Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_30_07_2021

FRIDAY 30th July, 2021

' No.106438

Health Minister: Ability to hold breath for 10 seconds or longer doesn’t prove absence of COVID-19 05 PAGE

$50B invested in agriculture PAGE

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–– geared at transforming sector in People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s government’s first year in office

Two Venezuelan women die in Alberttown fire 02 PAGE

Deplorable Good Hope road network gets $120M facelift

Dead: Maria Patino Benjamin

Dead: Maria Lina Texidor

6,000 persons will 05 04 receive online scholarships PAGE

PAGE

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, assist a resident of Good Hope in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially commission the upgraded phase two road network, on Thursday (Ministry of Public Works photo)

Floodwaters rise in Eteringbang 09 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Two Venezuelan women die in Alberttown fire

By Jared Liddell

TWO Venezuelan women lost their lives in an early morning blaze that engulfed the second floor of their Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown apartment complex on Thursday.

The two women, whose bodies were found by firefighters, have been identified as 25-year-old Maria Lina Texidor and 44-yearold, Maria Patino Benjamin.

Persons at the scene told reporters that when firefighters arrived at the scene, there was “extreme difficulty” to get access to the building.

“On arrival, it was observed that the first floor of the two-storey building was engulfed; immediately firefighter mode was put into operation but it was difficult for firefighters to get access to the building

because the entire building was grilled. We had to break the doors and there

laying on the bed and the other one was at the back of the building,” acting

escape from the building unharmed.

The Guyana Fire Service,

from the Central Fire Station along with an Ambulance and Emergency

Dead: Maria Lina Texidor

The building after firefighters extinguished the blaze that killed the two women on Thursday (Elvin Croker photo)

Dead: Maria Patino Benjamin

were two doors: the grill door and the wood door, we had to get access to it and as the firefighters entered the building that is where they discovered one of the bodies that was

Fire Chief, Kalamadeen Edoo related.

Meanwhile, the fire chief noted that a third individual, who was suspected to have been trapped in the building, managed to

in a release, said it received a call at 08:46 hours, alerting them of a house at Fifth Street, Albertown on fire.

“Water tenders #102 from the Alberttown Fire Station, #100 and #105

Medical Technicians were immediately dispatched to the location. Hydrants in the vicinity were serviceable but an adjacent open source of water was used to extinguish the fire,” the

fire service said.

It also noted that once the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that the two women had been trapped inside the heavily grilled building and tragically died as a result.

The top floor of the building was severely damaged while the ground floor suffered water damage, leaving a total of 13 persons homeless.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are currently ongoing.

$50B invested in agriculture

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

–– geared at transforming sector, in People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s government’s first year in office

DURING its first one year in office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has invested some $50 billion to boost the agriculture sector.

According to a broadcast message issued on Thursday, the monies have been expended on various areas within the agriculture industry, including drainage and irrigation, the production of new crops, the distribution of supplies, the rebuilding of the sugar industry, as well as the construction of infrastructure needed to improve the lives of farmers throughout the country.

More specifically, the message said that since assuming office in August 2020, the PPP/C government has invested some $10.5 billion in restructuring and rebuilding the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). In doing so, the administration has essentially returned hope to thousands of sugar workers who have lost their jobs due to the abrupt closure of five sugar estates by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government.

Additionally, a substantial amount of funds have been directed towards the improvement of drainage and irrigation throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. These investments were substantially heightened within the last three months, as a result of the unprecedented floods which began in mid-May, and continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods nationwide.

The government has also invested heavily in providing subsidised seeds and plant materials to hundreds of farmers.

In relation to agriculture infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, under the leadership of Zulfikar Mustapha, has plugged $327 million into kick-staring the construction of an asphaltic concrete road at Onverwagt, in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne).

Similarly, a number of roads in vari-

ous agriculture communities have been rehabilitated to push the government’s farm-to-market initiative, which seeks to make it easier for farmers to market their produce.

Added to that, the PPP/C administration has, within the past year, allocated some $500 million towards the large-scale development of the corn and soya bean industry.

ENHANCING INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Mustapha had explained that most of these monies would be spent on enhancing the necessary infrastructure in the intermediate savannahs, so that the private sector would be able to invest in the production of the corn and soya beans.

“If we can produce the amount of corn and soya beans required to become self-sufficient in proteins for our poultry industry, those funds can be used to further develop the sector. As a government, we are also working to reduce Guyana’s food-import bill and food-import dependency,” Minister Mustapha indicated.

Guyana’s national feed consumption for the poultry industry is 113,000 tonnes annually, with ‘broilers’ consuming approximately 100,000 tonnes of feed, and ‘layers’ consuming approximately 13,000 tonnes of feed annually.

This feed comprises 60 per cent grain (corn and rice), which is equivalent to approximately 68,000 tonnes, and 30 per cent soya bean meal, which is equivalent to approximately 34,000 tonnes per year. With the investment, the government has projected a massive reduction in Guyana’s dependence on the importation of feed material.

The trial project encompasses the cultivation of approximately 250 acres of corn and soya bean.

It was reported earlier in the year that six local companies and a regional firm have joined together to undertake a massive project that could see Guyana

on the path to becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the next few years.

The owners of the Guyana Stockfeed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.

Additionally, the Agriculture Ministry has also been placing much attention on the development of the poultry sector. As at May 2020, the government’s investment in poultry had topped US$67M ($14.4 billion).

CONDUCIVE FOR INVESTMENT Traditionally, the demand for output from the poultry industry has always been high, but the zero-rating of this commodity and other adjustments since August have created the conditions for wider investments, and more lucrative results.

It was announced late last year that there will be no Value Added Tax (VAT) on fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides and key inputs in the poultry sector, including poultry feed, building materials, and packaging. The government also gave the poultry industry zero-rated VAT status.

Since those adjustments, there has been a stark increase in investments in this industry, with about 500 new farmers getting into poultry farming between August and December 2020 alone.

This increased interest in the industry augurs well for Guyana, according to Minister Mustapha. He said that this will supplement the growth stemming from the country’s booming oil-and-gas sector.

Aside from poultry, some US$3.3 million was invested in beef production, and US$670,000 in small ruminants, predominantly sheep and goats.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha As it is, the livestock sub-sector contributes approximately 13.6 per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 2.8 per cent of the total GDP. Livestock is commonly defined as domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labour and commodities such as meat, eggs, and milk among other things.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has predicted that the demand for food will increase by 50 per cent by 2030, and 70 per cent by 2050.

And, according to the FAO, livestock production constitutes a very important component of the agricultural economy of developing countries, a contribution that goes beyond direct food production to include multipurpose uses such as skins, fibre, fertiliser and fuel, as well as capital accumulation.

Furthermore, livestock are closely linked to the social and cultural lives of several million resource-poor farmers, for whom animal ownership ensures varying degrees of sustainable farming and economic stability.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Deplorable Good Hope road network gets $120M facelift

By Jared Liddell

AFTER contending with deplorable infrastructure for years, residents of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), have been relieved of the physical strain following the commissioning of the upgraded phase two road network on Thursday.

The $120 million upgrades, which will benefit hundreds of residents and other commuters, form part of the Ministry of Public Works’ miscellaneous roads programme for Good Hope phase two and Back Street, Lusignan.

“We are here to continue to signal and to reinforce the message that the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] believes in develop-

ment in a non-discriminatory manner… we believe in development that provides equal access and equal opportunity… the school across there should have been completed a long time ago and be open [sic] up for the children to start attending,” Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said in his remarks at a simple commissioning ceremony for the upgraded road.

The Public Works Minister said that the miscellaneous roads programme is tailored in a way which would ensure citizens get the best service from the government.

To this end, apart from the rehabilitation of Good Hope’s main access road, the government also undertook to construct a 58-foot

Friday July 30, 2021 09:30hrs - 11:00hrs

bridge, which would complement the new infrastructure.

Further, Minister Edghill told residents of Good Hope that more is planned for the community this year.

In outlining some of the future projects, the minister said that some $150 million will be expended on the upgrading of the main access bridge, while $16 million will be spent to rehabilitate the fifth cross street.

The Public Works Minister said that the government undertook similar road works in Buxton, with project costs exceeding $300 million.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, who was also at the ceremony, reiterated the government’s commitment to community development.

He said that President Dr. Irfaan Ali remains committed to ensuring that all communities

across the country benefit from modernised infrastructure and that citizens enjoy a better quality of life.

“The President has made tremendous commitments during his campaign and now, today, is a manifestation of the commitments that our President made. One of the salient things that his excellency committed to is that every community road will now be upgraded into asphalted concrete, as this is part of the transformation of our communities,” Minister Dharamlall said.

He further reminded the residents of Good Hope that the Ministry of Local Government, as part of its efforts to enhance livelihoods and improve infrastructure, is also conducting similar exercises in the Good Hope community.

“When the infrastructure in our villages is improved, then we are going to have better standards of living; we

The completed 58-foot bridge at Good Hope are going to have easier means of ingress and egress; we are going to have greater scope for property development in our villages. And I believe that with what plans we have mov-

ing forward, today is a seminal day where we are showing the rest of Guyana that this government is committed to all the villages in this country,” Minister Dharamlall said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Ability to hold breath for 10 seconds or longer doesn’t prove absence of COVID-19 — Health Minister debunks myth during daily ‘COVID’ update

BEING able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling tightness or discomfort does not mean that you are free of COVID-19, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has said.

