Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_19_10_2021

TUESDAY 19th October, 2021

‘Déjà vu’ at PAC No. 106519

-Teixeira threatens motion to remove Chairman over defiance of

President Dr Irfaan Ali has arrived in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai 2020 Expo. Shortly after arriving, the President met representatives of the Ministries of Presidential Affairs and Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. The Guyanese Head of State is expected to deliver an address at the Guyana National Day event which will be held at the Guyana Pavilion today. He will also participate in a number of other engagements during the visit (Office of the President)

Free-and-Easy twins make history for Vive-La-Force Primary SEE PAGE

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Rachel (left) and Rebekah (right) with their mother, Grace Joseph (Samuel Maughn photo)

SEE PAGE

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Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who was on a recent three-day visit to Ghana, met with President of that African nation, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Amongst other objectives, the Vice-President and his delegation were in Ghana to learn about the country’s experiences in the oil and gas sector, with particular reference to local content and participation and general best practices in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon finds

Palms honours oldest resident Zury de Matos

SEE PAGE

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Minister Persaud shares a moment with 106-year-old Zury de Matos

Diaspora shows ‘significant interest’ in investing here

SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

‘Déjà vu’ at PAC 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

-Teixeira threatens motion to remove Chairman over defiance of Standing Orders

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira MEMBERS of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are once again at loggerheads; this time, the feud is in relation to the frequency with which the committee should be meeting.

On Monday, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira attempted to move a Motion which sought to have the frequency of the PAC meetings remain once weekly. Her Motion was shut down by the Opposition-led PAC, with Chairman Jermaine Figueira asking for additional time to review the submission, “although he was told that the Clerk of the National Assembly had been consulted to make sure that the motion was in order and in accordance with the Standing Orders.”

Figueira then committed to having the Motion entertained during the committee meeting. “I asked him when [and] he said Monday, October 25,” Teixeira indicated.

Assured by Figueira’s response, the Committee then went about its work to scrutinise a number of agencies in relation to financial irregularities detected in 2016. However, as the Committee wrapped up its business last evening, the live stream was cut, and, according to Teixeira, members of the media who were present in the Parliament Chambers were asked to leave.

The minister explained that Figueira proceeded to adjourn the meeting, not until the Monday as promised, but until this Friday, October 22, “despite being reminded of his previous commitment”.

“He reneged on his agreement, and proceeded to walk out of the meeting.

There was no way to stop what was going on,” Teixeira related.

The Government Chief Whip believes that Figueira’s actions serve as yet another example of the “untrustworthiness” of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) “and their Members of Parliament.”

Teixeira’s Motion seeks to rescind an earlier one moved by APNU+AFC’s Ganesh Mahipaul, who argued that the PAC should be meeting twice weekly in order to clear the backlog of financial irregularities that have to be scrutinised.

However, Teixeira and her colleagues have argued that with their substantive portfolios as ministers of government, they may not always be available to meet as frequently.

Teixeira and her team, which includes Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Dharamkumar Seeraj, and Attorney-atLaw Sanjeev Datadin, also gave consideration to the public servants who are also required to attend the meetings. These persons

include officers of the Office of the Auditor-General and the Ministry of Finance among others.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the earlier decision to increase the number of meetings per week was taken “without any discussion” or “any attempt to reach consensus”.

It is important to note that the government’s participation in clearing the current backlog is especially important, since most of the irregularities being dealt with now date back to 2016, when the APNU+AFC was in government.

FEELING OF DÉJÀ VU Teixeira believes that Figueira’s actions are reminiscent of that of his predecessor, David Patterson, who was recently removed from the helm of the PAC, having been accused of openly defying several Standing Orders.

Patterson, who assumed the PAC leadership position in December 2020, was also chided for “shutting down” issues raised by Teixeira and other government representatives of the PAC pertaining to financial irregularities under the APNU+AFC, particularly during the party’s first year in office.

Patterson’s “defiance” during February to May 2021 led to a stalemate in the PAC. This forced Minister Teixeira to move a Motion in the full house National Assembly, call-

PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira ing for Patterson to be removed from the chairmanship of the committee.

As the Motion was being debated during an allnight sitting of the National Assembly in June, Minister Teixeira had described Patterson as being unfit to oversee the work of the PAC, given the fact that he is facing criminal charges relating to fraud and misuse of government’s monies.

“This is all déjà vue,” Teixeira said following Figueira’s adjournment of Monday’s meeting. She believes that Figueira is being misled into defying

the Standing Orders. “I’d hoped that Mr. Figueira would have been a man in his own right, but, clearly, he is a clone of Mr. Patterson,” Teixeira insisted.

The Governance Minister said that while she and her colleagues in government are upset about the direction of Figueira’s chairmanship of the PAC, they are not surprised.

“This is the typical duplicitous behaviour of the APNU+AFC and their Members of Parliament; nothing new, except that once again, we have a demonstration of the lack of integrity and the lack of

trust,” Teixeira argued.

She further insisted that “The APNU+AFC cannot be trusted with anything; nothing in this country ever again.”

More significantly, Teixeira said that if Figueira continues to show disregard for the rules that govern the committee, then the government members will have “no qualms whatsoever” about going back to the National Assembly to have yet another APNU+AFC member removed from the chairmanship of the PAC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell dies of COVID complications

Tributes are being paid to former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has died of COVID-19 complications aged 84.

The former top military officer died on Monday morning, his family said. He was fully vaccinated.

Powell became the first African-American Secretary of State in 2001 under Republican President George W Bush.

He also sparked controversy for helping garner support for the Iraq War.

“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family said in a statement, thanking the staff at the Walter Reed Medical Center “for their caring treatment”.

Powell had previously been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer which may have made him more susceptible to COVID symptoms, according to US media, as well as Parkinson’s disease.

President Joe Biden,

calling Powell a “dear friend”, said he had embodied the “highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat”.

Former President Bush was among the first to pay tribute to “a great public servant” as well as “a family man and a friend” who “was such a favourite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice”.

Bush’s Vice-President Dick Cheney saluted Powell as “a man who loved his country and served her long and well” while also being “a trailblazer and role model for so many”.

Former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, tweeted that Powell “understood what was best in this country, and tried to bring his own life, career, and public statements in line with

Colin Powell was a soldier for 35 years and rose to the rank of four-star general (BBC photo)

that ideal”.

Condoleezza Rice, Powell’s successor as Secretary of State and the first black woman in the role, called him “a truly great man” whose “devotion to our nation was not limited to the many great things he did while in uniform or during his

time spent in Washington”.

“Much of his legacy will live on in the countless number of young lives he touched.”

Current Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Powell’s life “a victory of the American Dream”.

Powell gave the Department of State “the very best of his leadership,” Blinken said.

“He never stopped believing in America, and we believe in America in no small part because it helped produce someone like Colin Powell.”

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair who worked closely with Powell during the early years of the Iraq War - said he was someone of “immense capability and integrity” who was “a great companion, with a lovely and self-deprecating sense of humour”.

Remembrances also poured in from prominent African-American leaders. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton called him “a sincere and committed man”, while members of the Congressional Black Caucus praised his “legacy of valour and integrity”.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, the first black man to serve in that role, hailed Powell as “a tremendous personal friend and mentor” who would be “impossible to replace”.

Once a moderate Republican, Powell became a trusted military adviser to a number of leading US politicians.

But he broke with his party to endorse Barack Obama in 2008, as well as Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. A sharp critic of Republican President Donald Trump, Powell said he could no longer call himself a Republican after the violent 6 January riot at the US Capitol.

He also saw service and was wounded in Vietnam, an experience that later helped define his own military and political strategies.

However, he would say himself that his own legacy had been damaged by a speech to the United Nations Security Council which used faulty intelligence to back the invasion of Iraq.

“It was painful. It’s painful now,” Powell told ABC News in 2005. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Free-and-Easy twins make history for Vive-La-Force Primary

By Tamica Garnett WHEN fraternal twins Rebekah and Rachel Joseph were both awarded a place at Queen’s College after writing the 2021 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), their achievement was celebrated all across the far-flung community of Free-And-Easy, where they live, and at the Vive La Force Primary where they attended school.

The twins’ achievement marked the first time that pupils from the Region Three community, and from the Vive-La-Force Primary School would have earned a place at the country’s premier secondary school.

Rebekah, an aspiring pediatrician, gained 516 marks, and was also among the region’s top ten performers. Her twin, Rachel, an aspiring engineer, got a total of 512 marks, putting them both above the 510 cut-off mark for QC. “It was excitement to the extreme when we heard that; I was excited to the point where I even got chest pain,” expressed Headteacher of the Vive-La-Force Primary, Gaitree Mathura-Smith.

“It’s history for the community; it’s history for the school. So, it was just a celebration all over; the community and the school, because we all know of the hardship of the community.”

Sharing her sentiments was Grade Six teacher Nichola Standford, who said: “They break the cycle for this school, because our school has never gotten a school in Georgetown. They have now set a high standard for the others to come.”

Located at an estimated

five miles off the West Bank Demerara main road, FreeAnd-Easy is a quiet and peaceful farming village that is home to roughly 200 persons. The Vive-La-Force Primary is located approximately 1.5 miles from the community.

The school, which also includes a nursery section, is a small one with just 80 learners and eight teachers.

For the school, it was a great moment to prove that they could be small but mighty.

The girls were just two of seven pupils at the school who wrote the NGSA this year. The others were able to gain places at a secondary school.

OVERJOYED The twin girls are overjoyed at their accomplishment, but, most of all, they are glad that they were able to achieve their main goal, which is ensuring that they both were attending the same secondary school.

The girls shared that they worked very hard with each other to ensure that they were at the same level.

“We encourage each other with studying, and remind each other of work that we forget, and help each other with subjects we don’t understand. I understand Maths very well, so I help her with that, and she understands Grammar, so she helps me with Grammar,” Rachel shared.

Pursuing their education in their far-flung community had not been easy over the years, especially given that public transportation is not available between the two communities. So, they would often have to walk the distance to get to school.

This becomes a particular

Rachel (third left) and Rebekah (fifth left), with their mother, Grace Joseph (left), Headteacher, Gaitrie Mathura-Smith (right), Grade Six teacher, Nichola Standford (second right) and other teachers of the Vive-La-Force Primary School hassle during the rainy season, when the road becomes deplorable.

“When rain falls, the road gets muddy. And when we are coming to school, the water would pitch up and dirty our clothes, and we would get to school late,” Rebekah shared.

The pair faced new challenges when the school was closed to physical learning in 2020 due to COVID-19, and teaching was being done virtually. Though homes in the community does not have Internet access, the girls were able to utilise the community’s Internet hub, which allowed them to get some amount of school done.

In another first for the school this year, the pupils were allowed to write their NGSA exams at their school.

Due to their small numbers, children at the school would customarily travel to write their exams at the Patentia Primary school.

Mathura-Smith believes the move may have made all the difference in helping the pupils, and she hopes to see the school continuing to be a NGSA centre.

“When these children go out there to write the exam,

they would even be bullied, and don’t know anyone out there. So they tend to pull back, and they are shy; they get fearful and agitated. So, when we found out in here was a centre, I was so glad, and the children were so relaxed during the exam,” the HM explained.

Both Rebakah and Rachel said that not having to travel really made a great difference for them, with Rebekah saying: “I felt very comfortable, because I knew the surrounding, and it helped me not to be nervous.

Rachel added: “I felt very confident, and very happy that we got to write at our school. And it was safer.”

The 11-year-olds learnt of their success on Friday when the NGSA results were announced by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand.

Rebekah was identified as one of the region’s top ten performers. The celebration started after it was confirmed that Rachel had also made it into QC. “If the two of them were separated, it would have been a great challenge for them, because they were always together. They always

say we want to go to the same school,” shared their mother, Grace Joseph.

CELEBRATION TIME! After it was confirmed that both girls got QC, the community-wide celebrations began. The proud mother said the girls’ accomplishment means a lot, not just to her family, but for the entire community.

“Most people in Freeand-Easy think you go to school, you get a job, and that’s it. Many young girls would fall out of school, and that’s it. Now we can see that with education, hard work, and with the help of God, our children can be successful,” said Grace, who is also a teacher at the Vive-La-Force Primary School.

Rebekah hopes that their achievement will stand as a beacon of hope for others. “I feel very happy,” she said. “And I hope it helps to encourage other students to push harder in their studies.”

Rachel said: “We feel

very proud of ourselves that we are able to carry up our school high, and we are glad that our school was able to place in the top of the region.”

Mathura-Smith said she would always encourage her learners to dream big, and to see themselves as much more than what others may think of the community.

