Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-12-2022

AFTER being brutally stabbed by a Nigerian man who tried to gain entry into the State House compound on Thursday morning, Presidential Guard Telon Perreira gave President, Dr Irfaan Ali and many others a ray of

hope when he regained consciousness later that evening.

“Today my spirit was renewed in hope of what humanity is capable of. Determination and will to serve this country and people of this country was further strengthened by a

man who spent most of today undergoing surgery at GPHC [the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation],” President Ali said during his address at GCCI’s annual dinner and award ceremony on Thursday evening.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali meeting with family members of the injured Presidential Guard early Thursday (Office of the President photo)

‘Sir, I am back to work with you tomorrow’

AFTER being brutally stabbed by a Nigerian man who tried to gain entry into the State House compound on Thursday morning, Presidential Guard Telon Perreira

gave President, Dr Irfaan Ali and many others a ray of hope when he regained consciousness later that evening.

“Today my spirit was renewed in hope of what human-

ity is capable of. Determination and will to serve this country and people of this country was further strengthened by a man who spent most of today undergoing surgery at GPHC [the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation],” President Ali said during his address at GCCI’s annual dinner and award ceremony on Thursday evening.

In his address, President Ali said: “Forty-five minutes ago, he regained consciousness and I was pleased to speak to him directly… and his words to me were: “Sir, I am back to work with you tomorrow.” It is these incredible moments in life that allow one to reflect on humanity and human nature, and with his words, I ask all Guyanese to recommit to ourselves by saying we renew our efforts to serve your sweet Guyana.

“We will not only be living in a country with great prosperity, but a country with great humanity built on strong and steady foundation of love and commitment, and strong character in which the people of this country uplift each other and protect each other… a society that enables a prosperous, beautiful, developed life in a society second to none.”

According to a police report, the incident occurred at the southern guard hut of State House on the Carmichael Street side.

The police cordoned off Carmichael Street following the incident at State House

- injured presidential guard tells President Ali after regaining consciousness following heinous attack by Nigerian at State House - PSC, other key stakeholders condemn incident

Renewable-energy priorities remain intact

cal services and human development.

It was while discussing the area of energy security that the President reiterated the government’s push for more renewable energy sources as the country continues to move towards increasing energy capacity through many affordable means.

GUYANA is on course to developing a total of 13 new solar farms along with 19 new solar mini grids, and other projects over the next three years, as part of investments that will total billions of Guyana dollars.

This was according to President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Thursday evening during his address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s 133rd Annual Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner, at the Marriott Hotel.

Dr Ali delivered his presentation under the theme, “Government’s Outlook and Projections for 2023,” as he outlined how 2023 will see the continuation of the gov -

ernment’s aggressive transformational plans in the area of food security, energy security, technological services, ecologi-

According to the Head of State, the government has massive plans for the installation of solar farms and mini grids across different regions.

“We’ve already completed mini grids in Re -

gions One and Seven. We are looking at 13 solar Photovoltaic installation systems in Regions Two, Three, Seven, Nine and 10, along with 34 solar photovoltaic installation systems to support community ICT hubs for the hinterland communities. Those are some of the things that we are doing,” President Ali highlighted Guyana’s mission to implement a comprehensive energy mix, using renewable energy sources is part of the country’s updated and expanded Low Carbon Development

Strategy (LCDS).

Eight of the 13 solar farms are expected to be up and running by 2023, paving the way for solargenerated power to replace 30 per cent of the electricity being supplied to areas along the Essequibo Coast, Linden, Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Leguan and Wakenaam.

In September, Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed a US$83.3 million agreement to advance transformative solar-power projects under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar

Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL).

The agreement signed paves the way for investments in the eight utility scale photovoltaic solar projects totalling 33 MWp to bring affordable and clean energy to 27,000 households in targeted communities across Guyana.

Additionally, earlier this year, a $472 million one megawatt solar farm was commissioned in Lethem, which is estimated to save the township approximately $136 million annually.

Steering committee to devise plan for implementation of National Cultural Policy

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday met with stakeholders from the entertainment, arts and culture industries at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

According to the Office of the President, the Head of State told the group that he convened the meeting to foster synergies and unity.

He emphasised that in building a One Guyana and transforming the tourism sector, culture plays an important role.

The ministries of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and Culture, Youth and Sport will lead a Steer-

ing Committee with the stak eholders to devise a plan to implement the country’s National Cultural Policy.

The President said that among the issues that should be addressed are: resuscitating community cultural activities; defining the Guyanese culture and proposing ways how the country can position its cultural strength in its tourism product.

He reassured stakeholders that the government is ready to make the necessary investments that are required.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, met with stakeholders from the entertainment, arts and cultural industries at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (Office of the President photo)

- President Ali says, reaffirms support for stakeholders in entertainment, arts and culture

President, Dr Irfaan Ali (DPI photo)

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new solar farms, 19 new solar mini grids, other projects on course to be rolled out over the next three years

Barbados scraps laws banning same-sex acts

THE High Court in Barbados has struck out colonial-era laws that criminalised gay sex.

The previous laws, while rarely invoked, demanded a life sentence for those found guilty of having consensual same-sex relations.

Barbados is the third Caribbean nation to make similar reforms this year.

Activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community who have fought for the change welcomed this week’s ruling, saying it promoted privacy and freedom.

Local advocacy group,

Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) said on Twitter the ruling “consolidates the rights of all Barbadians to privacy and freedom of expression, and impacts LGBTQ+ people across the eastern Caribbean”.

Two LGBTQ+ advocates in Barbados filed the case, in partnership with local organisations, including ECADE.

In a statement, Barbados Attorney-General Dale Marshall said Justice Michelle Weekes issued the ruling on Monday, concluding that two sections of the 1992 Sexual Offences Act

were unconstitutional.

“In short, the ruling means we can no longer prosecute persons under these two sections,” he said, adding that charges for offences relating to consensual gay sex could no longer be maintained.

Written reasons for the decision in the case were not expected for a few weeks, Mr. Marshall said.

“This is a huge win for the community and for Barbados; this has been years of work, and that work still continues,” Rene Holder-McLean Ramirez, who helped bring forward the claim, said.

Earlier this year, courts in the Caribbean have found similar laws to be unconstitutional in Antigua and St. Kitts and Nevis.

“We are very pleased with the result of this case, which is a result of years of advocacy efforts by the community organizations as well as the litigants,” Michael Rapley, a member of the NGO Equals, told Reuters.

“This is a step in the right direction for the protection of LGBTQ+ people in Barbados as we continue to ensure stigma-free access to services and positive inclusion in society.”

This “historic” ruling was described as “a significant step towards protecting the human rights and dignity of LBGT people in Barbados,” according to Luisa Cabal, of the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS.

She added that it “will also strengthen the coun-

try’s HIV response by helping to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by LGBT people and increasing the uptake of HIV testing, treatment and prevention services”.

At least 66 countries in the world still criminalise gay sex, according to Human Rights Watch. (BBC)

Airport security 100ml liquid rule to be scrapped

SOME security rules on liquids and items such as laptops in airport hand luggage will be scrapped in 2024.

The government has set a deadline of June 2024 for most UK airports to install new high-tech 3D scanners, that show more detailed images of baggage.

The changes will see the 100ml liquid rule increased to two litres, and mean passengers won’t need to remove electrical items from bags at security.

A previous installation deadline was pushed back due to the pandemic.

Passengers are currently required to remove items such as tablets, laptops and liquids from their hand luggage for screening at security checks at airports.

Liquids, such as sun cream, shampoo or toothpaste need to be 100ml or under, and must be in a clear plastic bag.

The limits have been in place since November 2006, and their introduction marked the end of a ban on liquids in the cabin imposed three months earlier, when British police said they had foiled a plot to blow up as many as 10 planes using explosives hidden in drinks bottles.

The government said its requirement for airports to upgrade screening equipment to the type similar to CT scanners used in hospitals, will mean eventually the rules on electrical items can

be lifted and the liquid limit can be extended to two litres.

With the legislation being phased in across the country over the next two years, current rules will still apply at airports not using the technology. Passengers are advised to check this before travelling.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the new technology would reduce queue times to improve the “passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats”.

Christopher Snelling, policy director at the Airport Operators Association, which represents UK airports, said that the investment was a “great step forward for UK air travel, matching the best in class around the world”.

“It will make the journey through the UK’s airports easier and air travel itself more pleasant,” he added.

The technology has already been in use by US airports, such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, and Chicago’s O’Hare, for a number of years.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a pledge to use the scanning technology to speed up preboarding checks and improve security, giving UK airports a deadline of the end of 2022.

But passenger numbers were dented during the height of the ‘COVID’ pandemic with travel restrictions in place across much of the world. (BBC)

Guyana on towering path

GUYANA remains on course to growing significantly next year and beyond, despite the slowdown in economic advancement expected across the region.

In its annual report, Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projects that regional growth next year will be a third of the rate forecast for 2022.

“All the sub-regions will post lower growth in 2023: South America is set to grow by 1.0 per cent (3.7 per cent in 2022); the group comprising Central America and Mexico by 1.6 per cent (3.3 per cent in 2022); and the Caribbean (excluding Guyana) by 3.3 per cent (4.5 per cent in 2022).

“With these growth estimates for 2022 and 2023, the region would complete the decade 2014–2023 with average growth of 0.9 per cent, which is below, less than half, in fact, even that of the “lost decade” of the 1980s during the external debt crisis,” the Commission said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in October, said Guyana continues to rank among the countries worldwide with the fastest rate of economic growth, as the country is on course to growing 57.8 per cent this year.

Driven by continued progress in the oil and gas sector, and enhanced productivity in other productive sectors, Guyana is well set to record significant growth this year and beyond.

Specifically, in addition to the massive level of

growth projected for this year, the country which sits on the edge of South America, is set to grow 25.2 per cent next year.

Regarding Guyana, the IMF, in a recent report, said increasing oil production could help transform the economy, address development needs, and build substantial buffers to absorb shocks.

Oil production is expected to increase significantly with the coming on stream of two large oilfields during 2023–2026. And, as it is now, Guyana’s commercially recoverable petroleum reserves are the third largest in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of the highest levels of oil reserves per capita in the world.

The IMF said: “This could help Guyana build up substantial fiscal and external buffers to absorb

shocks while addressing infrastructure gaps and human development needs.”

This is expected at a time when ECLAC is reporting that after the dynamism seen in the first half of 2022, the region’s economic activity has slowed, reflecting, on the one hand, an end to the rebound effect on the recovery from 2021, and on the other, the effects of restrictive monetary policies, greater limitations on fiscal spending, lower levels of consumption and investment, and the deterioration of the external context.

One aspect that the report highlights is that the changes seen in the trajectory of regional inflation in the second half of 2022, coupled with the deceleration in economic activity that is expected to continue next year, will reduce the pressure on monetary au -

thorities in Latin America and the Caribbean to continue raising monetary policy rates.

ECLAC indicates that the current situation poses challenges for macroeconomic management.

“On fiscal matters, officials must avoid premature spending adjustments and expand fiscal space by reducing evasion and avoidance, reviewing tax expenditures, carrying out reforms to increase tax collection and the tax structure’s progressivity, and with multilateral support via the mobilization of

global liquidity. It is also necessary to make progress on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending to enhance fiscal policy.

“In the monetary-financial realm, it is important to diversify the toolbox for facing the current scenario. Along with the monetary policy rate, officials should use macro-prudential and regulatory instruments that would help manage aggregate demand, minimizing the effects on growth and investment,” ECLAC said.

Int’l Press Communication Centre will strengthen ties between Guyana, China

as a government,” French expressed.

He thanked the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan for the opportunity, and expressed the government’s hope that similar opportunities continue in the future.

Chief Executive Officer of NCN, Neaz Subhan also commended the programme.

THE China International Press Communication Centre has been lauded as a valuable partner that will help to strengthen ties between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China.

This was expressed by a representative of the Public Affairs Minister, Gordon French at the programme launch at the Chinese Embassy on Thursday.

The International Press Communication Centre

is a programme which allows journalists and media personnel from around the world to travel to Beijing to gain knowledge of China’s culture so as to adequately report on the country’s affairs.

French highlighted that Public Affairs Minister Kwame McCoy has spoken about the importance of the programme for the State and private media.

It is through this initiative that News Room’s

Editor-in-Chief, Fareeza Haniff and National Communications Network (NCN)’s Samuel Sukhnandan had the opportunity to visit China.

“It is important that we continue, as a government, to ensure that the media and journalism continue to foster development, build capacity, and ensure that we have a very robust media in Guyana. It is part of the cornerstone of democracy, and we embrace it

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador stated that the press communication centre is important, as misleading information often circulates about the country.

