Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-09-2021

TUESDAY 14th September, 2021

No. 106484

18,299 adolescents, 334,333 adults receive first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

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Citizens shun lockdown calls from ‘Opposition elements’ _ SEE PAGE

Minister Benn hints at consequences for creating public mischief

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Despite calls from “mischievous persons” for a countrywide lockdown, Guyanese from all walks of life went about their daily business on Monday. In these photos, we see that the market places in New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Georgetown were abuzz with the usual activities

Labour Minister: Strike action by teachers ‘illegal’

Guyana, Suriname to advance talks on joint ‘environment’ strategy

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Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo

Moruca’s first female university graduate marks 50 years in education sector SEE PAGE

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Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Strike action by teachers ‘illegal’ _says Labour Minister

By Tamica Garnett MINISTER of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has said that the recent strike action by teachers, in protest of the government’s gazetted COVID-19 vaccination policy, is ‘illegal’ since there is no grievance with the employer but with a policy enacted by the government.

Speaking during a talk show titled, “Let’s Talk Politics,” hosted

by Director of Public Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister, Michael Gordon, Hamilton said his conclusion is based on legal advice obtained by Ministry of Labour.

Referencing a recent call by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) for strike action by teachers, and protests held last week outside of the Ministry of Education offices, Minister Hamilton said that industrial actions are taken when employees have grievances with their employers. However, the vaccination policy was not put in place by the employer of teachers.

“I am saying, as Minister of Labour, advised by legal counsel and the Chief Labour Officer, that everything about what they call a

strike or protest is out of order. Screaming and chanting at the Ministry of Education office and the Minister of Education is counterproductive because they have no grievance with the Ministry of Education,” the minister reasoned.

He added: “Strike is determined based on a grievance employees have with their employer. The Teachers’ Union has no grievance that they have articulated with their employer.

We are paying careful attention to the matter.”

Minister Hamilton went on to say that the strike action is even more illegitimate because the GTU has not followed the requisite procedures that govern industrial actions.

In Guyana, industrial action taken by employees is governed by trade union laws; however, unions are required to give notice to employers of the impending industrial action, and explain the grievances.

“When you have a strike, you have to write to your employers explaining what the grievance is and give the employer time to come and sit down and discuss the matter, and if they fail to reach an amicable resolution then the Ministry of Labour comes

in to mediate.

“But you can’t as a teacher, strike against COVID-19 regulations issued by the Ministry of Health, and gazetted. Your employer, the Ministry of Education, has done nothing to you,” Hamilton explained.

Hamilton advised teachers and other public servants, who are considering strike action, to carefully consider what they are doing, particularly because they will not be paid for the days that they do not work.

“The fact that you have no grievance is saying to the government that you are adjudicating your responsibility to work, so, therefore, you can’t be paid,” Hamilton said.

BE WATCHFUL The minister warned teachers and public servants to be watchful and not be led astray by union officials, many of whom are politically motivated, vaccinated and are not risking their lives or livelihood.

“When they follow McDonald, they must know that every month Coretta collects a cheque from the Parliament building as a MP, so she’s in a position to sustain herself and pay her bills. And I’m sure also she is paid by the

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

union as General Secretary, so she has two sources of income. Her bread is well buttered,” Hamilton said.

Through the updated COVID-19 Emergency Measures published in the Official Gazette earlier this month, Guyanese, including employees, are currently required to be vaccinated to access public and privately-owned buildings.

But vaccination is not mandatory, since persons could either be vaccinated or produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test to access facilities; this also applies to teachers and other public servants.

Exemptions to this policy, however, are afforded to certain categories of persons including pregnant women and persons suffering from certain

President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan

underlying conditions.

“There is no mandatory vaccination policy.

There are some things we have articulated and we must do that because we have a responsibility as a government to protect the state,” Minister Hamilton related.

The government’s policy is that vaccination is ideal for the protection of the public, with most persons advocating against the vaccines having no sound argument.

“The fallacy in all of this is that persons saying they have difficulties taking the COVID-19 vaccines, they have scars from vaccinations they have taken all their lives.

They have taken their children to be vaccinated,” Hamilton said.

The minister further said that Guyana is not the only country where

the government is pushing vaccination requirements of public service employees.

President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, just last week, issued an executive order with plans for mandatory vaccination at various levels.

And, locally, though some trade unionists have opposed the vaccination, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Carvil Duncan, supported the vaccination drive.

“Notwithstanding the fact that vaccination is a voluntary thing, what we need to realise is that by taking the vaccine you are not saving only your life, but you are also saving the life of persons around you,” Duncan said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Citizens shun lockdown calls from ‘Opposition elements’ _ Minister Benn hints at consequences for creating public mischief

By Rehana Ahamad

RESIDENTS throughout Guyana have shunned a call from elements of the opposition for a shutdown of the country for business.

On Monday, all businesses and government offices in the various regions were in full operation.

At the various markets throughout Guyana, vendors were busy hawking their goods as a steady stream of customers made their daily purchases and went about their business.

Outside the market, the roads were busy as vehicles, notably a large number of minibus operators, plied their trade while private hire car drivers solicited passengers at every opportunity available to them.

Aside from public transportation operators, business operators and customers at the various markets, persons were seen offloading goods from trucks and transporting them to stores on the busy roads and pavements of Georgetown and other towns in the regions.

Some of the shop owners and customers approached by this newspaper for a comment politely declined, but others who spoke on the condition of anonymity say that they have ‘mouths to

feed’ and their families to look after and therefore have no time to give attention to petty politics.

In relation to the shutdown call, one person, Eshwar Aziz, commented on the Chronicle facebook page: “Most of these vendors depend on a daily sale when they day is up. When these people go on lockdown who will provide from [sic] them?” pointing out that most of the people who are calling for the lockdown are either well off or have fixed incomes.

Another person who commented compared the lockdown call to “making a sacrifice.”

On Monday, contrary to claims being peddled on social media, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn confirmed that the government has not issued any lockdown orders for the country.

NO LOCKDOWN “There is no shutdown that the government has mandated, and those who are calling for a shutdown are irresponsible,” Minister Benn said during an appearance on the Guyana Today programme aired on the National Communications Network.

The minister said pointedly that instead of harmful lockdowns, the government

has been pushing vaccinations and other health protocols as a means of safely exiting the ongoing pandemic.

“The COVID-19 guidelines and the period over which people should not be out and about are wellknown… 10:30 in the evenings to 4 ‘o’ clock in the morning. It gives us enough time to make life go on in a reasonable way, in a sustainable way,” Benn noted.

He cautioned Guyanese against falling prey to the misinformation and antivaccination messages being peddled largely by persons who are already fully vaccinated.

“In spite of the best efforts of Dr. Frank Anthony, the Ministry of Health and the wider government, there is [sic] some out here, who, for whatever reason, are suggesting or are trying to create a movement to delay our return to a situation where we are safe and secure from a health perspective,” Benn recognised.

Notwithstanding the negativity being peddled by some sections of society, Benn said that it is important for Guyana to achieve herd immunity in a hurry so as to prevent any uncontrolled mutations of the virus, which could possibly

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn nullify the efficacy of the vaccines that are currently in use worldwide.

The coronavirus has so far taken millions of lives globally, and close to 700 locally. As it is, vaccines have been hailed as the only safe way out of the pandemic, and reports have shown that the majority of persons who lost their lives to the virus were unvaccinated.

“What is important now is that people are vaccinated and that we reject the negative messages… we have to encourage our people to take the vaccine,” Benn emphasised.

Because the peddling of

misinformation relating to a “countrywide shutdown” could be seen as a form of public mischief, Benn said that the cybercrimes unit of the Guyana Police Force would have to be called in to conduct an investigation.

Benn also encouraged Guyanese to “stick to the rules” and continue adhering to the existing COVID-19 guidelines.

The Guyana Police Force has also issued a statement informing the general public that there is no total lockdown in effect.

“However, the curfew imposed throughout the country as part of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures issued by the Minister of Health, remains in effect between 22:30hrs and 04:00hrs daily,” the police said.

The statement reminded citizens that during the aforementioned period, persons are required to remain within the confines of their homes and yard spaces, except as otherwise provided for in the COVID-19 Emergency Measures.

“The COVID-19 Emergency Measures have also placed restrictions and requirements on social, business and other activities with the aim of ensuring social distancing and the wearing of face masks by

members of the public,” the police said.

ENFORCEMENT The force also warned that as the police continue with their enforcement of the COVID-19 measures, those found to be in breach “will be prosecuted accordingly.”

