Wednesday August 02, 2017
A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE TALENT OF LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEAR EDITOR, There are some positive things happening in Guyana that we don’t seem to hear about, or are reminded of. How many of us know that the only fully automated concrete block factory in the Caribbean is located in Guyana? I had the honor of visiting KSM Investments at the invitation of its owner Mr. Mahadeo Panchu last Saturday where I saw firsthand the operations of this state of the art concrete block factory which also produces “pavers” which are special blocks that are used for paving roads, sidewalks, medians etc. This almost $10 million (US) investment has generated 20 direct jobs and more employment can be created if more of the blocks
and pavers are used for local construction of buildings, roads, pavements, parking lots and medians. The new parking lot at State House, official residence of the President of Guyana was recently paved with pavers manufactured at KSM Investments. My visit revealed an operation that is carried out with precision to ensure a consistent quality product which is just NOT plenty sand and some cement. These products consist of a mixture of a type of gravel, cement and sand based on a specified international quality control ratio of each of these inputs and each batch is weighed to ensure that there is consistency in the quality. This is monitored from a sophisticated control room
which can immediately detect any discrepancy in the ratio of inputs. I am quite impressed with this operation especially since I see an increasing number of high rise buildings in Guyana. I am told that many of these new high rise buildings are using these high quality blocks but that many contractors and sub contractors on government projects such as schools are still not using these high quality blocks which help to ensure the stability and safety of these structures. I know that the shovel and spade production of concrete blocks /slabs generates significant employment and this must be taken into account. But we should not be compromising safety, especially on government
buildings such as schools and high traffic offices. Also, the use of pavers on select roads (certainly not highways) could also prove advantageous since these pavers are everlasting, and where there is sinkage/ erosion the pavers can be removed, the base refilled and the same pavers put back. I am impressed by the operations of this entity which I was not aware of prior to my visit. Mr. Panchu and I are friends on Face Book and met for the first time last Saturday. His investment deserves every support. This factory should be operational at full capacity not only to generate more employment but to ensure that our buildings meet internationally established safety standards. Wesley Kirton
NEED FOR A PETROLEUM INSTITUTE TO BE PART OF UG’S CURRICULUM DEAR EDITOR, There have been many comments concerning the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund with respect to the coming production of oil and gas in this country. What concerns me more is the setting up of adequate funding to cater for the training of local personnel in the various crafts attached to the production and marketing of hydrocarbons. This country needs to make sure that local content does not merely involve the shelling out of contracts to the already rich and famous but also the creation of opportunities for employment
in both the management and other levels of activity within this nascent industry. Our national problem is what to do for our youth. We can start now to set up a training fund to cater for the training of requisite skills abroad while at the same time we make strides to fund a local petroleum institute attached to UG. This local institute will cater to the training needs that will exist. Our agreement with all the players in the industry must cater for the placement of our own young people in all strata so that within a period of 20 years we can be assured that a significant number of
persons employed shall be Guyanese. The time to start is now. Companies like Halliburton will draw their staff mainly from the continental USA. We must change this situation within the first decade of oil/gas production. On another matter; I can’t help remarking about the short shrift given a report received by the police concerning a threat to the life of the Republic’s President. I personally feel that those who received the report have trivialised it and made it to look like it is not an important issue. Government needs to take
a critical review of the persons who received the said report and the manner in which it was dealt with throughout the chain of command. Judging from the after effects of the recent prison disturbances and all their attendant circumstances, it is high time that significant changes be made in the hierarchy of the Joint Services. If these persons in charge cannot think seriously on matters concerning our President’s security, then none of us in the public can be made to feel safe under their watch. Cyril Walker
A MOTHER PLEADS FOR THE SAFETY OF HER SON IN THE JAIL DEAR EDITOR, With all the drama of the Camp Street prison fire, jailbreak, pasture prison, tarmac prison, brick prison, Lusignan prisoners and security at war, prisoners shot etc, and still there is no solution, I am hoping to see my son alive. He stole my neighbour’s phone and was waiting for trial when he scaled the Camp Street Prison fence according to prison officials. His case for the cell phone was dismissed and he was given twelve (12) months imprisonment for scaling the fence. I did not help him with
a lawyer because I felt that I have been helping since 2010 when it was determined that he was mentally unstable. I regard his life just as I regard any other, the authorities took him alive in their care so I hope that is how he is going to get out of there. His reaction to charges set against him and sentencing in the courtroom is an indication of his state of mind. The Government of Guyana took my son in their care in December 2016. Are they capable of keeping my son, Roscoe McIntyre safe throughout the end of his sentence?
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What will they tell me if anything goes wrong? What did they tell the relatives of Charles Peters? Is that what they are going to tell me? Mentally deranged individuals needs to have better care and a better holding place. I went to the prison service to seek an audience with the Director of Prisons about my concerns and was told that he was out. The people there took my contact information and said they will contact me. To this very day I was not contacted. Maybe if he had given me the time of day he would have gotten some ideas that would have prevented the daring
prison break that cost his prison a loss of life and property. Since this event took place after my son strolled out of the prison months before the daring escape, I always thought it was lack of security. Persons in high offices need to be ready to listen and accept constructive criticisms. Criticisms which can turn into ideas that most have to pay consultants for. Lorraine McIntyre
GCCI has subtly disrespected the President DEAR EDITOR, The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) recently held a rather extravagant dinner for the launching of its business magazine. The Magazine focuses on the promise of oil and what it means for the country. The problem arises when one ventures into the pages of this magazine. On page 4, one notices the message of the GCCI President, Deodat Indar. But following that is the message of President, David Granger on Page 6. Editor, for a business magazine, the Chamber has certainly acted in an impertinent manner. How does the message of a GCCI President appear before that of a President of a nation? Any layman would understand that the order of importance would dictate which appears first. The Chamber needs to do better than this. Shirmala Thompson
Hindu pandit of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha defends himself DEAR EDITOR, I wish to reply to an article published on 28th July, 2017 by Mr. Badree Etwaroo, Phd, referring to the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha. I am a young Hindu priest, and member representing the oldest organisation in Guyana, the Maha Sabha Ashram. I understand that perfection is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves; the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough. Mr. Etwaroo, I oppose your absurd statements about the Maha Sabha being run by unintellectual individuals and would like to ask you that if your critical thinking is that authoritative to make such statements, why not voice your suggestions on the board of executive members so that it can be taken into consideration? Mr. Editor, I wasn’t expecting any better. The Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha currently has Pandit’s training classes, Hindi, Sanskrit and philosophy classes. Many
other cultural activities take place yearly in which various organisation’s and government ministries are witnesses to. Mr. Etwaroo, don’t try to silence other people’s genius just because you’re too deaf to hear your own. When you judge others you do not define them, you define yourself by revealing your true character of being a “staunch Hindu” as you call yourself to be. Our motto at the Sabha vows to “protect your Dharma as Dharma will protect you”. Hence, your unethical suspicions display your negligence in protecting your Dharma. I make no hesitation in welcoming your critical opinions as we can work together to uphold dharma in a cohesive manner. But in closing, I wish to tell you that criticism will only plant fear in the heart and minds of our fellow humans, but it can never foster love and affection amongst Hinduism. Pandit Ubraj Narine, JP Priest in charge Maha Sabha
This type of advertising maybe misleading and should be stopped DEAR EDITOR, The practice of advertisers using cliches and phrases, particularly in radio and television commercials, such as: ‘Here is a breaking news alert’ or ‘Breaking news item’ or the more popular ‘ We interrupt this programme to bring you a breaking news’ as an attention getter to grab and hold the listener/ viewer’s ear and attention, depicts a lazy attitude among script writers in not seeking other and more original opening lines. This can be likened to a drought in the creative writing landscape. The above lines are being misused and their usage in commercials should cease. Shamshun Mohamed
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
Congratulations to Digicel Since Guyana neglected her, for sponsoring football for she may represent the USA secondary schools DEAR EDITOR, Congratulations are in order to Digicel for running off their National Secondary Schools’ Football Championship successfully once again. Even though there may have been a few challenges, the coordinator and his team must be commended. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Chase’s Academy that played a high level of football to be crowned champions for the second consecutive year. The winning of the championship was not a walk in the park as the final score line suggested but was the result of proper planning and investment by the principal and his team and for this, they ought to be given their due. Commiseration to the other teams that were not successful but displayed their talent to the best of their ability notwithstanding the challenges they may have encountered. I would like to single out the two Hinterland teams that competed for the third place and championship title respectively, namely, Dr. Ceasar-Fox Secondary School, commonly known as Waramandong Secondary and Annai Secondary School respectively.
