Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12-07-2022

TUESDAY 12th JULY, 2022 $100

No. 106781

50 per cent increase in stipends for Toshaos, Councillors

SEE PAGE

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‘Your rights must, will always be respected by this government’ - President Ali tells National Toshaos Council

Office of the President and DPI photos

‘Sargie’ gets life sentences for raping, robbing woman SEE PAGE

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Two absolute grants, five certificates of title delivered to Indigenous leaders 2 SEE PAGE

Adrienne Galanek is US Embassy’s new Deputy Chief of Mission SEE PAGE

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SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Two absolute grants, five certificates of title delivered to Indigenous leaders

Toshao of Yupukari, Shamir Khan, collects his village’s certificate of title from President Irfaan Ali as Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai look on (DPI photo)

By Naomi Parris ON the opening day of the National Toshaos Conference which is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCA) at Liliendaal, two absolute grants and five certificates of title were handed over to the leaders of several Amerindian villages.

Absolute grants were handed over to the village leaders of Capoey and Mashabo in Region Two

(Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The certificates of title were delivered to the village leaders of St. Monica/Karawab and Mainstay/Whyaka Village, also located in Region Two. Titles were also delivered to the village leaders of Tasserene and Kangaruma in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Yupukari in Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo).

Speaking shortly after receiving the certificate of title, Toshao of Mainstay/

Whyaka, Yvonne Pearson, who appeared on the National Communications Network (NCN), said with the legal document now in hand, she will be pushing for more agricultural production in her village.

“Having these legal documents mean so much to us and this is why I am so excited because I am talking about agriculture.

Having the equipment, having the land and the necessary machinery and further support from the

government, I am excited; I am ready to talk agriculture big time,” Pearson said.

She added that receiving the village’s land title is a historic and celebratory moment for the people of Mainstay/Whyaka.

“Today is history. We have legal title, we have our map extension of our village lands and I know when I return this weekend and I have my meeting…everybody will be happy that we have received our legal documents,” she added.

Yu p u k a r i ’s To s h a o Shamir Khan also expressed elation at receiving his village’s land title.

He said that he has been advocating vigorously over the years for the village to receive its land title.

“One of the things that we wanted and that we have been fighting for is our land title and moments ago we received that and I am so happy for myself and my people.”

Khan said with this new achievement, he will be working to see that the land is utilised for the economic development of his village. “Now we can be able to utilise our

land in a sustainable way, because that is the only way we can go forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, subject Minister Pauline Sukhai, while delivering her remarks at the conference, disclosed that the government through the ministry is pursuing two final land extensions to complete the titling and demarcations of Amerindians lands.

“Land-titling remains paramount on our government’s agenda,” she said adding: “The ministry is pursuing the approval for two extensions for accomplishing once and for all, the titling and demarcation of Amerindians lands.”

Minister Sukhai further urged the participating toshaos to take full advantage of the five-day conference, which ends on Friday, by using eve-

$2.2 billion (US$11M) Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation project, which concluded in 2016.

The functioning unit of the project was later disbanded by the previous administration and was resuscitated when the President Irfaan Aliled administration made good on its promise to resuscitate the ALT project, with a proposed 2021 budgetary allocation of $630 million.

An additional $561.6 million was allocated in Budget 2022 to achieve a target of 20 certificates of title.

The ALT project has three primary goals: completion of land-title issues and demarcation process for all Indigenous villages that submitted requests; increased use of existing

Mainstay/Whyaka’s Toshao Yvonne Pearson receives her village’s certificate of title from President Irfaan Ali (OP Photo) ry available opportunity to address many of the unique challenges that are affecting the hinterland communities and also to engage in meaningful discussions.

In 2013, the PPP/C government signed off on implementation of the

and alternative mechanisms to resolve landtitling disputes; and thirdly, a communication strategy, including a handbook describing the process of titling, demarcation, and socioeconomic impact of secured land tenure.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

President tells Toshaos Council: ‘Your rights must and will always be respected by this government’

By Tamica Garnett

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali insisted that Guyana’s indigenous population will always “have equity in the country.”

He emphasised that his government will always listen to their needs and ensure that they are sup-

generate ideas, and come together with a common plan and platform.

“We are here not to tell you what to do, but to listen to you; to listen to your ideas; to listen to your needs; to listen to your perspectives and to craft together a plan of action to improve the life of every

hard so that you can have equity, so that you can be part of the process of development,” the President said.

The President reiterated that Amerindians are no different from the rest of the population and must be treated equally.

“Those are the funda-

land communities. It is a platform for them to engage government officials and other stakeholders on issues about the development of their communities.

This year, the five-day conference is being held under the theme, “Good governance and fast tracking Amerindian develop-

is working along with the Toshaos to achieve development.

“Let me be clear, we have no intention of taking over any agenda. Our only interest is to advance your agenda,” the President clarified.

“We are answerable to you. You can take them

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing indigenous leaders in the presence of diplomats and special invitees (OP photo)

ported as they develop their communities and transform their lives.

The President declared this on Monday as he delivered remarks during the opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Council conference (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

According to the President, the objective of the conference from its very inception has always been about listening to the Amerindian people to understand their perspectives,

single Amerindian community in this country,” the President said.

He continued: “Let me be very clear, your rights must and will always be respected by this government. Your rights will always be protected by this government, your rights will always advance under this government.”

According to the President, Amerindians will always have equity in Guyana.

“You have equity in this country. We fought

mental principles that we support. We will preserve what is rightfully yours.

That is what this government has done from day one -- work to preserve everything that can give you a better life and better communities. Your future must be no different from the future of anyone else in this country,” the President said.

Required by the Amerindian Act to be held annually, the NTC brings together Amerindian leaders from over 212 hinter-

ment.”

Aside from the President, the conference will also be attended by the entire government Cabinet, which will hold individual meetings with the Toshaos to discuss concerns in each respective area.

The President made it clear that making the entire Cabinet available to the Toshao is not the government taking over the agenda of the conference, but as a means of ensuring good governance and ensuring that the government

[government ministers] to task, ask them questions in the presence of everyone. That is an open approach to governance and accountability.... The whole government is making itself available to you; some say the government is taking over the agenda.

If the government was absent today, the headline would say the government has no concerns for the Toshaos.”

Further, the President said his government is committed to working

with the Amerindian communities by visiting and listening to what has to be told by each village.

“The Cabinet has managed to visit 97 percent of Amerindian communities.

If we did not have that one year with so many travel restrictions, we would’ve visited every single community and visited more than once,” the President noted.

The President also spoke on some areas where the government has supported the development of Amerindian communities and how funds from Guyana’s oil-and-gas sector would be funnelled down to indigenous communities through the development of areas such as agriculture and infrastructure.

The President was conscious of highlighting that Amerindian villages development would take place sustainably to ensure preservation of the Amerindian culture and identity. However, the President underscored that preserving the Amerindian culture does not mean that transformation must be static.

“It cannot be static.

The preservation of culture and identity does not mean at the expense of the best quality of life that you can have. It requires resources and for us to understand the delicate balance needed to create a sustainable environment,” the President said.

He further noted that “what you can be assured of is a government that will work with you every single day to preserve the cultural identity and the environment in which you live. Our plan is a very simple plan. It’s a plan that seeks to involve you in determining what is best for you and charting a course with your involvement that is best and would deliver the best quality of life for you.”

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Adrienne Galanek is US Embassy’s new Deputy Chief of Mission ADRIENNE Galanek is the new Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Embassy of the United States of America here.

According to the embassy, Ms. Galanek is a career U.S. diplomat who recently served as a Department of State Faculty Advisor at the U.S. Naval War College.

“Prior to the Naval War College, she was Deputy Director in the Political Military Affairs Bureau’s Office of State-Defense Integration, and also served as DCM in Belize and later as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. DCM Galanek will continue to advance the mission goals of Embassy Georgetown,” the US embassy noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Guyana could be possible supplier of gas for countries making energy transition - EU Director says

By Shamar Meusa

New Deputy Chief of Mission Adrienne Galanek The deputy chief of mission is usually considered the second-incommand to the head of mission (usually an ambassador). DCMs serve as

chargé d’affaires (that is, as acting chief of mission) when the titular head of mission is outside of the host country, or when the post is vacant.

WITH parts of the world looking to transition to greener forms of energy, the use of traditional forms of energy is still necessary for this transition.

This was highlighted

by Director General of the Americas at the European Union, Brian Glynn, who stated that the Union has signalled that the use of oil and natural gas will be an essential part of its transition.

Glynn made these remarks during a recent visit to Guyana, where he noted

European Union Managing Director for the Americas, Brian Glynn that the space had been created through his visit for conversations on this issue.

When asked what role he envisages that Guyana would play in the context of the EU as it relates to bridging the supply gap for oil and natural gas, he noted that Guyana could not immediately bridge that gap given where the country is at currently in terms of production.

However, he added that within the next five-to-tenyear period, gas has been identified by the Union as an important element of their transition.