Also accompanying Minister Benn on the televised programme was Police Commissioner (ag), Nigel Hoppie, who assured the public that the force will continue to execute its functions, as stipulated. “Our mandate is to ensure safety and security… we stand ready to ensure that law and order prevails in our society,” the Top Cop asserted.

Nonetheless, much like the call for teachers to strike, just hours after they returned to their physical classrooms, following a 17-month hiatus, the “mischievous” and “irresponsible” call for a countrywide lockdown also fell on deaf ears.

Just as the majority of teachers boycotted the strike and returned to their classrooms, the majority of Guyanese were also out in their numbers.

Business was abuzz across the country, including New Amsterdam and in the capital city of Georgetown.

$116M in relief grants distributed to Wakapoa, Akawini farmers

FARMERS of Wakapoa and Akawini, Region Two, have received some $116 million in flood-relief grants after their livestock and cash crops were destroyed during the nationwide flood.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, facilitated the distribution to over 500 farmers during the recent two-day outreach to the region.

During the outreach, the minister acknowledged the severity of the nationwide economic decline caused by COVID-19, but said that the government will continue to implement programmes that will alleviate hardships faced by citizens.

“It has been over a year since we’ve been in the pandemic and it has really put a struggle on our economy. It really has our people strug-

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, MP, and a farmer at the Region Two outreach (DPI photo) gling; everybody is facing the same challenges now, but you have a government that has made several interventions since we have taken

office last year.

“The COVID-19 relief, the cash grant to our school children then coupled with that we had unprecedented

rainfall and flooding that affected not only Guyana but several countries around the world. Again, at a government level we have in-

tervened and we have now rolled out this flood relief cash grant to help our farmers,” Minister Rodrigues said.

She also reiterated the government’s pledge to ensure that every Guyanese benefits equally from relief programmes.

To this end, Minister Rodrigues related: “President Ali has personally committed to this. He has said to our farmers that he will be here to lend a hand. And he will be here to help you back on your feet.

“We know that this is a temporary solution, this is bringing some immediate relief to you, but we want to ensure that Guyanese wherever they live can get back on their feet, that you can sustain yourself.

Every person wants to know that they can fend for themselves, that they can

sustain themselves, that they can work and earn to feed their families on their own.”

She added: “You have a government that is willing to help you, so whether you live on the coastland where there is more opportunity or whether you live all the way out here in Region Two, we want to provide you with the same opportunities. We want to make sure every Guyanese benefits equally and that is something very, very important to our government.”

The government has allocated $1 billion to the flood-relief cash grant initiative, which will benefit farmers across the 10 administrative regions. The relief is expected to assist farmers to return to their livelihoods. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

New CJIA boarding bridges procured from reputable company MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill, has maintained that the government has purchased two passenger boarding bridges for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) from CIMC Tianda, a company with a sound reputation.

In response to questions raised by an APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Minister Edghill made it clear that the company is experienced, since it has supplied more than 7,000 boarding bridges to over 300 airports worldwide.

The boarding bridges were purchased for

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

approximately US$2 million through CIMC Tianda’s authorised dealer in Guyana, Total Solutions.

While noting that

$314 million was approved in budget 2021 for the purchase, Minister Edghill set aside doubts that the purchase was done in breach of contract, as the opposition parliamentarian suggested.

Though the APNU+AFC parliamentarian contended that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) was responsible for the procurement

under the current contract, Minister Edghill reminded that addendum six which was signed on December 22, 2020, provided for the purchase through the government.

Minister Edghill said the addendum directly stated: “two sets of boarding bridges (fix bridge and aero bridge) to be provided by the Employer, one of which would accommodate a Code E Aircraft.”

The latter air bridge would allow CJIA to accommodate large planes like the Boeing 747-8.

Minister Edghill said that the government moved ahead with sourcing the new boarding bridges from CIMC instead of VATABLE, the China-based company used by the former Administration, since the existing bridges had come under the microscope for many technical issues.

Minister Edghill said spare parts for those boarding bridges were difficult to source, as VITABLE had no subsidiaries outside of China.

Additionally, Minister Edghill updated the parliamentarian on the CJIA modernisation project, stating that 84 per cent of technical items were complete, while 61 per cent of quality assurance items were done.

“Foundation works for NATB Boarding Corridor are 33.42 per cent complete while the ETB Curtain Wall is 36.14 per cent complete,” the minister said.

He further said that approximately US$124 million has been paid out from the Exim Bank of China for the modernisation project, while Government of Guyana has issued payments

totalling about US$9 million.

Minister Edghill said: “Due to delays in shipments and the coronavirus outbreaks within the Chinese camp, the CJIA modernisation project may exceed the December 31, 2021 contractual deadline.”

The administration, Minister Edghill said, is working to have a revised completion date for early 2022.

Since assuming office, the government was successful in renegotiating the modernisation contract with CHEC to fund an additional US$9 million in works that were omitted by the APNU+AFC. On Sunday, Minister Edghill, accompanied by other Cabinet colleagues, commissioned CJIA’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the extended runway that was completed in March 2021.

The ILS will allow aircraft to land at the airport during poor weather conditions, which is typical during early mornings and late evening hours, and the runway, which is one of the largest in the region, will allow airlines to maximise aircraft payload capacity. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Guyana, Suriname to advance talks on joint ‘environment’ strategy _

during three-day visit to the Dutch-speaking nation by VP Jagdeo, Minister Bharrat

VICE-PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat are in Suriname as part of an official three-day visit to strengthen bilateral relations and advance a number of joint initiatives being undertaken by the two countries.

Upon their arrival in the Dutch-speaking territory on Monday, the Jagdeo-led delegation met with Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, who recently completed a high-level visit to Guyana, which saw the two countries committing to a number of shared projects, including a common environmental strategy.

Jagdeo, a former President of Guyana who has been internationally recognised for his ground-breaking efforts to tackle climate change, is expected to engage Surinamese officials in relation to the preservation and sustainability of the environment.

In August, when the

Surinamese Head of State visited Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had announced that the two countries would be jointly marketing their forests as carbon credits, which is essentially a permit that allows a country or organisation to produce a certain amount of carbon emissions which can be traded if the full allowance is not used.

In addition to a myriad of other cultural and economic commonalities, Guyana and Suriname are said to be two of the most heavily forested countries in South America.

As a result, Presidents Ali and Santokhi have committed to ensuring that the two countries work together to advance a number of sectors, including agriculture and oil and gas.

As it relates to climate change, the two countries have decided to develop a common strategy for management of the environment and countering climate change, ahead of the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference, also known as

COP26.

“We are going to jointly approach the area of environment and climate change to come up with a common strategy for both Guyana and Suriname ahead of COP26… and in exploring the possibility of merging forest assets in the carbon-credit market,” President Ali told a joint press conference in August.

It was at that forum that President Ali said that Vice-President Jagdeo will be leading a delegation to Suriname before COP26.

The Vice-President was tasked with coordinating Guyana’s strategy and working with Surinamese authorities to develop a common strategy to deal with climate change and the environment.

On Guyana’s end, there are already plans to reintroduce the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which is premised on the concept of avoided deforestation, which allows Guyana’s 15 million hectares of

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo with Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

rainforest to serve as a carbon sink, a process that is critical to combating global climate change. Deforestation accounts for about 20 per cent of humangenerated greenhouse emissions.

To s u p p o r t t h e LCDS, the Governments of Guyana and Norway had agreed on a ground-breaking model, which saw Norway paying US$250 million to-

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo (right) and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat (left), engage Suriname’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, David Abiamofo

wards Guyana’s forest climate services between 2010 and 2015.

This, the second largest deal of its kind in the world, was initiated by Jagdeo during his tenure as President.

Speaking at a recent Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Vice-President Jagdeo said: “Because there is this Climate Change imperative to decarbonise, our policy is to get as much oil out of the ground as quickly as possible. It sounds a bit harsh for those who think you should be environmentally sound, but that is the reality of it.”

Jagdeo reasoned that Guyana has to maximise the benefit from the industry and use those benefits to change lives of every Guyanese.

“We don’t know how swiftly we’ll get to a decarbonised world, but we have to make use of this period when there is still demand to get as much as possible out of the ground and that is why we support the

rapid pace of the industry, but it must be done safely,” the VicePresident related.

These are all issues slated to be discussed

by Guyana and Suriname over the next two days. As it is, Jagdeo and Bharrat have already had their initial engagements with Suriname’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry of Suriname, David Abiamofo; Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, Ambassador Albert Ramdin; Minister of Spatial Planning & Environment at the Presidential Palace in Suriname, Silvano Tjoong-Ahin, and Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, Keith George.