“When I spoke to them before the exams, I would tell the children, ‘Don’t see yourself as bush-corner people,’ because that is what the outsiders tend to call this area. I would tell them, ‘See yourselves as QC students; aim for the sky.’ I would drill them with that, and say, ‘Come on, we have to put our school on the map,’” the HM recalled.

Aside from supporting each other, the girls said they received support from their teachers and parents, which was a great push during their time studying.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Road Fatalities

OVER the past few days, five persons lost their lives to traffic accidents in three separate accidents.

A three-way collision on the Railway Embankment Road at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Saturday last, claimed two lives with another person seriously injured. According to media reports, the driver was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided with a third vehicle.

Another accident took place on the same day at Mahaicony Branch Road, in which a motor vehicle plunged into a canal, killing two persons. And in yet another recent incident in Georgetown, a motorcyclist lost his life when his motor-

cycle ended up in a concrete drain.

What do all of these accidents have in common?

According to media reports, the drivers were all driving at a fast pace and in the process lost control of their vehicles, resulting in serious accidents and unfortunately, deaths.

These three recent accidents have once again drawn to the attention of all Guyanese the need to exercise care and caution in the use of our roadways. There is a saying that ‘accidents just don’t happen, they are caused.’ And while this may not always be the case, the fact is that many of the accidents on our roads could have been avoided had there been adherence to the traffic laws.

One major cause of accidents on our roads is speeding. Despite the several measures taken by the Police Traffic Department to curb speeding on the road, motorists continue to drive way above statutory speed limits.

The five ‘Cs’-- Care, Caution, Courtesy, Consideration and Commonsense -- taught at our driving schools, seemed to have been forgotten or ignored altogether by many motorists. Motorists fail to observe a fundamental principle of good driving, which is one of keeping a safe braking distance and not exceeding the required speed limits.

Another contributory factor to traffic accidents is driving under the influence of alcohol. A significant number

of vehicular accidents are attributable to driving under the influence of alcohol and excessive speeding. Driving under the influence of alcohol and the use of any psychoactive substances or drug greatly increase the likelihood of accidents.

The hard fact is that approximately 1.3 million people globally die each year as a result of traffic accidents.

That is almost twice the population of Guyana! This is indeed a startling figure.

Road traffic deaths and injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, families and by extension to the society as a whole. The costs, however, go beyond economic and financial and could also be physical and

emotional.

The Traffic Department has been intensifying efforts to control speeding on the roads but despite these efforts, deaths on our roadways continue to be problematic.

The PPP/C Government has been spending considerable sums of money to upgrade roads and highways and putting in lights and CCTV cameras at strategic points, which in some ways have helped to reduce accidents on the road.

In fact, according to statistics released by the Traffic Department, there has been a 32 per cent reduction in road accidents and deaths so far for 2021. This is encouraging news, but this should not be reason for complacency.

Any death by accident on our

roads is one too many.

We all have a role to play in the prevention of road accidents. It cannot be the responsibility of the Police Traffic Department alone.

There continue to be reports of drivers who allegedly obtain their licences without going through the required procedures and driving protocols. And we are all too familiar with allegations of drivers who offer bribes to traffic ranks in order to circumvent the legal processes.

Actions such as those do not help in the quest to bring down the rate of traffic offences in Guyana and the consequential number of road fatalities.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Shouting mathematics is The unextinguished light important but hiding new, significant discoveries

Dear Editor, A LIFE like that of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the final emissary of God Almighty, is an example to emulate in every aspect of life.

The auspicious occasion of Youman-Nabi allows Muslims around the world to rekindle their connection with Islam’s ideal prophet. And so, on this auspicious day, we, the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity, the Electric Mosque’s Presentation of the Teachings of Islam, in association with the Universal Peace Federation – Guyana, seize this opportunity to extend Youman-Nabi greetings to the nation of Guyana,

His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali and family, distinguished members of the government, the opposition, our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters, and all peoples of this beautiful country.

The earth was enveloped in layers of darkness prior to the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Humanity was blinded by oppression, immorality, violence, and ignorance until the light of Islam shone through the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). That light is still burning today, and that example continues to inspire.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), sent as a “mercy to mankind,” initiated a vast transformation in human life

-- from the individual, the family, society, and nation.

He embodied an awakening that continues to influence the entire world to this day.

Besides championing the rights of the vulnerable, he also freed the slaves and abolished harsh practices against women and children.

In all his interactions, be it with family members, friends, and/or opponents, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exhibited the highest ethical standards.

Thus, he was able to disseminate his message by using his high character and moral principles. As a result, despite his passing many centuries ago, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) continues to live among us via his teachings. As Muslims, it is

our duty to embody this paradigm in our everyday lives and show the world, through our behaviours and actions, that we are followers of a prophet revered for his character and morals. This, dear brothers and sisters, will be a fitting tribute to the man on whom Almighty Allah conferred the honour of the “Best of Creation.”

Today and every day, we pray that Almighty Allah exalts the mention of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) among the highest company of angels, and that Allah’s peace and blessings be on him, his family, his companions, and all those who revere and follow him until the Day of Judgment.

Yours sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

Dear Editors, PLEASE help to avoid trapping our people in darkness by disseminating these truths.

• A Caribbean scholar, Lorna A Willis-Lawrence, our University of the West Indies graduate, had done what no other could globally – NOT Euler, Hypatia, Eratosthenes, Ptholemy, de Fermat, Pascal, Descartes, Hilbert, Ramanugan, et al.

• She found Exact Solutions to the two-millennia old – Three Classical Problems – formerly deemed impossible to solve. Please see evidence in Attachment 1 • The Exact solutions Reveal – inter alia – significant new knowledge such as - for the most important number in mathematics and hence science, the opposite of what is being thought viz.

Pi, ?? is - precisely 3.2. - Rational - Not an example of a transcendental number - A feature of all shapes • Other revelations are that the referred solutions have led to New Concepts, New Corollaries, New Constructions, a New Theorem and more. So, let us acknowledge that the Caribbean has mathematics intellect of the highest order and exploit with good intent.

Yours sincerely, Lana Lawrence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

North Korea fires ballistic missile into waters off Japan

North Korea has fired at least one ballistic missile into waters off the coast of Japan, South Korea and Japan’s militaries have said.

It comes as South Korea, Japan and US intelligence chiefs reportedly meet in Seoul to discuss North Korea.

In recent weeks, Pyongyang has embarked on a flurry of tests of what it claims to be hypersonic and long-range cruise missiles, and anti-aircraft weapons.

Some of these tests violate strict international sanctions.

North Korea is specifically prohibited by the United Nations from testing ballistic missiles as well as nuclear weapons.

On Tuesday South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said one missile was launched from the port of Sinpo, in the east of North Korea where Pyongyang usually bases its submarines.

It landed in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said there were two ballistic missiles, calling the launches “very regrettable”.

North Korea has pressed ahead with its missile tests as

South Korea also develops its own weapons, in what observers say has turned into an arms race on the Korean peninsula.

Seoul recently unveiled a submarine-launched missile, and is holding what is said to be South Korea’s largest defence exhibition ever this week. It is also due to launch its own space rocket soon.

North and South Korea technically remain at war as the Korean War, which split the peninsula into two countries, ended in 1953 with an armistice.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said last week that he did not wish for war to break out on the Korean peninsula again, but said his country needed to continue developing weapons for self-defence against enemies, namely the US which he accused of hostility.

In the last 24 hours, the US envoy to North Korea Sung Kim has reiterated the stance of the Biden administration that it is open to meeting with North Korea without preconditions.

Previous talks between the US and North Korea broke

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently vowed to build an “invincible military” (BBC/ KCNA photo)

There are no ‘one-size fits all’ means of preparing children for transition to productive, purposeful adulthood Dear Editor, THERE will be no change to the education system in Guyana at the national and/or institutional levels; the only change will come from individual parents/ guardians who choose to accept a change in the definition of education from “the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university,” to “Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits. ...

Education can take place in formal or informal settings, and any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational.”

In my considered opinion, there are no ‘one-size fits all’ means of preparing children for the transition to productive and purposeful adulthood; a recent letter by an academic on this subject completely avoids mention of morality and ethics in educating of our nations’ children,; given his actions in the lead-up to and during the 2020 elections, one can only assume that those lessons were never received.

We must do more to produce better citizens.

I urge all parents/guardians to consider what sort

of individual you want your child to become and to recognise the value of indi-

vidualism, morality, ethics, creativity, mental and physical health to his/her personal

development and longevity.

Yours sincerely, Robin Singh

down due to fundamental disagreements on denuclearisation.

The US wants North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons before sanctions can be eased, but North Korea has so far refused. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

1,600 youths benefit from training programmes countrywide

CLOSE to 1,600 young people across the country have been equipped with skills and knowledge to become gainfully employed after completing a series of training programmes with the Department of Youth.

Of this number, 614 Community Service Officers (CSOs) under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) received training in the areas of solar panel installation and maintenance, upkeep of tractors, and Information Technology.

As such, $303.4 million of the $820 million earmarked for this initiative was expended in the first half of 2021.

In July, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline

Sukhai, and Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton signed a Memorandum of Agreement to conduct a six-month theoretical and practical training in community development for CSOs. The initiative is in keeping with the government’s commitment to enhance its human resources.

Minister Sukhai had said, “The CSO programme is not only an attachment to your village council and to provide support for your village development; our government also budgeted for training to be imparted to these CSOs.” The Ministry of Finance’s mid-year report shows that the remaining beneficiaries were exposed to programmes such as robotics, financial literacy

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. and small business training, job readiness, substance

abuse, life skills, and renewable energy. About

$31.2 million was used from the budgeted $85 million.

Since assuming office in 2020, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., had stated that there is a need to reshape the existing youth training programmes, after reviewing the Ministry’s Youth Empowerment Unit.

This approach, he said, will increase the success rate of the department.

In hopes of fulfilling this vision, he said that “an inter-ministerial engagement has sought to improve coordination and minimise redundancy across the various government training programmes, including those offered by the Department of Youth. The government has engaged the private sector, includ-

ing an educational institution, to standardise the training programmes being offered.”

Further interventions will be done to ensure the trained young people are gainfully employed, once the website of the national job bank goes live (Online) by year end.

The ministry is also undertaking preparatory work for the reform and re-launch of the Voluntary Support Platform, which facilitates work-study attachments, and the formation of community development youth groups across the country.

The ministry is also setting up its secretariat, and employing a youth empowerment coordinator for its youth advisory council. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

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Scenes from President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s arrival in Dubai

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has arrived in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai 2020 Expo.

Shortly after arriving, the President met representatives of the Ministries of Presidential Affairs and Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.

The Guyanese Head of State is expected to deliver an address at the Guyana National Day event, which will be held at the Guyana Pavilion today.

He will also participate in a number of other engagements during the visit.

President Ali is accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali; Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibilities for Finance Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr., and other officials (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Diaspora shows ‘significant interest’ in investing here –Foreign Secretary FOREIGN Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Robert Persaud, has reported that the diaspora has demonstrated “significant interest” in investing in Guyana following two high-level government engagements in the tristate area of the United States of America.

During a recent interview on the

National Communications Network (NCN), the Foreign Secretary recalled the recent government engagement with the New York diaspora and the Guyanese-American Chamber of Commerce (GACC). The meeting was led by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips with support from Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and the

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips (centre); Parliamentary and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal with members of the diaspora during a recent visit to the U.S.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin

Croal.

During the meeti n g s , t h e d i a s p ora was apprised of business opportunities in Guyana, as well as visions and plans for each sector of the economy.

“There will be greater clarity on the opportunities. How you can do business in Guyana with ease.

There will be a range of opportunities, not only in oil and gas, but also in food production. Food prices are expected to increase and places like Guyana stand to gain from that moment. We have the potential to satisfy that demand,” the Foreign Secretary relayed.

He said the President Irfaan Ali-led Government has already conducted successful engagements with the Florida business community, U.S. investors and Central America, among others.

This was achieved

as part of the government’s promise to enhance diaspora involvement in Guyana.

“As we are bringing in forest investors, it is important that we target the Guyanese diaspora. We should not ignore this rich resource base that we call the global Guyanese diaspora, and as much as possible we want to reach out and let them know what the opportunities are,” the Foreign Secretary said.

He added that a number of missions have been planned to engage the diaspora.

To this end, he said the Guyana-American Chamber of Commerce is already tasked with identifying other follow-up activities. He noted too that a slew of investors have submitted proposals to either set up shop or partner with locations to benefit from business opportuni-

ties in Guyana.

