Issuu

THURSDAY 21st APRIL, 2022

Cricket more than a game

No. 106699

- 300‘Prefab’ houses to be built for CPL visitors here - President says these houses will be rented, proceeds will benefit low-income persons

International Building Expo 2022 launched

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- to showcase Guyana’s development trajectory

President, Dr Irfaan Ali looks at a model of the pavilions that will host the International Building Expo set for July 22 to 24 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Also in photo are British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller (left); Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sherwyn Greaves (second left); Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal (third right) and India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, KJ Srinivasa (right) (Office of the President photo)

Guyana, Brazil target increased Major General (r’td) Joe Singh vaccine appointed Chairman of Natural coverage Resource Fund board SEE PAGE

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US EXIM Bank explores opportunities in Guyana SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Guyana, Brazil target increased vaccine coverage - mull joint campaign to enhance immunisation at collaborative launch of World Vaccination Week 2022

By Navendra Seoraj RECOVERING from immunisation shortfalls induced by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and increasing routine vaccination will be high on the agenda for Guyana and Brazil, as the two countries gear up for World Vaccination Week 2022, from April 25 to 29. The severity of the pandemic had necessitated a response, which, in some cases, entailed a diversion of resources from some programmes and projects to strategic initiatives intended to reduce the spread of the disease and protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens. For just over two years, countries were left with no choice but to place immense attention on the pandemic, leaving room for shortfalls and gaps in other areas like immunisation. And although Guyana and Brazil have both recorded successful COVID-19 vaccination rates, both countries intend on addressing bottlenecks wherever they might exist and increasing the rate of routine immunisation. To show their joint commitment to enhancing immunisation efforts, Guyana and Brazil teamed up to launch World Vaccination Week 2022 in Bonfim, on Wednesday. World Vaccination Week aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all

ages against disease. Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo spoke at the launch. “We need to come up with new, better approaches because we, as health professionals, we, as health workers, we know what is right. It is our duty to convince that parent, to convince those who need to be vaccinated that vaccine is good, vaccine is safe, vaccine is necessary, not only for the individual, but for the community at large,” he said. Moving forward, Dr. Mahadeo advised the authorities to adopt key takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic, which include, among other things, active surveillance of social media for misinformation, better innovative approaches and the utilisation of technology for vaccination programmes. While also expressing the need to appreciate health workers who execute those programmes, the Director-General said it takes a government that has the welfare of the citizens at heart, to come up with plans to address vaccination issues and provide funding for various programmes. Almost 20 years ago, Guyana and Brazil had partnered to launch Vaccination Week in the Americas; this predates the launch of World Vaccination Week. “After 20 years of Vaccination Week, we are in a very important moment… we lost 20 points of [vaccination] coverage in some countries in the [Latin America

Health workers from Guyana commemorating World Vaccination Week with an acrostic on Wednesday (Aubrey Odle photo) and Caribbean] region… we lost between 15 and 20 points of coverage due to the pandemic,” Representative of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to Guyana, Dr. Luis Codina, said in his remarks at the launch. Dr. Codina used the popular statement, “diseases do not respect borders” to highlight the importance of collaboration in improving national immunisation rates. He emphasised the need to strengthen national programmes in order to have increased coverage and highlighted that there is an opportunity for Guyana and Brazil to enhance technical cooperation in many areas. “There are many areas to exchange between Guyana and Brazil… not only in malaria, but also at the national level, like Brazil with telemedicine and all the initiatives in place and experience in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) from Guyana,” Dr. Codina said, adding: “[However], for

this to happen, political support is necessary.” His counterpart in Brazil, Dr. Socorro Grosso, also said: “Although divided by borders, the countries [Guyana and Brazil] have always worked together on good health promotion.” STRONG ADVOCATES In her view, both countries have been strong advocates for vaccination in the world and have always been among the nations in the Americas with the best rate of vaccination. The joint launch of World Vaccination Week is testimony to the commitment of Guyana and Brazil to the promotion of immunisation initiatives. “…we can show the world that we can work together to ensure everyone is healthy and immunisation of our population, especially children,” Dr. Grosso said, adding that PAHO/WHO stands ready to support both nations in their efforts to increase immunisation rates. The WHO works with countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and immunisation and ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high-quality immunisation programmes.

The ultimate goal of World Immunisation Week, according to WHO, is for more people and their communities to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with the body’s natural defences to build protection. “We now have vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases, helping people of all ages live longer, healthier lives. Immunisation currently prevents two–three million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles,” the WHO said on its website. In Guyana, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination coverage for children stood at approximately 90 per cent up to April, last year. In some instances, immunisation levels even touched 100 per cent coverage, making this an exceptional fete for Guyana. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative to Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar, said that more than 80 per cent of children worldwide receive lifesaving vaccines each year, but there are about 23 million children who are missing their vaccines. Those persons, he said, live in

conflict zones, remote areas and informal urban settings. “This is testimony that we should reach out to everyone, everywhere,” Akhtar said, adding that within the past two years some 1.1 billion children have been immunised. Vaccination efforts, he said, represent love for the next generation, so there must be sustained efforts to increase immunisation rates. It is also for this reason that Akhtar’s counterpart in Brazil, Ana Spiassi, requested that both Guyana and Brazil pay special attention to the funding of vaccination campaigns. Vice-Secretary of Health of the State of Roraima and representative of the Governor of Roraima, Edson Castro Neto, while not responding directly to Spiassi, said that Brazil stands ready to support Guyana with resources to execute vaccination campaigns. Subsequent to this announcement, Secretary of Health Surveillance, representing the Minister of Health of Brazil, Arnaldo Medeiros, said: “In co-operation with countries in our region, we can have a strong public health system where we can say the entire population is fully protected.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

300‘Prefab’ houses to be built for CPL visitors here - President says these houses will be rented, proceeds will benefit low-income persons

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday evening, said that the government is looking to construct and rent some 300 prefabricated housing units to host tourists during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket tournament here in September. The proceeds from the rent will go to benefit poor and low-income persons, he said. The President was, at the time, speaking at the launch of International Building Expo 2022 where he noted that just after CPL 2022 was launched here recently, hotels are already out of rooms based on the tremendous feedback received thus far. As a result, President Ali said that talks were held with a number of stakeholders recently to launch a bed and breakfast registry in collabo-

ration with the Guyana Tourism Authority to have rooms available for the influx of tourists expected later this year. “We are looking at a very innovative model… we are looking at a way in which we can marry cricket with uplifting people out of poverty,” he said. Against this background, he noted that lands will be set aside to build some 300 prefabricated homes to host persons during the tournament in Guyana. The revenue earned from this, he noted, will go towards down payments to banks for poor persons. “The prefab homes will be used to host people during cricket, to rent and the revenue from that rental will go as down payment to the banks for the poorest persons. So, the 10 per cent to 15 per

cent that they have to find for the bank will come from the revenue that that

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said that the expo has evolved from when it was first thought of and has been a springboard for many housing developments and businesses in the country. The President further added that the Building Expo is not only about housing, but is also designed to showcase the development trajectory of the government from a construction perspective. The President said: “The Building Expo is designed to showcase the development tra-

jectory of the government from a construction perspective, so that persons in the private sector, in the banking sector, in the commercial sector could align their own vision and align their own business model with the direction which the government is going.” According to Chief Executive Officer at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) Sherwyn Greaves, it will be the country’s first Building Expo in over seven years and will provide op-

11:00 hrs. Police said a fire tender, as-

sisted by four other ranks of the Melanie Fire Service, arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The scene was processed and photographed by a member of the Crime Scene Unit and the partial burnt remains of Nicola Jacobs was seen in the debris. Her remains were escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting an autopsy.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali at the launch of International Building Expo 2022 at the Guyana Marriott (Office of the President photo) building earns for two weeks,” President Ali said. That, he noted, was

the type of innovation that the government was working towards, even

as these endeavours will change the face of the country.

portunities for businesses and individuals to showcase their products and services. Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong, said that the private sector welcomes this event as both local and international businesses along with developers and prospective homeowners will be able to benefit immensely. Cheong said: “We don’t underestimate the value of the contribution that this makes to our country and economy by no means, as it does not only provide much needed housing solutions but it also creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs.” He further added that the housing and construction sectors will continue to grow at a fast rate as the economy continues to accelerate by “geometric proportions.” To this end, he mentioned that the PSC sees the event as one that will bring all players into a single space and allow

sellers, buyers and builders to meet and interact and even transform some dreams into a reality. Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, during the launch, said that the expo will give Guyanese, visitors and stakeholders, an opportunity to also see how the government has transformed the housing sector and how they have been able to accomplish quite a lot in such a short space of time. Rodrigues said: “We are pleased to have this international building expo, so that we can exhibit the work that we have done so far and also to perhaps set out the map or the framework of what Guyana will look like in the very near future.” To this end, while Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, delivered brief remarks at the launching, he indicated that the Building Expo is the brain child of President, Dr.

Irfaan Ali and was brought to life some years ago when the President served as Housing Minister. Croal said that Ali’s vision was ahead of time, but it was a necessary intervention to catalyse growth and development in the housing sector. As such, the minister told those gathered that it was a missed opportunity when the event was not hosted during the 2015 to 2020 period. The Housing Minister added that the expo is expected to be a hub around which conversations about the constraints within the housing sector and even the potential for sustainable development could take place. The government, Croal said, has provided an environment that is investor friendly and incentive-rich. It was noted that interested businesses should register early for the expo and could do so by visiting the expo’s website at www.buildingexpogy.com.