It is expected that Guyana and Suriname would be able to finalise their shared strategy in time for COP26, which is slated to run from October 31 to November 12 in the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

That so-called ‘Accord’

THE Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement on September 7 in which it made its position pellucidly clear that it will not recognise any ‘accord’ made between the Venezuela Government and the country’s political opposition as it relates to Guyana’s sovereignty.

That “accord” was reportedly made at a meeting in Mexico between the two sides which seem to have nothing in common politically, except on the issue of the preposterous claim

by Venezuela to Guyana’s territory.

The ‘accord’ is an affront to the judicial process currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or what is referred to as the

World Court. It would be recalled that the matter was referred to the ICJ on the insistence of the Government of Guyana, with a view to bringing about a final solution to the border dispute.

The court in December last ruled that it has jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, after an objection was made

by Venezuela regarding the Court’s jurisdiction to determine the matter.

According to President Ali, the ICJ’s ruling is lawful and binding and Guyana remains committed to the judicial process. That route, he said, is based on the rule of law and as such ‘cannot be decided on any sideshow or any other engagement.’

The so-called ‘accord,’ as noted in the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is an overt

threat to the sovereignty and integrity of Guyana, and as such, Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for the settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences.

In the view of President Ali, the countries that arranged the meeting to resolve the internal political differences in Venezuela should understand that issues confronting the government and the political opposition are essentially political and internal and therefore have no bearing whatsoever on the border controversy. That matter is properly before the ICJ and any attempt to use the issue to gain internal political mileage is not only disingenuous, but also an affront to the cannons of international law.

It is in the above context that the President’s decision

to bring to the attention of those who offered to ‘mediate’ on the controversial matter has to be seen. The President has indicated that he intends to brief CARICOM Heads, the Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the United Nations on the controversial ‘accord’ purportedly reached The government and the political opposition in Venezuela are currently engaged in a bitter power struggle.

This has resulted in a severe political and economic crisis.

This has resulted in a mass political exodus of Venezuelans to several neighbouring countries, including Guyana.

Guyana has consistently articulated a stance of noninterference in the internal affairs of Venezuela and despite the claim on the country’s territory, the two countries

have by and large, maintained good diplomatic and cultural relations over the several decades. It is unfortunate that this issue has now become, as it were, a political football used by politicians on both sides of the political divide to create a smokescreen of some apparent commonality on the claim to Guyana’s territory which was already settled way back through the 1899 Arbitral Award which decisively brought an end to the territorial dispute in Guyana’s favour.

Despite the finality of the award, Venezuela continues to make false claims to Guyana’s territory and, only recently, illegally detained two Guyanaregistered fishing vessels and their crews, a move that was condemned by the SecretaryGeneral of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and

the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

It would be recalled that Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro had earlier issued a presidential decree establishing a new so-called ‘Atlantic facade’’ in which he reasserted his country’s claim to parts of Guyana’s maritime waters in the Essequibo region.

President Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C administration must be commended for exercising restraint in the face of several actions that could be considered provocative. It will be a mistake, however, to view such restraint as a lack of resolve to bring an end to the border controversy which, for too long, has been an impediment to Guyana in the realisation of its full economic potential.

Young people should condition themselves to establish businesses to secure their financial future

Dear Editor, MY penchant for examining the condition of mankind as a means of identifying his problems/constraints and devising mechanisms to overcome these has recently led me to consider what the ideal state of man should be.

While not being an objective of economics, the subject covers ideas where man maximises his welfare/satisfaction, or achieves his full potential. Translated, this means that he accomplishes all that his abilities will allow him (it should be observed here that man’s abilities are very much influenced by his diet and lifestyle, since these impact his mental faculties). Textbook discussions seem to limit this simply to ensuring that man can, and is able to satisfy his material needs and wants. It is however proposed here that the ideal state of man should be referenced, where he overcomes the obstacles set

before him by society to establish a successful household (failure here greatly increases the risk of failure of his children), achieves financial independence, and lastly, where he realises intellectual freedom, embracing the ideals/laws of life, and is unconstrained by preconceived ideas of society/culture which condition/enslave his mind to living his life in some predestined role. Ultimately, that he controls and decides his destiny.

Financial independence is often tied to educational achievement. Its achievement is however, made exceptionally more difficult in the absence of reading and computational skills, since these are essential tools for self-learning which facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and the mathematics required acquiring a more financially rewarding job or starting and running a successful

business. This is important because establishing a business is the surest path to becoming financially independent in the absence of a tertiary education.

Significant here also is that initial failures in business ventures are a part of identifying the right business opportunity for each person. It is important not to be discouraged by initial failures. The perfect match will only be found with continued effort. Ensuring that the basics of quality, profitability and competitiveness are properly understood will be helpful.

Societies have, for the most part, seemed to have conditioned the majority of their members to becoming workers with the idea that they will be financially comfortable when they retire. In many developing and advanced economies, this has proven to be the greatest falsehood on record. The recommendation here is that today’s workers and young people condition themselves

to establishing businesses between the ages of thirty-five to fifty to secure their financial future. Those without a tertiary education may need to do this sooner. This should be considered on a case-by-case basis because the establishment of a successful business as a second career hinges on learning how to manage a successful business and establishing the necessary contacts and potential customer base to guarantee a successful revenue stream with a new business.

Intellectual freedom, the breaking of the proverbial mental shackles of slavery, is significant, crucial, for the realisation of man’s full potential. This is because societies in general adopt preconceived ideas and conditions which inhibit and discourage its citizens from becoming financially independent.

This amounts to discriminatory practices which become barriers to success, for many citizens. Great efforts have,

and are being made in removing such practices from appraisal mechanisms, but as a quick reference, some preconceived notions and prejudices hinge on ethnicity, gender and religion. The inherent failure of some societies can be found nowhere else but in the often recognised basis for governing societies, religion. Religion in some cases also promotes discrimination based on colour.

This discussion is dedicated to them as well as others so affected. Achieving success without exacting a price on society necessitates absolute rejection of discriminatory practices, with the only criteria for consideration being the ability/capacity of individuals to execute considered roles.

Members of society caught up in systems which engage in discriminatory practices, if already not doing so, should make efforts to remove such mechanisms from their organisations. Although it may be a bit more difficult to over-

come ethnic discrimination because of the historical titfor-tat between ethnic groups, this would seem only viable solution.

Victims of these practices should not allow themselves to be discouraged from becoming successful. Instead, they should adopt a solutionsoriented attitude to addressing their individual problems and constraints, making it a matter of practice, one of their essential principles in life, to overcome these. It is important not to be conditioned to the acceptance of some reason/cause for failure.

One last observation: young people should shun subcultures which promote unsavory, anti-social behaviors. Being the ‘baddest’ is a most unproductive social label. This is because when two ‘bad’ men meet, one usually winds up deceased while the other is incarcerated. Negotiation without recourse to physical interaction is a more productive mechanism for managing differences.

Yours sincerely, Craig Sylvester

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

President Ali receives Paul Harris Fellow Award

President Dr. Irfaan Ali receives his award from President of the Rotary Club, Ramona Singh, in the presence of other members President Dr. Irfaan Ali with President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Ramona Singh and other members of the club

Congratulations to Messrs Subhan and Hussain Dear Editor,

IT was quite an interesting Friday and Saturday recently as His Excellency Dr Mohammed Irfan Ali, his Cabinet and their technical officers made a government-at-work event in Region Two. This is very commendable to see our elected officials hard at work on location and delivering on some of their

promises. What was more commendable was that we were able to follow their work in progress on live TV (RCA) and on radio. Radio Essequibo came alive for the first time as we followed the various activities almost in real time, of the President and his ministers.

Neaz Subhan and Nazim Hussain must be commended for their excel-

lent work done on TV and radio for bringing alive this historic visit by the government. It was fascinating to hear from Dr Frank Anthony, Mr Zulfikar Mustapha and other ministers telling us about their achievements and future plans for us in Region Two. I do hope that this will not be a one-off radio activity by this fairly new radio

station and that plans will be in the pipeline to bring quality local content which will be informative, educational and entertaining. Congratulations to the team of Radio Essequibo for bringing to us government at work in almost real time.

Yours sincerely,

Brian Singh

Why should students be exposed to unvaccinated teachers Dear Editor,

IT is utterly disgraceful that the Guyana Teachers’ Union, under the direction of Ms Coretta McDonald, has called a strike because they have been mandated by the Ministry of Health to get vaccinated or submit a 72-hour PCR test.

