Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-07-2022

MONDAY 18th July, 2022 PRICE

No.106787

$100

VAT INCLUSIVE

East Ruimveldt residents get upgraded recreational facility

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Confidence in the economy PAGE

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–– multimillion-dollar shopping complex opened in Enmore

Large-scale farming, 09 agro-processing for Mainstay/ Whyaka PAGE

From rice mill worker to TT-trained massage therapist 12 PAGE

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, is assisted by one of Imran Ally’s daughters in the symbolic cutting of the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Imran Shopping Complex as Imran Ally (right) and Minister Nigel Dharamlall (second from right) look on (Adrian Narine photo)

Addition of fruit to barbeque sauce turns into small business 11 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Shoring up kitchen gardens, putting food on the table –– residents in hinterland and riverine communities putting COVID-19 cash grant to good use

By Tamica Garnett

THE $25,000 cash grant being given out specifically to hinterland and riverine communities is going a long way in bringing relief to households in those parts of Guyana.

Others are using the grant to help to invest in aspects of their small businesses such as farming.

This was according to some leaders from the hinterland communities, who commended the assistance that has been given to the residents.

“We welcome it; we welcome the $25,000 cash grant, we want to thank the government of Guyana for looking into our needs

in times of hard times. It has come in a way that we really appreciate it. As the toshao speaking on behalf of my village, that is one of my priority to bring development to my community and with the cash grant it help us a lot,” said Orlayne Williams, Toshao of Malali village in Region 10.

Distribution of the grant has not yet commenced in Williams’ village, but he, nonetheless said that the villagers are eagerly awaiting the distribution so that they can put it to use in improving their lives.

“In our community, we do logging and logging is not that you sell today and get tomorrow, you have to work and then sell. So the

cash grant it will help the family to put food on the table, while they wait and that is a lot,” Williams related in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle on the sidelines of the National Toshao Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal.

Though Region 10 has not yet received its grant, distribution has already commenced in some parts of Region One. In Hotoquai village, residents have already received their grants .

VERY HELPFUL “The people in my community are using it to purchase mostly food stuff and it’s helpful.

They are purchasing mostly household food but some other people are using it to improve their farms at their homes as well,” said Owen Singh, Toshao of Hotoquai village.

He noted that COVID-19 has increased unemployment in his community, thereby putting a lot of families on the bread line. In light of this, he said assistance from the government is a big help to families.

“At least I could say that this is a good initiative for my people because in this crisis there’s not so much employment and that cash grant will assist them with their needs,” he said.

First announced in May

by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the cash grant initiative sees every household in hinterland and riverine communities receiving $25,000 as a welfare measure to assist them to deal with the rising cost of living caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation caused by the pandemic has been further exacerbated by the Russia/ Ukraine War. Guyana’s riverine and hinterland communities are often disproportionately affected by economic hardships and lack of resources due to their remoteness and are often given special attention and consideration when it comes to welfare measures.

The household cash

Toshao of Hotoquai village, Owen Singh grant is part of measures being financed by the $5 billion that was set aside in the 2022 national budget to cushion the rising cost of living.

This measure is expected to put an additional $800 million in disposable income back into the hands of ordinary Guyanese and will add to the other plethora of welfare measures the government has implemented over the past three years to bring relief to Guyanese.

Multimillion-dollar shopping complex opened in Enmore

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

By Tamica Garnett

THE Imran Ally Shopping Complex, an over $300 million hardware and variety store, was officially opened on Sunday at Enmore Estate Road.

The store is expected to significantly support the construction and housing sector, provide employment on the East Coast, as well as contribute to the development of the country at large.

Proprietor for the business, Imran Ally,

here,” an emotional Ally shared.

Situated on 46,000 square feet of land, the shopping complex provides construction material in addition to furniture, appliances, fixtures and fittings and services; almost all the household needs under one roof.

“Our aim is for when a customer steps into this building, their house must complete; they must have everything, from the smallest of item to the largest of item; from a grain of sand to as

from generations. This is not my thing alone; this comes from since the days of my grandparents.

My grandparents have passed and gone; my mom took over, and she then hand over to me.

And the business just keeps growing,” Ally shared.

Work at the location first commenced in 2008, when the land was fenced around, Ally said, but after that project, work at the location ceased.

when these doors open that this business alone will not be able to suffice the needs of the country,” Ally noted.

In attendance at the event, conveying the government’s support for the initiative were Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Collin Croal, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Nigel Dharamlall. Both ministers commended the project as one that would significantly contribute to the development of

East Coast businessman, Mr. Imran Ally speaking on Sunday at the opening of his shopping complex at Enmore (Adrian Narine photos) Minister Croal noted that his government, led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has always encourageed entrepreneurship, and he was heartened to see that Ally and his family have answered the government’s call for increased private sector investments in communities.

The Imran Shopping Complex in Enmore who delivered a moving address, shared that his vision for the business has been years in the making.

“It has been really, really tough. This building took us three years to finish, and it has been a tough task. We work day and night sometimes. As I stand here and I speak to you, I’m a businessman, but I have also been a driver, a porter, a mason, a plumber, a painter.

I’ve had to be everything

big as a 25-ft zinc sheet,” Ally expressed.

A family business that owes its humble beginnings to his grandparents, who owned a grocery and liquor store, Ally said it would have evolved over the years, as it was passed down from generation to generation, eventually developing into a hardware store, before the multi-variety complex was envisioned.

“My heart yearned for this; this is in my heart

MOTIVATION However, in 2020, with the change of government and sudden boom in the construction sector, Ally shared that he was encouraged to once again begin work on his dream to complete the complex.

“We believe that this business falls into place to meet the needs of the demands of the customers and the community and the country at large.

I believe strongly that

the East Coast corridor, as well as the country overall.

“This business is the epitome of what our party stands for, and what our government stands for; that small people with big dreams can achieve in our country.

And we have been working assiduously, from the moment President Ali took office, across the length and breadth of Guyana to do this,” Minister Dharamlall said.

ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURSHIP “I could not help but notice the timeline that was provided by Imran, whereby he mentions this project started.

There was a lull, and then it resumed in a major way in September 2020. I must acknowledge the role that is being played by our President in showing the foresight, and encouraging entrepreneurship in the business community to invest, so that we can all have a better Guyana,” Minister Croal said, adding: “I want to acknowledge this family for recognising this PPP/C Government’s vision for Guyana; recognising that

there is a role for everyone, and recognising that the growth and expansion of our country is on a trajectory that if you don’t fall in line now, you may be left behind by those who are willing to invest.”

Also making remarks at the event were the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG)’s Director of Education, Mr. Shaykh Moeenul Hack; TMEX/ TCL Guyana Inc Commercial Manager Sheldon Carew, and Rock Hard Cement Guyana Managing Director Stephen Kalicharran.

Carew and Kalicharran congratulated Ally on the completion of his complex, and spoke about how commendable it has been doing business with him.

Hack, in his address, spoke about the importance of giving back to the community, and being kind when one is bestowed with blessings.

He commended the Ally family for being benevolent, and for using the business to contribute to the community’s development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

US demand for monkey pox vaccines outstrips supply

US health officials say they do not have enough monkeypox vaccines to cope with surging demand.

The US has seen more than 1,800 cases so far, though that is thought to be an undercount as testing has also lagged.

There has been growing concern about the rate at which monkeypox is spreading - especially in New York City, the epi-

centre of the US outbreak.

The disease, characterised by lesions on the skin, usually clears up on its own but can be extremely painful.

Most confirmed cases have been among men who have sex with men, although anyone can be infected with the virus.

“We don’t yet have all the vaccine that we would like in this moment,” US Centers for

Disease Control director Rochelle Walensky told a news briefing on Friday. The US has received 370,000 out of nearly seven million vaccine doses that the government has purchased in total.

But millions of the doses are not expected to arrive until next year.

The federal government has distributed about 156,000 doses nationwide and expects to start

Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash which starts on the face and spreads to the body (BBC/GETTY IMAGES) shipping another 130,000 doses from Monday, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Earlier this week, New York city’s vaccinations website crashed as thousands of people tried to book vaccine appointments at once.

New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan apologised for the patchy roll-out of the vaccine. “ We o w n i t . Yo u know, those mistakes shouldn’t happen and so we’re working to correct those and do better,” he said at a news conference.

During a call on Tuesday with Biden administration officials, New York Mayor Eric Adams asked for the city to be allocated more doses.

The true scope of the US outbreak is unknown as diagnostic testing has lagged and it can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear. A month ago the US had just 45

cases.

“We’re still having problems with availability of testing and vaccine supply, all these issues that we saw with COVID,” Gregg Gonsalves, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, told Kaiser Health News last week. “Now, the prospects for containment are receding quickly.”

The US has bought more than 1.1 million doses of the Jynneos vaccine produced by Bavarian Nordic in Denmark.

Hundreds of thousands more doses are expected to arrive soon in the US after American federal health officials said they had completed an inspection of the Danish plant.

More than 12,500 cases of monkeypox have been reported in nearly 70 countries, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

East Ruimveldt residents get upgraded recreational facility - initiated by ‘Top Cop’ Hicken and commissioned by Minister Benn

RESIDENTS of Back Circle in East Ruimveldt are the proud recipients of an enhanced Recreation Square commissioned by Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on Sunday.

The enhancement of the Back Circle Recreation Square was initiated by acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken.

The project came on the heels of an invitation

by Adrian Aaron for the ‘Top Cop’ to visit his community.

The enhancement work was spearheaded by the Guyana Police Force with support from the Ministry of Public Works and the business community.

The commissioning ceremony was done on the said square with Minister Benn delivering the feature address, during which he noted that it is very important for the recreational facilities in the various communities to be restored, so that the youths from those communities can benefit from them.

Minister Benn said that

community development helps to reduce stress in communities and it allows the youths of those communities to realise their ambitions.

The minister applauded Commissioner of Police (ag) Hicken for his initiative and said he wishes to see this type of activity replicated throughout the country.

In his address to the very appreciative residents of Back Circle, Commissioner Hicken urged the residents to create a friendly and conducive atmosphere where members of the private sector would feel safe to come into the communities, identify talented youths and sponsor them.