“The more supply of gas there is in the world, the more choices people have about where they get that gas… What we have

discovered in the European Union is that one of our principal suppliers of gas… is an unreliable partner so we’re looking to other parts of the world for more reliable partners,” Glynn told reporters.

When asked whether a direct pitch was made to Guyana and Suriname as the two countries have gained prominence in the oil and gas arena, the DirectorGeneral noted that no direct pitch had been made. However, during his time, he had worked to create a space where these issues can be discussed.

As such, he added that if there is a follow-up to be done, those officials who are directly within those areas will do so.

When asked whether this space has been created here to foster such a discussion, he expressed, “yes, we have and it’s a conversation we will be having more and more with Guyana.”

Against this backdrop, the EU representative indicated that the 27-member state Union is not directly involved in procuring gas; however, companies within the Union that have invested in the region are interested as they form part of the network in the European Union of energy supply.

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50 per cent increase in stipends for Toshaos, Councillors 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

IN keeping with the delivery of yet another promise by the government, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that indigenous community leaders will see a significant increase in their stipends.

At Monday’s opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Conference, President Ali stated that Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos will get a 50 per cent increase in their stipends, moving from $30,000 to $45,000 and $20,000 to $30,000, respectively.

Indigenous Community Senior Councillors and all Regional Democratic Councillors (RDC) from the administrative regions of Guyana will receive an increase of $15,000 to $25,000; and $10,000 to $30,000, respectively.

The five-day event is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme, “Good Governance and Fast-Tracking Amerindian Development.”

“These are commitments we’ve made and commitments we have fulfilled,” the President commented, as he made the announcement.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at the end of the opening ceremony, several Toshaos commended the increase, saying that it will greatly assist them in being able to better carry out their duties, and to

President, Dr Irfaan Ali help with expenses they work that we do in the village; you have to go face.

“I think it is a wel- around the community comed initiative because a lot, so we deserve the we as leaders we work increase.” so hard and we have a Guyana has over 212 family and I know with hinterland communities the increase it will be headed by respective better for me and for my family,” commented Gerald Johnny, Toshao for Taushida village in the Karasabai District of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

His sentiments were shared by Christopher Mariano, a Toshao from Arukamai village in Mabaruma Region One (Barima-Waini).

He said: “It’s a small increase of $15,000, but it will help so that you can do a little more service to the village. As a Toshao it’s a lot of

Toshaos, who lead the Toshao councils, which are elected by the people in each respective community. As Toshaos they are responsible for looking after the needs of the community and coordinating with the government to address the needs of the communities.

Similarly, RDCs are governance bodies that look after the needs of the 10 administrative regions in Guyana. Guyana has 205 councillors on the 10 RDCs across the country.

Over the years, there has been a continued call for the stipends to be increased, as the councillors argue that the remuneration was insufficient, given that their workloads span entire regions.

Councillors of the various RDCs across Guyana have long

sin c e u n a n i m o u s l y agreed in their call for an increase to the stipend and had lob-

bied the previous administration several times to sanction the increase.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Empowering Our First Peoples

AT the heart of Guyana’s rich and diverse history are its First Peoples – Amerindians -who, to this day, remain an integral stakeholder in the country’s development, especially at a time when the nation is undergoing a process of rapid development driven by prudent fiscal management and increasing output across various sectors.

Their contributions, over the years, to Guyana’s political, social and economic advancement, as well as their crucial

role in the preservation of Guyana’s pristine rainforests are well documented, but so are the inequities that they have inadvertently faced because of the remoteness of the villages that a large percentage of the indigenous peoples occupy.

No doubt, however, there have been strategic and calculated efforts and initiatives over the years by successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Governments to bridge the development gap that exists between the coastland and hinter-

land regions.

By empowering them to create and carry out policies, plans, and strategies for the development of their own communities, the PPP/C has sought to improve the socio-economic conditions of all Amerindians. This has allowed them to participate in all of Guyana’s main activities without jeopardising the development of their communities and the preservation of their culture, and it has also ensured that Amerindians’ rights, especially those regarding land ownership

and natural resources development, are respected.

Officially, the Amerindian Act of 2006 was enacted to provide for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian villages and communities, the granting of land to Amerindian villages and communities and the promotion of good governance within Amerindian villages and communities.

There have been commitments by the incumbent Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration to not only respect and safeguard the rights of Amerindians, but to also include them in every aspect of development, as is the case with every Guyanese under the banner of “One Guyana.”

According to the United Nations (UN), empowered people could help to achieve sustained economic growth and development through education, health care and employment. They, also, have the potential to integrate economic, cultural and social policies to achieve a better life for all.

This year alone, as part of efforts to empower Amerindians and improve their quality of life, the government has allocated some $3.1 billion for projects that will target indigenous communities. Additionally, some $561.6 million will go towards accelerating the land titling programme.

“We are committed to ensuring that Amerindian and hinterland villages are economically empowered, first and foremost through the land titling programme and, secondly, through development

of the village economy,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had said.

He added: “We are also committed to ensuring that all of the country’s best educational and training opportunities are as available to our hinterland brothers and sisters as they are to those on the coast. And we are committed to ensuring that the quality of social services delivered to all villages is improved markedly.”

In 2021, $666.5 million was expended on stipends to engage 2,000 Community Service Officers (CSOs) under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme, and a further sum of $115.6 million was expended towards the training of 420 CSOs in areas such as ICT, tractor driving, licensing and maintenance; and solar panel installation and maintenance.

In 2022, the number of CSOs will be increased to 2,500, creating an additional 500 jobs for young persons in Amerindian villages and a sum of $60 million will be spent on training 650 CSOs to serve in 220 communities within all 10 administrative regions in areas such as tourism and hospitality; development of business plans; food safety pre-requisites; good manufacturing practices; ATV and outboard engine repairs and licensing; as well as garment construction.

The government, through its new and expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy

(LCDS) 2030, also plans to set aside 15 percent of all revenues earned from forest conservation for Amerindians and forestdependent communities in Guyana.

This, according to reports, will be invested into priority areas such as land titling, capitalisation of the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), healthcare, education, physical and digital infrastructure and other projects that residents regard as important to their communities’ development.

The PPP/C government’s initiatives geared towards Amerindian development were acknowledged by Belize’s Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development, Oscar Requena, who, following a meeting with local authorities, said: “I sat here and I marvelled at the many things minister [Minister of Amerindian Affairs] that you shared, that you as a government do for the indigenous people of Guyana, and certainly when I listened to both other ministers share their experiences and the kind of resources that you allocate, it is wonderful and my question was: How do you do it?

How can you find those resources because I am certain that my colleagues would want to replicate this kind of experience in our country?”

This serves as a timely justification that the government has been prioritising the development of Amerindian communities and that there are sound efforts to empower the First Peoples of Guyana.

Wrong Can Never Be Right!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

By Earl Bousquet

THREE reprehensible acts in the past week drew much world attention, but attracted very unequal reaction.

The first was the assassination of Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan, while campaigning ahead of last Sunday’s parliamentary elections.

Abe was a charismatic politician, shaped both by lineage and his own often-demonstrated willingness to adapt to changing times, but never at the expense of his hardly-held positions.

Abe’s life was cut short last Thursday by a lone gunman with a home-made gun in a society where gun violence only exists on screens -- and after he’d retired from active public service for health reasons.

And then on Saturday, in neighboring Brazil, a senior member of the leadership of Lula DaSilva’s Workers Party (PT) was shot dead while celebrating his 50th birthday, by a police officer ranting opposing political cliches, as the country races towards the upcoming presidential race pitting popular expresident DaSilva against incumbent President, Jair Bolsonaro.

Interestingly, President Bolsonaro missed death during the last presidential campaign that he won, after being stabbed with a knife by an attacker close enough to him; and the PT politician and the policeman both died in the hail of bullets between them.

Gun violence has become an unfortunate norm in the USA, where President Biden is up against a powerful gun lobby emboldened by a recent pro-gun Supreme Court ruling, in an increasingly worried nation with an amazing 1.2 million guns for every million inhabitants and there have been

over 300 mass shootings for 2022.

Gun violence, also present to different extents in Africa and Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America and the Caribbean, has reached Tokyo’s doorstep, which will certainly lead to expected belated responses during and after Abe’s funeral on Tuesday.

CARICOM Leaders joined the rest of the world expressing condolences and recalling Abe’s hosting of a summit with the region’s leaders in Trinidad& Tobago, during which he reconfigured Japan’s aid policy towards the region.

The third reprehensible act was the invasion of the Presidential Compound in Sri Lanka, which is being portrayed as a demonstration of ‘The Power of the People’, but one that could have ended-up quite differently if the presidential guard had offered any resistance while the President’s life was endangered.

