Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_19_04_2022

TUESDAY 19th APRIL, 2022

No. 106697

US$3M quarry project on the cards SEE PAGE

- for Region Seven; over 100 jobs to be created

Family picnics, beach vibes

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SEE PAGES

2,14,15,19

- mark return of Easter celebrations

Over two dozen vehicles handed over to Region Nine communities

SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Family picnics mark return of Easter celebrations

A family enjoys picnicking in the Botanical Gardens (Adrian Narine photo)

AFTER two years of not being able to celebrate Easter with traditional family outings, Guyanese came out in huge numbers on Monday and were overjoyed to finally be able to see things return to near normalcy.

With Easter Monday celebrated as a day of coming together with family and friends, picnicking and flying kites with the children, Guyanese were prevented

from doing this over the past two years due to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic restricted gatherings and caused the closure of many public spaces, including the Botanical Gardens, National Park and Seawalls.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited several of these popular spots on Monday, they were all abuzz with the regular activities. Being home over the past two years has made persons all the more appreciative of such privileges as being able to get together with family outdoors.

“It’s very refreshing and helped us to understand the importance of the togetherness with family members and how we should cherish every moment,” commented Compton Bobb, who had gathered with his family at the National Park.

“To see the National Park and the [Botanical] Gardens opening it is very meaningful, and it is for us to be able to make the best use of this opportunity. It’s been a long time indeed when we haven’t had the chance to express our self [sic] in this way, so it’s so nice to see everyone out,” he noted.

Over at the Botanical Gardens, 26-year-old Ashanti Davis was out with her son and other family and friends who made up the huge gathering of picnickers. She too was extremely grateful to be out.

“I love the fact that I get to get together on a holiday with my family, coming together as a family that’s very important to me. I love that Easter is about everybody getting together, come out and having a fun time,” said Davis.

She added: “Overall, I think everyone is excited to be back out again and I like the way how the Garden just opened up back for everyone.

It’s great to be back out again because last year and the year before we had to spend it at home. We still had family gatherings, but it’s still not the same as being out, especially for the kids. So it’s been really great, everybody looks great.

You got to dress up, you got to play games, relax and whatever you want to do.”

Celebrating Easter as normal was made possible with the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions in February, by the National COVID-19 Task Force. President Irfaan Ali had ex TURN TO PAGE 3

Krishan Ramanand assists his children with their kite (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

US$3M quarry project on the cards - for Region Seven; over 100 jobs to be created

The exposed rocks will be drilled, blasted and transported by haul trucks to the crushing plant stockpile

By Navendra Seoraj A GROWING demand for construction materials has prompted local company,Hadi’s World Inc., to venture into the quarry industry with a project estimated at US$3 million.

According to a project summary seen by the Guyana Chronicle, the site for this operation, which stretches for about 200 acres, is bounded east and south by the Mazaruni River, and west and north by the PuruniItaballi Road.

The Institute of Quarrying defines quarrying as an activity which involves the process of removing rock, sand, gravel, or other minerals from the ground, to use them to produce materials for construction or other purposes.

H a d i ’s Wo r l d I n c . , through its proposed quarrying operations, will produce more than 1.2 million tonnes of aggregate and boulders over a period of five years.

This, according to the company, will be achieved

through conventional openpit mining techniques using bulldozers to clear the mining area and remove the topsoil, which will be loaded with front-end loaders and transported by haul trucks to topsoil storage areas.

The overburden will be stripped by excavators, loaded into haul trucks and transported to the waste dumps.

The exposed rocks will be drilled, blasted and transported by haul trucks to the crushing plant stockpile. After crushing, the material will be stockpiled for later

transportation to the market via tugs and barges.

“The general objective in planning for the provision of these materials is to ensure that the supply is managed in a sustainable way, so the best balance is obtained between environmental, economic and social considerations.

“As observed in other industries, successful market leaders are those who provide an efficient and effective service and are mindful of all aspects of their public image.

The modern community demands that these premises be managed carefully with consideration of the needs of the environment, neighbours and employees,” Hadi’s World Inc. said.

RELIABLE SUPPLY In the company’s view, the quarry industry’s role is to provide a reliable supply of construction materials for road-making, buildingconstruction, and the maintenance of road networks on which other industries depend.

Speaking about the potential for advancement in the local quarrying industry, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, had said: “Guyana has a huge quarry potential that has been greatly underdeveloped.

Our accelerated housing programme, massive highways, and community roads to be developed will increase our demand three-fold over the next five years.”

Not only will such operations address possible market shortages, they will also create direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds or even thousands of Guyanese.

For instance, as outlined

by Hadi’s World Inc., approximately 100 persons will be employed full time and they will be drawn largely from a pool of skilled locals.

In addition to supporting the operations to which they are attached, persons employed in the quarry industry will be contributing to the overall development of Guyana’s infrastructural landscape.

Addressing the plans for infrastructural advancement this year, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had said that the intention is to have innovative and modern public infrastructure.

The government has allocated the largest portion of its milestone $552.9 billion Budget 2022 to the Ministry of Public Works. A total of $96.1 billion has been allo-

cated to the ministry, which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure.

Further, the government has allocated some $76.7 billion for roads and bridges to the Ministry of Public Works in the 2022 budget.

Another component of public infrastructure is the construction of houses and the accompanying facilities to make the environment conducive to living. To this end, the government has allocated $12.4 billion for further development within the housing sector.

“With the construction boom underway, particularly pertaining to the rapid expansion in housing and road projects, the development and expansion of the other mining and quarrying sub-sector is crucial,” Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had said.

This expansion, he related, has the potential of lowering construction costs, since the abundance of local, readily available resources could ease the impact of imported inflationary pressure on the cost of key construction materials.

this year,” she said.

Ramraj was also out at the Botanical Gardens, where she was celebrating the day with her husband, Krishan Ramanand and their three children. The family had travelled all

the way from Cummings Lodge on the East Coast Demerara.

As she spoke with the Guyana Chronicle, her husband was busy helping his children to get the family’s kite to stay in

the air.

“They’re having a good time and I’m glad I got to bring them out because they love the fun.

We were out here since 11 and it’s been really good,” he commented.

Family picnics mark return... dition the way she did as a child.

“It’s a tradition for me to go out every year and I want to carry on it with my children, so I’m glad that we get to come out

Ashanti Davis (third from right) and her family picnicking at the Botanical Gardens on Easter Monday (Adrian Narine photo) FROM PAGE 2 plained that the decision to lift the restrictions was done, given that many of the restrictive measures which affect economic development were no longer contributing to curbing the spread of the deadly virus, while public education, awareness and vaccination are the most effective tools.

Due to its restriction,

COVID-19 had taken a toll on the mental health of many persons due to the lack of ability to properly socialise and carry on normal life. As such, Guyanese were eager to see a post-COVID-19 restrictions era.

Vidya Ramraj, 24, was particularly glad that she was able to take her children out and have them experience the Easter tra-

A scene at the National Park (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

US judge throws out Biden mask mandate for planes and trains

A federal judge in Florida has struck down the Biden administration’s mask mandate for airplanes and other forms of public transit, calling it unlawful.

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle said the national public health agency had exceeded its legal powers in issuing the mandate.

The US transit authority said it would now no longer enforce mask wearing.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just last week extended the mandate until 3 May. Judge Mizelle is based in Florida, but federal judges can issue rulings that block nationwide government policies.

Her order on Monday effectively removes the masking requirement in all airports, trains, taxis and

GETTY IMAGES

transit hubs.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the decision “disappointing” and noted that the CDC still recommends travellers cover their mouths and noses.

The CDC did not immediately respond to a request

for comment to Monday’s ruling.

Last week US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said the mandate had been extended into May because of rising COVID-19 cases.

The lawsuit was first brought in July 2021 by the

conservative group Health Freedom Defense Fund (HFDF) and two Florida residents who said wearing masks increased their anxiety and panic attacks.

The plaintiffs argued that the CDC mandate was “arbitrary and capricious” be-

cause it gave exemptions to certain groups - like children under two years of age - but not to others.

In her ruling, Judge Mizelle, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, found that the CDC had improperly invoked what is known as the “good cause exception”, allowing the agency to skip public notice and comment on the mandate.

“Because ‘our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even in pursuit of desirable ends,’” Judge Mizelle wrote, invoking another case, “the Court declares unlawful and vacates the Mask Mandate.”

Shortly after the legal decision was issued, the Transportation Security Administration - which runs US airport security - confirmed it would no longer enforce the mask mandate.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines said

face coverings would no longer be required on domestic flights and certain international flights.

Since the CDC first issued a public health order in February 2021 requiring masks for travellers, more than 7,000 unruly passenger incidents have been reported – 70 per cent of them involving masking rules, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Biden administration’s COVID-19 mandates have had mixed success in the court system.

The Supreme Court in January blocked the White House from enforcing its sweeping vaccine-or-test rule for employees at large private companies.

But the Biden administration’s requirement that all federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 was upheld on appeal earlier this month.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

T&T: Three bodies found in cargo vessel

THE St Vincent-registered cargo vessel MV Fair Chance has been re-floated with the police and coast guard boarding it via a hole cut in its deck on Easter Monday and finding three bodies inside – 16 days after it first overturned in rough seas.

A press release on Monday evening, from the Coast Guard, said that after the vessel capsized on April 2, with two crew members being rescued, the Coast Guard made efforts to tow it.

This was unsuccessful owing to its size and weight.

At the time, five of the crew members were unaccounted for.

The vessel slowly drifted into Venezuelan waters and after the Guardia Nacional gave permission, the Coast Guard and a commercial tug entered sovereign waters of that country and towed the vessel back into Trinidad waters. It arrived in Chaguaramas on April 5, but later sank to the seabed.

Efforts were made by the Coast Guard and commercial divers to get into the sunken vessel but this failed.

On April 7, while trying to remove cargo and debris piece by piece, the body of one person was found and retrieved from the vessel.

A commercial salvage company was contracted to

assist in cutting a hole in the deck of the vessel to access its contents. A hole was cut into the deck but neither Coast Guard divers nor commercial divers could enter the boat.