Ms McDonald claims that the union is not against vaccination, but is prepared to use the union to join the political chorus holding the nation to ransom from escaping this pandemic.

There is one and only one clear path for Guyana to take in overcoming this virus: it is for a minimum of 80 per cent of our population to be vaccinated, and while those who have refused are prepared to take the risk of dying from COVID, they are a distinct minority and have no right, freedom or constitutional ground to put the majority of us at similar risk.

I invite those ‘non-vaccers’ who persist with this foolishness to pay attention to the position taken by US President, Joe Biden on this

matter, because the US faces the same challenge.

President Biden has now resorted to utilising his considerable powers as President to mandate a wide range of measures to cause Americans, like their counterparts in Guyana, to be vaccinated.

The US is generally regarded as the bastion of democracy, defender of individual freedoms and rights.

But Biden, as President of the US, has recognised that his primary duty and responsibility is to protect the

majority of Americans from this pandemic, as does our own President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. I close by asking Ms Coretta McDonald and her ‘non-vaccer’ colleagues in the union a simple question: why should a Guyanese parent place his or her child at risk of dying from COVID by being exposed to a teacher who refuses to act responsibly and be vaccinated?

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali was on Monday conferred with the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award at State House.

During a simple but significant ceremony, President Ali was presented with two pins and a certificate from President of the Rotary Club, Ramona Singh.

The Head of State upon receiving the tokens, credited the notfor-profit organisation for its continuous and sustained approach to improving the livelihoods of communities.

He said that rotary has led by example in its fight against hunger and for lending support to a myriad of other social issues.

He extended particular kudos to the rotary for playing a leading role in the vaccination efforts for adolescents.

“I think that these things are great examples, not only for us as leaders, but great examples for the rest of Guyana as to how

we support each other, how we can work together in helping each other and making our society more humane and making our society one in which humanity wins at the end of the day,” Dr. Ali said.

Singh in her remarks related that the award is a longstanding tradition of the Rotary Club of Georgetown that started with Guya n a ’s v e r y f i r s t President, the late Arthur Chung.

She pointed out that the Paul Harris Fellow Award holds special meaning to the club and it coincides with rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self.’

Along with becoming a Paul H a r r i s F e l l o w, the President also received a pin as a patron of the Rotary Club of Georgetown. The Paul Harris Fellow Award is one of the highest honours a club can bestow on a person. Harris was the founder of the not-for-profit organisation. (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Karisparu Toshao first in Region 8 to take single-shot COVID-19 vaccine

By Jared Liddell

TOSHAO of Karisparu Village, Candacy Evans, on Monday became the first person in Region Eight (Potaro – Siparuni) to receive the single-shot Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

The remote village which is located in the Potaro-Mahdia sub-region, is home to 450 persons, including 250 adults.

Toshao Evans said that after doing extensive research she came to realise that vaccination was the best defence against the deadly virus. She stated that it is understandable that to return to some level of normalcy, persons must protect themselves by being vaccinated.

“For me, being a toshao it was very difficult for me to not be

Toshao of Karisparu, Candacy Evans, receiving her COVID-19 vaccination book after receiving the single-shot COVID-19 vaccine.

vaccinated and not have access to government buildings and so on because I had to do many transactions for my village… I know we have to stay protected. I made

up my mind to protect myself because I don’t want to catch the virus and get sick and end up in the ICU, so I prefer to take the vaccine and fight the virus. I would

encourage the people to take the same decision as I did,” the village leader said.

On August 23, 2021, government received 34,000 doses of the

U.S.-manufactured vaccine. Unlike the other vaccines being produced by the U.S. and several other countries, only one shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is required to become fully vaccinated. All the other vaccines require two doses to reach such a status.

Government through CARICOM brokered an initiative with the African Union for purchase of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines. In May, the government was said to have made a down payment of approximately $7.5 million to the African Union for 150,000 doses of the vaccine.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony had previously related that this vaccine would most likely be directed to persons residing in the hinterland regions of Guyana, since many of those communities are very difficult to reach.

It was explained then that when health workers are going into those areas, they have to remove the vaccines from their regional storage facilities, then travel for miles into remote villages to ensure that the vaccines are administered.

This tedious exercise would then have to be repeated several weeks later, when the second dose is due.

As it is, the country’s robust vaccination programme allows citizens to access AstraZeneca, China’s Sinopharm, and Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines.

Regional Health Officer of Region Eight, Johnathon Dudnaught, in an interview with the Chronicle noted that the Johnson and Johnson vaccines will significantly impact

the vaccination efforts in the region. He explained that the geographic make-up of the region makes it difficult to get vaccines that require ultra-cold storage into remote communities.

“We were given this vaccine because of the logistics and the geography of our region. Our region is divided into two. The North Pakaraimas, Sub-region One and Sub-region Two, which is the PotaroMahdia district, and to get to the North Pakaraimas from Mahdia by trail, it takes at least three days and depending on which village you’re going to, it could take longer. By air it would take a shorter time, but of course that’s very costly,” Dudnaught explained to this publication.

The regional health official noted that he is hopeful that an additional 500 persons can be vaccinated in the region within the next two weeks.

He noted that the region has received some 500 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, in addition to the doses of AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm vaccines that were being administered in the region since the government started its COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Dudnaught noted that the regional health officials will on Wednesday journey to the North Pakaraimas with doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to administer to residents.

He highlighted that other target communities for this vaccine include Mountain Foot and Monkey Mountain.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Moruca’s first female university graduate marks 50 years in education sector

TECHNICAL Officer/Facilitator to the Chief Education Officer (CEO), and former Regional Education Officer (ag) for Region Four, Francesca Vieira, on Monday, celebrated 50 years of service in the education sector.

Starting as a teacher, Vieira worked her way through the ranks and dedicated a lot of time and energy in order to get to where she is today.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Education, Vieira, who hails from the Moruca subregion, Region One, was the first female from Moruca to obtain a university degree, and was also the first female Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission, where she served in that capacity from November 2004 to March 2011 when she retired.

“Vieira has served as a public servant/educator for 50 years. Her legacy can be viewed as an esteemed educator, who has made significant contributions toward the development of the education sector of Guyana. On many occasions, she has been commended for her dedicated and unselfish service as a teacher /educator and public servant,” the Education Ministry said.

Further, the ministry said: “Many persons could also attest that she is a strong, passionate advocate for the educational develop-

ment of hinterland and riverine communities, for which she must be applauded.”

Vi e i r a h a d f i r s t joined the teaching profession in September 1971 at the Santa Rosa Primary School, where she had also formerly obtained her primary and post-primary education from.

Six years later, she upgraded her qualifications and gained entry into the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), where she graduated as a trained Grade One, Class One teacher (Assistant Mistress) in 1979.

Upon completion of CPCE, Vieira was unable to return to serve at the at Santa Rosa Primary School due to ill health, and instead continued her teaching career at the Montrose Primary School, East Coast Demerara, where she served for ten years.

Furthering her qualifications still, in 1987 she obtained a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Guyana (UG), and later obtained a Diploma in Public Administration in 1993, also from UG. In advancing her career, in 1989, she started life as an education officer. She was first seconded to the Department of Education, Region Four, to function as the District Education Supervisor (DES) before being appointed to the position in 1992. In 1998, she was appointed District Education Officer

(DEO).

She was also appointed to act as the Regional Education Officer (REdO) for Region Four at varying periods from 1997 to 2004. She then served as Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission until she retired.

But not wanting to be done with the expertise of Vieira, she was then rehired by the ministry in February, 2012, as the technical officer/facilitator to the Chief Education Officer, a capacity she still functions in.

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Technical Officer/ Facilitator to the Chief Education Officer (CEO), and former Regional Education Officer (ag) for Region Four, Francesca Vieira

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 687

THE Ministry of Health has reported that four more persons have died after contracting the dreaded COVID-19, taking the country’s death toll to 687.

The latest fatalities, according to the ministry, are two women, aged 78 and 46 years from Region Three; a 62-year-old woman from Region Five and an 87-year-old female from Region Four.

The patients, who were all unvaccinated, succumbed while receiving care at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, 123 new cases were recorded from 1,003 tests, taking the country’s overall num-

ber of confirmed cases to 28,099. Additionally, 66 new recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours.

New cases were recorded in regions One (four), Two (12), Three (13), Four (71), Five (three), Six (two), Seven (two), Eight (11) and ten (five).