In a scenario as novel for many of us as the COVID-19 pandemic, where little accurate information is known about the deadly virus, it is easy for misconceptions and misinformation

to spread, especially given the wide use of the Internet and social and broadcast media.

The breath test, however, the minister assured, also falls into that category.

“If we had such a simple test, then all this work that we are doing with antigen and PCR would be totally unnecessary,” he contended, during his daily COVID-19 update with the department of Public Information (DPI).

Dr Anthony noted,

however, that some persons who have been infected with COVID-19 would experience respiratory distress.

“But, as you know, there are lots of people who would be infected with the virus, who can be asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms.

So they don’t have any breathing problems, and therefore if you use this test, then persons who are positive would not show up in the test, because they’re asymptomatic,” he

6,000 persons will receive online scholarships

PUBLIC Service Minister Sonia Parag has announced that 6,000 persons will be receiving online scholarships under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative.

This is 1,500 persons more than the initial 4,500 announced, and overall, is in keeping with government’s promise to provide educational opportunities to citizens.

“Over the last few weeks, persons would have [sic] been notified of their acceptance into the various programmes. This is part of the government’s manifesto promise to deliver 20,000 online scholarships over the

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag

next five years,” the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.

Applicants were allowed to choose from 104 available programmes offered by six international universities.

The institutions are the University of the West In-

dies Open Campus; the University of the Southern Caribbean; the University of Applied Sciences; the Indira Gandhi National Open University; the JAIN “deemed to be” University and the Sherlock Institute of India.

further explained.

As such, the minister stated, it is a myth to think that holding your breath for 10, or 20 sec-

onds, proves that a person is negative, or is not infected with COVID-19.

“It doesn’t mean anything,” he said.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Building Trust

PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has re-committed his administration’s desire to embrace a policy of participatory and inclusive governance.

This commitment was re-affirmed in recent comments by the President that he is willing to institute a system of governance.

According to the President, that process has already started since the re-election to office of the PPP/C in August 2020 and will be further elaborated upon at three levels: the legislative, the political and at the executive.

The President could not have been more correct when he observed that the current adversarial character of the National Assembly ought not to be a barrier in terms of forging common ground on important national issues. This can be done by way of the several parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee, the Select Committee, the Natural Resources Committee and several others.

Only recently, the Public Accounts Committee at its several meetings raised concerns on the spending of public finances by accounting officers in the various government departments. Members from both

side of the political divide were unsparing in their criticisms on the apparent failure to properly spend and account for money and perceived breaches in the government’s fiscal and accountability guidelines.

In this regard, the role of civil society cannot be overstated. The President noted that he has already begun the process of involving persons who can make a contribution to national development and who are committed to the country’s national interest.

Among these are representatives from social and religious organisations, the private sector and labour. “I will continue to meet with them, to benefit from their insights and learn more from their concerns,” said the President.

As it relates to the political opposition, the President emphasised that he remains open to having engagements with the APNU+AFC coalition entity but such engagements have been rendered difficult by the continuing refusal to recognise his administration as legitimate based on the results of the elections which were validated by the Guyana Elections Commission and verified by local and international observers including a CARICOM team of technical

observers.

What the APNU+AFC coalition hopes to achieve by continuing to sell a false narrative of being cheated out of office is at best unclear, but it does raise some serious questions regarding its own commitment to a process of national dialogue and reconciliation. For one thing, it raises questions of its own political morality and integrity as a political party when it continues to peddle untruths and unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud when all evidence proved otherwise.

The APNU+AFC will be harshly judged by history if it continues with its false narrative of the PPP/C being an “installed’ regime and of being ‘illegitimate’. Already, there are several from among its own leadership who are unprepared to go along with the current stance of the party. A few have already tendered their resignations and there are several others who have been highly critical of the direction in which the main PNC is currently heading. Members and supporters of the APNU+AFC understandably wanted to see their party in government but not at the expense of tampering with the truth and, even more

fundamentally, with the expressed will of the Guyanese electorate in a free and fair electoral contest.

The PPP/C, for its part, has long committed itself to a governance approach that is based on participatory and inclusive governance. In a paper titled ‘Towards greater inclusive governance Guyana- Building Trust to Achieve Genuine Political Cooperation’ which was made public in 2003, the PPP/C outlined detailed measures to achieve a culture of national conciliation and inclusive governance based on greater trust, civility and commitment to national goals.

It is not too late for the APNU+AFC coalition to change course and by so doing set the stage for a new culture of politics based on respect for the democratic will of the Guyanese people.

Its past history of rigged elections, it would appear, continue to linger in the psyche of its current crop of leaders.

One can only hope that they can liberate themselves from the ‘ghost’ of the past and by so doing, open up new possibilities for a new and more enlightened governance paradigm.

A 'human right' or a 'human wrong'?

Dear Editor

I AM quite disturbed and worried that there are some Guyanese writing to say that refusing to vaccinate against COVID-19 is a human right. Is that really a “human right” or a “human wrong?”

More disturbing and disappointing is that Minister Manickchand disclosed on Globespan that only 23 per cent of our teachers were vaccinated! So I ask, how is it that the supposedly smartest, more educated people among us – the teachers – have such a low rate of vaccination? What is the Guyana Teachers Union doing about this? How do we explain this? Should it not be the teachers are the ones to spread the word and be advocates for vaccination, especially if we want to open school in September? What went wrong? Why isn’t GTU mobilising members to get vaccinated?

With all the devastation that the COVID virus has inflicted on the whole world, can

you believe we have such people? The virus has affected everything – the production and supply chain, employment, the education process, travel, recreation, millions of loved ones have died including over 500 Guyanese, and some people have learned nothing from all of this! The government has done its job finding vaccines when there is a limited supply. If they did not do that, people would have criticised the government for not doing its job. Now we have stockpiles of vaccines that run the risk of spoiling and our poor country would lose millions of dollars if people don’t step up to be vaccinated. On top of that, the unvaccinated poses a risk to the health and safety of the rest of us, with the emergence of new variants of the virus.

Someone said, “Man, all these highly educated doctors, scientists, epidemiologists, immunologists, microbiologists, anatomists, and researchers worldwide have worked hard and advised that COVID is dangerous, but all these people who barely passed science in

high school keep saying it’s not.” We have to be immunised against COVID the same way we are immunised after birth with the MMR vaccines (measles, mumps, and rubella), the flu vaccine, hepatitis, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, etc. Why are some people listening to wackos and school and college dropouts pretending to have superior knowledge than the educated experts? You would have no human rights when you are dead!

We are in an expensive fight to save our lives and our economies. Now is not the time to listen to vaccine myths, rumours, and simply silly things people say about the vaccine.

We cannot open up the economy and return to normal unless everyone play their role in this worldwide emergency.

This week in the USA, Stephen Harmon, a member of the popular Hillsong megachurch in California, died after a month-long battle with the virus. In his last tweet, he said, “don’t know when I’ll wake up, please pray.” He had been a vocal opponent who mocked the

COVID vaccines, making a series of jokes about not having the vaccine. I fear there might be a special hell for those preachers in Guyana who discourage members from getting the vaccine. This is wicked and obstructionist. Is the Assembly of God, Full Gospel Fellowship and others encouraging vaccination?

People who opposed and politicised vaccines now realise the folly of their ways.

“These shots need to get in everybody’s arms as rapidly as possible,” US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. A number of Republican governors implored their citizens to get vaccinated — including Florida’s Ron DeSantis, who has been vocal in denouncing strict COVID mitigation strategies, such as mask mandates and business closures.

“I believe in the science of vaccination,” Fox News commentator Sean Hannity said during his primetime show while imploring his viewers to “take See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Gov’t should offer support to expedite shore base construction Dear Editor,

OIL and natural gas development is expected to contribute significantly to the Guyanese economy in the coming years.

The exploration, drilling, and extraction of oil and gas offshore in deep water needs a lot of onshore support services of which Guyana lacks required capacity. Currently, there are only one or two companies providing onshore services to the offshore oil industry in Guyana.

These two bases cannot meet the current total demand, and the duopoly results in higher-than-normal charges to service the oil companies. Guyana needs more on shore bases to meet the current and increasing demand of the oil companies as oil production is being ramped up from the current 120K BPD to six times that amount in four years and double that amount five years later. So, more shore bases are needed. And more bases lead to competition that would inevitably lead to lower prices for services. In terms of fees, information reveals that the two shore bases charge substantially higher fees for its 110 miles shipping distance from East Bank to locations in the Stabroek block given that the alternative would be to go to bases in Trinidad some 400 miles away.

The Guyana fee structure considers what oil companies would pay for shipment of goods from Trinidad some four times the journey to the offshore base. More bases could, therefore, potentially lead to lower costs.

The two on shore bases are on the East Bank, very close to the busy Georgetown area. Both are constrained by space requirements and the East Bank Demerara is congested and has traffic issues. The government should therefore encourage construction of shore bases on the West Bank or West Coast and other locations away from the overcrowded City. Exxon should also give preference to use shore bases away from the heart of the City.

A shore base is currently being constructed Versailles, West Bank by Tristar. It

is the only ‘fit for purpose’ shore base in Guyana. Government should offer all the support Tristar needs to expedite construction to quickly get the shore base operationalised.

The same should be done for other shore bases; a consortium is putting up a shore base on the mouth of the Demerara River and should also be supported.

It is understood that Tristar’s base is being designed to international standards and will be specific to the oil and gas industry and its needs which emphasises safety of operations. Moreover, Tristar is owned 100 per cent by Guyanese whose interests and patriotism is towards Guyana, particularly in uplifting communities on the West Bank that were neglected since 2016. Tristar is owned by Krishna Persaud whose root is in ‘West Dem’.