Building Expo to showcase Guyana’s - event set for July 22 to 24 development trajectory

GUYANA’S International Building Expo 2022 was, on Wednesday, launched after not being held for some seven years. The event, according to authorities, is expected to bring all stakeholders in the housing and construction sector together. The expo was launched at the Pegasus Hotel under the theme, “A New frontier for Building a One Guyana” and is expected to be held from July 22 to July 24 at the Guyana National Stadium.

Woman dies in Bachelor’s Adventure fire NICHOLA Marshall Jacobs, 51, of Lot 14 Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara died on Wednesday after a fire of unknown origin destroyed her house. She was in the house at the time of the blaze. According to reports, the house she occupied had no electricity, she lived alone and was last seen alive at about

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Former Chancellor’s son charged over alleged racial remarks to police constable

NIRVAN Singh, the son of former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, was slapped with private charges on Wednesday for allegedly using racial slurs against an Afro-Guyanese police constable, Shawnette Bollers. Singh, an attorney, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Bollers is reported to have been part of the security detail attached to the Singhs’ Middle and Cummings Street, Georgetown residence. The accused man denied that he wilfully excited or attempted to excite racial hostility and ill-will against the woman on the grounds of

Nirvan Singh (Photo not owned by Guyana Chronicle) race by using words directed at her. The young attorney was released on $100,000 bail. He will return to court on May 18.

It is also reported that Bollers, through her attorney, Eusi Anderson, has since filed a $150 million lawsuit against the young Singh.

April 20, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Female cops must treat domestic violence reports seriously - urges Minister Benn, Commissioner Hicken

A section of the gathering of women police at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown HOME AFFAIRS Minister, Robeson Benn and Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, on Tuesday, met with over 100 policewomen from within the various police divisions at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown to address domestic and gender-based violence reports. The meeting with the female police ranks centred on dealing with the victims and the need to ensure the right attitude and empathy is displayed when handling such delicate and sensitive matters. “This conversation, is not simply as a knee-jerk reaction to what has been occurring in the society in respect of the safety of women, and children, but more particularly, how we want to see our police force develop,” said the minister, who added: “The workplace has to be safe for women.” He noted that issues of sexual harassment and domestic violence are “troubling and a danger not only to women in the police force but also to the society and communities at large”. The Home Affairs Min-

ister pointed out that a sore issue of domestic violence cases is that oftentimes it is not being taken seriously by police ranks at stations. “We have a far way to go and a long way from where we should be in terms of the respect for women and in respect to the issue of domestic violence,” Minister Benn asserted. He further elaborated that “we have a recurrent situation where the women complain that they go to the police stations, and they are turned away and that even women police officers fall in with perhaps the agenda of the men, and perhaps they don’t want things to work. They don’t want to get involved because it may be a family or a friend.” Owing to that, Minister Benn appealed to the female officers to be hands-on and more empathetic when dealing with such reports while urging them that they should

be champions in such matters. “That’s why you’re here. I had the feeling that the women police officers themselves really should be the champions in this matter -- that if a woman or girl or a child is being treated improperly against what the Standing Orders require, that it helps that the women police step up and say no, that is not the way it should be done and policewomen should offer protection and support.” NEW CULTURE Speaking on the need for a change in the culture of policing, Minister Benn said: “We would like to have a new policing culture, a more diverse police force, which represents all our cultures, religions, peoples, and ethnicities in the Guyana Police Force.” He acknowledged that changes would not happen overnight, “but step by step, day by day, month by month, year by year, improvements can be made”. Acting Commissioner Hicken, in his remarks to the female ranks, noted that the police force recognises that domestic violence and gender-based violence are topical issues and partnering with other organisations is necessary. The Top Cop went on to further remind the ranks that despite the force’s zero tolerance policy, there is still

a high level of deviation whenever reports are made at the stations. “You’re all female ranks and you’re supposed to be championing domestic violence because most of the reports coming in, the victims are females. But instead of that, you’re exhibiting unprofessional behaviour and trying to settle matters,” Hicken charged. He issued a stern warning that indiscipline and unprofessionalism will not be condoned. Hicken, since ascending to the helm of the force, has focused his and his executive leadership team’s attention on improving the professionalism and integrity of members of the force. This was evident from the Top Cop’s series of engagements over the past weeks, when he initiated

From left: Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag), Ravindradat Budhram; Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken at the head table separate meetings with all the commanders, sub-divisional officers, inspectors and sergeants, in efforts to share his vision of building a more cohesive and structured organisation. Also in attendance at the meeting were Permanent Secretary of the Min-

istry of Home Affairs, Mae Thomas; Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’, Ravindradat Budhram; Force Training Officer, Superintendent Keithon King and Head of the Strategic Management Dept. at the ministry, Samantha Wickham.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Made in Guyana

THERE was a time in Guyana when the country was a primary producer of raw materials for the metropolitan markets. Our bauxite, sugar, manganese and other products were shipped overseas where they were refined and sold at significantly higher prices. There was hardly any large-scale manufacturing done by the local private sector. The colonial administration did everything to ensure that the country remained a primary producer of raw materials. To a large extent, we were producing for the export market, with very little value-added services done locally. One consequence of such a situation was a skewed development pattern which only served to reinforce a dependency syn-

drome in which we were forced to sell cheap and buy imported products, literally through our noses. It was not until the PPP came to power in the late 1950s that some attempt was made to change the growth dynamic and support the growth of the manufacturing sector through the establishment of industrial sites and providing incentives to the business community and commerce. That initiative, however, was stunted after the PPP was removed from office in 1964. It was only after the return of the PPP/C in October 1992 that the manufacturing sector began to once again flourish. The local manufacturing sector has been given a boost with a recent initiative which will allow for local manufacturers and producers to

apply to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to use the ‘Made in Guyana’ certification mark. This is indeed a commendable and forward-looking development which will go a far way in terms of enhancing our competitiveness both on the local and the international market. Doing the honours in unveiling the first such activity was First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali. The Made in Guyana mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets. This could help to enhance national competitiveness for authentic Guyanese products certified under the programme while at the same time creating and promoting brand recognition and market advantage for

participating businesses. The Made in Guyana certification programme is highly beneficial to local manufacturers in that it provides a framework for the development of quality systems to enhance the country’s local content. Under the programme, products will be certified based on a number of established criteria including the quantity of local raw materials used in their production and the number of Guyanese staff employed, which should be no less than 70 per cent. This requirement is particularly significant in terms of job creation for Guyanese. This development could not have come at a better time when the country is experiencing a new wave of local and foreign investments due in part to oil and gas but

also to the investor-friendly measures taken by the PPP/C Administration to attract investment in the country. The manufacturing sector is showing significant expansion within the recent past. It employs roughly 12 per cent of the labour force in the country. It accounts for roughly US$2 billion in terms of export receipts in 2021. Much of this expansion is the result of the growth strategies employed by the current government. Among these are the provision of infrastructural support, the provision of tax incentives for new investments; reducing processing time for applications and the establishment of new industrial sites in several parts of the country. The government must be commended for the sev-

eral policy interventions to propel the growth of the manufacturing sector. The sector is poised for further growth and expansion in the coming years as the economy becomes further consolidated with higher revenue inflows and the creation of new investment opportunities. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said that local manufacturers and service providers will continue to stake their claim to national development as the government moves to fashion a transformative economic agenda. According to President Ali, development will leapfrog over the next decade. Our manufacturers and service providers will be integral to the writing of this glorious chapter in our country’s history.

Similarities of weddings in India and Guyana

Dear Editor, I was taken to a wedding hall by a friend on Tuesday evening at a catering hall in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Upon entry, I was welcomed with cold water and a sweet snack made of milk. Many indentured labourers or girmits taken to Guyana during indentureship were recruited from Azamgarh, and tens of thousands were also sent to far-flung colonial territories like Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, Grenada, other West Indian territories, to work on plantations that produced goods that enriched European empires. The district of Azamgarh is large with over five million people. In the Azamgarh city environs were several

Hindu wedding (shaadi) ceremonies. Weddings are held in the evening as opposed to the day time as in Guyana and West Indies or America, among Guyanese. As a foreigner, someone coming from Guyana, I was accorded a most warm reception and hospitality by the male wedding hosts in Azamgarh. It was a most cordial welcome once the hosts were informed that I am coming from the West Indies and America. They were very gracious and kind, somewhat reminiscent of welcome and reception accorded me in Fiji, Mauritius, Suriname, Trinidad, Toronto and Florida at Hindu weddings or ceremonies. This is wedding season in India. For Hindus, unlike say

for Muslims and Christians, weddings must be only held during auspicious periods as prescribed by the scriptures and sanctioned by the family’s pandit or priest. There are certain periods in the calendar year when Hindu weddings are not sanctioned by Hindu pandits. The scriptures specifically state when weddings cannot be held. The pandit relates to family when weddings can be held. A couple weeks just before Phagwah or Holi, for example, karwas, as it is called, pandits will not conduct weddings. PostPhagwah, pandits sanction weddings, and that is why there have been so many Hindu weddings all over India as well as in Florida, Toronto, New York and Schenectady among Guyanese or

Trinidadian Hindus. In India, hundreds of shaadis are held nightly in each big city and dozens in small cities like Azamgarh. In a one-mile area in Azamgarh, there may be a dozen weddings at gardens or wedding hall, a huge tent. Some are indoors. Similarly, in cities like Varanasi, Lucknow, Ghazipur, etc. all of which are in UP from where 65 per cent indentureds came to Guiana, there are many nightly weddings. Unlike in Guyana or the West Indies or New York among Guyanese or Trinis when weddings are held on weekends, in India Hindu weddings are held any day. In fact, weddings are held in the evenings in India – a custom also practised by the pioneering Indian immigrants in British Guiana,