The Rajapaksa family is one of several involved in Sri Lankan politics and the two brothers both having been more-thanonce elected to the two top posts (President and Prime Minister) in free and fair national elections is proof-positive that they were popular.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa resigned much earlier than President Rajapaksa, who has a strong military background and was credited with successfully taking the fight to militant extremists engaging in religion-based violence.

Sri Lankans, forced by the country’s acute financial, economic and cost-of-living crises to live for weeks without fuel for transport and energy for home use, were understandably fed-up, with every right to pour their anger into Colombo’s streets.

But, leading an un-

armed and unprotected mass crowd to attack and occupy a heavily-guarded presidential compound could not be right, as it’s no less than the January 6, 2021 invasion of the US Capitol in Washington by Donald Trump’s supporters, when police officers died doing their job of protecting the building from invasion by a mass mob trying to overturn a presidential election.

The last presidential palace to be stormed by a misled mob was that of then Bolivian president Evo Morales, against whom external political forces had colluded with local politicians and the army to implement a coup d’état to prevent the democratically re-elected indigenous leader from taking office.

In both cases (Bolivia and Sri Lanka) the world looked on in astonishment as poor people splurged in the spoils of the momentary pleasures of bathing in the president’s swimming pool or lying in a presidential bed, with those responsible for security simply looking on.

Worse, in the Sri Lanka case, the home of the Prime Minister appointed to replace PM Rajapaksa was burned, even after he promised to resign – and the crowd occupied the presidential palace even after President Rajapaksa fled and promised to resign on Wednesday (July 13).

The simple but major

fact is that no invasion of a presidential or prime ministerial compound, or the burning of a prime minister’s residence can be deemed acceptable, whatever the circumstances -- and if only because such actions amount to anarchy that no society can justify.

The killing of a politician while politicking is inexcusable, whether in Japan or Brazil; likewise, the torching of a prime minister’s home or occupation of a presidential compound.

Fact is, the situation in Sri Lanka developed over time, from pre-COVID times, into the Supply Chain crisis and then the Ukraine war, which only aggravated a very bad economic situation.

Poor people occupying a presidential compound might have looked and sounded good on TV,

but what happened in Sri Lanka on the weekend {are] both unjustified and inexcusable from the standpoint of defence and promotion of a peaceful and democratic order.

It’s simply a case of good luck that nobody died and the entire occupation proceeded without incident, but the bottom line is that it could have been worse and the presidential guards must be commended for having been coaxed into not doing their job of protecting the compound by all means, against all odds.

It’s a fact that the Rajapaksas can, will and should be blamed for the failure of the government to provide for the people in time of greatest need, but in the circumstances, the effects of the COVIDinspired Supply Chain problems and after effects of the Ukraine war

are having similar effects everywhere else that governments don’t have access to the ready cash or financial back-up needed to shore-up economies from similar effects.

Europe, the USA and Canada, the G7 and G20, all are facing and each feel the COVID and Ukraine War effects, which affect poor nations hundredsfold worse.

The Caribbean is no less affected and similar crises are likely in the region in the future, with no limit or cap on expectations, so here’s hoping the lessons from Japan, Brazil and Sri Lanka are learned properly, as each and every situation, never mind surface similarities, is always different at the core.

Wong is wrong and wrong approaches to difficult situations can never be made right!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

New Sophia packaging facility OPR investigating teen’s to be completed by end of 2022 claim of police brutality

By Naomi Parris

WORKS are moving apace for constructing a state-of-the-art packaging plant at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, which will be completed by year-end, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said.

“As I am speaking, the contractors are working there. They are building a brand-new building,” Mustapha said during a recent exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

The minister further stated that the $65M project, which is part of the ministry’s 2022 works programme, will enhance the country’s central packaging facility and the overall agro-processing sector.

“This [project] will help us to increase at the central level while we continue to expand across the country,” Mustapha said.

He further explained that the project will bolster the global effort to reduce food loss and wastage, as it will increase the country’s capacity to provide internationally marketable packaging for local agroprocessed products.

Once completed, the

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha facility will accommodate the processing and packaging of a range of products such as pasteurised milk, natural fruit juices, and water, as well as a myriad of bread-like products, including hamburger buns, cookies, biscuits, croissants, bagels, and donuts.

Recently, the ministry, through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), commissioned $37 million worth of equipment for the facility.

Six water tanks, two forklifts, four pallet jacks, five trollies, and one sewing machine were commissioned to aid in processing fresh fruit and vegetables for export.

Additionally, 11 com-

puters with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), and 16 office desks and chairs were procured to set up offices for the packaging facility, extension workstations, and other processing facilities nationwide.

During the commissioning of those pieces of equipment, Mustapha reiterated that the agroprocessing sector’s investment is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the country’s agricultural sector for increased food security, not only in Guyana, but also in the wider Caribbean.

“This shows government’s commitment to agro-processing in our country,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “Guyana is today attracting attention not only regionally, but globally.“Many persons would say, ‘Yes, Guyana is attractive, because of oil and gas,’ but, today, our agriculture sector in the country is taking the region by storm, and we are moving forward to ensure that we have food security.”

The project is also part of the government’s efforts in reducing the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

- GPF says 17-year-old was alone in cell with lighter when shirt caught fire

THE Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the alleged torture inflicted on a 17-yearold while in custody at the Vigilance Police Station, according to the police force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU).

According to a release, 17-year-old Johiem Peters, a resident of Annandale, East Coast Demerara has accused a Guyana Police Force (GPF) rank stationed at the Vigilance Police Station of torturing him, thereby causing him grievous bodily harm while he was in custody of the police force on Sunday.

However, reports indicate that the teen told the police officers that he was playing with the lighter when his jersey caught fire, but the teenager’s father has alleged police brutality. The boy, whom the police said is a fisherman, was arrested for alleged armed robbery. In a video released by the family, the teen later claimed he was set on fire by police ranks.

The investigation, the CCU stated, has so far shown that on July 10, 2022, around 10:30hrs, Peters was

The teen with burn marks on his abdomen on Sunday arrested pending an investigation into an allegation of an alleged robbery under arms in which he was recognized as one of the attackers and was assisting the police with the investigation.

Peters told investigators that while he was detained, two of his friends —names withheld—were also brought into custody.

They were sitting on the prisoner’s bench in front of the lockups with another

male detainee when Peters asked one of them for a cigarette lighter, and his friend gave him a lighter.

The police indicated that the other prisoner admitted to seeing when Peters’ friend gave him the cigarette lighter, but claimed that he heard Peters screaming only while he was alone in the cell.

It is alleged that the police officer on duty at the Vigilance Police Station rushed to the cell and removed Peters while his shirt was still on fire.

Police reports note that Peters, whom the EMTs subsequently questioned, claimed that he had been smoking in the lockups when he slept off and the cigarette had caught on his shirt.

Even as the investigation continues, the force disclosed that two other civilian witnesses informed the investigators that they had heard Peters screaming from his cell while they were at the station and that when the police officer on duty took him outside, they saw fire on his shirt.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

164 persons lose homes to fires in first half of 2022 - GFS

By Jared Liddell

FOR the first half of this year, 164 persons have been displaced due to fires at their private residences, even as the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) records a significant 18 per cent decrease in fires occurring at homes for the year, according to the GFS’s half-year report.

This disclosure comes even as the Fire Service continues to implement strategic systems to tackle firefighting locally.

According to statistics, the displacement of persons due to this disaster represents a 41 per cent decrease in persons losing their homes against the 277 in 2022.

In an invited comment, Deputy Fire Chief, Haimchandra Persaud, disclosed that several new systems were implemented this year and noted that the service documented 133 fires at private residents against the 162 recorded in the same period last year.

GFS statistics also revealed a 32.4 per cent

decrease in fires at businesses against the same period in 2021.

For 2022, some 25 businesses were affected by fire against the 37 in the previous year.

A cursory look at the records shows that calls to the GFS have increased by 20.1 per cent, from 566 last year to 680.

Also down significantly, at 08, are fires caused by children playing with flammable items, which last year stood at 13.

And in terms of fires involving motor vehicles, there has been a 36 per cent decrease from 45 last year to 29.

Fires occurring at government properties have seen a 39 per cent increase in 2022, with 18 recorded this year against the 13 recorded in 2021.

The government has been investing heavily in improving the capacity of the GFS to cater to the needs of the public.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, in a recent comment, underscored the importance of fire-preven-

tion systems in minimizing the number of fires.

In April, he disclosed plans for the GFS to embark on a major countrywide fire-prevention systems-inspection exercise this year. It is expected to target mainly commercial buildings and businesses.

He noted that this exercise, coupled with public education outreaches targeting homes, will equip persons with the necessary

knowledge to develop, implement and enforce fire-prevention measures in rural and urban communities, especially in commercial areas.

Disclosing the 2022 plan in further detail, Minister Benn stated that as part of the Fire Service’s fire-prevention plan, heavy investments would be made to distribute several pieces of fire-prevention apparatus to residents

and businesses.