The above-mentioned teams have been consistently performing against teams from the Coastland which have access to more resources – financial and technical – and rising to the occasion, giving their avid supporters a sense of pride and victory. What those teams showcased was natural talent and passion for the game but, talent alone is not enough to win championships. There is need for tangible and continuous investment – proper physical facilities, certified coaches and referees and overall enabling structures – which will realize formal, institutionalize frameworks for effective administration and management of football in the hinterland. One such example is an effective club structure, which will ultimately lead to GFF Member Associations being established in respective regions to manage the game from the club to member association. Editor, with the natural love for the game – as evidenced by the hundreds who attended the finals in support of the hinterland teams – coupled with
strategic technical and physical investment, I am confident that we’ll not only see more competitive play in tournaments such as Digicel’s but also more players from the hinterland communities being included in the national teams. This is already on a progressive track with youth players from the Rupununi and Bartica representing admirably in international tournaments. The current football administration has made a great start by their outreach to the hinterland and expressed desire to effect change in the way football is developed in same. The overall goal, however, requires both public and private-sector partnerships, including the government, to maximize the potential of the players by investing in the technical and human resources, physical infrastructures and creating opportunities for consistent play. It is my hope that once this path is followed, in the next year or two, we should see the first fruits of hinterland teams, which are more competitive in their technical and tactical ability as well as mental game in school and other interassociation tournaments. Dexter Glasgow
Iran’s penal code recognizes inferior and superior humans DEAR EDITOR, Farhang Amiri, 63, was murdered outside his home on 26 September 2016 in the city of Yazd, Iran, where he and his family have long resided. A court in Yazd has recently sentenced a man convicted of the public murder of a Baha’i to just eleven years in prison and two years away from home. The court justified the
sentence by stating that according to the Islamic penal code, the accused and the victim are not equal for the general purpose of retributive justice. This astonishing provision clearly and deliberately deprives Baha’is of the legal right to seek justice on equal-footing with the country’s non Baha’i majority. The murder of Farhang Amiri, a 63-year-old father of four children, occurred in September 2016 in Yazd on the street outside his home in public view. He was brutally stabbed to death by two brothers who immediately admitted to having been motivated by religious hatred. The younger man was sentenced to half of his brother’s sentence for aiding in the murder. The two men confessed to stabbing Farhang
Amiri to death with the explicitly stated intention of killing a Baha’i. These sentences for the killing of an innocent man clearly demonstrate the inherent discrimination and injustice at the heart of Iran’s penal code, which treats its own citizens on an unequal basis because of their religious belief. Such a verdict undermines the Iranian authorities’ claims to equality for all their citizens before the law. Clearly, the legal system encourages violence against Baha’is, the largest religious minority. We call on Iranians to consider how their society can possibly advance when the legal system, which should dispense justice, manifests such breath-taking inequity. Rooplall Dudhnath
DEAR EDITOR, I was never wrong. Editors, you can all attest to the fact that I have penned articles which was published in the past in particular about US based Track Athlete and World Junior Silver Medalist, Kadecia Beard. I only know of the young lady from the press reports since she made headlines a while back and I did say that Guyana was never in a position to financially undertake the cost of maintaining this young lady with her career. I suggested via my publications that perhaps she should look at her options in
the USA and if she manages to come by a major sponsor and makes Team USA, she will be better off representing that flag. I honestly don’t think that there is anyone who joined in penning an article in support and many felt that she is better off representing Team Guyana. Well, I just read in another newspaper dated July 18, 2017 and captioned ‘Thompson, Baird blame Aliann Pompey invitational performances on lack of support.’ Kadecia Baird did say in the above mentioned article that she is about ready to shop around elsewhere and
possibly not representing Guyana at the London World Championships 2017 and in 2018 she could run for another country. I tap myself on the shoulders. I was never wrong that Guyana was not prepared to nurture and fund Kadecia Baird towards international stardom after the World Junior Championships where she earned a silver medal some years ago. If it is not too late, I say publicly to Kadecia Baird, you have my full support if you manage and choose to compete for TEAM USA. T.Pemberton
African Guyanese must be equal with other communities DEAR EDITOR, Up, you mighty people! With much pride in the post emancipation period Africans have sung “First of August come again.” This reminder of the struggle that finally broke the physical chains of bondage on 1st August 1838....179 years after there’s still ways to go to secure other forms of emancipation. Having had the opportunity to visit and interact with many predominantly African communities, I am acutely aware of what the African family has had to live with. The stench of hardship, deprivation, marginalisation,
negative public images, criminalisation, and demonisation lingers. Some among us have been agents or pawns of a system of cannibalising their own in pursuit of self-interest. But this must not be seen as evidence that Africans are lesser than, or incapable of. This must be used as reminders of what Africans must not be and must strive at all cost to avoid. If ever the time is ripe, it is now for Africans to be the change we want to see and deserve. It is time to take our rightful place in this nation, to be equal partner with other groups. Historical struggles
that led to success when people came together for common cause must see this power use to secure our advancement and upliftment. This power must also be used to hold all who act on our behalf accountable, even as we so hold ourselves to conduct our lives in a manner that would be of honour to the race. Up, you mighty people! The struggle must continue for mental, economic, political and social emancipation. An investment in you is an investment in equality, society’s growth and development. Sharma Solomon
Complaints against the REO of Region 5 by Mobraikabai Amerindians DEAR EDITOR, Residents of the Mobraikabai Amerindian village of Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice) complained bitterly to me when I visited that village on 28-29th July, 2017 that the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 5 wants to take over the village’s guest house through the passing of instructions to the Management of that guest house. This is a gross violation of the Amerindian Act 2006 since it is only the Moraikabai village council that has this right and no other entity or person and more specifically Mora i k a b a i i s a t i t l e d Amerindian village governed by the Amerindian Act 2006. I
wonder if the Region’s REO knows about this? It doesn’t seem so. On the basis that Moraikabai is a titled Amerindian village governed by a village council, I advised village residents to reject any instruction or instructions handed down to them by the REO. And I further advised that anyone who wishes to enter village lands must first apply and receive the permission of the village council (section 5 of the Amerindian Act 2006). And if that person contravenes this section of the Amerindian Act, that person is guilty of an offence which carries a penalty (section 5(2) of Am. Act 2006).
But can the Region 5 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) say if it is aware about the actions of its REO that pertain to the Moraikabai village guest house? If not, can the Region 5 RDC ensure that instructions by its REO to the Moraikabai village guest house be ceased immediately? I am aware that Guyana’s 10 RDCs (not all of them) provide for Amerindian village development in their Regional Budgets for submission to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) for the compilation of Guyana’s National Budget, but this does not mean they have to micro-manage, own and control any development project built by state funds. Peter Persaud
Wednesday August 02, 2017
GCCI to push for seats on 16 State Boards
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) wants to have greater representation on certain State institutions. To achieve this goal, the Chamber will be pushing to have at least one of its members on each of the 16 State boards. GCCI’s ambition was announced at the recent launch of its eight edition of the Business Journal. At that forum, GCCI’s President, Deodat Indar, outlined some of the Chamber’s plans for the future. He said that over the next two years the Chamber will be advocating for businesses more than ever before. He said that it will be pushing for reduced taxation and reduction of importatio n issues specifically with customs and food and drugs. Perhaps representation on State Boards is seen as a way to achieve the other goals. “ We w i l l p u s h f o r representation on state boards for agencies that interact and interface with the population and businesses in order to contribute to the development of the private sector and Guyana as a whole,” Indar said. He said that the Chamber is yet to approach the government with the idea. He said, “The GCCI will be making representation to the President of Guyana to have a seat on 16 state Boards so the private sector via the Chamber can have a representative and be a contributor in the true sense to the development of Guyana. “ Indar told Kaieteur News that some of the
GCCI President, Deodat Indar Boards the Chamber is interested in include those governing the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil). He said, too, that members of GCCI have been experiencing many problems with the Food and Drugs Department of the Ministry of Health. Indar said that the Chamber is therefore recommending that a Board be set up to overlook the operation of the Food and Drugs Department and that a seat is given to the Chamber. In a previous interview, Indar told Kaieteur News, “ We have members complaining that they have been getting a hard time bringing goods into the country resulting in spoilage of imports and we have addressed the issues with the Director of Food and Drug as well as the Minister (of Health, Volda Lawrence.” When he spoke about the ambitions of the GCCI at the magazine’s launch, Indar also boasted about the things the Chamber is
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already doing. He said, “Our advocacy is loud on issues such as parking meters in the City a n d VAT o n P r i v a t e Tu i t i o n . We are contributing and advising on the improvement of economic sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, importation, wholesale and retail, small and micro businesses, f o r e s t r y, financial services, construction, oil and gas and other sectors. “We are working with other Business Support Organizations (BSO) to remedy issues and constraints facing these sectors in the furtherance of development of the private sector.” Further, Indar said, “We are and will be working with the Ministry of Natural Resources on Local Content Policy and legislation, where and how we expend revenues from Oil and the New Petroleum Commission Bill. We are working with the Ministry of Finance on a Public Private Partnership Policy Framework and will provide input to the National Budget for 2018 via the budget consultation process. “We are working with Ministry of Public Health on food and drug importation issues faced by importers and the procurement of pharma supplies by Government to ensure all private sector suppliers are given a fair chance. “We are working with the Ministry of Business, Private Sector Commission, and Guyana Manufacturing Sector Association on a Business to Business Exposition which will be in April 2018.”
YOU HAVE TO VALUE YOUR FREEDOM Persons from all across the country were urged by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to value their freedom during Emancipation Day celebrations which were held yesterday at the National Park. The venue was filled to capacity. This major celebration which was held under the theme: ‘Moving Forward; Building Guyana Through Ujamaa!’ was hosted by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA). Emancipation Day honours the African ancestors and their contributions towards a free society which Guyana now enjoys. Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes; Minister within the Ministry of Health, Karen Cummings and other Cabinet members and Members of Parliament were among those in attendance. During his address, the Prime Minster said, “You have to value your freedom.” He said that persons must not only cherish the historic freedom but the freedom that has brought them this far. According to Nagamootoo, this freedom has taken Guyanese away from systems and factors that may block them from valuing their freedom. He reminded that Guyana was colonized by the Dutch, English, French and Spanish; he spoke of the search for the golden city of ElDorado. “Let us move forward to build our country of which we should all be proud of… a modern country, a progressive country, a prosperous country.” He added that Guyana stands at the top of a new golden era of being among oil and gas producing nations and is moving closer to realizing this historic
— Prime Minister urges at 179th Emancipation celebrations dream. “You must give thanks that this country after many years has forged what many countries have been unable to forge. (This) is a united, broad, democratic coalition government…a coalition that is described as a rainbow coalition that includes all of our people, all ethnicities, people of all cultural diversities, all political opinions…” The National Park was transformed into a colourful spectacle as Emancipation revelry took over. A majority of the diverse crowd were attired in African-wear, with many of them making an effort to fashionably celebrate the day. The crowd size could be described as disappointing the earlier part of the afternoon. However, it grew sizably as the day progresses. Upon entering the National Park, melodious sound emanated from drums.
Persons quickly secured seats to prepare for the cultural presentation that featured poems, dances and the much anticipated float parade among other activities. There were also performances from talented Guyanese such as Tenecia De Freitas, and the Hebrew Family. A poem entitled ‘Hey Black Child’ was recited by five-year-old Michael Douglas. There were several booths on display exhibiting artifacts depicting African culture, while others had displays of clothing, jewellery and ornaments. Food bars were also prevalent, with most selling traditional African foods like cook up rice, black pudding, foo foo and konki. From all indication, the crowd was more interested in having a good time, with many of them gyrating to the music with their loved ones. The booths were an added attraction. (See photos on centrespread)
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UG on course to addressing ‘REP’ problem – Vice Chancellor Faced with a “REP” problem for a protracted period, the University of Guyana [UG] is in desperate need of redemption. The way has already been paved for this renaissance but the problem must be recognised in order for it to be effectively addressed. Several problems faced by the state university were recently amplified by its Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith. “UG has had an REP—Resources, Esteem, and Perspicacity—problem. I am quite mindful of the prescient proposition of Writer and Philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore: ‘You cannot cross the sea simply by standing and staring at the water.’ “Thus, on assuming the ViceChancellorship, rather than lament, I launched Project Renaissance, which aims to rebuild UG’s educational and economic enterprise and enable it to become a consequential national and international educational stakeholder,” asserted Professor Griffith. Professor Griffith’s remarks were made during his inaugural speech after making history as the first Vice Chancellor of the UG to have a coronation ceremony. But Professor Griffith hopes to also make history
by revolutionising the national university. He observed that “this institution’s recent yesterdays have been characterized by neglect and stormy seas, with an interlinked three-dimensional predicament, which revolved around resources, both in relation to acquisition and management; esteem, internal as well as external, and notably in relation to academic credibility and brand; and perspicacity, in that the University had lost its intellectual spunk when it comes to critical inquiry and theoretical and applied research.” He said that his vision for a renaissance project is both a dreaming and doing project. “Why dream, some have asked, when this University has suffered such neglect and for so long? This Renaissance Bridge Building Project has four main pillars, called imperatives, and six values,” asserted Professor Griffith. According to the university’s Principal, the first imperative is capital investment, which involves human capital, physical capital, and brand capital. Second to this is academic
UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith enhancement, which Professor Griffith said, entails improving instructional credentials, curricula and andragogy [adult education], and introducing new educational programmes and research to address national and regional business, civic, and overall development needs. He pointed out that the economic viability imperative is the
third pillar. This imperative, he said, requires fortifying the major existing revenue streams, that is, governm e n t s u b v e n t i o n s a n d tuition fees but also expanding the revenue base, through alumni and corporate giving, grants, and merchandising. The fourth Imperative, Alumni Engagement, entails reaching out to UG graduates within and outside Guyana, celebrating their accomplishments, and inviting them to aid the continued pursuit of our mission and goals. “As one might suspect, pursuing Project Renaissance has daunting, Herculean elements. It entails facing and fixing, to quote writer James Baldwin, and it involves pursuing new ventures and setting new baselines, some of which are new to UG and to Guyana, although not new to the academy in many parts of the world,” said Professor Griffith. “Understandably, then, decision-making often has been— and will be—tough. But, as Roy Disney once averred—and correctly so, in my view: ‘It’s not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are,” said Professor Griffith who confidently underscored that “our Renaissance pursuits are
guided by six cardinal values: Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Transparency, Inclusion, and Efficiency.” But such values, according to the Vice Chancellor, cannot be merely platitudinous incantations; they must be lived. He added, “in relation to excellence, for example, Aristotle reminds us of the importance of habituation: ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit,’ he said. Living these values is particularly important at this period of Guyana’s contemporary history, as our nation has a considerable Respect-deficit and Integrity-challenged profile. “The onus is on us at the University to aid the alteration of this profile over time,” underscored the Vice Chancellor. Even as he pointed out that changes introduced at the university have started to yield laudable results, Vice Chancellor Griffith noted that this has not been without challenges and criticisms. He, however, noted that the University will continue to boasts of its success. This, he revealed, will entail the posting of a scorecard to the University’s website for the world to see.