More shore bases on the West Bank or West Coast or elsewhere would lead to an end of the duopoly. Competition among bases would result in: 1) Lowering cost of doing business in the Guyana oil industry; 2) Hundreds of millions of dollars of investment that would create hundreds if not thousands of jobs; 3) Use of local contractors in construction and operations that in turn would lead to integration in the oil and gas supply chain of local companies; 4) Greater local content in the oil business -- aligned with government’s policy; 5) High value work that is currently undertaken in in Trinidad would be shifted to Guyana 6) Substantial socioeconomic benefits to the West Bank and West Coast Demerara region; 7) Resuscitation of economic activities and commerce in the Wales area that has been negatively impacted by the closure of the sugar factory; revival of business in the West Demerara region, among other benefits.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

A 'human right' or a ...

From page 6

COVID seriously.”

These desperate times call for desperate measures. I applaud the business community for saying employees should be vaccinated if they want to keep their jobs. I support Giftland Mall requiring staff to be vaccinated or to get tested weekly. Employers have “human rights” too. Right? This week, the US Justice Department lawyers have determined that federal law doesn’t prohibit public agencies and private businesses from requiring COVID vaccines -- even if the vaccines have only emergency use authorisation. Some public and private colleges are requiring their students to get vaccinated before returning to classes. City and local governments are requiring vaccines too. Most teachers are vacci-

nated. CNN is reporting that President Biden will announce on Thursday a requirement that all federal employees and contractors be vaccinated against COVID or be required to submit to regular testing and mitigation requirements.

So, in Guyana, the government and key sectors of the economy need to do what they need to do, and who vex, vex. It’s the road we must take, because “a hole in the boat, is a hole in the whole Guyana boat.”

We prefer you to live so you may enjoy more “human rights”.

Don’t hesitate, go vaccinate!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Lack of spinning reserves caused extensive blackout last Saturday

THE Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) has reported that a compre-

hensive analysis has uncovered that a lack of spinning reserves was

the cause of the extensive outage that occurred around 22:45hrs last Sat-

urday.

The company in an initial press release had pointed to the emergency removal of an 8.7 Megawatt (MW) generator from service, because of the high risk of a fire from a lube-oil leak.

However, in a more recent update, GPL said a comprehensive analysis uncovered that the system did not have adequate spinning reserves to accommodate the loss of 8.7MWs and no feeder was interrupted by the under-frequency protection scheme, as the frequency collapsed instantaneously.

“The settings on the un-

der-frequency, load-shedding scheme have since been updated to avoid a repeat of this occurrence.

While all consumers in Demerara and some areas in Berbice were affected by this incident, consumers in New Amsterdam and Lower Corentyne, who receive power from Canefield, were not affected, as Canefield was isolated from the grid to complete an upgrade and automation of the substation,” the company said.

GPL also responded to a letter published in the Stabroek News of July 28, 2021 by a former member of the company’s board.

“The isochronous operation of the company’s power plant at Vreed-enHoop was activated in 2018.

It has not been implemented at Kingston, as an expensive upgrade of the controls is required on generating equipment to complete the installation and commissioning, coupled with service interruptions,” GPL said, pointing out that the board member should be aware that isochronous operation assists when there is spinning reserve available at the plant/s and is counterproductive when the plant is fully loaded, as is often the case with GPL. The new 46.5MW plant at Garden of Eden, the company said, would be operated in isochronous mode and its availability would enable GPL to operate all plants with spinning reserves to ensure that the loss of the largest generator would not result in widespread outages.

Mismanagement and spitefulness by the previous administration Dear Editor, I AM appalled that an aspect of the Auditor-General’s Report for 2016 exposed mismanagement and spitefulness by the previous administration.

This is way ‘too much to stomach’ as we say in local parlance. I am enraged when I examine the fact that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) never received (the) $400 million that was approved in the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) 2016 Budget. This was critical support that the company needed at the time and when one examines the fact that the APNU+AFC then went to dismiss thousands of sugar workers subsequently and close down several estates,

the withholding of this Parliamentary approved support seems deliberate.

We must also not forget that they also ignored recommendations not to close any estates in a study that they themselves commissioned.

It is even more glaring now that we have learnt about the withholding of this large sum.

In my personal view and given the aspects outlined above, the powers that be in the David Granger led APNU+AFC administration made a political decision to punish thousands of workers and destroy the sugar industry.

Yours respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Floodwaters rise in Eteringbang

THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has received reports that floodwaters have risen significantly in the community of Eteringbang in Region Seven, a release from the commission said.

The release noted that according to preliminary reports, some 10 commercial establishments and three households have been impacted. Early assessments also indicate that waters have risen to approximately three feet

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in some parts and continue to rise.

Region Seven is expected to endure more rainfall and towards the end of the week, it is estimated to measure as much as two inches during a 12-hour period.

“The CDC is working with the regional authorities to monitor the developing situation and is prepared to dispatch relief supplies and an assessment team to Eteringbang,” the release said.

Floodwaters have risen significantly in the community of Eteringbang in Region Seven (CDC photo)

Another scene of the floods at Eteringbang (CDC photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction to entertain dismissed elections petition –– Attorney-General argues

ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Thursday, said that the Guyana Court of Appeal does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal of APNU+AFC’s Election Petition 99 of 2020.

On January 18, 2021, Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George had struck out Elections Petition 99 of 2020, which had been filed by Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse, on the grounds that the elections were unlawfully conducted and/ or that the results were, or might have been, affected by unlawful acts or omissions.

Their intention, as such, was for the court to nullify the outcome of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, and declare that President Dr. Irfaan Ali is occupying the seat of office illegally.

The appeal was presided over by Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

APNU’s attorneys-at-law Roysdale Forde, S.C., and Trinidadian John Jeremie, S.C., during their argument had contended that the Appellate Court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal of the petition. Jeremie had even asked the court to reinstate the petition, which was thrown out by the CJ on procedural grounds.

According to Forde and

Jeremie, the CJ’s ruling was a final order, which can be appealed. They’d also contended that the petitioner’s right of an appeal lies under Article 123 of the Constitution of Guyana, and the Court of Appeal Act. However, the AG has rejected the Coalition lawyers’ contentions, saying that the court of appeal does not have jurisdiction to hear the case, since the matter

Court in an election petition must either be found in the Constitution or a Statute.

Additionally, there is no statutory or constitutional instrument granting jurisdiction to the Court of Appeal to hear an appeal of an election petition for procedural impropriety, or any other reason not stated in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution.

Pursuant to Article 163 (3) of the Constitution of

Court was not “invoked” to answer this question in the petition, since the matter never went to trial, and was thrown out.

“Those questions having not been determined, there is simply no right to an appeal,” the AG said, as he further dismantled the lawyers’ arguments.

He also chided the lawyers for using case laws from Kenya and South Africa to argue their case,

compliance, by holding that such compliance is related to the contents of the Affidavit of Service instead of the filing of the Affidavit of Service in a timely manner.

Another ground claims that the Chief Justice erred and misdirected herself when she failed to consider the objective of the petition in making her decision on the content of the Affidavit of Service.

A date has not been set by the Appeal Court for hearing.

SEVERAL RESPONDENTS The Coalition has

was thrown out by the High Court, and no evidence was heard.

Nandlall added that the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to hear an appeal from a decision of the High

Guyana, an appeal in an election petition lies to the Court of Appeal accordingly: From decisions in the High Court on the granting or refusing of leave to institute proceedings for the determination of any question referred to in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution.

And the determination by the High Court of any question referred to in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution or any order made in consequence of such determination.

In the foregoing circumstances, he submitted that the decision of the CJ is not a decision granting or refusing leave to institute proceedings for the determination of any question referred to in Article 163 (1); neither did it involve a determination of a question referred to in the same article.

The AG said, “One would have expected, therefore, that Mr. Forde and Mr. Jeremie would have examined the learned chief justice’s judgement, and point to us where she determined one of the questions that they ask her to determine.”

NEVER WENT TO TRIAL Nandlall said that the jurisdiction of the High

given that they are radically different from rules and law in Guyana and the Caribbean.

“Unless the appeal is conferred, then it does not exist,” the AG said.

Nandlall’s argument was agreed upon by Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, who is representing Vice- President Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney-at-Law Kashir Khan and Timothy Jonas.

In response to Justice Persaud’s enquiry as to whether the appeal should have been filed in the Full Court of the High Court instead of the Court of Appeal, the attorney-general said that based on the uniqueness of the case, like the appeal court, the full court has no jurisdiction to hear the case also.

As such, the case has been adjourned until October 26, during which time the parties involved are required to lay over written submissions and reply.

In January, Forde had moved to the Court of Appeal to have the Chief Justice’s decision on Petition 99 of 2020 set aside.

The appeal, among other things, is contending that the Chief Justice erred in law, and misdirected herself when she misapplied the doctrine of strict

Trinidad’s Senior Counsel, John Jeremie named several respondents, including Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield; Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo; and representatives of several political parties.

Former President, David Granger, is also named as a respondent.

In June, the Coalition appealed the second elections petition, which was filed by Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick.

The petition was dismissed on April 26 by the CJ, on the grounds of serious non-compliance with the Constitution of Guyana, and electoral laws as it relates to GECOM’s conduct of those elections.