The salvage company then re-floated the vessel, an exercise which was completed on Easter Sunday. On Monday, members of the Coast Guard accompanied by police officers, entered the vessel and found three bodies which were removed to the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

The release said one person still remains unaccounted for and the Coast Guard said searches for

File photo: A coast guard interceptor vessel and larger patrol boat (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday photo)

this individual will continue at sea. Once proper identification is made, autopsies will be carried out

in order to ascertain cause of death. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

Mexico leader’s electricity reform bill defeated

A contentious reform of Mexico’s electricity sector has failed to get lawmakers’ backing in a vote labelled as “treasonous” by the President.

The bill would have increased the say the government has over power generation.

Critics said that if it had become law, it would have weakened the private sector’s role and eroded environmental protection policies.

Energy firms and investors in the US and Canada also opposed the bill.

Tempers were running high during the 12-hour-session, with opponents and supporters of the bill trading insults.

While a majority of lawmakers in the lower house voted in favour of the bill, it fell short of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass.

The bill’s defeat is a big blow to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his Morena party, who argued that it would have made Mexico more energy independent.

The vote came after a marathon session in Mexico’s House of Deputies (BBC/EPA photo)

Speaking during his daily morning news conference on Monday, the President labelled the vote as “treason” and said those who had voted against his bill were backing those who “had plundered Mexico”.

López Obrador had lobbied hard for the reform, saying that the liberalisation of the electricity sector carried out by previous governments needed to be reversed.

The liberalisation of the market has resulted in an increased share of Mexico’s energy being produced

by private companies. The President sees this as a dangerous dependency on private, often foreign companies.

But environmentalists say that some of the private providers have invested in renewable energies while the state-run company relies heavily on older, polluting power plants.

Lawmaker Jorge Romero of the opposition PAN party warned that Mexico would have been set back 50 years in its environmental efforts if the reform had passed. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Guyana: An Entertainment Capital

GUYANA is well positioned to become the entertainment capital of the region. This view was expressed by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond, during an address to revellers at the recent Rodeo 2022 at Lethem, Region Nine.

At no time in the country’s history were there such a hive of sporting and entertainment activities as is currently the case. Entertainment spots are literally overflowing with people and the mood of festivity is evident everywhere; in the smiling faces of Guyanese and the laughter of children and young people.

This new culture of festivity is the result of several factors, not least of which has been the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions which has over the past two years limited outdoor activities. The entertainment industry was severely affected as most entertainment places were forced to operate in a restricted manner or close shop altogether.

Many jobs were lost as a result of the pandemic.

All of that has now changed and people are again free to carry on their social lives uninhibited by the COVID-19 restrictions. This is indeed a breath of fresh air and even though we are not completely out of the

woods as far as the virus is concerned, there is no question that the incidence of viral infections in Guyana has dipped significantly, thanks to the robust and proactive measures taken by the PPP/C administration to vaccinate a critical mass of Guyanese against the virus.

And according to President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali who also spoke at the Rodeo, the Rupununi Rodeo is a major national event and together with neighbouring Brazil with its huge population could catapult the sport into a global sporting activity.

He assured Guyanese that sports and entertainment are high on the

agenda of the PPP/C Government. The infrastructure of sports and tourism, President Ali said, will be strengthened and training programmes will be done in areas such as hospitality, event management and culinary skills with a view to making the industry more competitive.

Only recently, President Ali launched the hosting of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches in Guyana, which will commence in August this year. For the first time since the commencement of the CPL games, described as ‘the biggest party in sport,’ Guyana will be the venue for both the semi-finals and the final

match. This will certainly be a great boost not only for cricket in the country, but will also give the local economy a lift.

Guyana is certainly going places and sports and entertainment are certainly high on the national agenda. The infrastructure is already responding well to these new developments with the construction of new top-class hotels, transportation and other logistical support and more strategic interventions in terms of public security.

One interesting development is diversification of the tourism package to accommodate the varied interests of visitors. The Regatta in Bartica, Ro-

deo in Lethem, the Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls in Region Eight with its beautiful mountain ranges in Kato and Monkey Mountain, all come together to create that Magnificent Province for which the country is internationally famous.

We are a blessed country with a rich diversity of flora and fauna and a vast rainforest cover which make us a natural tourist and entertainment destination. It is for us now to market our tourism and entertainment product to our advantage; this is exactly what the PPP/C administration is doing as it seeks to create a better life for all Guyanese.

International airport and stadium for Berbice reflects visionary thinking

Dear Editor

HAVING seen the recent announcements of the International Airport and Stadium for Berbice, I can only describe it as nothing short of visionary and 22nd century thinking to address our country’s future needs.

Currently, Berbicians represent the greatest population of Guyanese expats. In consideration of this fact, they are required to traverse the entirety of the Berbice and Demerara corridors to get to the only International Airport with direct flights to the US and Canada. A journey that generally takes Georgetowners an hour and a

half in moderate traffic and correct DHB times, takes someone from Skeldon sometimes over five hours to the Cheddi Jagan Airport. By establishing an International Airport in Berbice, it saves the travelling expat a significant headache and heartache with consideration to a variety of factors.

Editor, one need not look hard for the kind of energies and development that follows infrastructure.

The US would not have been the global economic superpower had it not been for infrastructure.

Canada, Europe and even our island neighbours are also prime examples of

the kinds of development that follow infrastructural investment.

The airport will provide a critical mode not only for international travel, but also for domestic travel and servicing the soon-to-be-developed deep-water port. It will drive trade, commerce and further development, while serving as a critical component to seeing a lot more Guyanese returning home. Where there may have been apprehension in the past with the long transit times from CJIA to Berbice for expats, they will be greeted with a step off the airplane onto their doorsteps, thus bringing

greater capital to invest in their local neighbourhoods. This will also serve to further fill hotel rooms and bring tourist dollars to the area that would otherwise struggle to compete with the Georgetowners.

Traders and farmers will also have easy access to international transport, thus decreasing the strain on the infrastructure in the capital with a domino effect of reducing traffic jams and costs to list a few. These are not things to be taken lightly, especially in this competitive global environment.

Coupled with a stadium in the east, it will drive the kind of sports

development that Guyana has been lacking for a long time. Travelling through the neighbourhoods on the coast, one will notice a complete absence of premier sports facilities in the area. This project will now put Guyana in a better position to host wider international tournaments that can be spread across the country while inspiring our young athletes to be competitive at a higher calibre.

Economies generally develop in lockstep with their infrastructure.

Having travelled to a few countries and seen what infrastructure has done for those economies,

I commend the blistering and urgent pace with which the government is moving to address key infrastructural deficiencies in Guyana with an aggressive development agenda. It is a look into the future of the country and addressing those needs before they become growing pains.

I support the establishment of an international airport and stadium in Berbice and commend the government for its forward thinking.

Most respectfully Hon. Lenox R. O. Shuman, MP Deputy Speaker

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

NY-based Guyanese Hindus observe Lord Hanuman’s birth

HANUMAN Jayanti (appearance or birthday of Lord Hanuman) was observed

by US-based Guyanese and other Hindus last Saturday.

Temples in New York and other locations in America were packed with worshippers.

Hindus celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm similar to how they celebrated in Guyana or Trinidad or Suriname or elsewhere. Special prasad and bhojan were prepared and offered to the deity or murthi of Hanuman ji. The murthi was garlanded with fresh red coloured flowers.

Hanuman is attracted to red colour.

Hanuman Jayanti is a holiday in India and is usually celebrated in the Spring on the night of the full moon in the month of April.

Hanuman is worshipped to obtain strength, valour, wisdom and knowledge. Worshipping

Hanuman also provides control over mind and soul and provides power of self-control.

Thus, Hindus worshipped Hanuman Jayanti for self-realisation as well as to give homage about the lord and to observe Guyanese soft power.

Indo-Caribbeans thronged to the mandirs in the US on Saturday evening. Temples were richly decorated with red flowers and colourful (mostly red) flickering lights.

The Hanuman murthi was decorated in sweet-smelling ornate red malas.

Hanuman Jayanti is a most important deity, and the festival is observed by virtually every Hindu. Lord Hanuman is a dedicated disciple of the God Rama, who is worshipped all over the globe with deep devotion. Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and is worshipped for his unflinching devotion to that god.

Because of his faithfulness

to Lord Rama, the Lord urged Hindus to worship Hanuman before they pray to him.

In NY and the Western advanced countries, Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated in the evening as people had to attend to their jobs in the day. It is believed that Shiva wanted to worship Rama and so incarnated as Hanuman to be with Rama. In the Ramayana, Hanuman is presented as a figure with great devotion, strength, knowledge, divine power, bravery, intelligence, spirit and one who performed selfless service.

He devoted his life only to his Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.

He never showed his bravery and intelligence without any purpose. The devotees of the Lord Hanuman always pray to him for getting blessed with the same for their bright future.

Hanuman was a great warrior and army general who commandeered the forces for Rama against Ravan to liberate Sita

Mike had a fourth love

Dear Editor, GLOWING and deserving tributes were paid to the late Lakeram ‘Mike’ Singh (of Mike’s Pharmacy and softball fame) at the funeral service held on Thursday last. One of the persons eulogising Mike said that he had three loves – his family, business and cricket.

Mike had a fourth love. He was passionate about mathematics, so much so that after leaving school he pursued a degree in mathematics at the University of Guyana (UG). He excelled in his studies and emerged among the top math graduates of his cohort.

Mike’s role as a businessman had already been preordained. He had no intention of pursuing a career in mathematics. He enrolled for the degree simply because of his great love of the subject.

That love was ignited during his student days at the Christ Church Secondary School, Mike’s alma mater. It was while he was a student there that I first met him.

He was a classmate of my older cousin, Compton Da Silva, who introduced me to him.

Mike and Compton were “buddy friends.” Compton was gutted upon learning of Mike’s passing.