Hence, she said the programme aims to edify participants on Chinese development, culture and society, to foster improved media coverage of the country and its way of operation, especially during the current modernisation period.

Students of the Confucius Institute of Guy-

ana and China’s Charge d’Affaires to Guyana, Chen Xilai were also present. (DPI)

- country to continue growing exponentially as economic advancement slows across the region, according to ECLAC

From left, Guyanese journalist Samuel Sukhnandan, with Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, and China’s Charge d’Affaires to Guyana, Chen Xilai

Robust Anti-Corruption Agenda

GUYANA, over the past two years, has made great progress in strengthening its national anti-corruption system.

The achievements of the Dr Irfaan Ali-led administration in the fight against corruption add to the accomplishments of previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administrations.

Guyana has a strong anti-corruption structure that is based on a consultative process, incorporated in the constitution, and well integrated with a powersharing model to improve inclusiveness. Many of the methods and procedures we use today were developed during the constitutional reform process that began in 2000.

Today, the country benefits from a mixture of laws; constitutional agencies; statutory bodies and parliamentary committees, all

working as pressure valves addressing the multitude of issues which could affect the country’s corruption assessment, including the Integrity Commission, the Public Procurement Commission, and the Service Commissions, to name a few.

Additionally, Guyana is required to follow anti-corruption policies at both the regional and global levels of the international system.

Guyana must comply with the periodic reporting requirements linked to any international anti-corruption measure in order to fulfil that responsibility.

The Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, the first and oldest of its kind, was ratified by Guyana in 2001, making it one of the first nations to do so. In a similar vein, the nation joined the UNCAC in 2008, ratified the Lima Commitment for Democratic

Governance Against Corruption in 2018, and endorsed the Political Declaration on Corruption from the UN General Assembly Special Session. Guyana went a step further and agreed to join the CELAC Working Group, which focuses on preventing and eliminating corruption. The duties that Guyana has to other countries are numerous.

The Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C government has made openness and accountability a top priority ever since assuming office in 2020. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic was still having an adverse economic impact on the nation when the PPP/C took office, the administration managed the response to the pandemic while also building the social safety net and advancing the framework for regulating Guyana’s oil-and-gas sector.

The Natural Resources

Fund Act, which the former APNU+AFC government capriciously enacted, was repealed and restructured as a key component of the PPP/C government’s construction of the oil-and-gas framework with Guyanese citizens in mind. This new version eliminated the complicated formula the previous administration used to calculate withdrawals from the fund and ensured a new provision that required the Finance Minister to make public disclosures or face a significant prison term, once fouled.

The Santiago Principles, which aim to safeguard the global investment environment and, among other things, “ensure that SWFs [Sovereign Wealth Funds] have in place a transparent and sound governance structure that provides adequate operational controls, risk management, and account-

ability,” are fully complied with by the current version of the NRF law.

There is no questioning the PPP/C administration’s dedication to collaborating continuously with stakeholders to develop the nation’s anti-corruption framework.

In a recent joint statement to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day and the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention against Corruption, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; Canadian High Commissioner, Mark Berman, and EU Ambassador René van Nes, gave the government high praise for consistently making efforts to fortify its anti-corruption framework and policies for greater transparency and accountability

“Guyana’s government has held anti-corruption

workshops and developed an anti-corruption manual. Also, recent amendments to the Representation of the People Act have been made to try to further promote fair and transparent elections. In addition, the revised Natural Resource Fund Act allows for increased transparency and improved management over Guyana’s natural resource wealth.

“Importantly, amendments to Guyana’s antimoney laundering and countering the financing of terrorism legislation may clear its path to membership in the prestigious Egmont Group, which facilitates cooperation and intelligence-sharing among international financial intelligence units to investigate and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing,” the statement said.

Dear Editor,

AS a concerned Guyanese, I wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the crass, illegal and wicked behaviour of the combined political opposition, the APNU+AFC and their agents for trying to incite and excite racial disharmony, racial division, racial hate and ethnic hostility among Guyanese.

All Guyanese should join me as I call on the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Guyana Private Sector Commission, the various workers unions, civil society and international organisations and NGOs in condemning the opposition posturing and

warnings of looming political violence.

The Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton is infamous for leading then running away at the first sign of danger or resistance. He is known for his cowardice and racebaiting.

Guyanese should throw Norton’s “alternative facts” on racial harmony and dividedness in the gutter where it belongs.

It is a shame and a disgrace that Norton cannot keep to the facts and truth about events which took place and are taking place in Mocha, Mon Repos, Georgetown and other villages across this country.

Norton’s statements are untrue, vacuous and without merit.

The President’s “One Guyana” initiative is having the desired effect and is making inroads in the way Guyanese see their development. They are witnessing the love, togetherness and unity that President, Dr. Irfaan Ali preaches every day.

So, no amount of political bullyism, and treachery will succeed in causing public and ethnic disharmony.

No one will be concerned about the opposition twisting the truth about what the Mayor said and did.

Yours truly, Arnold Sanasie.

Dear Editor,

IT is time to bring the curtains down on disoriented and poor showmanship. The end is near and the show has left a distasteful sourness. A chief citizen has dispelled all darkness to reveal his true identity.

He has disfigured the sanctity of lordship. Such a despicable scene should not have been enacted. What a disingenuous calamity has pervaded the sanctity of this city. An assumed leader has performed discreditable for his status quo. But then dis-

tortion is in the DNA of his representation.

Disturbing the peace brings an infamous climax to the year’s poor performance. An era of being distrustful commenced and prolonged the nature of deceitfulness and deceptiveness. Being discernable, the applause is loud for a resignation for such an appalling behaviour.

This disreputable issue is too derisive to deter the determination of the nation’s discourse. Only a handful of the “usual suspects” will attempt to disenfranchise the course of the law.

Most Guyanese will defile the unruliness in the street because such outrageous rantings do not define the peace Guyana wants to enjoy, especially during the festive season.

This year, neither the Devil nor Mr. Scrooge will be allowed to disguise any disgusting attitude. “Father Christmas” disembarked early this year and will not allow any deviousness to defile or desecrate the tranquility which all Guyanese deserve!

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

Editor - Navendra Seoraj

Guyana’s carbon credit economics and human security

Dear Editor

IN 1994, the UNDP produced what must be the most consequential report by a UN agency in the post1945 multilateral universe. The report introduced a paradigmatic shift in security and development through the overarching concept of human security. The gist of the new paradigm is sustainable human development.

I suggest that human security as the anchoring concept in sustainable human development is most apposite to Guyana. Wherever one might stand in politics, ideology, or party affiliation, I recommend we consider the substantive points related to a human-security driven paradigm, underpinned as it were by our LCDS.

Readers should know that the two leading thinkers behind the human security paradigm were from the Third World, namely Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen, both economists. Professor Sen won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1998, and Dr. Haq served as the Minister of Finance in Pakistan and was a world-renowned development economist.

Two key components in the human security paradigm, freedom from fear and freedom from want, have origins in a State of the Union Speech to the US Congress by President Franklin D Roosevelt on January 6, 1942.

The restructuring of world order after the fall of the Soviet Union partly precipitated the emergence of human security as a central articulating idea. During the Cold War, economic underdevelopment, and global human welfare especially in the poorer parts of the world, were secondary to the high politics of interstate competition expressed first in the balance of power, and then the balance of terror which came with the advent of nuclear weapons and their strategic deployment.

The 1994 UNDP Report turned the problem of security up-side-down. Three major shifts occurred. Firstly, human beings instead of states should be the “referent object” of security. The new referent object in this case means that individuals and their communities should be the primary targets of physical protection and socio-eco-

nomic advancement. Gender inclusion and empowerment are key components in this pillar of human security.

Secondly, rather than conceiving threats as coming from external sources only, internal threats to human welfare should also be taken into consideration. The sources of threat here could be from undemocratic, authoritarian states, and/or groups within a country that cultivate fear, instability, and violence.

Thirdly, while military threats are significant at the inter-state level, there are other sources of threats to communities and individuals. These include endangerment from global phenomena such as climate change and global economic inequality, to small arms and light weapons proliferation, or the trafficking of women and girls in the global sex industry. Critics of neoliberalism usually include corporate globalisation that is exploitative.

In order to improve human security, and in order to jettison the privileges given to “national security,” narrowly defined, the UNDP envisaged investing in hu -

man development rather than arms. Empowering multilateral institutions to “promote and sustain development”, and expansion of the forms of capital inflow with less stress on aid, was also emphasised.

It is noteworthy that previous reports had emphasiaed the relationships among development and environmental sustainability. The Brundtland Report (1987) of the World Commission of Environment and Development, for instance, observed that “[t]he downward spiral of poverty and environmental degradation is a waste of opportunities and of resources.” The report appropriately titled “Our Common Future” stated that “[w]hat is needed … is a new era of economic growth - growth that is forceful and at the same time socially and environmentally sustainable.”

Robust multilateral agendas including the Millennium Development Goals (2000) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (established in 2015) have emphasised the linkages among economic well-being and environmental sustainability. The former registered

only partial success, and the latter is in serious trouble due to the pandemic, war, geographical and sectorial imbalances in development financing, and predictable crises in the world economy.

It is important to note that “[s]o far, only five countries have met or exceeded the target set by the UN General Assembly in 1970 for developed countries to give 0.7 per cent of their GNI in ODA.”

Guyana is and has been well ahead of the development-sustainability curve, due to our LCDS approach to development, and its associated economic models. Our carbon sink credit model is based on a complex of factors comprising of the urgent need for carbon sequestration, and the equally urgent need for development financing to address the clear and present danger emanating from climate change. The model has elements of national (economic) interests, multilateral efforts at climate change mitigation and adaptations, and the need for innovative ways in balancing energy production while reducing or ‘offsetting’ carbon emissions.

The IPCC has noted that

while the rate of GHG emissions slowed down between 2010 and 2019, “without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach.”

At the same time, Vida Carbon, a leading carbon investment company, has determined that “economic models predict that voluntary carbon markets are expected to increase 15x by 2030 and 100x by 2050, with growth projections of up to US$180 billion annually by 2030. https://vidacarbon.com/carbon-markets/.

Our carbon credit economics is based on the convergence of factors outlined above. The crux of our model is to enhance national development while simultaneously contributing to global efforts in dealing with climate change. In a follow up article, I will show how Guyana’s carbon economics, at the national level, will enable us to address the goals set out in the UN’s Agenda 2030, with the LCDS as the leading edge.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Randolph B. Persaud

‘Sir, I am back to work with you...’

FROM PAGE 2

“A security detail was on duty at [the] south-eastern guard hut adjacent to Carmichael Street, when a male of mixed-race ethnicity confronted the security, stating: “I want the President.” The said male then drew a knife from his pants waist and stabbed one of the male police rank[s] that was on duty five times to his neck and about his body,” the police report said.

According to the report, the injured rank, who was part of the security detail, was subsequently relieved of his firearm by the suspect. The suspect then drew the firearm, and fired several rounded while retreating to Carmichael Street.

“The security detail returned fire, injuring the sus-

pect,” the police said.

A 9MM pistol and seven 9MM spent shells were retrieved. The Nigerian man was identified as 25-year-old Bethel Ikenna Chimezie, who has been living in Guyana since 2019. He was reportedly shot three times during the ordeal.

The incident has left the entire country in shock as to what motivated Chimezie to carry out the attack at the official residence of the President of Guyana.

Thankfully, President Ali and his family were safe and well. Both Chimezie and the Presidential Guard were rushed to the GPHC for treatment, and reports are that the Nigerian remains in a serious condition in the hospital’s intensive care

unit (ICU).

In spite of what occurred, President Ali, lifted by the news that his guard regained consciousness, said: “All of us must continue to our work in achieving a society and a country that deliver a beautiful and prosperous life to our children.”

SUPPORT AND CONCERN

Since the incident, there has been an outpouring of support and concern for President Ali and his family.

Several entities have since issued messages of concern and dismay over the incident, including the main political opposition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), the private sector, the Federation

of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), and members of the diplomatic community.

APNU+AFC in its statement noted their condemnation in the strongest possible terms for violence in any circumstances.

“We welcome the news that the President and family are safe. We also take the opportunity to commend the Presidential Security Guard for his courage and wish him a full and speedy recovery from his serious injuries,” the Opposition said.

Also condemning the attack in the strongest terms was the PSC, which congratulated the President’s security force for a highly effective and controlled response which saw the

apprehension of the suspect.

The effective and wellcoordinated response of the armed forces also saw the situation being de-escalated quite quickly and no further injuries resulting.