The Chief Justice held that the petitioners failed to present evidence to support that the conduct of those elections contravened the Constitution and electoral laws.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

‘Education grants cushion blows from floods, COVID’ – Region Six parents

PARENTS and guardians of public school students in Region Six have expressed gratitude to the government for the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant initiative, which was launched there on Wednesday.

Over 22,000 students in the region are set to benefit from the programme, which will see each of them receiving a $19,000 cash grant, including $4000 for school uniforms and supplies.

Shonella Chisholm and Premwatie Bachu queued up as early as seven o’clock at the Lighttown Primary School, East Bank Berbice, to receive the grants for their children.

Speaking with the Department for Public Information (DPI), Chisholm said she lost all her crop during the recent heavy rains and her farm is her main source of income.

With cash in hand, the wom-

initiative timely.

Tracey McPherson said the cash grant comes at a fraught time in her life. “I am not working and I am a single mother and I really appreciate this money. And as I get this money here I am going and buy school clothes,” a Department of Public Information (DPI) release said.

Danny Persaud said he is satisfied with the $19,000 grant, noting that it would help him to provide for his daughter.

He also opined that the beneficiaries should be thankful since the intervention would cushion the financial strain caused by the recent flood and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The 19,000 will do good right now for me and I think it will help for everybody who gets it. I hope they use it wisely and send their chil-

Shonella Chisholm is grateful for the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant as she lost her farm during the recent floods (DPI photo) for its intended purpose.

“This is going straight for school supplies. This is ev-

Premwatie Bachu said the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant would fully prepare her child for school (DPI photo) an said she is thankful for government’s commitment and service to the people.

Bachu expressed similar sentiments. She said the grant will ease many burdens and fully prepare her child for school in September.

“I am really thankful a lot because there are many children who don’t really have support to go to school and it would really be nice to help out a lot of homes with children to go to school.”

Over at Cumberland Primary School, East Canje, several parents gave kudos to the government, calling the

Allison Best said she would use the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant to purchase her children’s uniforms (DPI photo) dren to school, that’s the most important part,” he said.

Allison Best is also pleased about the grant. “I feel great about it. It is a great assistance towards the children for their school clothes.

It will assist me a lot because some of my children don’t have father and me alone have to look after them. So, I am very thankful to the government for the help.”

Parasram Ramphul said he intends to use the money

erything for school, not buying nothing for home use,” the man said.

A smiling Vanessa Artiga was also grateful for the grant. “With this pandemic here, things are very tight in many homes so I really appreciate the cash grant that we are receiving from the government,” she said.

Some $421.6 million in cash grants will be distributed to Region Six students, DPI reported.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Religious leaders engaged on development

THE Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, on Wednesday, hosted a three-hour conversation with the leaders and representatives of

faith-based organisations in Guyana.

According to a release, the Faith-based organisations from all major religious groups including the

Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian and Baha’i communities were represented in the conversation This is one of the several consultations being

facilitated through the ministry’s governance programme, which aims to build and maintain a healthy rapport with national stakeholders and to resuscitate the National Stakeholders Forum that was established in 2008 by President Jagdeo and which did not function after 2015.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, during the exercise, was ably supported by her colleague Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who moderated the discussions and participated in the conversation.

Teixeira provided updates and offered opportunities for the representatives to express their concerns and views.

In her thorough presentation, she informed the groups of various completed and ongoing government initiatives including the widespread COVID-19 testing and vaccination drives, the provision of COVID relief cash grants to all households and Amerindian communities, housing projects and the increased distribution of low-income house lots in the last year, dedicated attention to revitalising the agricultural and agro-processing industries, the inclusion of Guyanese in the oil and gas sector, transformative projects in the pipeline in infrastructural and electrification projects, the GOAL scholarships and the WINN programmes, the “Because we Care” and school uniform cash grants, and the thrust towards a One Guyana society.

Ministers Teixeira and Edghill also expressed gratitude on behalf of the government to those religious organisations which accommodated the Ministry of Health across Guyana to conduct vaccination drives, and, for their assistance rendered during the recent flood.

CRITICAL ROLE In response to questions about the government’s projection for strengthening the vaccination drives in Guyana, Minister Teixeira explained that all stakeholders play a critical role in sensitising their constituents and eliminating the misinformation which fuels “vaccination hesitancy”.

She provided up-to-date information on the numbers of persons infected, vaccinated and the number of deaths. She emphasised that these deaths are preventable and noted that after 16 months, the world and Guyana are now caught up with the pandemic of the “unvaccinated”.

She encouraged the leaders to reach out to their constituencies and encourage them to get vaccinated as “any vaccine is better than no vaccine” in order for citizens to return to greater level of normalcy.

SELECT COMMITTEE LEVEL Minister Teixeira also addressed issues raised about the “Ganja Bill” and explained the process for consultations at the Select Committee level, as well as issues related to the reopening of schools, gender-based violence and gender equality, the status of the Ethnic Relations Commission, suicide prevention and inclusion in the media, and the implementation of the One Guyana Commission.

“In addressing the concerns, Minister Teixeira highlighted the fact that we are recognised at the international level, although we are a very diverse nation both from an ethnic and religious perspective, as a religiously tolerant nation. We must build on this tolerance for an inclusive and participatory democracy and view country’s

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira rich cultural, ethnic and religious diversity as not divisive but a unique opportunity for a harmonious and cohesive nation,” the release said.

The faith-based organisations expressed their collective gratitude for the opportunity to hold this conversation with the two senior government ministers, for the information they shared and for facilitating the discussion on their views. The participants explained that this type of consultation is reassuring of the government’s commitment to considering the inputs of all national stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Minister Teixeira noted that this is just one of many consultations that her ministry will be facilitating, and that once Guyana’s population reaches greater “herd immunity”, more in-person discussions will be facilitated to promote robust, inclusive governance for all Guyanese.

“Moving forward, continuous discussions will be facilitated, with another consultation with faithbased organisations projected for October, 2021.

The participants were encouraged to continue building networks and were invited to continuously interact with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance.

The facilitation of such consultations provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share perspectives, concerns and ideas for development, consistent with the President’s goal of creating a strengthened and unified ‘One Guyana’,” the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Don’t worry, more Sputnik V second dose will be here –– Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, is appealing to persons awaiting their second dose of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to be patient, as the government is working to acquire the vaccines.

The minister made this appeal during Thursday’s COVID-19 update.

“As you know, we have been getting [the] second dose in increments and this week, we received 10,000 second dose. We have allocated the second dose to the people who got their first dose in April and in May.

“Right now, I think we have been able to distribute it in all the regions, so that people can get their second dose, and we are right now at the tail end of that shipment that we received. So, I’m asking people for their patience as we work to make sure that we get more doses in. There is going to be a second dose for everyone who took their first dose.

I don’t want people to be worried about that.”

Minister Anthony said the government has been working continuously to obtain the vaccines.

“So, as we get those

supplies in, we are going to announce it so that people can come and get their second dose,” a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted him as saying.

At the same time, Dr. Anthony said first doses of the Sputnik V vaccines are still available and urged the public to get inoculated. The other vaccines available in Guy-

ana at the moment are the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

Guyana is also awaiting a donation of 84,800 AstraZeneca doses from the United Kingdom. This was made possible through a bilateral agreement between the UK and Guyana.

Of this consignment, Minister Anthony said many of the outlying regions will benefit because of the easy storage standard.

“This would complement the vaccines that we have in Guyana. And, as you know, we’ve had good experience using AstraZeneca vaccines here. It

was the first vaccine that we received and we have good experience working with it.

“What it also would help us to do is to get a lot of this vaccine out to communities that have challenges with cold storage because these vaccines can be stored between two to eight degrees Celsius.

So, it would work well, especially in the interior communities.”

To date, 249,908 adults in Guyana have taken their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 136,919 adults have been fully immunised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

27.5 per cent of adult population fully vaccinated – Minister Anthony

AS a result of the government’s proactive approach to vaccine procurement, to date more than 27.5 per cent of Guyana’s adult population is now fully immunised against COVID-19.

There are three types of vaccines currently being administered to combat Covid here, the Oxford-AstraZeneca, the Chinese Sinopharm and the Russian Sputnik V vaccines.

During Wednesday’s COVID-19 update, Minister of Health, Dr Frank

Anthony, said 248,970 persons or 51.1 per cent of Guyana’s adult population has received the first dose of a COVID vaccine while 133,987 persons have received their second jab.

Dr. Anthony noted that through the COVAX facility, Guyana was set to receive enough vaccines to inoculate 20 per cent of the population within a stipulated timeframe, but due to an increase in the global demand, there were delays.

“COVAX was hit with a number of challenges,

including the source of the vaccine…

“They didn’t have enough vaccines to supply the commitments that they would have made to countries… but nevertheless, they have been striving to give vaccines to countries around the world, especially the poorer countries and those who would have purchased vaccines through them.”

To date, Guyana has received 62,400 of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX.

AG report uncovered $209 million unaccounted for –– from University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony Minister Anthony said the Government purchased vaccines through other sources because it is committed to protecting the population from the deadly disease.

Some 244,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccines were bought along with 100,000 doses of Sinopharm and 34,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Guyana also received vaccines through donations from Barbados, China, India and the United States of America. (DPI)

THE Auditor General’s 2016 report for the Ministry of Education has uncovered some $209 million that was allocated as part of the University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project budget has gone unaccounted for.

This disclosure was made during the Public Accounts Committee meeting (PAC) on Monday.

According to the AG’s report in 2016, the sum of $906 million was allocated to drastically improve on the services provided by UG’s Science and Technology Support project.