Wednesday August 02, 2017
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Ramjattan’s future is in Trotman’s hands Khemraj Ramjattan, the Minister of Public Security, is likely to become the next victim of a Cabinet change. There are forces egging on the President to dismiss Mr. Ramjattan by daring the President to show what he can do. His position has without question been weakened not so much by the problems faced in prison management, riots, jailbreaks and the ensuing insecurity within society. But what is likely to cost him his job, if it does, has nothing to do with his performance as Minister of Public Security. Mr. Ramjattan’s position became untenable because of the decision of Raphael Trotman
to challenge him for leadership of the AFC. When the leader of the party with which the APNU formed a coalition and the point person of the AFC in the government is going to be removed as his party’s leader just under two years into the coalition, it changed the whole dynamics of power within the coalition government. Ramjattan’s principal bargaining chip within the coalition was that he was the leader of the AFC and therefore could influence the position which the AFC took within the government. He held the power within the AFC to break up the coalition since his party’s votes in the
National Assembly were critical to the coalition retaining its numerical advantage. He could not have been touched so long as he was leader of the AFC. He is no longer the leader. Raphael Trotman may one day be asked to explain why he opted to challenge for leadership of the AFC within the first two years of the coalition government. He must have considered the fact that a successful challenge would place Ramjattan in a weakened position within the AFC if he, Ramjattan, lost those elections for leader, as he did. The AFC weakened itself within the government when
DEM BOYS SEH...
Soulja Bai got Jagdeo howling wid de Chat-3 as back-up People know how a dog does protect she pups. If you is de person who does feed de dog she gun tolerate you around de pups but if you is a casual, don’t go near; is trouble. Is de same thing wid de broadcast licence. Jagdeo release dem licence just like a dog releasing she pups. People who didn’t deserve any, collect but friends and family get de best. When dem boys ask him why certain people didn’t get he and he mouthpiece seh that he is de boss and he decide who get. He sit down in Cabinet and he talk how de Waterfalls paper does cuss him every day. He then tun and tell everybody that if he give de paper radio licence that de Waterfalls boss man gun cuss him every minute. In public he seh how de Waterfalls boss man got a news paper suh he don’t have to get radio and TV licence. Right away dem boys ask if he didn’t know that when he give Babbie radio and TV although Babbie had newspaper. De man had an answer fuh that.
But dem boys remember how he get vex when people seh he wrang fuh share out radio licence. He put Sityra Gyal fuh cuss out de American Ambassador./ Dem boys seh he should a pick pluck and cuss de man heself instead of using that li’l hot hand gyal. This week de news come out that Soulja Bai gen tek back dem same licence that Jagdeo give out. Dem boys seh that if dem had dem own way dem woulda tek de licence, de equipment and de money dem mek, then jail some of dem. But from de time de news come out Jagdeo run out to protect dem puppies. He howl and he get de Chat-3 to howl wid him. Dem start fuh talk bout attack on press freedom. Well dem boys want to know who press freedom people gun attack when dem tek way de radio station from de Pee Pee Pee. Jagdeo never talk bout press freedom when he refuse to give a licence to any other political party. Talk half and wait fuh more howling.
it narrowly voted for a new leader. It was a politically suicidal decision of the AFC to vote in a new leader so soon into the coalition government. The AFC is putting up a façade of unity. But the party’s elections revealed schisms which the party has been quick not to publicize. The decision to elect a new leader had implications for ethnic security in Guyana. Ramjattan is no ordinary Minister. He is a Vice President. The new leader of his party is not a Vice President, at least not as yet. Mr. Ramjattan’s position within the government has implications for ethnic insecurity. If he is removed, East Indians will feel insecure. The AFC had recognized the importance of the public
security portfolio to ethnic security and it had negotiated for that position to go to the AFC. It was no accident that Ramjattan was chosen for that job. He was to be the basis of ethnic security for the East Indian supporters of the AFC. How are these supporters going to feel if he is removed, even given all that has happened? The government is sensitive about its image. It has to tread carefully when it comes to removing Ministers who are East Indians so as to not unseat the ethnic balance within Cabinet. This may have been a consideration when Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine was asked to reconsider his resignation. The future of Ramjattan lies in the hands of his party’s leaders. The President, who
holds full executive authority, legally, can remove him whenever he pleases but given that there is an agreement between the AFC and the APNU, it is not likely that the President will remove Ramjattan without consulting with the AFC’s new leader. And it is not likely that the new leader would want to commit to any decision to remove Ramjattan without the consent of the Executive of the party. Ramjattan’s future therefore lies more in the hands of his party’s Executive than it does about the fallout from the jailbreak.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 02, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
I encounter slime eels daily; yes every day In my Monday column, with the heading, “Slimy eels that crawled out of the gutter of dictatorship,” I applied the term slimy eels to those newly born columnists, commentators, newspaper letter-writers, political observers after describing what an offensive, dirty, slimy, slippery creature the slime eel is. I got the term from the British news magazine, The Economist. The magazine says that biologically, the slime eel has no eyes, no back backbone, no central nervous system. But what about memory? The Economist didn’t touch on that. I didn’t do the
research but it has to be that the slime eel hasn’t got memory cells. How else do you explain its action and behaviour? Each day I am out on the roadways. I shop; I stop at different places; people call out to me. I swear on my parents’ graves, parents that I worship and love, that months after the APNU+AFC came to power, I got reactions from people cursing, cussing down and abusing the present government. In all instances, these public encounters came from one section of our country. Since those few months, into the new government, I get these reactions daily. From
the time the PPP lost power right up to this day of publication, I received and get troubling vexations from that section of the community about complaints of bad governance, racist preferences, incestuous politics, corrupt ministers, falling economy, uncaring government, police misbehavior, GPL nonperformance and an ocean of lamentations. Without exception, they all want the government to go, and without exception, they utter not even half a word of condemnation of the PPP administration. Here is an extract from my column of Tuesday, July 11,
Guyana Prison Service seeks retired senior NCOs
Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, has announced that in an effort to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Prison Service, applications from retired senior noncommissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force and the Prison Service would be considered. These retired officers who wish to join the Guyana Prison Service can submit written applications to the Director of Prisons, 46 Brickdam, Stabroek or call telephone number
225- 6003 for further details. “Recent challenges which the Guyana Prison Service has been faced with require us to look at all possibilities in strengthening our internal capacity. We know that there is a core of experienced security services officers who have expressed a willingness to continue to give service to the nation and we believe it would be eminently sensible to engage these officers at this time,” Mr. Samuels said.
2017 with the caption, “Surely, the mind cannot be so ugly and naked.” This is what I wrote when I was in Wakenaam for my niece’s funeral; “This person is quite known to my wife. He sat next to me at the back when the Hindu ceremony was taking place. As usual, when I meet with someone I haven’t seen for a long time, political discussion is deterministically present. In talking about the economy, he said, “This government is worse than the previous one.” He wasn’t prepared for my razor-sharp exclamation. I said; “Come on man, this government is not even two years old. How can you say that?” He smiled and said, “Yes yuh right”. Surely, a mind cannot be that ugly, creepy, barren, and so sick to say that just after twenty months or so, the Coalition Government is a worse administration than the reign of Jagdeo and Ramotar. “ How could Guyanese have lived under these two deformed regimes and compare them to Mr. Granger’s administration?” The thing about these daily encounters is that many
of them are ordinary folks who are intellectually underdeveloped so they cannot apply concepts to the understanding of life and that is understandable. They react emotionally and sentimentally to political situations in their country. It is the slimy eels that should know better. The slimy eels who have university education, business experience, travel experience, are parents who brought up children that they have educated, have mixed with rational humans and have seen life. I was in some inelegant situations in which I forgave the person but can I forgive the university trained mind for having an ugly soul? I will briefly recap two of these situations. I was with my dog travelling from Mattai’s Supermarket. I turned into Avenue of the Republic by the NBS and as I swung east into Robb Street, I saw the Chinese variety store right at the junction, and remembered I had to get blue tablets for the toilet. I made a quick stop, hoping not to be long because my dog was locked up in the car. At the check-
Frederick Kissoon out counter, this middle age woman asked to speak to me when we both leave. She said she wants to ask me why I used to criticize my own Indian people. Obviously, she meant the PPP. The other one was at the gas station. I only fill up from one particular gas station because it is owned by a friend. I was next in line when I heard the attendant and the driver talking my name and bad-mouthing the Coalition regime. After I was filled up, I asked him the amount. In a vexed tone, he said; “Yuh ain seeing it deh?” He was showing me the reading on the pump. That was rude. I could have got him in trouble with a complaint but I didn’t. Trust me! Those are only two incidents out of countless others. The slimy eels are pouring out their slime.
Wednesday August 02, 2017
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Kaieteur News
130 teachers benefit from overseas training One hundred and thirty teachers from across Guyana are set to benefit from a fourday workshop organized by School of the Nations in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The workshop, which commenced yesterday, is being facilitated by 25 trained teachers from the (Limited Resources Teachers Training (LRTT) programme. The workshop is being held at the School of the Nations located on New Market Street, Georgetown. The trainers include teachers from the United States of America, United Kingdom and the Middle East. The LRTT’s representatives also facilitated a one-week summer camp at School of the Nations pro bono facility at New Amsterdam and a four-day workshop for teachers there. LRTT delivers in-service training to teachers in countries with limited resources. The program seeks to address the issue of low quality teaching and learning, by providing a model of highquality, low-cost teacher training. Training is based on tested strategies which use international practice while
The volunteers with participants of the summer camp held in New Amsterdam.