Mike had nicknamed him Karl Marx (for reasons I do not know) and because I was the younger cousin, he referred to me as Karl Marx jnr. For many years, Mike and his brothers would invite us every Christmas

Eve night to a feast at the old Kwang Chow Roof Garden restaurant.

When I was studying for ‘A’ level mathematics, I would go to Mike for help if I were stumped by any mathematical question.

Never once was he too busy to assist, and never once, in the ensuing years, did Mike request any favour from me. He was a genuine and sincere friend.

A great deal has been mentioned about Mike’s contribution to, and his love for cricket. But not much has been said about how this passion emerged.

When Mike was in his first year at university, he organised a small group of us, including Compton, his brother Bobby and his friend Shaum Outar, to engage in ‘scrubby’ matches in the National Park. We would play softball cricket for hours on Sundays, the only free day that Mike permitted himself.

We would play among ourselves or include or challenge persons and teams who were playing at the same time in the park.

Mike enjoyed those sessions. But he was extremely disciplined and would never play during the school term. His studies came first. Mike was determined to do well in mathematics. I always felt that his love for the subject was greater than his love for cricket.

Decades after he graduated, Mike could reel off from memory some of the longer mathematical formulae.

When we first started to play cricket in the National Park, Mike bowled what appeared to be innocuous leg-spin. But he spun the ball prodigiously, and on the rough turf of the National Park he was quite a handful.

Mike honed that leg spin into an art form. I saw him many years later playing at the Everest Sports Club and he had flattened the trajectory of his delivery and consistently bowled wicketto-wicket. On that occasion, he scalped the prize wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Mike was elated.

Years later, he got animated when I recalled that incident, rhetorically exclaiming, “You remember that, right! You remember that!” It was one of the few times he permitted himself any vanity.

Mike was humble and modest. He preferred to be out of the limelight. His exploits on and off the field however have catapulted him into the public spotlight as a pioneer of softball cricket, a highly successful businessman and a philanthropist. But for all the success Mike achieved, he remained unpretentious.

Mike’s death came as a shock. I and my cousin, Compton, grieve the passing of Mike. We are eternally grateful that we knew him and proud that he was our friend.

Yours sincerely, William Cox

Guyanese in New York observing Hanuman Jayanti (appearance or birthday of Lord Hanuman) who was kidnapped by Ravan’s army. Hanuman also procured the herbs (from a long distance) to restore the life of Rama’s brother, Lakshman, who was fatally wounded in battle. Hanuman is usually worshipped on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

But Hanuman Jayanti can fall on any day which is good for Hanuman puja. Lord Krishna also has faith in him and flew a Hanuman flag on his chariot

when he fought in battles.

People worship Lord Hanuman because he is a symbol of devotion and loyalty to Lord Rama.

Hanuman had magical mystical powers, and is a symbol of strength and energy.

At the mandir, devotees read Hanuman Chalisa as it is about one’s ability to conquer evil spirits and provides peace to the mind. Hanuman loves red.

And so the offerings to him are the same everywhere – red flowers, red cloth, rote (fried sweet roti), ladoo, and other sweets. At the mandirs, people chanted mantras and sang Aarti songs, and performed oblations and many other ritualistic aspects of worshipping. Prasad was distributed to the gathering and bhojan served.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Land of food, water and wheat!

By Earl Bousquet

CARICOM states are responding slowly to Guyana’s open and urgent invitation to work together to overcome the various difficulties that have traditionally stifled regional cooperation and common growth possibilities.

Long before the Ukraine War sent fuel and food prices rocketing skyhigh last month, President Dr Irfaan Ali invited regional states to cooperate in agriculture towards achieving regional Food Security, starting with the achievable 25 per cent reduction in CARICOM’s humungous multi-billionUS-Dollar Food Import Bill.

Barbados was first to respond, Prime Minister

Mia Mottley attending the 2022 Energy Conference in February and signingup for cooperation in tourism training for Guyanese and trade in agriculture and livestock, including shipment of 1,000 Blackbelly sheep from Bridgetown to Georgetown.

Guyana also has an Oil & Gas agreement with neighbouring Suriname, with prospects for expanding energy cooperation to the rest of CARICOM. Trinidad & Tobago, CARICOM’s only Oil & Gas exporter before now, is also seeing increasing private sector-led interest in Guyana.

But Grenada, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis have been comparably slow in taking

up Guyana’s invitation to work together, at all practical levels, to take bilateral and multilateral cooperation to higher heights.

Same with The Bahamas, Belize and Haiti, which have historically remained distant in developing practical trade and multilateral cooperation with CARICOM. Guyana has always had what it takes to feed the entire Caribbean several-times-over: endless land and water – and now the means to build the infrastructure necessary to turn it into the El Dorado for Caribbean Food.

Likewise, the common colonial past of the other 12 former British colonies in CARICOM have always provided a readymade basis, after Independence, to work

with Guyana to face and turn mutual challenges into grand regional opportunities.

Never mind Guyana’s abundance of land and water, gold and diamonds, bauxite and other natural resources, the unfortunate historical depreciation of the Guyana dollar to lowest rates-of-exchange simply exacerbated the lives of tens of thousands of Guyanese of all walks of life.

Restoration of Democracy in 1992 through the return of transparent elections saw the two major parties elected in-and-out of office by turns and terms, roughneck political confrontations of the past briefly returning at the turn of the century, leading to successive invited CARICOM interventions that eventually saved the nation from sliding back into an era nobody but political benefactors would have wanted.

In the post-Jagan era, the current Ali administration, buoyed by positive Oil & Gas revenues and backed by the achievements of the two previous Brarrat Jagdeo and that led by Donald Ramotar, started a new chapter in the continuing Guyana story as the Caribbean (and the world’s) fastestgrowing economy, with the means – and the will – to extend cooperation and assistance to the rest of the region, in ways never dreamed of.

But the sloth of CARICOM responses in grasping Guyana’s extended hand is only for now, as the pace of mutual cooperation with Barbados will certainly be both a positive litmus test and eventual catalyst for the type of regional response really needed.

If anything was needed to drive home Guyana’s

willingness and ability to work hand-in-hand with its regional partners, COVID and Ukraine helped force the necessary deeper regional cooperation in Health and to confront skyrocketing Food and Fuel prices.

Guyana’s Oil & Gas base will also lead to new approaches to eventual lowering of fuel and energy costs at home and across CARICOM. The Ukraine effect on global food prices and increasing unavailability and higher costs of wheat products has also led to more possibilities for cooperation in Agriculture.

Guyana announced, last week, it will soon begin the first trial of 20 wheat varieties (possibly before the end of May) in a new effort at food diversification and cultivation.

Guyana is also examining the possibility of establishing nurseries at strategic locations to continue and expand testing for better growing results.

The possibilities here are endless, as, over the last 18 months, wheat prices have risen nearly 110 per cent, corn and vegetable oil by 140 per cent and soyabean by 90 per cent.

All these favourable developments, if taken early and proper advantage by regional partners, can and will lead more quickly to the desired objectives of not only reducing the region’s Food Import Bill, but also ensuring import substitution by growing more of what the region eats and eating more of what it grows.

Tourism and manufacturing remain the main economic lifelines for the rest of the CARICOM majority, but the region’s governments urgently need to respond more quickly to the urgent need

for greater levels of cooperation in Agriculture and for Food Security.

President Ali’s repeated reminders of the need to go beyond words to more action and the recent US $100 million CARICOM agriculture fund ring loud enough in the ears of fellow leaders and regional agriculture ministers, but not until they respond will the situation start changing positively enough to make that necessary difference.

Fact is, Guyana has more than enough of almost everything the Caribbean can produce in sustainable agriculture and production of quality agro-industrial products.

Now, more than ever, the possibilities exist for Guyana and the rest of CARICOM to work better and harder together to turn old dreams into new realities.

The Caribbean’s veritable Land of Food and Water, backed by Oil and Gas, is now looking at producing wheat varieties that will enable it to also address and help the region overcome another vitally-important Caribbean food commodity – and at better prices than what’ll be charged by the time the trials and production starts.

Caribbean leaders and nations that continue to respond slowly to Guyana’s invitations to work together for the region’s common good are effectively slowing down the pace when it needs purposeful acceleration.

In the meantime, Guyana must not be deterred by the sloth, but should purposefully continue building the bases for that eventual takeoff to the necessary next stage of all-round functional regional cooperation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Chilean farmer recognised as leader of rurality in the Americas

THE Chilean family farmer and member of the Mapuche people, Emilio Sepúlveda, was declared “Leader of Rurality in the Americas” by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The “Soul of Rurality” award recognises his life’s work, promoting healthy and nutritious food production and his willingness to innovate and take on new projects, as demonstrated by his current olive oil production, which experts have rated as world class.

IICA recognises Leaders of Rurality in the Americas in order to reward and bring visibility to those who play the irreplaceable dual role of being the guarantors of food and nutritional security, while at the same time being guardians of the planet’s biodiversity through production in any circumstances. These are men and women leaving their mark and making a difference in the rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean.

His passion for agriculture leaves a positive example for rurality in the region.

Sepúlveda became interested in olive plants that were traditionally grown in northern Chile, and brought the activity to Araucanía, one of the 16 regions of the country located more than 700 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago.

He dreams of taking his olive oil to international markets, and of leaving his legacy of passion for agriculture to his children and to the new generations in general. IICA considers agriculture to be an instrument for peace and the integration of all peoples, and is working alongside its 34 Delegations in the Americas to select the #LeadersofRurality.

Emilio Sepúlveda has spent his entire life in the country. Since before he could even remember, he learned to cultivate the land and to raise animals in Araucanía, the region in Chile located some 700 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago.

That is his mark of identity, in addition to belonging to the Mapuche people, the largest Indigenous ethnic group in this country in South America.

CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT GREENERY “I am certain that I would not be able to live without greenery; the fresh air and fresh food that we have in the countryside. I think that in

Emilio Sepúlveda (centre) is recognised for his life’s work in promoting healthy and nutritious food production, and his willingness to innovate and take on new projects (IICA photo)

the city, I would die after just a short while. Here, I work every day for a living, and to leave a better tomorrow for those who will come after me. If I don’t plant things, I have no hope,” said Emilio, proud family farmer and advocate of South American Indigenous culture.