The target areas for the allocation, included for curriculum reform, instructional design, and research; infrastructure rehabilitation, equipping of science laboratories, drainage, internet network and multimedia equipment; and institutional capacity building.

Subsequently, a supplemental provision to the tune of $411 million was approved giving a revised allocation for the project a total of $1.317 billion.

According to the Appropriation Accounts, an amount totalling $1.311 billion was expended during the period under review. However, the records of the project reflected expenditures totalling $ 1.102 billion, giving a difference of $209 million.

UG’s Science and Technology Support Project was funded by the Government of Guyana and the International Development Association (IDA) under a credit agreement and was subject to separate financial reporting and audit.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Deliver on time, Dharamlall urges Region 10 contractors

LOCAL Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, has called on Region 10 contractors to complete their projects, which are aimed at boosting the region’s infrastructural development and enhanc-

ing residents’ quality of life.

The minister made this call on Wednesday during a meeting held at the Mackenzie High School.

“This region has a history of underperformance and it is not something that

we will negotiate with. Underperformance is not one of the habits of our government,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall said the region’s economy has been stagnant due to poor money flow caused by a lack of investment and

development. As such, he intends to change this with the co-operation of the contractors.

“The investments that we’re making here in this region, as a government… those investments are done to the benefit of the people

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall delivers his remarks at the Watooka Guest House (DPI photo)

Left to right: Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, presents a cheque to a representative of the Linden Mayor and Town Council as Region 10 Regional Executive Officer, Dwight John, and others look on (DPI photo)

that we made those commitments with,” a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.

The minister noted that since taking office in August 2020, the government has been able to fast-track several projects in every sector to push the country’s economy and this can also occur in Region 10.

With this in mind, Minister Dharamlall told the contractors they need to conduct quality work in every community and employ locals to ensure that money is circulating in the region and wider country.

“These projects are being executed through taxpayers’ monies and so we would not tolerate shoddy work as it will be a disservice to our citizens… We cannot be a stumbling block

for development in this region,” he added.

In keeping with this, Minister Dharamlall requested the Regional Engineer to properly monitor the progress of the region’s work programme to ensure that the works are executed without any hiccups.

Aside from this, the minister handed over a $9 million subvention cheque to a representative of the Linden Mayor and Town Council to conduct their work programme.

Meanwhile, at the Watooka Guest House, Minister Dharamlall met with several toshaos and deputy toshaos to listen to their concerns with the view of resolving them. He also urged them to use their influence to encourage persons to get vaccinated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

With a passion for music, Nia Allen marches on to Berkeley

By Dillon Goring

Nia Allen was one of the finalists for this year’s Talent Search Competition organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Passionate about a career as a musician, the young,

charismatic songbird is marching on to the internationally-recognized Berkeley School of Music.

She is expected to start her studies in January 2022, and because of her humble background, Nia says that she and her family will be creat-

ing a GoFundMe platform, hoping to garner enough support to ensure that she is able to focus more on her studies and less on her expenses as a student.

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on many opportunities to perform and get exposure, Nia Allen says that she is quite thankful to have been able to participate in the government’s talent search competition. “ This competition has helped me realise that you don’t necessarily need an audience to put on the best performance , because it has been very challenging because of COVID to perform in front of people. You have to feel the emotion of the song and the performance through the cameras,” Nia posited.

Reflecting on her journey throughout the competition, Nia said that she was pleased with her efforts, and ecstatic to have been named a winner.

“I have been satisfied with all of my performances because I did my best for every one of them,” she remarked during her interview with the Buzz.

Notwithstanding her hard work, Nia Allen said the win was not all hers.

“Well, if it wasn’t for the

Lord for keeping me alive until this day , there was no way I could have finish the competition, so all the credit go to him,” Allen noted.

More than just being able to be on stage and perform, Nia is grateful for the opportunities for networking that the competition afforded.

“My experience during the competition was fun, I got to meet a lot of talented people and those same people became family and even

Berkeley-bound, Nia Allen

those that I had to work with, which would be the band, the sound crew, the tech crew and everybody; they were just so welcoming,” Nia said.

Additionally, the young woman related that also she received lots of support from her family, friends and people from all walks of life, who were thrilled by her performance last Sunday.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

As many person who have soared to heights, Nia too was faced with episodes of disappointments and distractions which had become all too familiar.

However, over the years, Nia says that she has learnt how to use these to her advantage and as a source of motivation to push harder and do even better.

As Nia prepares for Berkeley, we at the Buzz wish her all the very best.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 30, 2021

Poonam’s new song ‘Forever Alone’ is coming soon

Inspired by a real life heartbreak AS delightful as it may be to experience first love, which some people might refer to as “young love” - when all the butterflies cavort your stomach and you think that you’d never be able to move on if the relationship goes south singer Poonam Singh wants her fans to know through her latest unreleased single that she is living proof that someone can bounce back from such a predicament.

Titled, “Forever Alone,” Poonam is working with the best team locally to pull off the final shoot for her music video, which is releasing in August. Projects like these make her happy because she feels that they are serving a purpose that goes way beyond just entertainment.

This music video, for instance, was inspired by a real event in Poonam’s life when she was much younger; a period of her life when no one could convince her that it wasn’t love that she was feeling for the guy she’d been seeing online.

Again, most would agree

Local Singer Poonam Singh that first love can make you act in the most illogical of ways where everyone but you can see things clearly. Had Poonam been a bit more mature, experienced, and knowledgeable about love and relationships at the time, perhaps she would have thought that carrying on an online relationship with the guy for one year – during which time she and her family met him only once – was perhaps not the wisest course.

The guy told her he had cancer. Maybe her feelings became stronger for him when he dropped the bombshell, but to him, it should’ve been the easiest way to get rid of her. At least that’s what she found out later down the line when a mutual friend informed her that the guy had lied to her.

So Poonam wrote the song since back then and now wants to release it for the benefit of the younger folks who believe they may never be able to move on from heartbreak.

Though recorded in New York, Poonam’s latest single is “I wrote the song at a point being shot in Guyana

when I felt stuck in life. I want my fans to know; when you feel like you’re putting in the most in the relationship and that person isn’t, I think the best thing you can do is to leave and try to focus on your goals.”

As much as this is easier said than done, especially

do anything positive for your future,” Poonam encouraged.

“I want everyone to know that I wrote this song when I was feeling this way but I am not feeling this way anymore.” In fact, Poonam is now in a wonderful relationship and in a much happier place. “Now I have a rhythm,

quite expensive, Poonam said she works hard and saves her money.

Here’s another piece of advice that she is offering to her younger fans: “When you get money as a young person, save it; don’t spend all of your money on material things but re-invest it

Poonam is working with the best team locally to pull off the final shoot for her music video when you know you truly love and care for someone, it is good advice. “Even if you feel like you’ll be forever alone, know that it’s ok and human to feel that way; we’re programmed to feel that way. But what’s not ok is staying in that moment and feeling like you’ll be stuck there forever and not trying to better yourself or

a flow, and I know exactly what I’m doing. I am smarter and I know how to deal with people. My ideas are more mature and I connect with people even better now,” the singer expressed.

Her new song was produced in New York but she is shooting the video in Guyana. While the production and release of her songs are

into something you know is going to multiply that money. At the end of the day, you can double the nice things that you want in life. That’s what I do. I re-invest the money that I make into my singing career and that’s how I am able to comfortably produce my songs.”

Another scene from the unreleased single that will drop in August

From church choir to national competition

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

-Cassie Adams has her heart set on music

Cassie Adams, one of the winners of Guyana’s Talent Search Competition is excited to go after her dreams, now that the competition is done. She recently sat down with the Buzz to talk about her life, and her intentions for the future.

“I am 23 years old.

I live in South Ruimveldt Gardens, I just lived a simple life,” she said.

Adams indicated that she grew up with her father and aunts

and uncles who have all been passionate about doing music.

“They had a band called Live Wire, and they were really active in St. Pius Church. There is where it all started for me,” Adams related.

The young woman said that while in school, she was able to participate in a number of competitions, which exposed her to the do’s and don’t’s of being on a big stage and getting out of her comfort

zone.

“I went to the B i s h o p ’s H i g h School, where I played steel pan. I played for about 10 years and I was also singing in the choir at Bishop’s,” the young woman related.

She added, “My music teacher at school really encouraged me in the area of music, while we pursuing our academics,” Adams told the Buzz.

Although active in school, Adams said that her moth-

er and father were both surprised when she entered the competition.

Having been named a winner of the competition, Adams said that she is now inspired to pursue music as more than just a hobby, but as a career and life-long dream, even though she had been repeatedly told that the music industry is not profitable.

In hoping and planning for a lucrative future, Adams said that she

has faith in the Al- me to stand into my mighty that things purpose, and I feel will work out for her. a bit more confident and safe like I am “I am a Christian. at home. I feel as if I grew up in church I am going to singand even without ing in front of my c h u r c h , w i t h t h e maker,” she added. pandemic, my faith The young womwas tested. I doubted an also mentioned myself, I go through that in order to hara lot of self-sabo- ness her talent, she tage, but I like to surrounds herself think that even with with people who all the doubts that I possess positive enhave, the minute that ergy. She believes I prayed and ask God that even though to help me to let his life will knock you light shine on me,” d o w n , h a v i n g a Adams said. plan could bring “For him to help peace of mind.

Cassie Adams

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 30, 2021

Promoting African culture through business

-retired teacher Roxanne Adams finds joy in craft

By Dillon Goring Every year around this time, Guyanese of African descent would display pieces of their artistic work for sale in observance of the Emancipation Day festivities on August 1.