considering local challenges and context. Every year, during the August holidays, professional teachers travel in groups to different countries to assist children and local teachers. The countries that benefited last year were Guyana, Ghana, Uganda,
India, Nepal, Cambodia, Rwanda and Tanzania. All the volunteers are professional teachers in their respective countries. Kaieteur News was informed that every year, during the August vacation, teachers from LRTT volunteer to offer their services to
Reduction of class sizes could dispel need for corporal punishment - RCC If moves are made to review how education is delivered, particularly in the public education system, the issue of corporal punishment is not likely to be brought into question. This is the observation of Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of the Rights of the Child Commission [RCC], Mr. Amarnauth Panday. Panday’s disclosure in this regard was forthcoming when questioned about the usage of corporal punishment in the school system. Although over the years the debate has been fierce both for and against the use of corporal in the school system, Panday insisted that since the RCC subscribes to the Convention on the Rights of the Child [CRC] it cannot support a move that will infringe on the rights of children. “We are opposed to the usage of corporal punishment in all its forms,” insisted the RCC CEO even as he urged that other measures be implemented as an alternative to corporal punishment. “Alternative means of discipline could be contemplated and exercised that could see children being disciplined in a non-violent way,” Panday insisted. The reduction of class sizes has been recommended by the RCC to ensure that nonviolent approaches to discipline could be utilised. According Panday this recommendation was made to the previous Minister of Education but the RCC is still waiting to see it seriously implemented across the public education system. “There are some schools you go to and there are classes of 50 and 60 students with one teacher discharging education, monitoring and disciplining and everything...that is a recipe for disaster because it would be insurmountable to try to maintain discipline in a situation like that,” Panday considered. He continued, “If you have a situation
Mr. Amarnauth Panday, CEO, Rights of the Child Commission where the class is much smaller, it would be much easier for the teacher to manage and less likely to be frustrating so there would be no thought of employing corporal punishment.” Currently corporal punishment in the public school system is administered by or with the guidance of the school’s principal. In the absence of the principal a senior master of mistress is tasked with assuming this responsibility. But Panday underscored the importance of revisiting the existing stance the education system embraces regarding corporation punishment. He added, “Education is something that happens best in smaller groups rather than larger classrooms so that is one of the recommendations that we have made to make the learning environment more personal and more manageable.” Although the issue of corporal punishment was debated at the high decision making level – the National Assembly – the Continued on page 12
developing nations. They pay their own expense and if they cannot afford, they do fundraising. Last year, there were 22
volunteers in Guyana, 19 teachers and three team leaders (also teachers). The team also went to Lethem where a one-week workshop
was held for teachers in that region. In the end, certificates were handed over to 136 local teachers who participated in the workshop.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 02, 2017
New Beach Authority in the pipelines for #63 Beach With the Emancipation Day activities taking place across the country the Number #63 beach saw hundreds of Berbicians and Guyanese “packing up” at the beach for the day of excitement. Director of Tourism, Indranauth Haralsingh made it clear that no entry fee should have been charged upon entry at the beach. This was in response to students from the University of Guyana, Tain Campus, proposing to collect donations at the beach entrances for the maintenance of the beach. However, the Tourism Director explained that though the idea is not a bad one, persons would leave with the wrong idea. He noted, that persons walking on the beach and collecting donations is a much better idea, than standing at the entrance of the beach. Meanwhile, according to Gobin Harbhajan, the Prime Minister’s representative for Region Six the Number 52/74 NDC gave the green light to the UGBC students to collect an entrance fee. Harbhajan had highlighted the importance of a beach management committee stating that the Number 52/74 NDC with the
PM Rep. Gobin Harbhajan support of the region had taken the responsibility for the beach. Years ago, there was a beach management committee, which was mostly headed by members of the now opposition. The committee did not last. Haralsingh added that a new ‘Beach Authority’ will be established that will focus on maintenance of the beach and facilities of the beach. The beach Authority, he noted, will likely fall under a ministry, in order to benefit from Government funding through the ministry. He also noted that once the Beach Authority is in place, it can invite other stakeholders to come on board to better preserve and maintain the tourism attraction.
Reduction of class sizes... From page 11 way has not yet been cleared for it to be abolished. In some factions it is believed that a decision to abolish corporal punishment could in fact be a disastrous move. President of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU], Mark Lyte, during an earlier interview with this publication had made it clear that corporal punishment in a moderate form could evoke less than desirable behaviours from some children within the school system. “We are not supportive of Corporal Punishment being taken out of the schools, as the Ministry is yet to put alternatives in place to deal with aggressive children,” Lyte said. He added too that the union would only give consideration to such a move “until various proven alternative measures have been put in place. Only then will the union rethink its stance on Corporal punishment.” The GTU President had also stressed the need for Welfare Officers in the school system since teachers are ill-
equipped to deal with children who may, at times, need counselling. Lyte has even then stated that the system in place relating to Welfare Officers is poor at best. Former Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, had revealed his disappointment that the practice of corporal punishment was still being utilised in the school system. In fact he’d posited that corporal punishment can often lead to psychological scarring as it is no different from physical abuse. It was the view of Dr. Roopnaraine that classrooms should not be a place of fear but rather, one of learning. Against this background Dr. Roopnaraine had revealed plans to do away with what he called an “archaic practice” by adjusting relevant legislation in the near future. He had said too that a central counselling body will be established soon and trained Counsellors will be attached to each school. But that was since 2015. Dr. Roopnaraine has even been removed from the Education Ministry without such a measure materialising.
Wednesday August 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
GDF rank battles for life following accident
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A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was struck down on the Bath Settlement Public Road, West Coast Berbice around 01:30 hrs yesterday during a roadblock. The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Brian Samuel of Low Land, Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The 22-year-old was struck down by a cyclist during a roadblock under the “Operation Clean Sweep” campaign that was being conducted by ranks of the joint services. The cyclist has been identified as 65-year-old Ramraj (only name given) of Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown. A breathalyzer test was administered and no
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alcohol was detected. According to information received, the cyclist, who was proceeding east along the northern side of the road allegedly breached the cordon and collided with the soldier who was positioned on the northern side of the road. As a result of the impact, the driver and soldier both fell into the roadway and became unconscious. They were rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where the soldier was transferred to the GPHC where he is being treated.
Wednesday August 02, 2017
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Kaieteur News
In the wait for constitutional reform…
No executive abuse of power - Dr. Hinds The nation is currently waiting for the process of constitutional reform to get underway. In the meantime, several critics believe that the government has been doing a fair job in exercising some degree of control over the use of its power. Specifically making this point recently was Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds. In recent times, Dr. Hinds has been extremely critical of the government, especially as it relates to hastening the process of constitutional reform. Yesterday, the University professor said that he finds the Executive to be strong. In fact, the WPA Executive Member contented that one can reasonably argue that there is a form of executive supremacy. “I do not believe that there has been a pattern of abuse of power by this executive. There have been instances of over-reach and bad policy, but these, to my mind, have not amounted to abuse of power. “Despite institutional and political obstacles, there have been checks on executive power.” Dr. Hinds asserted that in
WPA Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds an institutional sense, executive power can only be checked by the oversight of the other two branches of government—the legislative and judicial branches. In present circumstances, where the governing Coalition controls both the legislative and executive branches, Dr. Hinds said it is difficult for the legislature to have any effective oversight of the executive. The WPA Executive Member said that there is some room for oversight in the sectoral committees by the opposition. In addition, he said that the PPP has been doing a very good job at that
level. But ultimately, when things get to the floor, Dr. Hinds said that the ruling Coalition uses its majority to get its way. The University Professor said that there are two impediments to more effective oversight by the legislature. “First, there is not enough separation of powers. We need to move away from the system whereby the entire cabinet sits in parliament, even when a Cabinet member is not an elected member. This is a very counterproductive and obsolete arrangement. We are basically asking the Executive branch to oversee itself.” Dr. Hinds continued, “The second impediment has to do with a political culture that is grounded in party loyalty or voting along party lines. It means that Members of Parliament (MP) do not vote according to their consciences or on the perceived feelings of their constituencies. So, there is hardly likely that a MP of the ruling coalition or for that matter of the PPP would vote against his or her party in parliament. From the ruling coalition standpoint, the fact that it only has a one-seat majority
makes it even more impossible for such a scenario. The political activist added, “We have however, seen instances where the judicial branch has pushed backed against the executive—the most recent instance being the Chief Justice’s ruling on the GECOM impasse. “This is good for democracy since the courts are the final arbiter of the law. When one takes into consideration, that we have had political interference in the Judiciary, it is remarkable that the court is still prepared to act independently.” Dr. Hinds said that the other area of oversight that is
very encouraging is that of Civil Society. In this regard, he said, “We have always had a very vocal, if not vigilant, Civil Society in Guyana. The problem has been the partisan bent of our Civil Society organizations, whereby some organizations tend to be more vocal when one or the other party is in power. But I think they have generally done a good job at oversight of this government, even if I think better can be done.” Additionally, Dr. Hinds said that the recent development where the WPA, a member of the Coalition, has begun to be critical of government action.
He stressed that this is good for oversight of the executive. He noted that while the Guyanese society is not one that welcomes internal criticism, the government can ill-afford to ignore oversight from within. Dr. Hinds said, too, that the coming on stream of integrity legislation and anticorruption initiatives would also go a long way towards checking executive power. But ultimately, Dr. Hinds emphasized that constitutional reform is the most effective way of reducing the powers of the executive which is itself a formal check the enormous power of the executive. (Kiana Wilburg)
Minister Holder plans irrigation works
Residents cry out for infrastructural work to be done in Free and Easy From left:- Mr. Pierre Nadji, World Bank Senior Country Director, Mr. Doekle Geert Wielinga, World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Agri. Minister, Noel Holder and ASDU Projects Coordinator Dhaneshwar.
Severely damaged main entrance bridge. Over the years, the main roads and bridges in Free and Easy have been deteriorating and nothing has been done. Free and Easy is a village located on the West Bank of Demerara, 12 miles south of Vreed-en-Hoop. Promises were made by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson on December 31, last, to look into the matter, but according to concerned residents, nothing was done since. The terrible roads that Claudius Charles and Trevorlene Seeram refer to as “sores”, pose a problem for vehicles and pedestrians alike; and are especially dangerous for road
users at nights. Claudius Charles said that the village is known for agricultural production. The road poses yet another problem for products to be transported from the village to the market. Charles stated that this community is home to more than 300 people who are directly dependent on the roads for an income. He explained that Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) workers still use these roads. The roads keeps eroding and despite several complaints, with the most recent being made this week, nothing is being done except promises.
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, on Monday last, assembled with the World Bank’s Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience group to discuss several vital subjects linked to climate change and progression of the agricultural sector. Some issues discussed were the status of the Flood Risk Management and Cunha Canal Rehabilitation Projects which are being completed by the Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU). Minister Holder, was introduced to the new Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Mr. Deokle Geert Wielinga, who replaces World Bank Senior Country Director, Mr. Pierre Nadji, announced that additional funding can be made available for critical drainage and irrigation needs. Scheduled projects include the construction of dams along the East Demerara
Water Conservancy (EDWC) and Pump Stations at key areas. Development projects for the Agriculture Sector between ASDU and the World Bank was discussed. ASDU’s Project Coordinator, Dhaneshwar James, explained that the intended projects are to be completed by January 2019. The Minister restated the vitality of projects of these kinds to Guyana’s “fight to combat climate change.” He added that his Ministry anticipates persistent
partnership with the World Bank so as to develop agriculture in Guyana further. Holder mentioned the necessity of “effective drainage and irrigation structures” which will further improve livelihood of farmers. “Being able to provide the necessary services whereby, farmers’ livelihoods are protected is one of the mandates of the ASDU and the NDIA by-and-large and something the Government of Guyana is committed.” the Minister said.
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70 single houses set to be built for the Lombard squatters -Minister Adams-Patterson Seventy single houses will be built to relocate the Broad and Lombard Street squatters. Each unit will cost $1.2M, with funding provided by the Ministry of Communities and Food for the Poor. This was disclosed during the ministry’s mid-term review and budget proposal held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street. Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson, explained that the decision to relocate the squatters was due to the legal action taken by the land owner and a High Court decision. This led to a six-week eviction notice. “We have taken the initiative to relocate those persons.