Today, in his five-hectare property located in the Los Sauces community, Sepúlveda and his wife, kids, brother and cousins produce an olive oil whose quality has been highlighted by experts in an area that had never before produced this product.

“As a family, we were really drawn to the olive groves in northern Chile,” he recalled. “About six years ago, we decided to start growing them here to make the southernmost olive oil in the world, which is now the pride of the Mapuche People. From here to the south, there are no more olive trees. To us, olive trees mean peace and harmony; first, among ourselves, and then with others. I am convinced that race should not divide us, because we are all human beings,” said Sepúlveda.

His project is still small, but already bearing fruit, despite the water crisis affecting the country, as well as the impact on the watercourse levels in Araucanía, hindering agricultural activity.

Today, this farmer already has around 500 olive plants, does the grinding and pressing work to obtain the oil, and dreams of producing higher and higher quality olive oil to compete in the market with the large producers in the north of the country who have hundreds of hectares.

However, Sepúlveda’s passion doesn’t end with olive oil; he also grows wheat and oats, and has a garden where he grows strawberries, raises pigs and poultry, and,

as if that weren’t enough, he has bees for producing honey.

He has achieved all of this, thanks to his great interest in training since his family participated in a pilot programme with the Chilean National Rural Development Policy, which was launched to promote associativity and the arrival of investments in productive activities in the Araucanía Region. This project from the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture is designed to improve the living conditions of rural communities.

In addition, Emilio especially appreciates the technical support from the Chilean Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) that enabled him to have his olive oil finished and ready for sale.

When asked about his projects, Emilio gets excited and responds that he would like to export because he has modernised his work, and feels ready to reach the most demanding international markets with his olive oil.

However, he is aware that the most important thing is not a client in some distant part of the planet, but rather to transmit his legacy of passion for rural work.

FUTURE GENERATIONS “My dream is to leave the olive trees for future generations,” he said, adding: “We are always thinking about the future, because, some day, we are going to leave, but we must teach our children. What I dream about is leaving them wisdom; I don’t want to leave them money because, if I do, they will fight amongst themselves. I would rather them have intelligence and education so they can handle new technologies well, and so that the future

will be theirs. If we leave them education, they are not going to have to leave for the cities; they will stay in the countryside. And that is what we want: We want our families and neighbours to be able to live better every day where we were born; that they take care of the land and value the Mapuche People.”

A STORY OF RESILIENCE Emilio learned rural work when he was a child, alongside his grandmother who was a farmer and supported her family by growing vegetables in the garden and raising lambs. None of his grandparents had access to formal education, and both led lives marked by sacrifice, just like Emilio’s mother.

“I was born in the countryside,” he said, “and I still live there. I am the son of a single-mother, and I suffered a lot as a child. We lived in a little clay house, and we slept in straw-filled sacks. Happily, and thank God, I was able to get out of poverty. First, I worked splitting firewood, plowing with animals, making charcoal or digging wells for the neighbours. Later, I learned to build houses and also to do electrical and mechanical work. Here in the country, we have to do

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everything, and I learned it all by watching. Many farmers in my area emigrated to the cities in search of a life of less sacrifice, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything: Working in the fields is the most beautiful thing there is. Here, we are brave enough to endure the cold or the heat. My life is here.”

Emilio has two daughters and a son, who he has always given the same advice to: A farmer must worship effort and perseverance, and must never give up. He has never told them that things in the countryside are easy, because rural work doesn’t allow for days of rest that are typical in the city. “The poultry, the pigs, and all the rest of the animals must be fed every day,” said this Mapuche farmer, who never tires of repeating what is, for him, the only secret of rural life: Always go to bed late and get up early. (IICA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

One-dose HPV vaccine offers solid protection against cervical cancer

THE 4-7 April convening of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) evaluated the evidence that has been emerging over past years that single-dose schedules provide comparable efficacy to the two or three-dose regimens.

SAGE’s review concluded that a single-dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine delivers solid protection against HPV, the virus that

causes cervical cancer that is comparable to two-dose schedules. This could be a game-changer for prevention of the disease, seeing more doses of the life-saving ‘jab’ reach more girls.

Often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ and almost entirely preventable, cervical cancer is a disease of inequity of access; the new SAGE recommendation is underpinned by concerns over the slow introduction of the HPV vaccine into immunisation programmes

and overall low population coverage, especially in poorer countries.

More than 95 per cent of cervical cancer is caused by sexually transmitted HPV, which is the fourth most common type of cancer in women globally, with 90 per cent of these women living in low- and middle-income countries.

“The HPV vaccine is highly effective for the prevention of HPV serotypes 16 & 18, which cause 70 per cent of cervical cancer,”

PAHO/WHO

said Dr Alejandro Cravioto, SAGE Chair.

“SAGE urges all countries to introduce HPV vaccines and prioritise multiage cohort catch up of missed and older cohorts of girls. These recommendations will enable more girls and women to be vaccinated and thus preventing [sic] them from having cervical cancer and all its consequences over the course of their lifetimes.”

Immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV, should receive three doses if feasible, and if not, at least two doses.

There is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of a single dose in this group.

WHO’s recommendations will be updated following further consultation across stakeholders.

WHO Assistant Director-General, Dr Princess Nothemba (Nono) Simelela commented: “I firmly believe the elimination of cervical cancer is possible.

In 2020 the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative was launched to address several challenges including the inequity in vaccine access.

This single-dose recommendation has the potential to take us faster to our goal of having 90 per cent of girls vaccinated by the age of 15 by 2030.”

Globally, the uptake of the life-saving vaccine has been slow, and coverage in countries much lower than the 90 per cent target. Con-

sequently, in 2020, global coverage with two doses was only 13 per cent. Several factors have influenced the slow uptake and low

accessibility of the HPV vaccine. Failure to do so is an injustice to the generation of girls and young women who may be at risk of cervi-

SAGE recommends updating dose schedules for HPV as follows: * one or two-dose schedules for the primary target of girls aged 9-14 * one or two-dose schedules for young women aged 15-20 * Two doses with a six-month interval for women older than 21. coverage of HPV vaccines, including supply challenges, as well as the programmatic challenges and costs related to delivering a two-regimen to older girls who are not typically part of childhood vaccination programmes.

Added to this has been the relatively high cost of HPV vaccines, particularly for middle-income countries.

Dr Simelela continued: “We need political commitment complemented with equitable pathways for the

cal cancer.

“The option for a single dose of the vaccine is less costly, less resource intensive and easier to administer. It facilitates implementing catch-up campaigns for multiple age groups, reduces the challenges linked to tracing girls for their second dose, and allows for financial and human resources to be redirected to other health priorities.” (PAHO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Over two dozen vehicles handed over to Region Nine communities

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, handed over more than two dozen vehicles to over 20 communities in the Rupununi during his visit to Region Nine on Saturday.

According to a post on the President’s Facebook page, the government is aggressively pushing to enhance the lives of people living in the hinterland.

Among the vehicles distributed for community development were tractors with trailers, canters, buses and ATVs. A pickup and a back-

hoe were also handed over.

The communities of Karaudanawa, Aishalton, Awaruwaunau, Sawariwau, Kwaimatta, Yakarinta, Toka, Woweta, Massara, Crash Water and Kumu received buses; Shea, Kattur, Semonie and Koksheabi received ATVs and Parishara, Hiawa and Quarrie received tractors.

Katoka and Nappi received canters, while St Ignatius received a backhoe and Massara a pickup.

(Office of the President)

Fisherman who allegedly killed wife yet to be arrested VIJAIMAL Raj, a fisherman who ended three decades of marriage on April 11, 2022, after he allegedly stabbed his wife, Savitrie Raj, to death, is yet to be apprehended, police have confirmed.

According to police reports, the incident occurred around 01:00 hours at the couple’s Lot 563 Fifteenth Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara home.

Recounting the incident, the couple’s son said that he was in the lower flat of their two-storey house when he heard his mother scream.

Alarmed, the boy rushed upstairs and found his mother lying on a bed with blood on her body.

He subsequently saw his father flee the scene through a window. The Guyana Police Force has since issued

Wanted man, Vijaimal Raj and his wife Savitrie, in happier times

a wanted bulletin for the fisherman.

An emergency medical technician attached to the Melanie Fire Station was summoned and responded immediately, but the victim was pronounced dead on the

scene.

The body was escorted to Jerrick’s Funeral Home where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.

Reports are that the couple were reportedly having problems in their marriage and recently the wife filed a complaint against the husband after he physically assaulted her with a bottle.

The man was charged in early April but released on bail and the two continued to live together. He was slated to return to court for the continuation of the assault case.

Persons who may have information about the man’s whereabouts are asked to contact the police on 229-2700, 229-2219, 2292557, 226-6978, 225-8196, 911 or visit the nearest police station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Dr. Jagan hailed for role in Guyana’s modern electoral democracy

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, speaking at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre on Thursday (Delano Williams photo)

FOUNDING leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Cheddi Jagan, was, last Thursday, recognised for his contributions to the country’s modern electoral democracy.

Giving recognition to his life and work was Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall.

The Attorney-General was, at the time, speaking at the Cheddi Jagan Annual Lecture 2022 at Red House, Kingston, Georgetown.

The lecture was held under the title, “Cheddi Jagan and the PPP’s Contribution to Electoral Democracy in Guyana through Litigation and Consequential legal reforms.”

According to the Attorney-General, Dr Jagan passionately embraced the concept of a constitutional democracy.

This concept that he embraced was constructed on the axis of the separation of powers, respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens and a government elected by fair

and free and transparent elections at periodic intervals.

Most of the former President’s political life was dedicated to pursuing same.

“Almost the entirety of his political life was dedicated to the pursuit of these objectives. This singular attribute puts him in a class and a category of his own,” the Attorney-General said.

According to Nandlall, in his view, Jagan’s greatest legacy remains the political party he birthed on January 1, 1950.