He also stated that the Guyana Police Force has many similar initiatives planned for the community, including revitalising the youth groups, training for youths in the community and the development of a play school, among other projects.

Before leaving the community, Hicken or-

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, with youths at the commissioning of the Back Circle Recreation Square in East Ruimveldt on Sunday ganised a football match between Back Circle Football Club and the Guyana Police Force Football Club, and the two teams played a very entertaining game for the residents.

Shortly after, Hicken ventured over to the community of Front Circle where he met with community leaders and in-

formed them of his interest in developing their community and working along with the youths.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who was also present at the commissioning ceremony, pledged his ministry’s continued support of initiatives to develop the two communities.

Rafael Caro Quintero was found in bushes by a search dog (BBC/EPA photo) M e a n w h i l e , W h i t e and was later dramatised in House senior Latin Amer- the Netflix series Narcos: ica adviser Juan Gonzalez Mexico. wrote in a Twitter post: In 2013, a court in “This is huge.”

Mexico cut short QuinQuintero was one of tero’s 40-year sentence and three founding members of freed him, ruling that he the powerful Guadalajara should have been tried in a Cartel. state rather than a federal He spent 28 years in jail court. for the murder of former The ruling was later US Drug Enforcement Ad- overturned by the country’s ministration (DEA) agent supreme court - but QuinEnrique Camarena. tero had already gone into The murder strained hiding.

US-Mexico ties at the time US officials said he

quickly returned to drug trafficking and Washington subsequently offered $20M (£17M) for any information leading to his capture.

Quintero’s arrest is symbolically important although he is no longer considered a major figure in international drug trafficking.

“It is probably one of the most important captures of the last decade in terms of importance to the DEA,” said Mike Vigil, the DEA’s former chief of international operations, quoted by Reuters.

In its statement, the Mexican Navy also said that 14 of its personnel had died after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the city of Los Mochis in Sinaloa.

An investigation was under way - but there was no indication the crash was related to Quintero’s arrest, the Navy said.

(BBC)

Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero arrested

Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who is on the US most wanted list, has been arrested in the western Sinaloa state, the Mexican Navy says.

Quintero, who is accused of kidnapping, torturing and murdering a US drug enforcement agent in 1985, was held in the town of Choix.

The Navy said Quintero, believed to be 69, was found in bushes by a specially-trained dog called Max. The US said it would seek Quintero’s immediate extradition.

“There is no hiding place for anyone who kidnaps, tortures, and murders American law enforcement.

We are deeply grateful to Mexican authorities for their capture and arrest of Rafael Caro Quintero,” US Attorney-General Merrick Garland said.

Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag), Calvin Brutus, along with Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag), Ravindradat Budhram; Senior Superintendent, Jermaine Johnson;

Deputy Superintendent, Ronald Ali; Inspector, Gavin Boyce and ranks from the Guyana Police Force were also present at the commissioning ceremony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Child fatalities and trauma

IT is painful, destressing and heart-rending.

At no time is this more apparent than when the United Nations provides its statistics on child trauma and mortality worldwide.

Released last Monday, the UN report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) outlines several dangers, including military coups, conflict escalation and violations of international law. It also provides details of the awful impact that armed conflict worldwide has on children.

The gravest violation was the maiming and killing of children, followed by the use and recruitment of children and the denial of access to humanitarian aid.

According to the report, an average of 65 violations against children occur every day, based on 24,000 verified grave violations last year. The actual number is likely to be much higher than this.

Those countries where children were most affected are given as Afghanistan,

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

A UNICEF article from June of this year stated that, “From widespread killing, maiming, abduction and sexual violence to recruitment into armed groups and strikes on schools and hospitals, as well as essential water facilities, children living in conflict zones around the world continue to come under attack on a shocking scale”.

The figures are indeed horrific, with 47 per cent of all child casualties in 2020 resulting from explosive weapons and explosive weapons of war. More than 100,000 children were verified as killed or maimed in situations of armed conflict between 2005 and 2020, with more than two-thirds of these verified since 2014.

UNICEF confirms that children are the primary victims of armed conflict with over 400 million of them living in countries where there is armed conflict.

And all of this means that children are deprived of their basic human rights,

robbed of their childhood and left with a depth of trauma that remains with them throughout their adult lives.

Said Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for CAAC, “There is no word strong enough to describe the horrific conditions that children in armed conflict have endured…. Those who survived will be affected for life with deep physical and emotional scars”.

However, conflict is not the only threat to the lives of children worldwide.

Apart from infectious diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea – claiming children under five in particular – UN News has announced that the ‘Horn of Africa’ is bracing for an “explosion of child deaths” because of the worsening hunger crisis.

There are terrible accounts of parents having to bury their emaciated children by the side of roads as they made treks of hundreds of miles to seek medical help.

In Somalia alone, 386,000 children are in acute need of treatment for severe malnutrition, following successive

seasons of failed rains in East Africa – something not seen in 40 years.

Raina Dagash, UNICEF Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, stressed that, “The lives of children in the Horn of Africa are also at an increased risk because of the war in Ukraine… because Somalia alone used to import 92 per cent of its wheat from Russia and the Ukraine but now supply lines are blocked.”

The UN Officer explained that the number of children facing severe acute malnutrition has increased by more than 15 per cent in just the last five months.

The agency is calling on the international community to provide more funding for emergency assistance and what it terms “resilience-building measures” to save people’s livelihoods.

In a stirring statement to journalists in Geneva, Switzerland, Dagash said: “If the world does not widen its gaze from the war in Ukraine and act immediately, an explosion of child deaths is about to happen in the Horn of Africa.”

Oil resources must be exploited while time allows

Dear Editor,

I WRITE regarding Freddie Kissoon’s article “Oil and Guyana’s future” (Kaieteur News, July 08, 2022).

I agree with his view that the EXXON-Guyana oil contract “could have been better for Guyana in comparison to other oil explorations around the world.”

He writes “The [oil] industry is going to be around for another 50 years. In that interregnum, countries incredibly rich and billions of miles ahead of Guyana will sell oil within those 50 years.” The policy of two leading oil-producing nations supports this view. In explaining his commitment to the oil industry in Canada, in a speech in Texas, USA, in March 2017, Canada’s Prime Minister Mr Justin Trudeau stated ( Maclean’s magazine, March 10, 2017) “No country would find 173 billion barrels of oil in the ground and just leave them there.” Also, Reuters of April 15, 2022, reports “The Biden [US President] administration on Friday said it has resumed plans for oil-and-gas development on federal lands.”

An editorial in the Los Angeles Times of September 15, 2019 is relevant. It notes: “The richest, most developed countries in the world are overwhelmingly to blame for

the catastrophe of global climate change…

For more than a century, the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, in total as well as per capita, have been the big developed nations, most notably the United States and the countries of Europe, which grew their economies by burning fossil fuels and spewing carbon from their factories, homes and cars.” To date they still emit carbon and other greenhouse gases disproportionately into the environment.

According to the editorial, efforts to ameliorate climate change “must be led by the nations that reaped so many of the benefits of economic development and increased wealth through industrialisation for so long.” Unfortunately, the rich countries are not living up to their moral obligation or their financial commitments. In 2010 and then again in 2015 wealthier nations pledged to donate to the Green Climate Fund up to $100 billion per year by 2020.

The fund was created under the auspices of the United Nations to help developing countries reduce the emissions that lead to climate change. However, in 2018, Oxfam’s senior climate change policy adviser called the money moving from rich countries to the least developed ‘sadly inadequate.’ The editorial called it “shameful.”

In his article Mr Kissoon asks, “Why

a small, poor country should bear the burden of cleaning the world’s ecological system by removing its fossil fuel industry when there is no replacement for the lost income?” This is a pertinent question that critics of the government, at home and abroad in the rich countries, have not answered. In addition, it should be pointed out that the green-house gases spewed by the rich countries do not remain within their borders. Their green-house gases travel far and wide, polluting the entire planet.

For centuries Guyana’s rainforest, together with those in the other poverty-ridden tropical countries, has been the purifier of the planet without any compensation. Yet, when poor countries extend their begging bowls to the rich countries they receive less than pittance to help their citizens, while billions of dollars are available, on the spur of a moment, to fund war efforts. Even at its maximum level of oil production, it is likely that Guyana’s rainforest will be able to absorb more than its fair share of greenhouse gases.

Regarding renegotiating of the oil contract, this may not be realistic. Current President Dr Ali’s statement that “negotiating with ExxonMobil is like negotiating with a superpower” is more realistic and acknowledges the difficulties. In assessing

its position, the Ali government likely considered (1) the message that will be sent to new investors that are being courted; (2) the likelihood of exorbitant costs of a court challenge and the possibility of losing; (3) likely pressure from EXXON’s home government, i.e. the US, in any attempt to renegotiate an existing contract. Not only that US support may be needed in defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity, but powerful home governments are known to vigorously protect their nationals and commercial interests abroad. The history of many countries in Central and South America can attest to this.

I support all efforts for transparency in government’s decision-making and initiatives to improve government’s accountability in the oil industry. Also, all Guyanese must be the beneficiaries of the oil wealth. And prudent action is necessary to maintain a reasonable balance between economic development and protection of the environment.

However, this valuable resource must be exploited while time allows, to eliminate poverty and improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Yours sincerely, Harry Hergash

Wrong can never be right!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

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Part 3: Sri Lanka back to the beginning

By Earl Bousquet

REGIME Change is under way in Sri Lanka in the worst and best of ways: demonstrations of ‘People’s Power’ and Anarchy, declaration of a State of Emergency, resignation of the President and his appointment of his replacement, activation of constitutional order to resolve an intractable political crisis wracked by an insoluble economic catastrophe -- and the military marking time, with all the time on its hands.

After thousands were led to invade and occupy the president and prime minister’s public and private homes and offices on July 9, it appeared that mob rule had the upper hand, until the army was given unlimited power to restore order.

The incidents led to the departure of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after his two brothers, ex-Prime Minister Mahinda and Finance Minister Basil had both earlier resigned their Cabinet posts.