As we approach this very significant occasion, the Buzz spoke with Roxanne Adams, a retired visual arts teacher from St George’s High School.

She had been teaching at the institution for 25 years and now that she has retired from her portfolio as an educator, Ms. Roxanne has turned her hobby and creative talents into a lucrative business that promotes the beauty that is the African culture.

She currently has a ‘snacks and craft’ stall along the heavily-trafficked Main Street Avenue in Georgetown.

According to her, she is noted for her “super mixed mauby” which has always been on heavy demand around this season of Emancipation.

“We have Tibisiri, this is from our Amerindian people, but I like to sit and do this, if you look at me good, you’ll see craft in action, because whilst I sit I am always doing this, this is straw work,” she said, pointing to her pieces.

“You see the straws, and these here is mats and we can turn mats into bags of all shapes and designs. We also have our wooden designs to go with our African Clothing”, Adams boasted in her interview with the Buzz.

In plying her craft, Adams noted that through her years of dabbling in the crafts, adequate access to straws has been her major concern. However, as of recent Ms. Roxanne says that she is being supplied with straws from a friend who travels to and from the interior.

She has also encourage Guyanese, especially young girls to take up the hobby of crafts-making, since there is a lucrative market that stems from the tourism market.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 30, 2021

Lee, Dressel take gold; China break world record in women’s 4x200m freestyle swimming AMERICAN Sunisa Lee won gymnastics all-around gold as defending champion Simone Biles celebrated in the stands following her withdrawal from the event.

The United States also enjoyed success in the pool on day six of Tokyo 2020, with Caeleb Dressel continuing his pursuit of six gold medals by earning his first individual Olympic title.

The 24-year-old will become one of the most successful athletes at an individual Games if he succeeds in winning all six events in which he participates.

Meanwhile, conversations about wellbeing in sport continued after golfer Rory McIlroy backed Biles, who has so far pulled out of the team and allaround finals in order to prioritise her mental health.

The four-time major winner said he was “impressed” with the 24-year-old for putting her

mental wellbeing first after her decision to withdraw from the all-around final.

“Just as I thought Naomi Osaka was right to do what she did, I 100% agree with what Simone is doing as well.”

McIlroy spoke to the media after he shot a two-under-par 69 in the first round of the men’s Olympic golf tournament.

“I’m certainly very impressed, especially with those two women to do what they did and put themselves first,” he said.

“I’m glad that at least the conversation has started ... it’s not taboo anymore.”

In baseball, Israel suffered heartbreak in their Olympic debut as South Korea secured a 6-5 walk-off win in a dramatic extra innings.

Lee ‘follows in Biles’ footsteps’ After 18-year-old Lee took

gold, American former artistic gymnast Katelyn Ohashi described her as “a real competitor” and said “she’s followed in the footsteps of Simone”.

Lee took top spot with one apparatus to go after an impressive beam routine, and concerns over her floor routine after she broke her foot in June 2020 proved unfounded as the American’s score of 13.700 was enough for gold.

The Olympic debutant finished on 57.433, with Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade taking silver - Brazil’s first women’s gymnastics medal - on 57.298.

Russian Angelina Melnikova earned bronze with a total score of 57.199 in a thrilling final.

Biles, who is yet to confirm whether she will compete in the individual apparatus finals beginning on Sunday, enthusiastically cheered on the competitors from the stands

Dressel stays on course for six gold medals At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Dressel stormed to victory in the men’s 100m freestyle.

It is his second gold of the Games, having been part of the US 4x100m freestyle relay team, and his fourth Olympic gold in all, but this is his first individual Olympic title.

He could win as many as six gold medals in Tokyo, with the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle to come and the expectation he will be named in two further relay teams.

Day six’s medal races in the pool concluded with a thrilling women’s 4x200m freestyle final, with China breaking the world record to win gold.

Their time of seven minutes 40.33 seconds was just enough to hold off the American quartet anchored by 1500m freestyle champion Katie Ledecky.

the new ball and then return with his slow chinaman and googly deliveries. He took 235 wickets. He was also a superb close-to-the-wicket fielder and held 109 catches.

One of the highlights of his illustrious career was the sensational six sixes in an over

for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in the English County Championship. More than 50 years later, the earthshattering feat remains one of the most iconic sporting moments in history.

He is a National Hero of Barbados and a perfectly sculpted statue of him

playing an iconic stroke welcomes fan as they arrive at the historic Kensington Oval. The players’ pavilion is also named in his honour.

CWI statement: “Today we salute the incomparable Sir Garfield Sobers and wish him a very special 85th birthday. Sir

CWI salutes...

From page 28 including 26 centuries. His 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the world record for over three decades.

As a bowler, he was equally brilliant and could bowl

Pre-race favourites Australia had to settle for bronze.

There was more gold for China as Zhang Yufei took the women’s 200m butterfly title.

Zac Stubblety-Cook of Australia won gold in the men’s 200m breaststroke and American Robert Finke won the men’s 800m freestyle final, being held at the Olympics for the first time since an 880-yard race in 1904.

More athletes isolating Positive coronavirus tests continue to disrupt the Games, with reigning pole vault world champion Sam Kendricks the latest athlete affected.

Three Australian athletes are in isolation after being considered close contacts of Kendricks, although they have since returned negative PCR test results.

The athletics competition starts today. (BBC Sport)

Garry epitomises all that is good about this game and is the embodiment of what a true sporting hero should be. Years after he has left the sporting arena, we continue to celebrate his iconic performances. He remains the gold standard.”

(CWI)

‘Shiv’ meets Sport Minister; commits to working with Elite Academy WEST Indies’ most capped Test player, Guyanese Shivnarine Chanderpaul, met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr at his office on Wednesday.

According to the Sport Minister, the two had a long discussion and Chanderpaul committed to working with the Elite Academy the Ministry is set to implement.

The prolific batsman retired from the sport in 2016, after 164 Test where he mounted 11 867 – second only to Brian Lara (11 912) for a West Indian – and his 30 Test centuries are also only second to Lara (34).

The man from Unity, East Coast Demerara, also played 268 One-Day Internationals and 22 Twenty20 Internationals.

His world of experience

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ultimately could prove extremely viable to mentor elite sportsmen and women, particularly young cricketers.

The ministry will be implementing an Elite training programme focussed on honing the skills of the above-average athletes to help them become professionals.

Last September, Ramson Jr said the elite training programmes are necessary to push athletes to the next level.

The minister pointed out that coaching is just one aspect of developing talent.

He went on to explain the

administration’s approach to drive the process of development in this area.

“When you’re competing in sport you’re not just competing in your village or your town or your community, you’re competing against the world. Sport is a business; it’s not just a pastime,” Ramson Jr said.

The government has plans to build multi-purpose facilities at Anna Regina Community Centre (Region Two), Albion Sports Complex (Region Six) and Mackenzie Sports Club (Region 10), to complement the existing infrastructure

across the country.

When the 2021 budget was presented, it was announced that Sport has been given a major boost with $1.5B budgeted to facilitate development programmes throughout the country.

Out of the overall sum, $618M will be utilised to host tournaments, maintain sport facilities and support select sport associations and $320M is budgeted towards professional training of athletes and coaches, as part of the ‘Sports Academy’ programme.

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24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Without Usain Bolt, 100m is suddenly a race again

By Omar Mohammed

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - The post-Usain Bolt era in the Olympic 100 metres begins this weekend as the United States seek to regain supremacy in the event they dominated for more than a century.

Jamaican Bolt won the last of three straight titles in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and, since his retirement the

box, a lot of expectations come into it,” he said recently. “When you start living in other people’s world then you get off of your own plan.”

Bromell’s closest challenger is probably his compatriot Ronnie Baker, who came second to him at the U.S. trials with a time of 9.85.

Baker beat Bromell in Monaco, his second successive Diamond League win, and has run an impressive

in the 200m and secured another bronze in the 4x100m relay, making him the first Canadian athlete to win Olympic medals in all three sprint events.

He too, though, has struggled with injuries, missing a chunk of time in 2017 and 2018 with hamstring problems. He did secure a bronze in the 100m and silver in the 200m at the 2019 world championships in Doha and

Jamaican Usain Bolt won the last of three straight Olympic 100 metres titles in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

following year, nobody has really stepped up to stamp his authority on the sport’s most-watched race.

The U.S have won more gold medals in the event than all other nations combined, having taken 16 of the 28 Olympic titles contested, but their last success came via Justin Gatlin in 2004.

This year, though, they are back gunning to top the podium, even without the presence of banned world champion Christian Coleman.

Seven out of the eight sprinters with the fastest times in 2021 have been Americans, led by Trayvon Bromell whose 9.77-second run in Florida last month is the fastest of the year and marks him as the race favourite.

He won the U.S. trials in 9.80 to put a long and troublesome injury history behind him, but the self-described “silent killer” is not happy with the favourite tag.

“When you put yourself into that bubble, into that

wind-aided 9.78s seconds in the past.

Unlike his compatriot, Baker is happy to blow his own trumpet. “I am one of the best runners in the world, hands down. I have been, since 2018,” he said after his win in Monaco, a race that included his rivals in Tokyo.

He has also had to overcome injuries over the last few years, but he said that he was feeling confident heading into Tokyo.

“This year is probably the most technically sound I have been,” he said. “I know I can run way faster than anyone.”