He said that during the year, the GFS, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, will procure and distribute 3,000 fire extinguisher balls and smoke detectors, which will act as a “first response” to help prevent the spread of the fire.

Fire extinguisher balls are dry powder fire extinguishers. When touched by a naked flame, they will self-activate and effectively disperse extinguishing chemicals.

Benn noted that these new systems would complement the work of the 10-point plan that was introduced in 2021, which resulted in the service recording a 22 per cent reduction in the number of fires recorded for the year.

The 10-point plan entails the modernization and renovation of existing fire stations; collaboration with government agencies; implementation of a fire service building code; establishment of a legal department; creation of an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) department;

training courses for staff, both locally and internationally; establishment of a public relations unit; operational pole training for all staff; and expansion of emergency medical service.

In terms of equipment this year, the government has been allocating significant monies for procuring equipment that will complement the 10-point system.

This year, the government has already expended $178 million on four new pieces of equipment for the fire service.

The new additions to the fire service’s pool of resources are a $146.3 million airport crash-rescue tender, a $12.7 million bowser water tanker, and two ambulances valuing collectively $19.5 million.

T h e G F S a l s o re ceived two new fire tenders worth $28 million.

Those tenders were donated to the government by a British firefighting & rescue vehicle manufacturing company, Angloco.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

‘Sargie’ gets life sentences for raping, robbing woman AN unremorseful 34-yearold Ronald Armstrong called “Sargie,” was, on Monday, given two life sentences for brutally raping and robbing a 20-yearold woman in 2013 during a home invasion.

Armstrong, formerly of Friendship, East Bank

Demerara, was sentenced

by Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court.

Last month, a 12-member jury found Armstrong guilty of rape and robbery.

On January 22, 2013, in the county of Demerara, he

engaged in sexual penetration of the victim and also stole the woman’s jewellery and other valuables from her home.

The state’s case was presented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry, and Paneeta Persaud. Armstrong was rep-

resented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy.

While delivering her sentencing remarks on Monday, the judge told the court that, among other things, she considered that Armstrong showed no remorse for his actions and the psychological trauma the victim endured.

Justice Sewnarine-Beharry said that the aggravating factors of the case outweighed the mitigating factor. Among other things, the judge said that Armstrong lacked genuine remorse and had maintained his innocence.

She told the court that not only did Armstrong commit the crime while on bail for armed robbery, but he used a deadly weapon in the commission of the robbery and rape.

The judge, after taking into consideration the nature and prevalence of the offence, sentenced Armstrong to serve life imprisonment for the rape and robbery committed on the victim.

He is currently serving a four-year sentence for aggravated robbery, which prompted the judge to order that the two life sentences commence after he completes that sentence.

Previously, the victim, in her impact statement, said that she was left to live with the stigma associated with sex crimes and was still suffering from the trauma of the incident.

According to the woman, when the trial commenced it reopened old wounds, even though she thought it would have brought her a sense of relief.

“I felt as though a volcano erupted with burning rage inside of me. That night every emotion that I

Ronald Armstrong had suppressed and everything that I did not allow myself to feel on that horrible night and the days after, came rushing back to me all at once,” she said.

The rape survivor said that even though Armstrong raped her almost a decade ago, she is still haunted by the memories of that day and she was forced to relive every moment of it.

“For years I was angry at myself, I blamed myself, I questioned everything I did and didn’t do, every action, every thought, every gesture, every word spoken and unspoken. I never blamed the person responsible and who deserves to be blamed, that person is you! I finally allowed myself to be angry at you,” the woman said to her rapist.

The woman provided a heart-wrenching account of how she was left with the dreadful memories of the attack; one which Armstrong has denied committing.

“The memory of the weight of your body pinning mine down, the scent of your odoriferous cologne, the rough sensation of your unshaven chin rubbing my ears and neck raw as you slammed your hips against mine and forced yourself into me…these are things I can never forget.

You were so calm, as if you were doing nothing wrong.

You stuffed my mouth full with cloth and still kept your hand tight on my head while pointing that gun at my baby and you continued to shush me. At least once, I was trying so hard to get away from you, one ounce of retaliation, but I couldn’t.

I felt like I died that night.

A piece of me did die that night,” the survivor said.

The woman said that Armstrong forcefully took her dignity away and described him as a “weakminded, weak-willed, deranged sadistic monster” who is a “pitiful excuse of a human being.”

“I wish you a very long life in jail Ronald Armstrong,” the victim said to her rapist as she told the court that she had started rebuilding her life and had begun improving herself and moving on.

According to reports, on the day in question, the victim was at home with her baby and sister when Armstrong and two other men broke in.

She was held at knifepoint by Armstrong, who demanded she handed over her valuables or he would hurt her baby.

The woman complied and handed over all her jewellery. Armstrong then took the victim into her bedroom and raped her.

During the ordeal, the victim lost consciousness, the court heard.

She was later awakened by her sister after the men left the house. The matter was reported and Armstrong was arrested.

Armstrong is no stranger to the law. In 2014 he was sentenced to 50 months in jail for smuggling contraband into the prison.

Guyana Fire Service corner

Today’s Fire Safety Tip is: *Desist from using illegal connections for electricity. * Illegal connections can cause fires and electrocute passers-by, putting the safety of both life and property at risk.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Guyana an important bilateral partner - EU Director says

AS Guyana and the European Union celebrate some 50 years of partnership, a high-level representative of the Union has revealed that Guyana is an important bilateral partner.

This is according to the European Union’s Managing Director of the Americas Brian Glynn, who recently visited Guyana following the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Suriname.

At a reception held at

the residence of the European Union’s envoy late last week, Glynn engaged members of the media, where he lauded the 50 years of partnership between the EU and Guyana, saying that it is an indication that the former will be here for a long time.

“I think I’ve come to Guyana at an exciting time for your country, where there is a lot of new wealth that has to be distributed and redistributed over the next few years,” Glynn

Brian Glynn, Managing Director for the Americas at the European Union

said, adding that based on his interactions with government members, he is optimistic that this is on the agenda, and as such, he believes that the government is undoubtedly planning well for this.

Glynn, whose role is to foster bilateral relationships between the EU and all countries within the Western Hemisphere, stated that Guyana has become more on the Union’s radar as an important bilateral partner over the years.

Noting that Guyana is a country that is part of the solution when looking for

answers to serious issues like climate change and food insecurity, Glynn said: “I think there are a lot of things that a Guyana that is open to the world is offering solutions, and we at the European Union are very interested in partnering with Guyana, politically, to ensure that we can do these things together.”

And while they haven’t sent a high-level delegation here for quite some time now, even though the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted, the

EU regards Guyana as one of the places to pay such a visit.

He noted that being long-time partners and hoping to continue the partnership, he is encouraging the government’s leadership to visit countries within the EU, so more people could know more about Guyana.

“With what the government is proposing to do,” Glynn said, “Guyana is selling itself as a good international citizen, and we’d very much like to help to support Guyana on that.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Senior GDF officer completes Ambassador Michael Brotherson UK Defence Academy course appointed Consul General in New York

Lieutenant-Colonel Eon Murray receives his certificate of achievement from a representative of the UK Defence Academy GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Staff Officer One Special Duties LieutenantColonel Eon Murray is

among representatives of 18 countries who recently completed a seven-week ‘Managing Defence in the

Wider Security Context’ course at the United Kingdom Defence Academy, Shrivenham, UK. The course, designed for senior leadership of militaries and civilians from around the world, covered several areas, including Security; Defence and the Law; Governance Defence and Security; Leadership Management of Defence and Security, and Strategic Communication.

According to the GDF, the course was geared at building the strategic capacity of its participants and allowed for interaction and sharing of experiences through exercises and presentations.

“Now that I have gained this knowledge, I intend to use it to offer advice and support to the strategic plans and initiatives of the force. It was a great course that met my expectations,” Lt-Col Murray said of the training.

ON Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that, on July 2, 2022, Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson took up his appointment as Consul General at the Consulate General of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in New York, USA. A career diplomat, Ambassador Brotherson joined the Foreign Service in 1991 as an entry-level Foreign Service Officer II. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, over the years, he was elevated to several senior positions within the Ministry, including Senior Foreign Officer in the Office of the President, where he was part of the team that oversaw the launch of Guyana’s

Ambassador Michael Brotherson Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Most recently, Ambassador Brotherson served as the Director of the Department of Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

and International Cooperation.

Ambassador Brotherson’s career within the Foreign Ministry has seen him serve in many other important posts, including Consul General of Guyana in Barbados, Lead Negotiator for Guyana on the UN Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, Head of the Diaspora Unit, Head of Public Affairs and Information Unit, and Counsellor at Guyana High Commission in London, among others.

“The Ministry extends best wishes to Ambassador Brotherson for a successful tenure as Consul General of the Consulate General of Guyana in New York,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

$484M in cocaine, marijuana seized on aircraft at Mahdia Airstrip O N S u n d a y, r a n k s of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) seized 639.9 pounds of cocaine and

120.45 pounds of cannabis from an aircraft that made an unauthorised landing at the Mahdia

airstrip (Region Eight).