At the end of Monday, there were 26 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 153 in institutional isolation, 3,011 in home isolation and 16 persons in quarantine.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO.21), which are

in effect until September 30, 2021.

This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 hotline at 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674, or visit the ministry’s website at www.health.gov.gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

M&CC denied interim injunction to block acting Town Clerk’s appointment

THE Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown have lost their bid to secure an interim injunction to restrain the Local Government Commission (LGC) from implementing its appointment of Town Clerk (ag), Candace Nelson, until the hearing and determination of their court challenge.

High Court Judge, Jo-Ann Barlow, on Monday, refused to grant interim injunctions which were prayed for in a notice of application filed by the M&CC. As it relates to the substantive matter, that is, the Fixed Date Application (FDA), Justice Barlow has set October 6 for a further case management conference.

In the FDA, the M&CC claims that Nelson’s appointment was unlawful as she is not qualified for the position.

The LGC, on July 27, 2021, demoted Sherry Jerrick to Deputy Town Clerk for reportedly not performing her duties satisfactorily. The LGC commissioners reportedly voted unanimously to revert Jerrick to her previously held position, and later made a decision to appoint Nelson as the interim Town Clerk.

The claimant, in court documents, stated that Nelson, since her installation as acting Town Clerk, “has taken a number of disruptive actions which pose serious ongoing, continuing breaches that compromise the sanctity of the operations of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.”

“It is feared that if

the implementation or further implantation of the decision is not suspended, Candace Nelson will further disrupt the activities of Mayor and Councillors of the City of G e o rg e t o w n , ” t h e grounds for the application stated.

Further, it is being claimed that the conduct of Nelson, who is purportedly acting under the power of the LGC, is “inimical” to the best interests of the M&CC, the infrastructure of the City of Georgetown and the residents of Georgetown.

Citing that Nelson is acting without proper authority, the claimant said that her actions have had a disrupting effect on the smooth and efficient functioning of the M&CC. During a press conference held in August, the LGC Chairman, Julius Faerber, had said the decision by the commission to revert acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, to her former position as Deputy Town Clerk, and appoint Candace Nelson to act as interim Town Clerk of City Hall is in keeping with the laws of the commission.

Faerber had said several meetings were held with Jerrick to clarify several redundancies that were occurring at City Hall.

He said that the commission subsequently came to the conclusion that Jerrick was not performing her duties up to par, and there was a “unanimous” vote among the seven commissioners to have her appointed Deputy Town Clerk.

A subsequent decision was made to appoint Nelson as the

Georgetown’s Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine

interim Town Clerk.

According to the Local Government Act, the commission also has the authority to revert an employee from one position to another. This, he said, is evident in Act 12 of 1980.

Additionally, under Article 30 of the Local Government Act 18 of 2013, the chairman of the commission can unilaterally make decisions on behalf of the local government body.

“The commission may make rules and regulations prescribing all matters which by this Act are required or permitted to be prescribed which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed by carrying out of, or giving effect to, the provision of this act and particular for the procedures of the commission,” it states.

The LGC’s decision was rejected

by Georgetown’s Mayor, Ubraj Narine, who said that Jerrick has proven herself to be competent to the councillors during her two years of service to City Hall. As such, he said the council will not recognise Nelson as the interim Town Clerk. This position resulted in the current legal challenge that is before the court.

Demoted Acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick.

Interim Town Clerk, Candace Nelson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Man accused of Sophia double murder remanded

KOABE Grant, a 23-yearold carpenter of Sophia was on Monday remanded to prison for the fatal shooting of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Daniel Fraser and his girlfriend.

Grant appeared before Magistrate Roshell Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to two counts of murder, which alleged that on September 1, 2021, at ‘B’ Field, Sophia, he murdered Fraser, 26 and his 23-year-old girlfriend, Sheniqua Hodge.

He was remanded to prison until September 30.

According to reports, Hodge, who resided in Barbados was in Guyana on vacation for about three months and was staying with her friend in South Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

She and Fraser had been reportedly dating for just over a year.

According to the police, Fraser was shot once to the chest. Hodge, on the other hand, was shot thrice: once

in the chest, and in the right knee. The third bullet entered her abdomen from the right side and exited on the left.

Last week, when Grant was arrested by the police, he reportedly claimed that Fraser and two others had raped a close relative. He further told investigators that following that incident, Fraser was in the habit of disrespecting and threatening him.

After feeling frustrated over the entire situation, Grant, on September 1 around 20:30 hours, left his mother’s home at Meadow Brook and visited the said relative’s home.

At about 23:00hrs, he left that location on his black BMX bicycle to visit a friend and on his way there, he saw Fraser in ‘C’ Field Sophia having drinks.

Upon seeing him, Fraser allegedly made insulting remarks towards Grant and reminded him about the rape incident.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Grant, who became annoyed and angry, returned to his

Koabe Grant

mother’s home where he retrieved a handgun that he claims he found some time ago. He later confronted Fraser in ‘B’ Field.

After shooting Fraser and his girlfriend, he dropped the gun and returned to his mother’s home.

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Dead: Daniel Fraser and his girlfriend Sheniqua Hodge

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

18,299 adolescents, 334,333 adults receive first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

An adolescent receives his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine

AS the Ministry of Health continues its vaccination campaign which targets the younger population,

some 18,299 persons between the ages of 12 and 18 years have already received their first dose of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

The Government of Guyana received a donation of 146,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the United States. This donation to Guyana was part of a larger contribution of 5.5 million doses from the U.S. Government to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Ministry of Health began vaccinating children between the ages of 12 and 18 years on August 26, 2021, but persons will have to wait 21 days before they are eligible to receive their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Further, according to the latest statistics, 334,333 adults or 65.2 per cent of the adult population have received their first dose of one of three COVID-19 vaccines, namely, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Sputnik V. A d d i t i o n a l l y, 173,999 persons received their second dose, representing 33.9

per cent of the population.

“It is important for people to get both doses because without the second dose you wouldn’t be fully vaccinated. The first dose had to prime your immune system, but the second dose would complete the process and, therefore, it is important that you get both doses,” Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said during Monday’s edition of the daily COVID-19 update.

He said that the ministry has registered cases where persons, who were inoculated with a single dose of the vaccine, were infected with COVID-19 and suffered severe consequences.

Conversely, persons who are fully vaccinated experienced less complications after contracting the disease.

“It begs to question, why is it that people are not getting vaccinated? Because we know that if you are vaccinated then you wouldn’t get the severe form of the disease and you wouldn’t be coming into the hospital,” Dr. Anthony said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Can Patriots rediscover early-season form to deny Amazon ..St Lucia Kings clash with TKR in Warriors sixth final appearance? first semi-final today THE perennial bridesmaids meet 2017's losing finalists.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have been the ‘nearly’ team throughout the history of the CPL, advancing to the final five times but never claiming the title.

The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots finished runner-up four years ago, coincidentally during Chris Gayle's first rodeo with this year's host franchise, and he is now back trying to turn a silver medal into gold.

The first half of this campaign saw these teams in far different situations to the

ones they enter the playoffs in. The Patriots shot like a cannon out of the gates, winning their first five matches behind the sizzling form of Sherfane Rutherford, who scored three fifties in that stretch.

But as Rutherford's bat has cooled down, so have the Patriots as a whole, winning just one of their last five league games.

The Amazon Warriors, meanwhile, only won two of their first five - needing a Super Over to get over the line in one of them - but have since won four out of five

with different heroes stepping up on each occasion.

Whether it has been Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, or the captain Nicholas Pooran, the Warriors have been resilient thanks to a variety of match-winning performances. The Warriors come into this match with all the momentum but if the Patriots can rekindle their early-season form, it could be the formula for an exciting semi-final.

Romario Shepherd had 36 runs in the tournament entering the final match of

round-robin play. There, he scored twice as many in incredible style, digging his side out of a hole at 75 for 7 while scoring at a strike rate better than 200, then took three wickets in the chase.

He's been the tournament's joint-leading wicket-taker with 18, and has been especially valuable at the ‘death’.

Evin Lewis helped the Patriots clinch a spot in the playoffs with an unbeaten 101 off 52 balls on the penultimate day of group play, but was missing in action a day later. He's the tournament's

second-highest run-getter and is coming into good form heading into the T20 World Cup. Fitness permitting, Lewis should be back in the Patriots XI for the semi-final clash.

Joshua Da Silva's half-century at the top of the order gives the selectors an interesting dilemma as to who should take the gloves, though.

Another coin toss may happen between picking Sheldon Cottrell and leaving him out for an extra spinner in Jon-Russ Jaggesar.