During the lecture, the Attorney-General reflected on a number of instances where there were electoral irregularities dating back to the 1968 general elections.

However, Nandlall indicated that it was on approach to the 1992 elections, that Dr Jagan and the PPP, through persistent litigation, were able to lead the struggle to democratic reforms to be implemented.

This, he said brought free and fair elections to the country after some 28 years

PREMNAUTH Persaud, 54, a market vendor of First Avenue, Bartica, was killed Saturday night after he was struck by a motorcycle that was being driven by a 19-year-old miner along First Avenue, sometime around 22:00hrs.

According to the police, a teenager was driving the motorcycle with a pillion rider in a northern direction along First Avenue reportedly at a fast rate of speed when he lost control and collided with Persaud, who was standing on the western parapet of the road.

As a result of the collision, all three persons fell onto the road surface and received injuries about their bodies.

The two persons on the motorbike, as well as Persaud, were picked up in an conscious state.

They were all taken to the Bartica Hospital by the police, who said that the driver and pillion rider were seen and examined by a doctor and sent away.

However, Premnauth was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The motorcycle was lodged to be examined by the licensing and certifying officer.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the motorcycle but no trace of alcohol was found in his system.

The driver is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

Persaud’s body is

of perverted elections.

“Capitalising on the valuable lessons learned over the years of struggle, including actions in the court system, Dr Jagan and the PPP successfully canvased for a reconstituted elections commission, the presence of international observer teams to observe elections and counting of the ballots at the place of polls among other things.”

This was as a result of statutory and constitutional reforms, and, as such, those elections were observed by international and national observers and declared to be free and fair.

Nandlall said that along every step of their political journey, Dr Jagan and the PPP were the “juggernauts” of modern electoral democracy in Guyana even as democratic electoral reforms continued progressively at the level of the Constitution and via legislation under successive PPP governments which he mentioned continued even after Dr Jagan’s death.

Bartica vendor dies in accident

The motorcycle, subsequent to the accident at the Bartica Regional Hospital’s morgue awaiting a post-mortem as investigations continue into the accident.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

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Scenes from the return

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

n of Easter celebrations GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

GUYANESE, on Monday, turned out in the thousands to mark the return of traditional Easter celebrations, which were put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families from all walks of life spent the day picnicking in the parks, and on beaches and community centre grounds.

And, of course, the kites of the children dotted the sunny skies (Photo credit: Office of the President, Indrawattie Natram, Adrian Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Guyana to participate in Cuba trade fair THE Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV) will be held on November 14-18, 2022 and the Organising Committee and the Cuban Chamber of Commerce have been continuously advancing preparations.

This is according to Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, who noted that FIHAV, a major annual event which began in 1983, was postponed in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trade fair is being developed with the objective of “having an overwhelmingly successful event this year,” said Ambassador Majeed.

From right: Arlenys Ponce, Dr Celia Labora, Ambassador Halim Majeed and Quincy Younge of the Guyana Embassy in Cuba

Dr. Celia Labora, head of the International Relations Department and Arlenys Ponce Verdecia, Specialist on Guyana and the Caribbean, noted that physical and logistical preparations were moving apace rapidly and official

invitations are being sent to individuals and business organisations.

With respect to Guyana, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Rafeek Khan, has already signalled his

intention to participate in the fair.

During FIHAV 2022, there will be a specially organised investment forum that will be open to Cuban and foreign businessmen and potential foreign investors.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Amendment to Juvenile Justice Bill tabled in National Assembly

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, last Wednesday, tabled the proposed amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act, which could result in juveniles being tried jointly with adults co-accused for indictable offences, which cannot be disposed of summarily.

The bill, which seeks to amend section 36 of the Juvenile Justice Act, No. 8 of 2018, was presented by the Government during the 46th sitting of the Twelfth Parliament at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

According to the bill’s explanatory memorandum, the amendment seeks to remedy the issue of two separate charges being instituted against a juvenile and adult for an indictable offence done in a joint enterprise.

As such, the proposed amendments will see juveniles being charged and put on trial jointly with their adult co-accused.

Presently, section 3(b) (i) of the said principal act provides for the juvenile justice system to be separate from the system used for adults.

- if passed, juveniles could be tried with adults in indictable matters venile remains paramount and the rights of the juvenile enshrined in the act are not curtailed.

According to the memorandum, not only will the amendment save precious

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn Based on this provision, a juvenile would not appear before the court with an adult.

Accordingly, section 36 of the act, which makes provision for a juvenile to appear before a court, was amended to create an exception to section 3(b) (i).

The amendment also allows the magistrate or judge to employ measures as the court considers appropriate to ensure that the best interest of the ju-

Gun seized in CANU operation

The firearm that was seized CUSTOMS Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers on Sunday conducted an operation at the Plaza Complex on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown that resulted in the discovery and seizure of one Taurus PT-92 9mm pistol, along with a magazine containing four 9mm

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rounds of ammunition.

“CANU would like to thank the general public for their support, and pledges to continue rooting out narcotics and other criminal activity, as well as keeping communities safe as part of our national strategy,” CANU noted in a statement.

judicial time, but also expenses.

The Juvenile Justice Bill was passed in April 2018 to repeal the archaic 1931 Juvenile Offenders Act. The bill seeks to address infrac-

tions of the law, involving juveniles, from a standpoint of reformation and diversion.

It also decriminalises offences such as truancy and wandering and deals with issues of youth sen-

tencing. The Act is also a i m e d a t p ro v i d i n g a framework where professionals are in the forefront, supporting juveniles rather than the police and prison wardens.

Collective Stress

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By Vanessa Cort

VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Sir Hilary Beckles, has said that poor diet and collective stress are responsible for the high incidence of diabetes and hypertension among Afro-Caribbean people.

Also Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations

Commission, Sir Hilary’s sentiments were echoed

by Jamaicans who took to the streets to protest the recent visit of British Royals, Prince William and his wife, Kate, who also visited Belize and The Bahamas Collective stress has been described this way, “By collective stress we think of stress as a cultural artefact (Fineman 1995),

that results when members of a particular organisational culture as a group perceive a certain event as stressful”.

The Vice-Chancellor was particularly referring to the ‘institution’ of slavery and the legacy of colonialism which have spawned the kind of unhealthy eating leading to these diseases.

He pointed to the heav-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

ily salted meat and sugar in the food given to slaves and the 300 years of exploitation suffered by Black people in the Caribbean at the hands of the British.

This has led to what he termed an “explosion of chronic diseases” and resulted in Black people in this region being the unhealthiest on the planet, with sixty per cent of the people over 60 years old being hypertensive or diabetic or both.

Sir Hilary stated that hard labour, separation from children and the “stress profile endured by slaves” have been ultimately responsible for high blood pressure and diabetes in Black people, asserting “it was the same then as it is now”.

The drugs for these conditions were tested on Caucasian people and are therefore more effective on them.

“Something happened to us,” Sir Hilary declared, citing our experience of the stress of slavery which, although in the past, “we are yet in the Jetstream of it”.

The Vice-Chancellor has been making the argument for special drugs to treat these diseases in Caribbean people for several years now, Pharmaceutical companies are unwilling to

undertake the research claiming that the small percentage of overall cases does not warrant the expenditure necessary for the research.

And if these diseases are the physical manifestation of the devastating effect of slavery and the colonial era, how great must be the psychological toll?

The trauma of being captured, transported under shocking conditions, enslaved - with all its myriad repercussions - and robbed of identity has surely left an indelible mark on our collective psyche.

So while the term ‘collective stress’ has most often been used in reference to groups within organisations, it has been acknowledged as having a much wider scope.

A Disaster Research Centre (DRC) article dealing with ‘Conceptualising Collective Stress’ and examining disaster as a stressor stated “This conceptualisation, however, is capable of being extended to other types of collective stress induced by different agents.”

And one particularly telling reason advanced for the cause of collective trauma is “a cataclysmic event”. Another states that “Collective trauma also occurs because of ongoing collective physical and emotional injury due to a repeated exposure to racebased stress”.

Certainly, the notion of collective stress warrants a closer look, particularly as it applies to slavery and the colonial and post-colonial era.

Convicted child rapist appeals life sentences

FORMER trade unionist, Micah Williams, who is currently serving two life sentences for raping an eight-year-old girl twice, is now challenging his conviction and sentence.

In 2018, Williams was tried before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Sexual Offences Court, in the Georgetown High Court, for two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The charges alleged that, on January 1 and 31, 2016, Williams engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16 years when

Micah Williams she was only eight years old.

A 12-member jury found

Williams guilty on both counts and he was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years in jail.

Williams moved to the Court of Appeal claiming that his conviction cannot stand. He is asking that his sentences be set aside since it was unfair, too severe, and excessive.

The challenge is being presided over by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, with Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud in attendance.

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Prominent Cullen community leader laid to rest

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Saywack Lall, a prominent community and religious leader of Cullen, Region Two, who passed away at age 90, was on last Thursday laid to rest.

Lall, who also taught Hindi, was a very active promoter of the Hindu culture in Region Two and had dedicated his time to the establishment of Hindu societies in schools.

He was the founder of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in Region Two and was also an active member of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA).

His presence brought communities together at various temples. At the Cullen Temple, he taught Ramayan reading and “bani” singing.

He also taught youths to play various instruments at the temple.

Lall grew up at the Golden Fleece Estate and led a life of service to his community. He worked with many on the streets bringing hope to them. He was also the founder of the Cullen Mandir and worked with many non-profit organisations that advocate for non-violence.

During his time as a community leader, he created programmes aimed at creating opportunities for youths as well as mentoring

Dharmic Sabha, Pandit Jagmohan; Director-General of the Ministry of

Dr Vindhya Persaud speaking at the funeral service

community members about humanity.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, who spoke at the funeral, said Lall dedicated his life to effect changes in society.

She also called on his family to build on what he had started and to continue his work as a community

leader.

Lall, she said was a great leader who represented his community, rice farmers and was a true member of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. She said that Sabha appreciates his works, especially in the establishment of temples on the Essequibo Coast.