We have commenced work at Barnwell North on the East Bank where we are currently advertising to have the road done. That will facilitate house lots’ development. “In collaboration with Food for the Poor we have already negotiated for the 70 single houses there. When we did the registration, it was close to 68 adults and 100 children in that little area,” Minister Patterson noted. The minister emphasised that Government will not allow its citizens to live in those conditions hence the relocation programme. “Our focus from CH&PA is, far as is practical, to build the low cost houses and relocate these persons. We are also looking at a simi-
lar project in Industry, East Coast Demerara to relocate squatters from Sophia, East and West Ruimveldt and its immediate environments,” Minister Patterson explained. The government will be investing $42M on the relocation programme, which will be transferred to Food for the Poor for the construction of the houses and $30M for the infrastructure development of the area. Minister Patterson also reminded that Government remains committed to providing lands and houses for other persons and urged that they remain patient. (DPI)
CARICOM opens environment policy, action plan for discussions (CMC) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat says it has opened the draft CARICOM Environment and Natural Resources Policy, as well as the Action Plan for national, sub-regional and regional discussions beginning this month. It said that the consultations have been planned for Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the OECS Sub-region and Trinidad and Tobago involving wide-ranging stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors, civil society, CARICOM institutions, and academia. The discussions are scheduled for August 3-4 in Barbados, 7-8 in Guyana; 1415, Jamaica; 17-18, Saint Lucia, and 21-22 in Trinidad and Tobago. Under review are the Draft Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework; and First Environmental and Natural Resources Action Plan of the Caribbean Community Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework (July 2017June 2022).
Wednesday August 02, 2017
Kaieteur News
The Policy Framework articulates a regional approach to the sustainable management of the environmental and natural resources of the Community and its member states. The Secretariat said that the CARICOM Environment and Natural Resources Policy Framework has its genesis in a 2008 decision of Ministers of Environment. The Secretariat said it was mandated to mobilise resources to proceed with the development of the Policy Framework. In pursuit of that mandate, the CARICOM Secretariat conducted assessments of the environmental governance structure of member states. It also examined the environmental dimensions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. A number of regional consultations followed. The outcomes served as the foundation for the design of the Draft CARICOM Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Framework, and First Action Programme (2017-2022) which will be reviewed in August. “This round of discussion is important in advancing the process towards presenting the Policy Framework to the
CARICOM Ministers of Environment. Further, successful implementation will be predicated on regional ownership of the CARICOM Environment Policy. “A collective regional response will also be required to promote the prudent, rational management and conservation of the Region’s environmental, and natural resources, the Policy envisions,” the Secretariat added. It said the CARICOM Environment Policy has been formulated with the awareness that unsustainable use of resources could undermine regional sustainable development options within the context of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. ‘It therefore proposes a structure for environmental and natural resources management in CARICOM, balancing the need to exploit the land, air, water and oceans for economic development while maintaining healthy environments in the Community.
Venezuela jails opposition leaders in new crackdown on opponents
Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez (left) and veteran politician Antonio Ledezma CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela jailed two leading critics of President Nicolas Maduro yesterday in a fresh blow to the opposition after the election of a new political body with absolute powers to strengthen the hand of the leftist government. The United States imposed sanctions on Maduro on Monday, calling him a “dictator” for Sunday’s election of a constituent assembly that the opposition boycotted and denounced as illegitimate. In a statement announcing the jailing of opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and veteran politician Antonio Ledezma, the pro-government Supreme Court said they were planning to flee the country and had violated terms of their house arrest by making political statements and speaking to media. But government opponents called the abrupt removal of the men from their homes by security forces in nighttime raids a sign of Maduro’s determination to silence rivals and stamp out four months of massive street protests against him. About 120 people have been killed in the unrest, including at least 10 during Sunday’s vote. Both Lopez and Ledezma
Barbadian is new CEO of LIAT ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, yesterday announced the appointment of Barbadian Julie Reifer-Jones as its new chief executive officer, more than a year after Englishman David Evans quit the post. Mrs. Reifer-Jones, an accountant, is the first woman to be appointed to the post of the airline, whose major shareholders are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. LIAT said that prior to joining the airline as chief financial officer in 2008, Mrs. Reifer-Jones held several senior finance positions and has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of finance and management. “Mrs. Reifer-Jones has served at LIAT in the number two position for some nine years and in that capacity has acted as CEO for extended
periods on several occasions,” said the airline’s chairman, Dr. Jean Holder. “In addition to her familiarity with the people and culture of the region and her intimate knowledge of the company, her financial and academic qualifications should complement the practical experience of the airline industry she has acquired on the job. I wish her well as she undertakes one of the most challenging assignments in
the region,” he added. Mrs. Reifer-Jones said she was delighted with the appointment and is looking forward to delivering an improved level of service from LIAT to the region. In a March 30 email to the airline’s staff, Mrs. ReiferJones said that LIAT “is going through a difficult financial situation and has implemented a schedule of delays for salaries for all employees over the next five months”.
had been urging protests against Sunday’s vote, which they charged was rigged and a naked power grab by Maduro. In addition to rewriting the constitution and superseding other institutions, the constituent assembly will have the power to dissolve the opposition-led congress, eliminating any formal political challenge to Maduro. Lopez had been held more than three years in a military jail until last month, when he was unexpectedly released in what was seen as a potential breakthrough in the country’s long-running political standoff. Attempts to get the opposition and the government to reach a negotiated deal subsequently floundered, however, and allies said Lopez, 46, may have been jailed again because he rejected government proposals. “They have kidnapped Leopoldo Lopez because he simply would not break under the pressures and false promises of the regime,” said Freddy Guevara, a legislator in the Popular Will party led by Lopez. A U.S.-educated economist and former mayor in Caracas, Lopez is beloved by some in the opposition for his hardline anti-government stance and has become an international cause célèbre. The government sees him as an elitist coup-monger, and even some opposition sympathizers have criticized him for being hot-headed and authoritarian. AN ARREST FORETOLD Lopez himself suspected he would be detained again, and had recorded a video alongside his wife Lilian Tintori in which he urged Venezuelans to keep fighting even if he was put back behind bars.
“If you’re seeing this video it’s precisely because that’s what happened, they jailed me again, illegally and unjustly,” said Lopez, in the video shown on social media on Tuesday. Blamed by many for an unprecedented economic crisis and rising levels of poverty in Venezuela, Maduro has faced almost daily protests demanding freedom for jailed politicians, humanitarian aid to combat food and medicine shortages, and early elections to replace him. Condemnation of Tuesday’s arrests came, among others, from the United Nations human rights chief, the president of the European Parliament, and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who called the rearrests “very alarming.” Lopez and Ledezma were both taken from their homes to Ramo Verde, a military jail in a slum area about an hour’s drive from the capital, according to lawyers and family. Lopez was originally arrested for his role in leading street demonstrations against Maduro. Ledezma, a 62-year-old veteran politician, had been arrested on charges of plotting a coup. Maduro accuses the opposition of continuing to seek a coup against him and says the constituent assembly is designed to bring peace back to the volatile nation. The opposition-controlled congress, whose days may now be numbered, condemned the creation of the constituent assembly in a session held yesterday. Ambassadors from Britain, France, Mexico, and Spain attended the session. Underscoring fears of escalating violence in the South American nation, the UK said all dependents of embassy staff in Caracas had been withdrawn.
Wednesday August 02, 2017
Tillerson says U.S. wants North Korea dialogue ‘at some point’ WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States does not seek to topple the North Korean government and would like dialogue with Pyongyang at some point, but only on the understanding that it can never be a nuclear power, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said yesterday. Speaking to reporters at the State Department days after Pyongyang tested its second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Tillerson reiterated that Washington sought to persuade North Korea to give up its missile and nuclear weapons programs through peaceful pressure. “We do not seek a regime change, we do not seek a collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th Parallel,” Tillerson said. “We are not your enemy ... but you are presenting an unacceptable threat to us, and we have to respond. And we hope that at some point they will begin to understand that and we would like to sit and have a dialogue with them.” However, “a condition of those talks is there is no future where North Korea holds nuclear weapons or the ability to deliver those nuclear weapons to anyone in the region, much less the (U.S.) homeland,” he said. North Korea has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the
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U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson United States and U.S. officials said the latest test had shown it may now be able to reach most of the country. Tillerson repeated calls for North Korea’s neighbor and ally China, which has urged a resumption of talks with Pyongyang, to use its influence to create the conditions for “productive dialogue.” He said other options were “not particularly attractive.” President Donald Trump’s administration has said all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea, including military ones. However, given the potential for massive casualties from North Korean retaliation in allied South Korea and Japan and among U.S. troops there, it has stressed the need for a diplomatic solution. Earlier yesterday, a lead-
ing Republican senator, Lindsey Graham, said Trump had told him he was willing to go to war with North Korea “if they continued to try to hit America with an ICBM.” “He’s told me that. I believe him. If I were China, I would believe him, too, and do something about it. You can stop North Korea, militarily or diplomatically,” he said on NBC’s “Today Show.” “There is a military option: To destroy North Korea’s program and North Korea itself,” Graham said. “I prefer the diplomatic approach. But they will not be allowed to have a missile to hit America with a nuclear weapon on top.” Asked about Graham’s remarks, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders reiterated that the administration was “keeping all options on the table.”
Brazil, Argentina prosecutors say governments interfering in Odebrecht probe BRASILIA (Reuters) The top prosecutors of Brazil and Argentina are accusing their governments of interfering in the creation of a joint anti-corruption task force to investigate bribes by the Odebrecht engineering group so that politicians, many of whom are under investigation, can themselves control the exchange of evidence. Brazil’s Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot said yesterday the two countries had agreed in June to set up a task force to allow the rapid and simultaneous investigation of bribes paid by Odebrecht, but the joint effort has not taken off. “The task force is an essential tool without which we cannot join forces regionally to fight corruption,” he told reporters. A statement issued late on Monday by Janot and his
Argentine counterpart, Alejandra Gils Carbo, accused the governments of their countries of interfering in the effort to jointly investigate the Odebrecht bribe network. “The main authorities for international legal cooperation — Brazil’s Justice Ministry and Argentina’s Foreign Ministry — have placed obstacles and made requisitions that are an undue interference in carrying out agreements signed by prosecutors of the two countries in the Odebrecht investigation,” the statement said. “We hope the central governments support our efforts and urgently remove the obstacles that have been imposed,” it said. They said Brazil’s Justice Ministry has sought to establish the rules of the joint force so evidence was shared
through government channels and not directly between the prosecutors. In Argentina, they said, the Foreign Ministry wanted to turn the task force into a treaty signed by the government, undermining cooperation between the actual investigators. Odebrecht, Latin America’s largest construction firm, is at the center of a global graft scandal. As part of a $3.5 billion settlement with Brazilian, U.S. and Swiss authorities in December, the company admitted to paying bribes in 12 mostly Latin American countries, including $35 million in Argentina, to secure lucrative contracts. Prosecutors in Argentina are also investigating four projects involving Odebrecht, the largest construction firm in Latin America, for corruption.