FITUG said that it was horrified by the attack, but was happy to learn that the President and his family were safe. The body of trade unions wished for a full and speedy recovery of the officer who was injured during the melee.

“We recognise the bravery and heroism of the security detail which sprang into action to ensure that the situation was quickly brought under control. It is a testimony to the training and skills of our men and women in uniform. The FITUG like many Guyanese wonder

what could be the motivations for the attack. We do trust it is an isolated incident and not connected to any larger plot. At this time, we join with all Guyanese in praying for peace and tranquility for all citizens,” FITUG said.

The High Commission of India, issued a statement welcoming news that the First Family of Guyana is safe.

“We also take this opportunity to commend the Presidential Security Forces for the effective response and the rapid de-escalation of the situation. We also appreciate the injured Presidential Security Officer for his act of courage and wish him a speedy and full recovery,” the Office of the High Commissioner said.

First-ever ‘IDEAthon’ sees widespread participation

OVER 101 teams from across Guyana, with two to five members each, in two age categories of 1417 years and 18-21 years, recently participated in the much-anticipated Ideathon-Guyana 2022 held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The teams were dealing with problems currently affecting Guyana’s Education, Entrepreneurship, Environment and Health sectors provided by the respective ministries to the organisers.

Based on a one-page summary of their proposed project concept, these 101 teams were whittled down to 35 teams – 17 teams in the 14-17 years category and 18 teams in the 18-21

years category.

Over 125 participants from these two categories were present at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

A team of expert advisers/mentors chosen by the organisers in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit and the University of Guyana was at hand to offer advice and mentorship to these teams to help them better understand the problems they were dealing with as well as how to present their solutions in an appropriate way.

The Mentors comprised of Dr. Quincy Jones, Director of School of Allied

Health of University of Guyana; Eric Phillips, Lecturer at University of Guyana; Diana Gobin, Lecturer in Department of Environment at University of Guyana; Malik Williams, a talented ICT Engineer & Digital Consultant and Shahrukh Hussain, Director of the Office of the Prime Minister, Industry and Innovation Unit.

This was followed by judging of these presentations by the panel of judges comprising of well-known experts.

The judges adjudged the teams in two groups – one group judging the 14-17 years category and the other judging the 1821 years category. The participants’ enthusiasm was visible since the morning when they set up their booths at 19:30 hours.

The final rounds were held in the afternoon inside the central dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The top seven contenders from each category were given the opportunity to present their reports/ presentations in front of a packed audience of about 250 people, including the Diplomatic Corps, Minister for Public Service – Sonia Parag, Minister for Human Services and Social Security – Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Members of Parliament, including Ganesh Mahipaul of the Opposition, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana – Prof. Paloma Mohamed, businessmen/ entrepreneurs, Civil Society, NGOs among others.

Former Captain of the West Indies Cricket Team, the legendary Sir Clive Lloyd, was also present in the audience.

Based on Judges’ decision, four prizes were given in each age group category, including Overall Best prize, followed by three Runners-up prizes.

The winners were awarded with trophies,

medals, certificates, gift hampers as well as a hefty cash prize consisting of US$ 400 to each team member of the winning team that won the overall prize, US$ 300 for each team member of the first Runner-up team, US$ 250 to each team member for the second Runner-up team and US$ 200 to each team member of the third Runner-up team.

Mr. Athrav Kotehal Gowdara, a student of Class 12 at the Guyana International Academy ( American International School of Guyana) initiated the IdeathonGuyana 2022 concept, based on advice and mentorship received from Peter Han - founder of SkyTree mentoring; Eldon Marks, Founding Director of V75 Inc. and Shahrukh Hussain, Director of Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit.

Athrav then teamed up with his colleaguesPratham Joshi of St. Mary’s International School of Tokyo, Yash Saxena from Monte Vista High School, California USA and Lucien Stanley of the American School of Georgetown.

They reached out to the Ministries of Health,

Education, Tourism/Commerce/Industry and Natural Resources of the Government of Guyana with the request for problem statements on the issues affecting Guyana currently, based on which the teams were asked to come up with innovative solutions.

In his speech, Athrav stated that his idea of promoting such Ideathon came as a result of him being the son of a diplomat (he is the son of Dr. K J Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India to Guyana), after travelling across over 40 countries, staying in six countries across five continents, where he saw a huge polarity between elite and non-elite, rich and poor people, the distinct challenges faced by the underprivileged across societies and the fact that he noticed that many young people having potential solutions to these problems never got a chance to be heard.

Athrav stated that he realised that he should do something in Guyana to provide solutions afflicting those sectors under this Ideathon.

This Ideathon aimed to promote a spirit of com -

(From left) Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prof. Paloma Mohamed; Promoter of Ideathon, Athrav Kotehal Gowdara; High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa and Minister for the Public Service, Sonia Parag, with Queen’s College winners of the competition

GPL workers to get seven per cent salary increase

- following agreement between utility company, NAACIE

THE Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), on Thursday, signed a collective labour agreement that will see over 70 per cent of GPL employees benefitting from a seven per cent salary increase.

The simple signing ceremony was guided by Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine, and the management of both organisations at the Labour Ministry’s Boardroom.

NAACIE’s General Secretary, Dawchan Nagar, said that, in addition to the increase in the actual salary, the agreement affords several other incentives to

further motivate employees, including improvements in allowances.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Renford Homer, said that the negotiation process was not without its challenges.

However, he said both parties have managed to arrive at an amicable agreement in the interest of consolidation.

“I think the negotiation leading up to where we are today was one that embraces professional maturity and mutual respect,” Homer said.

He added that, despite the financial difficulties GPL has been facing, the company manages to take into consideration the needs of its employees.

“The board of directors and management of GPL, notwithstanding that challenge, recognise the need to take into consideration the desires and expecta -

tions, to some extent, of employees, and tried its best to make an offer. It is one that was considered affordable and palatable,” Homer related.

He also indicated that another cycle of negotiations will commence soon.

GPL’s Human Resources Divisional Director, Bal Persaud;

First-ever ‘IDEAthon’ sees widespread...

FROM PAGE 8

petition among the youth but at the same time to be an educative event being all inclusive - which was achieved with Youth from all across Guyana representing diverse socioeconomic groups being present.

Their solutions to each of these problem sectors were well received by the judges/mentors and a wide range of audience who had come to observe the Ideathon in progress.

High Commissioner of India to Guyana Dr K J Srinivasa, in his speech, spoke about how India has become a centre for startups and entrepreneurship and the need for the youth of Guyana to pitch in to resolve these problems of Guyana.

He thanked all the stakeholders, sponsors and partners of the event while giving a call to the youth of Guyana to continue their innovative journey and strive for excellence in the future.

He charged the youth of Guyana to always keep “country first” motto in their thoughts and actions and hoped that the event

ignites the young minds of Guyana, the Government of Guyana/the entrepreneurial sector of Guyana to take necessary steps for this way forward.

Minister for Public Service, Sonia Parag, in her speech, thanked Mr. Athrav Kotehal Gowdara for the initiative and expressed her appreciation for the vast participation and innovative solutions presented by the participants.

She appreciated the competitive spirit of the Guyanese youth. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prof. Paloma Mohamed, while commending the role by the various judges and mentors from the University of Guyana and the participants from the University of Guyana, also applauded the initiative and stated that the University of Guyana stands ready to support such initiatives in the future.

She appreciated the High Commission of India’s support for the initiative of Athrav.

The Overall winning team in the 14-17 years category was from Queen’s

College - comprising of Ms. Vasanna Persaud, Ms. Sameera Shaw and Ms. Anaaya Jain, who gave a solution to an education sector problem.

The other winners in that category included teams from Marian Academy, Queen’s College and University of Guyana who presented projects in education, health and entrepreneurship sectors. The senior category of 18-21 years was won by a team from University of Guyana – Young Influencers Programme and included Ms. Terriann Wright, Andrew King and Jerry Collins. The other winning teams were from the University of Guyana and Amateur Groups - Chicken Fry Bytes and Ultimatus Electricus, which presented their projects in Environment and Education.

The winners of the Ideathon will now be encouraged to be a part of an Impact Lab which is proposed to be held (based on the availability of resources) in consultation and coordination with Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit, IDB In-

novation Labs, V.75 Inc. TheBrainStreetGroup, Action Invest Caribbean Inc, University of Guyana amongst wherein their proposed solutions could

be improved to a scalable level, bearing in mind the potential practicability of the solutions.

The event is deemed to have excited the youth

of Guyana to participate in similar events in the future. More details on the event are available at www.guyana-ideathon. com.

NAACIE’s General President, Whitney Graham and representatives from both entities were also in attendance at the signing. (DPI)

NAACIE’S General President, Whitney Graham, hands over a signed agreement to GPL’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Renford Homer

Guyana, UN recommit to collaboratively achieving 2030 SDGs

GUYANA and the United Nation (UN) have renewed commitments to partnering on initiatives to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Discussions on this topic took place during a Joint National Steering Committee (JNSC) meeting, on Wednesday.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Finance, the Joint National Steering Committee is the highest decision-making forum in Guyana that provides policy guidance on matters pertaining to the UN-Government of Guyana Country Implementation Plan (CIP) and its alignment with national development priorities

as well as regional and international development agendas.

More importantly, the CIP operationalises the UN Caribbean MultiCountry Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which was signed on December 10, 2021, in Georgetown.

During the meeting, Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, acknowledged the work of the UN Country Team in collaboration with the Government of Guyana.

He also highlighted the material support and technical advisory services as the most beneficial types of assistance provided to Guyana over the years. On summing up the government and the UN’s longstanding

collaboration, Dr. Singh reaffirmed Guyana’s continued commitment to working with the United Nations towards the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Delivering remarks at the forum, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, made reference to the critical assistance provided by UN agencies to Guyana in some of the most needed times, including during public health challenges, in the fight against domestic violence and other related areas.

She called on the UN to continue to provide this assistance and further affirmed that the UN mandate should be

Guyana and the United Nations (UN) have renewed commitments to partnering on initiatives to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals

aligned with countries’ priorities.

Speaking at the meeting, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ye?im Oruç, said that the UN system is proud of its cooperation and work with the Government and People of Guyana in all dimensions of Guyana’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

and “leaving no one behind.”

“Today, we took stock of our work in 2022. We anticipate great progress towards global targets in 2023. We discussed where and how the technical expertise and multilateral reach of the UN

have most to offer towards this progress here in Guyana, regionally and globally,” Oruç said. Also participating in person and virtually were Heads and Representatives of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

Convicted child rapist loses appeal

THE Guyana Court of Appeal, on Thursday, threw out the appeal of convicted child rapist, Esan Germaine, who was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment following a High Court trial.

In 2017, Germaine, a 45-year-old researcher, was found guilty of raping a child in 2011 when she was four years old and then again in 2012 and 2013.

After a 12-member jury found him guilty at the Demerara High Court on all three counts, he was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall to 15 years, 20 years, and 30 years, respectively.

However, the sentences will run concurrently, which means he will spend 30 years in jail for those crimes.

In his application which was filed by attorney-at-law Tiffany Durant, Germaine had contended that the trial judge erred in law in imposing such an unduly severe sentence.

Another ground was that the verdict was unsafe and unsatisfactory.

The appeal was heard by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette CummingsEdwards, and Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

While delivering the ruling, the acting Chancellor rejected arguments made on behalf of the appellant and said the court did not find that the trial judge erred in

her sentencing. As such, the appeal was dismissed.

Meanwhile, in March 2022, Germaine was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on three counts of child rape committed on a 15-yearold girl between January and July 2014. He was found guilty of the crimes by a jury.

Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court had sentenced Germaine to 20 years on the first count, 25 years on the second count and 30 years on the final count.

The judge ordered that they run concurrently which means Germaine will have to serve an additional 30 years for those crimes.

Germaine has since approached the Guyana Court of Appeal to challenge those convictions and sentences.

Esan Germaine

More jobs for Berbicians

By Nafeeza Yahya

PERSONS residing in the Corriverton, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), area now have more options for employment, as the popular Price is Right Supermarket has expanded with a new location at the Number 79 Village.

Owner of the supermarket, Danesh Roopnarine, said his vision was to create an atmosphere where customers could shop in comfort for quality products at affordable prices and that

has been realised with this major investment. The new supermarket is located just a few buildings away from the first location.

He related that the investment comes at a time when the standard of living for Guyanese has been improving because of key investments by the government.

Roopnarine said his intention is to be able to provide persons the opportunity to shop in comfort and convenience, and experience international standards and

quality.

The entrepreneur provided a recap his journey to where he is today, noting that together with his wife, he started in the field of business by selling fruits and vegetables at the Corriverton Market, some 20 years ago.