“We are serious and we are committed, and these two high-level interactions were just the recent part of a continuous ongoing programme that will only escalate to ensure that the Guyanese diaspora is given the opportunity to complement and support, and also to make their input, whether it is investment or skills in the transformation agenda that is taking place in Guyana as our economy grows,” Persaud articulated. In the Region, the Foreign Secretary related that the Diaspora Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been in discussions with the diaspora in Venezuela, Brazil and the Caribbean on business opportunities, and on offering support during natural disasters.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

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Youth jailed for armed robbery, co-accused remanded

A 20-year-old unemployed man, was, on Monday, sentenced to four years in prison for armed robbery, while his co-accused was remanded to prison.

Marlaon Vossey of No. 5 Village, West Coast Berbice and Shaquille McDonald, 21,

of Independence Boulevard, La Penitence appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Crystal Lambert.

Vossey pleaded guilty to the armed robbery charge and was sentenced to four years in prison. He also pleaded

guilty to a separate gun possession charge and was sentenced to four years in prison along with a fine of $100,000.

Meanwhile, McDonald pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge and was remanded to prison until November 8.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Trio sentenced to 72 months for armed robbery

THREE men were, on Monday, sentenced to 72 months in prison for carrying out an armed robbery at the Chico Ramas Gas Station at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara.

Sahied Clarke, a 2 5 - y e a r- o l d s e c u r i t y officer; Seon Peters, a

24-year-old taxi driver and 30-year-old Vanburn James appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

The trio pleaded guilty to three counts of armed

robbery which occurred on October 14, 2021.

Magistrate Azore sentenced the men to serve 24 months in prison on each charge and ordered that the sentences run consecutively.

John Kerry says Glasgow COP26 is the ‘last best hope for the world’

America’s climate envoy John Kerry says the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow is the “last best hope for the world to get its act together”.

Kerry told the BBC that key countries were pursuing policies that border on being “very dangerous”.

He said that if greenhouse gas emissions were not reduced enough over the next nine years there was no chance of meeting long-term targets.

The aim is to hold the rise in the earth’s temperature to 1.5C. Scientists have said that would require global carbon emissions to fall by 45 per cent from 2010 levels by the end of this decade.

But apart from a brief period during COVID-19 lockdowns, emissions are still rising.

China, the world’s biggest emitter, will be key to any hopes of a strong outcome at COP26, when it is held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.

Leaders and delegates from around the world will attend the summit, including Mr Kerry and US President Joe Biden Kerry has previously said the US will push for rapid action after four years of “reckless behaviour” under previous President Donald Trump.

He said the US would now move forward with “humility and ambition” in the global negotiations.

A former presidential candidate, Kerry has long been a powerful voice in climate politics. As President Obama’s Secretary of State he played a key role in securing the Paris agreement in 2015.

The US Special Envoy on Climate Change told BBC Radio 4 documentary Glasgow: Our last best hope? that there were a lot of big promises without the necessary action.

“The truth is emissions are going up around the world, not down in enough countries, and key countries are pursuing policies that border on being very dangerous for everybody.”

Kerry has previously called on China to increase the speed and depth of its efforts to cut carbon.

China has promised to peak emissions by 2030 - but the US diplomat said that was not good enough.

“If you don’t reduce enough between 2020 and 2030 the scientists tell us we can’t get where we need to go. We will not be able to hold the earth’s temperature rise to 1.5 degrees and we won’t be able to achieve net zero by 2050.”

Kerry said he wanted Glasgow to raise the ambition of the 20 major economies in the world.

He said he would be looking for definite road-maps to net zero and money to help less developed countries also reach their goals without suffering economic hardship.

Kerry called this the “greatest test of global citizenship” he could think of.

“Glasgow is coming at a point where these scientists have told us we have about nine years remaining within which to make the most critical decisions. Those decisions have got to really start in earnest and in a significant sum in Glasgow.”

“We have to get on the road here and we’ve been talking about it for 30 years.

“So this is really what Glasgow is about, the last best hope to do what the scientists tell us we must which is to avoid the worst consequences of climate by making decisions now and implementing them now.” (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Oxygen plant for Liliendaal Hospital expected here soon was providing oxygen plants to countries, and anticipating that oxygen would be vital in the fight against the virus, especially if there is a surge, the minister inquired if an oxygen plant could be sourced.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Antho-

From left to right: Khandai Senanan of the HSS; Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, and HSS Coordinator, Ravi Dev, at the virtual press conference on Monday (DPI photo)

By Richard Bhainie AN oxygen generating plant valued at some US$150,000 has been sourced, through collaborative efforts, to be installed at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, Georgetown.

The plant will generate the requisite oxygen onsite to supply the hospital.

The oxygen plant was sourced and donated to Guyana through collaboration between Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and Sewa International, two international not-for-profit organisations which have been aiding with the fight against COVID-19.

Speaking at a virtual press conference on Monday, HSS Coordinator, Ravi Dev, said that the oxygen generating plant has already been sourced from India; however, there are some issues pertaining to getting a flight to transport it to Guyana.

“You can imagine the expense of flying it, but at this juncture … we need to ensure that our infectious disease hospital is supplied with its independent source of oxygen,” Dev said, noting that the cost to transport the equipment will be equivalent to the cost of the equipment itself.

The costs which will be saved by the government to supply oxygen to the hospital will be significantly reduced and the long-term benefit of having such a piece of equipment at the hospital was invaluable.

“Since the oxygen is produced on-site and supplied into the infrastructure already in the hospital, there is no need for these (oxygen) tanks, and that is one of the biggest savings,” Dev said.

The oxygen generator plant uses Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), a process by which ambient air passes through an internal filtration system, such as a molecular sieve, which has a large enough total surface area to separate nitrogen from the air, concentrating the remaining oxygen to a known purity.

Its output capacity varies according to calculated oxygen demand but typically ranges from two normal meters cubed per hour to 200 normal meters cubed per hour and the oxygen produced can either be piped directly from the oxygen tank to wards, or further compressed to fill cylinders.

“The plant that we have sourced is 800 litres per minute; we have done a generous calculation per individual of 16 litres per minute, that works out to about 50 patients at any one time that can be supplied with oxygen from this plant,” Khandai Senanan, HSS technical personnel said.

Initially, Dev had reached out to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, to assist with the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to aid the fight against the deadly novel coronavirus However, cognisant that Sewa International

ny highlighted that the Liliendaal hospital has nearly 200 beds, including 52 beds in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the oxygen plant is crucial for the operations of the hospital as, currently, the ministry buys oxygen for the facility.

“In terms of how

much money we will save, that we will have to do the calculation but certainly it would go a significant way in assisting us at the COVID hospital,” Dr. Anthony said as he explained that normally a patient requires about 15 litres of oxygen per minute.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Palms honours oldest resident Zury de Matos AS the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continues to observe ‘Month of the Elderly,’ subject minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud was happy to meet and interact with Zury de Matos, the oldest resident of the Palms Geriatric Home.

Minister Persaud was also delighted to interact with other residents of the Brickdam, Georgetown facility on Friday, and shared in an interfaith service with them that

Minister Persaud shares a moment with 106-year-old Zury de Matos

included prayers, songs, poems and dance.

Commenting on her meeting with Zury, she said: “She’s 106 years old, healthy and loves chocolates. After meeting her and listening to her saying that all she wants was chocolates, “I just had to send her some. She wanted nothing else! Bless you Ms. Zury.”

Zury is said to be in excellent physical heath and still does everything for herself. In fact, according to her medical reports, she suffers from no complications or abnormalities, has no stress,

them, so as to lead them into the digital age. This is in keeping with her statement earlier this month to mark ‘International Day for Older Persons,’ when she encouraged the elderly population to embrace the digital world, especially during this time of the pandemic.

“The pandemic has emphasised the need for the elderly to enhance their knowledge of technology to access services or connect with loved ones.

Social distancing has taken a toll on many older folks and many become depressed because of lone-

Minister Persaud was delighted to interact with residents of the Palms Geriatric Home, Brickdam on Friday

has normal weight, and does not use any medication. She has remarkably recovered from coronavirus after contracting it last year, and is now fully immunised with the Sputnik V vaccine.

Meanwhile, Dr. Persaud also promised that she will make tablets available to residents there and teach them how to use

liness,” she had pointed out.

Dr. Persaud has continued to appeal to the public to report instances of elder neglect and abuse through the recently launched 914 Hotline and has also called on elderly folks to be more vocal about the abuses that they are made to endure.

Minister Persaud listens as one resident of the Palms expresses a thought

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Youman Nabi messages are invaluable to realisation of universal peace, togetherness and forgiveness ON the occasion of Youman Nabi, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to extend greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, more particularly, our brothers and sisters of the Muslim communities both here in Guyana and overseas. Youman Nabi is a very sacred occasion to Muslims across the world, since it marks both the birth and death anniversaries of Islam’s Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Its observance allows for worship and reflection on his exemplary life and inspiring teachings. The messages that are associated with Youman Nabi, offer guidance to all of mankind and are invaluable to the realisation of universal peace and togetherness thereby enabling opportunities for forgiveness. Youman Nabi, like other national observances, is invaluable to the promotion of unity through participation and increases the potential for the building of tolerance which is vital to the realisation of national harmony. This will take a collective effort and will redound positively for our country. Cognisant of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (OHBP), the PPP also believes that the occasion of Youman Nabi allows for the renewal of mindsets to follow the path of virtue and peace as epitomised in the religion of Islam. All are therefore urged to use the occasion for meaningful reflection, for spiritual advancement and to heed the many lessons of humility, contentment, respect and love among mankind. Our party is also aware of the impact the ongoing COVID19 pandemic has on events associated with national observances. The party is confident that, despite the challenges, the spirit and significance that Youman Nabi embodies will remain vibrant and relevant to our personal and collective development. Once again, best wishes.

Prophet Muhammed reminds us of principles such as peace, repentance, simplicity and equality THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially those who are adherents of Islam, on the occasion of Youman Nabi, a national holiday, which commemorates the birth of (and the death) the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Whom Peace Be Upon).

The IAC recognises that followers of Islam were present in this country since the days of slavery, as many of the enslaved Africans were Muslims.

The IAC also recognises that new influxes of Muslims to this occurred during the period of indentureship, as approximately one out of every five East Indian immigrants was a follower of the teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Whom Peace Be Upon).

The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to remember the moral pathways outlined by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Whom Peace Be Upon) in which he called upon all mankind to the way of peace and to the belief in supreme being, and thus reminded them of the importance of principles such as faith, repentance, honesty, simplicity, equality and concerned for the dispossessed and the poor.

The IAC, in this significant commemoration of one who arguably is the greatest human who ever lived and who preached the value of love, sacrifice and compassion, to be positively influenced, so that our everyday interactions with each other, irrespective of ethnic religious and class origins. The IAC is therefore pleased to join with Muslims here and worldwide to observe this auspicious day, and urge that special prayers be offered for peace, so that our country can move forward with prosperity.

Happy Youman Nabi from the IAC!

Prophet Muhammad exemplifies love, compassion and moral excellence In the name of Allah (swt), The Merciful, The Compassionate O Allah bless our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw), the light of lights, the secret of secrets, the antidote for depression and the key to the door of ease.

Assalaamu-Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi WaBarakatuh.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah (swt) be with you all.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity, on this joyful occasion of observing the birth and life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw), I extend to you on behalf of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana greetings on this auspicious occasion of Youmun-Nabi. I pray Allah (swt) will increase us in love for the final Messenger to Humanity, Prophet Muhammad (saws). May Allah (swt) bless us and accept all our devotion and service. Ameen.

More than fourteen hundred years ago, Allah (swt) bestowed his greatest mercy upon humanity by sending the Prophet Muhammad (saw) to teach the message of the Qur'an and guide humanity with his exemplary conduct. The Prophet (saw) was destined to be the best human ever to live on Earth— the most virtuous, the most patient, the most loving, the most courteous, the most merciful among men, the best to his wives, his friends, his family, the most honest, the most trustworthy, and so much more that even his enemies testified to it. The Prophet’s (saw) character was of such high moral excellence that Allah (swt) confirmed his greatness.

And you are of the highest standard of character (Quran 68:4) Prophet Muhammad (saw) lived among his people with such high moral character they called him al-Amîn — the Trustworthy. He was decisive and whole-hearted in everything he did. He spoke when he saw benefit and spent long periods in silent contemplation. His speech was comprehensive, being neither wordy nor abrupt. He had a mild temperament and was never harsh nor cruel, never coarse nor rude. He expressed gratitude for everything given to him. People entered his gatherings as seekers and left enlightened.

He never stood nor sat without mentioning the name of Allah (swt). He never reserved a special place for himself in a gathering. He gave each of those who sat with him full attention. Voices were never raised in his presence. The aged were respected for their age and the young were shown compassion for their youth.

His wives and companions spoke of his humor and cheerfulness. Once an old woman asked him if she would enter paradise and he replied, “Old people don’t go to heaven!” The woman was crestfallen with the answer he had provided, to which he added with a smile, “You shall enter paradise in the prime of your youth.”