But in the high-power political poker game between government and opposition politicians that know each other very well, the main players are playing their best key cards to gain political leverage in the interim.

Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with the army behind him, says he’ll follow the Constitution in the search for a political solution that will please all, starting with election of ‘an all-party government’ (representing all parties in parliament) and selecting a president also ‘acceptable to all’.

By invoking the constitutional provisions, the Acting President – a veteran who served as prime minister at least five times before -- seized the political initiative after the opposition said it would create an alliance to demand that the current Opposition Leader be made acting President.

The opposition, which rode high on the crest of the People’s Power wave, was caught flat-footed by Wickremesinghe’s move to channel Regime Change through the Parliament, instead of on Colombo’s streets.

The parliament will receive nominations for President Tuesday (July 19) and vote on Wednesday for a president, as the situation is too fluid to call a fresh general election.

The protesters have left the occupied buildings and set up camps on the streets, watching from the sidelines as the political processes unfold, but the people’s basic day-to-day problems continue, as the Treasury is still near empty and the government has only been able to afford one shipment of fuel that arrived on the weekend.

But the nation of 22 million is no-better-off after the occupations, arson and other forms of violently venting popular frustration. The protesters are now waiting for the same politicians they revolted against to fix the system they’re accused of having broken-down.

The interim government has (reportedly) already asked

China for $4.2 billion in emergency aid, while also planning to ask Russia for emergency fuel support -- and hoping the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Union (EU) and G-7 nations will come to its assistance in ways that will not worsen the situation by deepening the country’s Debt to GDP ratio.

The politically-influential Rajapaksa family may be down, but certainly not out; and general expectations are that Gotabaya and Mahinda, now moving between Dubai and Singapore, will eventually return home to continue leading the family’s role in the nation’s politics.

The military has a carte blanche to act as it sees fit while the politicians fight the parliamentary and constitutional battles, the acting President ensuring that, in the absence of national elections, only the Parliament will decide who’s the next President – and not mob rule.

Protest organisers acknowledge they have not come out on top, spokespersons saying they have “partially” achieved their goals, the most important of which was the departure of the Rajapaksa brothers.

Should China and Russia respond positively to Sri Lanka’s call for emergency aid, that will elicit sure response from the USA, UK, Canada, G-7, European Union, World Bank and IMF, who’ll never leave the field open for Beijing and Moscow and will most likely seek their own big slices of Sri Lanka’s inescapable future debt burden.

Already heads-over-heels in Ukraine, the world’s richest nations, also facing Climate Change problems and unpredictable weather patterns that further affect wheat production and supply, will not quickly, if ever, rally to Sri Lanka’s rescue.

As always in such cases, a national political solution heavily depends on the attitude of the Opposition, which

appears more power-hungry to replace the Rajapaksa government than interested in an all-party solution to the all-embracing national political, economic and social problem.

In Guyana’s case in the political turmoil that followed the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections, the opposition PPP/C – sure it had won and with the evidence to prove claims otherwise were a Big Lie -- allowed the outgoing regime to play-out all its bad cards, until there were no longer any jokers in the pack.

The attitude of the regional and international community also counts heavily, as again shown in Guyana two years ago, when Britain, Canada, the US, the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and CARICOM, stood firmly in defense of the free and democratic expression of the voting majority.

In the current global context, however, Sri Lanka is being watched from a distance, treated with a proverbial 10foot pole, while an overheating Europe gears-up for a winter without heat; as inflation bites deeper on both sides of The Atlantic, the US and NATO allies continue focusing on the escalating cost of a prolonged Ukraine War, food and fuel prices continue rising -- and unpredictable weather continues playing havoc from Europe to Australia and New Zealand with countries fighting floods and forest fires, heatwaves and cold blasts.

At the end of it all, while mob rule got rid of the Rajapaksa brothers, after all the headline coverage and adulation of the demonstrations of ‘People’s Power’ in Sri Lanka, the fundamental problems that affected the ousted government still remain and have worsened, the people are still without the power to help themselves, now forced by reality to virtually return right back to the very beginning.

Perspective: All not well in APNU+AFC land

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By Ron Cheong

THERE seems to be some confusion in APNU+AFC land.

The players are all looking to position and reposition. APNU held a session last week; the stated intent to map a strategy to rescue the country from the PPP/C. Yes, the guys now claiming to be on a rescue mission are the same ones who tried to rig the election, holding the country to ransom for five months.

Their spokesperson charged that the

PPP/C is obsessed with political domination, which seems to be much the same “non-consultation” reason that the WPA gave for they themselves withdrawing from APNU. Meanwhile, the AFC announced that they would be pulling out of the APNU+AFC Coalition at the end of the year. They will be focusing on rebuilding the party and walking on their own two feet -- but will be open to coalescing with other parties. And may rejoin APNU at a later date.

Well I’m glad all of that is so very clear now.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

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THE AFC ARC The AFC was formed in 2005 on the great promise that they would be the moderating force to racial politics in Guyana.

Their three founding members were drawn one each from the PNCR, the PPP/C and the WPA – they were walking their talk.

They were going to be the Third Force. They vowed not to join with any of the two existing monoliths the PNCR or the PPP/C. There were great promises of rotating leadership – It was an appealing platform, though it is said the plot was afoot right from the start to split the PPP vote.

In 2006, they split off 28,000 middle of the road PNCR and the PPP/C voters. Still, the PPP/C won that election with a solid 36seat majority.

In 2011, however, the PNCR rebranded itself as APNU and took back a chunk of the vote that the AFC had previously lured away from them. But while they ceded votes back to the PNCR/APNU, the AFC made significant inroads into the PPP/C vote in 2011.

This was their best year with 35,000 votes, good for 10.4 per cent of the vote or seven parliamentary seats. Nevertheless, the PPP/C formed a minority government.

Then comes 2015, the AFC breaks their pledge and runs an on a coalition ticket with APNU. Little of their founding principles remained to be seen. Their campaign accused the PPP/C of corruption. Nagamootoo was going to rescue the treasury from the incumbent government. Of course, we know what happened to the treasury afterwards.

Although, the PPP/C closed the vote gap between themselves and the AFC and APNU combined, it was not enough. APNU+AFC formed the government with a margin of less than 5,000 votes.

Since the 2015 betrayal of its founding principles, it’s been a downhill slide for the AFC. In the 2018 local elections, the most recent time they ran separately from APNU, they got 9,000 votes or 4.4 per cent of the vote.

The disillusionment, disappointment and frustration from supporters, backers and members reached a breaking point when AFC parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud defected and voted with the opposition on a no-confidence motion against the coalition.

This was followed by the insane 33 is not a majority of 65 farce, the attempted rigging of the 2020 election and the five-month standoff.

Their support continued downhill in 2020.

The stand-alone numbers are not directly available as they ran as APNU+AFC. However, the erosion in their vote is evident from the coalition totals in districts where the AFC had boosted the APNU+AFC performance in 2015 but failed to do so in 2020.

THE CALCULUS

With the above in mind, some reasonable inferences can be drawn for what caused the AFC roll-over in 2015, and what’s prompting their maybe, maybe not test probe now.

Going into 2015, their peak in support was already behind them. This was as far as they could go alone as the Third Force.

But personal ambition was burning bright.

A Prime Minstership and a few ministerial posts could be in the offing. Nagamootoo was available. He was more acceptable to Granger, and had stature amongst PPP/C supporters. Besides if rumour is true, Trotman had achieved his mission of using the AFC to split the PPP/C vote, it only needed to be recombined differently now to give the PNCR/ APNU a shot at capturing the government.

So the AFC cut a sweet deal for 40 per cent of the take in seats – more than double any possible contribution they could make to the APNU+AFC Coalition vote total.

The coalition stayed together during the Granger years, getting past whatever jockeying for position there was. But a new calculus came into being after the 2020 election loss. Now they are testing the waters with the ambiguous talk of maybe, or maybe not leaving the coalition in six months. And Norton, the new leader, does not like it. The AFC says they would retain their parliamentary seats even if there were a split. Norton says no – the confusion must be a little misunderstanding.

But all of these factors would have had to have been considered in the AFC cost/benefit of continuing to hitch their wagon to the volatile Norton train. This six-month window provides the best of all worlds. If things go worse under Norton, they’ve established some distancing from the PNCR, if not they still have an agreement in place.

The noises being made are surely timed to strengthen their negotiating hand with Norton, who is yet to fully establish his grip on certain less strident sections of his party.

Also, Norton’s street tactics cannot be sitting well with those supporters who remained with the AFC. So they are likely looking to blow enough smoke to forestall those supporters gravitating back to the PPP/C. Secondarily, this move may have some allure for Granger’s PNCers whom he had reclaimed from the AFC in 2011.

The AFC certainly were in no hurry to leave during the five-month rigging attempt.

They even did their part with the Russian hackers story.

So it’s hard to imagine conscience at play now, or believe that they have seen the light and now value the idea of bringing a balance to parliament - supporting good ideas from either side of the aisle, as apposed to the existing legacy Granger arrangement, in which they’re are in actuality tied to and submersed in the PNCR and its conduct, and now look to be smeared with the same brush as the new leadership.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Agriculture to be centre of Mainstay/Whyaka’s development

WITH major plans for large-scale farming and agro-processing to ensure food security in the hinterland community of Mainstay/Whyaka, the relevant authorities are putting agriculture at the forefront of its development agenda.

Speaking on the sidelines of the recently concluded National Toshaos Council’s conference, the community’s toshao, Yvonne Pearson, who received the certificate of title for her village a few days ago, said she will be pushing for more agricultural production there.

“Now that we have officially received our extension of land, that means we have vast land, and we cannot talk only subsistence agriculture, but we can talk commercial agriculture now,” she told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

Pearson noted that she will reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture for assistance to clear the land, in order to give support to 10 young persons in her community who are interested in the agriculture sector.

“I already have meetings in my village, and I have put out what we can do in the field of agriculture. At the top of my agenda is agriculture, and I am asking the government for support to clear 50

acres of land,” she said adding: “I have at home ten young persons who are ready to get into agriculture. Our plan is for each person to have five acres of land to start their farm.”