After hard work and sacrifices, they managed to open the supermarket initially catering for wholesale; however, as the demand for items increased, they started to retail and after many years, the size could not cater for the num-

ber of customers, so the new vision was to establish a location that is convenient and spacious.

“The supermarket boasts a variety of items. I was inspired to import a lots of the items that I know people would want. When I travel overseas and look at the set up and the varieties of stuff available I told myself this is what I would like to see in my hometown.

“As a result, I started to plan and now we have achieved it… customers no longer have to worry about travelling out of the region to look for stuff, we have it all here. We are here to help the people and help the county grow and I am thankful for the support,” Roopnarine said.

Construction of the twostorey modern facility commenced in 2020 and was completed in November 2022.

Meanwhile, following a simple opening ceremony on Thursday, shoppers flocked the supermarket aisles to cash in on the exciting promotions offered and new shopping experience.

Customer, Govin Chaltitar of Corriverton, said he is impressed with the new location and congratulated the owners of the supermarket.

The shopper who recently returned from a vacation in the United States, said he noticed a lot of items that

are not readily available in Berbice was in stock at the Supermarket.

“It’s commendable and convenient because I won’t have to travel far to get the items I usually need. This is a good shopping experience plus it’s good for our country and region and it’s exciting to be able to shop is such comfort,” the shopper said.

Juliet Ramratty of Kingston, Corriverton has been a customer from the inception. She recalled the days of purchasing from the owners when they started off at the Corriverton Market. She added, she is happy to see the growth and expansion over the years.

“It’s wonderful to be able to see this today, knowing from how it started. I’m here today for the sales and looking at the entire layout I can safely say this will be my number one spot to shop,” Ramratty said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Corriverton, Imran

Amin, commended the businessman for the bold venture of expanding and staying true to his hometown.

“It’s a great initiative, although he had an existing business of the nature, but to expand and enhance his business whereby upgrading to this bold new venture is very welcoming to the town and I would appeal to other businesses to take this pattern and also look to enhance their businesses and not shift from Corriverton to other parts of the country. He has the town and people at heart as it’s clear in his investment. This is welcoming,” Amin said.

The supermarket has a gift section, wide array of confectionery, frozen foods, refrigerated dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and variety of items. It also creates employment for close to 30 persons.

The initial location is expected to be transformed into a wholesale depot and an electronic store.

Owner Danesh Roopnarine

One of the fully stocked aisles

US, Canadian investors interested in Amaila Falls hydropower project

says

By Naomi Parris

INVESTORS from the United States of America and Canada have signalled their interest in the Amaila Falls hydropower project (AFHP), President, Dr Irfaan Ali has said.

The Head-of-State in an invited comment said that several bilateral partners have made proposals for the project.

“We are doing assessments now, we have a lot of interesting proposals from different bilateral partners. When I was in the US, I had a meeting with the energy secretary and her entire staff and I mentioned this project and the importance of this project and opening to the US… the Canadians have expressed some interest,” Dr Ali said, adding that those investors are being engaged.

“So, there is a lot of bilateral talks going on and then we will have to make a structured decision as to how we go forward,” the Head of State related.

In May of this year, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that the project will go back to tender, as the then executing company, China Railway Group Limited (CRGL), had difficulties in honouring its commitment to the Build-Own-OperateTransfer (BOOT) contract that it signed.

The company had requested to change the BOOT contract’s arrangement to an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract.

“We have been in discussion since November last year. The negotiations are very difficult. As of April 2022, they are having a hard time doing the

BOOT contract and want EPC financing. We’re still trying to get them to meet the commitment that they bid for [but] for the last six months we have been struggling to reach the conclusion; we will have to give a deadline [on negotiations],” Dr Jagdeo related.

The AFHP project was slated to commence this year and be completed in 2025; this will add 165 megawatts (MW) of energy to the national grid.

Mayor Narine, Duncan released on $200,000 bail for alleged obstruction, racial remarks

GEORGETOWN Mayor

Ubraj Narine and Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan were on Thursday released on $200,000 bail each for allegedly obstructing traffic and attempting to incite racial and ethnic disunity in Guyana.

Narine and Duncan were hauled before Chief

The Chief Magistrate released Duncan and Narine on $100,000 bail for each count and adjourned the matter to January 20, 2023.

She further ordered the men to refrain from posting or airing any material relating to the incident, pending the outcome of the case.

Duncan and Narine will also have to report to the

lim state,” among other things.

Citizens, civil society and private sector groups have, however, rejected the mayor’s comments and accused him of attempting to cause a “race and religion” war.

According to a statement issued by the police, based on an investigation,

Magistrate Ann McLennan and “slapped” with two charges. While the two politicians were being arraigned, several rowdy supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) staged an illegal protest outside the compound of the court.

The loud ruckus disrupted the court hearing.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that the duo on December 12, at New Market Street, intentionally transmitted a video attempting to excite racial division.

Superintendent of Police Shellon Daniels made an application to the court for the charge to remain indictable.

Particulars of the second charge alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Duncan and Narine attempted to incite racial hostility to a section of the public on the grounds of their race.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Their attorneys, Darren Wade and Roysdale Forde, S.C., made an application for reasonable bail.

Brickdam Police Station on the last Friday of every month until the case concludes.

The defendants later appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse, who sits at the Traffic Court to answer to charges related to the alleged obstruction of the free flow of traffic.

The men denied the two charges and were released on self-bail.

On December 12, Narine made his “reckless” comments on a Facebook live which was being broadcasted by Duncan. At the time he was attempting to influence efforts to obstruct the removal of carts, stalls and other encumbrances belonging to vendors who were illegally plying their trade along New Market Street, opposite the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The mayor, who is a practising Hindu Pandit, baselessly accused President, Dr Irfaan Ali of attempting to cause a “religious fight” and attempting to create a “Mus-

a file was submitted for legal advice indicating that Narine and Duncan be jointly charged.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on Wednesday, police ranks turned up at City Hall to arrest the duo and were blocked by a large crowd which included female vendors. One woman used her body to block the staircase while repeatedly saying that the mayor should be allowed to remain in his office to do his work.

It was later agreed that both Duncan and the mayor would go to the nearby Brickdam Police Station. However, several women stood in front of the officers and insisted that they were not going to allow them to transport the men by vehicle.

Mayor Narine, Duncan, party members and the police surrounded by the large crowd proceeded to the police station on foot. Dozens stood outside the station for almost an hour until the mayor and Duncan emerged.

- President Ali

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine (left) and Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan, making their way to the Chief Magistrate’s court

Hinterland scholarship students produce 88% CSEC, 94.7% CAPE pass rates

HINTERLAND students who completed their secondary, technical and tertiary education under the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ Hinterland Scholarship Programme have graduated and could now pursue their dreams.

The annual graduation ceremony was held at the Umana Yana, Kingston, where students received their certificates and medals for outstanding performances.

Students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams in

that you have made us proud, made your parents proud, you made your community proud. I know that it is never easy to spend five years from home.

“We will seek to ensure that all the batches that come after you, will see incremental changes and improvement in our programmes,” the minister said.

She implored the younger generation to aim for a higher pass rate and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing quality education for all.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of

mitted to providing the “best” education for all Guyanese students.

“Whichever path you choose, I ask that you use the academic knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the hinterland scholarship programme to advance the development of yourself and your country,” he implored the graduates.

Senior Social Worker Christopher Sookdeo said: “These investments have seen great results with 61 students who sat the CSEC examination, graduating. Among these students, we have gathered 129

from the scholarship programme countrywide. Conceptualised by the PPP/C government, the programme aims to bridge the education gap between

hinterland and coastal students.

Permanent Secretary Ryan Toolsiram; Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Amer-

2022 recorded an 88 per cent pass rate, while Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students recorded a 94.7 per cent pass rate.

Some $2 million was invested in the CSEC and CAPE examinations for 2022.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, in her address commended the students for completing their studies despite the challenges that had confronted them.

“Our ministry is very thankful that you have stayed the course,

Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, in his remarks, said the PPP/C administration is com-

Grade ones, 223 Grade Twos and 143 Grade Threes.”

Currently, 684 students are benefitting

indian

Hinterland Education Development, Marti De Souza, and other officials and family members were present at the graduation ceremony. (DPI)

and

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai

Hinterland scholarship students who graduated

Guyana leads in sweet potato value chain

By Cindy Parkinson

BECAUSE Guyana is once again considered the breadbasket of the Caribbean, a significant amount of attention is being paid to its agriculture sector for both traditional and non-tra-

ditional crops. On Wednesday, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) held a Regional Sweet Potato Value Chain Enhancement and Technology Transfer Project workshop at the National

Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

The workshop discussed the benefits and addressed the sweet potato farmers’ concerns as they progress in crop production.

Country Representative for the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Jhaman Kundun, said the project was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and supported the three components:- Sweet Potato Value Chain Analysis, Market-preferred Sweet Potato Varieties Research and Technology Transfer and Adoption.

He also mentioned that the project is happening in five countries across the Caribbean, with Guyana being one of the leading project countries.

A-to-Z Consultancy was tasked with executing component one by doing its diagnostics in the fields and interacting with farmers and officials.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of

A-to-Z Consultancy, Dr. Noel Watson, said they first came on board with CARDI in January this year and started the sweet potato project.

According to him, his company won the project and decided to target Guyana, Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which they did in June of 2022.

During that visit, Dr. Watson explained that he was highly impressed and excited about Guyana and the acres of land he had in the savannah that could be used to cultivate sweet potatoes.

The doctor said, “I had the pleasure, through sweet potatoes, to go into the backdam and I was amazed that I could have gotten into a boat and sailed for miles and gotten out to the land, walked through the fields and looked at sweet potatoes for miles. The great farming that is going on in Guyana, you can feed the entire region with the land that you have out there.”

Dr. Watson is very op-

timistic that Guyana will “definitely” become the breadbasket of the Caribbean very soon and feed the entire region with all the “good” things in the country.

He added that sweet potato products are very versatile, and the project’s objective is for “us” to take advantage of the versatility of sweet potatoes.

He noted, “Guyana has many varieties of potatoes, but I don’t think that we give it as much credit as it deserves... there are many uses of the product, and we are not only looking at the farming aspect of sweet potatoes, but we are looking at giving people the right information so that they can make use of the product in different ways.”

The CEO also added that the project is “very important” and he’s asking the people of the Caribbean to take it seriously since a lot of money can be made through the crop.

Dr. Govind Seepersad, in his presentation of the consultant report, stated

that “sweet potato is important for food security, given its fit in the daily consumption basket. It can be easily improved through agronomic interventions given its cultivation as an annual, its short product cycle (3-4 months), suitability for the agro-ecological climate, high agronomic value, and low perishability.”

He said that NAREI has 32 sweet potato varieties tested for suitability to grow well on marginal soils and under changing climatic conditions. According to him, the crop generally fits into two segments of the value chain: the fresh domestic market, agro-processing, and value addition.

The head of NAREI, Jagnarine Singh, and Major General (retired) Joe Singh spoke on the sweet potato and its popularity due to its quick growth cycle, adaptability to various agro-ecological zones, and advantages in terms of nutrition and health.

The variety of sweet potatoes in the value chain (Cindy Parkinson photo)

- CARDI Representative urges Caribbean countries to cash in

Improved climate finance attractiveness for vulnerable countries - as Commonwealth partnership develops new tools

THE Commonwealth Secretariat and Cambridge University’s Centre for Resilience and Sustainable Development (CRSD) are hosting a collaborative workshop for climate finance experts to examine new tools designed to improve climate finance attractiveness for Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Tuesday marks the launch of phase three of the joint ‘Their Future, Our Action project,’ a two-year collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat and CRSD that focuses on enabling small states to attract sustainable finance opportunities for young people and biodiversity, two essential components of achieving sustainable development.

According to the Commonwealth, on Tuesday, a key challenge to creating sustainable and investable projects in developing mar-

kets is the collection and analysis of appropriate data to support investment. To address this gap, the Their Future, Our Action team has developed two new data tools - the ‘Political Economic Resilience Index (PERI)’ and ‘The Cambridge-Commonwealth Sustainable Investment Marker (CSIM)’.

Ahead of the workshop, Commonwealth Secretary-

General Patricia Scotland said:

“The Their Future, Our Action project is on track to deliver a new type of sustainable investment model for Small Island Developing States, and those who wish to invest in them. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the constant threat of climate disasters, vulnerable countries are facing high debt levels and debt distress. Today’s workshop will aim to leverage the global expertise of attendees to help operationalise sustainable finance solutions for SIDS, through the design of an institutional mechanism to de-risk investments both for countries and investors.”