And once a gruff desert Bedouin came into the mosque and prayed out loud saying, “O God forgive me and Muhammad (saw) and don’t forgive anyone else.” Hearing this the Prophet (saw) laughingly observed, “You are limiting the vast mercy of God.” The Prophet’s (saw) love and compassion for his fellow beings and his concern for their welfare in all spheres of human endeavors were paramount. He was a ruler concerned with the welfare of his subjects, and he continually sought improved relationship between members of the Muslim community and those of other faiths, preaching and practicing brotherhood, toler-

ance, and patience. His dying words were, “Treat your women well, and do not oppress your servants, the prayer, the prayer, don’t be neglectful of the prayer. O God, my highest companion, my highest companion.”

The occasion of celebrating the birth and life of our Master and Guide Prophet Muhammad (saw) should be used to strengthen our will to follow his example.

Are we emulating him by trying to be merciful to our fellow man? If we aren’t, we should understand that our adherence to his tradition is wanting. Let us reflect on some of his messages: “… verily, Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides [kindness]” "Wealth, social position and racial superiority do not give special status to anyone; all of you are equal in the eyes of God. It is only the path of righteousness, which makes you a distinguished human being."

We should remember that our love for the Prophet (saw) will be a means of our being with Him (saw) God Willing. Let us spend these days in increased prayer upon the Prophet (saw), as Allah (swt) commanded us in the Holy Quran Surah Al-Ahzab 33:56 Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.

This is a unique command from Allah (swt). One in which Allah (swt) commands us with an act in which He (swt) and His (swt) Angels are performing.

Remember that when we send blessing on our Beloved Rasoolullah(saws), Allah (swt), His Angels, and His Messenger send mercy on the one who invokes blessings. Such a person's wrongdoings are expiated, his good deeds are increased and purified, his status elevated, his wealth increases, it removes hardships of poverty and the suppliant attains proximity and closeness to Rasoolullah (saws) on the day it most matters. The blessings (themselves) seek forgiveness for him and his sins are forgiven. Whomsoever makes it his complete regimen by day and night, both his worldly and otherworldly matters are taken care of; it is a source of protection from turmoil on the day of reckoning. Rasoolullah (saws) will testify on that day of judgment for such a person and His (saws) intercession will be granted for him.

Our undying love for Prophet Muhammad (saws) is the framework by which every Muslim lives his life; and what a beautiful life we will have if we pattern ourselves by the most beautiful example depicted to us by our Beloved and final Messenger Muhammad (saw).

I ask Allah (swt) to bless all of you and join us in praising our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw): O Allah, bless our Master Muhammad, who opened what was closed and sealed what was before.

He makes the truth victorious by the truth and he is the guide to Your Straight Path. And bless his Household as it befits his immense stature and splendor.

Oh Allah! Bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is remembered, and bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is not remembered.

May the Peace and Blessing of the Most Merciful be upon each and everyone. Wa-Alaikumus-Salaam WaRahmatullahiWaBarakaatuh.

Al-Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad President, CIOG

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APNU+AFC extends best wishes on Youman Nabi ON the occasion of Youman Nabi also known as Mawlid al-Nabi, Muslims here in Guyana and around the world gather in groups in masjids and other places to reflect on the life and the tremendous work of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who is known as the final messenger of Islam.

During the activities that portray this reflection, we commemorate the birth anniversary of this noble personality, who has been described as a mercy to mankind. On this auspicious occasion, as we remember Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who is recognised and accepted as being fair, truthful, kind, patient, trustworthy, and generous among other great qualities, we encourage you to emulate the attributes of his character that will lead us to a unified and harmonious Guyana. The APNU+AFC Coalition recognises the contributions of this noble prophet of Islam, especially as he encouraged mankind to practise enjoining good and forbidding that which is wrong.

These were the qualities that empowered Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to fight for and represent the oppressed people; he bestowed a place of honour for women and girls in the society as he ensured that all cruelty and exploitation on them were abolished. He was a champion against social injustices such as racism and discrimination as he taught everyone around him that the religion of Islam recognises and appreciates the diversities of all mankind. Today in Guyana, it is evident that we have moved away from the guiding principles of this noble prophet, as we are witnessing daily the oppression of brothers and sisters whereby injustices are inflicted upon them because of their ethnicity, political affiliation, geographic location, and social status.

The APNU+AFC Coalition takes this opportunity to call on all Guyanese, as we reflect on the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) let us use the practices of his life and demand justice for our people, so that we can exemplify our motto One People, One Nation, One Destiny. Today, as we commemorate the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the APNU+AFC Coalition extends best wishes to all Guyanese here and in the diaspora, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters and to encourage each of us to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers as we strive for a united and harmonious Guyana.

May the guidance of Almighty God be with us all.

Teachings of the Prophet embrace love, togetherness and acceptance of God’s commandments THE Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC) extends greetings to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim community, in observance of Youman Nabi; the birth and death anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The commission notes that the observance marks another auspicious occasion accorded equal public holiday status given to other festivals of the major religions in the country.

The ERC overwhelmingly supports continued preservation of the country’s religious diversity and urges reflection by all Guyanese on the significance of Youman Nabi.

The Holy Quran refers to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a mercy to mankind and the ERC supports the teachings of the Holy Prophet; they embrace love and respect for each other to reform mankind’s behaviour and the acceptance of God and his commandments.

Youman Nabi serves to reinforce those teachings today among Muslims and all Guyanese which, centuries later, remain relevant and continue to be a meaningful guide to all.

The ERC is certain that in heeding those lessons, all Guyanese will be better positioned to foster unity and harmony. The commission reminds once more of taking the necessary steps to remain safe from COVID-19 during this national observance.

R3PSInc: Be inspired by the Prophet’s courage, humility, kindness, and charity THIS is the time when our Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

During this period Muslims around the world spend time praying and giving alms to the poor and needy. This gesture of love is worthy of emulation and has the propensity to move us away from abhorrence which hinders progress and development in our country and communities.

Therefore, as we emphasise the spirit of caring and sharing love, let us contemplate ways to improve the general development of Guyana and the world of which we are all a part.

As Muslims throughout Guyana observe Youman Nabi – The day of the Prophet – we wish to encourage them to reHalim Khan flect deeply and profoundly on his teachings and be inspired Head of R3PSInc by his humanitarian example, the quintessence of which is engraved with courage, humility, kindness, and charity.

May we all take example from the life of the Holy Prophet! May we all aspire to live our own lives with the same wholesome practices and devotion as did the Prophet Muhammad (On Whom Be Peace).

Once again, Happy Youman Nabi.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Autopsy: Motorcyclist in High Street accident died from broken neck

EON Howard, 48, of Lot 433 Samaroo Street, ‘B’ Field, South Sophia, Georgetown, suffered a broken neck when he crashed his motorcycle, CK 7303, Sunday last, on High Street, Werk-En-Rust, Georgetown. This was confirmed by an autopsy done on his remains on Monday.

The body was then handed over to his relatives.

The fatal accident occurred in the vicinity of Carnegie School of Home Economics.

According to the police, Howard was driving his motorcycle, #CK 7303, at the time and was proceeding south on High Street at a fast rate of speed when he lost control and ended up in a

Dead: Eon Howard

concrete drain located on the eastern side of the road.

As a result, he was pinned by the motorcycle.

The motorcyclist was subsequently assisted out of

the drain by public-spirited citizens and later examined.

He was pronounced dead at the accident scene by a doctor from the Emergency Medical Service Unit.

GAWU embraces the Prophet’s teachings on personal and universal peace IT is now beyond repute – and dispute – that the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, On Who Be Peace (OWBP), is one of mankind’s most seminal and life-changing figures contributed to this world as we know it.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) salutes Guyana’s Muslim community, including hundreds of its own members, on the occasion of the birth of their Prophet – Youman Nabi.

The celebration of a birth is always tinged with joy of hope, new beginnings, fresh starts and the advent of things to come. However, it is what actually transpires after a birth – that period until death – that we must concern ourselves with.

The history of the Prophet’s birthday is traced to around AD 570. First, observed during the 13th century, the earliest Muslims used up one whole month to do this.

Later, it was the sound teachings and admonitions of Islam’s founder which scholars and the faithful study to mean-

GTUC hails the life of Prophet Mohammed

ingfully observe his momentous birth.

GAWU embraces the teachings of the Prophet (OWBP) with respect to the search for personal and universal peace. Recent conflicts illustrate that even the powerful cannot win hearts and minds, cannot change people’s preferences with the force of guns and bombs. As the Prophet (OWBP) teaches, humility and peaceful engagement is the way to understanding and mutual respect. If there is one precept the followers of Islam can perpetuate, it is the pathway to peace.

GAWU invites Guyanese Muslims to both disseminate and implement messages and techniques of peace. If peace is promoted and achieved – from the political a n d constitutional to the local and national – everything else our society needs can fall into place – increased production, security, investment, national well-being.

May the celebration and worship on this glorious birth anniversary be used to engender and maintain Guyanese peace.

THE Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends Youman Nabi greetings to our Guyanese brothers and sisters, moreso the ones from the Muslim community.

As the nation marks the birth of GTUC General-Secretary, Lincoln Lewis the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the viz:-Profession of Faith (shahada); Prayer founder of the faith and last Prophet from God (Allah), even as there is merri- (salat); Alms (zakat); Fasting (sawm); and ment given what his birth represents, the Pilgrimage (hajj). And to these the GTUC significance of same should not be over- implores our brothers and sisters to apply looked. Our Muslim brothers and sisters in the nation's quest for peace, goodwill have added value to the nation’s moral and equality amongst all Guyanese.

Happy Youman Nabi! compass with the faith’s five core beliefs,

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Female farmers from Latin America, Caribbean recount their fight against inequality

Female farmers from various Latin American and Caribbean countries who work day to day to build a better life for themselves and their communities were the leading participants at the commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women organised by the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA).

María Emilia Undurraga, Minister of Agriculture of Chile, delivered a message at the event, during which participants listened to first-hand accounts that reflect women’s growing leadership role in rural areas and discussed the need to give greater visibility to the inequality gaps that affect them.

Poverty, marginalisation and food insecurity rates are much higher among rural women compared to rural men or even urban women.

“Women play a key role in rural development, making a significant contribution to the local economy, fostering the eradication of poverty, confronting climate change, guaranteeing education and nutrition for their families, and strengthening the social fabric,” explained Undurraga.

The minister warned that it is time to work together to improve the quality of life of rural women and mentioned that domestic violence and barriers to accessing new technologies are some of the most pressing issues to be addressed. “Women play a key role in driving positive changes in rural communities,” she remarked.

Sussy Rodríguez de Zura, Head of Monitoring at the Sectoral Policies and Planning Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador, stated that rural women’s vulnerabilities were aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic and called for “supporting them to eradicate violence and poverty in rural areas”.

Other participants at the event included Jolie Pollard from Belize, who created natural haircare products made from natural algae; Jussara Dantas, founder of an agricultural cooperative in the Northeast region of Brazil; Evelyn Alvarado, a cocoa farmer from Costa Rica; Petrona Pérez, a coffee farmer from Guatemala; and Lucila Quintana from Peru, a promoter of farmers’ associative activities.

“When you live in a small rural community with few resources, limitations can

María Emilia Undurraga, Minister of Agriculture of Chile; Liliana Jiménez Molina, cocoa farmer and noted advocate of rural women’s rights in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia; Tamisha Lee, President of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers; Sussy Rodríguez de Zura, Head of Monitoring at the Sectoral Policies and Planning Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador; and Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, during the commemorative event

serve as an incentive to innovate. Rural women can overcome obstacles and try new things,” stated Pollard.

Jussara Dantas explained that the agricultural co-operative brings together some 270 farmers of the semi-arid region of the Brazilian state of Bahia. “Seventy per cent of its members are women, who grow native fruits that are made into jams, jellies and compotes. At first, we faced many difficulties commercialising the products, but we managed to access the national and international market,” she noted.

ACTIVE ROLE Dantas explained that women now play an active role in the food production chain and that urgent actions are needed to achieve gender equality, including access to training opportunities and political decision-making forums.

Evelyn Alvarado underscored the fact that “poverty in rural areas has a woman’s face”, explaining that “women may have good ideas, but it is very difficult for them to get funding because they do not own assets to use as a guarantee. In rural areas, men own everything, including land and animals”.

Petrona Pérez recounted how she began to grow coffee as a child in a Guatemalan village when her father migrated to the United States, explaining that she went out to sell it herself. “We must support small-scale producers, particularly through education, because everything is harder for rural women,” she said.