According to a report, the intelligence-led operation by the GPF around

14:20 hrs on Sunday resulted in the arrest of Rodrigues Canon Dandres Estiven, a 43-yearold Colombian, and Mateus Vinicius Pontes Alberto, a 23-year-old Brazilian national who were aboard the vessel.

The police noted that the white Cessna skyline single-engine airplane red, light grey and dark grey in colour with registration number #N5470z, is suspected of having come from Venezuela.

A search of the aircraft unearthed ten large parcels containing suspected cocaine and one small parcel containing suspected cannabis.

The suspected cocaine and cannabis were seized along with one satellite phone, two GPS, two cellular phones, one Icon radio set, and documents.

Both men were es-

The wrapped parcels of cocaine and marijuana worth $484M that were seized at the Mahdia Airstrip on Sunday corted to the GPF Criminal Investigations Department at Eve Leary, where the parcels were weighed in their presence and amounted to 639.9 lbs or 290.2 KG cocaine

(250 packs) and cannabis120.45 lbs or 54.6 KG (50 packs).

The cocaine value in Guyana is $435,380,640 and the marijuana value in Guyana $49,171,680.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, July 12, 2022

GPF Driving Course: 44 new drivers issued certificate of competence

F O R T Y- F O U R n e w l y trained Guyana Police Force (GPF) drivers recently completed the first four-wheel driving course of 2022, which commenced on June 6, 2022.

According to Police Headquarters, the course comprised 44 ranks from various policing divisions and departments, and it was completed on July 8, 2022.

During the five weeks, the instructors focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of driving and road use, with two weeks of theoretical learning concluding with a written exam.

Additionally, the ranks underwent a three-week practical exposure session in defensive driving, good driving habits, and parking.

Upon completion of their training, the ranks were tested for their level of competency

in operating a vehicle on the road, and they all were successful.

The GPF noted that the ranks have each since been issued with a certificate of competence and a driver’s licence with force driver permits.

Force Traffic Officer, Senior Superintendent Ramesh Ashram, noted that through the Force’s acquisition of more vehicles, the demand for trained drivers must be met.

He said that, as such, the Force’s Administration sought to train ranks from various Divisions.

In closing, Senior Superintendent Ashram charged the ranks to practise what they have learned and to be capable drivers as they leave with the required skills and knowledge for their respective stations and departments.

The instructor of the course, Sergeant Eldon Sobers,

Seated from left: Sergeant Eldon Sobers; Force Traffic Officer, Senior Superintendent Ramesh Ashram; Woman Chief Inspector Natasha Alder, and Inspector Michael Ramdass, flanked by the forty-four newly trained GPF drivers highlighted that throughout the course all the participants were committed and determined to

become efficient drivers.

He lauded the discipline displayed by the ranks and com-

mended them on their outstanding performance.

Present also were Woman

Chief Inspector, Natasha Alder and Inspector Michael Ramdass.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 12, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 12, 2022

Chandimal, Jayasuriya fashion Alphonso sets up U-17 final innings-victory over Australia Junior Caribbean Squash Championships…

date with Verwey GUYANESE Nicholas Verwey and Michael Alphonso will clash for the Boys Under-17 title at the ongoing Junior Caribbean Area Squash Championships in Guyana.

Both players registered contrasting semi-final victories at the Georgetown Club on Monday evening, and will now play today’s

final from 12:00h.

Verwey defeated the talented Seth Thong of Trinidad and Tobago 118, 11-3, 11-6 in quite a clinical fashion, while Alphonso, a Caribbean Under-15 champion, had a slow start, but recovered to defeat Barbadian Alex Stewart 3-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9.

Additionally, Avery Arjoon defeated her compatriot, Tiana Gomes 11-7, 11-7, 11-0 to reach today’s final at 10:30h against Trinidadian Josie Thong.

Guyanese Shomari Wiltshire also got into the Boys Under-19.

All finals will be contested today at the Georgetown Club.

Kwakwani, President’s College and Aroaima win... (From back page) BOYS U-16 FINAL President’s College made it into both male finals. In the Boys U-16 championship clash, they got past KidRock Academy 65-54.

DeJaun Grant and Aiden Semple led the scoring for the winners.

Grant finished with a game-high 26 points and six rebounds, while Semple finished with 16 points and five rebounds. Abeil Ward proved his dominance on the board. He pulled down 17 rebounds to go with seven points.

For KidRock Elisah Robertson scored 18 points, made five steals and pulled down four rebounds to lead the attack, while Stephen George finished with nine points and nine rebounds.

Grant finished as the Most Valuable Player, the Best Scorer, and also received the Standout Player Award.

BOYS U-18 FINAL Meanwhile, Students from the locality of Aroaima dominated the U18 Boys final after whipping President’s College 103-52.

The first-timers were in a class of their own as they dismantle a well-coached President’s College team, who came into the tournament as the defending senior champion.

Aoirima also defeated six-time champions Kwakwani, and five-time champions Linden Technical Institute en route to winning their maiden championship.

Kasim English top-scored with 37 points and 14 rebounds, while the National 3X3 Caribbean Games bronze medallist, Kemol

Grimmond scored 28 points, made eight assists and pulled down a whopping 15 rebounds.

Support came from Adi Donald with 19 points and Kelon Phillips with 14 points.

President’s College were led by Kemol Mentore with 24 points, and 13 rebounds (PC) and U16 MVP Grant, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Philips, who dominated in the other clashes, won the tournament’s MVP and Best Scorer’s award, while Grimmond won the finals MVP award and the Most Assist trophy.

Other special awards included: Best Emerging Team-- Christ Church Secondary Best Uniform Team -- The Bishops’ High School Best Fan Support-- President’s College Sportsmanship Team-- President’s College Sportsmanship Individual-- Ronoko Vaughn (PC) Senior Class-- Ronoko Vaughn (PC) Standout Players- Kassidy Woolford (GT Academy Girls), DeJaun Grant (PC U16), and Demitri Rankin (Christ Church U18) Best Coach- Willon Cameron, President’s College ExxonMobil Guyana was the major sponsor of this year’s tournament with support from the National Sports Commission, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, and Banks DIH Ltd.

Emerging Windies players impress coaching... (From page 26) teams while supporting the development of talented players between the ages of 19 and 25.

The 15 players at the first Emerging Players camp were picked after the CWI Selection Panel met and made recommendations on a formula that included consultations with each of the six territorial boards.

CWI said the camp has several objectives and the

main focus during the initial period will be to ensure the management of talent; players’ personal development, especially creating a breeding ground for leaders in the game; accelerating development, reinforcing the importance of knowledge on the physical components; and increasing the readiness of the players for the international stage, with a focus on specific skill sets identified

by the Head Coach of the Senior Team.

FULL EMERGING PLAYERS SQUAD: Kevlon Anderson, Keagan Simmons, Kirk McKenzie, Kevin Wickham, Teddy Bishop, Ackeem Auguste, Ramon Simmonds, McKenny Clarke, Johann Layne, Kelvin Pitman, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young, Joshua James, Leonardo Julien.

DINESH Chandimal cracked an unbeaten 206, his maiden double ton and highest Test score, as Sri Lanka put themselves 190 runs ahead of Australia in the first innings before debutant left arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya ripped through Australia in the second, handing them a special series-equaling victory.

Jayasuriya ended the match with twelve after Australia lost 9 wickets in the final session, bringing the match to a hasty end.

Australia's reply had started solidly before Ramesh Mendis trapped David Warner LBW minutes before the Tea break, after which the innings unraveled swiftly.

Jayasuriya had Usman Khawaja caught at short leg, and then Steve Smith trapped LBW for a duck in the same over to kickstart the collapse.

Travis Head was beaten all ends up by a ripping off break from Ramesh before Jayasuriya spun a web, striking thrice in the space of eleven balls.

Marnus Labuschagne missed a sweep against a full ball, Cameron Green was stumped overbalancing and Mitchell Starc edging to slip against one not turning too much. Maheesh Theekshana hastened the end thereafter with a double strike before Jayasuriya gave it the finishing touch by bowling Mitch-

ell Swepson.

Sri Lanka's spin squeeze in the second innings was enabled largely thanks to the healthy lead they had bagged in the first innings, with Chandimal driving the way ahead earlier in the day, to get them to their highest total against Australia.

The hosts had built on their overnight lead steadily through the morning on the fourth day where Chandimal also added 68 with Ramesh Mendis for the seventh wicket that frustrated Australia for a large part.

Both Chandimal and Mendis were proactive in their approach to counter Nathan Lyon's offspin. While the former brought out a string of sweep shots, the latter also put the spinner off by dancing down the track and lofting him. As a result, Australia had little to no success through the first hour and Sri Lanka stretched their lead swiftly.