Speaking about the development of the new tools, Dr Nazia Mintz Habib FRSA, Founder of CRSD said:

“We deployed over twelve systems thinking methodologies to identify

actionable outcomes that the Commonwealth Secretariat can realistically offer the governments of Small Island Developing States to attract sustainable finance. At the same time, evidence-based outcomes, namely the Political-Economic Resilience Index improves investors’ confidence by de-risking the deal-making process. This collaboration with the Commonwealth is a gamechanger engagement for us and the event today is part of the rigorous process we are taking to validate our data. We are overcoming the disciplinary limitations, institutional conservatism, and traditional understanding of investment processes and diversifying who can leverage existing mechanisms to attract investors to SIDS.”

The Commonwealth covers 56 diverse member countries from five geographical regions, including 33 small states, 25 of which

are Small Island Developing States. Discussions this year at COP27 reiterated the growing demand for sustainable and resilient investment opportunities globally, with a shortfall in suitable projects. This disconnect between global demand for investable opportunities, and the need for SIDS to attract greater sources of finance, highlights the urgent need for an innovative system of funding that addresses the specific challenges faced by SIDS.

Thus far, the Their Future, Our Action collaboration has engaged with over 400 young people from SIDS, global and national experts, and national policymakers from across the Commonwealth, multilateral agencies, regional development banks and civil societies.

The work of the ‘Their Future, our Action’ project expands on the long history of Commonwealth Secre -

tariat support to members countries on access to finance and sovereign debt management issues through initiatives such as the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, the Commonwealth Meridian Programme and the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governor’s Meetings.

The Cambridge-Commonwealth Sustainable Investment Marker (CSIM) is a new opportunity to support and co-ordinate financing mechanisms between Commonwealth member states. Their Future, Our Action has already piloted this model and garnered over USD 10 million for investments in preventive digital health across the Caribbean, and 10,000 training places through Simplilearn which will lead to new opportunities for young people across the region as well as improved health outcomes.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland

Talented youth with no arms and legs charms thousands

— wants to be a gospel singer, motivational speaker

By Cindy Parkinson

DESPITE being born with no legs or arms, Edon Singh has risen above his challenges and is focused on making a positive impact on the world. He has used his melodious voice and multiple talents to prove that his circumstance does not define him.

Born on March 30, 2005, in Blackwater Savannah in Region One, Edon is one of the most charming, humble, talented and optimistic human beings. He has a vivacious personality and does everything he can to ensure he enjoys life to the fullest.

During a recent interview with the Buzz, he explained that he is a fun, loving and kind person who believes in treating everyone with respect.

The proud Fifth Form student of the Charity Secondary School and member of the Wesleyan Church in Charity stated that he does not “pity” himself for his condition, but rather sees himself as a normal human being with a few extra challenges in life.

He noted that there was a time during his much younger years when he felt that he didn’t belong. He wanted to give up, but then he heard someone singing “Mercy Walk In,” and that song inspired him to continue living.

“I chose that song because when I was a little boy, I was about to give up, but then I heard someone sing it and it inspired me to never give up and never quit. Because of it, I know that Jesus cares for me and died for me. I got my strength from God and I know that there are more kids in the world like me and I want to inspire them to never give up as well,” Edon said.

According to Edon, his life dream is to become a gospel singer and a motivational speaker.

He believes that, through singing and his words, he can help inspire persons like himself and others who may not be able to see how beautiful life is.

He also believes that there is something or someone to be grateful for every day in life, but it is up to us to take a moment to see that.

The highlight of his life thus far was meeting President, Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali. They met for the first time at a funeral in Charity.

The talented young man explained that he sang at the funeral and the president met with him afterward and complimented him on his singing.

his biggest inspiration and role model and his caretaker, Helen Abrams. He said the two women continue to ensure that all his needs are met and he is able to live a comfortable life.

He considers himself very fortunate to have them so involved in his upbringing.

Edon said that he believes that a good person is someone who calls a complete stranger their own and takes on the responsibility of showing them love, sometimes tough love, because they want the best for them.

He said that Pastor Singh possesses these traits which are what makes her a good

nity who were less fortunate and that was how she heard about Edon.

NORMALCY

Not having any kids of her own, Pastor Singh felt a connection with Edon that she didn’t expect to feel. Looking at the living condition that he was in, she felt compelled to give him a better life.

Not sure what to make of it or how to go about doing what she felt in her heart was right for Edon, the pastor decided to discuss her thoughts with her friend and colleague, Helen Abrams.

Pastor Singh explained to Helen that she wanted to adopt Edon and give him a better life, take care of him and give him a sense of normalcy, but because of her frequent travels abroad and being busy with the church, she would need someone to take care of him in her absence.

Helen, who was also a part of the missionary group in the church, agreed without hesitation and the pastor asked Edon’s parents to give him to her so that she can give him a better life and they agreed.

Edon said he couldn’t believe how “nice” and welcoming the president was to him during their first encounter. Sometime later he received an invitation from the president’s office to perform at the ‘One Guyana’ Christmas Concert on December 2.

“I couldn’t believe that was happening to me. I always wanted to sing on the big stage and the president made that happen for me without knowing that it was a dream of mine,” Edon joyfully said.

At the concert, the young man had many in tears before the end of his performance.

Edon also plays the drum and the keyboard.

STRONG SUPPORT

As expected, he faced challenges while attending school. Over time he has learnt how to deal with those and for now, things are going smoothly.

“Life at school is going well so far. The students are very friendly and kind towards me and they help me

out whenever I need help. We all get along really well, but the only part that is challenging for me is that I have to go home when I need to use the bathroom,” Edon related.

He noted that he writes and does everything else for himself and he is very independent.

“I find the strength in God and every day I encourage myself to be better and do better,” he added.

Edon thanks his adoptive mother, Pastor Orpah Singh, whom he considers

parent and someone who he can proudly call his mother.

Pastor Singh explained to the Buzz that Edon was born to Terry and Coleen Williams, who, because of their poverty situation, found it very challenging to take proper care of him.

The missionary, who is attached to the Wesleyan Church, saw Edon on one of her outreaches in Blackwater Savannah.

According to her, at the time they were visiting residents of the riverain commu-

Pastor Singh said: “I love Edon like he is my own biological child. I have had him since he was five years old and I treat him like a normal child. I was strict with him too because he had a mouth on him when he was growing up and he got one or two lashes like every child growing up, but he is a very smart and good boy. He doesn’t like it when people pity him because he doesn’t see anything wrong with him. He loves to help and make others feel happy. He is a joy.”

The pastor noted that most people feel stress-free after talking with Edon. “He is truly blessed,” she added.

Edon’s adoptive mother, Pastor Orpah Singh (left) and his caretaker Helen Abrams (Photo courtesy of Pastor Singh)

Edon Singh (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Edon performing at the ‘One Guyana’ Christmas Concert on December 2 (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

‘King Drac’ balances school with music aspirations

By Clestine Juan

NINTEEN-YEAR-OLD

Cy Walker known as ‘King Drac’ is multi-talented and ambitious. He is an electronic dance music (EDM) producer and a final-year Chemistry major at the University of Guyana (UG).

Hailing from the mining town of Linden, this local basketball star has over 210,000 listeners from over 140 countries on Spotify. He was also nominated twice for the Linden Music Awards.

EDM is a popular range of music that is intended for dancing in clubs typically having a repetitive beat and a synthesized backing track.

There are many subgenres of electronic dance music but among the popular ones is disco, house, techno, hardcore pop, ambient and break- beat.

It is produced by DJs for nightclubs, festivals

and dance parties and is made up of tracks which are designed to flow seamlessly into one another.

During an interview with the Buzz, Walker explained that his love for EDM started while in fourth form at the McKenzie High School when

he first began listening to Christopher Comstock known as “Marshmello,” an American electronic music producer.

He recounted that this “kick-started” his love for EDM, followed by his first keyboard, a Christmas present from his parents.

“Since then, I have been playing and learning different songs. But eventually, from playing I wanted to add other stuff like drums and different instruments.

“I came across somebody from school using a software and I downloaded it and started using it. I was already into EDM music, so, I said let me try to produce the same music,” the young man recounted.

He added that during the coronavirus pandemic when everyone was forced to stay at home, he used the opportunity to focus more on what he loved.

“I just had ideas in my head and tried my best to recreate it on the computer. You could get inspiration from anything. You could be sitting down in a car, and hear a sound and get any idea for a song,” the young musician said.

Walker added that af-

ter producing some music, he submitted them to people in different parts of the world, which resulted in him becoming friends with other EDM lovers worldwide.

Now, his music is popular in United States, Germany and several other European countries.

However, Walker wishes that EDM could be used more in Guyana where dancehall, soca, chutney, among other music genres are very popular.

Among the songs he produced are “Open up your heart”, “Think about it”, “Let me in”, “My meaning”, “Always you” and his most popular track, “Save me” which has over 488, 000 streams online.

“Locally, I have never met anybody that wants to produce EDM music, but it got couple artistes who want to collaborate on an EDM track. I get

other friends from Iran, and Hong Kong … they also make EDM. I get a lot of support from people from other countries. I try to show people (locally) my music, but nobody really follows it up,” Walker said.

The young lad has been able to balance his love for music and his books. He is currently pursuing studies which will give him the opportunity to work in a lab as a chemist.

Walker explained that music takes his mind off of schoolwork and helps him express himself.

“Every free time I get, I put it towards my music,” he said.

He hopes that his music triggers a “specific type of feeling” or memory of something that makes his listeners happy.

“I wanted people to listen to my music and get that type of feeling,” he said.

No more Shaggy And Friends?

THE future of charity concert ‘Shaggy And Friends’ is uncertain according to its conceptualiser and two-time Grammy winner Shaggy. This is due to what he labels unwarranted attacks on his character.

“In my heart of hearts I would love to, because you have to put the children first and we saw the good that it did,” Shaggy told the Jamaica Observer at the AC Hotel Kingston on Monday evening.

“However, when you start to get attacked on your character remember it says, ‘Shaggy And Friends’. There are also a lot of people who make up the ‘Friends’ that are behind the scenes… these are people that gave their

time, that had attached their businesses to this brand — it was also an attack on their character at the same time because they were involved with us...It is not a conversation for myself, it is a conversation that involves these people… the preliminary conversation I have had with them. They are a little gutted and disgusted by the situation. Am I telling you that down the line time won’t change things?

Probably, but we will cross that bridge when we are there,” he continued.

Shaggy, following his tour of the Bustamante Hospital for Children, said he was disturbed by media reports that he had not turned over $100 million raised from the 2018 stag-

ing of the Shaggy And Friends concert, proceeds which were earmarked to build an intensive care unit (ICU) at the facility.

“That narrative would cause discomfort at the end of the day,” he said, “but our model has never been to turn money over to Government. That was never our model; I don’t know where they got that from. If you look at previous things that we have done: we purchased equipment and refurbished equipment ourselves, we also maintain them ourselves. We’re the ones who fly technicians down — and we don’t just do our equipment, we do the whole hospital.”

According to the entertainer, the project’s initial

aim was to build an ICU, but due to “land shortage” at the hospital it morphed into refurbishing an existing five-bed unit to seven.

“After COVID hit... they said they are going to need the money to do some ward. Then we found out at this time from the

Charities Act of Jamaica that we cannot use the funds to do a ward when it was earmarked and raised to do an ICU. Whatever yuh raise it fah, ah dat yuh affi spen’ it pon so if mi tell yuh seh mi raise dah money yah fi buy chair, mi cyaan buy bed, accord-

ing to the Charities Act — that’s illegal,” Shaggy disclosed.

“The money is safe; it is still there. If you tell me I have moved a little slow towards it, I am the type of person [who] if I’m spending people money, I’m going to spend it right,” he added.

Started in 2009, the biennial Shaggy And Friends concert raised more than US$1.6 million for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

In addition to Jamaican acts, the event attracted Lauryn Hill, Sting, Wyclef Jean, Doug E Fresh, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons, and R City. (Jamaica Observer)

Cy Walker known as ‘King Drac’

Shaggy speaking to the Jamaica Observer at the AC Hotel Kingston on Monday evening (Jamaica Observer photo)

Eddie Murphy to receive lifetime achievement award at Golden Globes

COMEDIAN Eddie Murphy will accept a lifetime achievement honour next month at the Golden Globes, the annual ceremony that is trying to restore its reputation in Hollywood, after a diversity and ethics scandal.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that votes on the Globe winners, announced on Wednesday that Murphy would receive the Cecil B. DeMille award to celebrate his contributions to entertainment.

Murphy, 61, was a cast member on television sketch show “Saturday Night Live” and went on to star in films such as “Beverly Hills Cop,” “The Nutty Professor,” “48 Hours” and “Dreamgirls.”