Meanhile, last year's finalists will begin the semi-finals phase this year. St Lucia Kings beat the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders in their first fixture this season, and lost the return leg immediately after.

Since then, it's been an upward trend in general for both teams in a tightly fought league stage.

But Knight Riders come into today’s first semi-final with a victory in their last game, and as the leaders of the league, while Kings come in with a crushing defeat

against Barbados Royals on Sunday in which they played without the injured Faf du Plessis.

The search for a first CPL title will hinge a lot on du Plessis' availability for this game; while they managed to make up for his absence in the batting by re-introducing Rahkeem Cornwall into the team as an opener, his absence in the field was telling, particularly evident when stand-in captain Andre Fletcher had several tense discussions with his bowlers as they tried to halt Royals' charge in the chase.

It is a groin injury that he picked up on Saturday, however, and getting him fully fit by Tuesday is a near-impossible task; if he does end up playing, he is likely to be playing through injury.

In comparison, Knight Riders have looked a far more settled side, having won five of their last seven games, with one of their losses coming in a Super Over. They will feel confident in their charge to win a fifth CPL title. (Cricinfo)

GCB calls on... (as a shareholder of CWI) is insisting that the selection panel be accountable to all cricket institutions and stakeholders in the region and to justify this latest selection fiasco.

(From back page)

Failure to do so, the GCB calls on CWI to dismiss the selection panel and to replace it with a more competent one which will represent the best interests of West Indies cricket.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

'I need to fight Tyson Fury, we need it for boxing' ‒ Anthony Joshua ANTHONY Joshua says he "needs" to fight Tyson Fury before he retires, as he prepares for his latest title defence against Oleksandr Usyk.

The WBO, WBA (Super) and IBF champion takes on Usyk later this month at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and is hopeful he can fight Fury next.

"Do I need Tyson Fury on my record? I need it," Joshua tells Steve Bunce on the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

"Fight good fighters and they bring out the best of

you."

Talks over an undisputed title fight collapsed during the summer, but Joshua says a showdown with Fury is hugely important to him.

"We need it for boxing," he adds.

"Training camp is hard.

To get better is very difficult in boxing. To fight Tyson Fury is a big challenge.

"I'm going to put that pressure on myself to actually get better. But it's what we all need, I need it. Come on, let's see how good I am.

"Let's see how far I can take myself during this period. It'll be a good challenge mentally. Not about him, but because I actually want to do well.

"When I wake up in the morning early and I'm tired, my body's battered, I still go out and do what I do.

It's great rewards and only someone like Fury can give that to me."

Fury fights Deontay Wilder in their trilogy clash next month and both heavyweights will need to win their respective bouts for the

Anthony Joshua returns to action this month.

undisputed bout to go ahead next year.

Usyk, 34, was an undisputed champion at cruiserweight and has two wins at heavyweight, including a points victory over veteran Derek Chisora.

"The pressure's back on," Joshua said of their forthcoming meeting.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host boxing's first major stadium fight in the UK since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

With over 60,000 fans

expected, Joshua revealed he had just one regret in his boxing career.

"When I watch my first fight against Emanuele Leo, I was so bad," he said.

"I wish I started earlier - I'd be much better. If I had started in 2000 then by 2010, I would have been a lot better. And when I started my pro journey, in three years I would have been the man I am today.

"I would have been more experienced, more seasoned." (BBC Sport)

Ireland level series as Taylor signs off from international cricket IRELAND sealed a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the third ODI to end the series 1-1 in Belfast.

Rain delayed the start of the contest and reduced the contest to 42-oversper-side. However, the rain returned during Zimbabwe's 25th over and the officials decided to make it a 38-overs-per-side contest.

Brendan Taylor, who played his final international match, ended as the second-highest run-getter for Zimbabwe in ODIs with 6,684 runs.

Taylor retires after playing 34 Tests, 205 ODIs and 45 T20Is with 9938 international runs. "I hope I don't go past Andy Flower. I have had the highest regard for our best player ever," he said at the toss. As it turned out,

Taylor's final innings ended on seven after Zimbabwe were put in and the captain eventually ended 102 short in ODIs. Joshua Little landed the early blows. Taylor and Regis Chakabva were nipped out with just 15 on the board.

Ervine and Wessley Madhevere steadied the early wobble with a 59-run stand to ensure Zimbabwe were back on track to build a challenging total.

Shane Getkate struck in the 16th - to remove Madhevere - and Zimbabwe nosedived from thereon to hand the advantage to Ireland. Sean Williams made 4, Sikandar Raza got 9 and Ryan Burl was dismissed for 5. In between, they lost Ervine soon after his half-century.

From being 74 for 2 at one stage, Zimbabwe soon slipped to 117 for 7 with their middle-over nipped out. Zimbabwe couldn't find a period of stability and that meant Ireland were well on top heading in the break.

The third rain break delayed Ireland's chase and reduced the target to 118 in 32 overs. William Porterfield and Paul Stirling made 48 for the opening wicket before Blessing Muzarabani removed the former. Richard Ngarava ended Stirling's aggressive 43 off 40 but Ireland were just 29 away from levelling the series. Andrew Balbirnie eased to 34 to ensure there were no hiccups as they picked up 10 more ODI Super League points.

(Cricbuzz)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Hayden, Philander IPL not a factor in appointed Pakistan Old Trafford Test coaches for T20 World Cup cancellation: Ganguly INDIA’s cricket board chief Sourav Ganguly said their players refused to play the fifth and final Test against England due to COVID-19 concerns and denied the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) had played any part in the decision.

The Old Trafford Test was cancelled last Friday barely two hours before its scheduled start as the tourists, who were leading the series 2-1, failed to field a side after their physiotherapist tested positive for COVID-19.

"The players refused to play but you can't blame them," former captain Ganguly told Indian newspaper The Telegraph on Monday.

"Physio Yogesh Parmar was such a close contact of the players ... he mixed freely with the players and even performed their COVID-19 tests.

"He also used to give them a massage; he was part of their everyday lives.

"The players were devastated when they came to know that he had tested positive for COVID-19. They feared they must have contracted the disease and were

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly

dead scared."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has suggested that India's players were "petrified" of testing positive ahead of the IPL, which resumes on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates.

But England and Wales Cricket Board CEO, Tom Harrison, has said the cancellation had nothing to do with the IPL, and Ganguly echoed those comments.

"The BCCI will never be an irresponsible board.

We value other boards too," Ganguly said, adding that the match is likely to be held as a one-off match next year.

India's head coach Ravi Shastri, along with other support staff had tested positive

during the preceding Test at The Oval.

British newspaper The Daily Mail revealed Shastri had attended a launch of his new book, Stargazing: The Players In My Life, in London in the days leading into that match, but Ganguly said the touring group needed to be able to enjoy their freedoms.

"How long can you stay confined to your hotel rooms? Can you stay locked at your home day in and day out?" he said "You can't be restricted to a life where you go from the hotel to the ground and return to the hotel. This is humanly not possible.

"You can't stay in a bubble forever. Life has to open up. These players and support staff have been in a bubble for more than a year now. It's no joke. It's very demanding physically and mentally."

Harrison has previously rejected the idea that the fear of missing out on the lucrative IPL had caused the disquiet among India's squad.

"Let me be super clear, I don't think the IPL has anything to do with this," he said. (cricket.com.au)

...A head coach will also be appointed alongside the two, Ramiz said in his first press conference as PCB chairman FORMER Australia opener Matthew Hayden and former South Africa seamer Vernon Philander have been added to the Pakistan team's coaching staff for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. The new PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, announced the appointments on Monday, citing the aggression and quality of the players as defining reasons for their hiring.

The two former cricketers came as unexpected appointments, and it was not immediately clear what specific roles they would play.

Ramiz also said there would be a head coach appointed alongside them, but did not reveal a name.

"Matthew Hayden is Australian, and has experience of winning World Cups and was a great player himself," Ramiz said. "It might be very beneficial to have an Australian occupying the dressing room.

And Pakistan, of course, can win the World Cup, they just need to improve their performances an extra 10%.

Vernon Philander I know very well, and he understands bowling, and has a great record against Australia."

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has won two ODI World Cups with Australia.

(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Hayden and Philander have exceptional credentials as cricketers, but neither has any substantive coaching experience. Philander only retired from international cricket in 2020, and was due to take part in the South African domestic season which begins on September 24 this year. Hayden retired in 2009, and has taken on occasional media work, but his assignment with Pakistan at the World Cup is his first major coaching assignment.