With no luck going their way, Australia only managed to get back into the game when the third new ball was taken. Ramesh was yorked

by Mitchell Starc and trapped plumb in front. This came in the middle of a flurry of opportunities for Australia.

A couple of overs before, Mitchell Swepson had an LBW turned down, only for the replays to show three reds. With no review left, Australia were left ruing a

missed chance when Starc nearly struck twice. After bagging Ramesh, he also had a caught behind appeal against Maheesh Theekshana upheld onfield but it was overturned on review.

While his spell was testing with the new ball, the wickets column read just 1 as Sri Lanka survived. Chandimal farmed the strike when possible and also brought up his 150 in the process even as Pat Cummins knocked over Theekshana late in the first session.

But Chandimal stitched together useful stands with the lower order, particularly with Kasun Rajitha for the last wicket where they added 49 with Rajitha's contribution being 0. Chandimal brought up his double century going 4,6,6 against Mitchell Starc before Sri Lanka were bowled out for 554.

That total proved to be enough to hand Sri Lanka their first-ever innings victory over Australia.

Brief Scores: Australia 364 (Steve Smith 145*, Manus Labuschagne 104; Prabath Jayasuriya 6-118, Kasun Rajitha 2-70) and 151 (Marnus Labuschagne 32; Prabath Jayasuriya 6-59) lost to Sri Lanka 554 (Dinesh Chandimal 205*, Dimuth Karunaratne 86; Mitchell Starc 4-98, Mitchell Swepson 2-100) by an innings and 39 runs. (Cricbuzz.com)

SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA 1st innings 364 Sri Lanka 1st innings o/n 431-6 Pathum Nissanka c Cameron Green b Mitchell Starc 6 Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Mitchell Swepson 86 Kusal Mendis lbw Nathan Lyon 85 Angelo Mathews c Marnus Labuschagne b Mitchell Starc 52 Dinesh Chandimal Not Out 206 Kamindu Mendis b Mitchell Swepson 61 Niroshan Dickwella c Pat Cummins b Nathan Lyon 5 Ramesh Mendis lbw Mitchell Starc 29 Maheesh Theekshana b Pat Cummins 10 Prabath Jayasuriya b Mitchell Starc 0 Kasun Rajitha lbw Mitchell Swepson 0 Extras 4b 6lb 1nb 0pen 3w 14 Total (181.0 overs) 554 all out Fall of Wickets: 1-12 Nissanka, 2-164 Karunaratne, 3-186 Mendis, 4-269 Mathews, 5-402 Mendis, 6-409 Dickwella, 7-477 Wanigamuni, 8-498 Theekshana, 9-505 Jayasuriya, 10-554 Rajitha Did Not Bat: Fernando Bowling: Mitchell Starc 29 - 3 - 89 - 4, Pat Cummins 30 - 5 - 95 - 1 (1w 1nb), Nathan Lyon 64 - 5 - 194 – 2, Cameron Green 6 - 0 - 20 - 0 (1w), Mitchell Swepson 38 - 2 - 103 - 3.

AUSTRALIA 2nd innings David Warner lbw Ramesh Mendis Usman Khawaja c Oshada Fernando b Prabath Jayasuriya Marnus Labuschagne lbw Prabath Jayasuriya Steven Smith lbw Prabath Jayasuriya Travis Head b Ramesh Mendis Cameron Green st Niroshan Dickwella b Prabath Jayasuriya Alex Carey Not Out Mitchell Starc c Kusal Mendis b Prabath Jayasuriya Pat Cummins lbw Maheesh Theekshana Nathan Lyon lbw Maheesh Theekshana Mitchell Swepson b Prabath Jayasuriya Extras 1b 0lb 0nb 0pen 0w 1 Total (41.0 overs) 151 all out

24 29 32 0 5 23 16 0 16 5 0

Fall of Wickets: 1-49 Warner, 2-59 Khawaja, 3-59 Smith, 4-74 Head, 5-112 Labuschagne, 6-117 Green, 7-117 Starc, 8-144 Cummins, 9-150 Lyon, 10-151 Swepson Bowling: Kasun Rajitha 5 - 1 - 16 - 0, Maheesh Theekshana 5 - 0 - 28 - 2, Ramesh Mendis 15 - 2 - 47 - 2, Prabath Jayasuriya 16 - 2 - 59 - 6.

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National youth cricketer benefits from Project ‘Cricket Gear’ DEMERARA Cricket Club’s compact young opener Jadon Campbell is the latest youth cricketer to benefit from Project “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana”. The prolific opener was recently selected to represent Guyana in the upcoming Regional Under-17 tournament to he held in Trinidad.

On receipt of one pair of cricket shoes, the talented Campbell, who is also a wicket-keeper, was loud in praise of the initiative, a joint venture by Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana. “I wish to maintain the rich history of my club and follow in the footsteps of Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Roger Harper, Travis Dowlin and many others” he added.

Aaron Beharry, a representative of the project, stated that the partnership is please to help young and talented cricketers in Guyana. “This initiative is to help identify and nurture young talents and at the same time encourage them to educate themselves” Beharry stated.

Total cricket related items collected so far: $170,000 cash, two trophies, eleven cricket boots, seventeen pairs of batting pads, nineteen bats, thirteen pairs of batting gloves, nineteen thigh pads, one wicket keeping pad, one

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 12, 2022

Olympic marathon champion Jepchirchir to miss World Athletics Championships (AFP)-Kenya's Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir said on Monday she will miss the World Athletics Championships beginning this week.

The 28-year-old, a twotime half marathon world champion and one of the favourites for the title, told AFP she will not go to Eugene due to a hip injury.

"I really wanted to go to Oregon. But I developed an injury of the hip while in training," she said. "The doctor told me I need to give it a rest." Jepchirchir

Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir

was a late addition to a four-member women's mar-

athon team for the meeting, including the reigning world champion Ruth Chepngetich.

The others are Judith Jeptum and Angela Tanui. Last year's New York Marathon champion, Jepchirchir won her Boston Marathon debut in April -- her fifth victory in a row since 2019 -- in 2hr 21min 01sec. She secured backto-back women's Olympic marathon titles for Kenya in Tokyo last year, timing 2hr 27min 20sec. The world championships start on July 15 in Oregon.

Gobin, Narine slam centuries for Pegasus Storm Aaron Beharry (left) hands over the cricket shoes to Jadon Campbell

arm guard, six cricket bags and two helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman.

To date, 37 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from three junior gear bag, two trophies, one arm guard, 13 bats, one box, two helmets, 10 pairs of cricket shoes, nine pairs of batting pads, one bat rubber and eleven pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cot-

ton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC received two, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket- keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails.

Cricket related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders will also assist to identify talent. Progressive and well managed clubs will also benefit.

FORMER Guyana Under-19 batsman Troy Gobin blasted an undefeated 108 to steer his side Pegasus Storm to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Friendship Masters when the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 tournament continued last Saturday at Dean Park, Ontario, Canada.

Gobin, who also represented Malteenoes Sports Club in Guyana before migrating to Canada, slammed eight fours and seven sixes off a mere 51 balls, sharing an opening stand of 146 in 13 overs with Surendra Persaud whose contribution was 51, with four fours and four sixes as Pegasus Storm made light work of Friendship Masters 195 for five in their allotted 20 overs, reaching 201 for one in 17.3 overs.

Following Persaud’s departure, Gobin found another

useful ally in Jito Narine who was in a no- nonsense mood, as he clobbered five sixes in an unbeaten 34 off 12 balls.

Jano Panday took the lone wicket to fall for 20 runs.

Earlier, opener Surujpaul Persaud batted through Friendship Masters innings to end with 64 not out, a knock that included three fours and six sixes, sharing useful partnerships along the way. Other meaningful contributions came from opener Robin Gopaul (27) and Sunny Ramdahar (24). Jerry Brittania ended with two for 34 from his three overs.

The previous week also saw Narine becoming the first player to hit a century for Pegasus Storm who are competing for the second year in the OMSCC. Playing against Remax All Stars at St Bede, Narine registered an even hundred off 61 balls as Pegasus Storm

stormed to 230 for four in their allotted 20 overs. His knock was decorated with three fours and eight sixes.

Ken Itwaru rushed to an unbeaten 44 off 22 balls with one four and five sixes while Gobin was also among the runs with 32 with three fours and two sixes. Samlall Persaud took two for 35.

In reply, Remax All Stars were restricted to 142 for nine in 20 overs, going down by 78 runs. Nand Tiwari hit a top score of 47 (four fours and three sixes). Rudy Bhopual was Pegasus Storm best bowler with three for 14 from three overs.

Pegasus Storm will collide with defending champions Toronto Blizzards on Saturday at Littles ground. Their first encounter, played at Dean Park, ended in a no-result after rain intervened. (Frederick Halley)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 12, 2022

Ronaldo 'in our plans' and 'not for sale' ‒ Man United manager

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo is "in our plans" for the new season and is "not for sale".