Previous DeMille award recipients have included Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Sophia Loren, Tom Hanks, Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro.

The honour for Murphy adds a big name to the Globes telecast on Jan. 10. The ceremony has been known as a

awards season, but it is unclear which nominees will attend the upcoming ceremony.

The Globes were tainted after a 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation probed the HFPA’s practices and revealed the organisation had no black members.

Longtime broadcaster NBC dropped the 2022 telecast, but the Comcast-owned (CMCSA.O) network agreed to air the Globes again in 2023 after the organisation made reforms. (Reuters)

Big bucks from Burna Boy?

AMANI Moodie — a director of Twisted Entertainment, co-organiser of Burna Boy’s Jamaica concert on December 18 — says they hope the event will spruce up the local economy ahead of the Christmas holidays.

“Over the past two years so many businesses, especially the entertainment and tourism industries, were crippled by COVID-19, many of which are still grappling with cash flow and supply issues. Large concert events like the ‘Burna Boy Live’ show are always good for the local economy as a whole, and not just the entertainment industry. Naturally, we hope to work with many local suppliers and entertainment professionals but also provide numerous employment opportunities for service providers in the hospitality

industry,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The Nigerian superstar is set to perform at the National Stadium in St Andrew. Also on the line-up are dancehall heavyweights Popcaan and Lila Iké.

According to Moodie, his team has collaborated with Burna Boy before so they were able to pull the necessary strings to have him in Jamaica for the first time.

“Burna Boy kicked off his Love, Damini North American tour with us in Barbados and the rest of the tour with Duke Concept in North America. He also headlined our festival in Miami in October, so, given the successes of those shows, and being from Jamaica myself, naturally I wanted to bring this experience home to Jamaica,” he said.

Moodie added: “We, Twisted Entertainment, have been doing this for more than a decade in Barbados and other Caribbean islands. As we have grown, we have executed events in Miami with the goal of someone coming to Jamai-

ca. We knew if we were to come to Jamaica it must be a major production, and as such we must find partners with similar vision and expertise — this we have found in Duke Concept from New York and Solid Agency from Jamaica.”

The singer will also be visiting Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua on December 16 and December 17, respectively.

As for adding Popcaan to the line-up, the director noted that it was a wise move since the two enter-

tainers have collaborated before and both have a huge fan base.

“Popcaan is one of the hottest-trending dancehall artistes right now and has been for quite some time. His catalogue of hits makes him well loved around the world and right here at home in Jamaica. Plus, with his recent trending collaborations with Burna Boy and Toni-Ann Singh we can hardly wait for his performance,” he said.

Moodie further said ticket sales have been very promising, and it is expected that the show will be 100 per cent sold out.

“We are definitely on track for reaching our targeted numbers, and if sales continue on this current trajectory we may have to shut off sales sooner than we expect,” he said. (Jamaica Observer)

star-studded, alco -

hol-fuelled event that kicks off Hollywood’s

Cast member Eddie Murphy attends the premiere of “Dolemite is My Name” in Los Angeles, California, U.S. on September 28, 2019 (REUTERS/Phil McCarten)

Burna Boy poses for a portrait in New York (AP photo)

Terrence Ali Nat Open C/ships on tonight at National Gymnasium

... International flavour & money for medals

By Sean Devers

THE much anticipated Terrence Ali National Open Championships will return for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in 2019.

The three-night card, set for the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue from tonight, is named in honour of the 62-year-old former lightweight boxing stalwart.

This year’s event will have International flavour with a couple of pugilists from Suriname being involved and for the first time in a local amateur card there will be money for medals.

First bout begins at 19:00hrs and admission is just $500. It is hoped that a large

contingent of boxing fans will come out tonight for the last boxing card for the year.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) emerged winners in 2019 but their title defence will not be as straightforward as in previous times. Police, who tied with them for Championship honours in the last Mike Parris Card, could be tough opponents.

National coach Terrence Poole is in charge of the soldiers while 37-year-old Flyweight boxer Dexter ‘the Kid’ Marques is the coach of the Police Boxing Gym.

However, like in the 2022 World Cup, upsets happen in sports and any of the other gyms can win.

Rosehall Jammers will represent the Ancient County while

a gym from Essequibo is carded to compete with the City gyms, which include Forgotten Youths Foundation, Republicans, Police and GDF.

The Dutch boxers from Guyana eastern neighbours Suriname; will be keen to impress in their first outing.

With the ‘Money for Medals’ system, Guyana becomes the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean that will financially compensate its Elite amateur pugilists at the National Championship

The atmosphere at the National Gymnasium tonight should be riveting. Apart from the fistic fury anticipated in the ring, GDF Drummers should add to the entertainment while beverages and snacks with be on sale.

Deryck and Colin Murray want...

From page 28

Deryck Murray, a former World Cup winner said while West Indies cricket has been very poor in recent times, he hinted that the decline started while they were still on top of the cricket world.

“I can say to you it started in the late 1980s. When you started having things like West Indies Cricket Board Incorporated, which became a little private company; when you run (cricket administration) like a private company, run by private people; that’s where the decline started. We started to lose in 1993 -1995 but it was on the cards (since the Eighties).”

He added that West Indies cricket was destroyed by a system that was put in place that was not “for the benefit of West Indies cricket”.

Deryck Murray, a former T&T Cricket Board president did not stop at Cricket West Indies (CWI), he also laid blame on the territorial boards.

He said: “The way the territorial boards are being run at the moment leaves a lot to be desired. It appears that people are holding on to their positions in the hope that they would be there when the hopeful turnaround occurs. They are “square pegs in round holes”.

He added that while the or-

ganisation does need specialty positions such as lawyers and accountants etc, he called for “a core of cricket people” to be in key responsible positions overseeing West Indies cricket.

Another former West Indies wicketkeeper, Peter Jeffrey Dujon, shared his thoughts on the batting in the just concluded series where the regional side lost 2-0.

He said: “We don’t have batters who are good enough to dominate, but they are good enough to stick around if they apply themselves properly.” (Extracted from Trinidad Guardian)

Greyville

11:00 hrs Rock N Roll Girl

11:35 hrs Aerial Display

12:10 hrs Chelsea Blue 12:45 hrs Mr Pigalle 13:25 hrs Let It Snow

14:00 hrs Bella Siccome 14:35 hrs Noble Sniper 15:10 hrs Blackwhitedynamite

India on top after Kuldeep, Siraj rip through Tigers

(REUTERS) - Spinner Kuldeep Yadav and seamer Mohammed Siraj have wreaked havoc with the ball, sharing seven Bangladesh wickets between them to put India in the box seat in the opening Test in Chittagong.

Kuldeep's career-best 40 had already helped India post 404 in their first innings after resuming day two on 278-6.

When they returned, Siraj (3-14) destroyed Bangladesh's top order before Kuldeep (4-33) joined the party to leave the home side reeling at 8-133 at stumps, still 271 behind.

Mehidy Hasan (16 n,o,), Bangladesh's last recognised batter, and Ebadot Hossain (13 n.o.) will hope they can produce something special to try and avoid a follow-on when they resume today.

Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep dashed Bangladesh's hopes of quickly polishing off the Indian tail when play resumed at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Overnight batter, Shreyas Iyer, added only four runs to his overnight score of 82 before falling to Ebadot but the collapse Bangladesh so desired did not materialise.

Instead, Ashwin and Kuldeep combined in an 87-run stand to take India near the 400-mark.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1st innings o/n 276-6

Lokesh Rahul b Khaled Ahmed 22

Shubman Gill c Yasir Ali b Taijul Islam 20

Cheteshwar Pujara b Taijul Islam 90

Virat Kohli lbw Taijul Islam 1

Rishabh Pant b Mehidy Hasan 46

Shreyas Iyer b Ebadot Hossain 86

Axar Patel lbw Mehidy Hasan 14

Ravichandran Ashwin stp. Nurul Hasan b Mehidy Hasan 58

Kuldeep Yadav lbw Taijul Islam 40

Umesh Yadav not out 15

Mohammed Siraj c Mushfiqur Rahim b Mehidy Hasan 4

Extras: (lb-1, nb-2, pen-5) 8

Total: (all out, 133.5 overs) 404

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-45, 3-48, 4-112, 5-261, 6-278, 7-293, 8-385, 9-393.

Bowling: Ebadot Hossain 21-2-70-1 (nb-2), Khaled Ahmed 20-3-43-1, Shakib Al Hasan 12-4-26-0, Taijul Islam 46-10133-4, Mehidy Hasan 31.5-6-112-4. Yasir Ali 1-0-7-0, Najmul Hossain Shanto 2-0-7-0.

BANGLADESH 1st innings

Najmul Hossain Shanto c Rishabh Pant

b Mohammed Siraj 0

Zakir Hasan c Rishabh Pant

b Mohammed Siraj 20

Yasir Ali b Umesh Yadav 4

Litton Das b Mohammed Siraj 24

Mushfiqur Rahim lbw Kuldeep Yadav 28

Shakib Al Hasan c Virat Kohli b Kuldeep Yadav 3

Nurul Hasan c Shubman Gill

b Kuldeep Yadav 16

Mehidy Hasan not out 16

Taijul Islam b Kuldeep Yadav 0

hrs Blackjack

10:00 hrs Sweet Idea

10:35 hrs Twilight Madness

11:10 hrs Perfect Swis

11:45 hrs Blazeon Five

12:25 hrs Anif

Irish Racing Tips

Dundalk

12:30 hrs AlexandEer John

13:00 hrs Boom Boom Boom

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14:00 hrs Bold Ribb

14:30 hrs Bucky Larson

15:00 hrs Vina Sena

15:30 hrs Contrapposto

16:00 hrs Princess Wannabe

Racing Tips

South Africa Racing Tips

Ashwin made 58 before Mehidy (4-112) removed him stumped.

Kuldeep hit five fours before falling to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam who returned 4-133.

Siraj removed Najmul Hossain with the first delivery of the Bangladesh innings and Umesh Yadav sent back Yasir Ali in the fourth over with only five runs on the board.

Litton Das hit five boundaries in his 24 but could not bring his bat down in time to stop a Siraj deliv-

Ebadot Hossain not out 13

Extras: (b-6, lb-3) 9

Total: (eight wkts, 44.0 overs) 133

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-39, 4-56, 5-75, 6-97, 7-102, 8-102.

Bowling: Mohammed Siraj 9-1-14-3, Umesh Yadav 8-1-33-1, Ravichandran Ashwin 10-1-34-0, Kuldeep Yadav 10-3-33-4, Axar Patel 7- 3-10-0.

ery which hit the bottom of his blade before crashing onto the stumps.

Kuldeep then ripped the heart out of the Bangladesh batting lineup. The left-arm wrist-spinner dismissed rival captain Shakib Al Hasan with his second delivery and sent back Nurul Hasan when Shubman Gill took a sharp catch at short leg.

Kuldeep trapped Mushfiqur Rahim lbw with a ball that kept low and got rid of Taijul with a googly.

"I was a bit nervous at the start," Kuldeep told the official broadcasters.

"After a couple of overs I started feeling good.

"I was mixing my deliveries and was getting good turn as well.

Kuldeep Yadav made a career-best 40 before taking four wickets (AFP)

GCA 2022 Cricket review

Barnwell shines at senior level, GT dominate at DCB youth level

By Sean Devers

THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) started the year 2022 with competitions which began in 2019 but were halted due to the shutdown of the country due to COVID-19 pandemic.

DCC won the GISE Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall 1st division 2-day competition by beating GCC in the final to be crowned 2019 champions.

GCC were the runners-up with Everest and Police being the losing semi-finalists.

The final was played on February 19 and 20, 2022 with Christopher Barnwell copping the MVP for zone ‘B’ with a total of 425 runs, including three tons, with a highest 134 in the preliminary rounds.

The former West Indies T20 all-rounder took 14 wickets with a best bowling of 6-16. He also took 6 catches and effected a run-out.

Bashkar Yadram won the MVP for Zone scoring 275 runs with 71 being his highest score. Yadram captured 15 wickets with a best of 7-70. He took four catches and effected two run-outs.

Trevon Griffith was the man-of-the-final with his marathon triple century while who scored 173 in the Final after making 175 in the semis against Everest at Camp Road.

A grand launch was done for the Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group of Companies & Trophy Stall-sponsored U-19 competition in March.

This competition has four preliminary matches remaining before the semi-final and final. This competition was hampered by rain, exams and unavailability of grounds and should be completed as soon as the weather improves next year.

The GCA Under-15, U-17 and U-19 won all the Demerara Cricket Board Inter-Association tournaments for 2022.