Trinidad, elsewhere during indenture period (1838 to 1920) up until the 1950s. Thereafter, weddings have been held during the day and on weekends and in America or Canada among Guyanese. As I traveled around Delhi last extended Hanuman Jayanti weekend, there were hundreds of weddings nightly being held all over the city. Dozens were observed in Varanasi, Azamgarh, Lucknow, and other cities I traveled in recent days. Weddings are held in catering halls as opposed to family homes and temples, the latter being the custom in Guyana, the West Indies and America and Canada among Guyanese. The halls in India are magnificently florally decorated, very fancy, very attractive. They are brightly

illuminated with multi-coloured lights, fantastic decorations not even seen in Bollywood movies or anywhere in America. The halls are sites to behold. That in itself is worth a visit. And I have been fortunate to experience many shaadis in different cities and villages of India since 1985 during dozens of trips as a researcher and when I was a student and lecturer at a university. The wedding or party halls are magnets to your eyes. Some weddings in West Indies and North America are held in halls but in general Hindu weddings are held at home or in the temples. Some weddings in India are held at homes and temples where there are facilities to accommodate large numbers of guests TURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Lack of sex education contributes towards sexual assault

Dear Editor On a regular basis, the news and social media sites are often filled with stories about sexual assault (SA) and harassment. Against this backdrop, the need for enhanced conversations on these issues are often encouraged. While it is acknowledged that children and young adults should be engaged in discussions

surrounding sexual health and abuse, however, many still remain resistant to actually equipping them with information on these topics. There remains the belief that providing information to children on the various components of sex will encourage deviant behaviours, but the opposite effect is often the case. In ChildLinK’s recent “Caring for Boys,” re-

search, it was found that parents often neglected to have conversations about sexual health and rights with their children, often leaving them ill prepared to navigate the realities of their social environments. In cases where these conversations did occur, they were primarily done with young girls rather than boys. Caretakers tended to view girls as the only ones

vulnerable to SA and as such, were equipped with information about sex in order for them to “protect” themselves. Boys were generally seen as immune to SA, with established societal concepts surrounding masculinity positioning them as being the leaders of sex, and as such, were believed to not necessarily require information. These beliefs can be

extremely harmful as it buys into gendered notions that restricts children and sends them out ill prepared. Equipping children, regardless of gender with information about sexual health, and abuse will ensure that they are better able to identify those with abusive tendencies, and also more open to sharing their experiences with relevant persons and authori-

ties if they are abused. It will also ensure that they have a good understanding of their bodies and the ways that they can protect themselves, while building their self-esteem. Akola Thompson Communications Consultant, ChildLinK To re p o r t o r s e e k counselling, please call 914/227-0979/2272023/233-3500

FROM PAGE 6 or temples. Otherwise, weddings are held at special halls or in hotel ballrooms; weddings are large with hundreds of guests. In the hotel where I stayed in Delhi, Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Lucknow, there was a nightly wedding in addition to other types of receptions. The weddings are similar as Guyana and Trinidad or America with the marao (decorated tent) and the bharath or bharriyiat (the groom party) coming to the hall and being welcomed by the bride’s family with traditional hospitality (rituals and refreshments) as found among the girmits’ descendants of indentured labourers.

It is extremely hot in India – temperatures soaring into the 90s (40 centigrade). (The cold or cool period in India is from November thru early March). Most families have weddings when it is warm but tend to avoid the rainy season (July/August); weddings are held throughout the year including during the cold winter period or raining season except when prohibited by the scriptures. There have been hundreds of weddings in the big cities nightly and dozens of shaadis in smaller cities like Azamgarh. What stood out was the extraordinary reception granted me. The wedding I attended

was quite lavish. There was lively music – a band and geet Gaya or singing. There were several counters with a variety of dishes – salad, appetizers, kachoorie, cold and hot food, and cold soft drinks. Some of the main dishes were dahi-bara, dhal, rice, bhajee, puri, roti or chapatti, papad, and various other vegetables or tarkaries or curries as we say in Guyana and the Caribbean including baigan, kalonji, katahar (coa or the fruit kind that is cooked as a vegetable in India and places like Mauritius and Fiji). In the Caribbean, cooked katahar is different and is very tasty. The cooked coa is not as

delicious as the cooked katahar of Guyana which is a favourite of ours. There was no pumpkin or curry alou. But several dishes had alou including fried baigan and fried bora. There was an assortment of desserts including gulab jamun, kulfi,

ice cream and more. It was a very large wedding with hundreds of guests. The hall could take a few thousands. All and all, it was a fantastic wedding similar to ours in customs and practices with very delicious foods and quite entertain-

ing music. People ate before the start of the wedding and continuously during the evening. All the rituals we practiced in Guyana were observed at the wedding in Azamgarh. Yours sincerely, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Similarities of weddings in India and...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Man remanded for girlfriend’s alleged murder JOEL Spooner was remanded to prison, on Wednesday, for allegedly fatally stabbing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Shenese Walks, whose lifeless body was reportedly discovered at their Craig Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home. Spooner, a 21-year-old labourer, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/ Grove Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that, between April 12 and April 13, 2022, at Craig, he murdered Walks, who is a school teacher. Spooner was remanded to prison. He will return to court on May 17. Walks, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), occupied the home with Spooner at the time the incident occurred.

It is alleged that the couple had a misunderstanding during which Walks armed herself with a knife. Spooner had reportedly told police that he tried taking the knife away from his girlfriend but ended up stabbing her in the left side of her neck. He then reportedly secured the house and fled. On April 13, police said Spooner told his brother what had transpired.

Teen wanted for murder of Venezuelan in Port Kaituma LUIS Jose Medina Zapata, 19, known as ‘Kemos’, is wanted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in connection with the murder of Felipe Galaviz. Galaviz is a Venezuelan national who was stabbed to death on April 15 at Oronoque, Port Kaituma, Region One. The suspect’s last known addresses are listed as Oronoque, Port Kaituma and Tucupita, Venezuela. Police said that the incident occurred at about 23:30hrs. Ranks from the Mabaruma Police Station were deployed to the scene. It is alleged that the suspect came home and met his

Wanted: Luis Jose Medina Zapata wife and Galaviz consuming alcohol. An argument reportedly ensued among them and there

was a confrontation. Subsequently, Galaviz was stabbed to his neck and shoulder by the suspect who later fled the scene. Galaviz was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital where he received treatment but subsequently succumbed to his injuries. Police had noted that five persons, including the suspect’s wife, were initially arrested. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact the police on 216-0251, 2160254, 216-0251, 444-3429, 225-6978, 225-8196 or the nearest police station.

It was further reported that his brother, along with an aunt, escorted the suspect to the Grove Police Station where he was handed over to the police. When police visited the scene, the body of Walks was discovered in a pool of blood with the knife still in the left side of her neck.

Accused: Joel Spooner

Deceased: Shenese Walks

M&CC spruce up Stabroek Market

THE Stabroek Market and its environs were, on Wednesday, sanitised and cleaned and all illegal structures were removed. According to the Mayor and Councillors of the City (M&CC) of Georgetown, stallholders were not permitted to open, use or occupy the stalls and stands during the clean-up. The areas of focus

One of the many illegal structures removed from Stabroek Market (Delano Williams Photo)

A traffic rank assisting in the demarcation of areas behind Stabroek Market (Delano Williams Photo)

were the Stabroek M a r k e t , S t a b ro e k Bazaar, Stelling View Mall, Section 10 (Donkey City), Stabroek Market Front, Water Street from Croal Street to the northern edge of Shumaker Street, among other areas.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Major General (r’td) Joe Singh appointed Chairman of Natural Resource Fund board

From left: Members of the NRF Board: Major General (ret’d), Joseph Singh (Chairman); Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Ramesh Dookhoo; David Lammy; and Dunstan Barrow PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Monday, announced the appointment of the Board of Directors of Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF). The board will be chaired by Major General (ret’d), Joe Singh. Aside from Major General (ret’d) Singh, the other members of the board are United Kingdom

parliamentarian, David Lammy; Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; former People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian, Dunstan Barrow and Private Sector Executive, Ramesh Dookhoo. The directors will soon take their Oath of Office. According to a release

from the Office of the President, Section 3 (1) of the Natural Resources Fund Act 2021, Act No. 19 of 2021, assented to by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on December 30, 2021, established the NRF to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana. The fund is tasked with managing this wealth for

Woman freed of reputed husband’s murder

ACCUSED: Alexis Turpin ALEXIS Turpin, who was ney, DaSilva made a no-case on trial for killing her re- submission, calling for the puted husband, was, on indictment to be dismissed Wednesday, freed after on the grounds of insuffiJustice Jo-Ann Barlow cient evidence. upheld a no-case submisAs such, the judge upsion made by her attorney, held the submission and Damien DaSilva. stated that the state had Turpin was on trial at the failed to establish its case Demerara High Court for the against Turpin for the ofcapital offence which alleged fence of murder. She then that, on July 2, 2017, in ordered the jury to return Georgetown, she murdered a formal verdict of not Sherwin Johnson. She had guilty. pleaded not guilty to the Last year, Turpin and her charge. co-accused, Sterfon Barlow, After state prosecutor, were first tried for the capital Lisa Cave closed her case on offence before another High Wednesday, Turpin’s attor- Court judge, however, the