Noting that emphasis will also be placed on strengthening and expanding agro-processing in the community, Ms. Pearson said: “Agriculture is not new to us; we at Mainstay/Whyaka are producers of organic pineapples. This time around, we are not only talking pineapples; we are talking the introduction of new crops; we are talking fruits. We want to plant in large quantities; fruits like cherries and passion fruit that we can process. So, we are talking about producing and processing.”

Pearson has already started working on the old processing facility in the community, which, though it has been inoperable for some time, is still intact. And, once back up and running, agro-processing will become a major key to elevating the village’s economy.

“Before I came,” she said, “I had already cleaned up the whole pineapple processing facility; we are rehabilitating the old processing facility. I am not only talking production in agriculture in the fields; I am talking about the end product: Processing. I see that there is a future in

Onderneeming labourer dies after falling from pickup A 56-year-old labourer lost his life on Sunday morning after he fell off the tray of a motor pickup on the Onderneeming Sandpit Public Road.

Dead is Lincon Moore of Onderneeming Sandpit, Region Two. The incident occurred around 07:30hrs.

According to information received, Moore was in the tray of motor pickup GJJ 8946 which was proceeding east on the Onderneeming Public Road.

The driver told police that he was proceeding at a fast rate of speed with Moore seated in the tray of the vehicle.

He related that as he was passing a steel bar at the toll gate at the Onderneeming Sandpit Road, he heard an impact from the rear of his vehicle and immediately stopped to inves-

The motor pickup that was involved in the accident tigate what had happened.

There, he saw Moore lying motionless.

“We saw him, he got injuries to his head and he was unconscious,” an eyewitness said.

Moore was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead.

The driver of the pickup is in police custody assisting with investigations.

agriculture; we already have things like tractors, plow and other implements related to agriculture.”

With training earmarked to be a big part of pushing the community’s agriculture sector, Pearson said: “… New technologies; new ways of doing agriculture, moving away from the old-time subsistence farming, and that is why young people are important, and training is important… I see all these things going together to develop agriculture, and ensuring food security.”

She noted that while the community is known for tourism, agriculture has the potential to become its main economic activity.

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Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka Ms. Yvonne Pearson (Elvin Croker photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Parents needed in schools

PARENTS trust teachers with their most prized possession, their children.

They rely on teachers to help young, fertile minds reach their fullest potential.

But what part do parents play in bringing this potential to fruition? Indeed, it takes a collaborative effort between teacher and parent to ensure that a child’s learn-

ing experience is valuable and that a child attains a holistic outcome.

Parents and teachers work towards the same goal. Both want to see children make academic accomplishments and become thoughtful, upright citizens who contribute positively to society -- they have the child’s best interest at heart.

Maintaining a relationship with teachers is essential for parents at all stages of their child’s development, not just kindergarten.

Parents can enhance their child’s achievements by connecting with staff members and showing support for the school. Instead of just seeing children off in the morning and asking them about their day in the afternoon, parents need to be more involved. What subjects are the children working on in school? How can parents support their child’s learning capacity at home? In which areas do teachers feel the child needs encouragement? What change in behaviour does the teacher see in a child, is it positive, or is there a need for concern?

Parents and teachers make the best team when they connect and have a rapport. School is where children spend a great deal of time, so parents should know what is going on there and how their child fits in or is affected. One mother said: ‘I have made friends with the teachers, cleaners and security guards at the school gate, so they know my children and me. If any of them get out of line, I will hear about it.’

Children indeed do things out of character at school and among peers.

They show off, seek attention or try to be popular. During pre-adolescence and adolescence, children seek independence and rely more on their relationships with peers than their home bonds with parents and siblings.

Teenagers can be easily impressed and tempted during this experimental and curious stage of development. Over the years, they will learn more from peers, their social groups and experiences, than from their homes.

Children will likely see and hear things they will not share with their parents. They may try out fads and indulge in adverse conduct just to fit in with their friends and be part of the crowd. While decision-making, trying out challenges, and problem-solving are part of growing up, parents’ input, guidance and involvement in their children’s school lives are wholly necessary.

Even when children seem level-headed and adjusted, never take for granted that all is well at school. If parents do not ask pertinent questions and show an interest in their child’s school life, they may never know when concerns need attention.

A child might complain to his parents about something that happened at school, and the parent may promise to sort it out. Parents should not put off problems; they should tackle them straight away. If the parent never reaches the school gates, due to one thing

or another, and the crisis subsides, the child may never confide in his parent about school again.

Some children do not like when their parents visit the school to complain.

They feel singled out and believe the visit may affect how staff members treat them. This is not the case when parents and teachers have a good relationship.

Parents and teachers are on the same side, working for the good of the pupil and the school environment. Genuine concerns highlighted and discussed between parents and staff should be amicable. The child should not feel fear or prejudice due to raising a matter.

Parents staying in touch with children’s activities is imperative; children need adults to keep them safe. Most parents allow children to spend hours unsupervised and trust the child’s judgement. But children are bound to make senseless choices from time to time, for which parents may take the blame.

Parents have a right to know what is in their child’s school bag and the authority to check the same randomly. It is not an invasion of privacy to go through school bags or cellular phones to find out what children do in their spare time or what they could bring home. Explaining to the child why you need to make these checks beforehand will garner the child’s cooperation, agreement and understanding.

Most parents know their children much better than teachers; they have nurtured their unique offspring from day one. Teachers can benefit from the information, insight and backing that parents can naturally provide if they work as allies toward children’s success.

A father said, ‘My son was adamant that I visit his school and speak to the science teacher about his work. He laid out my best shirt and asked his uncle to give me a shave and touch-up, so I looked neat.

I was surprised at the sparse turnout of parents at the science meeting, but was glad I attended. Just to see how proud my son felt that I represented him at school warmed my heart’.

Parents have a significant role in their children’s school life; their support can change a child’s negative attitude towards school and improve grades.

They have parental responsibility in every aspect of their child’s development, of which school plays a major role.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Addition of fruit to barbeque sauce turns into small business

TEN years after deciding to add fruit to barbeque sauce, Sandra Craig has managed to turn this idea into a successful small business.

SS Natural Fruit Fla-

voured Inc is now a household name in Guyana and all of its products have been tested and approved by the Food and Drug Department.

Its owner is also a prominent member of the country’s

flourishing agro-processing industry.

Craig was the owner of a snackette at Orange Walk, Georgetown and would often venture out to find new ideas for her menu. One day her son

Sandra Craig’s fruit-flavoured barbeque sauces

came to her with the idea of making barbequed chicken.

They placed barbequed chicken on the menu every Friday. Craig would purchase her sauce from supermarkets for the barbeque.

She related that she felt that the sauce was not tasty enough, so, she first added pineapple to it and got lots of great reviews from her customers.

She then started to make her own sauce from scratch and continued adding pineapple. Given the large number of good reviews she received, she decided to extend the sale of barbequed chicken to Saturdays.

As time passed, Craig said she had a “vision” to try passion fruit in the mix. She mixed her barbeque sauce with passion fruit and again,

got good reviews.

“I gave the customers and I use it on my chicken and some people were really surprised to know that passion fruit can do all of these things, because the chicken tasted nice,” she related.

From that day, Craig stated that she decided to try different fruits. Today, the flavours include pineapple, golden apple, passion fruit, mango and soursop.

She began adding fruits in 2011, but started selling the sauces by the bottle in 2012.

She became well known in 2014 after attending an exhibition in Sophia.

Craig is also a part of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), which she said has helped to promote her product which was displayed during a

free two-day exhibition.

She also attended exhibitions in Florida, Canada, Saint Vincent and Barbados and stated that she recently came back from Panama where she successfully managed to identify and have meetings with potential distributors and buyers.

Exporting her product is a challenge, but she is currently in talks with an individual who will be able to export her products for her. It is expected that the barbeque sauces will be sold in Colombia, Canada, Barbados and Panama.

The businesswoman was an exhibitor at the recently held Together We Win Business Network’s Small Business Conference and Expo, where she engaged a potential buyer.

From rice mill worker to TTtrained massage therapist 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

–– Rajendra Prabudial sets sights on educating, ‘giving back’

By Jared Liddell YEARS after entering the workforce as a 15-year-old labourer attached to a Mahaicony rice mill, Rajendra Prabudial is embarking on a new path to change the public’s views on the treatment of body stress or pain, after finding his calling as a massage therapist.

Prabudial, called ‘Tony,’ is the co-owner of the Dauntless Prof e s s i o n a l T h e r a p e utic Bodyworks, which specialises in massage therapy. This path, according to Prabudial is not one he had set out on, but was called to, after years of searching for a job that would be fulfilling and rewarding.

According to Prabudial, his career journey started in the rice industry just three days after he completed his secondary education in Mahaicony, Region Five. He noted that, although he was very young, he leaped at the opportunity to earn his own money.

He recalled that following a short stint at the company, he switched jobs and started working at Acme photo studio and subsequently F&H Printing, where he spent several years. He noted that he then worked with two contractors. He eventually returned to the rice mill and worked as a payroll clerk.

Prabudial stated that, while he worked at the company, he realised that such was not his calling and felt a pull towards entrepreneurship, which led him to his first business venture, a document centre, which

stayed open for a year.

He explained that the business performed well and he was proud not just for being his own boss, but for provid-

could make money for the restaurant and then I worked the restaurant in the day, but that was not sustainable,” Prabudial stated.

she would massage me up and stuff, and the next day I would feel brand new like I wasn’t doing all this hard labour the day before and

the material because massage therapy isn’t something so common in Guyana. Most of us think that anybody can give a massage, just a

Massage therapist Rajendra Prabudial in action ing job opportunities for other persons in his community.

He disclosed that, following that, he did many odd jobs which included minibus driving.

Though his first business venture was shortlived, that did not stop him from pursuing a second venture which was a restaurant in West Coast Berbice, which he ran for three years.

“The business ended up being difficult to manage, so much so that I ended up taking a second job as a pump attendant at a gas station.

So, I worked in the night as a pump attendant so I

Prabudial noted that even though he was sad at the closing of the business, he remained resilient about finding a career that would suit him. This led him to take a job opportunity in Trinidad in the construction sector.