Iran accuses United States of breaching nuclear deal LONDON (Reuters) - Iran believes new sanctions that the United States has imposed on it breach the nuclear deal it agreed in 2015 and has complained to a body that oversees the pact’s implementation, a senior politician said yesterday. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by the United States, Russia, China and three European powers,
Iran curbed its nuclear work in return for the lifting of most sanctions. However, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on six Iranian firms in late July for their role in the development of a ballistic missile program, after Tehran launched a rocket capable of putting a satellite into orbit. The U.S. Senate voted on the same day to impose new
sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea. The sanctions in that bill also target Iran’s missile programs as well as human rights abuses. “Iran’s JCPOA supervisory body assessed the new U.S. sanctions and decided that they contradict parts of the nuclear deal,” Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, was quoted as saying by the Tasnim news agency.
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
U.S. begins Russia drawdown after Kremlin retaliates for sanctions MOSCOW (Reuters) The United States began removing furniture and equipment from a diplomatic prop-
erty in Moscow yesterday in the first sign of compliance with a Kremlin order to slash its presence in Russia as re-
taliation for new U.S. sanctions. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the United
States to cut around 60 percent of its diplomatic staff in Russia by Sept. 1, and said Moscow will seize two U.S.
diplomatic properties in response to sanctions approved by Congress last week. The White House has said U.S. President Donald Trump will sign the sanctions bill, meant as a response to alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and to further punish Moscow for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Yesterday, removal men began dismantling play equipment and barbecues at a U.S.owned dacha (country villa) on the outskirts of Moscow, after being refused access the day before, according to a Reuters journalist at the scene. The dacha, which is being confiscated along with a U.S. warehouse in the south of the Russian capital, was used by U.S. diplomatic staff at the weekends and to host parties for students, journalists and other diplomats. The removal men said they arrived at around 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) and were seen packing furniture, including beds and lamps, into three white removal vans before leaving the property three hours later. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said U.S. staff
had to leave the dacha and warehouse by midday on Tuesday, TASS news agency reported. Ryabkov and the Kremlin said no one had obstructed U.S. employees trying to access the property. Putin said on Sunday Russia had ordered the United States to cut 755 of its 1,200 diplomatic staff in its embassy and consular operations, though many of those let go will be Russian citizens, with the United States allowed to choose who leaves. The ultimatum issued by the Russian leader is a display to voters at home that he is prepared to stand up to Washington - but is also carefully calibrated to avoid directly affecting the U.S. investment he needs, or burning his bridges with Trump. One person at the embassy, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media, said staff there were feeling depressed and despondent as they came to terms with the Kremlin’s order. “The mood in the office is very pessimistic,” the person said. “Everyone is just loitering, or sitting on job websites looking for a new job.”
Wednesday August 02, 2017
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
Thiam the one to watch in London worlds heptathlon (Reuters) - Nafissatou Thiam might have been a surprise gold medalist in the heptathlon at last year’s Olympic Games, but a record-breaking performance two months ago suggests Rio was no fluke and she’ll be the one to watch in the World Athletics Championship this weekend. In Rio de Janeiro, the 22year-old ended the long dominance of Jessica Ennis-Hill in a stunning upset that seemed to leave the Belgian more surprised than the spectators. But any doubts about the validity of her achievement were dispelled in May when she racked up a massive 7013 points at a meeting in Gotzis in Austria to go third on the alltime list for the event. It means Thiam will go into the World Championships in London, which start on Friday, as favourite for top podium
spot in the seven-discipline event. The grueling schedule begins early on Saturday with the 100 meter hurdles and concludes on Sunday evening with the 800m race. “Nafi is really serene and knows what she must do,” Belgian athletics official Stephanie Noel said yesterday. “She has great powers of concentration and knows she needs to be at her best in all seven disciplines. But we all know that to get gold is always a difficult task,” Noel told the Belga news agency. Thiam has also entered the women’s high jump, as she did in Rio only to withdraw later. Her jump of 1.98m in Gotzis was the third best of the year. She notched a total of four personal bests at the Austrian meeting in the 200m, 800m, 100m hurdles and javelin, after which
she said: “It was an amazing competition, it’s really unbelievable. I came to see where my form is at, and I was a little bit scared as I felt a little elbow problem in the javelin, but I was able to relax thereafter.” She recently revealed that she took gold in the Olympics despite torn ligaments in her elbow that left her in obvious distress after her javelin throws. Thiam, who is studying geography at university, could end Belgium’s lengthy wait for a gold at the World Championships, held every two years since starting in Helsinki in 1983. The country’s first silver came in Beijing two years ago when Philip Milanov finished second in the men’s discus to add to a scant tally of four bronze medals from 1987 to 2011.
Wednesday August 02, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Partnerships may be strained if one of you has been erratic and hard to deal with. Try to be understanding. You can get your point across if you don't beat around the bush. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Sudden good fortune will help you cover your debts. You may want to invest in something that will grow in value. Difficulties with children will surface if you try to break a promise you made. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Difficulties will result if you have to deal with controversial groups today. Do not overspend on entertainment. You may have difficulties with family members if you get involved in petty arguments. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You should be traveling to that exotic destination you've been dreaming about. Sign up for courses that will bring you more skills. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your need to use emotional blackmail will only cause more conflict. This is a great day to beautify your living quarters or to entertain at home. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Unexpected bills may set you back. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you. Go over your finances and figure out a
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solid budget. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Partnerships could be tense. Don't push your luck. You will be moody and react poorly to issues concerning your mate. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You are best to work at home if you can. You can come up with solutions to the problems responsible for inefficiencies at work. Throw yourself into your work. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You can make changes that will enhance your appearance. A better diet, exercise, or a change to a relaxed atmosphere could be ways to soothe your nerves. Sudden changes in your financial situation are likely. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Opportunities for romance will develop through activities with large groups. You can enjoy your involvement in organizations that make charitable contributions. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't ignore any emotional issues that could be causing problems. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Most partner problems are a result of both people not living up to their promises. Your greatest enjoyment will come through social activities and pleasure trips.
Bolt ready to race, and really ready to retire LONDON (Reuters) - Just in the unlikely case that the world of athletics did not know what they will be missing once Usain Bolt walks away in less than two weeks, the Jamaican superstar’s final eve-of-race news conference rammed home the message yesterday. These events have become part and parcel of every global championship and though yesterday’s version in east London lacked the dancing girl razzmatazz of his Rio welcome last year, it scored heavily on nostalgia as every aspect of his stellar career was raked over anew. As always, journalists and TV crews, around 400 of them, from every corner of the world packed every available space and strained their arms in desperation to get their question answered by the great man, who playfully castigated one half of the auditorium for not giving him an enthusiastic enough welcome. Bolt is an old hand of course and rolled out all the familiar answers, but always with grace. His proudest moment was winning the world junior title on home soil as a 15-year-old while his most satisfying performance was his 200 metres world record run in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he poured all his concentration into getting the mark he had always wanted, having earlier danced over the line when winning the 100m. He explained how his motivation to keep putting his body through such a punishing regime was renewed each year by resetting his goals with one often created for him by a casually “disrespectful” remark from one of his opponents. His target in London is clear – to sign off with a fourth 100m title and a fifth 4x100m relay gold – taking his world haul to 13 to add to his eight Olympic golds - and then head off to play football with his friends and have fun. “I’m ready,” he said. “If I show up at championships you know I’m fully confident and ready to go. “I ran 9.95 in Monaco so it shows I’m going in the right direction. Going through the rounds always helps me and it’s then about who can keep their nerve. “It’s go time, so let’s go.” The London Stadium, where he successfully defended his sprint double in the 2012 Olympics, will rise to acclaim him when he settles into his blocks for the last time on Saturday night.
Then, other than the relay a week later, he will be gone, leaving the sport without the man who has been its focal point for a decade. Yesterday’s event included big screen “farewell and thanks” messages from the likes of actors Samuel L. Jackson and Idris Elba, former France footballer Thierry Henry, model Cara Delevingne and India cricket captain Virat Kohli, underlining his status as probably the world’s most famous and arguably most admired sportsman. Bolt, who turns 31 later this month, looked moved by the images, saying: “It’s just brilliant that people in other disciplines respect what you do as they know the work you have to do.” British TV had screened his “I am Bolt” film on Monday night, which opened a window on the rarely seen battles he has had to go through to overcome so many injuries and was a testament to his willingness to work himself back into shape year after year. That is one thing he will not miss, and although he thrives on the pressure of the big race, he says he is looking forward to watching the next one from the sidelines. “Oh yeah, sitting down, talking about it, no pressure,” he said. “The next champion-
ship should be fun. “It’s going to be hard, as track and field has been everything for me since I was 10 and it’s been a rush – but we’ll see where life takes me.” He intends to stay close to athletics and is eyeing some sort of roving ambassadorial role, inspiring the world’s youth to get involved in a sport he says is on the up after reaching “rock bottom” with the Russian doping crisis of two years ago. While fans and the sport’s administrators will miss Bolt enormously, those lamenting his departure most of all will probably be his chief sponsor Puma, the German sportswear manufacturer which has shod him and ridden his glory for a decade while the rest of the sport has largely been dominated by rivals Adidas and Nike. Bolt’s parents were on hand yesterday to present him with his final pair of spikes – a combination of gold to mark his career highs and the purple of his school, William Knibb Memorial, where it all started after his cricket coach suggested he try out for the track team. “I didn’t know I would be a world record holder growing up, I had no idea,” he said. “So all I’ll say now is, if you work hard, that anything is possible.”
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
UDFA GT Beer Super Cup association football in Linden
Blake scores as West Demerara down Georgetown 1-0, Berbice, Bartica draw 2-2
Bartica scorers’ from left Shaquille Hopkinson and Aloysius Edwards.
Berbice scorers (from left) Graham Thomas and Stephon Boucher. West Demerara’s David Blake threaded in the lone goal of the game as pretournament favourites Georgetown suffered a 1-0 loss to the West side and placed themselves in a strong position to advance to the semi-finals as the top qualifier from Group B, while Berbice and Bartica
failed to earn their first win as they ended that encounter 2-2 when the inaugural GT Beer Super, Sunday Night Cup, football championship continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground last Sunday. As early as the 3rd minute Georgetown found themselves on the back foot
with Blake netting what would eventually be the lone goal of the encounter, and come away with a win which placed them on six points from two wins in Group B and join hosts Upper Demerara who also have won twice to be on six points and lead Group A with one more game to play for each
of the eight association teams involved in this championship, which has $2M as the first prize. In the first game of the night it was Berbice who began the scoring after Graham Thomas scored in the 6th minute but Bartica were able to level things through Shaquille
West Demerara’ s goal scorer David Blake. Hopkinson in the 20th minute. Then Berbice regained the lead when Stephon Boucher slotted home a 28th minute strike for a 2-1 lead which they enjoyed when the half time whistle came. Berbice would continue to hold the edge and while both sides battled it out in the
final period it would be Bartica who would get the equalizer just one minute from the end of regulation play as Aloysious Edwards scored in the 89th minute as the game eventually ended 2-2 and both teams gained their first point of the championship after one loss and one draw.