12-member jury could not arrive at a verdict. A retrial was ordered. Barlow later pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. According to reports, the accused, Turpin and the deceased, Johnson were co-parents for one child. The three lived together in Lodge, Georgetown. On July 2, 2017, Johnson reportedly returned home early from work and discovered Turpin intimately engaged with Barlow. A confrontation reportedly ensued, and it is alleged that Turpin and her co-accused reportedly attacked Johnson, dealing him several lashes about his body. She then allegedly armed herself with a crowbar and stabbed Johnson several times. Johnson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he later died.

the present and future benefit of Guyanese in an effective and efficient manner and in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability and international best practices, including the Santiago Principles. Section 5 (1) of the said Act provides for a Board of Directors of the Fund comprising not less than three and not more than five members, who shall be appointed by the President, inclusive of a

chairperson. In accordance with Section 5 (2), these directors are selected from persons who have wide experience in legal, financial, business or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the private sector, the release said. “In pursuance thereof, at the 46th Sitting of the National Assembly of the 12th Parliament of Guyana, held on the

13th day of April 2022, a motion was unanimously passed approving Mr Dunstan Barrow, nominated by the Standing Committee on Appointments of the National Assembly, as a Director of the Board of Directors, of the Fund. After consulting with the various organisations representing the private sector, Ramesh Dookhoo was selected as a representative of the private sector,” the release concluded.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Beware of some of these ‘international economists’, ‘financial analysts’

PREAMBLE In less than one month, this author read with much amazement and amusement three pieces of supposedly economic and financial analyses from three different sources/authors on Guyana’s economic affairs, namely: one international media group, the Economist Magazine publication; one unpopular energy think tank, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA); and one so-called international economist, Terrence Yhip, (whom is regarded by some persons as a world renowned economist). The article published in the popular Economist Magazine by Alberto Miranda, in its March 26, 2022 edition with the subheading “Invest or Squander” and a substantive title, “Guyana’s tiny population braces for gusher of petrodollars”, is arguably characterised as a world-class illustration of mediocrity at best and / or seemingly propagandistic on an international level. The other referenced articles were carried in Kaieteur News (KN) on April 3, 2022 with the captions: “Guyana may not steer

clear of failure with oil if fatal flaws in oil deal not corrected…” and “don’t be fooled by rising GDP, oil already widening gap between rich and poor”. Given the increasingly growing global prominence of Guyana on the back of its emerging petroleum sector and enormous projected windfall from the oil wealth, this level of attention is expected albeit these articles are sometimes fraught with varying degrees of inaccuracies, disinformation, and sometimes seeking to advance the agenda of certain groups. And worse, often times come across as derogatory and disrespectful to small developing countries like Guyana, insulting the intelligence of the policymakers, local professionals and analysts, and the population at large. Though the articles are perhaps a good read for anyone who knows nothing much or nothing at all about Guyana’s political, social and economic landscape (both historic and current contexts), just about 10 per cent or less of the “Economist edition” article contained factual information. However, the article can be described as

one where the author failed miserably in conducting thorough research which ought to have been used as the basis of the author’s opinions and assertions. Any good analyst or economist would ensure that they do their homework; clearly, this wasn’t the case. With respect to the other referenced articles carried in KN: these, too, can be reduced to the description of the poorest quality of analyses – profoundly flawed and disappointingly weak coming from so-called international analysts / economists. COUNTERARGUMENTS TO THE IEEFA “GUYANA MAY NOT STEER CLEAR OF FAILURE WITH OIL IF FATAL FLAWS IN OIL DEAL NOT CORRECTED” This article is a deeply flawed comparative analysis of Angola with Guyana and / or it would appear that the authors (Tom Sanzillo and Gerard Kreeft) deliberately omitted some critical facts regarding that country’s (Angola) historic social and economic context altogether. The authors (Sanzillo and Kreeft) argued that Guyana is in a weak position to accomplish

its ambitious and aggressive development goals. To support this view, the authors sought to draw comparisons to Angola wherein they argued that oil was discovered in Angola in 1955 and deep-water exploration took off in the 1990s, noting that the country produced approximately 1.4 million barrels per day and that the country is trying to increase production. Despite its resources, the authors argued that “four decades of oil production have created neither prosperity nor fiscal stability for Angola”. At the end of 2020, for example, the authors argued that the national debt stood at US$76 billion. As such, with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and others, Angola has managed to juggle its year-to-year obligations with a combination of refinanced or forgiven debt. The authors argued further that despite the country is so rich in natural resources, one in three Angolans live below the poverty level and more than half live on less than US$1.90 per day. To this end, Sanzillo argued that an unbalanced economy and a corrupt government are cited as major factors driving this level of inequality. A DISINGENUOUS COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BY SANZILLO AND KREEFT? In the Sanzillo and Kreeft article, the authors failed to acknowledge several notable facts surrounding the Angola situation, for example: 1) Oil exploration in Angola began over a century ago 2) Angola’s first oil production commenced in 1956 (Benfica Oil Field – onshore production) 3) In 1968 the first offshore discovery was made, by Gulf Oil in Cabinda 4) 1969 first offshore oil production commenced 5) Angola’s population in 1956 was about 5.1 million people which increased to 34 million or by 560 per cent by the end of 2021 (65 years later). 6) Angola’s GDP in 1980 stood at US$6 billion which increased to US$62 billion by end of 2020, representing 90 per cent growth in 40 years. 7) Angola suffered 27 years of a devastating civil war from 1975 – 2002 and all of the country’s infrastructure were destroyed. As such, revenues from the oil industry via taxes and royalties has contributed to the rebuilding of the country in terms roads, railroads, airports, schools and hospitals. 8) In one century of oil activities in Angola, there has never been an oil spill or blow out

9) Angola’s oil production is dominated by offshore operations where almost 75 per cent of production comes from offshore activities. 10) Owing to the increasingly competitive global market and lower oil price environment particularly challenged Angola’s high production costs which averages US$40 per barrel. Industry players emphasised the need for a more competitive environment. 11) Consequently, in 2018, the Angolan Government implemented several legal and other reforms and began restructuring the State oil company in response to stalled investments in 2014. These reforms include, for example, a cut in petroleum tax from 20 per cent to 10 per cent while reducing petroleum income tax on marginal fields from 50 per cent to 25 per cent. Putting the above key facts on Angola’s situation in the context of a comparative analysis to Guyana, implicitly stating that Guyana is likely to go down a similar path–is, therefore, deeply flawed and arguably disingenuous, demeaning and grossly misleading by the authors. Angola’s onshore production started 65 years ago while its offshore production which accounts for about 75 per cent of that country’s oil and gas production started 52 years ago. Against the backdrop that Angola experienced a devastating civil war that lasted for some 27 years, which in turn destroyed almost all of its infrastructure, it can be safely deduced that Angola has only enjoyed 25 years of its oil production since onshore production did not and still does not account for more than 25 per cent of oil and gas production. Put differently, of the 52 years (five decades) in oil production, 27 years of revenue had to be diverted to rebuilding the country– that is rebuilding from bottom up – infrastructure that were destroyed during this civil war, and the other 25 years ought to have been dedicated to the continued rebuilding of the economy, and depending on the country’s fiscal space at the time, seek to expand and diversify its economy. Obviously, the civil war is largely responsible for the status of Angola today because much of its resources instead of being utilised to bolster the economy and pursue a comprehensive diversification programme, and lift its citizens out of poverty, had to be utilised to rebuild the country’s infrastructure in the aftermath of a civil war that lasted more than two decades. This, coupled with an era of economic mismanagement and bad

policies, according to the IMF reports, further compounded the issue. Notably, it is largely on account of the pro-longed civil war that destroyed and stymied the development of other productive sectors, hence, why the country was only dependent on oil and gas. The oil and gas sector was also the only sector not affected by the civil war, since these activities were mostly offshore. COUNTERARGUMENTS TO TERRENCE YHIP POSTULATIONS… “DON’T BE FOOLED BY RISING GDP” Yhip, in his article, conducted a very good review of empirical literature on the notion that rising GDP does not necessarily lead to broad-based prosperity for all. Yhip sought to argue that based on the empirical evidence that exist, Guyana’s inequality gap will only widen instead of narrowing. In fact, the author suggested that this is already occurring. Yhip, however, like Sanzillo & Kreeft and Miranda – have all failed miserably in conducting any credible, objective and scholastic analysis regarding Guyana and especially the current administration’s development agenda, economic policies and the current administration’s track record in economic stewardship – drawing from their previous term in office spanning 1992 – 2014. Had the authors so done in an objective and robust manner, the conclusions derived in such analysis would have been different and solid rather than the speculative nature of their analyses in its current form; divorced from Guyana’s historic, contextual, economic, social and political realities; and more so, the lack of appreciation for the ‘prudential pragmatism’ of the policy philosophy of the current Administration coupled with the development trajectory of the country. Yhip did not perform any public policy analysis neither did he present any evidence specific to Guyana to demonstrate why his contention is such that, the inequality gap is widening in Guyana though there is rising GDP. (To be continued) -------------------------https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2022/04/03/dont-befooled-by-rising-gdp/. h t t p s : / / w w w. k a i e t e u rnewsonline.com/2022/04/03/ guyana-may-not-steer-clear-offailure-with-oil-if-fatal-flawsin-oil-deal-not-corrected-intlanalysts/ https://www.economist. com/the-americas/2022/03/26/ guyanas-tiny-population-braces-for-a-gusher-of-petrodollars

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Loss of correspondent banking will pose serious threats to the region

— Prime Minister throws Guyana’s support behind annual US-Caribbean Banking Forum on Tuesday. He is also expected to take part in a meeting with the CARICOM Heads of Government and a Special US Envoy led by Waters. The other regional

