Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 21-09-2021

TUESDAY 21st September, 2021

No. 106491

Health authorities to increase testing for COVID-19 in hinterland regions

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Uneven global response to pandemic affecting attainment of SDGs _President Ali tells UN

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_makes case for debt rescheduling, climate adaptation financing for SIDS

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, engage officials of Teleperformance during a tour of the company’s Camp Street facility, on Monday

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Teleperformance to increase staff complement to 1,200 by year end

Benn to Boston’s family: U.S. tech company mulls ‘We will get to bringing ‘green’ water the bottom of this’ infrastructure to Guyana SEE PAGE

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Region One has highest rate of child abuse SEE PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Teleperformance to increase staff complement to 1,200 by year end _Dr. Singh says BPO sector has potential to spur economic activity, improve lives

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh (centre) and CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, with officials of Teleperformance, following a tour of the company’s facility on Monday

BUSINESS Process Outsourcing (BPO) company, Teleperformance, has created jobs for close to 1,000 Guyanese since it opened its doors in Guyana in 2017, and plans to increase that number to 1,200 by the end of this year.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Finance, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh learnt of the company’s contributions to the local economy during a tour of its Camp Street facility on Monday.

The minister, who was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, engaged Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Teleperformance, Luis Barreto, and spoke of the potential that Guyana has for BPO companies.

Discussions also sur-

rounded the company’s plans for expansion, as well as ways in which the government could lend its support to allow for this.

The facility currently employs approximately 950 persons, fifty per cent of whom work from within the facility, and the remainder from their houses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the tour, Dr. Singh lauded the efforts of the business’s founder, who saw the potential for investment in Guyana, and commenced operations here in 2017.

The business, even now amid the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued to enable the employment of hundreds of Guyanese, including young persons and singleparents.

Minister Singh encouraged the business to strive to continue to assist in the development of the country through job-creation,

noting that the government would also support any measure it takes to expand to other regions of the country.

The minister alluded to the number of persons who travel from elsewhere in the country to work in Georgetown, and suggested that businesses expanding to other areas is always welcomed by communities, as employees and other job-seekers usually prefer employment in close proximity to their homes.

“Teleperformance is one of the largest BPOs worldwide, with a phenomenal global footprint operating in literally every single continent of the world, with an almost universal coverage… So, Teleperformance is exactly the kind of company that when we initiated our work in introducing BPO operations and attracting BPO investors into Guyana, Teleperformance is exactly the type of com-

The Teleperformance facility at Camp Street

pany that we wanted to attract.

“Thus, we are extremely pleased to see that the company has come to Guyana, has established operations, and has grown in the manner that it has,” Dr. Singh said.

Dr. Singh reiterated that the BPO sector has the potential to create jobs, generate income, spur economic activity, and improve lives generally, and said that this is why the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has been, since its previous term in office, promoting Guyana as a destination for BPO businesses.

He also alluded to the current Dr. Irfaan-Ali led government’s strong support for any effort by businesses which align with its vision of diversifying the economy, which will also contribute to ensuring the country maintains a stable macro-economic environment, since it

would be unwise for it to solely depend on its main sectors.

Meanwhile, during the minister’s visit, the CEO conducted a video presentation, which portrayed Guyana as a unique and premier destination for BPO businesses.

This is something which the senior minister said he was impressed with, as it highlighted Guyana in a manner that the government would have wanted the country to be marketed in terms of its competitive advantages-as a premier, Englishspeaking country, with highly-educated citizens ready for the world of work, such as in the BPO industry.

THOUSANDS OF JOBS “We see this sector creating thousands of jobs in Guyana, and not a lot of people know what is happening in the BPO sector. And, as part of the series of these meetings

I have been having, one of my objectives was to raise public awareness of what’s happening in the sector,” Dr. Singh said.

He added: “In the pre2015 period, we had already recognised the vast potential for BPO service, and we had invested a lot of policy effort into the sector.”

He said that Teleperformance is the ideal example of what could be achieved by persons willing to invest in Guyana.

The minister had echoed similar sentiments during his visits and tours of other BPO facilities recently.

He had referenced the fact that many businesses internationally are recognising Guyana as a prime destination for BPO services, especially with its Englishspeaking population, its educated workforce, and its close proximity to the United States of America and Canada.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

Tuesday September 21, 2021

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Uneven global response to pandemic affecting attainment of SDGs _President Ali tells UN _makes case for debt rescheduling, climate adaptation financing for SIDS

THE COVID-19 pandemic has already decelerated progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has reversed many development gains, and the ‘uneven’ global response has not made attaining those goals any better, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said in his prerecorded video address during the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals, according to the United Nations (UN), are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.

Even prior to the pandemic, President Ali said the drive to attaining those goals was “slothful and lagging.”

To this end, he said that the “uneven global” response to the pandemic has not helped.

In order to temper this and to avert the adverse consequences of a two-tier recovery while preparing for future exogenous shocks, the President said: “[There must be greater attention on] strengthening resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable countries, like Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Lowlying Coastal Developing States. This will require debt rescheduling, increased access to soft resources and increased financing for climate adaptation.”

GUYANA’S SDGs INITIATIVES

Guyana, President Ali said, will not leave any country behind. He said that since the country is a “pluralist society” with six ethnic groups and a kaleidoscope of cultures, his government is determined to take an evenhanded and inclusive approach to policymaking.

The Head of State also used the opportunity to update the summit on the various initiatives that the government has since embarked on to further the achievement of the SDGs. Those initiatives included spearheading the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems agenda, which prioritises food security and nutrition while guiding growth through a Low Carbon Development Strategy. This simultaneously facilitates sustainable

President Dr. Irfaan Ali economic development while mitigating the effects of climate change.

The President also noted that since the pandemic has engendered learning loss, the government is providing tangible support for learning from nursery to tertiary levels.

This support includes the

provision of 20,000 online scholarships to universities around the world for vocational, undergraduate and post-graduate studies, intensifying digital learning and the preparation for free university education by 2025.

“Guyana welcomes the convening of the SDG Moment in order to explore

best practices, lessons and opportunities for a resilient post-COVID recovery and ensuring the global community’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” President Ali said.

He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to advancing the UNGA’s SDGs, noting that his government would strive through aggressive advocacy to ensure that Agenda 2030 remains the primary guiding framework.

The President also related that the country is committed to presenting its second Voluntary National Review in the Decade of Action to realise the SDGs by 2030. He used the opportunity to implore the international community to stay focused on achieving the agenda’s targets and objectives.

“Agenda 2030 represents a framework for sustainable, inclusive and equitable development,” President Ali related.

‘We will get to the bottom of this’

MINISTER of Home Affairs Robeson Benn has assured the relatives of Essequibo businessman Orin Boston, who died after being shot by a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s SWAT team, that a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident will be done.

The minister gave this commitment on Monday when he visited Boston’s family at Dartmouth on the Essequibo Coast.

According to a press statement from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Minister Benn met and interacted with the relatives of the deceased on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

He expressed his personal disappointment at the tragic event that transpired and assured the family that the government is committed to having an impartial investigation done to get to the bottom of this.

“Loss of life never helps,” Minister Benn said.

Boston’s father during his emotional interaction with the minister expressed his profound grief at the passing of his son and promised that he will hold the peace until justice is served.

The family members asked for a speedy investigation, so that they can ascertain the motive behind the incident and also in order for them to have closure.

_Minister Benn tells family of Essequibo businessman who died after being shot by SWAT rank _commits to ensuring there is review of police standard operating procedures

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, offers condolences to the wife of Essequibo businessman Orin Boston, who died after being shot by an officer attached to the Guyana Police Force’s SWAT team The family further asked that the operating procedures (SOPs) of Guyana Police Force employ more the GPF. training sessions for ranks, so as to According to Minister Benn: avoid any such recurrence.

“Police killing should never occur Following the visit to Bos- only in extreme circumstances ton’s house, Minister Benn held a where a police life is in danger or meeting with senior officials from in a bid to save civilian lives,” he Region Two and urged the Po- said, adding: “ Our method should lice Commander of the Division, only occur as a process of lawful Superintendent Denise Griffith, approaches.” and the Regional Chairman and Additionally, the family Vice-Chairman of the Regional members and relatives of Boston Democratic Council (RDC), to thanked the minister for his timely provide support and counselling to visit and committed to maintaining the family and Boston’s relatives. peace within the region.