While working there, he found his love for massage therapy. He noted that his wife, Anji, was already a massage therapist and would help to “fix him up” after a long day of work.

“I would work and the job was hard so I would go home and I’d be sore and in a lot of pain and Anji, my wife,

I started realising that this is very good for dealing with this kind of hard work.”

Prabudial stated that he later ended up enrolling in the Trinidad and Tobago College of Therapeutic Massage and Beauty Culture Limited where he pursued a diploma in the Professional Therapeutic Massage Programme.

He was not just the first Guyanese to be enrolled in the programme, but he was also the first Guyanese to be named Valedictorian at the college’s 2020 graduation.

“It felt great, and I was very eager to learn

little rubbing here and pressure there and we’re good, but that’s not the truth of it; we do a lot of anatomy and physiology.”

He noted that, after completing the programme, he made the decision to invest and open his third business venture - Dauntless Professional Therapeutic Bodyworks.

Prabudial stated that he feels a great sense of pride being able to bring this much-needed service to the people of Guyana, many of whom may not have ever gotten massage therapy to help with their varying

aches and pains.

He noted that massage can reduce pain and anxiety for people with chronic illnesses, such as cancer, and reduce the physiological burden of stress. It can help treat conditions including stress-related tension, cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, and depression.

Meanwhile, the young entrepreneur emphasised that his calling is not all about business, as since returning to Guyana, he has volunteered with several organisations to provide free massages to persons through several organisations.

“This is not just about the money; it’s about people who are in need of relief, how we can change their lives or make it a bit easier. So, I always try to give back where ever I can. I have worked with several organisations including the CIOG on outreaches and I’ve shared my expertise by giving free massages to those in need. That’s what this is about, that’s why I was called to this career, to help people,” Prabudial stated.

Prabudial stated that one of his goals was the establishment of an entity that regulates massage therapy in Guyana.

He disclosed that he is currently registered with the Trinidadian body that regulates massage therapy in that country but wishes to one day be in charge of a similar organisation here in Guyana.

PYO activist honoured at wreath-laying ceremony

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

A WREATH-LAYING ceremony was on Sunday held at the Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Lot 12 Princess Street and Louisa Row, Le Repentir, Georgetown, in commemoration of the 58th death anniversary of Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) activist, Michael Forde.

Among those present at the ceremony were Seepaul Narine, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU); Neil Kumar, People’s Progressive

Party/Civic (PPP/C) executive member and manager at Freedom House; representatives of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), PYO and the Michael Forde Bookshop, and members of the Mc Alistair family.

Forde, a then 22-yearold was one of the leaders of the historic Freedom Marches in February 1964.

Forde was killed by an explosive package that was brought to Freedom House by a book purchaser. His death was the second in the Forde family that week; his father had

died the previous Sunday.

It was reported to the police that a young man went into the bookshop housed in the Freedom House building with a small carton. He placed the box on a bookshelf, purchased a book, and, without waiting for his change, hurriedly left the shop, leaving his box behind.

Seconds after the man left, Forde, who was an employee, called out to the manager, Miss Euna Mulzack, an American citizen residing in the country, and informed her that the young man left hurried-

ly without collecting his change and also left a box behind.

Becoming suspicious, she told him to throw the box out of the building.

Forde responded, and was rushing through the eastern side door of the shop when there was an explosion.

The lower part of Forde’s left hand was hurled some 50 yards away, landing behind the pit entrance of the Metropole Cinema. His mutilated body was found face upward, lying across the entrance of Freedom House, with just strips of clothing dangling around

his waist.

At the time of the explosion, there were around 40 persons in Freedom House, some of whom w er e i n ju r ed . A m o n g the wounded were Mary Nunes, wife of the then Minister of Education, Cedric Nunes; Patricia Christian; Euna Mulzack, who suffered a damaged eye; and Miss Bispat, who had a suspected fractured spine.

The First Lady at the time, Janet Jagan, wife of the then Premier of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan, escaped with slight injuries

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Manager of Freedom House and member of the PPP/C, Neil Kumar to her hands.

Kumar said that Forde will be remembered for his heroic action as he was only 22 when he was killed and it was right after he had participated in a countrywide march sponsored by the PPP/C in the struggle for free and fair elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Support Food Import Financing Facility

15

–– FAO urges finance ministers, central bank governors

QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has underlined to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors the growing food security and nutrition crisis facing the world.

Highlighting data from the latest edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) by FAO and its partners, Qu noted that in 2021, up to 828 million people suffered chronic hunger. This is an increase of 46 million from 2020 and 150 million from 2019, before the COVID19 pandemic. Around 2.3 billion people in the world were moderately or severely food insecure in 2021 -- 350 million more people compared to 2019.

These stark figures represent the picture before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, which has compounded the situation, particularly for the poor and most vulnerable, Qu stressed. The Russian Federation and Ukraine are important players in the global food and fertiliser markets and the war has multiple implications affecting trade, prices and livelihoods.

These factors “will continue to impact on food security and nutrition for many countries in the months and years to come,” he warned.

Even before the conflict, international food commodity prices were at an all-time high, mostly due to supply chain disruption, but also as a result of soaring prices for energy and agricultural inputs.

The latest FAO Food Price Index, released on 8 July, declined slightly for the third month in a row and averaged 154.2 points in June 2022 from its highest point at 160 in March, 2022.

The drivers for soaring prices include: strong global demand due to the recovery; adverse weather in some producing countries; high production and transportation costs and supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 – now made worse by the ongoing war.

WAR IMPACTS FERTILISER MARKET

The war is also affecting the fertiliser market, as the Russian Federation is a key exporter of fertilizers.

Some 15 net fertiliser-importers in Latin America, Europe and Asia have an import dependency of over 30 per cent on Russian fertilisers. Among these are Brazil, India and the European Union, which are major agricultural producers and key players in world markets, Qu said.

While food prices are high in the retail market, the soaring prices of agricultural inputs including feed, fertilisers, pesticides and fuel have left farmers’ incomes squeezed, leading to decreasing production.

“This could place a double burden upon global agrifood systems: leaving us with poor farmers and lack of food availability at the same time,” the FAO Director-General warned.

FAO PROPOSES FOOD IMPORTS INITIATIVE In face of this, Qu urged G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to support FAO’s initiative for a fund to help sixty-two most vulnerable countries with their food import bills amid the current global food security crisis.

The Food Import Financing Facility (FIFF) proposed by FAO earlier this year, “will assist countries in financing their food purchases to minimise any risk of social unrest. With your support, it could be implemented by the leading multilateral financial agencies under their balance of payments financial mechanism,” Qu said in a statement to the meeting hosted by Indonesia.

The food import bill for the 62 nations, which are net food importers in the low and the lower middle-income groups, has increased to $24.6 billion. This affects 1.79 billion people, according to FAO estimates.

The FIFF is also aimed at increasing global agricultural production and productivity in a sustainable way. It would complement existing mechanisms within the UN system, would be strictly based on urgent needs and limited to low and lower

middle-income net food-importing countries.

In addition, the FIFF is designed to increase future resilience by asking eligible countries to commit to invest more in sustainable agrifood systems. (FAO)

Even before the conflict in Ukraine, international food commodity prices were at an all-time high (FAO photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Kerley leads home...

FROM BACK PAGE That would have been more impressive had the 12,500 capacity stadium been anywhere near full on what should be the biggest night of the championships. The empty seats will be a huge disappointment for the organisers and World Athletics.

Kerley, of course, was not in the slightest bit worried about that. “I said we were going to do it and we did it - USA, baby,” he said in a trackside interview.

Olympic silver medallist Kerley was the form runner in the field. He posted the year’s leading time and a personal best of 9.76 on the same Eugene track when winning the U.S. trials last month, and his 9.79 on Friday was the fastest-ever world championships heat time.

“I lost the Olympics by (0.04). I saw Bracy

in front of me, he dipped early and I picked the right time and got the job done today,” he said.

He is one of only three men, along with South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk and fellow American Michael Norman, to have broken 10 seconds in the 100m, 20 seconds in the 200m and 44 seconds in the 400m.

And the 27-year-old is now the only man to have medalled at both 100m and 400m having finished third over one lap in 2019.

“I got the work done this time around and the gold medal means more than anything,” said Kerley.

“It’s amazing to do it on home soil with the home crowd behind us.

It’s a wonderful blessing to get a clean sweep. I feel we can dominate again at (next year ’s) World Championships.”

For Bromell, sec-

English Racing Tips

thehill

Ayr

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ond-fastest in the world this year, the bronze was some sort of consolation after the Tokyo Olympics, where he failed to make the final after entering the Games as favourite.

“My mind is a lot stronger this year. And I knew what I was missing that now I expect more from myself,” he told Reuters.

“I got hurt and I was out of sport for so long, and then came back and happened to just come back during the biggest time of the year, the Olympics ... it is good to come out here and get it done.”

Jamaican Oblique Seville, the fastest of the semi-final qualifiers, finished fourth in 9.97, while Italy’s Olympic champion, Lamont Jacobs, withdrew before the semi-finals due to injury.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Galle Test back in balance after Babar’s masterclass IF Dinesh Chandimal made an impact on Day 1, then Babar Azam hogged the limelight on Day 2 of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka with a brilliant 119 to help Pakistan come within four runs of securing parity in the first innings. At close of play, the home side was 36 for 1, in front by 40 runs.

When play resumed after the Lunch break, Pakistan needed their captain to lead from the front and he duly stepped up. Babar lost his batting partner, Yasir Shah early after the break as Pakistan slid further to 111 for 8.

Hasan Ali, who replaced Yasir at the crease, made his intentions clear by clubbing Maheesh Theekshana for two sixes.

However, in an attempt to press top gear, Hasan soon holed out to Dinesh Chandimal off Ramesh Mendis.

With Pakistan nine down and the score reading only 148, Sri Lanka looked set to gain a healthy lead. Babar, though, had other ideas as he stitched a valuable stand of 70 for the last wicket.

Naseem Shah scored just five runs off 52 balls

but he hung in there to give Babar valuable support. Babar also played with a degree of patience.