WHO CAN SPOIL THE PARTY? While the U.S. sprinters, including Fred Kerley, the 2019 400m world bronze medallist, are definitely contenders for all three medals, there are other runners coming to Tokyo with a mission, though unusually Jamaica look a touch off the pace.

Andre De Grasse won bronze in the 100m in Rio, then bagged himself silver

that big-race pedigree could put him in good stead in a relatively inexperienced field.

“The last Olympics I felt like I had a good shot at winning gold; this Olympics I feel I have a shot,” he told Reuters in an interview in June.

“We’re all just as fast, we all have around the same personal bests,” he said. “You have to do it on that exact day ... that’s the hard part.”

Another non-American who can make some noise in Tokyo is the South African sprinter Akani Simbine who finished fifth five years ago and boasts the second fastest time of the year.

The 2018 Commonwealth champion, who has a tattoo of himself on his calf, won a Diamond League meet in Florence this season, and is another not short of confidence.

Yohan Blake, now 31, probably carries Jamaica’s hopes and the 2012 silver medallist still lays claim to being the second-fastest man in history.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 30, 2021

Liverpool fan injured in Hillsborough Birthday boy Hasaranga stars as stadium disaster dies 32 years later Sri Lanka clinch T20 series 2-1

A LIVERPOOL fan who suffered life-changing injuries in the Hillsborough disaster has died. Andrew Devine, 55, died on Tuesday, his family said in a statement released by Liverpool FC. It added: “Our collective devastation is overwhelming but so too is the realisation that we were blessed to have had Andrew with us for 32 years.”

Ninety-six other people died due to the crush at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989.

Mr Devine was described by his family as a “muchloved son, brother and uncle” who had been supported by his family and a team of dedicated carers.

“We welcome the conclusion of the coroner, Mr Andre Rebello, made today at Liverpool Coroner’s Court, that Andrew was unlawfully killed, making him the 97th fatality of the tragic events that occurred on April 15, 1989,” they added.

In 2016, an inquest jury ruled 96 Liverpool fans had been unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough disaster.

Until Mr Devine’s death, the last of the victims had been Tony Bland, who was left severely brain-damaged by the crush at the stadium but lived until 1993.

Andrew Devine suffered life-changing injuries in the Hillsborough disaster.

Liverpool said the club was “deeply saddened” by his death.

“A lifelong Liverpool supporter, Andrew continued to attend matches at Anfield when possible despite suffering life-changing injuries at Hillsborough,” their statement added.

“In doing so he defied expectations that he would not survive for six months after the tragedy.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Andrew’s family and his carers.”

People from across the city have been paying tribute to Mr Devine, including former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool vice-captain James Milner paid a moving tribute to Mr Devine in 2019 when the club won the Champions League.

As the open-top bus came to the end of its victory parade through the city, the midfielder requested that it stop outside Mr Devine’s home, the Liverpool Echo reported at the time.

Mr Devine was outside and able to watch as Milner leaned over the side of the bus to show him the trophy.

The 2016 inquest was a turning point in the official response to the disaster, which had previously been marked by a police cover-up aimed at unjustly blaming Liverpool fans.

Two police forces agreed earlier this year to pay damages to 600 people over the cover-up, but nobody has ever been convicted over police actions following the stadium crush.

The Hillsborough disaster remains the UK’s

‘One win away from medal’: Pacquiao delighted for compatriot Marcial

By Chang-Ran Kim

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Filipino Eumir Marcial advanced to the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Games middleweight boxing tournament yesterday after an accidental headbutt opened up a gash above his opponent’s eye and forced the referee to stop the bout.

The 25-year-old has drawn comparisons with his countryman, eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who was quick to offer his congratulations after the first-round stoppage against Algeria’s Younes Nemouchi.

“Eumir Marcial is one win away from a medal!”

Pacquiao tweeted.

Marcial said he was just grateful to be at the Tokyo Games after failing to qualify for Rio in 2016.

“I’m so thankful. I’ll do my best performance in the next fight,” he said. “After I

didn’t make the Rio Olympics I worked hard for this.”

Marcial has been preparing under the tutelage of Pacquiao’s Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach after turning professional last year.

Hailing from a boxing family - his father trained him from the age of seven - Marcial has said he was especially driven to succeed after his oldest brother, who funded his schooling through difficult times, died suddenly last October.

His brother Eliver left behind six children, whom Marcial hopes to help support through his boxing career.

The Filipino will fight Armenia’s Arman Darchinyan, who has also trained under Roach, in the quarter-finals, on Sunday.

MARY KOM BOWS OUT Veteran Indian flyweight

and the face of women’s boxing Mary Kom narrowly lost in a split decision to Colombian Ingrit Lorena Valencia Victoria.

“Split decision is just a name,” the 38-year-old mother-of-four said.

“I stayed calm, focussed.

I have the advantage of experience, but she is young, she is the future... For me, I have been fighting 20 years.”

Kom, who won the bronze medal in London 2012 and has the Olympic rings tattooed on her left arm, said she would not rule out another run in Paris if the age limit was lifted. For Tokyo 2020, it was initially set at 40 and raised to 41 due to the one-year postponement.

“I’m still strong enough,” she said. “It’s here, (and) it’s here,” she added, pointing to her heart and head.

“For 20 years all my focus has been on fighting and I know all my country is with me.”

worst sporting tragedy and led to a transformation of safety standards for football crowds, including the move to all-seater stadium.

It occurred when a large crowd built up outside the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium and police ordered the opening of an exit gate to relieve the pressure.

That led 2 000 Liverpool fans to enter via a tunnel on to already-packed terraces, creating a severe crush in the central pens.

Match commander Chief Supt David Duckenfield falsely told key people and the media that a gate had been forced by Liverpool fans - which families and survivors of the tragedy fought for years to disprove.

Mr Duckenfield was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter at a retrial in 2019, after the jury in his first trial was unable to reach a verdict.

A trial of two retired police officers and a former solicitor, accused of perverting the course of justice by altering police statements after the disaster, collapsed when a judge ruled there was no case to answer. (BBC Sport)

(AFP) - Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets on his 24th birthday to help Sri Lanka thrash India by seven wickets yesterday and claim the three-match Twenty20 series 2-1.

Hasaranga returned career-best T20 figures of 4-9 with his leg-spin as India finished on a paltry 81-8, a total Sri Lanka overhauled in 14.3 overs in Colombo.

Dhananjaya de Silva, unbeaten on 23, and Hasaranga, 14 not out, steered the team home after Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar sent back Sri Lanka’s top three including wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka for 18.

“You can see all the players performed and handled different situations. I am lucky to lead this team,” Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said after the win.

Hasaranga was the star of the day after his twin strikes, including Sanju Samson for nought in the fifth over of India’s innings, put Sri Lanka in charge.

Skipper Shikhar Dhawan was out for nought in the first over off pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera after India elected to bat first.

Number seven Kuldeep Yadav made an unbeaten 23 to take India past their lowest ever T20 score of 74 against Australia in 2008.

The total was India’s lowest against the island nation after they were bowled out for 101 in 2016.

“Wicket was slow, our spinners bowled really well,” said

Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets on his 24th birthday.

man-of-the-match and man-ofthe-series Hasaranga, who took seven wickets in three matches.

“When I bowl, I always try to bowl dot balls, that’s why I pick up wickets.”

Shanaka took two wickets including a sharp caught-andbowled to send back Nitish Rana for six.

Sri Lanka on Wednesday bounced back from an opening loss to win the second match, delayed by one day after India’s Krunal Pandya tested positive for coronavirus putting him in isolation along with eight close contacts.

“It was a difficult situation for us but as a team, we decided we will stay and play the series,” said Dhawan, who was appointed captain for the tour after Virat Kohli’s Test side travelled to England.

“Lots of learnings for me as captain,” he added.

India won the three-match 50-overs series 2-1 after its start was pushed back by five days due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Sri Lankan camp.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, July 30, 2021

Archibald in action Persaud enters tonight in men’s 100m the pool today

By Rawle Toney

EMANUEL Arc h i b a l d ’s d re a m o f competing at the Olympic Games has finally become a reality. The 26-year-old Lindener will take to the starting blocks tonight from 22:35hrs in the men’s 100 metres at the Japan National Stadium.

Archibald, Guyana’s National 100m champion, up to press time, did not know his lane or heat assignment, but, it is expected that he will be alongside some of the men who have posted some of the fastest times in the world this season.

His coach Julian Edmonds had told Chronicle Sport that the South American Senior Championship silver medallist is in pristine shape to

Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald will compete in the Men’s 100 metres in Tokyo, Japan. clock a fast time in Ja- monds, “We did a lot of race models, we did pan.

A c c o r d i n g t o E d - a lot of block work and

we did some flies. The last training sessions, his times were on point where it should be and I will be very surprised if ‘Amo’ does not PR at these games.”

Archibald’s personal best in the distance is 10.22 seconds, set in 2018 in Kingston, Jamaica. He also clocked a wind-assisted 10.18 seconds to win Guyana’s senior Men’s 100 metres at the Athletics Association of Guyana’s (AAG) National Championships in June.

Though representing Guyana at the Olympic Games in the 100 metres, Archibald is more proficient and accomplished in the long jump, where he’s also the country’s National record-holder (8.12m).

in Tokyo

GUYANA’S Aleka Persaud will be in action today from 06:30hrs, in the Women’s 50m freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics.

Persaud’s entry time of 28.10 seconds is faster than the seven other competitions in Heat 4 of the event that will see only 16 fastest times (from 11 Heats) advance to the semi-finals.