Minister Benn assured the Before departing the Cinfamily and relatives that all efforts derella County, Minister Benn will be made to ensure that this also used the opportunity to tragedy is thoroughly investigated. visit the New Opportunity Corps He said too that he will ensure that where he toured the facility and there is a review of the standard its surroundings.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Allen Stanford’s Ponzi scheme recovery tops $1 billion

(Reuters) - A court-appointed receiver has recouped more than $1 billion for victims of Texas financier Allen Stanford’s Ponzi scheme, the largest by dollar amount other than Bernard Madoff ’s fraud, the receiver’s lawyers said on Monday.

The threshold was crossed when Ralph Janvey, the receiver for Stanford Financial Group, received $65 million from a June 2016 settlement with insurers including Lloyd’s of London, which won final court approval in January after years of litigation.

Janvey expects to distribute money from the settlement in the first quarter of 2022. As of April 29, he had received court approval to distribute about $550 million, and had distributed $443 million.

Once considered a billionaire but later declared indigent, Stanford, 71, is

Allen Stanford (REUTERS/Richard Carson/ File Photo) serving a 110-year prison sentence following his 2012 conviction for running a $7.2 billion Ponzi scheme affecting approximately 18,000 former investors.

Prosecutors said Stanford sold fraudulent high-yielding certificates of deposit through his Antigua-based Stanford International Bank, and used investor money to make risky investments and fund a lavish

lifestyle.

The fraud lasted about two decades, and was uncovered in February 2009.

“When the receivership started, the receiver found only $63 million in a bank that was supposed to be holding more than $7 billion” Kevin Sadler, a Baker Botts partner representing Janvey, said in an interview.

He added: “It has taken more than 12 years, but getting to $1 billion is a significant achievement.”

MORE RECOVERIES ARE POSSIBLE. Janvey is defending against appeals from a $124.9 million judgment he won against Colorado billionaire Gary Magness.

He is also working with the Official Stanford Investors Committee on a $4 billion lawsuit against five former Stanford banks including HSBC (HSBA.L), Societe Generale (SOGN.PA) and TD Bank (TD.TO).

Last month, U.S. District Judge David Godbey in Dallas rejected HSBC’s and Societe Generale’s bids to dismiss that case.

Recovery efforts from Madoff’s Ponzi scheme have recouped more than $18 billion for victims. Madoff died in April at age 82 while serving a 150-year prison term.

His fraud was uncovered in December 2008.

U.S. will re-open to international travellers with vaccine requirements

Passengers walk past artwork between terminals at IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Houston, Texas, U.S., July 21, 2020 (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

(Reuters) - THE United States will re-open to air passengers from China, India, Britain and many other European countries who have received COVID-19 vaccines in early November, the White House said Monday,

rolling back tough pandemic-related travel restrictions that started early last year.

The White House plans to allow nonU.S. citizen travellers from countries who have been barred from the United States since early 2020 as it moves to the new requirements, White House coronavirus response coordinator, Jeff Zients, said.

The U.S. restrictions were first imposed on travellers from China in January 2020 by thenPresident Donald Trump and then extended to other countries in the following months, without any clear metrics for how and when to lift them.

President Joe Biden, in April of this year, added new travel restrictions on India, barring most non-U.S. citizens from entering the United States. Biden also reversed plans

by Trump in January to lift restrictions on European countries.

The United States

currently bars most non-U.S. citizens who, within the last 14 days, have been in Britain, the 26 Schengen countries in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.

There will be some exceptions to the vaccine policy, officials said, including for children not yet eligible to be vaccinated.

The new rules do not yet apply to travellers crossing land borders with Mexico and Canada.

Airlines have heavily lobbied the White House for months to lift the restrictions, but were unsuccessful at having them lifted in time for the summer travel season. The White House said, in July, it had concerns about the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant and a rising number of U.S. COVID-19 cases.

The seven-day average of reported U.S. COVID-19 cases has more than doubled since then.

Tuesday September 21, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

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Region One has highest rate of child abuse _community action groups to be created to address issues facing children, says Greene

Abuse rates in the 10 regions

By Tamica Garnett REGION One (BarimaWaini) has recorded the highest rate of child abuse, including sexual abuse, for the first half of 2021, according to statistics from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA).

During the period under review, the country recorded

a total of 1,918 cases of child abuse. And while Region Four has the most cases due to its population density, Region One recorded the highest rate of abuse out of the 10 Administrative Regions, with a rate of 11.8 per cent.

This is followed by Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) which has a rate of 10.4 per cent, and Region

Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) which has a rate of 9.7 per cent.

The lowest rate of child abuse was recorded in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), which has a rate of 1.2 per cent. Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Corentyne Berbice also (Turn to page 8)

Abuse by categories

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Thinking Big WE may be a small country in terms of geography and population size, but that should by no means limit us from thinking big. Indeed, despite our relatively small size, we have been making waves recently, thanks to our newly found oil riches which are projected to have a significant impact on our growth trajectory in the coming period.

According to Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Guyana’s economy is projected to grow by 16.4 per cent this year, which is likely to more than double next year to around 46.5 per cent. These are nothing short of spectacular growth rates, especially when seen against the backdrop of a regional average of just around three per cent, due in part to the adverse impact of the COVD-19 pandemic.

The World Bank in its latest estimate noted that Guyana’s

economy will maintain its positive growth trajectory over the next few years, largely due to the burgeoning oil and gas sector.

Based on the World Bank’s latest estimates, the country is set to record economic growth of 20.9 per cent at the end of 2021, 20 per cent in 2022 and 23 per cent in 2023.

This is indeed good news.

Of course, we cannot continue to enjoy growth rates along current levels for a sustained period due to an incrementally bigger economic baseline. In fact, growth is expected to taper off to just around three per cent by 2026 as the economy becomes more consolidated and oil revenues as a percentage of total revenues begin to get smaller.

The important point to note, however, is that the size of our economy is projected to get substantially bigger, which means that there will be a corre-

sponding increase in the size of our national pie. As that pie gets bigger, our per capita income will also climb and there will be more money to spend, both as a country and at the individual level. Our disposable income will increase and our basket of goods and services will get bigger.

These are by no means unreasonable expectations. Already, social sector spending has seen significant increases, especially in the critical areas of health, education, water and housing. In addition, the PPP/C administration has increased disposable incomes by way of cash transfers, water and electricity subsidies to pensioners, increased old-age pensions and removal of value-added taxes on a wide array of consumer items among others.

The PPP/C administration has already restored a fair measure of confidence in the econo-

my after five years of economic mismanagement by the previous APNU+AFC administration.

Investor confidence is today at an all-time high. The construction industry is continuing to gain momentum, which is impacting positively in terms of jobs. Simply put, there is more money to spend and living conditions of the average Guyanese have improved significantly.

We have to continue to dream big. True enough, we may not be among the wealthiest countries in the world, but we are by no means among the poorest. We have successfully lifted our status from a lowincome, highly indebted nation to middle-income status, thanks to prudent economic management under successive PPP/C administrations since the restoration of democratic rule on October 5, 1992. Our Gross Domestic Product and

our per capita income have also increased significantly from the pre-1992 levels.

Even more important from the standpoint of our national psyche is the restoration of dignity and hope as a people.

We may not be able to own our personal yachts, but there is no harm in us hoping someday to riding in one. In anticipation of such an eventuality, an Italian yacht- manufacturing company has opened its doors for business in Guyana. A recent release from NexGen Global Marketing Services Inc. said that Azimut launched their sales division here in Guyana at the Pegasus Hotel on Saturday last; yet another show of confidence in our economy.

This is exciting news which augurs well for tourism in Guyana and for those Guyanese who may wish to experience a new form of recreation in Guyana.

Bullyism must be condemned Dear Editor, WHAT a shame it is that A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) are resorting to vile personal attacks against Education Minister, Priya Manickchand. In so doing, the revelation is quite clear, that is, the protest against vaccination is not about well-being of any sort, but is wholly anti-government.

The press and social media highlighted that antagonism reached new heights

(maybe low) during recent protests sponsored by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), descending to a song titled “Priya is a Wild Hog”.

This was picked up and transmitted by APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan, on his social media page almost instantly.

As expected, support for Ms. Manickchand was there from many quarters, and I am happy to add my name in tandem to those of Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and

Minster of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira. The PM noted his disappointment, stating that “… some sections of society may find it entertaining to target the Minister of Education with such distasteful messages, and that most disturbing is that a sitting member of the National Assembly, Mr Sherod Duncan, has shared this revolting song on his social media platform.”