The 37-year-old will miss the first part of United's pre-season tour to Thailand and wants to leave the club.

He returned to United last season after playing for Real Madrid and Juventus.

"He is not with us due to personal issues. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season. That is it," said former Ajax manager Ten Hag. "I am looking forward to working with him. Cristiano is not for sale. He is in our plans. We want success together."

Ronaldo's absence from the tour fuelled speculation over his future after he also missed the club's return to pre-season training at Carrington.

He instead trained at the Portuguese national team's headquarters.

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo

The Old Trafford side play Liverpool in Thailand on Tuesday before flying to Australia, and Ten Hag said he did not yet know whether Ronaldo would join the tour.

The Dutchman added he spoke to Ronaldo before the tour, explaining: "I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me. What I can confirm is we had a really

good conversation together."

Ten Hag also addressed the captaincy, which became an issue as a result of Harry Maguire's struggle for form last season.

"Harry Maguire will be captain," he said. "He has been captain for more than a year. He has achieved a lot of success. I have no doubts about this issue."

United's only signing this summer is full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord.

They look set to sign free agent midfielder Christian Eriksen and are close to an agreement with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.

Ten Hag emphasised United will only recruit players if he believes they will fit into his intended style of play.

"We want to add the right players. We have a really good squad, we are working to develop our way of playing and the opportunity is there and we will strike," he added. (BBC Sport)

Injury forces defending 400m champion Gardiner out of World Championships INJURY has forced defending 400m champion out of the 2022 World Championships set to begin in Eugene, Oregon this coming weekend.

The 26-year-old Bahamian, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic champion, announced the devastating news on Twitter, a major blow to his anticipated matchups against Americans Michael Norman, Randolph Ross Jr as well as Champion Allison and Grenadian Kirani James.

“Another global competition but instead of putting

Defending champion Steven Gardiner will not be contesting the 400m in Eugene

on my spikes I’ve been advised to put on a walking boot due to a UTE tendon inflammation,” he said.

“Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ’22 for me. Devastated by the news but I am thankful for all the blessings in my career so far.

“I am also thankful for my team, for all the love and support during this process/ I’ll now move ahead to obtain the necessary treatment so I can be 100 per cent.” (Sportsmax)

Former New Zealand captain Barry Sinclair dies aged 85 FORMER New Zealand captain Barry Sinclair, who was the third player to pass 1000 runs for his country, has died aged 85.

Sinclair played 21 Tests between 1963 and 1968, scoring three centuries - one each against South Africa, Pakistan and England.

"We were all very sad to hear of Barry's passing," Heath Mills, the chief executive of the New Zealand Cricket players' association, said. "We have been blessed to have him involved with the NZCPA for so many years.

"Barry was one of the first past players to sign up

to our organisation and loved being involved and helping the current players achieve a better environment in the game. We are going to miss him greatly."

He led New Zealand thrice, firstly in place of an injured Murray Chapple against England at Dunedin in 1966, and then in the final match of the same series. It was nearly two years before New Zealand's next Test, and Sinclair captained them against India in Dunedin before making himself unavailable for the next two games due to work commitments.

He returned for the final

match of the series in Auckland for what would be his last Test.

When he passed 1000 runs with his century against England in 1966, he followed Bert Sutcliffe and John R Reid as New Zealand batters to that milestone.

In total, he played 118 first-class games, making 6114 runs at 32.87, including six centuries. He was also regarded as a brilliant fielder.

In the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours, Sinclair was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. (Cricinfo)

Former Formula One supremo Ecclestone charged with U.K. tax fraud LONDON – (Reuters) -Former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been charged with fraud over a failure to declare more than 400 million pounds (US$477 million) of overseas assets to the British tax authority, prosecutors said on Monday.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Ecclestone, 91, faced one count of fraud by false representation.

"This follows a complex and worldwide criminal investigation by HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service," said Simon York, Director at the Fraud Investigation Service of Her Maj-

esty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC The first hearing in his case is due to be held on Aug. 22 at London's Westminster Magistrates Court.

Contacted by Reuters in Ibiza, Ecclestone said he was yet to see the details.

"I haven't seen that so I don't know so I can't comment," he said when the statement was read to him.

The British billionaire indicated it had not come out of the blue, however.

"It's something that has been talked about happening, but not in the way you said, something a little bit different to that, quite a while ago," he said. "They've prob-

ably got all excited again.

Let's see what happens."

In 2015, Ecclestone faced a demand from HMRC for payment of more than 1 billion pounds ($1.19 billion) in relation to a family trust.

He said then that HMRC had not respected an agreement made in 2008 over the 'Bambino Trust', set up for the benefit of his ex-wife Slavica and daughters Tamara and Petra, and he was taking legal action.

The Briton was ousted as Formula One supremo in 2017 when U.S.-based Liberty Media took over the sport's commercial rights.

He maintains an office in London but now spends

Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone

most of his time abroad, with residences in Switzerland and Ibiza as well as a farm in Brazil.

He has continued to make headlines however, and in May Brazilian police said they had arrested him after

finding a handgun in his luggage as he was trying to leave the country.

Ecclestone acknowledged owning it but said he was unaware it was in his luggage.

He was freed to leave after paying bail.

The businessman, who has a history of controversial comments, caused offence and drew condemnation in June when he defended Russian President Vladimir Putin in a television interview as a "first class person" he would "take a bullet" for.

He apologised in a video released on Saturday, saying he was not defending the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

26

Jacobs returns to 100m limelight against hungry Americans on home soil

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 12, 2022

UEFA says rival Super League a textbook cartel

By Rohith Nair (REUTERS) - A reigning Olympic champion rediscovering his form, a defending world champion with a point to prove and the fastest man in 2022 will headline a packed 100 metres field when the World Championships get underway at Hayward Field in Eugene on Friday.

Olympic gold medallist Lamont Marcell Jacobs returns to the 100m big stage after muscle injuries ruled him out of several Diamond League meets and the Italian has been far from his best this season.

Having stunned the world with a European record time of 9.80 seconds in Tokyo, Jacobs has since been out of the limelight and has not run a sub-10 second race -- without wind assistance -- this year despite winning his fifth national

Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona did not pull out of the ESL after widespread protests Reigining Olympic 100 metres champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs

title last month.

"If it were up to me I would compete at every opportunity, but this is what sport is all about. We are human beings, not machines," Jacobs said before he headed to Eugene early to "test the waters".

The Italian is up against stiff competition with a group of American sprinters vying for the title and ensuring the gold returns to the U.S. for a third consecutive time -- none more so than Christian Coleman.

India police rumble fake 'IPL' that fooled Russian gamblers Police in India have arrested a group of conmen who set up a fake version of cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL) and fooled gamblers in Russia.

Punters parted with more than 300,000 rupees (almost $4,000), police said.

The conmen staged the match on a farm in Gujarat, paying labourers to pose as

players, sporting jerseys of real IPL teams, with a bogus umpire instructed to signal a boundary or wicket.

They even hired a man to mimic famous cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle.

Players were paid around 400 rupees ($5) per game and broadcast the matches live over a YouTube channel called IPL.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday July 12, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI 2; BANG 0 (1 NR) (2) Nicholas Pooran (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ODIs the WI and BANG have played against each other to date?

(2) How many the WI have won?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The channel would never show a wide shot of the pitch, and crowd noise sound effects were downloaded from the internet and played through a speaker.

The tournament began three weeks after the actual IPL concluded in May, police said.

Despite this, the conmen managed to reach the quarter-finals stage of their so-called "Indian Premier Cricket League" before police stopped play.

Russian gamblers placed bets on a Telegram channel set up by the gang, who then alerted the fake umpire using walkie-talkies, police inspector Bhavesh Rathod told reporters.

The fake umpire would then "signal the bowler and batsman to hit a six, four or get out", Mr Rathod said.

Police have arrested four people in connection with the case.

Betting on cricket is illegal in India, and the suspects have been charged with criminal conspiracy and gambling, Reuters reported.

LUXEMBOURG: (Reuters)- UEFA on Monday criticised the breakaway European Super League with its group of elite clubs as a textbook example of a cartel, as the European soccer body sought to defend its power and lucrative media rights at a hearing at Europe's top court.

The spat between UEFA, world soccer body FIFA and the European Super League is closely watched by other sports, as well as clubs and players eyeing money-spinning deals offered by rebel bodies.

The European Super League folded less than 48 hours after it was announced last year, after an outcry by fans, governments and players forced Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham

Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid to pull out.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, however, remain holdouts.

The Super League then sued UEFA and FIFA at a Spanish court which later sought guidance from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

The notion of a closed league of rich clubs is "a textbook example of a cartel", UEFA lawyer Donald Slater told the 15-judge panel at the CJEU. He said authorising the Super League would have led to the emergence of other closed leagues and the collapse of the existing system of open competitions.

He said UEFA used its share of revenue, which

stands at 6.5% and amounts to 190 million euros ($192 million) this year, primarily to promote soccer in Europe.