Also in attendance at his funeral were Vice-President of the Guyana Hindu

Essequibians celebrate Easter picnic style SCORES of families in Region Two converged on Perservance Beach to celebrate the Christian holiday, Easter, for the first in two years, on Monday.

Wi t h t h e l i f t i n g o f COVID restrictions, persons came out in their full numbers to fly their kites and to relax under their tents while enjoying the fresh breeze.

Many were seen making “Bar-B-Que” on the beach, while others brought out their minibars and chairs as the children were busy flying their kites on the beach. The beach was transformed into family picnic zone.

Apart from the festivities, some youths from La Belle Alliance this year made a 10-foot kite, which was taken

The youths from La Belle Alliance with their massive kite

to the Perservance Beach and many party-goers took the opportunity to take a photograph with it.

“We can go out now and enjoy ourselves, we still need to be careful, but we can still enjoy the spirit of Easter,” said Barry Singh, one of the persons who made the big kite.

Meanwhile, those who

did not visit the beaches were at the ballfields and popular resorts enjoying the time with friends and family.

The blue sky was dotted with kites of all shapes, sizes and colours.

Though Easter is Christian in origin, the holiday in Guyana is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo; Neil Kumar of the People’s Progressive

Party (PPP) and Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, among others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 19, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 19, 2022

Bartica Easter Regatta Power Boat Racing

Randy Belle is the new king of the circuit following commanding performance A king of the power boat racing circuit was crowned Sunday at Golden Beach in Bartica and it was Randy Belle of the Belle clan who powered to the overall champion accolade in the A-Class Formula 1 Category.

Thousands of fans, including Minister of Labour, the Honourable Joseph Hamilton and Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton, as well as Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams and His Worship Mayor Gifford Marshall and their respective deputies all soaked up an exhilarating day of action, dubbed ‘Bounce Back’.

The day was sizing up to feature a clash of the titans between eight-time champions Dave Scott aboard Jaguar, Belle and the Gonsalves from the Pomeroon, but early engine problems were encountered by Scott in the first race of the day which put paid to his chanc-

es of challenging for a ninth championship title.

However, it was Rundy Belle aboard his boat named ‘Team Belle’ which set the pace with classy performances in all three Formula 1 / A Class (Unlimited) races as he took the first place and the overall Champions trophy in this category. He {Belle} accumulated the most points in any of the five classes, 30, to cap off a bumper day where he powered to 50,000 short of a million dollars along with multiple trophies on a rewarding day.

His Overall cash prize was worth $500,000 while each individual win earned him $150,000.

Bahamian Scott breaks... ahead of teammate Malaika Cunningham (1.70) and Jamaica-based Grenadian Ahsharean Enoe (1.65) Cole, meanwhile, a member of Jamaica’s World Under-20 record breaking 4×100 metre relay quartet on Sunday, fought gusty conditions by keeping her speed under control and managed to produce a winning leap of 5.89

metres in the long jump.

Kayssia Hudson, the triple jump winner, gave French Guiana their second medal of the Games with silver after leaping 5.77 while Jamaican Kay-Lagay Clarke placed third with a jump of 5.64.

With just one session of competition to go, Jamaica boast a total of 58 medals with 27 gold, 20 silver and

Taking the B Class (115200 HP) overall prize of $250,000 was Whitney Welcome who amassed 14 points.

The C Class (75 – 90 HP) division was won by Sanjay Ramkisson who piloted Team Shivraj and accumulated 20 points 1; the D Class (25 – 40 HP) produced joint winners in R. Dookie aboard Poseidon and Samuel Ramkisson who controlled Team Shivraj 11. The duo divided the $150,000 prize while in a gesture of sportsmanship, Team Shivraj 11 agreed for Dookie to take the trophy.

The E Class (15 HP) overall contest was won by Samuel Mourlie (Rude Boy) and it was worth $50,000.

(From back page) 11 bronze.

The Bahamas have notched three gold, six silver and three bronze to be second in the medal table while the British Virgin Islands are third with three gold, one silver and one bronze.

Trinidad and Tobago lie fourth with two gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.

Jamaica set new World... (From back page) to eclipse the old mark of 42.94s they established at the World Junior Championships in Nairobi last year.

In the process, the Games record of 44.08 seconds also fell; the girls setting the tone for their Under-20 boys counterparts who clocked 39.15 to lower an eight-yearold championship mark.

“It’s a very overwhelming feeling. Competing with such talented young ladies, I think we did an excellent job,” said Brianna Lyston, who ran the all-important third leg.

“The only thing that was going through my mind was getting the baton around safely because we’re from different schools and the changes are kind of new and I’m just happy we managed to do it.”

Serena Cole gave Jamaica a lightning quick start and by the time she passed to World Under-20 champion Tina Clayton on the second leg, it was evident the clock was the home team’s only rival.

Lyston produced a dominant curve, and when Tia Clayton collected the baton

on the final leg, there was not a single challenger in sight.

She streaked through the final metres, glancing left at the clock as she crossed the line, and breaking into celebrations.

Barbados trailed in second in 45.36 while Trinidad and Tobago clinched bronze in 46.12.

The boys followed suit, Bouwahghi Nkrumie handing off to Bryan Levell before newly crowned champion Deandre Daley stormed through the third leg to open up a healthy lead on the field for his side.

For the second time, Jamaica found themselves alone on the final 100 metres; Sandrey Davidson carrying the hosts to a comfortable win and a new CARIFTA mark.

The Bahamas (40.41) and the Cayman Islands (40.72) rounded off the podium spots.

Earlier, Jamaica captured the girls Under-17 sprint relay in 45.38 seconds with the Bahamas clinching silver in 47.13 and Trinidad and Tobago finishing third in 48.19.

In the boys equivalent,

the host stopped the clock at 41.74, with the Trinidadians following them home in 42.77 and the Cayman Islands crossing the line in 43.40 for bronze.

“I came out here to deliver for my country,” said Camoy Binger, who ran the backstretch for Jamaica in the girls event.

“I didn’t medal in the 100 metres. I felt bad but I just shake off the bad energy and came out here to deliver.”

Jamaica had earlier established their dominance, winning three of the four 400 metres hurdles finals; Michelle Smith of the US Virgin Islands stealing the girls Under-17 event in 58.61 seconds to prevent the hosts from making another clean sweep.

Princewell Martin (53 seconds) led a one-two with Jordan Mowatt (54.40) in the boys equivalent while Safhia Hinds (58.96) also led a Jamaica sweep of the top two in the girls Under-20 with Shackelia Green (59.77).

Roshawn Clarke snatched gold in the boys Under-20 in 50.68.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 19, 2022

Buttler ton, Chahal hat-trick give Rajasthan Royals narrow win RAJASTHAN Royals (RR) defended 217 by the skin of their teeth in an instant IPL classic at the Brabourne Stadium, with debutant Obed McCoy rearranging Umesh Yadav's stumps to see out a nerve-jangling win.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were pinned against the ropes as Jos Buttler hit his second hundred of the season and his third in his last seven

IPL innings, playing out Sunil Narine but dominating the rest of their attack on his way to 103 off 61 balls.

He was supported ably by Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer, as Royals plundered the highest total of the season.

(Scores: Rajasthan Royals 217 for 5 (Buttler 103, Samson 38, Narine 2-21) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 210 (S Iyer 85, Finch 58, Chahal 5-40) by

seven runs) But after a false start, which saw Narine getting run out without facing a ball after his promotion to pinch-hit at the top of the order, Knight Riders fought back. Aaron Finch led the charge with 58 off 28 balls, adding 107 in just 8.5 overs with Shreyas Iyer.

Yuzvendra Chahal appeared to have won the match in his final over: he had Ven-

katesh Iyer stumped off the first ball, a ripping googly, then removed Shreyas, Shivam Mavi and Pat Cummins to complete his first IPL hat-trick and fivefor and leave KKR needing 38 off 18 balls with two wickets in hand.

With nothing to lose, Umesh swung hard. Trent Boult's final over cost 20 runs, including two sixes and a four, to leave 18 required off the last two. But Prasidh Krishna conceded only seven, and McCoy held his nerve with two wickets in four balls to seal a breathless win.

BUTTLER SPARKLES Buttler has started the season in prolific form but struggled for timing in the first two overs, reaching three off nine balls on a pitch he later described as "a little bit sticky at the start". But he was soon into his groove, hitting Umesh for consecutive boundaries, toying with Varun Chakravarthy and slapping Mavi for six over the off side.

He reached fifty from the second ball he faced after the powerplay, and played with characteristic self-awareness about his strengths and weaknesses: he nudged Narine into gaps, hitting five runs off the nine balls he faced from him, but plundered 98 off 52 against the rest of the attack.

After Narine - wearing '150' on his back, his total appearances for Knight Riders - had bowled Devdutt Padikkal, Buttler found support from Samson, whose cameo of 38 off 19 balls kept Royals moving. Buttler reached his hundred by belting Pat Cummins over long-on for six, but

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Jos Buttler flashes a smile after bringing up his second century of IPL 2022 (BCCI photo)

fell two balls later, top-edging a pull to fine leg.

Royals had reverted to a bowling-heavy line-up, with R Ashwin carded at No. 7, and threatened to fall away at the back end after Buttler's dismissal. But Hetmyer ensured they finished well, hitting Andre Russell for consecutive sixes in the final over before carving the last ball of the innings through cover to steer Rajasthan to 217.

FINCH, SHREYAS START BRIGHTLY Finch had struggled badly heading into this match, averaging 25.19 with a strike rate of 121.33 in T20 cricket since the start of 2021. He kept his place in the side despite Sam Billings' recovery from illness and after hitting the first ball of the chase to cover, he watched Hetmyer's direct hit run Narine out before his new opening partner had faced a ball.

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smoking the final ball of the powerplay for six off Ashwin and thrashing three boundaries in Chahal's first over. He also tucked into McCoy and Prasidh with Shreyas playing second fiddle after a bright start of his own. When Finch skied the final ball of the ninth over to deep-backward point to fall for 58, the required rate was a shade over ten an over.

