hourand-a-half at the crease, put on a crucial 58 with Brathwaite for the third wicket before departing late in the day.

WEATHER permitted the One Guyana Presi dent’s Cup football tour nament to resume on Thursday night at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Av enue with action in the Region Four inter-ward leg.

The spectators were treated to the pace and skill of 19-year-old Gold en Jaguars’ forward Omari Glasgow, who featured for Beterverwagting/Bux ton in the opening match against Mahaica/Mahai cony, which was decided by kicks from the penalty mark.

BV/Buxton were the

clear favourites in the match and wasted little time to establish an ad

vantage after Eon Dooker put his side ahead in the seventh minute. Glasgow then doubled the lead in the 29th minute.

Mahaica/Mahaicony were determined to show that they were out to com pete, and pulled a goal back just before the break

in the 44th minute through Nicholas Portsmouth. Fol lowing the resumption of play, BV/Buxton main tained their one-goal ad vantage up until three min utes before stoppage time when Keven Sherwood got the equaliser.

BV/Buxton were way more comfortable from the penalty mark and tri umphed 5-3 from kicks after full time ended 2-2.

In the feature match on Thursday, Grove/Diamond needled West Ruimveldt thanks to a twelfth-minute effort from Lloyd Mat thews.

Meanwhile, on Friday, South Ruimveldt/Tucville

got past Werk-en-Rust 2-1 while Plaisance/Liliendaal thumped Timehri/St Cuth bert’s 4-0.

And with that, the semifinals of Region Four have now been set with both matches kicking off today at the National Training Centre (NTC) c, Providence. The open ing game which is sched uled for the first whistle at 12:30hrs will see Fri day’s winners BV/Buxton match skills with Grove/ Diamond.

The feature semifinal clash will pit South Rui mveldt/Tucville against Plaisance/Liliendaal at 15:00hrs.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite celebrates his 11th Test hundred on day four of the opening Test in Perth

Lloyd Matthews scored the winner for Grove/Diamond against West Ruimveldt (Adrian Narine photos)

The match between BV/Buxton (left) and Mahaica/Mahaicony was entertaining

District 10 surge to sixth consecutive title at National Schools’ Championships

THE National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Cycling Championships trophy will remain with District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) for the sixth consecutive year after they comfortably won the 60th edition that concluded at the Synthetic Track, West Coast Demerara, on Friday night.

District 10 scored a whopping 71 points to secure their 19th title – most by any district.

The lads in black and gold won the students’ Track and Field and Cycling events, finished second in Swimming, and placed fourth in the Teachers’ Track and Field championships.

District Three (West Demerara), who finished third when the event was last held in 2019, scored 54 points to tie with District 11 (North Georgetown) for second.

District Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), who got 48 points, and District Four (East Coast Demerara) with 46 points, rounded off the top five.

District 10 scored a whopping 706 points in the Students’ Track and Field events, followed by an improved showing from District Three with 616.5 points and District Four (515 points).

In Cycling, District 10 won with 245 points to beat District Seven (228 points) and District 15 (New Amsterdam) with 204 points in the top three.

District 11 (North Georgetown) accumulated 418 points for yet another title triumph in Swimming and District 10 (351 points) was second, followed by District Seven (215 points).

The Teachers’ championship (solely Track and Field) was won by District Three with 270 points, while District Five and District One had 166 and 164 points respectively.

Khalil siblings win men’s & women’s Squash titles

By Sean Devers

THE quality of Squash and the atmosphere on the fi nal night of the GSA’s Se nior National Open Squash Championship on Friday at the Georgetown Club was

befitting of the Finals.

In a tournament spon sored by Reel Guyana Video Production & Film Logistics Company, run by siblings, Alex & Victoria Arjoon, Ash ley Khalil proved her victory over Taylor Fernandes in the

last August was no fluke.

It also showed the domi nance of the Guyanese ladies in the Caribbean.

And Final lived up to the hype of the best female play ers in the Caribbean going at

each other with all they had.

And after the dust had set tled, it was Ashley - like she had done in Reggae Country - who won 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 to capture her third National

See page 39

Senior CASA in Jamaica

Champions Again! District 10 celebrate a sixth successive title win

… Curtain comes down on Reel Guyana Open C’ships

Brazil soccer legend Pele remains 'strong' amid cancer battle