“The rural sector needs the associativity of smallscale producers to have representative organisations,”

stated Lucila Quintana from Peru. “Today, women are on the board of directors of their

respective co-operatives, but we still have a lot of work to do to promote capacity-build-

ing, digital inclusion and access to new information and communication technol-

ogies.”

During the virtual event, Liliana Jiménez Molina from Colombia and Tamisha Lee from Jamaica, both with significant experience in the agricultural sector, were recognised as delegates of the Hemispheric Platform for Rural Women.

The platform is a website launched by IICA, in August, with the aim to create networks, facilitate access to training opportunities and drive an exchange of experiences to help empower the women of the Americas who live and work in rural areas.

Jiménez is a cocoa farmer and noted advocate of rural women’s rights in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia. She was always recognised by IICA as a #LeaderofRurality.

TURN TO PAGE 18

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Autopsy: young Strathspey Female farmers from businessman died from Latin America... incision to the neck

FROM PAGE 17

CAUSE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

GANESH “Chris” Persaud, 20, of Strathspey, East Coast Demerara (ECD), died as a result of an incised wound to the neck, according to an autopsy performed on his remains on Monday.

Persaud was last Friday stabbed to the neck while in the family’s store – Deals on Electronics – by the suspect who wanted his gold chain.

The alleged murderer was identified as 24-year-old Kapildeo Jangadin of Annandale, ECD; he was captured shortly after the incident and the police reportedly found the gold chain in his possession.

Jangadin is expected to be charged Wednesday, when he will be processed through the Cove and John Magistrate’s court.

Persaud died at the Dr Balwant Singh’s

Dead: Ganesh Persaud

Hospital in Georgetown while receiving medical attention. He would have celebrated his 21st birthday today (October 19).

The Colombian thanked IICA for “taking up the cause of equal opportunities for rural women” and underscored the importance of the Hemispheric Platform: “I am committed to promoting it so that rural women can influence and promote structural changes”.

Jiménez invited female farmers in the region to register on the platform.

Lee is president of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers and defends the rights of rural women in her country, across the Caribbean and around the world. In July, she participated in the United Nations Food Systems Pre-Summit in Rome where she made a statement on behalf of female farmers.

“The Platform provides a tool to promote inclusive food systems that promote health, well-being and smart agricultural practices.

The pandemic has had a number of economic impacts that have increased inequality; that is why women must help each other and men should join the cause,” she said.

In turn, Manuel Otero, Director-General of IICA, emphasised that International Day of

Rural Women is not a celebration. “We commemorate this date to point out that we have a pending debt with rural women and that we must put our words into action,” he said.

Otero expressed that the 58 million rural women in Latin America and the Caribbean are responsible for food security and preserving biodiversity, but that they suffer flagrant inequality that is manifest in every part of rural life.

“Only 30 per cent own farmlands, which are smaller in size and quality. The pandemic and resulting mobility restrictions increased the risk for women of being exposed to gender violence, a situation that was demonstrated in several countries in the region.

Moreover, rural women earn only half of what urban women earn and a third of what their male counterparts earn,” explained IICA’s Director-General.

Otero announced that soon, IICA will convene a second meeting of the Forum of Ministers and Vice Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas, which was created in July in the framework of the Food Systems Pre-Summit to promote public policies that empower rural women and promote recognition of their rights. (IICA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

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CARICOM foreign ministers hold two-day strategic meeting

THE CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) held a special meeting hosted by the Consul General of Jamaica in Miami, Florida, USA, last Saturday and Sunday.

According to a release, it was the first in-person meeting of the COFCOR since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020, bringing together ministers who had assumed office over the past 18 months and their colleagues.

The meeting was strategic in intent and provided the opportunity to define common positions and to thereby strengthen the coordination of approaches on foreign policy matters.

Views were expressed on a CARICOM vision 2050 and Strategic Positioning of the Community in that regard.

Threats and opportunities were outlined and discussions centred on the web of relations with international partners, third states, as well as regional and international organisations which would help to shape a strategic foreign policy agenda for the Community.

The meeting’s agenda also included the multifaceted effects of COVID-19, including inequitable access to vaccines and the emerging two-tiered system

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The meeting was the first in-person meeting of the COFCOR since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in January, 2020, bringing together ministers who had assumed office over the past 18 months and their colleagues (CARICOM photo)

of vaccine approval related to international travel, as well as the barriers to access to concessional financing and other obstacles to economic recovery.

Attention was paid to bilateral and multilateral relations within the Western Hemisphere, as well as to concerns arising from areas of political instability in the wider Caribbean region. Discussions on the community’s relations with regional and hemispheric organisations were also undertaken with a view to strengthening that interface.

The situation in Haiti was discussed and possi-

ble modes of intervention

by CARICOM to assist a Haiti-driven solution were explored.

Deliberations also took place with regard to extra-regional partnerships with focus being placed on the recent strengthening of relations with Africa and the required follow-up to the first summit last month. Relations with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the Commonwealth were also discussed. With regard to the latter, where the issue of renewal of the term of office of the Secretary-General re-

mains pending, the Council reiterated its stance

that the incumbent, Baroness Scotland, enjoys

the broad support of the Community.

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Five more die from COVID-19

FIVE more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 875, the Ministry of Health has reported.

The ministry said that the latest fatalities are five men, including a 64-year-old who was unvaccinated and died on October 17; a 69-year-old who was unvaccinated and died on October 17; and a 34-year-old whose vaccination status was unknown and who died on October 7. All three men are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara).

The remaining fatalities are two men from Region Four (Demerara Mahaica); a partially vaccinated 68-year-old who died on October 17 and an unvaccinated 79-year-old who died on October 18.

Additionally, there are currently 3,873 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 122 new cases on October 18, 2021, after 441 tests were conducted.

The 59 newly confirmed cases were recorded in Regions One, Three, Four, Six, Seven, and 10.

Region Four accounted for 19 of the new

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

cases; Region One recorded one new case; Region Three recorded 21 cases; Region Six recorded four new cases, while Regions Seven and 10 recorded two and 12 new cases, respectively.

The country has now recorded a total of 34,514 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 24 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 127 are in institutional isolation, 3,722 are in home isolation, and six are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until October 31, 2021.

They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leav-

ing their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended.

The current curfew period is 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Call made to amplify discourse about adolescent pregnancy

FOR the second consecutive year, the Caribbean is observing Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week under the theme “No child pregnancy”. The overall objective of the week is to increase commitment from policymakers, programme managers, parents and young people, among others to address adolescent pregnancy as a priority public health issue affecting the health and de-

Caribbean (LAC) girls from poorer, lower educated, rural, indigenous and afro descendent groups are most vulnerable to early pregnancy. The region ranks second highest in the world for adolescent birth rate at 60.7, and wide variations persist between sub-regions and countries and within countries.

Though some countries have made good strides in reducing cases of adoles-

velopment of young people in the Caribbean.

The regional event in commemoration of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week in the Caribbean is spearheaded

by PAHO and UNFPA, in collaboration with other partners, supporting Caribbean youth in advocating for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

According to a release, the virtual youth-led events will take place from October 18 -22, 2021 and will feature a regional launch of the week, an intergenerational dialogue, a virtual town Hall and a technical webinar, which will focus on legal barriers that affect child pregnancy, all of which are expected to contribute to the formation and strengthening of policies in member states to bring adolescent pregnancy to the forefront, to protect young girls through education, support, and advocacy.

Adolescent pregnancy hampers girls’ psychosocial development, contributes to poor health outcomes for the girls and their offspring, negatively affects their educational and employment opportunities and contributes to the perpetuation of intergenerational cycles of poor health and poverty.

In Latin America and the

cent pregnancy through evidence-informed approaches, policy development, advocacy and addressing the key drivers of early pregnancy (such as restrictive laws, discrimination, health-system barriers, unequal gender roles, racism, and social exclusion), however, COVID-19 has presented unique challenges that prevent girls’ access to healthful commodities and educational opportunities. This has, in turn, fueled occurrences of sexual and gender-based violence.

There is a need to protect young girls and advocate for their access to informed sexual reproductive health.

The Caribbean Adolescent Prevention Week aims to provide a platform for Caribbean youth to voice their ideas and concerns about reducing adolescent pregnancy, so that the conversations can continue within their respective countries to enable environments that protect and support young Caribbean girls. The event’s activities will include a virtual town hall discussion on Twitter and webinar on the ‘Prevention of Child Pregnancies’ presented by CARICOM & PAHO. “Links to all virtual events are provided on PAHO’s Caribbean’s Face-

book page and we encourage the public and partners to take part in the discussions. Out of this we hope will come informed ideas that will be used to amplify messages about the reduction of early pregnancy across Caribbean media, within community groups and all other relevant areas,” the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Wiltshire to lead three-man squash team at Junior Pan Am THE prolific Shomari Wiltshire will lead Guyana’s three-man squash team, at the inaugural Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia from November 25 to December 5.

He is joined by Samuel Ince-Carvalhal and Caribbean Under-15 champion, Michael Alphonso.

On Saturday, the Guy-

ana Squash Association (GSA) staged playoffs at the Georgetown Club Courts, Camp Street, Georgetown, to select two of the three spots.

According to a release from GSA on Monday, “Wiltshire, away at school, secured his spot with previous outstanding performances and his consistent reign at

the head of the Junior team.”

Wiltshire, the reigning Caribbean Under-17 champion is at the Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut – an institution that boasts of a rigorous squash programme and a notable academic agenda.

The release indicated that two remaining spots were filled via round-robin

competition with the contestants being Alphonso, Ince-Carvalhal, Nicholas Verwey, and Mohryan Baksh.

Summarised scores: Samuel Ince-Carvalhal defeated Mohryan Baksh 10-12, 11-2, 11-2, 11,4 Michael Alphonso bettered Nicholas Verwey 11-13, 1311, 12-14, 11-3, 11-4

Campher takes helmet-trick as Ireland...

Campher his hat-trick.

9.5 overs: Roelof van der Merwe flashes at a wider delivery and deflects the ball off the inside edge onto the stumps, sparking delirious celebrations by the Ireland players.

O'Dowd went on to hit 51 off 47 balls, but the Netherlands lost their last three wickets for one run as Mark Adair finished with 3-9.

Opener Paul Stirling made an unbeaten 30 off

39 balls and Gareth Delany hit 44 off 29 to ensure Ireland were well in control of the chase before Campher tapped a single to complete victory Curtis Campher was playing only his fifth T20 international for Ireland All-rounder Campher, 22, was born in South Africa but has an Irish passport and qualified for Ireland through his grandmother.

The former South Africa

GTTA eyeing... (From page 39) ers who will attend.

Wong is currently in Germany at a high-performance camp, compliments of a US$8 000 investment from GOA and GTTA president Godfrey Munroe said avenues are being explored to get Van Lange into a programme.

“At the Executive level of the Olympic Association, that was discussed and a proposal is to be made for Jonathan,” Munroe, who is also a GOA vice-president, stated at a press briefing Saturday.

Munroe, said they are exploring the option to have him potentially join Wong at the Topspin Tischtennis Centre.

The GTTA head had indicated that they opted to send Wong to Germany given the cost-effective nature as opposed to the programme in the United States of Amer-

ica.

He further highlighted that while Wong will have to leave the camp for the Senior Pan American Championships which will run from November 13 to 19 in Lima, Peru, Van Lange can remain in Germany until a later date.

The Junior Pan Am Games will start November 25 but table tennis players are only allowed to enter the camp from November 27 with the discipline going into competition mode from November 30.

“There is a plan to intensify his preparation and provide some match practice, even if it is for a two/threeweek engagement,” Munroe expressed.

Van Lange is currently engaged in daily sessions with National coach Idi Lewis at the Malteenoes Sports Club.

Under-19 player was brought into the Ireland set-up by former wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien, who played against him in 2018 when Ireland faced a South Africa provincial XI. Campher made his Ireland debut in a one-day international loss to England in 2020, top-scoring with 59 not out, before making his T20 debut in defeat by Zimbabwe in August.

"It's just been good to be out there again because I've struggled with injuries lately," said Campher.

"I wasn't feeling great out

there with the ball but (captain) Andrew Balbirnie just told me to crack the game open and thankfully I did."

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the first player to take a helmet-trick in T20 internationals, against Ireland in February 2019, while former Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga did so against New Zealand in September 2019.

Germany's Anuradha Doddaballapur became the first woman to take a helmet-trick in T20 internationals against Austria in August 2020.