Shreyas had hit his first two balls for four off Trent Boult, playing with the attacking intent, and launched Ashwin for sixes via a reverse sweep and a clean blow down the ground.

After Nitish Rana holed out to long-off and Andre Russell's off stump was pegged back by Ashwin's perfect carrom ball, Shreyas had a life: he gloved a pull behind off McCoy, which wriggled out of Samson's grasp as he dived to his left. He responded by hitting the next two legal deliveries for six and four, and swung Boult away for six more to leave Knight Riders needing 40 off the final four overs.

CHAHAL, MCCOY SEAL IT Venkatesh had turned down a second run twice, to Shreyas' visible annoyance, and decided to justify his decisions by trying to hit the first ball of Chahal's final over for six. He skipped down the pitch, but was beaten by a googly; Samson redeemed himself, completing a simple stumping.

After Sheldon Jackson nudged a single, Chahal attempted to hide the ball wide outside Shreyas' off stump and was penalised with a wide, but then surprised him by pitching one up, full and straight. It hit Shreyas on the pad, and the onfield lbw decision was upheld on review.

Knight Riders sent Shivam Mavi in at No. 8, perhaps due to Cummins' weakness against spin. He looked to slog his first ball for six but holed out to long-on, and Cummins edged his first ball through to Samson to give Chahal a hat-trick - the first of the season.

The tail provided a twist, as Umesh belted Boult over long-on for two sixes, then slapped him through cover for four, taking the equation down to 18 off 12 balls. But neither Prasidh nor McCoy conceded a boundary, with McCoy's slower balls to Sheldon Jackson (caught at fine leg) and Umesh (bowled looking to swing over midwicket) icing the victory. (Cricinfo)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 19, 2022

Key backed to succeed in bid to ‘shape next great era of English cricket’ ROB Key has been backed to succeed in his new role as the managing director of England men’s cricket after being confirmed as the first appointment of what he hopes will be the “next great era” of the game.

Former batter Key was appointed amid a power vacuum at the England and Wales Cricket Board after the resignation of Test captain Joe Root on Friday, with head coach Chris Silverwood, batting coach Graham Thorpe and former managing director Ashley Giles losing their jobs over three successive days in February.

A surprise contender for the role, having primarily worked as a commentator and pundit since his retirement from county cricket with Kent in 2015, Key faces a massive task taking charge following 12 disappointing

months of red-ball cricket, including a dismal 4-0 defeat in the Ashes.

“It is an absolute honour to take up this role. The chance to have an impact and make a difference is an opportunity given to very few and I will give it everything I have to try and shape the next great era of English men’s cricket,” Key said.

“Although at this current moment it has been a challenging time in English cricket, I also think it’s as exciting a time as I can remember.

“With two of our teams near or at the top of the world rankings and an undoubted amount of talent in our game, I hope to try and bring everyone along for the ride so we can all help take English men’s cricket to new heights across all formats.”

Former England captain Nasser Hussain, who has

New managing director of England men’s cricket, Rob Key

worked alongside Key as a pundit, is backing his former colleague to succeed.

“Firstly I’m very pleased for Rob, I think the ECB have made an excellent choice there. Even though at times he plays the fool, he

is no fool,” Hussain told Sky Sports.

“At times he’s said things either on air or at the back of the box and you just think, ‘This lad knows his cricket’.

He’s absolutely a cricket man from top to bottom.

“He’s played for Kent, he’s captained Kent and he’s obviously played for England and he’s been a broadcaster for six years.

“I think England have made a good choice, he is an excellent cricket man and he’s got a very good cricket brain.”

Key will also be responsible for the strategy behind the England men’s cricket teams and performance pathways, and will play a part in an upcoming high-performance review.

As a player, Key played 15 Tests for England between 2002 and 2005, as well as

five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international, including a Test double century against the West Indies at Lord’s in 2004.

Michael Atherton, another former England captain, warned Key will have a “lot on his plate”.

“His instincts on cricket are very sound, he’s got good cricket knowledge,” Atherton told Sky Sports.

“What he doesn’t have is managerial experience which he will obviously have to get up to speed on in the new job.

“There are a lot of appointments to be filled. He’ll need a new England captain, a new England coach and probably a new England selector so there’s a lot on his plate.”

One of Key’s first challenges will be to appoint a successor to Root, with Ben Stokes the favourite to take

the role as one of the few players guaranteed to be in the Test team.

Long-serving seam bowler Stuart Broad appeared to distance himself from the captaincy in his Daily Mail column on Sunday morning.

“Naturally, I am aware that my name has been touted as a potential successor to Joe as England captain and I guess that is because I am an experienced centrally contracted player who has been around the international game a long time,” Broad said.

“However, it is not something I have given any thought to because firstly I am not currently in possession of a shirt within the England Test team and my focus is very much on changing that by taking wickets for Nottinghamshire over the next few weeks.” (PA Sport)

Nawaz, Chaminda Beckles bags brace; Jamaicans Lowe, Matt on target Vaas join Sri Lanka men's LONDON, (CMC) – Gresecond on 41 minutes, nodnada international Omar ding in from a Nicky Cadden coaching staff Beckles bagged a brace as cross.

NAVEED Nawaz, the former Sri Lanka batter, has been named the Sri Lanka men's side's assistant coach under new head coach Chris Silverwood.

Nawaz had recently been Bangladesh's Under-19 coach, and had overseen that side's victory in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. The term of his appointment is two years.

Also appointed to Sri Lanka's coaching staff is former seam bowler Chaminda Vaas, who has been bowling coach in several stints over the past 10 years. Piyal Wijetunge, for years the lead spin bowling coach in the country, has also been added to the top team's staff as well, while Manoj Abeywickrama has been named fielding coach.

These coaches, however, have only been appointed until the end of Sri Lanka's forthcoming Bangladesh tour, in May. Nawaz had even been considered for the head coach role as Sri Lanka sought to replace Mickey Arthur, over the past few months, but it is understood that eventually the decision was made to appoint a better-heeled international coach. In Bangladesh, Nawaz had played a role in developing young players such as Mah-

Chaminda Vaas has been bowling coach in several stints for Sri Lanka over the past 10 years AFP/Getty

mudul Hasan Joy, Shoriful Islam, and Shamim Hossain, who have all since graduated to the senior men's side.

As a player, Nawaz played one Test and three ODIs for Sri Lanka, and was a force in firstclass cricket in the late 1990s and early 2000s, hitting 6892 runs at an average of 36.27 Vaas' reappointment, meanwhile, comes only months after the board declined to renew his contract in December last year. He had been Sri Lanka's bowling coach under Mickey Arthur, but did not do the job on the recent tour of India.

(Cricinfo)

10-man Leyton Orient held on for a 2-1 win at Swindon Town in England’s League Two on Monday.

Centre-back Beckles, 30, dealt Swindon’s play-off hopes a blow by scoring either side of the break. Onloan Charlton Athletic striker Josh Davison pulled a goal back with a late strike, but the visitors took maximum points.

Beckles scored against the run of play on 20 minutes, rising highest in the box to connect with Theo Archibald’s free-kick, but four minutes later Orient’s Hector Kyprianou was shown a second yellow card by referee Sam Allison for bringing down Louie Barry.

Tempers threatened to boil over 10 minutes before half-time with an on-pitch scuffle involving players and managers, resulting in six yellow cards being shown.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 54 minutes through Beckles as he stabbed the ball past goalkeeper Joe Wollacott to take his goal tally for the cam-

Grenada international Omar Beckles

paign to six.

Reggae Boy Jamal Lowe was also on target as Bournemouth strengthened their grip on second place in the Championship with a 3-0 win at Coventry City.

Lowe, a 27-year-old forward, adjusted superbly to power home a header off the underside of the bar, from an Adam Smith cross which was slightly behind him, to give Bournemouth a 12th-minute lead – his seventh goal of the season – before Dominic Solanke added two more after

the break.

Meanwhile, Jamaican striker Jamille Matt ended a 16-game goal drought as League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers moved to the cusp of promotion with a 2-0 win over lowly Oldham Athletic after bouncing back from a crushing 4-0 defeat at Barrow on Good Friday.

Regan Hendry put Forest Green ahead on eight minutes before 32-year-old captain Matt pushed Oldham deeper into relegation trouble with a

It was Matt’s 19 goal of the season, but his first since Forest Green won 4-0 at Tranmere Rovers on January 29.

Matt should have made it 3-0 after Will Sutton lost possession, but he squandered the chance with just goalkeeper Danny Rogers to beat.

Rob Edwards’ team now require only a draw at high-flying Bristol Rovers on Saturday to confirm promotion to League One for the first time in the club’s history.

Another Jamaican striker, Junior Morias, scored his fifth goal in three games as Dagenham & Redbridge enhanced their promotion hopes from the fifth-tier National League with a 2-0 win at Aldershot Town.

Morias gave Dagenham a 27th-minute lead when he linked up with Mauro Vilhete and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Ethan Ross.

It was 26-year-old striker Morias’ 12th goal of the season following his hattrick on Friday in a 7-3 win over Barnet.

26

CONCACAF, UEFA wish Guyana U16s well on European adventure THE Under-16 Boys’ national team historic participation in a European tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina this month will accelerate their development as players and young men, according to CONCACAF and UEFA, praising the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for crafting opportunities for young players to expand their horizons and reach their potential.

Enabled by UEFA Assist and with the full support of Concacaf, a 20-player strong Junior Jaguars squad will play Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania and Montenegro in Guyana’s first appearance at a UEFA-sanctioned tournament in Europe.

“We are delighted to support the development of the Guyana Football Federation’s U-16 national team,” said UEFA Head of International Relations Eva Pasquier.

“The opportunity to play in a European tournament, learn from and exchange with UEFA national associations, and experience new cultures will undoubtedly help these young stars to develop both on and off the pitch. And this is exactly what UEFA Assist is all about.”

Guyana, led by Head Coach Vurlon Mills, will play Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 19, Lithuania on April 21, and Montenegro on April 24.