President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), Dwayne Scott, told Chronicle Sport, “Aleka, as I’ve said before, is doing pretty decent times. She had more time than Andrew (Fowler) because she was continuously in the pool, she didn’t have some setbacks that Andrew had as it relates to injuries.”

“So we hope that she puts up a faster time, at least her fastest time; that’s the expectation. We expect her to put up her personal best at the Olympics,” Scott said.

Born February 24, 2006, Persaud is Guyana’s youngest-ever Olympian. Brittany Van Lange previously held the record when she competed at the 2012 Olympics. Van Lange at the time was 15 years old, but turned 16 three months after the London Games.

Swimming has been an Olympic sport since 1896 and the first swimmer, male or female, to represent Guyana at the Olympic Games was Linden’s Onan Thom at the 2004 event in Athens, Greece. He was 20 years old at the time. (Rawle Toney)

Slovenia power past Japan, Spain top Argentina

By Rocky Swift

SAITAMA (Reuters) - S l o v e n i a ro l l e d over Japan 116-81 in Olympic men’s basketball yesterday, overwhelming the heroics of Rui Hachimura for the host nation.

Slovenia improved to 2-0 in the group stage, topping 100 points in both games.

Luka Doncic, who plays for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, led with 25 points and got ample scoring help from the rest of the starting five and the bench.

“That’s the thing that separates Luka from other stars. Even

in the NBA, he makes the team better,” said teammate Luka Rupnik. “We have a lot of talent, and Luka just finds the better solutions.”

By contrast, Hachimura had little help on the Japan side. The Washington Wizards star finished with 34 points, up from the 20 he scored in Monday’s loss to Spain.

Slovenia jumped ahead 53-41, in the first half on strong rebounding and accuracy in the paint. The team never fell behind and ran up the score with 15 3-pointers.

“They played better than we,” Japan’s coach Julio Lamas

said at a post-match news conference.

“Doncic is one of the top four or five best players in the world right now,” he added.

Spain stayed even in the group rankings with their 81-71 defeat of Argentina. Ricky Rubio, who plays guard for Minnesota Timberwolves, led the scoring with 26 while Argentina fell 0-2 in the tournament.

In women’s play, Canada bounced back from their loss to Serbia to beat South Korea, 74-53.

The Canadians grew increasingly confident, building on their lead in each quarter with Bridget

Carleton leading the scoring on 18 points.

“We really keyed in on our defensive pressure going into the second half and I think that really helped us with the victory,” said Canada’s Shay Colley.

Canada are now 1-1 in the Group A preliminary round, while South Korea slid to 0-2.

The Spanish women’s team defeated Serbia to go 2-0 in group play. Serbia, now 1-1, had been leading through the first half, but Spain turned it on in the t h i r d q u a r t e r, i n large part via five three-pointers.

Aleka Persaud having a light moment in the Tokyo Olympics Athletes Village

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 30, 2021)

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 30, 2021

Chen keeps China’s perfect table tennis record intact with gold

By Eimi Yamamitsu

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - World number one Chen Meng said winning gold was payback for her coach as she won the women’s singles Olympic table tennis final yesterday, leading China to yet another incredible run of claiming every gold medal in the event in Olympic history.

Chen overcame compa-

Japan’s Mima Ito won the bronze medal by beating Singapore’s Yu Mengyu 4-1, earning Japan’s first-ever medal in the Olympic women’s singles, after she secured gold in the mixed doubles.

“Out of a hundred, I’m 99% frustrated. It’s very close to a hundred ... I’m happy but full of regrets at the same time,” Ito told reporters.

Chen Meng celebrates China’s perfect table tennis record in Olympic history.

triot Sun Yingsha 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9, firing herself up with a mighty yell each time she scored a point.

Meanwhile the 20-yearold Sun in contrast silently gave a reserved fist pump as she tried to get back into the contest.

“All the coaches were supporting me so much, coach Ma Lin even jumped out of his seat. I felt they were more emotional than me,” said Chen, who rushed to hug Ma the moment she won the final.

“After we (China) lost the mixed doubles gold, the pressure on him was immense. During preparations, I felt like he was more nervous than me. But in this moment, that feeling can subside a bit.”

As she held and smilingly stared at her first Olympic gold, Chen chuckled and said that the medal “feels quite heavy”.

The two players held the national flag together right after the match to commemorate their victory in front of the cameras.

“My next goal is winning the gold for the team event,” Chen said at a post-match press conference.

ITO FRUSTRATED

In the men’s singles, China’s Fan Zhendong beat Taiwan’s Lin Yun Ju 4-3, while defending champion Ma Long overcame Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov by the same score to reach today’s final.

The results mean China provided all four finalists in the showpiece matches at the Tokyo Games in the women’s and men’s singles events as they have at every Games since 2008.

China have long been the dominant force in the sport, especially in the women’s singles where the Asian powerhouse have never been beaten to the Olympic title.

While this summer has seen some fierce rivals emerging from Japan, Taiwan, Germany and elsewhere, Chen and Sun said they would still rather compete against Chinese paddlers.

“At the finals, of course I want to fight against my team mate. That way, both the gold and the silver will become China’s,” said Chen.

Earlier yesterday, world number three Sun had overwhelmed Ito in the semi-finals with an 113, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 victory, while Chen had beaten Yu 11-6, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6.

Attention turns to Guyana with West Indies-Pakistan T20 series wide open

COVID-19 forced the West Indies and Pakistan Twenty20 International series to trim from five to four, then the first T20I which was initially scheduled to be second was a no-result with rain having the final say at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Wednesday.

Both sides now journey to Guyana for the final three matches to be held on July 31, August 1 and 3 from 11:00hrs, at the National Stadium, Providence.

It will be another restart to what is the final dress rehearsal for the West Indies team as one unit before they defend their World T20 title in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

While West Indies will be buoyed after a 4-1 success over the Australians, they will know the Pakistanis will prove an even greater test.

This will be the sixth bilateral T20I series between the two teams, Pakistan have dominated the West Indies with wins in four out of the previous five

West Indies and Pakistan last played at Providence in April 2017.

T20I series.

West Indies won the one-off T20I match between the two sides in 2011, Pakistan have held the upper hand since. Overall, out of 14 T20I matches, Pakistan have maintained a stranglehold with 11 wins and a mere three defeats. Of these, seven matches have been staged in the West Indies, with Pakistan winning five and losing two.

The last time the two teams played a T20I series on the Ca-

ribbean soil was in 2017 with the visitors winning the four-match series 3-1.

From a logistical standpoint, the systems are in place to accommodate a 40% capacity of fully-vaccinated fans at the national stadium, and fans must have received their second dose at least vaccinated at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the match they wish to attend.

Tickets are priced at $4 000 for each match and will be avail-

able for purchase at the GCB Office, Regent Road, Bourda; Imran and Son at 73 ‘A’ Rose Hall Town, Berbice and at Imam Bacchus and Sons at Affiance, Essequibo Coast.

All three locations would be open daily from 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs on non-match days.

Tickets will only be sold for the Red, Green and Orange stands. There is a no-entry policy for the Grass Mound.

Spectators will need to produce their vaccination card, wear face masks to gain entry to the matches and keep wearing masks throughout.

Fans will also need to remain socially distanced at all times.

When sales commenced Wednesday, several fans expressed their delight in the return of international cricket to Guyana since 2019, when India visited. Fans hope for a dominant performnce from West Indies and also to see local players Shimron Hetmyer and Kevin Sinclair in action.

CWI pays tribute to late Rawle Brancker

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has paid tribute to former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Rawle Brancker, who passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

Brancker, a left-arm slow bowler and classy middle-order batsman, was a member of the West Indies squad which toured England in 1966.

During his playing days he was a member of the famous Empire Club where he was team-mate of leg-

ends Sir Frank Worrrell, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Conrad Hunte, Sir Charles Griffith, and Seymour Nurse.

After his playing days, he was a successful businessman in his native Barbados.

He was also Chairman of the Organising Committee for the ICC 2007 Cricket World Cup. Ricky Skerritt, President of CWI said: “It is with sadness that we learned today of the passing of Rawle Brancker, a man who made an

immense contribution to the game of cricket and to business and social life in Barbados and the region.

As one of the game’s leading West Indian cricket administrators, he helped to develop the framework and chart the course of preparations when we hosted the biggest global cricket event to come to our shores.

On behalf of CWI and all stakeholders, I extend sincere condolences to his wife Roxanne and the entire Barbados cricket fraternity.” (CWI)

Former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Rawle Brancker

Lee, Dressel take gold; China break world record in women’s 4x200m freestyle swimming See page 23

China’s quartet set a new world record in taking 4x200m freestyle relay gold.

CWI salutes Sir Garfield Sobers - 85 not out

Caeleb Dressel and Sunisa Lee both won gold for the United States on day six of the Olympic Games

Legendary Guyana and West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul met on Wednesday with Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr.

ON Wednesday, Cricket West Indies (CWI) saluted the greatest cricketer of alltime – Sir Garfield Sobers – who celebrated his 85th birthday. Sir Garry is heralded and celebrated for his amazing skills on the field and his outstanding role as an ambassador off the field.

In his playing days he was a supremely attacking batsman capable of taking apart any bowling attack. He made 8 032 runs in 93 Tests Continued on page 23

Sir Garfield Sobers celebrates 85 not out

‘Shiv’ meets Sport Minister; commits to working with Elite Academy See page 23

Liverpool fan injured in Hillsborough stadium disaster dies 32 years later 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

See page 25

| FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021