Shariff takes charge as Settling Star wins feature event Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Stable take champion stable honours
Connections of the Shariff stable are all smiles as they display their winnings after Settling Star’s win. Jockey Colin Ross is perched astride the champion horse. The Shariff continues to show who the boss is as Settling Star destroyed a top notch field to show that it will be the horse to beat. Classified as a G2 animal and owned by the Shariff Stable, with Zahir Shariff the trainer. The horse continues to go up in class and defeat all and sundry as it chalked up consecutive wins in the feature event. The occasion was the Kennard Memorial Turf
Club Pre Emancipation horserace meet held last Sunday at the Club’s track, Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice. Riding in the feature D3 and lower 1800M event, the animal ridden by the crafty Colin Ross, bode its time nicely before running away from the top notch field that included Lady Budapest, Honey Flow, Brave Sky and Golden Blue Echo
Connections of the Nand Persaud stable receives the award in the E class event for Honey Flow’s victory. among others. For the win it copped the coveted $1M and Trophy compliments of Demerara Distilleries Limited. Occupying the other spots were Golden Blue Echo, Brave Sky and Lady Budapest. The Nand Persaud Stable won the E2 and lower Five Furlongs race and the $400,000 with a one two victory with Honey Flow winning from Golden Blue
Echo with Storm Bird third. The Nand Persaud Stable was again in winners’ row in the H2 and Lower event with T and T running away with the 7 furlongs event from Midnight Blue to take home the $250,000 winners money. P a r t y Ti m e o f t h e DeMatos stable had things all its way as the racehorse won the event for animals classified I3 n lower and 3 Year-Old Guyana Bred
The Nand Persaud stable collects their winnings in the H class event. Open from Miss Olympic, Mary Ann and Red Jet. The K class non-winners and L Open race ran over 6 furlongs with a $120,000 purse offer. Liquid Lion was solid as it roared to the front in the J and lower race ahead of King Stanley, Miss Olympic and Irish Baby. Irish Baby returned to win the K non winners’ race from Royal Son, Mystery Man and De Rock.
Lucky Lucky, beat the field in the L none winners race with Party Done, Sweet Silence and Angel Eyes occupying the other spots. Top stable was the Nand Persaud Karibee Rice stable. The top trainer award went to Mohendra Persaud of the Karibee Rice Stable. They received accolades compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday August 02, 2017
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Despite the doubters, Farah bows out as the best LONDON (Reuters) Mo Farah will bring down the curtain on his championship career with a bid for yet another distance double in London but, despite his unmatchable palmares, the Briton still finds himself fighting for appreciation in some quarters. Five years ago, when the same stadium produced that unprecedented rolling roar to help carry the home-town favourite to emotional Olympic victories over 10,000 and 5,000 meters, Farah was the golden hero. Since then, he has successfully defended both titles at Rio, something only Lasse Viren had previously achieved, and kept his grip on the world championships. He is seeking a third successive world double in London and a seventh world title, with his last global defeat coming in the 10,000m in Daegu in
Mo Farah (Facebook) 2011. He also has five European titles to his name. To p u t t h a t i n perspective, no Briton had previously won the 10,000 or 5,000m at the Olympics or world championships and no British track and field athlete managed more than two Olympic gold medals.
Yet, just as in the Tour de France, where the idea of a British victor was something of a joke for a century and now is so c o m m o n p l a c e i t ’s expected, Farah’s accomplishments have somehow become so predictable that the blood doesn’t pump the same way. Perhaps, like Monaco-
based and Africa-raised Chris Froome, the Somaliaborn and America-based Farah is just not considered British enough. To some fans it doesn’t matter how often he grabs the microphone post-race to rave about loving London where he lived after arriving at the age of eight - if he then jumps on the first plane out to return to his preferred training environment of Alberto Salazar’s muchcriticised Oregon project. Among athletics aficionados too, there are sometimes murmurs of doubt. Farah’s titles should brook no argument, but nagging whispers remain that he has somehow had it easy. Critics say that he is lucky to be operating in a period when the best African talent has begun diverting to
the lucrative marathon circuit at a younger age than previously and that his championship opposition is not in the class of previous champions such as Kenenisa Bekele. Of course, Farah can only beat whoever lines up against him, even if they all too often play into his hands and allow him to dominate races. It is easy to shout from the sidelines that the best Kenyans and Ethiopians should try to run his finish out of him, but they just don’t have the quality to do it for long enough to make an impact. Farah has also developed into a tactically astute operator and is always ready to mark and react to any moves. A world record at 5,000 or 10,000 would silence all
the doubters but, at 34, that now looks impossibility unless something very unusual happens over the next two weeks. Farah will race twice more after London, in Birmingham and Zurich, before switching full time to the marathon. He deserves and will get great support in his championship farewell and will hope to get the feelgood factor going early when he goes over 10,000 on the opening night on Friday. Whether or not he triumphs then, and again over the shorter distance eight days later, he will depart as undoubtedly Britain’s greatest track and field athlete and right in the mix for the title of the country’s greatest performer in any sport.
Top performances anticipated in Boyce/ Jefford International Women’s 1500m
Harper says he will focus on each match As Warriors aim for first CPL title after losing 3 finals By Sean Devers The one-week camp here for the Guyana Amazon Warriors ended yesterday with the completion of the third practice match and Head Coach Roger Harper informed that under the circumstances he was satisfied with the camp and the three practice games. “I am satisfied. We leave for Florida tomorrow (today), will have two days of practice there,” said the 54 year-old former West Indies off-spinner. The USA National cricket team will play two matches against the CPL sides in the lead up to the tournament in the USA which will host four games in Lauderhill, Florida on August 5 and 6. The practice matches will take place at the Central Broward Regional Stadium. The first game will see USA playing the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots today, while the second sees USA facing J a m a i c a Ta l l a w a h s tomorrow. Harper said that the Warriors are focusing on the first match and each game after that so as to qualify for
the playoff stage. “When we get to the final we will focus on that game. We start any competition with the aim of winning it. We have reached the final on three occasions but did not play like the Warriors’ who played in the rest of the tournament,” informed Harper, who took 46 wickets and scored 535 runs including three fifties in 25 Tests between 1983 and 1993. The three spinners (Jacobs, Rashid Khan and Permaul) bowled frugal spells yesterday and asked if they would be Guyana’s bowling strength, Harper said that pacer Sohail Tanveer got the most wickets last year and the best bowling attack for the different conditions will be picked. Harper, who captured 100 ODI wickets from 105 matches, stated that the final X1 has not been selected as for Saturday’s opening game against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Florida and noted that are still a few spaces to be filled. Warriors’ Skipper Martin Guptill, the 30 year-old opening batsman from New
Zealand, failed in to get big scores in Sunday night’s game under lights and again in Monday’s day game but hammered a 25-ball 47 yesterday. Guptill, who has played 177 t20 games including 61 at International level where he has scored one ton and 10 fifties, spoke about team spirit and his own form. “Team spirit is high and we are depending on everyone to play their part during the competition. I was happy to spend some time in the middle today (yesterday) but I don’t judge my form on practice matches on pitches like this one here in Guyana. We should have good pitches when we get to Florida and performances in the actual tournament is what matters,” Guptill said. The three practice games were all played on one of the two ‘old pitches’ which was slow and had variable bounce. Four of the six pitches at Providence were relayed and produced big scores in the International ODIs played on them. The Warriors, who lost the 2013, 2014 and 2016 Finals, departs this morning for North America.
Joanna Archer G u y a n a ’s m i d d l e distance queens will be tested against defending c h a m p i o n , G r e n a d a ’s , Kenisha Pascal next weekend at the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VIII, which is set to begin at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden next Saturday. Pascal had never won before storming to victory in the International Women’s 1500m ahead of an impressive field last year. The path to victory does not seem clear cut in the 2017 edition for the defending champion, Pascal. The race will be a muchanticipated rematch for Guyana’s phenom, Joanna Archer, who is just coming off an 800m win at the Aliann
Cassie Kirton Pompey Invitational. Archer placed second to Pascal last year and the lanky athlete is unhappy about that result. Archer will be aiming for a better showing against her Grenadian rival. In addition to Archer and Pascal, Trinidad and Tobago’s Joanna Rogers returns for the Women’s 1500m. Rogers was third in the race last year. Jenella Jonas holds the 1500m meet record of 5:02.00 done in 2011. However, Pascal has already run under five minutes this year with a best of 4:47.09 at the Whitsuntide Games. A reproduction of that performance from Pascal will put the local ladies under tremendous pressure. Apart from the three
favourites in the event, strong challenges will come from Police’s Aaliyah Moore and Kezra Murray. Veteran athletes, Guyana Defence Force’s, Ashanti Scott and Cassie Kirton cannot be ruled out from the local challengers. Defence Force’s Leyanna Charles is also registered to compete in what is an impressive field of athletes. The 2017 Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic is sponsored by Kares Engineering Inc., The Guyana Tourism Authority, The National Sports Commission, K&B Mining, Ansa McAl Trading under its Lucozade and Stag Beer brands, Red Wing Shoes available at VSH United and Jude Bike Shop.
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
Bolt shows off ripped physique Brathwaite puts Barbados on verge of lead ahead of World Championships BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – West Indies Under-19 batsman Shian Brathwaite struck an aggressive half-century to put Barbados on the verge of first innings lead over Guyana on the opening day of their third round Regional Under-19 Championship match here yesterday. The 17-year-old, who featured in the Regional Super50 earlier this year, smashed 86 from just 76 deliveries as Barbados ended the day on 140 for five, just two runs adrift of Guyana’s first innings total. Kilano Brathwaite was unbeaten on 24 while offspinner Kevin Sinclair picked up two for 19. Sent in earlier in the contest at Verchilds, Guyana were undermined for 140 by leg-spinner Shavon Brooks (3-28) and left-arm spinner Camarie Boyce (3-33) who grabbed three wickets apiece. Off-spinner Dante Niles
Opener Shian Brathwaite (2-25) and fast bowler Jarion Hoyte (2-30) supported with two wickes each. Kevelon Anderson made 26 and opener Raymond Perez, 23, but no other batsman passed 20. Guyana were 59 for one at one stage but lost their last nine wickets for 81 runs. Brathwaite then stunned the Guyanese bowlers with a brutal assault, clobbering 11 fours and four sixes. He put on 32 for the first wicket with
Nico Reifer (8), 24 for the second wicket with Marc Cyrus (6) before adding 55 for the fourth wicket with Kilano who has so far struck three fours in a 55-ball knock. Scores: GUYANA 142 (Kevelon Anderson 26, Raymond Perez 23; Shavon Brooks 3-28, Camarie Boyce 3-33) BARBADOS 140 for five (Shian Brathwaite 86; Kevin Sinclair 2-19)
Chase among runs as Windies flourish against Essex CHELMSFORD, England, CMC – Roston Chase made an enterprising start to his maiden tour of England, leading a trio of half-century makers as West Indies prospered on the first day of their opening tour match against Essex here yesterday. Sent in at the Essex County Ground, the Caribbean side reached 309 for eight courtesy of Chase’s top-score of 81, opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s 61 and Jermaine Blackwood’s aggressive 59. Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich ended the day unbeaten on 28, while brothers Shai and Kyle Hope both got 22 but failed to carry on. R o o k i e 2 0 - y e a r- o l d seamer Callum Taylor (2-33) and left-arm pacer Paul Walter (2-50) ended with two wickets apiece. Up against an understrength side with Essex choosing to rest five key players in view of Sunday’s County Championship clash against Yorkshire, the Windies made the most of the opportunity with key batsmen getting among the runs.