The unprecedented in-

Junior Jags explore tour brochures ahead of their historic trip to a UEFA –sanctioned tournament this month

vitation to play in the fourteam friendly tournament is the direct result of the GFF’s focus on building meaningful relationships with UEFA and its other international football partners as it strengthens the image and standing of Guyana in the football world.

The GFF and UEFA have worked together on “return to play” planning during the COVID-19 pandemic, while UEFA funded two minibuses to reduce the cost of participation for players in GFF development programmes and competitions.

With the backing of CONCACAF, UEFA is also supporting the creation of Guyana’s first professional football league. “CONCACAF wishes to express its full support on this initiative and wishes the team all the best,” said Howard McIntosh, Head of One CONCACAF and Caribbean Special

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday April 19, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 155* for the first wicket (A. C. Gilchrist & V.V.S. Laxman (RCB vs RR) (2) Yogesh Takawale-MI (11: 10 catches/1 stumping) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which is the first IPL team to successfully defend its championship title?

(2) Which IPL team has captured the title most often to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Projects.

“The GFF administration, led by Wayne Forde, has proven time and time again that it will take on numerous football challenges, and it’s good to see this remarkable opportunity coming to fruition.”

“This approach is consistent with the philosophy expressed by Concacaf President Victor Montagliani in putting football first,” McIntosh said. “We hope that the boys have a safe and successful trip and take full advantage of every opportunity that they have to represent Guyana and CONCACAF in this tournament.”

As part of their ambassadorial role in representing Guyana on their European trip, the U-16 players will share Guyana tourism and investment brochures with other tournament participants and officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Guyana Tourism Authority has also contributed financial support to the squad.

“We are very keen for the boys to make a positive impression on their European audience, and not just in the way they conduct themselves on the field of play,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“The squad has been preparing to represent their nation in the role of young ambassadors, including reading up on their history as well as taking it upon themselves to showcase Guyana’s beauty and spirit of adventure as a tourism destination and its attractiveness as an investment opportunity.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 19, 2022

Brathwaite gets first ball duck and has car stolen on debut for village cricket team CARLOS Brathwaite is playing club cricket for Knowle and Dorridge in Birmingham ahead of a stint as captain of Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast and he endured a debut to forget this weekend.

West Indies player Carlos Brathwaite had a day to forget after making his debut for Birmingham & District Premier League side Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club.

Brathwaite, who memorably guided the West Indies to victory in the 2016 T20 World Cup with a brutal final over assault on Ben Stokes, is set to captain Birmingham Bears in this year's T20 Blast. And with the competition getting underway next month, the all-rounder is taking the opportunity to get in some game time with Knowle and Dorridge first as he returns from a shoulder injury which forced him to undergo surgery.

Over the Easter weekend, Brathwaite debuted for the club in a 50-over match

Former West Indies cricketer Carlos Brathwaite

against Leamington Cricket Club. However, things could not have gone much worse for the 33-year-old.

While bowling for the first time in six months due to his injury, Brathwaite was unable to pick up a wicket and conceded 31 runs from his four overs, making him the most expensive Knowle and Dorridge bowler. He then holed out for a first ball duck while batting as his side lost the match by 12 runs.

Brathwaite later tweeted about the match, revealing that his car had also been stolen. "What a day yesterday," he wrote.

"First time bowling in a game after injury for six months - First ball duck from a long hop - Car stolen but you know what, woke up this morning, Sun is shining and giving thanks. Happy Easter to all."

The 2022 Vitality Blast will run from May 22-July 16. (Sportsmax)

WBC statement on Daniel Kinahan WHILST visiting Dubai recently I was introduced to Daniel Kinahan, who has since been placed on a sanctions list by the US Treasury Department, concerning alleged links to drug crimes.

This has generated speculation and attacks on myself and the WBC. I therefore feel it necessary to make it clear that at no time have we had any relationship with Daniel Kinahan. The World Boxing Council (WBC) deals solely and exclusively with boxing promoters and only they maintain commercial relations in the certification of fights for our titles.

The WBC has had for many years a large num-

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman

ber of social responsibility campaigns focused on the prevention and awareness of the dangers of drug use. We have a wonderful program of talks given by a former DEA agent, Rocky Heron, who reaches thousands of people

with his presentations.

We have rescued many boxers and members of the boxing community around the world from the demons of addiction and we openly and constantly support rehabilitation clinics such as those of Julio Cesar Chavez and Aaron Silva, among others.

I made an innocent mistake, due to absolute ignorance of the situation. In this way, I confirm that the World Boxing Council and all its members absolutely reject any action that is detrimental to human beings and we will continue, as always, in total compliance with the laws of all countries in the world.

(Fightnews)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday April 19, 2022

Double success for Kenya at Boston Marathon KENYA enjoyed double success at the Boston Marathon on Monday as Evans Chebet held off two past champions to win the men's crown and reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir captured the women's title.

Chebet won in two hours six minutes and 51 seconds to top the first all-Kenyan podium since 2012, beating 2019 Boston winner Lawrence Cherono by 30 seconds with defending champion Benson Kipruto third in 2:07:27.

"I'm extremely proud. I knew I had it in my legs to win," Chebet said.

This was a first major marathon victory for Chebet, 33, who was fourth in last year's London Marathon.

A lead pack of about 20 men reached the halfway mark together and 15 remained tight at the front through 21 miles.

Chebet made his move just after that, but Cherono and Kipruto kept the pressure on him into the final stretch.

JEPCHIRCHIR WINS AGAIN Jepchirchir, last year's New York Marathon champion, won her Boston debut by edging Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh in the final strides, as the 28-year-old took her

Puerto Rico hockey teams secure qualification at next year’s CAC Games

Part of the action in Sunday’s final round

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir (left) and Evans Chebet celebrate their Boston success (Getty Images)

fifth victory in a row since 2019 in 2:21:01.

That was good enough to defeat Yeshaneh, a 2019 Chicago runner-up and former world half-marathon record holder, by four seconds with Kenya's Mary Ngugi third in 2:21:32.

As they battled into the final mile, a weary-looking Jepchirchir made three attempts to pass, but Yeshaneh countered each. The Kenyan made her final move down the stretch and surged past in the last 100 meters.

"When I arrived to 41km, I knew was going to win the race," Jepchirchir said.

"I was just keeping the energy for the finishing.

Ababel was so strong. For me, it was just keeping my energy for the finishing kick.

"I just believed in myself. I usually have hope.

When you see the tape for finishing, that's when the strength comes."

Jepchirchir ranked Boston among her greatest victories.

"It means a lot to me," she said. "I believe in myself more. I still have more victories to come."

Former Boston, London and New York champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya was fourth while 2021 London

winner Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya was seventh.

American Daniel Romanchuk won the men's wheelchair title for a second time and Swiss Manuela Schar won the women's wheelchair crown.

This was the first time in three years that the Boston Marathon took place in its traditional April date after being cancelled in 2020 and contested in October last year because of Covid-19 concerns.

A full field of 30,000 competitors took part with Covid-19 vaccinations required for entry into the event. (BBC Sport)

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Puerto Rico’s men and women’s hockey teams, on Sunday, clinched the two remaining places at next year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in the final round of qualifiers after finishing runners-up in both divisions.

First, Puerto Rico’s women held leaders and host, Bermuda, to a goalless draw, to finish second, a point clear of Jamaica, who, earlier, handed Guyana their third defeat of the week.

Puerto Rico’s men then thrashed Bermuda 3-0 to consign the host to bottom place and ensure their own place in El Salvador behind leaders Jamaica, whose Richard Harris was named male player of the tournament.

Bermuda’s Maha Clarke,

whose side went through the event unbeaten, was named female Player-of-the-tournament, staged at the Flora Duffy Stadium.

“We are very happy with [double] qualification, it’s very satisfying for us,” Puerto Rico’s coach Hector Motta Rios said.

Needing a victory, Bermuda’s men fell behind early when Joseph Agosto put the Puerto Ricans ahead in the eight minute, scoring from a penalty corner.

Kenneth Rodriguez doubled the advantage with a 37th-minute penalty stroke before Agosto scored his second with a field goal near the end.

Imauny Linton sealed Jamaica’s win over Guyana – who sent only a women’s team to Bermuda – from a penalty corner in the 54th minute.

Randy Belle collecting his overall prize and trophy from a GTT Rep

Bartica Easter Regatta Power Boat Racing

Randy Belle is the new king of the circuit following commanding performance

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23

Bahamian Dior Rae Scott

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC )– A javelin record fell to a Bahamian for the second time at the 49th CARIFTA Games when pocket-sized left-hander Dior Rae Scott set a new mark en route to capturing gold in the girls Under-17 event here Monday.

Competing in the morning session on the final day of the championship at the National Stadium, she launched her spear 44.57 metres to top the podium.

Kenika Cassar of Trinidad and To-

Bahamian Scott breaks javelin record, Cole wins second gold bago measured 42.86 for silver while Grenadian Suerena Alexander threw 42.57 to clinch bronze.

Scott trailed Cassar into the third round of throws and then attacked, racing down the runway and firing the implement past the meet record of 43.89 metres, to carve her name into CARIFTA history.

The high school basketball point guard now stands beside teammate Keyshawn Strachan who extended his World

Under-20 lead to 79.89 metres to also win gold on Saturday.

Strachan’s sister Kamera was a tearful fourth with a throw of 39.86.

In other action during the morning session, the Jamaican pair of Anniska McDonald and Serena Cole triumphed in jumping events.

McDonald added to the Under-17 title she won in 2019 with a 1.75 metre clearance in the Under-20 high jump, keeping her TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Jamaica set new World, championship relay records at 49th CARIFTA Games

Brianna Lyston (left) embraces Tia Clayton following Jamaica’s world record in the girls Under-20 sprint relay

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Tia Clayton ran a blistering final leg as Jamaica smashed the World Under-20 record to win the girls’ 4×100 metres relay; the host sweeping all four sprint relays to climax day

two of the 49th CARIFTA Games here Sunday night.

The Jamaicans, teeming with confidence, brought the stick home in a time of 42.58 seconds before a frenzied National Stadium crowd, TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Double success for Kenya at Boston Marathon Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022