UEFA's conflict of interest springing from its regulatory role and commercial businesses means it will never authorise a competitor, Super League lawyer Miguel Odriozola told the court.

"For many decades, UEFA has ruled with an iron fist and beaten away any club that threatens its monopoly. We have taken upon ourselves to denounce the practices of UEFA," he said.

The European Commission and all 27 EU countries as well as Iceland and Norway backed UEFA and FIFA. The court will rule next year. The case is C333/21 European Superleague Company.

Emerging Windies players impress coaching staff at camp ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – A week into their intense work programme, the West Indies Emerging Players have impressed coaching staff with their enthusiasm and commitment, according to Cricket West Indies (CWI) High Performance Manager Graeme West.

He said the 15 selected players have already seen benefits from their training at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) here, and “we have had a really encouraging, positive start”.

“It has been really encouraging to see the energy and enthusiasm of all the

players. They are keen to improve their game as they recognize this is a really good opportunity for them,” he said.

“All the coaching staff have been really impressed with the ability to listen and take on board the ideas, and reinforce some of the things they would have come across before having been involved in West Indies Under-19 programmes, some with the first-class franchises, some with CPL franchises from before. It is a young group, but they are experienced.”

West said the group of young talented players includes some who flew in

from the United Kingdom where they were playing club cricket, several who were involved in first-class cricket in Trinidad, and others who have been going to the United States to play T20 cricket.

“So, we are bringing them to gather as a group and we have a lot lined up for them here at CCG,” he said, adding that the players have been going through their drills with professionalism and camaraderie.

The plan for a CWI Emerging Players Academy was first announced in March. It is a nexus between regional junior and senior (Turn to page 23)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday July 12, 2022

Comfort of ODIs brings Bangladesh much-needed respite ...Tamim's team finally picked up their first win on the tour, but they are still very much a work in progress DESPITE the series not being part of the ICC ODI Super League, it was important for Bangladesh to win a game on this tour, to lift their confidence.

Though the visitors went down to the West Indies 2-0 in both Tests and T20Is, West Indies knew they wouldn't have it easy in the 50 overs.

The six-wicket win on Sunday was also Bangladesh's first victory in international cricket since their ODI series in South Africa in March. Sri Lanka trounced them at home before the tour of the West Indies. The hosts' pace blew them away in the Test series.

Their T20I outfit continued to struggle as they lost the series 2-0 last week. For the majority of the month, Bangladesh looked clueless, bereft of ideas and characters to step up.

Furthermore, the visitors couldn't train ahead of the ODI series due to the heavy rain in Guyana. It put all the onus on Tamim Iqbal. who said he hadn't batted in the nets for the last ten days - to bring Bangladesh back to winning ways in the ODIs. Mind you, they are also without both their established stars Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim for the first time since both made their debut, 16 years ago.

But Tamim has proved

2015, they have won 56 of the 101 ODIs , unlike the other two formats where they have not had much succes The team is still a workin-progress. After Mashrafe Mortaza resigned as captain a couple of years ago, Bangladesh needed a steady hand to ensure Bangladesh didn't go off the boil, and Tamim did exactly that.

Like Mortaza, Tamim is also good at man-managing.

What works in Tamim's favour is that he is a popular senior figure among the players, and he has been the

unofficial cultural and social leader on tours. Young players look up to him.

However, looking at the big picture, Tamim also has to back the fast bowlers as they have shown the ability to improve in the last couple of years. Giving an extended run for young batters and backing them will also be key for Bangladesh to improve under Tamim.

The 2023 ODI World Cup is still more than a month away, and for Bangladesh, there's still a lot of work to be done - especially in batting and field-

ing. Shoriful, Mustafizur, Mahmudullah and Afif Hossain dropped skiers on Sunday, which continued the theme of poor catching that has now extended for 15 months. Batting too remains not so convincing.

Even Tamim can't explain after getting run out for 33.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah both made some runs but looked laboured.

Having beaten odds and tough opponents in the ODI format in the recent past, only time will tell if Tamim's team can put up a strong show at the World Cup. (Cricinfo)

Bangladesh have improved a lot under Tamim Iqbal in ODIs (Getty Images)

once again that he thrives in difficult situations.

Opting to field first, Tamim was keen to attack West Indies, with the match being played for 41 overs a side due to wet outfield.

Tamim also placed close-in fielders to ensure West Indies didn't take singles easily. He also stationed a slip fielder in almost every over.

The intent was spot on from the bowlers as well.

Left-arm medium-pacer Shoriful Islam provided him with two double-wicket overs. Mustafizur Rahman blew away Shai Hope off his first ball.

Taskin Ahmed was impressive with his change in

pace. Offspinning allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three crucial wickets. Nasum Ahmed did not look like he was making his ODI debut.

A complete bowling performance means Bangladesh restricted West Indies to a paltry 149 for 9. The visitors then chased down the target with six wickets in hand.

But, there was a concern with Bangladesh's catching and batting. They - predictably - dropped four catches, all after they had reduced West Indies to 96 for 7.

The batting wasn't convincing either, but they got the job done. That's been Bangladesh's story in ODIs for the last few years. Since

Mehidy Hasan made crucial inroads into the West Indies line-up to set up a six-wicket win (AFP/Getty Images)

Pooran remains confident of West Indies’ ability to end losing streak against Bangladesh GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – Despite losing their opening OneDay International (ODI) against Bangladesh, West Indies white ball captain Nicholas Pooran is confident the men in maroon can still take the threematch series and end their losing streak against the Tigers in this format of the game.

After sweeping the preceding Tests 2-0 and winning the three-match T20 International series 2-0 against the visitors, West Indies paid the price for a below-par batting performance as they fell to a six-wicket

loss in the opening ODI at the Guyana National Stadium on Monday.

Sent in to bat first, the home team made 149-9 in a contest reduced to 41 overs per side after rain delayed the start.

West Indies have lost their last six ODI matches against Bangladesh but Pooran said he expects an end to that soon.

“We know Bangladesh has had us in the last couple of [ODI] series, but that’s ok. I feel like we’re still gonna win this series,” he said after the match. “We’ll get the opportunity to come again on Wednesday. We’ll

West Indies white ball captain Nicholas Pooran

review [Tuesday] and come up with better plans and we’ll definitely punch back.”

West Indies will look

to level the series when the teams meet again in the second CG United ODI tomorrow at the same venue.

“We just need to continue believing, staying in the fight,” the skipper said.

He acknowledged that West Indies did not put enough runs on the board in the first match and that the loss of prolific batsman Shai Hope in the first ball of the second over was a blow to the regional side.

“He’s our best batsman in this format and losing him first ball [was] tough…. But we know the guy, we know he’s gonna come back,” Pooran said, adding that

the bowlers could also have done better in the power play.

Although disappointed with the outcome of Monday’s game, he applauded the team’s performance on the field.

“We definitely have been fielding better as a group – taking catches, diving around. It is a really young team. We reflect a lot, we do a lot of homework and we’re trying to get better as a team and as cricketers,” the Trinidadian said.

“You see the guys running around with energy and I can’t ask for any more as a captain on the field. I just

hope that we can continue to learn, we could continue to get the support of the management and the coaching staff, the fans, the media, and everyone. Just continue to back us and I believe we will do brilliant things in the future,” he added.

Also up for praise from the West Indies captain was debutant left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie’s who took his first ODI wicket and ended with figures of 1-18 off nine overs.

“Fantastic getting his opportunity in front of his home crowd and he delivered, unfortunately on the losing side,”

Aroaima finished as the U18 winners after a dominant performance in their first tournament

Kwakwani Secondary were crowned champions of the Girls Developmental competition

Kwakwani, President’s College and Aroaima win ExxonMobil basketball titles KWAKWANI, President’s College and students from Aroaima registered overall victories when the curtains came down on the 2022 ExxonMobil National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF), which concluded on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Kwakwani Secondary and Aroaima posted big victories in the Girls Developmental final and the Boys U18 final.

Kwakwani were dominant throughout the female battle this year and were always favourites to take the title.

A dominant first half, which resulted in a 27-4 score, pushed the side to a 29-point victory (46-17).

Queen’s College played a better second

half, but the Georgetown school could not stop the dominant Shania Sears, who scored a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Natalya Clarke, in support, just missed a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and 11 steals.

The dominance of the two senior players for a resurging Kwakwani team did not go unnoticed.

Sears took home the Most Valuable Player and Best Scorer awards, while Clarke finished as the Best Defender and the Player with the Most Assists.

Cianna Barkoye, with six points and nine rebounds, led Queen’s College.

TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

President’s College won the U16 division. Willon Cameron (second from left) won the Best Coach award

Junior Caribbean Squash Championships…

Alphonso sets up U-17 final 23 date with Verwey PAGE

Nicholas Verwey (left) is now one win away from a Caribbean Under-17 title, after toppling the talented Seth Thong of Trinidad and Tobago Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022