Eventually, in the 74th over, he decided to press the accelerator by

In the 90th over, Babar put his dancing shoes on by lofting Jayasuriya wide of long-on as the deficit came down to single figures.

(Brief Scores: Sri

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam scored 119 of the 218 that the team made in response to SL’s 222 (AFP) collecting three boundaries off Kasun Rajitha - via mid-on, midwicket and square leg. He also pulled Theekshana for a six and then crunched a delightful inside-out loft off Sri Lanka’s spin spearhead, Prabath Jayasuriya.

After the Tea break, Babar duly completed a memorable hundred with a single off Theekshana.

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 222 Pakistan 1st innings o/n 24-2 Abdullah Shafique lbw Prabath Jayasuriya 13 Imam ul-Haq lbw Kasun Rajitha 2 Azhar Ali lbw Prabath Jayasuriya 3 Babar Azam lbw Maheesh Theekshana 119 Mohammad Rizwan c Niroshan Dickwella b Ramesh Mendis 19 Agha Salman lbw Prabath Jayasuriya 5 Mohammad Nawaz c Oshada Fernando b Prabath Jayasuriya 5 Shaheen Afridi lbw Prabath Jayasuriya 0 Yasir Shah c Dhananjaya de Silva b Maheesh Theekshana 18 Hasan Ali c Dinesh Chandimal b Ramesh Mendis 17 Naseem Shah Not Out 5 Extras 5b 1lb 1nb 0pen 5w 12 Total (90.5 overs) 218 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-12 ul-Haq, 2-21 Shafique, 3-24 Ali, 4-64 Rizwan, 5-73 Salman, 6-85 Nawaz, 7-85 Afridi, 8-112 Shah, 9-148 Ali, 10-218 Azam Bowling: :Kasun Rajitha 11 - 2 - 42 - 1 (1w 1nb), Maheesh Theekshana 25.5 - 6 - 68 - 2, Prabath Jayasuriya 39 – 10- 82 - 5, Ramesh Mendis 13 - 2 - 18 - 2.

SRIi LANKA 2nd innings Oshada Fernando Not Out 17 Dimuth Karunaratne lbw Mohammad Nawaz 16 Kasun Rajitha Not Out 3 Extras 0b 0lb 0nb 0pen 0w 0 Total (11.5 overs) 36-1 Fall of Wickets : 1-33 Karunaratne To Bat : Mendis, Mathews, de Silva, Chandimal, Dickwella, Wanigamuni, Theekshana, Jayasuriya Bowling : Shaheen Afridi 4 - 1 - 16 - 0, Mohammad Nawaz 5 - 0 - 12 - 1, Agha Salman 2.5 - 1 - 8 - 0.

Lanka 222 (Dinesh Chandimal 68*, Maheesh Theekshana 38; Shaheen Afridi 4-58) and 40/1 (Mohammad Nawaz 1-12) lead Pakistan 218 (Babar Azam 119; Prabath Jayasuriya 5-82) by 40 runs.)

Ultimately, Babar was trapped LBW by Theekshana. Barring a couple of close LBW shouts, Babar put on a masterclass on a track that is assisting the spinners. Sri Lanka then lost the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne at the fag end of the day, with Mohammad Nawaz dismissing him LBW. Earlier, Jayasuriya had used the extra bite a relatively new ball would offer to rip through Pakistan’s batting. When the morning session commenced after a brief delay due to rain, Azhar was trapped in front in the very first over by Jayasuriya.

At that stage, Babar and Mohammad Rizwan rightly looked to take the aggressive route to share a timely stand of 40. Just when it felt as if the duo would negate the threat

of Jayasuriya, Rizwan fell to the off-spin of Mendis, with the wicketkeeper grabbing the chance.

Salman Agha, the debutant, followed Rizwan back to the hut;

dismissed LBW via a slider from Jayasuriya. Nawaz couldn’t last long either, with Oshada Fernando showing very good reflexes at forward short leg to pouch the

catch off Jayasuriya’s bowling. The left-arm spinner then dislodged Shaheen Afridi LBW to claim his third five-for in just his second Test.

(Cricbuzz)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Hardik, Pant put on a show as India clinch ODI series

AN allround effort from Hardik Pandya and a maiden ODI hundred from Rishabh Pant helped India swat England aside in the final ODI at Old Trafford to clinch the series 2-1. Hardik first starred with the ball to register his best bowling figures in the format before joining forces with Pant at a crucial juncture in the run chase as the two batters added 133 for the fifth wicket to set up India’s five-wicket win.

India got off to the worst possible start in the run chase when Reece Topley haunted them again. Shikhar Dhawan found the fielder at backward point and Rohit Sharma edged one to the slip fielder. Virat Kohli once again flattered to deceive as Topley made it three in three by bowling just outside off that took the bats-

man’s outside edge. Reduced to 38/3 in a chase of 260, India had their task cut out before Pant counter-attacked.

But a few overs later, England struck again as a similar pattern to the first innings unfolded. Craig Overton got one to bounce a bit more than usual as Suryakumar Yadav failed in his attempt to glance it down to third man and ended up edging it behind.

Hardik then took over the mantle of being the aggressor with Pant playing second fiddle. The allrounder took on Topley and ensured the pressure was lifted as a result of his belligerent batting. Once he got to his fifty off 43 balls, Pant too went past the landmark as India slowly seized control. England’s search for a wicket became futile as the likes of Liam Livingstone and Overton were taken apart.

England were left to rue a missed stumping opportunity when Pant was batting on 18 as he grew in confidence and even stepped down the track to Overton to smash him for a six.

Even though a brilliant catch by Ben Stokes brought an end to Hardik’s charge, India had no problems getting over the line with Pant going berserk. He went down on one knee to smack David Willey over midwicket for a six before getting to his ton in the following over. He then toyed with Willey by smashing him for five consecutive boundaries to thrill the crowd before getting the job done with a trademark reverse sweep in the following over.

Earlier in the day, a fourfer from Hardik ensured England never got on top of India with the bat. For the third

Investment in youths will continue – says Pele FC Alumni Corp. Chairman, Denis Carrington

Pele FC Alumni Corporation Executive Committee Members, Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton (right), Eric ‘Riggy’ Smith (third right) and Denis Carrington (third left) pose with the scholarship students at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown EXECUTIVE members of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation are presently in Guyana as the USA-based entity seeks to get back on track with its many developmental and support programmes for students and other entities.

Pele FC Alumni Corporation’s annual two-day Educational Development Programme, which is aimed at empowering young players (male and female) to overcome poverty by building their confidence, self-esteem, and ambition, through the power of sports and education, was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now with the aim of getting back on track, Chairman of the entity Denis Carrington, along with Treasurer Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton and Executive Committee Member, Eric ‘Rig-

gy’ Smith, all accomplished players back in their days, are home to put the framework back in place to get their programmes up and running once again. Also attending the activity was local representative, David Gomes.

Chairman Carrington stated: “This trip is aimed at engaging our scholarship awardees and their parents.

We are going to also reconnect and develop relationships with partners as we support our youth, creating new initiatives and opportunities for our partnership and strategise for our Pele Football Club short and long-term vision back to excellence.”

A successful meeting with five of the six scholarship students took place at the Marriott Hotel last Friday, where students and their parents were

hosted for lunch and a subsequent interactive session.

“I think we had a great lunch and discussion with the kids and their parents where we were brought up to speed with their progress again and shared our thoughts and ideas with them on the way forward.”

The current beneficiaries are Reshona Bishop, Sarah Mathias, Shoran James, Isaiah Layne and Josiah King. The sixth student, Joshua Denny, was murdered last September when he was robbed and shot on his way to work.

A minute of silence was observed by the students, parents, and Pele FC Alumni ExCo members in Denny’s honour. Meeting with other entities that receive support from the Pele FC Alumni Corporation are scheduled over the coming days.

Rishabh Pant scored his maiden ODI hundred in India’s chase. © Getty game in a row, England struggled to dominate proceedings while batting as India struck twice in just the second over of the game. Mohammed Siraj, coming in place of Jasprit Bumrah, found swing with the new ball to remove Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root for ducks to put England under

pressure early.

Jason Roy, unperturbed by those two wickets, went after the Indian bowlers in the PowerPlay alongside Stokes.

England’s positive approach came to the fore as the pressure was immediately lifted as the hosts raced to 59/2 after just 8 overs. However, India once again pulled the plug as Hardik came into the attack and made an impact immediately. Cramping the rampaging Roy for room, Hardik kept him quiet and that resulted in the batsman top-edging a delivery to perish for 41. Ben Stokes soon followed him back to the pavilion as he too perished against Hardik’s short-pitched delivery.

Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali were then forced to rebuild with the left-hander getting into a shell at one stage, scor-

ing just 5 off 26 deliveries.

The shackles were finally broken as Moeen and Buttler took on Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal to get England back on track. Against the run of play, Moeen edged one behind down the leg side off Ravindra Jadeja and then Hardik came back to dismiss the half-centurion Buttler and Liam Livingstone in the same over. Losing both the batsmen pretty much ended England’s hopes of getting closer to 300 as Chahal returned to redeem himself by polishing off the tail.

Brief scores: England 259 in 45.5 overs (Jos Buttler 60, Jason Roy 41; Hardik Pandya 4/24, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/60) lost toIndia 261/5 in 42.1 overs (Rishabh Pant 125*, Hardik Pandya 71; Reece Topley 3/35) by 5 wickets

Tamim Iqbal announces retirement from T20Is …There had been speculation about his future in the format since he took a break

TAMIM Iqbal has announced his retirement from T20Is shortly after leading the ODI side to a 3-0 series win over West Indies in Guyana.

Bangladesh won the match by four wickets, with Tamim winning the player-of-the-series award. At around 6pm local time, he wrote a short message on his official Facebook page, posting in Bangla saying, “consider me retired from T20 internationals from today. Thanks everyone.”

It ends speculations over the last several weeks about his decision to continue playing the format he had taken a break from in January this year. He said at the time that he is going to take a break of six months from T20Is. My full focus will be on Tests and ODIs,” Tamim said on January 27 this year. “We are preparing for the World Test Championship and qualification for the 2023 World Cup. I will not be thinking about T20Is in the next six months. I hope that those playing will do so well, that the team won’t need me in T20Is. But if God forbid the team or cricket board needs me, and I am ready, I will possibly think about it.”