Philander linking up with

Pakistan ahead of the World Cup is complicated a little, though, by his contract with the Western Province domestic side in South Africa, which he was signed to play for this season.

An official at Western Province confirmed to ESPNcricinfo Philander's contract had been running since May, with the side having paid him since then. WP are expected to issue a statement on the matter in due course.

The PCB, however, told ESPNcricinfo WP have given Philander permission to join Pakistan until the end of the T20 World Cup. Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis stepped down as head coach and bowling coach of the Pakistan team last week. They were replaced

by Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq on an interim basis for Pakistan's home series against New Zealand, which starts later this week.

ESPNcricinfo understands that Saqlain is likely to continue as head coach through to the World Cup, and would in that case share coaching duties with Hayden and Philander.

(Cricinfo)

Cameroon's Maeva Douma effects four run-outs at non-striker's end against Uganda …Uganda were reduced from 153 for 1 to 186 for 6 as a result, but still went on to win comfortably CAMEROON fast bowler, Maeva Douma, playing in the Women's T20 World Cup African region qualifier against Uganda in Gaborone on Sunday, ran four of the opposition batters out backing up at the non-striker's end.

With Uganda in a dominant position at 153 for 1

in 15.3 overs after opting to bat, Douma ran opening batter, Kevin Awino, out first.

In the last ball of the same over, topscorer Rita Musamali was also dismissed in a similar manner for 59. Douma returned to dismiss two more batters -Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Janet Mbabazi -- in the 20th

over, reducing Uganda to 186 for 6. Uganda finished with 190 for 6 after 20 overs.

This, however, didn't turn out to be much of a setback for Uganda, as they bowled Cameroon out for 35 off 14.3 overs for a 155-run win. Concy Aweko was the pick of the bowlers as she took three wickets for four

runs in her four overs.

While the rare mode of dismissal is well within the laws of cricket, it has often sparked a debate regarding the spirit of the game. But the dismissals did not appear to evoke any strong reactions from the Uganda batters on the field.

Cameroon, along with

Botswana and Eswatini (Swaziland), are competing in an ICC event for the first time. Cameroon, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda are placed in Group B in the 11-team tournament, which will end on September 19. Uganda is currently leading the group table with four points, with

two wins in three games.

As a result of a Cameroon player testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Gaborone on September 8, the whole squad was placed in isolation until Saturday and were re-tested, after which their campaign got on the road.

(Cricinfo)

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CONCACAF urges caution over Wenger-backed World Cup plans FIFA has been urged not to push through a decision on holding the World Cup every two years by CONCACAF, which called for all nations to be given a chance to weigh in on the matter.

The current men's FIFA international match calendar ends in 2024 and Arsene Wenger is seeking to shape a new schedule in his role as FIFA's chief of global football development, but his plans have been met with opposition.

CONMEBOL said on Friday that South American nations are firmly opposed to a biennial World Cup, and CONCACAF – which governs the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean – underlined the importance of all voices being heard in the debate.

A CONCACAF statement read: "Meetings between FIFA officials and the Confederation and, separately, CONCACAF Member Associations, will take place in the coming weeks.

"Our initial analysis is that we recognise the merits of creating entirely new international men's, women's,

FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger

and youth football calendars which are underpinned by fewer international windows, reduced travel for players, friendlies being replaced by meaningful matches, and a more balanced structure for the overall benefit of football development globally.

"We will continue to look at these proposals constructively, with an open mind, and in the spirit of positive engagement.

"CONCACAF welcomes the fact that FIFA's chief of [global] football development, Mr. Arsene Wenger, has been transparent in sharing his vision and we are

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday September 14, 2021)

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(2) How many CPL franchises Pakistani Shoaib Malik has represented to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

currently studying how the proposed changes would impact football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

"While CONCACAF's immediate focus is on its own region, we also believe in the importance of being part of the global football family and we will listen to the views of football stakeholders in all parts of the world. It was in this spirit that CONCACAF was supportive of UEFA and its European football stakeholders when recent threats to their own club competitions structures were explored."

UEFA expressed strong opposition to the plans for a biennial World Cup, warning of a possible boycott if the plans go ahead.

While CONCACAF's statement did not show the level of clear opposition to the plans that came from UEFA and CONMEBOL, it urged caution nonetheless.

"Football in all parts of the world should be given an equal opportunity to play a part in the development of what is a FIFA international football calendar. Now is not the time for fearmongering and neither is it right that this process should be dominated by the interests of a few, or that more weight should be given to one particular region over others.

"We encourage not only our fellow confederations but also all members of the global football family to come together and work collaboratively to create FIFA calendars and competitions that have benefits for the development of the game in all regions across the world." (Sportsmax)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

Ramiz Raja elected as PCB chairman ‘unanimously and unopposed’ FORMER Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has been elected as Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief unanimously and unopposed. Raja, who was nominated by Prime Minister and PCB’s patron-in-chief in the last week of August, replaces Ehsani Mani, whose threeyear term ended on August 25.

Mani was earlier in line to be given an extension until 2022, however, he confirmed that he had declined to continue any longer as chairman of the board.

Raja becomes the fourth Pakistan cricketer to head the PCB after Abdul Hafeez Kardar (1972-1977), Javed Burki (1994-1995) and Ijaz Butt (2008-2011). Although, this won’t be his first association with the board, as Raja previously served as PCB CEO from 2003 to 2004.

While addressing the PCB Board of Governors (BoG) following his election, Ramiz Raja said: “I am thankful to all of you

for electing me as the PCB Chairman and look forward to working with you to ensure Pakistan Cricket continues to thrive and grow stronger, both on and off-the-field.

“One of my key focuses will be to help introduce in the Pakistan men’s cricket team the same culture, mindset, attitude, and approach that once made Pakistan one of the most feared cricket playing nations. As an organization, we all need to get behind the national team and provide them the desired assistance and support so that they can produce that brand of cricket, which the fans also expect from them each time they step onto the field of play.

“Obviously, as a former cricketer, my other priority will be to look into the welfare of our past and present cricketers. The game has and will always be about the cricketers and, as such, they deserve more recognition and respect from their parent institution.”

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja

The now 59-year-old represented Pakistan in 57 Tests and 198 ODIs, scoring 2833 and 5841 runs, respectively, and was a key member of the side in the 80s and early 90s, including the World Cups of 1987 and 1992. The ’92 World Cup triumph remains Pakistan’s only 50-over World Cup win to date. After his retirement, Raja has made his name as a successful commentator and television broadcaster. (CricTracker)

Paine to undergo neck surgery, remains optimistic for Ashes AUSTRALIA Test captain Tim Paine will undergo surgery on a pinched nerve in his neck on September 14 (Tuesday) in Hobart, Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement on Monday. Paine, however, remains confident to lead Australia against England in the Ashes later this year, starting with the first Test at the Gabba, Brisbane.

Paine is understood to be suffering from “a bulging disc which reduced his ability to train at full intensity and has not responded to treatment”.

“The consensus of the spinal surgeon and the CA medical team was to have the surgery now which will allow plenty of time to fully prepare for the summer,” Paine said in a statement.

“I expect to be able to restart physical activity by the end of this month and be back in full training in October. I will be ready to go by the first test and am very much looking forward to what will be a huge summer.”

Meanwhile, the doctors remain optimistic that Paine

Australia Test captain Tim Paine

would be able to resume light training by September end, and will be able to fully train in October, before gaining match-fitness in early November, when Australia is set to play Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Hobart.

The fate of the encounter hangs in uncertainty for now, with a turbulent situation in Afghanistan owing to Taliban’s insurgence, with a potential threat of derecognition

by ICC looming over the ACB owing to the uncertain future of the Afghanistan women

team.

“In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered.

Islam does not allow women to be seen like this,” said Ahmadullah Wasiq, the deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission.

In response, a CA statement said: “Driving the growth of women’s cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia. Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level,” Cricket Australia said in its official statement.

“If recent media reports that women’s cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to be played in Hobart.

“I don‘t think we want to be associated with countries that are taking opportunities or things off literally half their population,” Paine said on SEN radio last week.

(CricTracker)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 14, 2021

US Open crowd was not booing me ‒ Mededev US Open champion, Daniil Medvedev, says he did not feel there was any hostility towards him personally from the crowd during his victory over Novak Djokovic.

The chair umpire had to tell fans inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium to settle down on several occasions when the Russian was at championship point.

"I don't think they were booing me," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Medvedev convincingly beat Djokovic 6-4 6-4 6-4 to claim his first Grand Slam honour.