Dave Mohabir, Emmanuel Lewis, Brandon Henry, Reyaz Latif, Shane Prince, Dhanesh Persaud and Darwin Larose were selected to the Demerara Inter-County squad of which Dave Mohabir was appointed captain of the Guyana Under-15 team while Shane Prince, Jonathan Mentore played in the President’s X1.

Alvin Mohabir, Jonathan Van Lange, Riyad Latif, Jadon Campbell, Dillon Ramsaroop, Myhiem Khan and Wavell Allen were selected for the Demerara

Inter-County U-17 and Shiloh Adams, Jayden Dowlin and Jeremiah Hohenkirk for the President’s X1.

Alvin Mohabir was appointed captain for the Guyana U-17 and U-19 teams that feature Jadon Campbell, Jonathan Van Lange, Shamar Yearwood and Dillon Ramsaroop.

GCC won the NBS 2nd Division 40 overs 2019/2020 final with DCC the runners-up while the losing semi-finalists were MYO and Police.

The GCA/GTT T10 was launched and this competition was to be played just after the pandemic as an ice-breaker, but was played in October as a knock-out competition. Everest were crowned the inaugural champions by beating GCC under lights at DCC. The losing semi-finalists were DCC and Transport.

The Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc. Suzuki Motorcycles

2nd Division T20 is ongoing and should be completed in 2023.

The 2022/2023 GISE Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall 1st Division 2-Day is in its early stage with plenty matches to play.

The GCA 2023 U-15 team won their first match of the DCB U-15 inter-association against East Bank Association, in which captain Emmanuel Lewis scored a century.

“Come next year once all is good we are looking for sponsors for 1st Division 50 overs, 1st Division T20, Under-23, Under-13 & Under-17.

“We would approach our current and potential sponsors for their renewal for U-15, U-19, 2nd Division 2-Day, 2nd Division 40 overs, 2nd Division T20, Open T10, Under-21, Women’s matches and cricket clinics for our youths and ladies.

“On behalf of the GCA competitions committee and executives I would like to wish all sponsors, all affiliated clubs’ executives, curators, players, umpires, media, parents and friends of cricket ‘Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year’.

“Thanks for working with GCA as we look forward to the new year, working even closer and improving our standard through our club facilities, performances, commitment and resilience as we at the GCA are known as the heartbeat of cricket in Georgetown. Strive to produce cricketers to represent their clubs,” said Chairman of the GCA Competitions, Shawn Massiah.

Becker released from prison after serving eight months

FORMER Wimbledon champion, Boris Becker, has been released from prison after serving eight months of his sentence for hiding £2.5M worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts.

The 55-year-old German was jailed for two and a half years in April after being found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act.

He was released from prison yesterday morning.

The BBC understands Becker will be deported from the United Kingdom.

A Home Office spokesperson told BBC Sport: "Any foreign national who is convicted of a crime and given a prison sentence is considered

for deportation at the earliest opportunity."

Becker qualifies for automatic deportation as a foreign national who does not have British citizenship and received a custodial sentence of more than 12 months.

Becker has lived in the

UK since 2012, having retired from playing in 1999. He won six Grand Slam singles title, including three at Wimbledon, during his 15year career.

He was declared bankrupt in June 2017 over an unpaid loan of more than £3M on his

estate in Mallorca, Spain.

Becker went on trial earlier this year having been accused of hiding millions of pounds worth of assets to avoid paying his debts.

He was ultimately found guilty of four charges relating to his bankruptcy but was acquitted of a further 20.

It was reported that Becker was initially held at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London before being moved to Huntercombe Prison in May.

He previously worked as a BBC pundit on Wimbledon and spent three seasons coaching 21-time major singles champion Novak Djokovic. (BBC Sport)

FIFA, UEFA win EU court adviser backing on rules contested by Super League

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - Soccer bodies UEFA and FIFA yesterday won the backing of an adviser to Europe’s top court on rules contested by potential rival, the European Super League (ESL), as anti-competitive in a case that could affect other sports.

The case centres on the dispute between European soccer’s governing body UEFA and world equivalent FIFA and the ESL last year, but could also impact other sports, clubs and players tempted by lucrative deals offered by rebel bodies and seeking to cash in during relatively short careers.

At issue is whether UEFA and FIFA statutes allowing them to block rival events, bar clubs and players from taking part in the ESL or ban them from taking part in national team matches or conform with EU competition rules against companies or bodies abusing their dominance.

The ESL collapsed in less than 48 hours 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.

That left only Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus as holdouts. The ESL took its case to a Spanish court which subsequently sought guidance from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

“The FIFA-UEFA rules under which any new competition is subject to prior approval are compatible with EU competition law,” Advocate General Athanasios Rantos at the EU Court of Justice (CJEU), Europe’s highest, said yesterday.

While the ESL is free to set up its own independent football competition outside the UEFA and FIFA ecosystem, it cannot at the same time continue to participate in FIFA and UEFA football competitions without their prior authorisation, he said.

Rantos said legitimate objectives related to the specific nature of sport may justify certain restrictions. The CJEU, which follows the majority of such non-binding opinions, will rule in the coming months.

UEFA welcomed the adviser’s recommendation.

“The opinion reinforces the central role of federations in protecting the sport, upholding fundamental principles of sporting merit and open access across our members, as well as uniting football with shared responsibility and solidarity,” it said in a statement.

FIFA also welcomed the opinion, including the adviser’s recognition of the special nature of sport.

A22 Sports Management, a company formed to sponsor and assist in the creation of the ESL, said the advocate general considered that UEFA bore a “special responsibility” to ensure third parties are not denied access to the market.

“We believe the 15 judges of the Grand Chamber, who are entrusted with the responsibility to examine this case, will go substantially further and provide the opportunity for clubs to manage their own destiny in Europe,” A22 CEO Bernd Reichart said in a statement.

Minister Charles Ramson (Jr) is introduced to the DCC team by skipper Chris Barnwell. GCA president Neil Barry (right) shares the moment (Sean Devers photo)

Boris Becker won six Grand Slam singles titles, including three at Wimbledon

Messi, Mbappe battling for Golden Boot, Golden Ball

WITH 62 games now done and dusted, just two matches are yet to be played at the World Cup in Qatar: the third-place playoff between Croatia and Morocco tomorrow, and then the small matter of the final itself, between Argentina and defending champions France 24 hours later.

Lionel Messi has already vowed that, win or lose, the 2022 final in Lusail will be his last World Cup match for the Albiceleste and the stage is certainly set for the 35-year-old forward to go out on the ultimate high.

However, France are equally keen to become the championship’s first backto-back winners since the great Brazil sides of 1958 and 1962, and Les Bleus also boast their very own talismanic superstar in Kylian Mbappe whom they hope will spur them on in their quest.

But as well as the World Cup itself, there are also still a number of individual prizes on the line, as the Golden Boot, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball awards will be handed out after the final concludes on Sunday.

Indeed, all three could still be decided over the course of the two games remaining at the 2022 World Cup, given the various players left in the running.

GOLDEN BOOT

The Golden Boot is awarded to the top goal scorer at the World Cup and, as things stand, opposing finalists Messi and Mbappe are joint front-runners with five goals to their name heading into the final.

But this is no two-horse race, as Julian Alvarez of Argentina and Olivier Giroud of France are only just behind on four goals apiece, with the latter also having the distinction of overtaking Thierry Henry to becom France’s all-time record men’s goalscorer during the 2022 World Cup.

The Golden Boot is

primarily decided on total number of goals scored by an individual player at the tournament, but should there be any level-pegging at the summit come the close of play then the award is settled using tie-breaker criteria: first assists, then fewest minutes played.

Therefore, Messi is leading the standings by contributing three assists to Argentina’s cause (the jointmost of any player at the tournament) while Mbappe has laid on two assists for his France teammates.

However, this could all change during the final, heading into which Messi has played 570 minutes, substantially more than Mbappe’s 477 of game time so far.

There have been extremely tight Golden Boot races settled in this manner before. For example, the 2010 race was eventually won by Thomas Muller despite being one of four players to score five goals in South Africa along with Wesley Sneijder, David Villa and Diego Forlan. The German was given the award by virtue of his three assists.

When it comes to the 2022 Golden Boot race, there are only two other players beneath Messi, Mbappe, Alavarez and Giroud in the standings who are still active and have more than one goal to their credit.

Croatia’s Andrej Kramaric and Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri have each netted two goals so far, but they need to produce something truly extraordi -

nary in the third-place playoff if either is to leapfrog his rival and claim the award.

GOLDEN GLOVE

The Golden Glove is bestowed upon the best performing goalkeeper at the World Cup, with some huge names winning in the pastincluding Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffonl - since the award was first inaugurated in 1994.

More subjective than the Golden Boot, the winner is decided by the FIFA Technical Study Group, or “technical committee,” as they’re often referred. Should a stalemate arise in the deliberation, the winner will be the goalkeeper who progressed furthest in the competition.

Should a further tie-breaker be required, the award will go to the shot-stopper who made the most saves, then the most minutes played.

Emi Martinez (Argentina), Hugo Lloris (France) Dominik Livakovic (Croatia) and Yassine Bounou (Morocco) are the four goalkeepers to progress into the final two fixtures at the 2022 World Cup.

Bounou, Livakovic and Martinez have all emerged victorious from at least one penalty shootout each in Qatar, although Lloris has made plenty of stunning saves as Les Bleus advanced to their second final in four years.

GOLDEN BALL

The Golden Ball is bestowed upon the best player

at the World Cup and again features a more subjective selection process, with select members of the global media voting on a shortlist of contenders drawn up by the FIFA technical committee.

While the definitive outcome may depend on the result in the final, it’s safe to suggest that Messi and Mbappe are the two main contenders for 2022 award thanks to the moments of match-winning genius they’ve provided along the way.

Midfield maestros Luka Modric and Antoine Griezmann are also likely to be initially considered along with other standouts like Livakovic and Achraf Hakimi, but the clincher will surely be who fares best in Lusail on Sunday - Messi or Mbappe.

The Golden Ball award was first handed out in 1982 when it was claimed by Italy striker Paolo Rossi (who also won the Golden Boot that year).

Since then, a litany of great names have taken the plaudits with Diego Maradona (1986), Ronaldo (1998) and Modric (2018) among the recipients.

Messi is a previous winner, though he picked up the 2014 Golden Ball after losing in the final against Germany, leading to some odd images of the dejected Argentine having to hold his player-of-the-tournament aloft amid the German celebrations.

Similarly, France talisman Zinedine Zidane was forced to collect the Golden Ball at the 2006 World Cup despite getting sent off for head-butting an opponent and then France subsequently losing on penalties against Italy in the final.

Kahn remains the only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball thanks to his stellar performances between the sticks for Germany at the 2002 World Cup, which also served to earn him the Golden Glove as well. (ESPN)

Tracktown USA struggle to lure in American fans

By Amy Tennery

(REUTERS) - When Eugene, Oregon, known as ‘Tracktown, USA’, became the first American city to host the athletics world championships, 2028 Los Angeles Games organisers would have been hoping that U.S. fans would finally get hooked on a sport that has long been the jewel of the Olympic crown.

The biggest attraction at every Summer Games has yet to catch on with mainstream U.S. fans outside of the Olympics, with basketball, ice hockey, baseball and American football maintaining a stranglehold on the lucrative market.

Even though the likes of McLaughlin, 2019 world 200m champion Noah Lyles and American track great Allyson Felix were out in force chasing gold for the hosts, early crowds at the modest 15,000-capacity Hayward Field were thinner than hosts had hoped for.

“At high school level it is the most participated sport and there are 50 million recreational runners in this country. The challenge is to form that really clear connection between what they are doing and believing that they’re a part of the track and field landscape,” World Athletics president Seb Coe told reporters in Eugene.

The championships in July ended up being greeted with an ambivalent embrace even though it featured the emergence of a bona fide American superstar, Sydney McLaughlin, who followed up her dazzling Tokyo gold with one of the most spectacular performances in Eugene — shattering her own world record to win the 400 metres hurdles gold.

“We now have a glide path into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.”

Thousands of seats were left empty when Felix, the most decorated woman ever to step on the track, joined her 4x400 mixed relay team mates on what was billed as her final race, a sight that flummoxed global fans.

“Crowds tonight disappointing,” American four-times Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson tweeted. “This is not the ideal situation. Last race for Allyson Felix, icon of the sport and the stadium isn’t full?”

Organisers ultimately filled the stands, selling out the final session, and broadcaster NBC declared it its most-watched championships.

The final night though still averaged only 2.362 million TV viewers, according to the network, with an average of 834 000 viewers across the entire televised coverage.

The lack of local interest was baffling considering the U.S. topped the medals table with 13 gold, and a championship-record 33 overall, as their men’s track team recovered from a disappointing Tokyo Games to sweep the 100- and 200-metre podiums.