Tamim had kept himself away from this format since the middle of last year when he

made the surprising decision to voluntarily pull out of contention from the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Tamim stepped away to give Soumya Sarkar and Mohammad Naim an extended run as openers, although both failed and were later dropped from the

ing Bangladesh to five consecutive ODI series wins including the one against West Indies that concluded on Saturday.

Tamim was a regular in the Bangladesh T20I side from 2007 to 2018, having played 75 out of 84 possible games for

Tamim Iqbal is expected to continue in Tests and ODIs

T20I side.

Tamim last played a T20I in March 2020 when he made 41 off 33 balls against Zimbabwe.

He was criticised in some quarters in the T20I series before that, in Pakistan, when he made 65 off 53 balls.

Instead, Tamim has flourished in the other formats, lead-

the side. He remains the only batter with a century for Bangladesh, finishing as the third highest run-scorer with 1701 runs at 24.65 average. Tamim is likely to play in domestic T20 competitions. He is the all-time leading run-scorer in the BPL, having played in every season of the tournament. (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

‘Refreshed’ Holder returns for India ODI series

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Elite all-rounder Jason Holder has returned for West Indies’ three-match One-Day International series against India which bowls off this Friday in Port of Spain.

The 30-year-old, who last featured for West Indies three-and-a-half months ago, is the only major change to the squad that suffered a 3-0 clean sweep to Bangladesh in Guyana last week.

Fast bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who played in all three ODIs against Bangladesh, has dropped to the reserves for the tour and is joined by leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. “As we all know Jason is one of the leading all-round cricketers in the

Leading all-rounder Jason Holder world and we’re happy as well.”

Holder last turned out to have him back in the team,” said chief selector, for West Indies on Enthe Most Honourable Des- gland’s Test tour of the mond Haynes.

Caribbean in March when “He will be refreshed, the home side came away re-energized and ready to with a 1-0 win. go and we can expect to Since then, however, see his brilliance on the the Barbadian was restfield as well as meaningful ed for ODI tours of the contributions off the field Netherlands and Pakistan

after playing the full Indian Premier League, before also having his request to miss the just concluded all-formats Bangladesh tour granted by Cricket West Indies.

Holder, a former Test and ODI captain, averages 24 with the bat in 127 one-dayers and has taken 146 wickets at 37 runs apiece.

West Indies will hope his presence can bolster the team’s fortunes especially with the bat, following several woeful efforts against Bangladesh where they failed to crack 200 in any of the ODIs. All three matches against India are slated for Queen’s Park Oval, with the second game on July 27 and the final fixture on July 27.

Ethiopa’s Tola takes dominant marathon gold

By Mitch Phillips

EUGENE, Ore., (Reuters) Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola won the World Championship men’s marathon in dominant fashion on Sunday as

by the 6.15 am local start time, the 2017 silver medallist splintered the pack with a sustained acceleration and by 39km he was safely 46 seconds clear and continued to press all the way home.

Olympics in 2:06.48,taking his country’s first medal in the event for men or women.

All three men were inside Abel Kirui’s 2003 championship record of 2:06.54 in Paris, though championship

Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola celebrates winning the men’s marathon and setting a new world championship record REUTERS/Brian Snyder heforged powerfully clear around 34km to come home more than a minute ahead to take gold in a championship record two hours, 05.37 minutes.

Taking advantage of relatively cool conditions afforded

Over a minute back in 2:06.44, Mosinet Geremew made it an Ethiopian 1-2 for the second World Championship in a row with his second successive silver. Belgium’s Somalia-born Bashir Abdi matched his bronze from the Tokyo

marathon time comparisons bear little scrutiny due to course difference The early pace was brisk, but manageable, keeping a pack of over 30 together at halfway, but Ethiopian defending champion Lelisa Desisa wasn’t one

of them as he fell off the back and eventually dropped out.

American favourite and former University of Oregon runner Galen Rupp was next to slip back, much to the disappointment of the fans lining the three-lap course, which was also livened up by large numbers on bikes accompanying the runners.

Tola, 30, made what turned out to be the decisive move soon after, escaping solo to almost immediately open a 12-second gap at 35km and splintering the pack on the back of a 2.44 minute kilometre.

From then on, looking relaxed throughout, he steadily built the lead as the chasing group was reduced to three.

He waved to the crowd over the last few hundred metres, enjoying the biggest win of his career.

“It was a dream come true,” Tola said. “I learned from my mistake in 2017 (World Championships) and I made sure it did not happen again.”

Geremew broke clear for second and Abdi was just behind him. Canada’s Cameron Levins delivered a late surge to take fourth in a national record of 2:07.09, with Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, back racing after suffering a badly broken leg after being hit by a motorbike during a training run in 2020, finishing fifth.

“We had a very challenging three matches against Bangladesh in Guyana so we will be looking to rebound when we face India in the conditions in Trinidad,” Haynes said.

“We have seen some growth among some players, but overall we need to regroup and play better against the Indians.”

West Indies have won just eight of their last 27 ODIs against India in the

last nine years and have not beaten the Asian powerhouses in a series in nearly two decades.

SQUAD – Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales

Cheptegei retains world 10,000 title and eyes distance double

Gold medallist Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei celebrates after winning the men’s 10,000 metres final REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel EUGENE, Oregon: Uganda’s world report holder Joshua Cheptegei confirmed he had discovered his Olympic lesson as he delivered a tactical masterclass to win a second successive world 10,000 metres gold in an excellent race on Sunday.

Last 12 months in Tokyo Cheptegei stored his powder dry till the bell, solely to be outkicked by Selemon Barega.

On Sunday he began upping the ante with over a kilometre to go, throwing in laps of 64 and 63 seconds to stretch a bunch of eight as they hit the bell.

He then continued to press and although there was a mad scramble behind him that had the wholesome crowd roaring in appreciation, he was robust sufficient to carry the sector off and come house in 27:27.43 minutes.

Kenya’s Stanley Mburu, who took a heavy fall on the primary lap, recovered effectively to complete second in 27:27.90. Jacob Kiplimo, who was third in Tokyo, claimed one other bronze for Uganda in 27:27.97.

Fast-finishing Grant Fisher simply ran out of monitor in his bid to win a primary medal within the occasion for the United States, ending fourth, with Ethiopia’s Olympic champion Barega unable to repeat his Tokyo fireworks as he ended up fifth.

Cheptegei, who additionally took a silver within the occasion in 2017 and who gained Olympic gold over 5,000m final 12 months, will now try the elusive double when going once more over 5,000 later within the week in Eugene.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

‘These pitches are frustrating us’ - Pooran after West Indies’ 3-0 loss to Bangladesh …Tamim Iqbal also said the pitches were “worse than Mirpur”, which is known for its slow and low surfaces

By Mohammad Isam WEST Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran has criticised the pitches used for the ODIs against Bangladesh in Guyana, after the home side lost the series 3-0.

The subcontinent-style surfaces at the Providence Stadium put a lot of emphasis on the toss. Bangladesh called correctly in all three games, and won by chasing low totals.

Pooran’s opposite number, Tamim Iqbal, also said the pitches were “worse than Mirpur,” in reference to the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which is known for slow and low surfaces that offer turn.

“These pitches are not helping us,” Pooran said.

“The most it is doing is frustrating us as a group.

It doesn’t matter who we brought into the team, we will struggle on wickets like this. Tamim Iqbal got Man of the Series for scoring 110 [117] runs.

Tour de France cyling B E L G I U M ’s J a s p e r Philipsen sprinted to win stage 15 of the Tour de France as race leader Jonas Vingegaard survived a crash but lost two key team-mates.

Primoz Roglic abandoned through injury before the stage began, and another Jumbo-Visma rider Steven Kruijswijk crashed out with 65km

Nicholas Pooran scored 73 in the third ODI • Randy Brooks/ AFP via Getty Images

We do know that every time we got good batting pitches in the Caribbean, we as a batting unit have been doing well. Not only batting wickets, but better cricket pitches.

“Nine-thirty start is always challenging… a lot of moisture in the wicket. That had been the biggest chal-

lenge for us. The toss hasn’t gone in our favour in the last six ODIs in the Caribbean, and we lost all six [five]. I believe that the toss played a big role.”

Despite the pitches, West Indies have looked lost as a batting unit of late. In the rain-affected first ODI, they lasted the allocated 41 overs

thanks to an unbeaten 39-run stand for the tenth wicket between Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales. In the other two games, they were bowled out for 108 and 178 respectively. Before this, in Pakistan, they were bowled out for 216 and 155 in consecutive ODIs. In February, Kieron Pol-

lard, who was West Indies’ white-ball captain at the time, had talked about trying to bat full 50 overs. Pooran also reiterated the same goal.

“As a batting group, [we have to] try to bat 50 overs,” Pooran said. “It is the game plan for us. We weren’t looking at any target, to be honest.

We tried to assess the wicket as fast as possible. Our goal was to bat 50 overs but we fell short by one over today [in the third ODI].”

West Indies were also at a disadvantage because Keemo Paul couldn’t bowl due to a hamstring injury, while Rovman Powell also pulled up with a side strain.

“I definitely felt that we had a really good chance,” Pooran said. “We knew the wicket would get better as well. But losing Keemo Paul was big for us, especially since his skills were key in Providence. We were one bowler short. I had to bowl seven overs, which made it very difficult.”

Pooran was one of two bright spots for West Indies

in the third ODI, having made 73 off 109 balls, but felt that he should have stuck around for longer. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who took a four-wicket haul, was another positive for West Indies.

“If that half-century helped us win the game, then definitely... I know I have to improve my batting, and as a team, we have a lot of work to do. I played well today but I left 20-30 runs out there. It was vital for the team. If we got those runs, maybe we would have won the game today. “[Motie] has been tremendous in the entire series, not just today’s game. It was his debut series in front of his home crowd. He was consistent, something that we have been asking of the spinners for a long time. I am just happy that he took his opportunity with both hands.”