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips, said that the loss of correspondent banking, increase of the unbanked and disruption of the flow of remittance will pose serious threats to the economic and social stability of the Caribbean. The senior government official made the statement while addressing a Caribbean Financial Access roundtable discussion on Wednesday, in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Prime Minister joined several CARICOM leaders at the meeting and they all voted unanimously to launch an annual US-Caribbean Banking Forum roundtable meeting. “Madam chair, the loss of correspondent banking and the increase of the unbanked is a security challenge to the Caribbean, and I’m happy that we’re discussing this and we have arrived at a position where we will have this annual roundtable to deal with the challenges. It will be an opportunity for us to share ideas and cooperate as we move forward.” The Prime Minister added that Guyana was particularly interested in increasing correspondent banking, more so because the oil and gas economy

will “propel us towards becoming an international financial centre”. Correspondent banking facilitates countryto-country services and acts as an intermediary to facilitate wire transfers, conduct business transactions, accept deposits and gather documents on behalf of other banks. Guyana’s participation in the one-day roundtable discussion on derisking and correspondent banking came at a request from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados, Mia Mottley. In a missive to President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mottley indicated the importance of Guyana’s participation. “This encounter will provide the ideal opportunity for us to engage with major players in the financial services industry in order to find solutions for these intractable issues.” She added that Guyana’s “presence will definitely be very instrumental and important in addressing the myriad of problems associated with these issues”. Prime Minister Phillips met with Prime Minister Mottley and Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, US Congresswoman Maxine Waters

leaders at the event included the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley; Prime Minister of Belize,

John Antonio Briceño; Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit; Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell; Prime Minister of St Lucia, Philip Pierre; and the

Premier of the Cayman Islands, Wayne Panton, along with ministerial representatives from Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. (Office of the Prime Minister)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

US EXIM Bank explores opportunities in Guyana

SENIOR Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, has met with President and Chair of US Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, Reta Jo Lewis, along with several vicepresidents and senior officials of the bank in Washington DC to examine the wide range of opportunities in Guyana that the bank can support. According to a release, the US is a key development partner, demonstrated through its strong economic ties

in the area of Trade and Official Development Assistance and linked through a large Guyanese Diaspora in the US. The meeting provided another opportunity to promote economic ties as Guyana continues to build and strengthen cooperation with the US. The US Export-Import Bank is the official export credit agency of the US federal government. Operating as a wholly-owned federal government corporation, the bank “assists in financing and facilitat-

ing US exports of goods and services”. With Guyana now being an oil producer and exporter, the country now has access to new opportunities and potential resources that can accelerate this transformation. The country has seen significant interest by international investors in oil and gas, as well as in other productive sectors Minister Singh expressed his appreciation to the bank for the interest shown and reiterated that Guyana values

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, with President and Chair of US Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, Reta Jo Lewis its relationship with the US and more particularly with institutions like the EXIM Bank. The officials discussed opportunities with regards to financing

for both public and private sector projects, with particular interest in the infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, climate services, digitisation and ICT as

well as the non-oil extractive sectors. The release pointed out that both teams have expressed a willingness to conduct further meetings with the aim of fostering closer collaborations between the EXIM Bank and the Government of Guyana as well as the private sector organisations and companies of both countries. Minister Singh is currently attending a series of meetings in Washington, on the occasion of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings. He is accompanied by Zulfikar Ally, Deputy Chief of Mission, Guyana Embassy in Washington DC. Also attending the meeting were other senior officials of EXIM, the release noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Kaieteur News apologises for inaccurate, prejudicial article

THE local daily Kaieteur News issued an apology, on Wednesday, to the New Building Society (NBS) after the newspaper published an

inaccurate article in the ongoing appeal between Maurice Arjoon and the bank. The newspaper erroneously stated that

an Ombudsman report had confirmed Arjoon’s contention that he was framed for refusing to lend some $2B of NBS’ money for the construc-

tion of the Berbice River Bridge. However, the Ombudsman’s finding did not pronounce on anything related to this allegation. As such, Kaieteur News issued the apology after the loan agency on Tuesday issued a press release over the prejudicial nature of the report. According to the NBS in their press release, the ‘Maurice Arjoon Appeal Case’ is currently engaging the attention of the Court of Appeal in Guyana. Kaieteur News on April 13, 2022 made reference to an Ombudsman’s Report which it claims “…confirmed Arjoon’s contention that he was framed for refusing to lend some $2B of NBS’ money to the Bharrat Jagdeo-led government for the construction of the Berbice River Bridge”. NBS noted that the statement is factually inaccurate, a mischaracterisation of the findings of

the Ombudsman’s Report, in breach of the sub judice rule, prejudicial to the pending appeal proceedings and damaging to the reputation of the Society as a premier financial institution in Guyana. Contrary to Kaieteur News inaccurate statement, NBS stated that the Ombudsman in his report at page 23, stated: “I have no jurisdiction to pronounce on the action of the NBS Board in firing the managers and I therefore refrain from any comment.” “NBS was not invited to take part in the determination of the complaint made to the Ombudsman by Maurice Arjoon. The Ombudsman nor his office did not invite NBS to so partake. He never sought to interview or obtain a statement from the New Building Society or the Board of Directors,” the NBS said. It added: “We categorically state that the Berbice

Bridge investment was one of the most profitable investments made in the history of the Society and continues to be a profitable venture. There were absolutely no risks involved in that investment and there was no disagreement or disaffection with Mr. Arjoon’s position on that matter nor was he dismissed for his alleged lack of support of the investment or anything touching and concerning that investment. His dismissal emanated out of completely different circumstances touching and concerning the execution of his duties. Any insinuation or allegation to the contrary or that he was ‘framed’ by NBS is a complete fabrication.” It is most regrettable, said the loan agency, that just a day after Counsel for NBS made mention during the hearing of the said appeal of the continued public statements being made thereon in breach of the sub judice rule, that such statements would be proffered. “In the premises we call on media houses to observe the sub judice rule and to ensure that published statements are not prejudicial to individuals or organisations that are involved in litigation matters,” NBS noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

CWI thanks retired Pollard for... From page 24

job all the more enjoyable and rewarding. For their support, I am ever thankful to all my teammates over the years, both as a player and as captain, and wish each of them continued success in the years ahead.”

Saying that playing for the West Indies was the realisation of a dream he had from the age of 10 years, Pollard recalled his international debut in 2007 under the leadership of his childhood hero, Brian Lara. The 34-year-old said wearing the maroon and playing alongside greats like Lara had been a privilege he never took lightly, “giving my heart and soul in every facet of the game, whether bowling, batting or fielding”. He added that through the highs and lows of the game, he always felt the unwavering support of West Indies cricket fans. During his career, the

all-rounder was one of the most powerful batters on the international stage and revolutionised the way T20 cricket was played, CWI said, noting that was recently demonstrated when he struck six sixes in an over against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua in March last year. His finest hour, the cricketing body said, came in 2012 as a member of the West Indies team that won the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup when they defeated Sri Lanka in the final at the Premadasa Stadium. Pollard, who is currently in India representing Mumbai Indians in the ongoing 2022

Indian Premier League, made his international debut for West Indies during the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and played 123 ODIs. He made 2 706 runs with a top score of 119 vs India in Chennai in 2011. He also took 55 wickets. The Trinidadian made his T20I debut against Australia at Kensington Oval in 2008 and appeared in 101 matches. He scored 1 569 runs – including 99 sixes, and also took 42 wickets. His top score was 75 not out against New Zealand in Auckland in 2020; while his best figures were 4-25 against Ireland at Warner Park, St Kitts in 2020.

Root named Wisden’s... England ultimately fell to a 1-0 series defeat in the Caribbean and have now won only one of their past 17 Tests. Citing the “toll” the job had taken on him, Root stepped down from the captaincy after five years and a record 64 Tests in the role. England’s second-highest Test run-scorer of all time after his predecessor as captain Alastair Cook - Root has overseen the most wins (27) but also the most defeats (26) as Test captain. “Root rose above the struggles of England’s Test side to produce one of the all-time great performances in a calendar year,” said Wisden editor Lawrence Booth. Robinson claimed seven wickets on his Test debut against New Zealand in June and has taken 39 overall in nine Tests at an average of 21.28

to date. He was banned for eight games, five of which were suspended for two years, for historical racist and sexist tweets that came to light during his Test debut. Robinson, 28, returned for the series against India, finishing the summer with 28 wickets in five Tests at 19.6. He played in the Ashes in Australia but has struggled for fitness of late, missing all three Tests in England’s recent series defeat in the West Indies. Conway hit a double century on his Test debut against England in June, before making a crucial 80 in the second Test as New Zealand secured their first series win in England since 1999. Bumrah took 18 wickets in four Tests for India against England last summer and was instrumental in his side taking a 2-1 series lead.

From page 24

The rescheduled fifth Test, which was postponed after India withdrew over Covid-19 concerns in September, will take place on 1-5 July. Team-mate Rohit hit 368 runs in those four Tests, including a vital 127 in his side’s fourth-Test victory at The Oval. Van Niekerk captained Oval Invincibles to victory in the inaugural Hundred tournament and was the leading run-scorer and most valuable player in the women’s competition. Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was named the leading Twenty20 cricketer in the world. The 29-year-old broke the record for the most runs scored in a calendar year across all T20 matches (2,036) and in T20 internationals (1,326) in 2021. (BBC Sport)

GFF, Education Ministry...