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South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:10 hrs Jacob's Ladder 08:50 hrs Willow Expresd 09:25 hrs Starrywinternight 10:00 hrs Mufasa 10:35 hrs Chimichuri Run 11:10 hrs Desert Pride Irish Racing Tips Gowan Park 08:15 hrs Lexi's Dream 08:45 hrs Comfort Zone 09:20 hrs Sunset Shiraz 09:55 hrs Faithful Prince 10:30 hrs Local Bay 11:05 hrs Happywife-

Michael Alphonso beat Mohryan Baksh 11-7, 114, 11-6 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal defeated Nicholas Verwey 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 Nicholas Verwey thrashed Mohryan Baksh 11-8, 112, 11-5 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal trounced Michael Alphonso 11-5, 11-2, 11-3.

(From back page) Malinga is the only player to achieve the feat in ODIs, against South Africa at the 2007 50-over World Cup, while no-one has done it in Test cricket.

Campher is the first Ireland player to take a helmet-trick in T20 internationals.

He is also only the second bowler to do so at the Men's T20 World Cup after Australia's Brett Lee took the first T20 international hat-trick against Bangladesh at the inaugural tournament in 2007.

(BBC Sport)

happylife 11:40 hrs Sea Appeal 12:15 hrs Dawn Of The West English Racing Tips Yarmouth 08:23 hrs Ellencarne 08:55 hrs Clithetoe 09:30 hrs Tarhib 10:05 hrs Pocket The Profit 10:40 hrs Mountrath 11:15 hrs Glen Esk 11:50 hrs Katyusha 12:23 hrs Shamsrouski Newcastle 08:40 hrs Miracle Eagle 09:15 hrs Dubai Immo 09:50 hrs Pagan 10:25 hrs Canonized 11:00 hrs Plastic Paddy 11:35 hrs Temper Trap 12:05 hrs Donizetti 12:40 hrs Highjacked

34

Andre De Grasse ready to dominate sprints, says Bolt (REUTERS) - Lamont Marcell Jacobs may be the 100 metres Olympic champion but Andre De Grasse is the man to watch and the runner most likely to put his stamp on the men's sprints, says the world's fastest man Usain Bolt.

De Grasse took bronze in Tokyo but the Canadian's consistency makes him the frontrunner to dominate the sprint scene, including next year's world championships which will be staged in the United States for the first time.

The Tokyo Olympic 200m title represents the only major gold on De Grasse's resumé but the 26-year-old has been a medal machine at the big events collecting 10 Olympic and world championship medals.

De Grasse has been on Bolt's radar since finishing runner-up to the Jamaican sprint king in the 100m at the 2016 Rio Games and now the Canadian may finally be ready to assume the throne.

"Andre De Grasse is more consistent; any time he is in shape he is always on the podium," Bolt told Reuters. "So if that continues on this line he would be the guy to watch, or he will be the guy to beat.

"Everyone else has been up and down, win one meet lose the next and it is all about consistency."

Since Bolt, an eight-time

Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse

Olympic champion, left the sport, no one has been able to fill the void left by the charismatic Jamaican on the track or off it.

Jacobs shot from relative sprinting obscurity in Tokyo to snatch the 100m crown Bolt had worn for three Games (2008, 2012, 2016) while Americans Justin Gatlin and Christian Coleman won the last two world titles that had been the Jamaican's property.

Bolt's departure has resulted in a revolving door at the top of the podium and left the sport without a marquee personality that casual fans can grab onto.

CROSSOVER STAR More than four years after his last race in 2017, athletics is still searching for that one crossover star.

Asked if there was anyone out there ready to assume that responsibility Bolt said "not yet," adding that it

doesn't need to be a sprinter.

"It's always good to have one person that really stands out who pulls people to the sport," said Bolt, who launched his newest project on Friday - Labs powered

by SprintRay, an initiative focussed on expanding global access to dental care.

"But it is also good to have that surprise of whose going to be great, whose going to step up, whose going to do well," added Bolt. "It depends how you look at it.

"For me the opportunity is there for anyone not just in sprints, but for anyone in any event whether it is long jump or shot put, just bring a little personality to the sport and show up and perform at a high level so the people will be excited to watch the sport of track and field."

Nowhere will that be more important than next year's world championships in Eugene, Ore. with athletics eager to raise the sport's profile in North American market where it remains a niche sport.

"The U.S. is one of those places where track and field is not that big," said Bolt.

"So the fact we have brought it to the U.S. now is very important for the athletes to perform and to really get eyes on the sport.

"For me I would love to be part of it. No matter what is going on I will be there."

Husband in court over killing of Kenyan athlete Tirop NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) - A Kenyan court yesterday allowed police to hold the husband of long distance runner Agnes Tirop for 20 days over her killing, the KTN News channel reported.

Tirop's husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arraigned on suspicion of her murder during his first appearance before the court in the Rift Valley town of Iten, close to

the home they shared.

Police told the court they would use the time to complete investigations and to carry out tests on the suspect to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.

Detectives arrested Rotich on Thursday in the coastal city of Mombasa, saying he was trying to flee the country. Neither Rotich, nor his representatives have made any public comments

on the case.

Tirop was found dead the month after she broke the women's 10-km world record in Germany.

On October 3, Tirop finished second in the Giants Geneva 10K race. She claimed bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships in the 10 000m race, and won the 2015 World Cross Country Championships.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Dodemaide takes seat on Australia's selection panel FORMER Test and oneday all-rounder Tony Dodemaide has been confirmed as Australia's newest men's selector, filling the seat vacated by Trevor Hohns.

The 58-year-old Melburnian will join Tasmania's George Bailey and current head coach Justin Langer on the National Selection Panel when he takes up the role in mid-November, ahead of the Vodafone Ashes series.

Dodemaide, who is 10 years younger than Hohns, brings to the panel extensive experience as a highly respected and successful administrator following high profile stints in Victoria, Western Australia and London. He is currently general manager of Hockey One, the new elite national competition for Australian hockey.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a contribution not only in the immediate tournaments and series but also in helping to chart the medium to longer term course of the Australian men's teams," Dodemaide

Former Test and ODI all-rounder and experienced administrator Tony Dodemaide

said.

"I can't wait to offer my experience in cricket as a player and in management to assist George (Bailey) and JL (Langer) but also the wider Australian cricket high performance network.

"Throughout my cricket journey I have often been close to high performance and selection, so I feel well suited to and prepared for

this role."

Dodemaide joins the panel ahead of a busy period for the Australian team, who are currently in the UAE for the T20 World Cup. The team will host England for the Ashes from December 8 in Brisbane, and immediately after will play three ODIs and a T20I against New Zealand before the five-match Dettol T20I series against Sri Lanka that finishes on February 20 next year, after which the Test team are scheduled to make their first visit to Pakistan in almost 24 years.

Hohns stepped away from selection duties in July at the expiry of his contract, having served two stints in the high-profile position from 1995 to 2005 and 2016 to 2021.

Bailey, 39, chairs the three-person panel and is the only member with extensive experience of playing T20 cricket, having joined fresh from the end of his playing days in February 2020. (Cricket. com.au)

Sri Lanka overcome early wobble to beat Namibia A thorough all-round performance from Sri Lanka helped them secure a comprehensive seven-wicket win in the first game of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign against Namibia.

After a minor hiccup in the beginning, Sri Lanka made light work of the 97run target and chased it down with seven wickets and 39 balls to spare. The win takes Sri Lanka to the top of the Group A table with a net run rate of +2.607.

The Sri Lankan bowlers had won half the battle for their team in the first innings as the Namibia batters looked uncomfortable against the spin as well as the genuine pace. Maheesh Theekshana took three wickets, while Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga each had two.

With the bat, an unbeaten 74-run partnership between

Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa guided Sri Lanka to victory as Namibia let an early advantage slip away.

Namibia make early inroads Having put up a target of only 97, Namibia needed its bowlers to bag early wickets to make a game of it. Kusal Perera was the first batter to make the long walk back after a slower one from Ruben Trumpelmann deceived the southpaw. The mis-hit carried to JJ Smit at mid-off, who completed a good diving catch to his right.

Sri Lanka lost their other in the next over when Bernard Scholtz trapped Pathum Nissanka in front of the stumps. Smit then struck with the first ball of his spell to give Namibia some hope of a fightback as Dinesh Chandimal’s rut with the bat continued.

Fernando and Rajapaksa to the rescue Sri Lanka were in a precarious position at 26/3 after the wicket of Chandimal.

Namibia were pumped up after a great opening spell from their bowlers and were smelling blood.

Under pressure, Fernando, Sri Lanka’s in-form batter, and Rajapaksa steered Sri Lanka out of trouble. Both players took the attack to the bowlers, with Rajapaksa assuming the role of the aggressor with four fours and a maximum. Sri Lanka went into the drinks break at 68/3 and in a much better position than they were at the Powerplay.

After the break, Sri Lanka pressed on the accelerator, perhaps keeping in mind Ireland’s healthy net run-rate after the first game, and finished the game inside 14 overs. (ICC)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

NAMILCO renews sponsorship of RHTYSC U-21, First Division teams THE National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) last Friday renewed its cricket sponsorship of the Under-21 and First Division teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS (RHTYSC) during a simple presentation ceremony at the company’s Agricola head office.

The sponsorship, which would last until October 2022, is valued at G$420 000.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Club was delighted at the renewal of the sponsorship, despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stated that NAMILCO had come on board as the teams’ official sponsor in September 2019, replacing Gizmos and Gadgets. The teams since then have participated in a total of seven tournaments and have been unbeaten to date.

They are the defending champions at the 20/20, 100 balls, 40-over and 50-over, while the Under-21s are also the defending Berbice champions. The teams have also successfully completed close to 100 activities under the name of the sponsorship.

Among the activities are the construction of three homes for less fortunate families, award ceremonies for outstanding Guyanese, charity programmes, donations to organisations and playing a major role

in educating Berbicians on COVID-19.

Among the activities organised were Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Tribute to Medical Workers, Tribute to Outstanding Teachers, Youth Information Booklet, COVID-19 educational posters and stickers, distribution of cycles and the distribution of over six million dollars’ worth of flood-relief food hampers.

The teams also hosted the Basil Butcher Trust Fund, Annual Christmas Village and assisted their peers with cricket gear worth millions.

Special emphasis was also placed on assisting the Rose Hall Town Council to celebrate the 51st anniversary of Guyana’s smallest town.

Foster, who is also the president of the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board and vice-president of the Guyana Cricket Board, stated that the teams were very proud to represent the NAMILCO brand and hailed the relationship that exists between the management of the two organisations.

He noted that Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond all represented the West Indies under the sponsorship, while several more exciting talents are emerging under the club’s aggressive developmental programme led by head coach Delbert

RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster (second right) receives the sponsorship from NAMLICO Managing Director, Bert Sukhai, in the presence of other management officials.

Hicks along with Cricket Managers Robby Kissonlall, Keith Hicks and Tyrone Pottaya.

Among the other players representing the teams are Jason Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Shawn Pereira, Keon Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Khemraj Mahadeo, Delbert Hicks, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jermey Sandia, Mahendra Gopilall, Chanderpaul Govindan, Christopher Deroop, Matthew Pottaya and Romesh Bharrat.

The captain of the Under-21 team for 2022 would be Chanderpaul Govindan with Jonathan Rampersaud as his deputy, while Shawn

Pereira and Clinton Pestano would serve as captain and vice-captain respectively for the First Division team.

The long-serving RHTYSC official reassured the NAMILCO management team that the teams would continue to represent their brand with pride, commitment and discipline. He stated that cricket in the county would restart as soon as the National COVID-19 Task Force grants permission.

NAMILCO Managing Director, Bert Sukhai, hailed the two teams as outstanding flagbearers of the company brand and stated that they had exceeded expectations on and off the cricket field.

Sukhai expressed sat-

isfaction at the numerous activities of the teams, especially those which had a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate than themselves.

He urged the two NAMILCO Thunderbolt teams to uphold their high standards in the future and reassured them of his company’s support in the future.

RHTYSC Assistant Simon Naidu stated that the company, apart from sponsoring the two teams, co-sponsors a number of activities for the club on an annual basis, including the RHTYSC Review Magazine, Award Ceremony, Cricket Academy, Charity Programmes, Christmas

Programme, Say Yes/Say No Campaign and Tribute to Law Enforcement Officer Programme.

Naidu also stated that the company is expected to be on board shortly with a contribution to the RHTYSC 2021 Christmas Charity Programme, which would be held between December 1 and 24.

The teams at the conclusion of the presentation handed over a special gift to Sukhai in appreciation of his support of their activities over the years.

NAMILCO is a subsidiary of Seaboard Corporation of the United States. It produces the most popular brands of flour in Guyana.

Fully vaccinated spectators allowed at horse racing from November 1 in T&T PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced on Saturday that horse-racing fans can watch races in person again from November 1, but only those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

But the Arima Race Club (ARC) has indicated that racing will resume a week earlier, at Santa Rosa Park

in Arima, without spectators.