Madam Gail Teixeira, in like manner, slammed those

who condone the depraved attacks on the minister and the creation of the song, which uses lyrics that featured in chants by teachers who took part in a recent GTU-sponsored protest outside the Ministry of Education. According to her, “The latest video/song, posted on Sherod Duncan’s Facebook ‘Priya is a Wild Hog’, is another act that illustrates the depths of depravity that permeate the PNC/APNU/ AFC and Guyana Teachers Union circles.” I mean who

says that teachers are noble?

Not those on the GTU bandwagon for sure.

When disagreement is used as an excuse to perpetrate “incidents of bullyism, sexism and misogyny on social media and in street protests” that goes back to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections, they must be condemned and exposed for what they are.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

Tuesday September 21, 2021

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Woman denies involvement in father’s murder

BIBI Nazeela Habiboodean on Monday denied playing a role in the murder of her 76-year-old father, who was beaten to death by an alleged “hitman” in 2008.

Bibi and co-accused Linden Lewis, the man she allegedly hired to kill Habiboodean (only name given), a Ruby, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) businessman, are currently on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a jury at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence of murder.

The woman and Lewis, called “Bullet,” have both pleaded not guilty to murdering Habiboodean on February 15, 2008 at Ruby. The state is being represented by Senior State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, while attorneys-atlaw Latchmie Rahamat and Roger Yearwood are on record for the accused.

During Monday’s hearing, Bibi told the court that she is innocent of the charge. She also denied promising Lewis “car, house and land” to kill her father.

“I never do nothing,” Bibi told the court when Yearwood asked if she played a role in the crime.

The hearing continues today.

It is alleged that Bibi not only hired Lewis to kill her father, but also helped him to gain access to his home.

Reports are that when the “hitman” entered the businessman’s home, he found the elderly man sitting in a chair and proceeded to strike him repeatedly, causing him to later succumb to his injuries at

Businessman freed of firearm-related charges A CORENTYNE businessman was, on Monday, freed of gun and ammunition charges, after the presiding magistrate upheld a no-case submission that was made by his attorney, Bernard DaSilva.

Michael Bascom was on trial before Magistrate Renita Singh, at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

Bascom was out on $300,000 bail after it was alleged that, on December 17, 2018, at Corentyne, Berbice,

he had, in his possession, one Ruger Newport long rifle and a hunting firearm without being the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

It was also alleged that, on the same date, he had in his possession twenty-six 30-30 ammunition and fiftyseven 22 long rifle ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

DaSilva had made a nocase submission, arguing that

Government shows care for all the children by extending education cash grant to private schools Dear Editor, I am very relieved that private schools have been added to the “Because We Care” cash grant roll out, meaning that in terms of bringing a measure of relief to students right across the country’s schools, no one can feel disenfranchised. I mean, whether in a private or government school, these students all belong to the nation, and in all likelihood, will be serving the nation in a few years to come.

As it stands, under the “Because We Care” programme, cash grants totalling $19,000 are given to the parents of each child attending school, to provide support to parents in procur-

ing school supplies. Indeed, as is seen in the press, “The programme enjoys widespread popularity, but was discontinued by the APNU/ AFC while they were in office. It has since been reinstated by the PPP/C upon their return to office, and the amount of the grant (has been) increased to a total of $19,000 per student.”

I hope with this kind of input, a concerted effort will be made by all involved, parents and teachers, to keep our students afloat, both educationally and medically, as the COVID-19 pandemic is being fought.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

the prosecution had failed to establish evidence to prove key elements of the charges.

Magistrate Singh later upheld the no-case submission, and dismissed the charges.

Linden Lewis and Bibi Nazeela Habiboodean

a hospital.

Bibi was charged along with another man shortly after the murder was committed, but they were both discharged by a magistrate due to insufficient evidence.

Lewis, who had fled to the “interior,” was arrested by the police two years later. Word is that the police got a breakthrough in the

case after Lewis and four others were detained for the murder of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir, 69, who were reportedly burnt to death at their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home in 2016.

While in custody, someone tipped off investigators that Lewis had vital information about Habibood-

ean’s death. He allegedly confessed and told the police that he was paid by Bibi to kill her father.

Shortly after Bibi turned herself in to the police, and reportedly provided investigators with a statement that was consistent with that given by her father’s alleged killer. Bibi and Lewis were later charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Region One has highest... Local COVID-19 death

(From page 5) all fell below two per cent.

Girls continued to outrank boys as being the most prevalent victims of abuse, with 60.5 percent of the abuse cases so far for the year being girls.

Neglect was ranked as the most prevalent form of abuse facing children in Guyana, with a total of 734 children being affected for the period January - June, 2021.

This is followed by sexual abuse which affected 585 children, and physical abuse which affected 446 children.

The other categories of abuse recorded were verbal abuse (135 children), witnessed abuse (15 children) and abandonment (three children).

As it pertains to sexual abuse among children, Region One also has the highest rate in this regard. As it is, the region accounts for

6.9 per cent of those cases, and 3.2 per cent of the cases of neglect.

Region Seven had the second highest rate of sexual abuse among children, at 5.5 per cent. Region Three had the highest rate of neglect at 4.8 per cent, while Region Four had the highest rate of physical abuse, at 2.2 per cent.

Those statistics were released earlier this week, as the CC&PA and Ministry of Human Services and Social Security commemorate “Child Protection Week” under the theme “Together, let’s keep children safe.”

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle about the observance of this week, CC&PA Director, Ann Greene, said that the focus will be on relating the important role communities play in helping to root out child abuse in society.

“We want to work more with communities. We really

have to partner with communities because communities are at that level where they know everything happening in the family. They can see and they can hear so they are in a position to help to keep children safe,” Greene noted.

She said that the CC&PA and the ministry will be working to create a number of community action groups to address issues facing children in society at large.

“It’s about putting some structure into it, for the communities to partner with us to keep children safe and keep communities safe. We will train persons in the communities to understand signs of abuse, and to know what to do. We want to galvanise communities to take a share of the responsibility for children because child protection is everyone’s business,” Greene said.

toll climbs to 733 130 new cases recorded

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EIGHT more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 733, the Ministry of Health has reported.

With the addition of the eight new cases Guyana has recorded 108 deaths since the month of September started; this is the highest number of deaths recorded in a single month since the disease was detected here in March, 2020.

According to the ministry, the latest fatalities are four persons from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica): two males, ages 62 and 70 years, and two females, aged 69 and 74 years. The other persons who died after contracting COVID-19 are two males aged 58 and 56, both from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a 50-year-old female from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and another 50-year-old female from Region Two. With the exception of the

62-year-old male from Region Four and the 50-yearold woman from Region Six, health authorities reported that the other persons were not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health recorded 130 new cases within the past 24 hours. Region Four accounted for 72 of those new cases; Region One recorded one new case; Region Two recorded 20 cases; Region Three recorded 16 cases; Region Five recorded four new cases; Region Six recorded four cases; Region Seven recorded 11 new cases, and Regions Eight recorded two new cases.

The country has now recorded a total of 29,683 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 30 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 130 are in institutional iso-

lation, 3,505 are in home isolation, and one person is in institutional quarantine.

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

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until September 30, 2021. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The duration of the current curfew is 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs.

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

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

Tuesday September 21, 2021

9

U.S. tech company mulls bringing ‘green’ water infrastructure to Guyana

A UNITED Statesbased “green” technology company named Healixa Incorporated, recently met with Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to discuss matters relating to “climate-resilient water infrastructure.”

The company in a statement issued over the weekend, said that it focuses on building and acquiring innovative technologies in the health-tech, clean water, and green-tech industries.

The introductory meetings saw members of the company informing the government and UNICEF about some of its technologies that can help to develop Guyana’s water sector.

Healixa’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ian Parker, said that he was particularly pleased to meet with such a forward-leaning administration that is looking for innovative ways to help the people of Guyana.

He added: “We are confident that our Atmospheric Water Harvesting can help accelerate the water-infrastructure goals of the current administration.”

Parker continued: “As we look at the global water crisis, there is an increased importance for international knowledge exchange and policy dialogue. We appreciate the Guyanese ministers sharing both their challenges and priorities, and we look forward to being a resource as they continue to accomplish their goals.”

The company is also partnering with local company, Vitality Incorporated. Commenting on the meeting, Minister Croal said that as a government the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has an open-

door policy.

“Anything that will bring betterment to our people, we have an opendoor policy. We have to of course examine the implications, such as the operational cost and so on,” Croal noted.

He said that while the company explained, in theory, that its technology focuses on clean energy and the green policy, additional information relating to potential benefits for Guyanese were requested.

“I told them it would be useful for them to have a demonstration, so if you have a demonstration, then we can be able to look at it and work in the numbers and so,” Croal related.