From page 24

were Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alfred King; Education Specialist, Dr Olato Sam; Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Lorraine Barker-King; Assistant Chief Education Officer – TVET, Marcia Paddy; GFF president Wayne Forde, vice-president Julian Lovell and Administrative Assistant and Lady Jaguars player, Lakeisha Pearson.

RACING TIPS American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 American Law Race 2 Closing Deals Race 3 Frosted Indian Race 4 Panster Race 5 Reeley Pstched Race 6 Someday Jones Race 7 Mr Phil

English Racing Tips Warwick 08:10 hrs Mortlach 08:40 hrs Patagonia 09:15 hrs Ballycorr 09:50 hrs Hyland 10:25 hrs One For Billy 11:00 hrs Arizonia Cardinal

11:30 hrs San Agustin 12:10 hrs Fame And Concrete Perth 08:30 hrs Jetaway Joey 09:40 hrs No Risk Des Flos 10:15 hrs Alnadam 10:50 hrs Boss M,an Fred 11:20 hrs Well Planted 11:55 hrs Malangen Chelmsford City 11:35 hrs Open Mind 12:05 hrs Under The Twlight 12:37 hrs State Secretary 13:07 hrs Puerto De Vega 13:37 hrs Baileys Derbyday 14:07 hrs Rogue Force

14:37 hrs Music Banner

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:15 hrs Gilded Butterfly 08:45 hrs Good Queen Bess 09:20 hrs Greek Miss Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 10:55 hrs The Antarctic 11:25 hrs Tiny Bit 12:00 hrs Swift Flight 12:30 hrs Dalmatian Coast 13:00 hrs Inchiquin Star 13:30 hrs Freepark 14:00 hrs Mosaaherb 14:30 hrs Raadobarg

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Wimbledon bans Russian, Belarusian players

RUSSIAN and Belarusian players will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year because of the invasion of Ukraine.

Men’s world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia and women’s world number four Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus are the highest-ranked players

to be affected. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said it had a responsibility to “limit Russia’s global influence through the

strongest means possible”. Wimbledon runs from June 27 to July 10. “In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprec-

edented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players,” a statement from the AELTC read. “It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to Wimbledon.” Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, while Medvedev, who has been announced as one of the star draws at the grass-court warm-up event at ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands today, reached the fourth round. Russian world number 15 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who called for the war to stop earlier this year, and 18thranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will also miss out. Russia’s Andrey Rublev is eighth in the men’s standings, with compatriot Karen Khachanov 26th. Only players are banned, which means coaches, umpires and physiotherapists can be involved in the tournament. The Lawn Tennis Association has also banned Russian or Belarusian players from playing at any of the UK grass court tournaments. They will all still be able to compete at the French Open, which begins in May. Players from both countries have been allowed to compete on the tennis tour but not under their national flags.

WHICH SPORTS HAVE BANNED RUSSIAN ATHLETES? Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov criticised the ban. “Given that Russia is a strong tennis country and our athletes possess top lines of the world rating, the tournament itself would suffer because of this ban,” he said. “It is unacceptable to make the athletes once again hostages of certain political prejudice, intrigues and hostile actions towards our country.” The AELTC, which organises Wimbledon, consulted the government in April about whether to allow players to compete. “We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime,” AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt said. “Given the importance of not allowing sport to be used to promote the Russian regime and our broader concerns for public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to proceed on any other basis at The Championships.” The AELTC is also working to withdraw TV rights from companies broadcasting in Russia and Belarus. Although the AELTC statement says the decision could be overturned if “circumstances change materially between now

Daniil Medvedev replaced Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings for three weeks in 2022.

and June”, that is considered very unlikely. A statement from the LTA said it is “important to do all it can to support Ukraine at this time”. “LTA believes that tennis must join many other areas of sport and public life in sending a clear signal to the Russian and Belarusian states that their actions are the subject of international condemnation,” a statement read. “The continuing participation of Russian and Belarusian nationals at events risks providing a boost to these regimes when there is an unprecedented international effort to isolate them and sanction their actions.” UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston welcomed the “decisive action” by the AELTC and LTA. “The UK has taken a leading role internationally to make clear President Putin must not be able to use sport to legitimise Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine. Whilst the withdrawal of individual athletes is a complex issue that will divide opinion, there is a bigger cause at stake.” Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries added: “This decision means Putin won’t use the most iconic grand slam in tennis to try to legitimise the horrors he is inflicting on the Ukrainian people. The right move.” H o w e v e r, W TA h e a d , Steve Simon, told BBC Sport in March that he did not believe players from the two countries should be banned from tournaments. Russia was previously banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team titles after the country’s invasion of Ukraine a military operation supported by Belarus. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the men’s association (ATP) have suspended their combined event scheduled to take place in Moscow in October. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has also cancelled its events in the country. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Delhi Capitals ease past Punjab Kings by nine wickets

DELHI Capitals restricted Punjab Kings to the lowest total of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) as they coasted to an easy nine-wicket win. The Kings were put in to bat by the Capitals and that decision paid off in a substantial way as their attack thrived in Mumbai. Axar Patel (2-10) and Lalit Yadav (2-11) were the pick of the bunch as Kings were bowled out for 115. Captain Mayank Agarwal (24) and Jitesh Sharma (32) were the only batters to score more than 20 for the Kings. Prithvi Shaw (41) and David Warner (60 not out) put on the highest power-play

back for Kings from there, Warner finishing things off with a boundary to seal Delhi’s third win of the season.

Delhi Capitals opener David Warner hit an unbeaten 60

score of the season as the Capitals raced to 81-0. There was never any way

KINGS FADE AFTER STEADY START Kings put on an opening stand of 33 but then lost four wickets in the space of three overs for 21 runs as the Delhi attack seized control. Jitesh provided hope during his 23-ball stay at the crease, but the tail was unable to repair the damage after he was removed by Axar. WARNER FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH Warner’s half-century was his 53rd in IPL cricket

GCB to live-stream inter-county U15 matches

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in collaboration with Dave West Indies Imports and Exports, will commence the Under-15 Inter-County Tournament 2022 on tomorrow and the first-round matches will be played at the Imam Bacchus ground in Essequibo and the Number 69 ground in Berbice. The tournament will livestream and give commentary for each round beginning with Imam Bacchus in round one, Albion Community Centre ground in round two, Everest Cricket Club ground in round three, and Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda for the final on April 29. According to a GCB release on Tuesday, the playing of matches at various venues across the country as against

restricting matches to Demerara is a priority choice of the GCB. GCB president Bissoondyal Singh pointed out that it is critical that we expose players from an early age to varying conditions. “By playing matches across the country players will need to assess and adapt to the different pitch conditions in real-time – within the context of the match. Further, travelling across the country gives players more opportunities to grow as a team, to negotiate challenges that arise due to the dynamics of the team, and the display of ambassadorial qualities that come with the responsibility of representing teams.” Singh went on to remark that another priority choice

of the GCB’s 5-year strategy plan is to provide live stream of Inter-county matches. According to the GCB head, “This allows our players and proud sponsors to be further marketed within and outside of Guyana. The live and recorded videos will give players and coaches additional opportunity to assess players’ strengths and weaknesses and to strategically plan for their development.” The release indicated the full fixtures and representative teams will be released prior to the first round. However, the firstround match, Essequibo versus Demerara at Imam Bacchus, will have livestream coverage on the link https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KRyqBgNIj3k

Mohabir to captain Demerara U15 team

... Inter-county action starts tomorrow in Essequibo, Berbice

THE Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) on Tuesday announced their squad for the Guyana Cricket Board/ Dave West Indian Imports Under-15 inter-county tournament which starts April 22. According to a release from DCB, “after the recently concluded DCB/Premier Insurance Under-15 Inter-Association tournament, the Demerara Cricket Board Junior Selection Panel selected the best possible Demerara Under-15 team.” D e m e r a r a U n d e r- 1 5 squad: Dave Mohabir (cap-

tain), Arun Gainda (vice-captain), Kishawan Silas, Permeshwar Ram, Sayyad Lakeram, Mikel Sharma, Josiah Lim, Trilok Nanan, Dhanesh Persaud, Emmanuel Lewis, Brandon Henry, Shane Prince, Reyaz Latif, Darwin la RoseManagement: Shaun Massiah (manager), Orin Bailey (coach) Tomorrow, Demerara will face Essequibo at Imam Bacchus Cricket Facility, Essequibo, in their first-round match after which they will head to Number 69 Village, Berbice, to play the hosts on April 25.

Dave Mohabir will captain Demerara Under-15 team

Their final game will be played at Everest against the President’s XI on April 27.

and made it three in a row for the Australia opener. He

wrapped up the win with 57 balls to spare with a fine

pull shot to the midwicket boundary.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Imran’s exit casts shadow over Ramiz’ future as PCB chairman

…New premier Shahbaz Sharif weighing options; Najam Sethi could be in the fray OVER a week after the ouster of Imran Khan and his government, the fate of PCB chairmanship remains uncertain. Ramiz Raja, the current board chairman, was hand-picked by Imran when he was prime minister last year, having played nearly half of his 255 international matches under Imran’s captaincy. But with Imran gone, speculation has grown around Ramiz’s future; traditionally, any changes of government have led to a change of PCB chairman. And the new premier Shahbaz Sharif, who automatically assumes the position of patron of the PCB, is thought to be weighing up options to replace Ramiz. Imran was removed from power on April 10, in divisive circumstances, after a vote of no-confidence in parliament that he had initially tried to dismiss. Parliamentarians from his PTI party (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf) have since resigned en masse from parliament and party appointments in various state institutions are being gradually removed or replaced. The new government, a coalition of parties that came together to remove Imran, are jostling over the formulation of a new cabinet and though cricket is not the highest priority, it is thought they will eventually get to changes in the board. As is often the case, a number of different names as replacements are doing the rounds. Najam Sethi, the former board chairman and a

Ramiz Raja may not remain in his seat as PCB chairman for much longer

Sharif family ally is among the more prominent ones (though Sethi is thought to be closer to the former PM and elder Sharif brother, Nawaz, rather than Shahbaz). The change at the top might not be the only one. With Imran’s exit, a group led by former board members has begun urging the government to go back to the previous domestic structure in which departmental teams such as SNGPL and PIA were part of the first-class circuit. This group is also talking about restructuring domestic cricket back along regional lines, as they were before the 2019-20 revamp. That season, domestic cricket was changed to a provincial model, with six teams made up of Pakistan’s provinces playing in all tournaments. That change was insisted upon by Imran himself, who has long wanted Pakistan’s domestic scene to replicate that of Australia’s.