The crowd at Flushing Meadows are known to create a raucous atmosphere during the major tournament and Medvedev produced three double faults as he tried to serve out for the title.

"There were a lot of Serbian fans," said the

25-year-old. "I didn't hear booing from my side, I heard screaming for Novak.

"Of course in those moments when I was doing second serves and double faults, it's not easy because that doesn't happen often, so you are not used to it.

"And it was the end of the match so I didn't feed off it. I didn't even think 'what should I do with it?'.

I just knew I had to focus on myself, try to win the match, no matter if it's loud or if it's quiet, for or against me.

"My goal was to win the match and I'm happy that I managed to put everything aside and managed to do it."

World number two Medvedev has experienced an uneven relationship with US Open supporters, telling the crowd during his run to the final in 2019 that their boos had given him "so much energy".

Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to win the Men’s Singles final match on Day Fourteen of the 2021 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sunday (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Dottin half-century not enough to prevent South Africa series win ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Deandra Dottin’s 20th One-Day International half-century proved insufficient as West Indies Women slumped to a heavy eight-wicket loss, to hand South Africa Women their first-ever series triumph on Caribbean soil.

For the third straight outing at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, the hosts batting let them down and only Dottin with a fluent 71 off 123 deliveries showed any real intent.

Opener Rashada Williams, featuring in only her third ODI, chipped in with 37 off 79 balls but West Indies Women lost their last five wickets for just 16 runs to be dismissed for 157 in the penultimate over of the innings.

Lively new-ball seamer Shabnim Ismail was South Africa Women’s best bowler with three for 31 while pacer Ayabonga Khaka (2-22) and leg-spinner Sune Luus (2-25) grabbed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Lizelle Lee struck her second half-century of the series and third of the tour with a polished unbeaten 78 as the visitors overhauled their target in the 37th over.

Lee counted nine fours in a 120-ball knock, erasing any doubt over the outcome in a 122-run first wicket stand with Laura Wolvaardt, whose 53

All-rounder Deandra Dottin goes leg-side during her topscore of 71 against South Africa Women on Monday.

(Photo courtesy CWI Media)

came from 68 deliveries and included half-dozen fours.

Left-arm seamer Qiana Joseph knocked over both Wolvaardt and Sune Luus (2) in the space of 25 balls with eight runs added but Lee and captain Dane van Niekerk (18 not out) saw their side home in an unbroken, 28-run, third wicket partnership.

Sent in earlier, West Indies Women found themselves in their now customary early trouble when Hayley Matthews (2) drove a low return catch back to Ismail in the third over and Chedean Nation edged a drive at seamer Marizanne Kapp (1) and was caught at second slip by van Niekerk.

Tottering on nine for two in the sixth over, Dottin came

to her side’s rescue, combining with junior partner Williams in a 77-run, third wicket stand which revived the innings.

Dottin tempered her usual aggression to notch half-dozen fours and a six while Williams was measured throughout, hitting three fours.

Williams was one of three wickets to fall for 16 runs to leave the Caribbean side stumbling again on 102 for five in the 35th over and Dottin added a further 39 for the sixth with Joseph before another collapse came at the back end.

South Africa Women lead the five-match series 3-0 with the fourth match carded for the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

"I'm willing to play any tournament in any part of the world," he said. "Some they like me and in other places, like the US Open, they were booing me two years ago and then they were cheering for me in the final.

"Sometimes I do mistakes, like everybody, but I'm doing mistakes because I'm being myself.

"I just take it easy [with the crowds] and just be myself. Not only with the crowds, but in life. I'm not trying to fake anything.

"If I would've thanked everyone from the start, when I was just a top 100 player, then maybe I would be more liked - but that's not my style. I just want to be myself and let people decided if they like me or not."

All eyes were on Djokovic, 34, in New York as the world number one was bidding to become the

first man in more than 50 years to win all four tennis majors in the same year.

He was also aiming to surpass the Grand Slam title tallies of tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with the trio all locked on 20 trophies each.

(BBC Sport).

"I told him straight away at the net that I was sorry because I knew what he was going for," Medvedev added.

"And really, tennis is a brutal sport because there are two persons starting from the first round and only one can win - that's brutal, so, after the match I said sorry.

"He's a great champion and he congratulated me and for him, it was such a tough moment but to be honest, I never saw Novak not gracious after a defeat. That's why he is a true champion."

Franchises sign for Windies players as net bowlers WEST Indies bowlers Dominic Drakes, Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul and Sheldon Cottrell, as per recent reports, are all set to join the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League as net bowlers. There is, however, no certainty yet about which teams these players are likely to join, as an official confirmation from any authority remains awaited.

Thirty six year-old Rampaul, who recently returned to the international fold after being named in West Indies’ 15-member T20 World Cup squad, is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League, with 18 wickets at 14 and an economy of 7.26 in nine games for Trinbago Knight Riders.

Rampaul has previously been with the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the 2013-14 seasons and has 14 wickets at 21.29 in 12 IPL games.

Edwards, 39, who made his West Indies return after a nine-year hiatus during a three-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka

Windies left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell

in March this year, is also active in the 2021 CPL currently, where, in four matches for Jamaica Tallawahs, he has picked up three wickets. Edwards’ stints in the IPL have been for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers during the 2009 season before Rajasthan Royals in 2013. In six IPL games, he has five wickets.

Meanwhile, Drakes and Cottrell, both plying their trade for St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots currently, have been in decent nick too. Drakes, with 13 wickets at an econ-

omy of 8.14 in nine games is joint third-highest in the wicket-taking tally, while Cottrell, who has also been named as a travelling reserve in West Indies T20 World Cup squad, has bagged six wickets at an economy of 7.65 in as many CPL games this year.

23-year-old Drakes has never been a part of the Indian Premier League previously, while Cottrell’s maiden and only stint came for the Punjab Kings in the 2020 season, where he managed six wickets in as many games before being released by the franchise ahead of 2021 auctions.

As for the 2021 edition, the league stage of the tournament resumes with a blockbuster Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings clash on September 19. The 14th edition of the league was marred

by Covid-19 and had to be abruptly postponed in May this year. The 31 unfinished games will now be played in the UAE across three venues until October 15. (CricTracker)

St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots captain Dwayne Bravo

Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Nicholas Pooran

Can Patriots rediscover early-season form to deny Amazon Warriors sixth final appearance? ..St Lucia Kings clash with TKR in first semi-final today

GCB calls on CWI to dismiss selection panel

…makes another request for criteria used for selection of players

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is once again requesting Cricket West Indies (CWI) to furnish the local body with the criteria used for retainer contracts as well as the selection of players to CWI representative teams.

The GCB, in a release, pointed out that a similar request was made on May 17 and in response, CWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johnny Grave said there was no requirement or obligations for CWI to explain the decision(s) of their selection policy.

According to the GCB, it wishes to once again express concern with the continuous omission of Guyanese players from representative teams of CWI. Following is the release from the GCB: The Executive and members of the

Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wish to once again express our extreme concern with the continuous omission of Guyanese players from representative teams of Cricket West Indies (CWI) as well as from the players’ retainer contracts of CWI. On May 17, 2021, the GCB had cause to issue a strongly-worded press release and also a letter to the CEO of CWI, Mr. Johnny Grave, detailing our concerns with the selection process. We requested that CWI furnish the GCB with the criteria used for the retainer contracts as well as the selection of our players to CWI representative teams.

In response to a request by the GCB directors (CWI), CEO Johnny Grave stated that there was no requirement or obligation for CWI to explain the decision(s) of their

selection policy. The present selection process appears riddled with inconsistencies, clearly subjective and discriminatory.

Because of the noticeable omission of our players --Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul and Chandrapaul Hemraj-- we reiterate our call for an explanation of the reasons for these omissions together with the selection policy information used.

The impression is created that there is no selection criteria document or it is a closely-guarded secret that cannot stand up to scrutiny.

The GCB is perplexed with the contention by CWI selectors that Sherfane Rutherford is unfit. CWI should advise the Caribbean cricket public regarding the standard and schedule for fitness tests for

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All-rounder Romario Shepherd

regional cricketers. The GCB holds the view that Rutherford is game-fit as clearly indicated by his outstanding performances in the 2021 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and his selection to the Sunrisers Hyderbad team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The GCB regards the issue of Rutherford’s fitness as an excuse to exclude one of the talented young cricketers in the Caribbean.

The CWI selection panel has disappointed Guyana and the Caribbean at large.

The GCB TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

US Open crowd was not booing me ‒ Mededev Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021