According to the press release, the meeting between the company, Croal and UNICEF was organised by Anter Narine, who is said to be a businessman promoting bi-lateral relationships between U.S. and Guyanese companies.

“I was delighted to hear of how both companies [Healixa and Vitality Inc.] plan on using Healixa’s technology to address some of the biggest challenges facing the rapidly growing economy of Guyana,” Narine said.

He expressed the belief that Healixa’s water technology “can solve a number of priority items for Guyana.”

Meanwhile, CEO of Actuality Incorporated, Mahaish Ramoutar, expressed gratitude to Minister Croal and UNICEF’s Deputy Resident Representative, Irfan Akhtar, for reviewing Healixa’s new innovations to help quickly advance the priorities of the people of Guyana.

According to Ramoutar, Healixa’s Atmospheric Water Harvesting provides an opportunity to build truly climateresilient communities.

“Dr. Peter R. Ramsaroop, the Chief Investment Officer and CEO at the Guyana Office for Foreign and Local Investments, was also helpful in providing information and suggestions on a possible path forward.

We look forward to the next steps and are excited to be able to provide a solution with such a significant social benefit,” the local entrepreneur noted.

Minister Croal said that his team is open to seeing a demonstration from the company, to assess if and how its technology can benefit

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal (centre), flanked by members of Healixa Incorporated and its local partner, Vitality Incorporated

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

Tuesday September 21, 2021

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Labourer gets timely assistance to fund dialysis treatment A 25-year-old labourer who has been unable to work since February 2019 due to an unknown illness causing both of his kidneys to fail, received a timely donation which could possibly improve his condition.

The Humanitarian Mission-Guyana Inc., in collaboration with the Waheeda Kidney Foundation, donated $100,000 to Christopher Sukhu to assist with his weekly dialysis treatment at the Dr. Doobay Medical & Research Centre.

Sukhu of Success, East Coast Demerara, told the Guyana Chronicle that on February 03, 2019, he started the day following his usual morning routine and reported to work. But upon arrival at work he

began feeling sick during the course of the day while performing his duties.

Describing his feelings, the young man said that he felt as though he was having an “out-of-body experience.”

“I started feeling like some weight on my body, my whole body feel wrong and I never had this feeling before; my body just feel strange,” he said, adding: “My body didn’t feel like me own.”

Sukhu said he decided to visit a doctor immediately, and on that same day he was admitted to the hospital and placed on dialysis, since it was discovered that he was suffering from kidney failure.

“That same day they admit me and say that both

Christopher Sukhu (centre) receives a donation from a representative of the Humanitarian Mission-Guyana Inc., Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, while in the company of other representatives required to determine in Trinidad and To- cially since he has doctor …I am not of [my] kidneys failing, so what is the cause; bago. been unable to work working as it is and right away I had to get dialyI didn’t have the this procedure is not Sukhu said that since he fell ill. sis,” he related. money for dialysis,” available in Guyana, the donation is high“ I a m v e r y To this day, Sukhu and but could be done ly appreciated, espe- t h a n k f u l t o m y he related. doctors are still unclear of what caused his kidneys to fail since a kidney biopsy is

Buxton teen loses home to fire

What remains of the wooden structure following the fire

A 17-year old boy is now homeless after a fire, reportedly caused by an unattended candle, destroyed his 61 Company Path, Buxton, East Coast Demerara home, on Sunday night.

According to reports, Tomar Jarvis, the only occupant of the house, lit a candle and left around 20:00 hrs for a nearby shop to purchase dinner.

The wooden structure measuring 18 feet in length and 15 feet in width resting flat on the

ground, was not being supplied with electricity from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) at the time.

When he returned around 21:00 hrs, he observed that the building was engulfed in flames and raised an alarm.

A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous said: “All I hear was boom, fire, fire!”

The woman related that she was forced to exit her home along with her daughter and grandchildren due to the heat.

She said that persons in the community responded quickly and were able to quell the flames before the firefighters arrived on the scene. “When the fire wheel come, them boys from around done out the fire.”

The woman said that her house received minor damage. She added that she felt sorry for Jarvis who was taken in by another resident following the fire. The woman was unable to say what the teen’s next move might be.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Health authorities to increase testing for COVID-19 in hinterland regions

WITH Guyana recording more “community transmission” of the deadly novel coronavirus, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that more testing for COVID-19 will be conducted in hinterland regions to accurately track cases of infection.

The minister said the low number of positive cases in some regions are due to limited testing and as such it is difficult to have an accurate report on the situation in those areas.

“In every region, we have a number of cases but that varies because some regions are not testing, as much as they should. So, for example, In Region One, Region Six, Region Five, Region Seven, Region

Eight, Region Nine and 10, they can do much more testing but they’re not testing as much, and, therefore, we might see that the numbers in those regions are artificially low. So, it’s an underestimate of what is currently happening in those regions,” Dr. Anthony said during Monday’s edition of the daily COVID-19 update.

Meanwhile, in terms of regional breakdown, Minister Anthony said the current hotspots in Region One are Port Kaituma, with 21 positive cases, and Mabaruma with 12 cases. He said that Region Two recorded 18 cases in Charity and 15 cases in Onderneeming.

Although those numbers seem low on the surface, the minister

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

said those regions are not doing enough testing.

“In Region Three, we have seen a rapid increase in cases over the last week and now we have 65 cases in

Tuschen, we have 45 cases in Parfaite Harmonie, we have 36 cases in Pouderoyen, Santa mission we have 35 cases and CI we have 33 cases,” Dr. Anthony said.

The minister said

there has also been a rise in positive cases in Region Four, especially on the East Bank of Demerara.

“In Region Four, on the East Bank, at Diamond there are 110 cases, at Grove there are 91 cases, in Eccles we have 55 cases, Soesdyke 41, Timehri 39, Herstelling 38. There are other places on the East Bank where we have cases,” Dr. Anthony related.

The minister added that other hotspots in Region Four are on the East Coast Demerara, at Mon Repos, Haslington, Better Hope, Enterprise, Lusignan, Paradise, Good Hope, Plaisance, Enmore, Non Pariel and Annandale.

“In Georgetown again, every ward of the town we have cases…

the ones that stand out would be Kitty at 84, Sophia with 75 cases, South Ruimveldt with 48 cases, Lodge with 43 cases, Campbellville 41, West Ruimveldt 41, Cummings Lodge 39 and again there can be more testing that can be done in these areas,” he said.

The hotpot in Region Five is Onverwagt, which recorded 20 cases, while New Amsterdam in Region Six has 20 cases. In Region Seven, 94 cases were recorded in Bartica and 24 cases in Isseneru.

In Region Nine, 19 positive cases were recorded at Aishalton, while 18 cases were recorded at Wismar, 17 at Amelia’s Ward and 14 at Mackenzie, Region Ten.

One dead, others injured after lorry topples at Yarakaita Access Road

MARK Wells of Kumaka Water Front, Mabaruma, is now dead, while others are hospitalised, after a motor lorry they were travelling in ‘turned turtle’ along the Yarakaita Access Road, North West District, Region One (BarimaWaini).

According to police reports, the vehicle was driven by a 27-year-old man, and there were two occupants in the cab and three in the tray of the canter.

Those persons in the tray were identified as 17-yearold Leroy Chu, 35-year-old Edwin King and 26-year-old Wells, who died as a result of the accident.

Reports are that, around 17:50hrs on Sunday, the driver was proceeding west along the Yarakaita Access Road, reportedly at a fast rate of speed, when the steering arm of the vehicle, which was reportedly defective, became loose and caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and slam into a mud wall (baranka) on the northern side of the road. The impact caused the vehicle to spin around and topple.

As a result of the colli-

The mangled vehicle which was involved in the accident sion, the three occupants in Hospital, where Wells was the tray were pitched into the pronounced dead on arrival. air and onto the roadway.

The body of the deceased Wells received laceration is at the hospital’s mortuary to the right ankle and abra- awaiting a post mortem exsions to his left shoulder and amination. about his body. King received King and Chu were exabrasions about his body and amined and admitted as Chu received lacerations to patients suffering from fracthe left side of his head and tured right ribs and an open left ankle, and an abrasion to fracture to the right ankle, his left shoulder. respectively. King is listed Public-spirited citizens as critical, while Chu is rushed to the assistance of the stable. victims and found Wells and Police said that a notice King in an unconscious state. of intended prosecution was The men were then picked up served on the driver who is by an ambulance and taken in police custody, as investito the Mabaruma Regional gations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

Tuesday September 21, 2021

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Churches have a role to play in fostering unity, tolerance _President Ali says, as Brooklyn pastors pledge support for ‘One Guyana’ initiative

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, with Guyanese religious leaders who are residing in Brooklyn WITH the Government of Guyana crafting a plan to unite the people of this nation, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that churches have a role to play in fostering “unity and tolerance.”