At a press conference on Saturday, Prime Minister Rowley announced: “We have been lobbied pretty heavily for the past two months by the Minister of Trade and associates in the horse-racing business but horse racing can resume to vaccinated patrons. In the stands, we’ll allow vaccinated persons only to come in at least for now.”

The last time there was racing was in April, before the COVID-19 lockdown measures took effect.

The local horse-racing season was scheduled to resume on October 16 at Santa Rosa Park but that was postponed by a week.

ARC president Robert Bernard told the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper that after a meeting of the ARC two Wednesdays

ago, a decision was taken to push back the resumption date to October 23.

“This was done to cater to unvaccinated members of the horse-racing fraternity.

The ARC has to comply with the Safe Zone operative and therefore some of the workers in the fraternity were not vaccinated, so it was best to defer by one week to ensure all is well,” he explained.

“With the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine, many of our owners, trainers, grooms, committee members and members have been vaccinated. No one will be allowed into the compound unless he/she is fully vaccinated. Everyone had the opportunity to get the one-shot two weeks ago and they would have been able to comply with being fully vaccinated by October 23. We

are not going to go against Government regulations.”

Bernard added that ARC has sent a programme for approval to T&T Racing Authority, which includes the Guineas and Derby to be run by the end of the year.

“We are awaiting their response. We are very hopeful that all will be well as we are not contravening any rules of racing,” he said.

36

England hit with stadium fan-ban for Wembley disorder

Crowd trouble erupted in and around the stadium during the Euro 2020 final.

ENGLAND will be forced to play behind closed doors at Wembley after the Football Association (FA) was punished for a “lack of order and discipline” in and around the national stadium during the Euro 2020 final.

Alongside a two-match crowd ban, with the second suspended for a probationary period of two years, UEFA ordered the FA to pay a fine of €100 000 (£84 500). The ban will come into effect on England’s next competitive UEFA fixture, which is set to be the opening home game of their 2022-23 Nations League campaign.

The punishment was widely expected after scenes of chaos and violence soured England’s encounter with Italy and a first major final in 50 years. Hundreds, possibly thousands, stormed the ground without a ticket.

There were then scenes of disarray inside the ground while, outside, further crowds caused trouble along Wembley Way before the

match and into the night with reports of assault, abuse and drug use widespread.

In explaining the reasons for its decisions, UEFA said the ban had been for a broad lack of order but drew attention to further specific offences in handing down the fine. The money should be paid, it said, for “invasion of the field of play, for throwing of objects and for the disturbances during the national anthems”.

The FA came under intense scrutiny following the events of July 11 for an apparent lack of effective security inside the ground.

An inquiry was launched, with results hoped for before Christmas.

“Although we are disappointed with the verdict, we acknowledge the outcome of this UEFA decision” the FA said in a statement, with the disappointment understood to refer to supporters being absent.

“We condemn the terrible behaviour of the individuals who caused the disgraceful

scenes in and around Wembley Stadium at the Euro 2020 final, and we deeply regret that some of them were able to enter the stadium.

“We are determined that this can never be repeated, so we have commissioned an independent review, led by Baroness Casey, to report on the circumstances involved.

We continue to work with the relevant authorities in support of their efforts to take action against those responsible and hold them to account.”

UEFA’s decision echoes a similar punishment given to Hungary following the racist and homophobic behaviour of their fans during the Euros.

For that Hungary received a three-match ban, with one match suspended, and a €100 000 fine.

Last week Hungary came to Wembley in a World Cup qualifying match, with scenes of violence breaking out as police attempted to arrest a visiting fan. (The Guardian)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

VVS Laxman refuses BCCI’s offer to head NCA – reports FORMER India batter VVS Laxman has refused to take up the role of director for the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) approached him for the pole position. Till now the NCA’s director was Rahul Dravid but he has to relinquish the role as he is almost certain to be the head coach of the national senior men’s team after the completion of the ICC T20 World Cup. BCCI wants to hand over the NCA director’s role to someone who has made a significant and telling contribution to the Indian cricket team and hence, they approached Laxman for the role. It is a well-documented fact that the former India batter was considered one of the greats of the game during his time. His contribution in the Tests in the middle-order for team India is second to none. Laxman has also earned a lot of respect and

Former India batsman VVS Laxman

admiration from his competitors and peers.

He finished his Test career with 8781 runs in 134 Test matches. He is currently the batting consultant of Bengal and also the mentor for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). According to reports in Sports Tak, the BCCI have begun to search for other options after Laxman

declined the role.

Earlier, the incumbent head coach of the Indian team Ravi Shastri had stated that he will not continue after the end of the T20 World Cup. The 59-yearold has been with the team since 2018 and has been instrumental in several of the team’s victories at overseas as well as in-home Tests.

But Shastri wants to take a backseat and has conveyed to BCCI about the same.

Several names were discussed for the role of head coach but the BCCI are keen to rope in Dravid. The 48-year-old comes with a vast amount of experience and has been the coach of Under-19 team for several years.

He was also the coach of the team during India’s limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. If the reports are certain, then Dravid will have to quit the NCA job and also his post from the Under-19 team. (CricTracker)

Wenger invites national team managers to meeting over World Cup ARSENE Wenger will meet this week with men’s national team managers to discuss reform to the international calendar from 2024 and the controversial proposal to play the World Cup every two years.

Wenger, the head of global football development at FIFA, is the front man for the plan that has angered UEFA and CONMEBOL, the South American governing body, together with many bodies, clubs, managers, players and fans. Critics of the scheme worry about the dilution of the World Cup’s special value and the increased strain that it could put on players, along with many other issues.

Wenger remains determined to force it through, to persuade people that change is inevitable and necessary, that a biennial World Cup represents the future and his talks with the managers are a part of that push.

The calls will be online and will take place on today and tomorrow. All of the managers have been invited.

FIFA’s proposals are set to be voted on in December

Arsene Wenger is head of global development at FIFA.

by its 211 member-associations.

“As a coach of the men’s national teams, their input is essential,” Wenger said. “Opportunities for us to come together are few and far between but we must embrace these occasions as such dialogue helps us all to protect the unique place that football has in the world and to make it truly global.”

Gareth Southgate, the

England manager, met with Wenger in August and said in September that he had an open mind about the proposals – as long as the programme did not become overwhelmed.

“I don’t know how athletes of our generation are going to find a World Cup every two years but I also know that things like The Hundred in cricket have been an incredible success,” Southgate said. “The calendar generally needs to be tidied up. We can’t keep adding more things in.”

Southgate has since become more conflicted, saying last week that FIFA’S proposals “seem to change every time” he speaks to the Football Association’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, about them.

One of Wenger’s suggestions has been to have only one international window each year. “What if your player was injured in October and he doesn’t play international football for a year?” Southgate said. “So I’m not quite sure where everything is.”

(The Guardian)

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Sri Lanka's first Test World Cup warm-up Warner's lean run continues captain Bandula Warnapura dies at 68 but Richardson, Aussie BANDULA Warnapura, Sri Lanka's first Test captain and a former coach and administrator, has died aged 68 at a private hospital in Colombo.

He was understood to have been struggling with diabetes and was rushed to the ICU last week following a spike in his blood sugar levels. He had briefly recovered before his situation worsened on Monday. He leaves behind his wife, daughter, two sons and grandchildren.

The Sri Lanka national side will be wearing black arm bands during their T20 World Cup match against Namibia on Monday as a tribute to Warnapura, SLC said. The Under-19 team that played against Bangladesh in the second Youth ODI in Dambulla on Monday was also seen wearing the same.

Warnapura, an old boy of Nalanda College, played 12 ODIs and four Tests in an

Bandula Warnapura's international career was cut short when he was handed a life ban by SLC. (Getty Images)

international career spanning seven years from 1975-1982.

He captained the side in each of his Tests and eight ODIs, including Sri Lanka's maiden Test in 1982 against England. His 38, while opening the batting in the second innings of that game, would remain his highest Test score.

He made his ODI debut against the West Indies at

the 1975 World Cup, and in the same tournament, he scored a memorable 39-ball 31 against an Australian attack led by Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee. His sole international half-century came in 1982 in an ODI against Pakistan in Karachi, a 98ball 77 in a losing cause. He was also a useful right-arm medium pacer picking up eight wickets in ODIs and has the distinction of being one of the few players to have both opened the bowling and the batting in the same Test.

Warnapura's international career, however, was cut short when he was handed a life ban by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for touring South Africa with a rebel team in 1982-83.

Once the ban was lifted many years later, Warnapura returned to SLC as an administrator following his retirement. (Cricinfo)

Kohli denies any knowledge of Dravid becoming India’s new coach INDIA skipper Virat Kohli said he had no idea or clarity when he was quizzed about Rahul Dravid being the frontrunner for the coach of the India team.

Earlier in the day, certain reports confirmed that Dravid will the coach, for two years until the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. He will take over from Ravi Shastri, who earlier stated his wish to relinquish the post after the culmination of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Initially, the former India cricketer was reluctant to take up coaching on a full-time basis. But later a last-minute discussion with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah changed his mind and he has reportedly agreed to coach the team. India skipper Kohli, who was seen interacting with the media ahead of the global event, was asked about Dravid’s appointment and whether he had an idea about it.

“No idea exactly what’s happening on that front. No detailed discussion with any-

one yet,” Kohli said when asked about Dravid’s appointment,” Kohli said.

Dravid’s appointment has not come as surprise as he brings a plethora of experience with him. He is currently the director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and also has experience in coaching at the Under-19 level. Under his guidance, India won the tournament in the 2018 edition. Dravid also coached the team this year during the Sri Lanka tour and won the ODI series 2-1 with a second-string team.

Dravid will now be with the team for two years. He is likely to be joined by bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Batting coach Vikram Rathour retains his job. The BCCI wanted a strong candidate to replace Shastri and amongst several other candidates, Ganguly and Jay Shah were keen on having Dravid onboard. The board was also clear on having a smooth transition after few players retire from the team.

It is a well-known fact that Virat Kohli, Rohit

Former India batsman Rahul Dravid

Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma are all 30-plus age. At some point in time, some of the players may retire or wish to play only one format.

Hence the BCCI were keen that the transition period should be smooth.

Dravid has a fair idea about coaching at the grassroot level and hence the board thought he is a suitable candidate. (CricTracker)

batters take down Kiwis DAVID Warner's struggles with the bat continued after the IPL as he was out for a duck, but useful cameos from the rest of Australia's batting order took them to a tight win over New Zealand in the first T20 World Cup warm-up game for both sides in Abu Dhabi.

Steven Smith made a 30ball 35 while scores in the twenties from Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Agar saw Australia through in a chase of 159 with three wickets to spare.

New Zealand made 158 for 7 - after being asked to bat first - on the back of quick-fire runs from Martin Guptill (30), Daryl Mitchell (35), Kane Williamson (37) and James Neesham (31).

It was a 70-run partnership from Guptill and Williamson for the third wicket that looked set to take New Zealand to a total higher than their eventual score, but Kane Richardson's triple-blow in the death overs put the brakes on their scoring.

Williamson played the game after recovering from an hamstring injury that saw him miss the final game for his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) earlier this month.

Pacer Kane Richardson tood out with three for 24 from his four overs

Australia used just five bowlers on the night. While Richardson stood out with his 3 for 24 in his four overs, Mitchell Starc went at 7.50 per over in his four.

The third seamer Marsh, however, bore the brunt of New Zealand batters, conceding 53 runs in his full quota. Adam Zampa was the best spinner for Australia, with his 2 for 17 that included Williamson and Guptill's wickets, while left-arm spinner Agar removed Glenn Phillips in his 1 for 34.

New Zealand, on the oth-

er hand, used seven bowling options. Mitchell Santner took 3 for 22 in his four overs and Trent Boult conceded just 13 runs in his three. However, it was an expensive day for the other two New Zealand quicks Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson.

In their combined 7.5 overs, the duo leaked 82 runs.

New Zealand - in Group 1 for the main event - now face England in another practice match on October 20 while Australia - in Group B - play India on the same day. (Cricinfo)

Livingstone injures... (From page 38) in their final warm-up match in Dubai tomorrow at 11:00 BST, before starting their campaign against defending champions West Indies in Dubai at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Livingstone contributed 30 off 20 balls from 77-3, while Bairstow and Moeen, who hit the last two balls of the innings for six, carried England to a challenging

total.

Jos Buttler led the side as Eoin Morgan was rested after leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the Indian Premier League (IPL) final last week.

But five of his bowlers Moeen, Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes - conceded at least 10 runs an over as India targetted the short

boundaries to reduce the target to 26 off three overs.

Although David Willey removed Suryakumar Yadav in an over costing only six runs, Jordan bowled two no-balls and conceded 23 in a 19th over that proved to be the last of the match.