West Indies’ next assignment begins in less than a week’s time. They will host India for three ODIs and five T20Is starting July 22.

(Cricinfo)

Philipsen claims stage 15 win as Vingegaard survives crash to go.

Vingegaard came off his bike in a pile-up soon afterwards but continued despite landing heavily on his head.

The Dane maintained his lead over Tadej Pogacar with a week of the Tour to go.

The mostly flat 202.5km route from Rodez to Carcassonne was

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday July 18, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shamar Brooks-33 (2) Mahmudullah-41* Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent ODI series between the WI/BANG? (2) Who was declared Man of the Series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

supposed to be a routine stage for the riders fighting for the yellow jersey but it turned into a day to forget for Vingegaard and his team.

Their collective strength has helped him build his advantage over Pogacar, so it was a blow to lose Roglic - their co-leader and one of the pre-race favourites - before the stage began when he decided to pull out with injuries he sustained in a crash on stage five.

Things got worse later in the day when Kruijswijk, renowned for his climbing strength, went down and suffered a suspected broken collarbone it was immediately apparent his Tour was over and he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Vingegaard himself was involved in a crash only few minutes later

when there was a touch of wheels in the bunch, and another Jumbo-Visma rider, Tiesj Benoot, was hurt at the same time.

Both of them were able to recover and ride on but it was a reminder of how unpredictable the Tour can be and a boost for Pogacar, who lost two teammates - George Bennett and Vegard Stake Laengen - after they tested positive for Covid-19 earlier in the race.

For Philipsen, the sprint finish brought a long-awaited first triumph in the Tour, at the end of a gruelling day in extreme heat in the south of France.

The 24-year-old thought he had taken his maiden win on stage four of this year’s race, raising his arms after winning a bunch sprint to the line in Calais, but later discov-

Philipsen’s win was the first Tour stage victory of his career after eight top-three finishes, including second-place on the Champs-Elysees in 2021 ered that Wout van Aert - but how it worked out had already crossed the today was incredible,” Philipsen said afterwards. line after breaking clear.

This time, Philipsen “It’s been a massive was not to be denied, search for this victory catching French rider Ben- and we had to work very jamin Thomas with 500 hard for it.”

Today is a rest day metres to go, then surging past Mads Pedersen in the before the race enters final 100 metres and hold- the Pyrenees on Tuesday, ing off Van Aert to win by with a 178.5km route from Carcassonne to the length of a wheel.

“I know what losing Foix. The Tour finishes is like in the Tour - I have in Paris next Sunday. lost many, many times (BBC Sports)

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Smith shots 64 to thwart McIlroy and win 150th Open golf

By Peter Scrivener

CAMERON Smith stunned St Andrews by snatching the 150th Open golf Championship title by one stroke from Cameron Young, as Rory McIlroy finished third.

It is a first major for the Australian, who carded a magnificent bogey-free eight-under-par 64, that featured five successive birdies from the 10th, to win on 20 under par.

The 28-year-old had to roll in a three-foot birdie putt at the last to avoid a play-off with American Young, who had seconds earlier eagled the par-four hole to post a 65 and reach 19 under.

McIlroy, who led overnight by four shots alongside Viktor Hovland, closed with a two-under 70 to fin-

ish third, while Hovland shot a 74 to slip to 14 under and joint fourth place with England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who closed with a bogey-free 67.

Make no mistake, though, McIlroy did not lose this. Smith won it.

Yes the Northern Irishman missed seven birdie putts of fewer than 20 feet, including crucially on the 17th after a brilliant approach set up the three he realistically needed to give him a chance of catching Smith with the same score on the last.

But if you shoot a two-under score when starting the final day with a fourshot lead, you will win more than you lose.

“I didn’t feel like I did many things wrong, but the putter went cold on me throughout the round,” said

the 33-year-old, who had 36 putts in his 70 shots. “I did what I wanted to do. I played a really controlled round of golf.

“Both Camerons, but especially Smith, went on a run on the back nine, I had to dig deep to make some birdies and I couldn’t.

“I got beaten by the better player this week. To shoot 64 to win an Open Championship at St Andrews is one hell of a showing, so hats off to Cam, he’s had an unbelievable week.”

The Claret Jug is Smith’s because he had a magnificent day. His is the lowest round to win The Open at St Andrews and his 20-under-par total eclipses by one Tiger Woods’ record here, set in 2000.

He took just 30 shots to complete the back nine, including a brilliant par save

on the 17th when he putted around the fearsome Road Hole bunker that guards the green before stroking in from 12 feet.

Smith is also the first Australian to win the championship since 1993, when Greg Norman - now the face of the rebel LIV Golf series - also shot a final-round 64 to overhaul Nick Faldo at Sandwich and win his second Open.

“To have the 150th Open at St Andrews and to walk away with the win is something I’ve dreamt of,” he said. “It’s unreal to look at the names on this trophy and then see mine.

“I am definitely going to find out how many beers can fit in this jug, for sure.”

The world number six - and 2020 US Masters runner-up - started the final round on 12 under and

picked up two birdies in his first nine holes to gain a stroke on the favourite, whose sole birdie came on the par-five fifth.

playing controlled golf.

It was the sort of “boring” play McIlroy had said at the start of the week he needed to win a fifth major

Australia’s Cameron Smith celebrates with the Claret Jug after winning The Open Championship REUTERS/Phil Noble But then Smith went on a run that wiped out the lead and effectively won him the title, while McIlroy was

title and his first for eight years. And he came mighty close to achieving it. (BBC Sport)

National U-17 cricketers wing out to T&T

THE Guyana Under-17 cricket team departed Guyana for Trinidad and Tobago yesterday morning to participate in the

Regional Under-17 tournament, set to begin on July 19. The national team, which is aiming to win a maiden Regional

Under-17 title, will be led

by Alvin Mohabir.

Mohabir led Demerara to the GCB Under-17 Inter-County title two weeks

ago when they went undefeated in the 50-over tournament. He was also the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.

The squad also includes the talented and experienced batsman Mavindra Dindyal, who is expected to lead the batting, along with

The National Under-17 cricketers moments before departing Guyana (Photo: Guyana Cricket Board)

Jonathan Van Lange, who recorded the most runs (104) in the Inter-County competition.

Guyana will face Barbados in their opening match at the National Cricket Center, Couva, on July 19, then play host Trinidad and Tobago in the second round at Powergen on July 21. Jamaica and the Leeward Islands are Guyana’s third and fourth round opponents at the Inshan Ali Park and the Gilbert Park respectively on July 23rd and 25th.

Guyana will then take on the Windward Islands, also at Gilbert Park, in the final match on July 27 before returning home on July 28.

Guyana has never won the Regional Under-17 tournament.

“The GCB wishes them well and encourages them to believe in themselves and their ability as they seek to make history,” the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) said in a release.

Guyana champs again of Junior CASA 24

Team Guyana in all smiles after regaining the covet Junior CASA title IT took four championships after their success in 2016, but Guyana has once again ‘bossed’ the Caribbean to be champions of the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships which concluded in Guyana on Saturday.

The Guyanese contingent won both the Boys and Girls

category to secure 20 points, four more than second place Barbados, who came into the tournament as the defending champions.

Trinidad and Tobago ended third with 10 points.

Bermuda (10 points), Jamaica (eight points), Cayman Islands (seven points), and the British Virgin Islands

(three points) rounded off the table.

In the boys’ final, Guyana’s captain, Shomari Wiltshire, defeated Darien Benn 3 – 1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7), while his teammate Samuel Ince-Carvalhal won 3-0 (113, 11-6, 11-7 against Luke Wilson. Nicholas Verwey beat Alex Stewart 3-0 (11-9,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, July 18, 2022

Caribbean Under-19 Champion, Shomari Wiltshire, collects his award from Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. 11-9, 11-8), Shiloh Asregado won against O’Garro Jules 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-8) and Brenno DaSilva lost to Daniel Sealy 0-3 (8-11, 1-11, 2-11) in the lone Bajan victory in the final.

In their final round of the female division, Guyanese Kirsten Gomes handed her team a 3 – 1 (11-7, 11-4,

7-11, 14-12), win against Jamaican Mia Todd, while her team mate Abosaide Cadogan beat Savannah Thomson 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 13-11, 11-6).

Guyana’s Rylee Rodrigues lost to Katherine Risden 0-3 (0-11, 2-11, 2-11) and Safirah Sumner of Guyana went down to Mehar

Trehan 1-3 (7-11, 6-11, 11-4, 4-11).

In the individual segment, Guyana won three gold medals compliments of Wiltshire, Verwey and Avery Arjoon, and Guyana finished with 12 medals, seven more than second-place Trinidad and Tobago.

Kerley leads home American sweep of men’s world 100m final

By Mitch Phillips

EUGENE, Ore., (Reuters) - Fred Kerley led an American clean-sweep in the 100 metres final on Saturday, the first since 1991, to send the home fans wild and give the sport’s dominant nation a night to remember as they hosted the World Championships for the first time.

Kerley timed his dip perfectly to clock 9.86 seconds as Marvin Bracy took silver and Trayvon Bromell bronze, both with 9.88 seconds, but Bracy edging them by two thousandths of a second.

A fourth American in the final -- defending champion

Christian Coleman-- finished sixth.

Carl Lewis led cleansweeps in 1983 and 1991 but no nation has managed it since.

There was nothing between the medallists once they were into their running, and with Bromell out in lane eight and the other two side-by-side in three and four, it was an impossible finish to call.

As each name, alongside the Stars and Stripes, appeared on the giant screen, the home crowd increased the volume of their cheers, greeting confirmation of the 1-2-3 with a chant of “USA. TURN TO PAGE 18

Men’s 100 Metres Final – Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, U.S. – Gold medallist Fred Kerley of the U.S. celebrates after winning the men’s 100 metres final alongside silver medallist, Marvin Bracy of the U.S. and bronze medallist Trayvon Bromell of the U.S. (REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel)

‘These pitches are frustrating us’ - Pooran after West Indies’ 3-0 loss to Bangladesh 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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| MONDAY, JULY 18, 2022