Speaking with Guyanese pastors residing in Brooklyn, President Ali said that his government’s plan is to unite all of Guyana under an umbrella of development and harmony.

The President told the overseas-based Guyanese about the importance of their role in fostering unity and tolerance, as he elaborated on his campaign for the advancement of the One Guyana agenda.

Noting his government’s

commitment to bringing all of Guyana together, the President said: “Our development programme is never tailored for any one ethnic group.”

He then called on churches to help in sustaining a dialogue based on the foundation of truth and building on institutional arrangements where religious leaders unite and bring people together.

He also spoke about his government’s commitment to inclusivity at all levels.

The President added that the government is open to critique and that there will be a conference organised with the objective of hearing reports and fielding questions on its agenda.

PLEDGED SUPPORT The meeting stimulated

discussions on a number of matters relating to the unification of Guyana, collaborations and open dialogue.

The congregation of pastors welcomed the opportunity to speak directly with the Head of State and expressed their willingness to play their part in the promotion of national unity.

They also used the opportunity to pledge their support to the government and stated their interest in fairness, equal rights and the distribution of wealth to Guyanese.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, in supporting the President’s drive, noted the importance of promoting unity and securing democracy.

New financial accounts needed at City Hall --Auditor General says

By Richard Bhainie THE Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, has recommended that the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown close their financial books and start anew with fresh accounts, which will enable the Audit Office of Guyana to properly audit the entity.

Sharma announced this recommendation at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Monday, while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the handing over of the Report of the Auditor General on the Public Accounts of Guyana and on the accounts of ministries, departments, and regions for the fiscal year which ended December 31, 2020.

With the Audit Office currently undertaking an Audit of City Hall, the Auditor General said that the municipality had submitted

its draft financial report, but it is not in compliance with the requisite legislation.

“They have submitted their draft financial report but it is not in compliance with the Act… for example, the balance sheets… it just gives a list of budgeted assets, that’s not how you prepare a balance sheet, so we have returned it for it to be corrected,” Sharma said.

He also related that most importantly, there is a gap for several years in terms of financial reporting at City Hall. The last audit of City Hall was in 2004, and the municipality submitted financial statements for only 2019 and 2020.

“What I’ve advised several entities, including them, is let’s close the books, open new books, take an asset of what is there and let’s start fresh… get a new bank account and everything, be-

Auditor General Deodat Sharma cause it doesn’t make sense to go back to 2005, 2006,” he said.

The Auditor General added: “Let’s sit down, list all the assets that we have, list all the cash positions and let’s start a new balance sheet, at least from now on your accounts can be audited.”

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Region Nine Regional Health Officer, Dr. Cerdel McWatt

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

$10.8M Ophthalmology Unit for Region Nine THE health sector in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) continues to make significant

strides, with authorities reporting the completion of the first Ophthalmology Department at Central

Lethem.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Cerdel McWatt, said the $10.8 million facility forms part of the region’s comprehensive healthcare plan, in keeping with the government’s vision of providing affordable healthcare services to hinterland communities.

Dr. McWatt told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that, prior to the addition of this unit to the regional health system, eye-care services were only provided to residents during outreach exercises, resulting in a build-up of patients.

“This (Ophthalmology Department), of course, is a huge benefit in terms of reducing the backlog of patients who require such services. Recently, we had to send a patient to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for a simple eye examination and now that can be a thing of the past,” he said.

To complement the much-needed service, the region welcomed the completion of the Lethem Regional Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in August at a cost of $14 million.

The five-bed facility is equipped with ventilators, defibrillators, suction machines and crash carts among other amenities, which the RHO said, will boost health services and ease residents’ financial burden.

He said that, previously, critical patients had to be flown to Georgetown or neighbouring Brazil to access intensive care ser-

vices.

“Additionally, the Ministry of Health’s Department of Regional Health Services has been instrumental in providing the region with six new specialised doctors from Cuba, ranging from emergency care specialist, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, imaging specialist, laboratory technologist and others,” Dr. McWatt said.

He also reflected on the recently commissioned $27 million maternity waiting home and the impact it will have on reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in the region.

The 14-bed waiting home will ensure that both mother and child are in a safe environment as is provided to patients on the coastland.

The RHO added: “We have also made provisions for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which is about 90 per cent complete, and, once that is completed, we would be able to cater for critical babies. This is one of the areas we are looking to reduce infant and child mortality, as it feeds into the other programmes.”

The significant improvements will bring the regional health facility closer to becoming a “SMART Hospital” as envisioned by the government. It comes under an $835M (US$4.175 million) project, funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).

(DPI)

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Tuesday September 21, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Under-19 cricketers Nandu, Thorne return home after invaluable exposure in England GUYANESE Under-19 players, Matthew Nandu and Isai Thorne returned home on Sunday, after participating in the just-concluded West Indies tour of England. The two players proudly touched down on home soil after impressive performances in England.

Although West Indies won only two of six matches in the Youth ODI series, both players made noteworthy contributions to the West Indies’ challenging

efforts.

Nandu finished on a high by registering consecutive half-centuries in two of the five matches he played. In his penultimate match, Nandu stroked 51, then in the final match followed up with a superb knock of 80 and bowling returns of 2 for 35, as West Indies won their second match of the series to restore some regional pride.

Young fast bowling sensation Thorne was also impressive: At the tender age of 16,

he demonstrated the ability, skill and mental tenacity to become an outstanding West Indies fast bowler.

Evidently, Thorne received the full confidence of his captain and coach by twice being given the opportunity to bowl the total allotment of overs for a bowler. In two of the four matches he played, Thorne grabbed three wickets to finish the series with 8 wickets and leave a buzz of high expectations.

The members of the GCB expect that the unwavering commitment of Nandu and Thorne, coupled with their ability and skill, will make them forces to be reckoned with in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022 and beyond.

The GCB will continue to provide the necessary support to these two and other players to ensure their competitive readiness for the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2022.

Coach Shabazz wants only... (From back page) need for him to pick himself up and be somebody that is an asset.”

A WAKE UP CALL! In the 2022 Nations League, Guyana will be joined by the likes of Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, French Guiana, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Bermuda, Belize, St Vincent and Grenadines, as well as the Dominican

Republic, in League B. The 2022 Nations League will start in June and according to Shabazz, prior to heading into the tournament, the Golden Jaguars will need a wake-up call.

“I would like for us to start against a strong opponent. And even if we have to get beaten, it will show us where we are now. So when we start to train, I would like

for us to face an opponent that could be considered a Gold Cup opponent, or even outside of CONCACAF, but an opponent that can beat us,” the usually animated Shabazz said.

He added, “I am not afraid to lose, but I need a reality check! And then from there, we can manage and start to build the programme.”

Last Friday, GFF president Wayne Forde reminded athletes that “it is not a team that qualifies for a FIFA World Cup, but rather - a nation”, According to Forde, “It therefore goes without saying that the next few weeks, months, and years will certainly test our collective resolve as we pursue this bold and ambitious goal.”

Guyana's James Joseph signs off... cling Masters Track National Championships. “Ed Slaughter, Dave Morgan and myself - I was a bit concerned that I had to go into my overdrive in the competition because Dave Morgan was a last-min-

ute substitute because our original team member had a bad accident during the course of the competition so we had to substitute with Dave Morgan.”

“With Morgan not being the quickest, the middle guy as well as myself had to really dig in and deep to get our times up which allowed us to take the top podium position.

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:40 hrs Global Louise 09:15 hrs Indian War Dance 09:50 hrs Anatura 10:25 hrs Al Muthana 11:00 hrs Bit Of Fun Canadian Racing Tips Fort Erie Race 1 Gimbala Race 2 Stormy Summer Race 3 Musical Flight Race 4 Summer Retreat Race 5 I Have Feelings Race 6 Jersey Diamond Race 7 Keep Your Silence American Racing Tips

That was a very, very sweet victory for us, one of the guys shed tears because that was his first national title.

As a matter of fact, that was the first national title for both of the other competitors who rode with me in the Team Sprint,” Joseph said.