In another warm-up game on Monday, South Africa beat Afghanistan by 41 runs. (BBC Sport)

38

Kishore sounds Guyana Open warning with two over par

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Under-pressure Gayle fails again in Windies warm-up defeat

… Persaud wins Trophy Stall golf competition

Left-hander Chris Gayle walks off after being dismissed cheaply in West Indies’ warm-up defeat to Pakistan on Monday.

Videsh Persaud (centre) won the Trophy Stall competition last Saturday. He is flanked by the second- and third-place finishers, Hilbert Shields (left) and Ayube Subhan

FORMER Guyana Open champion and legitimate challenger for this year’s prestigious title Avinda ‘Ganguly’ Kishore registered a two-over-par score on Saturday to announce his presence in next weekend’s Guyana Open golf championship.

Last Saturday's Trophy Stall golf competition was used by several golfers to get match-ready for the October 30-31 GTT-sponsored

Guyana Open.

Kishore shot two rounds of 36 to register the best gross score at the event.

His brother, Avinash Persaud, who is favourite to retain the 2021 championship title, was two shots behind at 74.

The 30-year-old Persaud has had several below-par scores, including a three-under 67 late last month, but he has not been as clinical in his latest com-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday October 19 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Sri Lanka (2) Virat Kohli (IND) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the defending ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Tournament at the last ICC Men’s T20 World Cup? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

petitions.

PERSAUD WINS TROPHY STALL COMPETITION Although the overall gross score winner takes the spoils,. the Guyana Open is laden with different categories, including the 10-18 and the 19-28 handicap divisions.

In Saturday’s competition, those looking to make their mark in these two events were able to win prizes.

Videsh Persaud, who plays with a handicap of 23 emerged victorious in the overall net competition. The left-handed golfer edged out Hilbert Shields in a countback. Shields, who also won the best net front-nine and the nearest-to-the-pin trophies, finished with a net 65 after a gross score of 81 (handicap 16).

Third place went to 12-handicapper Ayube Subhan, who finished with a net score of 66 after he grossed 78.

Subhan had tied Kishore with a gross backnine score of 36 to stage his fightback after a 42 front nine.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Pressure continued to mount on out-of-form superstar Chris Gayle after yet another failure yesterday, coming in West Indies’ seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan in their first official warm-up ahead of next weekend’s start of the Twenty20 World Cup group stage.

The Caribbean side mustered only 130 for seven off their 20 overs, with Shimron Hetmyer top-scoring with 28 and captain Kieron Pollard getting 12, while the 42-year-old Gayle scraped 20 from 30 deliveries.

Left-hander Chris Gayle walks off after being dismissed cheaply in West Indies’ warm-up defeat to Pakistan yesterday.

In reply, Pakistan easily chased down the paltry target, at the ICC Academy, with 27 balls to spare. The run chase was spearheaded by captain Babar Azam who

stroked exactly 50 off 41 deliveries while Fakhar Zaman hit an unbeaten 46 from 24.

West Indies open their campaign on Saturday against England at Dubai International Stadium, but the reigning world champions were anything but impressive as they struggled after choosing to bat first.

They lost Andre Fletcher cheaply for two in the third over with the score on 12, and opener Lendl Simmons (18) and Gayle struggled to score, leaving West Indies on 30 for two when Simmons perished off the final delivery of the power-play.

Gayle, whose place in the side has been questioned due to his wretched average of 17 in T20 Internationals this year, failed to change any minds, counting two fours before going bowled by fast bowler Haris Rauf (2-32) in the 14th over with only 63 runs on the board.

Two small partnerships then propelled West Indies

past three figures. Firstly, Hetmyer struck three fours in a 24-ball knock as he added 30 for the fifth wicket with Nicholas Pooran (13) before Pollard, batting at number seven, lashed five fours in a 10-ball cameo to put on a further 22 for the sixth wicket with Hayden Walsh.

Pakistan’s run chase was never in danger, especially after the irrepressible Babar put 36 for the first wicket with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (13) and then joined forces with Fakhar in posting 58 for the second wicket.

The right-handed Babar counted half-dozen fours and a six while Fakhar, a left-hander, hit four fours and a couple of sixes to put Pakistan in sight of victory.

Even when leg-spinner Walsh (2-41) removed both Babar and Mohammad Hafeez (0) in the 12th over, Pakistan never wavered as Fakhar remained steady.

Livingstone injures finger in England warm-up defeat by India All-rounder Liam Livingstone suffered a finger injury as England were beaten by India in their opening warm-up game before the T20 World Cup. Livingstone left the field after dropping Ishan Kishan on the mid-wicket boundary in the 16th over of India's pursuit of 189 in Dubai.

Kishan made 70 off 46 balls before Rishabh Pant saw India home with seven

Liam Livingstone bowled two overs for 10 runs before leaving the field.

wickets in hand and an over to spare.

Jonny Bairstow scored 49 and Moeen Ali an unbeaten 43 in England's 1885.

England said they will wait for the swelling to reduce on the little finger on Livingstone's left hand before assessing the injury in the next 24 hours.

They face New Zealand (Turn to page 37)

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday October 19, 2021

Host venues confirmed for England’s tours to West Indies ST JOHNS, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the match schedule and venues for the much-anticipated England T20 International (T20I) and Test Tours of the West Indies in January and March 2022. The England Men’s Series in the Caribbean forms a focal point for one of the West Indies Men’s busiest-ever years of International Home Series cricket.

England will arrive in the Caribbean to play the first-ever five-match T20I Series between the two teams.

All five matches in Barbados will be played across a nineday period from January 22 to 30, 2022, including two consecutive weekends of back-to-back T20I cricket.

Following West Indies’ white-ball tour of India in February 2022, the West Indies will welcome England back to the Caribbean for a three-match Test Series to compete for the newly created Richards-Botham Trophy.

This new trophy honours two legends of cricket, Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham, whose friendship and on-field heroics became synonymous with some of their respective teams’ greatest Test match moments.

The much-anticipated

CWI chief executive officer Johnny Grave

Test Series will start appropriately at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS) in Antigua on March 8, 2022 before moving to Kensington Oval in Barbados for the 2nd Test starting March 16. The 3rd Test match will bowl off on March 24 on the ‘Spice Isle’ of Grenada at the National Cricket Stadium. The Test Series is a key fixture in both teams’ World Test Championship schedule which will determine the best Test match cricket team in the world by 2023.

Initially, Official West Indies Tour Operator and Li-

censed Ticket Partner packages will go on sale, with details to come in the next seven days. Online ticket sales will commence in midNovember through CWI’s new ticket platform. Fans can sign up to receive the first news of tickets going on sale at https://www.windiescricket.com/updates.

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm the venues for this extended West Indies vs England T20I and Test Series. The historical rivalry between the two teams creates great anticipation for fans here in the Caribbean and around the world. These fixtures are part of a bumper year of international home cricket running from January to August in the Caribbean.”

Grave added: “A West Indies vs England home Test Series is the biggest sporting and sports tourism event in the Caribbean. Dating back to 1930 when the first England team visited, these fixtures are steeped in history and a new chapter in this great rivalry will be written, this time with the prize of the new Richards/Botham Trophy.

Celebrating these two heroes of cricket and lifelong friends with the new trophy, staging world class cricket

GTTA eyeing high-performance training for Van Lange THE Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), with support from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), is hopeful it can send Jonathan Van Lange to a High-Performance camp ahead of the inaugural Junior Pan-American Games in Cali, Colombia from November 25 to December 5.

The 14-year-old earned his spot at the Games from a ‘wild card’ pick and joins Miguel Wong as the two Guyanese table tennis play(Turn to page 33)

National table tennis player Jonathan Van Lange

and hosting thousands of England fans will be a welcome boost for cricket and for the whole region.

“We are all really looking forward to welcoming fully vaccinated England fans who can not only enjoy some winter sun and Caribbean hospitality but also some world-class cricket with both these England Tours, as well as the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup that will also take place in the West Indies in January next year.”

The West Indies vs England T20I and Test Series will be broadcast exclusively live on BT Sport in the UK, as well as with CWI’s exclusive broadcast partners in key territories around the world.

ENGLAND TOUR OF WEST INDIES 2022 MATCH SCHEDULE West Indies v England T20I Series, all played at the Kensington Oval, Barbados Saturday January 22 – 1st T20I West Indies v England Sunday January 23 – 2nd T20I West Indies v England Wednesday January 26 – 3rd T20I West Indies v England Saturday January 29 – 4th T20I West Indies v England Sunday January 30 – 5th T20I West Indies v England West Indies v England Test Series March 1-4 – Four-day warm-up match at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua March 8-12 – 1st Test Match West Indies v England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua March 16-20 – 2nd Test Match West Indies v England at Kensington Oval, Barbados March 24-28 – 3rd Test Match West Indies v England at National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (CWI)

Curtis Campher, the Ireland pace bowler, joined Lasith Malinga and Rashid Khan as the only men with the remarkable feat of taking four wickets in as many balls in T20Is.

Caribbean motoring fraternity mourns the death of former JRDC president Hilary Jardine

T20 World Cup...

Campher takes helmet-trick as Ireland beat Netherlands CURTIS Campher took a remarkable four wickets in four balls – a helmet-trick - to lead Ireland to a seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup. The seamer reduced the Netherlands from 51-2 to 51-6 in the 10th over before they were bowled out for 106 off the final ball of the innings in Abu Dhabi.

Campher is only the third man to claim a helmet-trick - in T20 internationals.

He then hit the winning runs as Ireland triumphed with 4.5 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka beat Namibia by seven

wickets later yesterday at the same venue to move top of Group A on net run-rate.

Ireland, who play Sri Lanka tomorrow, are second, with the first two teams in each group qualifying for the Super12 stage that begins on Saturday.

The Netherlands made a poor start to their innings, with opener Ben Cooper run-out for a duck off the third ball after a mix-up with Max O'Dowd.

Bas de Leede was then bowled by Josh Little, playing an ill-advised ramp shot, but the Dutch did recover to reach 50-2 off nine overs before Campher ripped through them in his second over.

HERE IS HOW CAMPHER'S HISTORIC OVER UNFOLDED: 9.2 overs: Colin Ackermann chases a short ball down the leg side. He is given not out and a wide but Ireland successfully overturn the decision as UltraEdge shows the ball grazed the glove.

9.3 overs: Ryan ten Doeschate is lbw to a full delivery.

9.4 overs: Scott Edwards is pinned in front of the stumps by another quick, full ball but not given out. Ireland review again and it is overturned, giving TURN TO PAGE 33 ►

Wiltshire to lead three-man 33 squash team at Junior Pan Am PAGE

Michael Alphonso (left) and Shomari Wiltshire

Samuel Ince-Carvalhal

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Guyanese-born motor racer Hilary Jardine dead at 91.

JAMAICA’S motoring fraternity is mourning the passing of former Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) president Hilary Jardine last Sunday.

Jardine, who was born in Guyana but migrated to Jamaica in the 1960s, has been credited as one of the founding fathers of Jamaica’s racing fraternity and served as president of the JRDC from 2006 to 2011 when he retired shortly after he was re-elected for a third term.

Christopher McFarlane, who succeeded Jardine as president lauded him as a true citizen of the Caribbean.

“I served on the Jamaica Race Driver's Club for many years with Hilary Jardine and took over from him as president of the club in 2011, where we remained close and I always reached out to him for advice,” McFarlane recalled.

“Hilary was not from one place. Hilary was a true Caribbean citizen, contributing to motorsports for decades, from motorcycles to cars, to making both Caribbean Championships. I am truly sad that in the last year or maybe more, we have not spoken. We used to speak often enough, but when the world changed, staying in touch was different.

“My sincerest condolences to the entire Jardine family and the Caribbean motorsport fraternity on the loss of one of our heroes dem.”

The Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) said Jardine will be remembered for his significant contributions to motorsport in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

“Affectionately known as ‘Sir Hilary’, he was a stalwart of Jamaican motorsport for several decades,” said the JMMC in a statement released yesterday.

“Born in Guyana, he was one of the founding members of the British Guiana Motorcycle Club in 1955 and, in the 1960s he revived the motorcycle club in Trinidad and Tobago. Hilary, who lived in Jamaica since 1969, founded and served as president of the Jamaica Motor Racing Association during the 1970s.

He served as president of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club from 2006 to 2011. In recognition of his contribution to sport, the Government of Jamaica awarded Hilary Jardine the Order of Distinction in 2009.

Hilary is remembered for an outstanding and passionate contribution to motorsport in Jamaica and the Caribbean.”

Jardine, who was 91, was conferred with the Order of Distinction for his contribution to motorsport in 2009. (Sportsmax) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021