McLaughlin’s world record performance of 50.68 clinched her the athlete-of-the-year honours. The 23-year-old has also hinted at having a go at the 400 metres flat.

“There’s more possible,” she said.

Other standouts were: high-flying Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, the Swedish sensation who underlined his claim as the greatest-ever pole vaulter when he cleared a record 6.21 metres (20.37 feet) and Britain’s Jake Wightman, the surprise 1500 metres gold medallist. His perfectly navigated win was announced by his own father, stadium commentator Geoff Wightman.

American Lyles retained his world 200 metres gold in confident fashion a year after U.S. men walked away from Tokyo without a single individual track gold, returning to the top of the podium in 19.31 seconds.

The United States will have another chance to inspire domestic fans when Eugene plays host to the Diamond League finale in 2023, the first time the meet will take place outside Europe. (Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

With just two 2022 World Cup games remaining, there are major individual honours as well as the trophy at stake for Lionel Messi (left) and Kylian Mbappe

Allyson Felix of the U.S. and Britain's Laviai Nielsen in action during the heats at World Athletics Championships - Women's 4x400 metres relay, Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, U.S., July 23, 2022 (REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel)

Ramtahal, Ali take T&T to 2-1 lead in Goodwill U-13 series

By Sean Devers

TRINIDAD & Tobago, on the back of 5-21 from Shaan Ramtahal and a quick-fire 37 from Mikel Ali, beat Guyana by three wickets yesterday at Providence despite 4-5 from Richard Ramdehol to give the visitors an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the four-match Goodwill U-13 series.

Guyana made 90 in 37 overs. Only Kush Seegobin (20) and Ethan Silas (12) reached double figures as Ramtahal, who had 3-7 and 3-16 in the previous games, took the first five-wicket haul in the tournament to take his tally to 11 wickets.

T&T despite a mini collapse reached 91-7 in 27.5 overs with Ali leading the way with 37 from 38 balls with four fours and two sixes. He added 46 for the second wicket with Zakariyya Mohammed who made 10.

Guyana’s best bowler was 12-year-old Rosehall Canje off-spinner, Richard Ramdehol, who followed up his 3-0 in the last match with 4-5 from eight overs.

Chasing 91 to win their second match in the series, skipper and left-arm spinner Brandon Henry had Tyler Ramroop caught and bowled for a duck at

2-1 before Mikel Ali and skipper Mohammed took the score to 48 before leg-spinner Reyad Latiff removed Mohammed for 10.

The left-handed Ail continued to play several audacious shots including a pulled six off a Raffel McKenzie full toss before slog-sweeping Latiff for a second six.

Ali pulled Henry for four and soon brought up the 50 before he was trapped lbw to Ramdehol at 60-3. Roberto Badree was run-out for a duck to leave T&T on 60-4.

Ethan Ramcharran retired hurt for five to trigger

a mini-collapse. Ramdehol bowled Raed Ali-Khan (4) at 65-5 before wickets fell at 72 as Guyana fought back.

But Ramtahal, on nine not out and Reyad Jerome unbeaten on seven saw their team home.

Earlier, Guyana were invited to bat on a good track and fast outfield and with cotton-wool like clouds floating lazily over the Providence sward, Silas (12) and Mohammed Ballie (5) took the score to 19 before the impressive Ramroop sent Ballie’s off stump for a walk.

Watched by another small but vocal gathering in glorious

sunshine, Aaden Owen induced Silas to edge one that left him, for Ali to hold his fifth catch (at slip) in the tournament and leave Guyana on 22.

Seegobin and Ramdehol, who got going with boundary, added 24 before Ramdehol (5) was run-out at 49-3 before Seegobin, who batted for 76 minutes and faced 46 balls in a well-constructed innings, hit Ramtahal to mid-on at 55-4.

The wily Ramtahal had Henry (5) caught behind down the leg-side at 69-5 before Tameshwar Deonandan (0) was run-out without addition to the score.

Latiff (9) Nathaniel Ramsammy (2) carried the score to 74 before Ramtahal removed both of them in the space of four runs.

McKenzie (3 not out) and Dorris Parson (9) took the score to 90 before Parson was bowled ‘through the gate’ with a perfect off-break as Ramtahal struck again.

Thierry Davis was run-out for a duck as Guyana, who made 43 & 99 in the first two games, were bowled out for their third double-digit total.

The final game is set for tomorrow at Providence and must be won to avoid losing the four-match series 3-1.

Another depressing loss for Windies Women

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – A change of scenery meant nothing, and West Indies Women endured another demoralising defeat in their current home series against England Women, losing the second Twenty20 International by 16 runs on Wednesday.

Playing under the lights at the iconic Kensington Oval, the Windies Women’s batting failed to fire not for the first time in the series, and they were restricted to 125 for eight from their 20 overs in pursuit of a target of 142.

A slew of batsmen in the Caribbean side perished in the teens, and Afy Fletcher, batting at nine, made the top score of 18, as the hosts now trail 0-2 in the five-match series, which continues on Saturday, Sunday, and next Wednesday at the same venue.

The batting of the West Indies Women was undermined by pacer Charlie Dean with 3-22 from her four overs, and Lauren Bell with 2-21 in three overs.

Windies Women all-rounder Aaliyah Alleyne said there were some improvements in the performance of the home team,

and they were going to keep pushing for that elusive win.

“We are rebuilding as a team, and we are taking it step by step,” the Barbadian said.

“Our bowling stood out, restricting England for 140-plus, and then we crossed 120 when we batted.

“For me personally, I’m looking to score runs for my team at the top of the order and to get that partnership with Hayley going. We still have a few games, and I believe we can get it right and get a win.”

West Indies Women were swept 0-3 in the preceding series of One-day Internationals between the two sides that was

played exclusively at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Alleyne made 16 and gave the Windies Women a bright start, sharing 21 inside the first three overs, before she and her captain, fellow Barbadian Hayley Matthews fell in successive overs.

The Caribbean side stumbled to 38 for three at the end of Power Play, and they were 52 for five at the halfway stage of the innings before Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry stemmed the fall of wickets with a stand of 28 for the sixth wicket.

Henry became the first

scalp for Bell when she fell for 13 in the 14th over, and Campbelle was trapped lbw to veteran pacer Katherine Brunt for 15 in the next over, and West Indies Women needed 60 from the final 33 balls.

Fletcher struck two fours in her 13-ball knock, and she added 37 for the eighth wicket with Shabika Gajnabi, not out on 17, but the Windies Women lacked the firepower in the closing stages to cross the finish line.

Earlier, Matthews bagged a flattering 3-15 from her four overs, but England Women defied her and reached 141 for six from their 20 overs, led by a run-a-ball 43 from Sophie Dunkley.

West Indies Women had to wait until the sixth for the breakthrough when Fletcher, bowling her leg-spin, bowled Danni Waytt 20, but England were 39 for one at the end of the Power Play.

The Windies Women managed to restrict the visitors to 57 for two at the halfway stage, but Dunkley spurred their scoring in the second half with two fours and one six before she was dismissed in the 17th over.

World Cup 2022: How Julian Alvarez is proving key for Argentina

ARGENTINA

Manchester City's Alvarez took his goal tally to four, one behind joint top scorers Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Argentina, who last won the World Cup in 1986, face France on Sunday.

"Nobody imagined Julian would have the participation and importance he has shown," said Messi.

"The help he has given us has been absolutely spectacular."

Messi, 35, has dominated the headlines in Qatar, with a string of starring performances in what he has confirmed is his fifth and final World Cup.

He has scored five and created three of Argentina's 12 goals - leaving Alvarez's contribution to go a little under the radar.

The young striker was not expected to feature prominently for Argentina this tournament and only made substitute appearances in their shock opening defeat by Saudi Arabia and the win over Mexico, with coach Lionel Scaloni initially preferring Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.

Alvarez has started the four matches since, though, culminating in his impressive display in the 3-0 semi-final victory, in which he was brought down for Messi's penalty opener, before scoring the next two goals himself.

"During the whole World Cup, but also on Tuesday, he was extraordinary," added Messi. "He ran everything. He fought for everything - creating chances, fighting. For us, he was the surprising discovery, and he deserves everything that has happened to him because he is a lovely guy..”

'MESSI - DON'T RUN. I'LL DO IT FOR YOU'

Manchester City signed Alvarez from River Plate for 17 million euros (£14.1M) in January 2022.

He agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal with City, but remained at the Argentine champions on loan until July.

This season, he has made 12 Premier League appearancesmostly from the substitutes' bench - and has scored three goals.

Former Argentina and City defender Pablo Zabaleta told BBC Sport Alvarez's "work-rate is unbelievable".

"He's playing alongside Lionel Messi up front and it seems, from the outside, that he's like: 'Messi - don't run. I'll do it for you,' he added.

"You need a big heart (to do that). He started at the World Cup on the bench but then (got) one chance and he's been brilliant."

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said: "At such a young age, to come on to this stage and put in that type of performance, in that moment for his country - incredible."

Alvarez's performances in Qatar will leave Manchester City fans excited by what is to come.

He has made it seven goals in eight internationals. He has become only the second Argentina player to score four goals at a World Cup while aged 22 or under, after Gonzalo Higuain in 2010.

And he also became the youngest player to score more than one goal in a World Cup semi-final since Brazil legend Pele's hat-trick in a 5-2 win over France in 1958.

(BBC Sport)

Mikel Ali pulls for four during his shot-filled 37 at Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

captain Lionel Messi has called Julian Alvarez "spectacular" and "extraordinary" after the 22-year-old's double against Croatia helped them into the World Cup final.

Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring his second and Argentina's third in the 3-0 win over Croatia in the World Cup semi-final. On Tuesday (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Lauren Bell took two wickets for England as they continued their dominance over West Indies

Region 4 send an ominous warning with a 6-1 triumph over Region 7

REGION Four got their campaign in the One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament off to a winning start after they thumped Region Seven, 6-1, at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, on Wednesday evening.

The men from Demerara-Mahaica, who undoubtedly have the strongest team on paper, given the load of national players, won the match after just 45 minutes of play.

Kelsey Benjamin scored in the first minute of the match and the goals kept coming as Ryan Hackett made it 2-0 three minutes later.

Omari Glasgow made it 3-0 in the 18th and Colin Nelson extended the dominance with a goal in the 20th, while Hackett got another in the 35th.

The joy for Region Seven was when Glasgow scored an own goal in the 41st, but he quickly made amends by scoring in the first minute of injury time.

Earlier, the ENet-spon -

sored Region 10 and Region Five played to a 3-3 draw

The lads from Upper Demerara-Berbice had the match in the bag until the 90th minute when Region Five levelled the scores. Region 10 dropped behind from as early as the eighth minute with Delroy Fraser converting the penalty after a needless foul in the box by the men in orange.

There was then an own goal from Ntini Bobb (30th) and 16 minutes later, Donavan Francis had his first of two goals to give Region 10 a 2-1 cushion at halftime.

Francis extended the lead in the second stanza and Olvis Mitchell scored the second goal for Region Five in the 55th minute, while Abvmchi Benjamin latched on to another unguarded ball in the box to equalise on the stroke of full time.

The tournament continues today with Region Eight up against Region Nine from 18:00hrs, followed by Region Two and Region Three from 20:30hrs at the National Track and Field Facility.

Terrence Ali Nat Open C/ships on tonight at National Gymnasium Deryck and Colin Murray want changes at Windies board level

Murray in calling for others to follow coach Phil Simmons’ lead and resign from their positions in West Indies cricket.

Talking on the “Andrew and Friends” radio talk show in Barbados on Tuesday, he said: "We are not to assume that one man Phil Simmons is responsible for the decline in West Indies cricket. I keep looking to see if others will follow suit, but nothing like that has happened so far.”

While the other Murray (Colin) was referring to the assistant coaches (Monty Desaibatting coach, Roddy Estwick - bowling coach) resigning, Murray (Deryck) was looking to the administration.

tralia,

He said: "It starts with the administration. The entire system” of administration needs to change.

One Guyana President's Cup continued on Wednesday night at the National Track and Field Facility (Photo: ENet)

See page 24

FLASHBACK!: Berbician Andre Bess (right goes after Clinton Clarke in a high intercity bout in 2019 (Sean Devers photo)

International flavour & money for medals

AFTER the West Indies' poor showing in the recent Test series against Aus

where they lost the second Test by 419 runs, calls continue to come for

Former West Indies vice-captain and wicketkeeper Deryck Murray

heads to roll for how badly the team performed.

Former West Indies wicketkeeper Deryck Murray joined his cousin former Windies youth player Colin