The experienced James Joseph is the reigning International Cycling Union Balterra Park Race 1 Power Banker Race 2 Long Monday Race 3 Easy Doer Race 4 Sacred Storm Race 5 Sanibel Race 6 Queen's Gift Race 7 Big Al's Express Race 8 Chalase Malice Irish Racing Tips Listowel 08:45 hrs Aikhal 09:17 hrs Pimstrel 09:52 hrs Drombeg Duke 10:27 hrs Mutasarref 11:02 hrs Emile Gray 11:37 hrs Roca Roma 12:10 hrs Butterfly Island 12:40 hrs Comfort Line English Racing Tips Beverley 08:20 hrs Rambusco Creek 08:55 hrs Golden War 09:25 hrs La Rav

(From back page)

(UCI), 200m Flying Start World Record holder with a time of 11.42 seconds which was set at the 2017 World Masters Championships in California, USA. Joseph finished 9th overall in Match Sprints at the 1980 Summer Olympics and also competed in Match Sprints at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

England withdraw from October tours to Pakistan ENGLAND have withdrawn their men's and women's teams from series in Pakistan that were due to take place in October.

The men were set to make their first trip to Pakistan since 2005, while the women had never before played there.

On Friday, New Zea-

land's men abandoned their tour of Pakistan because of a "specific and credible threat".

An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement said: "We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region."

It continued: "We believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a

playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted COVID environments."

England's men were using the Pakistan trip as part of their build-up for the T20 World Cup with fixtures on October 13 and 14 in Rawalpindi that were also double-headers with the women.

Heather Knight's team were then due to play one-day internationals on October 17, 19 and 21.

The ECB statement added: "There is the added complexity for our men's T20 squad. We believe that touring under these conditions will not be ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup, where performing well remains a top priority for 2021.

"We understand this decision will be a significant disappointment to (mrmbers of) the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country."

No international cricket was played in Pakistan for six years following an attack on the Sri Lanka team by gunmen in 2009, with Pakistan holding the majority of their home matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Touring teams began to return in 2015 and Pakistan hosted their first home men's Test for 12 years when Sri Lanka travelled in 2019.

England players have taken part in Pakistan Super League (PSL) games in Pakistan and the South Africa men's team toured earlier this year.

The only non-Asian women's teams Pakistan have ever hosted are the West Indies and the Netherlands.

Their last home fixtures were

Pakistan's men toured England earlier this year, playing three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.

against Bangladesh in the latter part of 2019.

New Zealand's men were visiting Pakistan for the first time in 18 years for three ODIs in Rawalpindi and five T20s in Lahore.

However, the Black Caps pulled out of the tour on the day of the first ODI after "an escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan".

England's men are scheduled to play three Tests in Pakistan at the end of 2022.

The ECB said it wanted to "emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans in Pakistan for 2022".

'ECB PUTS ITS PLAYERS FIRST' Analysis by Jonathan

Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent There is a clear and interesting difference in England's stance to that of New Zealand.

Whereas New Zealand withdrew because of a specific security threat, the word 'security' doesn't appear in the ECB statement at all.

Pakistan will be devastated by this second withdrawal within the space of a few days as they try to restore some normality to the game there.

But, with suffocating security and bio-bubbles to come at the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, the ECB has put the welfare of its players first. (BBC Sport)

Cairns faces 'greatest challenge' after spinal stroke during surgery FORMER New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns says he is "facing possibly the greatest challenge" of his life after being left paralysed from a spinal stroke during a heart operation.

The 51-year-old needed emergency surgery at a hospital in Sydney during August and was briefly on life support.

"Just over six weeks ago, I suffered a type A aortic dissection, which essentially means there's a tear in one of the major arteries of the heart," Cairns said in a video on social media.

"I had several surgeries and grafts and very thankfully the specialists were able to save the heart itself.

Only six players have hit more sixes in Test cricket than Chris Cairns' 87.

"One of the complications that arose was a spinal stroke, which in itself will provide me with possibly the greatest challenge I've ever faced in rehab going forward.

"Huge thanks to the team here at Canberra Hospital, to St Vincent's in Sydney, the surgeons, the doctors, the nurses, the specialists - you saved my life."

Cairns, who was left unable to use his legs after suffering the spinal stroke, added: "A long road ahead, but I'm grateful to be here."

Considered one of the best all-rounders of his generation, Cairns played 62 Tests, 215 one-day internationals and two Twenty20s for New Zealand between 1989 and 2006 before becoming a television pundit.

His father Lance also represented New Zealand between 1974 and 1988.

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

SCA 50-Plus cart off Warwickshire title hopes boosted inaugural tournament by availability of Chris Woakes

The victorious SCA 50-Plus team

SCARBOROUGH Cricket Association (SCA) 50-Plus emerged winners of the inaugural SCA tournament which climaxed at the L’Amoreaux ground, Scarborough, Canada last Saturday.

In the tense atmosphere, SCA 50-Plus defeated opponents Kokuvil by four wickets, with one ball to spare in the 30-over contest.

Watched by a fair-sized crowd on a sun-lit afternoon, SCA 50-Plus were indebted to an unbeaten 38-run seventh-wicket stand between top-scorer Keith Deonarine (41 not out) and Hansie Daniel (13 not out) as they reached the required target of 150 after Kokuvil were limited to 149 for nine in their 30 overs.

Deonarine and Daniel joined forces with their side shakily placed on 112 for six in the 26th over but weathered the storm with some sensible batting. Man-ofthe-match Deonarine struck four fours and three sixes off just 24 balls in his excellent knock.

Clem Peters had earlier chipped in with a valuable 33 off 40 balls, which included a four and a six as Sathianathan Nallain (two for 24) and Natkeenendran Nallain (two for 34) made the early inroads.

Kumaresh Paramanathan led the way for Kokuvil with 66 (three fours and three sixes) after they were inserted to take first strike by skipper and former Canadian National player Surendra Seeraj. He however failed to get much

support from his teammates.

Left-arm fast medium bowler, the wily Calvin Alexander, took two for 11 in his six overs while leg-spinner Vinay Sadhu conceded 40 runs in his six-over spell while grabbing two scalps.

During the SCA Virtual Recognition Night, which saw outstanding players and teams being recognised for their sterling efforts in the truncated 2020 season, president Shiv Persaud had announced the introduction of an Over-50 competition.

However, only three teams participated this year, the other being Centralites. Persaud is however confident that several others will join the fray for the 2022 season. (Frederick Halley)

Borja goal shocks Flamengo as Gremio leave Rio with 1-0 win RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) Colombian striker Miguel Borja scored on the stroke of halftime to give Gremio a surprise 1-0 win away at Flamengo on Sunday and hand the Rio de Janeiro club their first league defeat in five matches.

Borja rose up between two Flamengo defenders to head home a cross from the left in first-half stoppage time to give the Porto Alegre club all three points.

Borja had a chance to score a second in

the 98th minute but his penalty was saved

by Flamengo keeper Diego Alves.

It was Flamengo's first defeat in nine games and came days after they knocked Gremio out the Copa do Brasil 6-0 on aggregate.

The points lifted Gremio a place to 17th but they still ended the day in the relegation zone.

Flamengo are third, 11 points behind leaders Atletico Mineiro but with two games in hand.

WARWICKSIRE’s hopes of toppling Hampshire and winning this week’s fourway battle for the LV= Insurance County Championship title received a major boost after they were given the green light by England to select Chris Woakes.

The Bears sit second in the table heading into today’s final round of fixtures, just 3.5 points behind a Hampshire side who travel to Liverpool to face third-placed Lancashire.

Nottinghamshire complete the quartet of hopefuls as they welcome Yorkshire, but need favours elsewhere to bridge a 6.5 point gap on the leaders.

Hampshire - 58.5pts Warwickshire - 55pts Lancashire - 54.5pts Nottinghamshire - 52pts While Warwickshire know they are not in control of their destiny, successful negotiations over the availability of star all-rounder Woakes have given them a welcome shot in the arm.

The ECB’s original workload plan for 32-yearold would have seen him rested for the finale after he played in last week’s victory over Yorkshire, but the governing body gave permission for him to try and finish the job over the next four days.

Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes explained: “Chris is playing and raring to go. I think we had to push the ECB quite hard but Woakesy wanted to play. It’s not often that you get to push your home county over the line in the Championship.

“You don’t get the opportunity very often so he’s desperate to play. From what

Warwickshire and England all-rounder Chrid Woakes

I gather, he was available for one of the last two games, but once you win a game and you’re sat second, just a couple of points behind the leaders, it’s a no-brainer for me.”

Rhodes has nevertheless promised to manage Woakes carefully, recognising the important work he has in front of him with England in the UAE next month.