Najam Sethi is known to be close to current premier Shahbaz Sharif’s brother Nawaz Sharif (AFP)

The change of chairmanship is thought to be all but inevitable, a matter of when not if. While the new government works its way through the most pressing priorities and formulates a new cabinet, Ramiz has continued in the position as normal. He was in Dubai for ICC meetings - where he saw his plans for a quadrangular tournament turned down - as Imran was being removed from government. He has since announced plans for a junior T20 league. And in an informal talk with journalists recently, Imran is believed to have confirmed that he had spoken to Ramiz and asked him to continue and fight till the very end. Constitutionally, the Prime Minister of the country, as the PCB’s Patron-inchief, nominates two members to the PCB’s governing board. The two then come through an election to become chairman, but in practice, this is a mere formality:

the PM essentially appoints the chairman. The position isn’t based on any set criteria though the PCB constitution requires the PM to name someone who is at least a graduate and isn’t convicted for any offences including fraud or corrupt practices. No provision in the constitution allows the patron to withdraw the sitting chairman. The only way a chairman can be removed is through a vote of no-confidence in the governing board, requiring a 3/4th majority. But generally, if the Patron wants the chairman changed, it is unusual for the incumbent to stay on. When Imran was elected PM in 2018, Sethi himself resigned and allowed Imran to bring in Ehsan Mani. But in 2014, Zaka Ashraf refused to resign after a change in government, resulting in then-PM Nawaz Sharif revoking the board, forming a management committee that later elected Sethi as its chairman. That led to a period marred by a power struggle between Sethi and Ashraf; the pair fought legal battles in court, swapped positions several times before Sethi finally consolidated his power with the backing of Sharif. In the last three terms, every new chairman has amended the constitution after taking power; the present constitution was implemented in 2019 and was the fifth since 1995 and the fourth in the last 15 years. (Cricinfo)

Golden Jaguars beat French Guiana 2-1 to level friendly series

THE Guyana Senior Men’s National Team beat French Guiana 2-1 in Cayenne on Monday evening, levelling the series in the second of two international friendlies with an improved performance and dedicating the deserved victory to Guyanese fans based in the French overseas territory. First-half goals from Kelsey Benjamin and Jamal ‘Skinny’ Perreira gave Golden Jaguars a two-goal lead at half-time, with French Guiana pulling one back late in the game and triggering a tense finish at the Georges Cha-

umet Stadium. However, Guyana’s back four, marshalled by Quincy Adams, held off the late onslaught. The final whistle sent Guyanese fans in Cayenne into frenzy, with Golden Jaguars securing a revenge victory. “This victory was for our Guyanese people living here in Cayenne. May they walk proud and know that Guyana’s football loves them,” Head coach Jamaal Shabazz said. “These lads continue to make us proud. It’s not the win, but the effort and discipline they put into their performance.”

“They rose above so many challenges on this trip and put in a command performance,” explained Shabazz. The win saw Guyana bounce back from the disappointment of a 2-1 loss in the first game, and the character shown by the team has excited coach Shabazz. “The spirit of this team and the way we learn our lessons and overcome adversity get me emotional,” Shabazz said. Taking a verse from Jamaican entertainer Chronixx, Shabazz stated. “They see us smile after the

victory, but they don’t know what we feel inside us,” he said. “They don’t know what our Federation, our teams, our players go through and still we strive forward. If only the people knew what we feel inside for our country and the way we dedicate ourselves to represent. They will laugh little and weep much. Not just cry, they will weep.” “These young men will grow into a formidable unit for Guyana. May Allah grant us the focus and plant our feet firm on this journey,” ended Shabazz. (GFF release)

Mahadeo benefits from Project Cricket Gear

DEVENDRA Mahadeo of Number 19 Kendall’s Union, Lower East Coast, Corentyne, Berbice is the latest player to benefit from the ‘Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana’ project. The 19-year-old Mahadeo was the recipient of one cricket bat, compliments of Romash Munna, a former executive of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and Berbice first division cricketer. This is the second time he is making a contribution to this project. The project is a joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and

Rudolph Baker, left, collects the bat from Munna, on behalf of Mahadeo, in the presence of John Sumair

Kishan Das of the USA. The bat was handed over to Rudolph Baker who was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, representing Regal Legends in the 2022 Edition of Florida Cup. Baker expressed his appreciation on behalf of Mahadeo and wished him well. According to Munna, he was pleased to contribute to this noble idea which will surely help to produce more cricketers and strengthen Guyana and West Indies cricket. He said while much more has to be done to keep young people off the streets and away from crimes and drugs, he sees sports as a major way of doing so. Total cricket-related items collected so far: $130 000 cash, 2 trophies, 11 cricket boots, 16 pairs of batting pads, 17 bats, 10 pairs of batting gloves, 19 thigh pads, 1 wicket-keeping pad, 1 armguard, 5 cricket bags and 1 helmet. In addition to the above, $600 000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicketkeeper/batter. To date, 33 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from a junior gear bag, 2 trophies, 9 bats, 9 pairs of cricket shoes, 6 pairs of batting pads and 7 pairs of batting gloves. In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club received a pair of stumps and bails; Two clubs in the Pomeroon area got 2 used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees, Cotton Tree Die Hard and Rose Hall CCCC also received one box of red cricket balls each. Cricket-related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. According to Beharry, skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. “Talent-spotting is being done across the country and club leaders will also assist to identify talent.” Beharry thanked the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

Britons go head-to-head before Tyson Fury v WBC heavyweight fight Dillian Whyte: WBC champion Tyson Fury and challenger Dillian Whyte paid respect to each other, and even shared a handshake, as they met for the first time since their heavyweight bout was announced. The Britons will fight at Wembley Stadium in front of 96 000 fans on Saturday night. Fury, 33, will make a second defence of the title he won in February 2020. Whyte, 34, had kept a low profile since the fight was announced, frustrated with his split of the purse. “It’s a big fight and I’m excited to be here,” Whyte said. “Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier but I’m here now.” He fell short of giving a detailed explanation of his reluctance to attend events such as a media conference last month, but said: “There are two sides to every story.” The Londoner added: “You lot hear one side because they say a lot of things. Because I don’t say anything, they say you’re scared or hiding.” FURY & WHYTE SHARE MUTUAL RESPECT Whyte made a low-key entrance as he walked on to the stage and greeted Queensbury promoter Frank Warren. Fury, in contrast, shouted “the champ is here” as he made his way to

WBC and Ring Magazine champion Fury (left) is undefeated in 32 bouts, while Whyte (right) has lost twice in a 30-fight career.

his seat. Media from around the world packed out a room at Wembley Stadium, with many expecting a hostile, intense and unpredictable meeting between the two fighters. Instead, there was a great deal of mutual respect, and even light-hearted exchanges. “We’re going to treat you all to a hell of a barnstormer,” Fury said as Whyte - who is an underdog with the bookmakers - nodded. “He’s a good fighter,” added ‘The Gypsy King’. “A good, strong, solid man. He has good punch with good power - he’s knocked out a lot of men. “He’s definitely a man who needs a lot of respect and that’s what I’ve given him by my

training camp. I’ve trained as hard for Dillian as I have for (Deontay) Wilder, (Wladimir) Klitschko or anybody. “I see the odds and laugh a bit because they’re coming from people who don’t know anything about boxing. This is heavyweight boxing. Anyone can win with one punch. If I’m not on my A Game, this guy will knock my head right off my shoulders FIGHTERS KEEP THINGS CALM AS TEAMS CLASH As the pair posed for the obligatory head-to-head, matters got heated between members of their entourages, namely Fury’s dad, John Fury, and Team Whyte. Surprisingly, it was Fury and Whyte who appeared to calm

things down. “This is our day,” Whyte said, before Fury insisted his team make some space. Speaking to the media later, Fury added: “Sometimes you need to be a bit diplomatic. Both teams were up on stage and it was up to me to calm it all down and sort it all out. “Both men are being paid to fight, so why do it all a few days before? Let’s save it all for the night and not end up in a police van.”