“Obviously we’re not going to bowl him into the ground or bowl him 100 overs in the game, that would be silly with the Twenty20 World Cup around the corner,” he said.

“He could play a huge part for England. It’s about managing him, managing the guys through but also winning a game.”

Rhodes has been further boosted by the return to fitness of prolific opener Rob Yates and spinner Danny Briggs, who are both due to return, but admits the tussle between Hampshire and Lancashire is already on his mind.

“You’ve always got half an eye on it, you’d be silly

not to. The people who say they won’t be looking at the scores elsewhere would be just lying,” he said.

“It’s hard to avoid it. After every day’s play it’s all over social media. But we’ve got to concentrate and not let that hamper us too much, we need to win and win well.

Somerset aren’t going to turn up and just give us 24 points.

“We’ve got a game of cricket to win. If other games go our way and we don’t do our job I think we’ll be kicking ourselves.”

Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas is hoping for another memorable trip to Liverpool.

Should Hampshire hold on to top spot, they would become county champions for the first time since 1973 and the days of Barry Richards and Gordon Greenidge.

To do so they will need to rally from the disappointment of Vitality Blast Finals Day, where they were beaten by Somerset in the semi-finals.

Standing in their way is a Lancashire side who are hoping to revive some happy memories at Aigburth, which became their de facto home ground during the title-winning campaign of 2011 due to extensive ground work at Old Trafford.

“The lads spoke about it the other day, 10 years ago a lot of games were played at Liverpool. Hopefully we can replicate what they did and win it again,” said captain Dane Vilas.

“We have a massive opportunity. It’s going to be a big week for a lot of teams – four still have a chance. To win the Championship is the big one, all the players want to win it.(PA Sport).

22

Gatlin beaten in Nairobi 100m puts retirement on hold NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP) — The 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin put retirement on hold despite having to settle for third in Saturday's season-closing 100m at the World Athletics continental tour meet in Nairobi.

The 39-year-old American, who has twice been banned for doping, failed to qualify for this year's Tokyo Games and was hoping to make amends in Kenya.

But he could not match fellow American Trayvon Bromell and the new Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala in the finish.

“I came from an injury with the hope of getting a win here,” said Gatlin, adding he will take a long break to decide his future.

“Hopefully, let's wait and see what's in store for the new season,” he added when asked if he planned to hang up his spikes.

Bromell, who already had the world's fastest 100m in the bag this year, bettered his own mark with a 9.76-second run while Omanyala returned 9.77, the time Bromell had run in April.

For many of the athletes competing Nairobi was a climax to a long, drawnout season which included

GATLIN...could not match fellow American Trayvon Bromell and the new Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdin and Omanyala (Photo: AFP)

the Olympics and the Diamond League after numerous events were cancelled in 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Namibian sprint sensation Christine Mboma overcame four false starts to win her seventh 200m race since Tokyo, where she was forced to switch to the shorter distance after being ruled ineligible to compete in the 400m due to increased levels

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of testosterone.

After a slow start, the Olympic silver medallist stepped up a gear in the 50 metres to breeze past Ivorian Marie Josee Ta Lou and to claim victory in 22.40.

Mboma said she still has to perfect her technique to become more competitive.

“I am not perfect yet in the 200m,” said Mboma. “I am still working at it and hope to be good in the next year.”

American Fred Kerley won the men's 200m in a personal best 19.76, leading second-placed Isaac Makwala of Botswana (20.06) to make the qualifying time for next year's World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

“It's been a long season, but it has had so much blessings for me that after winning the 100m silver medal in the Olympics, I went on to take the Diamond League,” said Kerley.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

Russell, Chakravarthy star as KKR thrash Royal Challengers Bangalore ANDRE Russell and Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets apiece to kick-start Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) faltering IPL campaign as they rolled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) over for just 92.

KKR, who lost five games out of six before the tournament was suspended in May, reignited their playoff chances with a totally dominant display, sealing a resounding nine-wicket win in Abu Dhabi with 10 overs to spare.

All-rounder Russell (3-9) and spinner Chakravarthy (3-13) scythed through the Bangalore batting line-up in 19 overs as they stumbled to the lowest total of the tournament so far.

Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer shared an opening stand of 82 from 55 balls to ensure KKR cruised to a much-needed victory, climbing to fifth in the table as well as ruining Challengers captain Virat Kohli's 200th IPL appearance Kohli won the toss and strode out to open the batting alongside Devdutt Padikkal - but his innings lasted only four balls as he shuffled across and was lbw to Prasidh Krishna, using up a review to no avail.

RCB struggled to gain traction in the powerplay,

It was a painful night for Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli, who was making his 200th appearance in IPL cricket.

although Padikkal (22 from 20) was just beginning to find some rhythm when he tried to cut a ball too close to him from Lockie Ferguson (2-24) and feathered it behind.

Having been 41-1, Royal Challengers' middle order crumbled dramatically as Russell had Srikar Bharat (16) caught in the deep before unfurling an unplayable fast yorker that castled AB de Villiers for a first-ball duck.

Glenn Maxwell - who, along with de Villiers, had batted KKR out of the game during the sides' first meeting - looked visibly frustrated as he gave Chakravarthy the

charge and was bowled.

Debutant Wanindu Hasaranga departed lbw to Chakravarthy's next ball and the leg-spinner implored Morgan to review after his hat-trick delivery hit Kyle Jamieson on the pad, but the hint of an inside edge persuaded the captain otherwise.

However, Chakravarthy went on to collect his third wicket, as well as running out Jamieson with a deft touch onto the stumps and, despite a couple of late boundaries by Harshal Patel, Russell completed the demolition job with a full over unused.

KKR set about the chase in aggressive fashion as Gill pummelled Jamieson for two crunching fours on the off side, while newcomer Iyer took his cue from his opening partner, drilling Mohammed Siraj for successive boundaries.

Iyer then advanced down the track to dispatch the hapless Jamieson over mid-on for the first six of the match which, surprisingly, had taken 24 overs to arrive.

The pair raced to 50 inside the powerplay, with Gill swinging Yuzvendra Chahal to the fence to reach that landmark and it was purely a question of how quickly the Knight Riders could wrap up victory. (Sky Sport)

Duffy ‘devastated’ over cancellation of big race weekend HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Flora Duffy has expressed her frustration after officials called off the 2021 World Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championship in which she was set to compete.

Duffy, 33, the current women’s World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) champion, said she had been “really looking forward” to competing on home soil at next month’s event, which has been cancelled amid a massive surge in coronavirus cases, including a further four deaths on the island at the weekend.

FLORA DUFFY “It’s very sad, really, really devastating,” Duffy told the Royal Gazette newspaper. “I was, of course, looking forward to racing in Bermuda off the back of the Olympics and really celebrating that moment with the community.

“I was unable to celebrate

in Tokyo given the extreme COVID lockdowns, so celebrating with friends and family and the greater community that week in Bermuda was something I was really looking forward to. Of course, I’m upset and frustrated that the race cannot be held. I understand why, because of COVID, but it’s just frustrating.”

The championship was scheduled to be held from October 15 to 17 ahead of the one-off Flora Duffy Day holiday the following day.

However, in the best interest of the health and safety of everyone involved, the Bermuda local organising committee and World Triathlon made the difficult decision to cancel the event following lengthy discussions with Bermuda’s health and government authorities.

“It’s really devastating – devastating for me and also devastating for those who have put so much work in to host

this event,” Duffy added.

World Triathlon made the announcement on Saturday, saying: “The whole World Triathlon family is disheartened that the global pandemic continues to impact our events, but we are committed to returning to Bermuda.

“We are confident in the island’s rigorous pandemic management and reputation of delivering safe, outstanding sporting events. Conversations are taking place currently to identify other exciting future opportunities, including a triathlon on the island of Bermuda.”

Duffy, who divides her time between Bermuda, South Africa – her husband Dan Hugo’s home country – and her training base in Boulder, Colorado, won Bermuda’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo as well as a record-equalling third women’s WTCS title this summer.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday September 21, 2021

FIFA to hold online summit to discuss international match calendar FIFA will hold an online summit with its member associations on September 30 to discuss the international men's and women's calendar.

A World Cup every two years rather than four is part of FIFA's plans.

The current match calendar for the women's game runs to the end of 2023, while the men's expires in 2024.

"There is a broad consensus within the game that the international match calendar should be reformed and improved," said FIFA. "This is one of several opportunities to establish a constructive and open debate, at a global and regional level, over the coming months and FIFA is looking forward to it."

World football's governing body said Arsene Wenger, FiFA's chief of global football development, and former United States women's team manager Jill

France won the last men's World Cup in Russia in 2018, with the next tournament taking place in Qatar in 2022.

Ellis were heading technical advisory groups looking at the men's and women's calendars.

European governing body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL and Europe's major leagues have declared their

opposition to plans for a biennial World Cup. England women's head coach Sarina Wiegman is also against the idea.

"I wouldn't do it. I don't think it's very good for the players and their welfare," she said.

"It's Europe, it's very well organised with good competitions. We have the Euros, then the Olympics, then the World Cup which are major tournaments for us from Europe.

"When you have all these

tournaments every year, when are the players going to have some rest? When are they going to recover from a very intense football every year in a row? Players are not robots. I don't think it's a very good idea."

Additionally, the Alliance of European Football Coaches' Associations (AEFCA) has written to UEFA to support its stance on the issue.

"The FIFA proposal leads to a considerable increase in the workload for all parties involved, but the already tight timetable does not offer any space for this," wrote AEFCA president Walter Gagg and secretary general Jurgen Pforr.

"This proposal to hold the World Cup every two years has a purely commercial background and is the continuation of a whole series of unsuitable FIFA proposals from recent years."

According to a survey commissioned by FIFA,

a majority of fans would support a men's World Cup more frequently than every four years, although the most popular answer across all age groups was to maintain the status quo.

Wenger wants to reduce the number of mid-season international breaks, potentially from four to a single extended one lasting throughout October, which former Brazil defender Roberto Carlos feels would be a good idea.

"This idea reduces the number of trips as you would have the qualifying stages done in one month," he said.

"So, you would have the time to train, play well, rest and get back to your club. There are too many consecutive matches.

When you add the travel and the fatigue, it's very complex. I think that football will improve a lot once this problem gets sorted.”

(BBC Sport)

'Some players have ruled themselves Cracking injury-time believes some criticism for WI winner delights Wells out' - Roland Butcher ...selection panel unwarranted FORMER Barbadian-born Test batsman, Roland Butcher, does not believe the Cricket West Indies (CWI) panel of selectors deserves all the vitriol that it has received following its announcement of the West Indies T20 squad for the World Cup. The decisions to include Chris Gayle, omit Jason Holder from the final 15, and the inclusion of veteran fast bowler Ravi Rampaul have been among those that have drawn criticism. Others have called for the inclusion of players that put in strong performances in the recently concluded CPL, which includes the likes of Sherfane Rutherford and Odean Smith.

Butcher, who has himself sat on a selection panel for Barbados, has insisted some of the picks were understandable and insists that in fact, some players left them-

St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots batsman Sherfane Rutherford

selves out of contention and does not see why the panel should bear that burden.

“In terms of the selection, Jason holder really should have been selected, because he may not have done well of late but he is a proven player if we use him correctly. I think Jason is someone you use to bowl

four overs there and then, let him bat later on the game, and he is also a good fielder,” Butcher told the Mason and Guest radio programme..

“In terms of the guys who didn’t make it, everyone is shouting and screaming that Rutherford should have made it. People forget that Rutherford has played for the West Indies for some time and he has a poor average in actual fact,” he added “…Roger Harper didn’t say it, but if you notice Rutherford for the last few years has not played for Guyana, except for the white ball competition, that is because he has refused to take a fitness test and that is obviously why he was not selected because he was dropped before, and the case is obviously still the same.

Why are selectors being crucified for leaving him out, by his actions he has made himself unavailable

for selection.”

Butcher also did not agree with the criticism of the bowling selection as he is confident that both Rampaul and Chase can contribute meaningfully to the team.

“Roston Chase upset the applecart because no one was looking for him to perform the way he did, by doing that he forced his way into the side. In terms of Oshane Thomas and Rampaul, Fidel Edwards really caused them to have a problem because he was picked for the 15 matches but unfortunately got injured and was able to show his best,” he said.

“In Rampaul’s case he is proven at the international level and I can see why they have gone for him in the current crop of fast bowlers and Thomas, we’ve seen his inconsistency, but Smith is one for the future.” (Sportsmax)

LONDON, England (CMC) – Bermuda captain Nahki Wells celebrated in subdued fashion after returning to haunt his former loan club Queens Park Rangers (QPR) with a superb injury-time winner as visitors Bristol City grabbed a 2-1 victory in the English Championship.

Wells, 31, used only as a substitute in league matches by manager Nigel Pearson so far this season, is hoping he might now get more minutes on the pitch.

He came off the bench on 62 minutes in place of Chris Martin, who had given City a 1-0 lead in the 45th minute.

QPR equalised in the 54th minute through a Sam McCallum strike, but despite creating the bulk of the goal-scoring chances they could not find the winner.

Then with time running out City broke upfield on the left through Andreas Weimann, who fed Wells with a perfect cross-field pass and the Bermudian raced into the box before driving a low shot

inside the far post for his first league goal of the season, although he scored four in a recent Under-23s match.

“I think the gaffer (Pearson) said something that was important to me, to be positive and stay up and that was the encouragement to try to get a winner,” Wells said after Saturday’s match, which was attended by 1900 travelling City fans, who showed their excitement over the last-gasp goal.

“Because he said that, I held myself up the pitch a bit more and was able to get on the end of a great ball from Andy. I’m delighted, what a great time to score a goal.”

Wells joined City in January 2020 for a reported £5 million (US$6.8 million) fee from his parent club Burnley.

He had already scored 15 goals that season for QPR, but the west London outfit decided against putting in an offer to sign him in a permanent deal.

On Saturday, Wells reminded them, and City, what he can do in front of goal.

Coach Shabazz wants only players who desire to play at 2026 World Cup

Golden Jaguars head coach Jamaal Shabazz

By Rawle Toney HIS return to the senior Men’s National Team was clear – to help guide Guyana to the 2026 World Cup which will be hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

With that in mind, Golden Jaguars head coach Jamaal Shabazz is only looking for players whose objective aligns with his and that of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

On Sunday, while appearing on ‘592

Sports’, a Sports-only show hosted on 94.1 BOOM FM, Shabazz highlighted that his campaign and programme leading up to the 2026 World Cup qualification process, will only see the involvement of players who see themselves at the World Cup. “I’m not too interested in the player who just wants to play and play for fun and go back to his job. There’s a place for those players in the league, but I want players who want to go to the World Cup,” Shabazz firmly

noted.

Guyana’s best performance at the World Cup qualifier came under Shabazz during their run to reach the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where the Golden Jaguars reached the penultimate round of the CONCACAF Qualifiers.

This time around, Shabazz said his approach might not be much of a difference on the pitch, but, off the field of play, “we have to look at lifestyle issues as well.”

“I care about what happens to the athletes and we have to care about what happens to the athlete when they’re not on the pitch,” Shabazz said.

The 54-year-old Trinidadian highlighted he’s “very excited, but we have to work and we have to dedicate ourselves. You can expect me to insist on a lifestyle change for our players. I will focus on the player, helping him to bring something to the table, helping him to see the TURN TO PAGE 19 ►

Under-19 cricketers Nandu, 19 Thorne return home after invaluable exposure in England PAGE

Young pacer Isai Thorne

Matthew Nandu registered consecutive half-centuries.

2021 USA Cycling Masters Track National C/ships

Guyana's James Joseph signs off with Team Sprint gold USA-BASED Guyanese and We Stand United Cycle Club (WSUCC) member, James Joseph, once again took the 2021 USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships by storm, this time with his first Team Sprint gold medal on Sunday night at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, Breinigsville, PA. Having to make a last-minute change to the team as one of the original riders was injured; Joseph teamed up with Dave Morgan and Edwin Slaughter to capture the gold medal in the 55+ Men Team Sprint Final - 1000m (three laps) contest in one hour, 1:13.284.Joseph, who hails from Linden and

represented Guyana at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, also won an individual gold in the 60-64 age group Men Sprint Final and silver in the Men 500m Time Trial Final on September 16.

The silver medal went to Jamie Nakae Fan Club - Darrell Farlow, Ed Kissee and David Prechtl - in a time of 1:13.678 with the bronze medal taken by ‘A Dash of Salt’ – Michael King, Curtis Southern and David Osborne - in 1:15.763.

Joseph commented on his performance as he was preparing for the gold medal ride at the evening session on the last day of the 2021 USA Cy- TURN TO PAGE 19 ►

Golden! James Joseph (centre) with teammates Dave Morgan and Edwin Slaughter celebrating on the podium after winning the 2021 USA Cycling.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021