‘WE’RE DIFFERENT MEN TODAY’ Fury and Whyte have shared several social media spats over the years, most significantly when Whyte claimed he had once knocked his rival down during a sparring session. But Fury refused to be drawn when questioned, saying: “I don’t think you can go on what happened 10 years ago. We’re different men today. We’re different versions.” Whyte, meanwhile, underlined the importance of fighting on his home turf in front of a record post-war British crowd. “It means everything to fight in my own country, and for the world title. Wembley is not too far from where I’m from,” he said. “I’m ready to rock and roll.” (BBC Sport)

Clubs from Suriname, Guadeloupe, Curacao, Puerto Rico advance to semis of CCCS

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico (CMC) – The group stage of the 2022 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield (CCCS) in Puerto Rico concluded Tuesday night with clubs from Suriname, Guadeloupe, Curacao and Puerto Rico punching their ticket to the knockout round. Inter Moengo Tapoe of Suriname took first place in Group C thanks to a 4-3 win versus Golden Lion FC of Martinique at the Estadio Centroamericano de Mayaguez. Inter Moengo Tapoe could not have asked for a better first half, as they scored three times to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. Miquel Darson opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a sweeping right-footed finish for a 1-0 lead. A dashing run for Rievaldo Doorson in the 34th minute yielded a 2-0 lead for the Suriname club, as Doorson collected a pass in his own half and out-ran everyone before finishing for the goal. The leaders then tacked on the third score in the final seconds before the break with Naldo Kwasie firing into the net for a 3-0 lead. Golden Lion needed a spark and their legendary striker, Kevin

Miquel Darson of Inter Moengo celebrating a goal during the match against Golden Lion (Photo: JUAN ALICEA/CONCACAF/ STRAFFON IMAGES)

Parsemain, was able to provide it by firing in a free kick in the 64th to make it a 3-1 contest. Four minutes later, it was déjà vu as Parsemain stood over another free kick, this one a few yards further back, and again scored to cut it to 3-2. Then when it looked like Golden Lion were completing a comeback, Inter Moengo Tapoe notched a crucial fourth goal,

as Joel Baja converted a penalty in the 79th to make it 4-2. But Parsemain was not done, and he rocketed in a third free kick in the 90th to draw Golden Lion to within 4-3. Inter Moengo Tapoe held on in the final frantic minutes, though, to collect the win and a semi-final spot. Puerto Rico’s Bayamon FC will be the team to advance from Group A following the 1-1 draw between Junior Stars of Saint Martin and South East FC of Dominica at the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel. Yannick Bellachasse gave Junior Stars hope by swinging in a free kick in the 24th for a 1-0 lead, but South East struck right back early in the second half when a deep cross from the right flank was turned into the net by Junior Stars DF Noha Mauvais, evening the score at 1-1, which held until the final whistle. The two teams at the top of Group B, AS Gosier of Guadeloupe and Jong Holland of Curacao, met at the Estadio Centroamericano de Mayaguez, with both collecting a point in a 0-0 draw. It turned out to be a tight affair, with neither side able

to penetrate deeply into their opponent’s half, resulting in the scoreless draw that earned Jong Holland top spot in the group. The result was also enough to stamp Gosier’s place in the next round as the top second-place finisher in the group stage. The other game in Group B saw SWA Sharks FC of Turks and Caicos Islands pick up their first-ever CCCS victory in a 3-1 final over Real Rincon of Bonaire. It was a dream start for SWA Sharks, as they took a 1-0 lead in the 4th minute when a longrange free kick from Callum Park bounced over the GK and into net. The TCI outfit then doubled their lead to 2-0 when Junior Paul finished off a counterattack in the 50th with a right-footed shot. The advantage was then extended to 3-0 via another counterattack in the 66th that was polished off by Jeff Beljour. Real Rincon landed a consolation goal in the 78th, courtesy of Gurdney Celestijn, whose initial penalty attempt was saved by SWA Sharks GK Pendieno Brooks, but Celestijn turned in the rebound to complete the 3-1 scoreline.

Test hero Brathwaite ‘batting’ for West Indian youths FRESH from the Herculean feats in the recent Apex Test Series to help West Indies beat England and secure the Richards-Botham trophy, Kraigg Brathwaite has turned his attention to a fresh assignment. The captain on Tuesday pledged his support for agegroup cricket and says he is willing to be an ambassador for boys and girls across the region, and inspire then as they aspire to be top-flight cricketers. He spoke of his new endeavour during a courtesy call with Charles Griffith, the Minister of Sports in Barbados. Brathwaite shared the trophy with Griffith and local sporting administrators and also presented a

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite shares the recently won Richards-Botham trophy with Barbados Minister of Sports, Charles Griffith.

bat signed by Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham. “It was a tremendous victory over England, and it is still fresh … we have a lot to celebrate as West Indians. It was a hard-fought series, and we played some great cricket to win the Richards Botham trophy for the first time. I wanted to share it with our supporters so everyone can feel part of our success, and what we achieved for our fans,” Brathwaite said. “I also want to offer my support to young cricketers in Barbados and all across the West Indies, especially, at primary school and Under-13 levels, where it’s all about enjoyment and learning the game. I remember my days as a youngster coming up and I remember all the help and encouragement I received. I want to also inspire a young generation of cricketers and help to play my part as an ambassador for West Indies cricket.” Brathwaite was the mainstay of West Indies batting in the three-match Apex Test. He topped the batting charts with 341 runs at an impressive average of 81 runs per innings. This included a monumental top score of 160 – his first Test century on home soil at Kensington Oval and 10th overall. Throughout the match he defied the England bowlers for just under 16 hours and faced 673 balls – an amazing record for the longest batting period in West Indies Test history. The next match West Indies won by 10 wickets to secure the historic 1-0 series triumph.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, April 21, 2022

CWI thanks retired Pollard for `outstanding’ contribution to West Indies cricket ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday afternoon thanked white-ball captain Kieron Pollard for his “outstanding service” as a player and captain of the regional side, after the all-rounder called time on his 15-year international career. CWI, which said Pollard had formally communicated the retirement news prior to making the farewell announcement on social media earlier in the day, added that it respected his decision. “On behalf of everyone at CWI I would like to express our thanks to Kieron Pollard for his outstanding service to the West Indies ODI and T20I teams over the past 15 years,” said CWI president Ricky Skerritt in a statement. “We respect his decision to retire from international cricket and are especially grateful for the high quality of leadership and commitment he invested in both West In-

Kieron Pollard was the captain of both West Indies, ODI and T20I teams when he retired (ICC via Getty Images)

dies teams since his appointment as our white-ball captain in September 2019. We wish him continued success in his career.”

Earlier, in a post on Instagram that included a produced video and text of his retirement announcement, Pollard said he had decided to retire

GFF, Education Ministry meet to discuss school football MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, yesterday met with representatives of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to discuss the implementation of a FIFA-sponsored football programme in schools. Football for Schools is a programme launched by FIFA in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system and contributing to the development and empowerment of children. It targets children between the ages of 4 and 14. The programme is being rolled out in all 211 countries which are a part of FIFA. Guyana is the first country in the Caribbean region selected to pilot the programme. During the meeting, Minister Manickchand welcomed the programme and noted that it aligns with the Ministry of Education’s plans to ensure

From Left: Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Lorraine Barker-King, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Alfred King, Minister Priya Manickchand, GFF president, Wayne Forde, Education Specialist, Dr. Olato Sam, Assistant Chief Education Officer – TVET, Marcia Paddy and GFF vice-president Jullian Lovell .

that students are well-rounded and graduate from secondary school having been exposed to at least one musical instrument, sport, language and TVET subject. Some 50 coach-educators will be trained who will then be responsible for training children from the age of four to 14 across the 11 education

districts. The Ministry of Education will immediately begin to look at the curriculum for the programme to ensure the concepts that are intended to be taught off the field are age-appropriate. Present at the meeting

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from international cricket after careful deliberation, and he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Skerritt “for his unwavering

support and encouragement, especially during my time as captain”. He had also expressed gratitude to the West Indies

selectors, management teams, and, in particular, head coach Phil Simmons for seeing his potential and the faith they “steadfastly had in me throughout my career”. Pollard said being asked to captain both the T20I and ODI squads in 2019, a position he held up until his retirement yesterday, was to date, the highest honour bestowed on him and for which he would forever be grateful. “As captain, I believe that I have led with passion, openness, courage and everything I could possibly give, both on and off the field, without ever compromising my principles and integrity,” the Trinidadian said, admitting that he had been a hard taskmaster in his last three years at the helm of the Caribbean side. “Respect for my teammates has been a guiding principle of mine and, in turn, I have always felt that reciprocated. This made my

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Root named Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world for 2021 ENGLAND batter Joe Root has been named Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world for 2021. Root, 31, hit 1,708 runs in 15 matches in 2021, the third-highest number of Test runs scored in a calendar year. His stellar form came despite England winning only four Tests last year, with Root stepping down from the captaincy on Friday. England seam bowler Ollie Robinson was named one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year. India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and opener Rohit Sharma, New Zealand batter Devon Conway and South Africa women’s captain Dane van Niekerk join Robinson on the 2021 list. South Africa opener Lizelle Lee, 30, was named the leading women’s cricketer in the world. Across 11 one-day internationals in 2021, Lee hit more runs (632) at a higher average (90.28) than any other batter in the women’s game. A player can only be

Joe Root hit six tons in 2021, including a vital 121 at his home ground Headingley in the victory against India.

named as one of the Cricketers of the Year once in their career and is based on achievements during the English summer whereas the leading cricketer in the world award given to Root is for worldwide performances. Root is the third Englishman to win the leading cricketer in the world award since its inception in 2004, following all-rounders Andrew Flintoff (2005) and Ben Stokes, who won the two previous editions.

He scored a century in all four of England’s Test wins last year, hitting six hundreds in total, including two double tons. Yorkshire’s Root had an average of 61 throughout 2021 and only Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf (1,788) and West Indies’ Viv Richards (1,710) have scored more Test runs in a calendar year. He carried his form into 2022 with back-to-back centuries against West Indies, but

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Wimbledon bans Russian, Belarusian players Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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|THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2022