They suffered the early loss of Kieran Powell for 15 when the left-hander was bowled by 19-year seamer Sam Cook on his Essex first class debut but Brathwaite then anchored the innings to see the tourists to lunch on 102 for two. The right-hander put on 36 for the second wicket with Kyle Hope before adding a further 51 for the third wicket with Shai. Unbeaten on a patient 38 off 91 balls at the interval, Brathwaite lost Shai in the third over following the break – bowled by Walter – but moved to his halfcentury from 135 balls while adding 44 for the fourth wicket with Chase. Brathwaite, dropped on 53 by Nick Brown at second slip off 19-year-old pacer Aaron Beard, eventually perished with the score on 150, bowled by Taylor after facing 155 deliveries in nearly 3-3/4 hours at the crease and hitting eight fours. West Indies then enjoyed the best stand of the innings as Chase and Blackwood played freely to put on 119 for the fifth wicket to lift their side to 177 for four at
tea. Chase struck 12 fours and a six off 138 balls in three hours at the crease while Blackwood stroked eight fours and a six in a 70ball cameo.
The curtain may finally be coming down on Usain Bolt’s illustrious sprinting career, but the 30-year-old is keen to let everyone know just what exquisite shape he remains in. The Jamaican is set to compete at the World Championships in London, for what is poised to be his final competitive act as an athlete. And Bolt, ever the model professional, has been pushing himself to the limits with his preparation and reaping the rewards as a result. Taking to Instagram this week Bolt uploaded an image of himself and friends training on the track in M u n i c h , G e r m a n y. The Jamaican appeared to be in high spirits as he put the finishing touches to his prep ahead of the big event. Bolt could be seen standing topless in the photo, donning sunglasses while taking a selfie with friends. Captioning the image, Bolt wrote: ‘Who has improved the most? #NoDaysOff.’ One man who may be set to spoil Bolt’s farewell party is Canadian athlete Andre
Usain Bolt has been showing his ripped physique ahead of the World Championships in London. De Grasse. The newcomer has been talked up as the heir to Bolt’s throne, and has made it clear he will go up against the titan in London with the aim to win. The event is being billed as one of the biggest sporting spectacles of 2017, not least because the
legendary Bolt will be bidding an emotional f a r e w e l l . T h e championships start on Friday, August 4, running through until Sunday, August 13 - with the men’s 100m final set to take place on Saturday, August 5. (MailOnline)
Guyana Female Under-19s depart for Trinidad T20 tourney
At the break, Chase was unbeaten on a cautious 27 from 78 deliveries while Blackwood, in contrast, carved out 21 from a mere 13 balls. Blackwood entertained afterwards, reaching his half-century off 48 balls while Chase stepped up the pace as well to raise his landmark off 101 deliveries. Chase was going through the gears when he was bowled by Taylor at 169 for five and 14 balls later Blackwood, who had been caught off a no-ball on 58, perished lbw to captain Ryan ten Doeschate. They were two of four wickets to tumble for 40 runs in the last session as the Windies lost their way. Scores: WEST INDIES 309 for eight (Roston Chase 81, Kraigg Brathwaite 61, Jermaine Blackwood 59, Shane Dowrich 28 not out; Callum Taylor 2-33, Paul Walter 2-50) vs ESSEX.
Tremayne Smart- Coach The Guyana Female Under-19 squad departed for Trinidad yesterday to take part in the Regional Invitational Under-19 T20 tournament. The tournament consists of four teams namely; Barbados, Guyana, Windward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana will play its first round of matches today versus Trinidad and Tobago from 09:30am and at
Heema Singh- Manager 14:30hours they clash with the Windward Islands. The female Under-19 squad plays three rounds of matches with two matches being played daily. The team is scheduled to return on Monday. Leading the squad is Coach Tremayne Smartt and Manager Heema Singh. The squad is as follows: 1. Shabika Gajnabi – Captain 2. Sheneta Grimmond
Shabika Gajnabi – Captain 3. Plaffiana Millington 4. Lafona Gilgeous 5. Omadevi Matadin 6. Marian Samaroo 7. Aleema Arokium 8. Russhanna Alika Lynch 9. Mandy Mangru 10. Yougeeta Balkishun 11. Abigale Scott 12. Casey Anna Charles 1 3 . B i b i Ta s l e e m a Bacchus 14. Cherry-Ann Fraser
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
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No Bangladesh tour without new pay deal, says Australia’s Smith (Reuters) - Australian players will not travel to Bangladesh for a two-test tour starting this month until the pay dispute between them and the sport’s national governing body is resolved, captain Steve Smith said yesterday. The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and Cricket Australia’s (CA) have failed to resolve a long-running pay dispute that has left around 230 players effectively unemployed after the previous five-year agreement expired in June. The Australia A team boycotted their South Africa tour in July after a new Memorandum of Understanding could not be agreed and Smith says the senior team will skip the Bangladesh tour, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 27. “I’d like to, but as we’ve said for a long time we need to get the deal done first,” Smith told Fox Sports.
“I don’t think it would be fair for us to go away after the (Australia) A guys were very strong on not going away on their tour, for us to then go away I don’t think that’s fair. “CA know this, they’ve been told this. I told (CA’s Executive General Manager Team Performance) Pat Howard personally that this was how things were going to be if there wasn’t a deal done.” The dispute revolves around CA’s scrapping of the two-decade-old revenue share model, by which players get a fixed share of the organisation’s annual revenue, in the new pay deal. Local media reported that CA is on the verge of an agreement with the players’ union and Smith remained hopeful that a solution would be found. “It’s had some difficult moments,” the 28-year-old said. “When this is all over
Steven Smith prepares to lead his team out. (Getty Images) with, I have to deal with Pat Howard, I have to deal with the (CA) Board and speak to (CA chief executive) James Sutherland so I have to be
careful with what sort of lines I tread. “Talking to the two parties and trying to figure out what each of them want
and the best way forward. It’s been a long process and hopefully it comes to a close soon.” Sutherland said last week
that his organisation would take the pay dispute to arbitration if a resolution was not found by this week.
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
Digicel Schools’ Football Championships
Top three Captains react following final day’s play By Franklin Wilson The top three Captains emerging from the 7th edition of the Digicel Schools’ Football Championships, Jeremy Garrett of Chase Academy, Annai’s Neston Browne and Wa r a m a d o n g ’s F r a n k Francis gave their reaction to their teams performance following the final day of action on Sunday last. Chase Academy, led by Jeremy Garrett in his final year retained the coveted championship trophy for the second consecutive year following a 6-2 win over Annai which was led by Neston Browne, also playing in his final y e a r o f t h e championship. Following six years and as many losses to Christianburg, Waramadong was finally able to break the losing jinx against the Linden side when they whipped them 3-1 in the third place match rallied on by a crowd of over 3000 spectators at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, L e o n o r a , We s t C o a s t Demerara. Garrett first give thanks
to the Almighty God for the victory which he noted was good not only for himself but for the school. ”Most of the players, this is their last Digicel championship and it was an honour to represent well for Chase Academy. The victory was overwhelming and we are thankful.” The eloquent and confident Garrett said that many of the players would now be focused on the various national teams during the coming months and hopes to produce better. Noting that his belief is that football is played on the day, Garrett who at the beginning of this year’s championship had stated that Annai would have been their biggest threat felt that his opponent did not have a good game on championship night. ” I don’t think that Annai had a good game tonight but Chase Academy had a wonderful game, the midfielders, especially Ryan Hackett, Rondel Peters and my younger brother Jermaine, those three guys stood out tonight.” Garrett further noted he
Jeremy Garrett felt Annai would have been their biggest threat given the tough nature of their quarter final match last year in Lethem which Chase won 21. ”I thought that this year, Annai had the same team and they would have given us a tougher fight than any other team.” Looking ahead to the 2018 championship and possibly seeing Chase winning the championship for the third year in a row, this was Garrett’s reaction: ”At Chase Academy we normally give out scholarships to youngsters
Neston Browne who are excelling at football but who are inner driven for academics as well. So it’s no doubt that we would have new players coming in to fill in our spaces, I must say that most of the guys that are not returning this year are heading out to big things.” He revealed that Ryan Hackett is set to take up a scholarship in the USA, while he himself will be returning to Portugal next week or the other week but most of the guys have good things ahead. ”Chase Academy is always dominant and we will
come out and showcase another three-peat next year.” A n n a i ’s C a p t a i n Browne, whilst complimenting his colleagues for playing a good game pointed out that many of them were not accustomed to playing under lights w h i c h w a s a disadvantage for them. ”We had a nice game though, I like how the game was played, Chase played a good game but at the end we lost.” Browne, stated that the school came with one spirit
to win but that didn’t work out whilst also mentioning that he wanted to do it in this his final year as a player in the competition. ”Three, four goals hard to get back, can’t come back like that, so we just had to play an easy game and that was it.” Waramadong’s Frank Francis said that they tried their best in the semi finals but something went wrong and they lost what has gone down in history as the greatest comeback in the championships where Annai erased a four-goal deficit to beat them 7-5 in injury time. ”For the third place we still didn’t give up because for the past six years Christianburg has been beating us in the semi finals and finals but now we made up our minds to defeat them this year. We had confidence in ourselves that we would win.” It’s now back to enjoying the remainder of the school holidays and then refocusing on academics before strategising for the 2018 edition of the Digicel Schools’ Football Championships.
For Knights, Kester Gomes scored 15 points and Lloyd Bart had 10 points. Nets delivered a loss to the University of Guyana Trojans in the third match on Sunday. The First division encounter finished 69-51. In the Nets 18-point win, their
top scorers in the game were Pelham Doris (11 points), Tristan Tullock with 8 points and Hodyah Stewart (8 points). For the University of Guyana Trojans, Jacob Lowe scored a game high 15 points with one 3-pointer.
Frank Francis
GABA/Powerade/Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme tourney
Quincy Dos Santos highlights Sunday night action for Pacesetters The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s, Banks DIH, Powerade/Rainforest Wa t e r / M a l t a S u p r e m e , sponsored league continued on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue with three games. The first game began at 5:30 PM and it witnessed Plaisance Guardians falling to second place Pacesetters 77-66 in the Under-23 category. Pacesetters were led by a spirited performance by Quincy Dos Santos who scored a game high 27 points that including a whopping 6 three-pointers. Tafawa Daley was very involved in the pacesetters win as well with 17 points, counting 2 three-pointers along the way. Marvin Durant (10 points) and Stephen Peters (8 points) ensured that Pacesetters stay in the race to achieve a
Action in the GABA 2017 tournament at CASH. surprise U-23 championship berth with valuable contributions. Plaisance Guardians, who led the game in the first quarter 18-11, surrendered their advantage in the second quarter and never retrieved it. Jared Sears played well
with a team high 21 points inclusive of 3 three-pointers. He was supported with 15 points (inclusive of 2 threepointers) from Anthony Fileen in the losing effort. The second match of the evening was a first division encounter between the
struggling Kobras and Knights. The Kobras won the battle of the minnows 7755. Travis Burnett led the fight 15 points for Kobras supported by Patrick Reid (10 points) and Keith Tute (9 points).
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Wednesday August 02, 2017
PAGE 35
Guyana Cup horserace Meet at Rising Sun August 13 gets more support
Representatives Poonai’s Pharmacy of Rose Hall Town (right) hand over their contribution to Roy Jafferally of the organisers.
Rambrich Service Station’s Leah Bassoo hands over their support to Roy Jafferally. Guyana Cup Horserace Meeting on August 13th at the Rising Sun Turf Club on the West Coast of Berbice starting at 11:30am has been getting more support. The Jumbo Jet Business Enterprise and Stables organised event is the 11th edition of the Mega race programme and promises exciting races. Among the latest
business entities throwing their support behind the staging of the meet are Rambrich Service Station, who’s representative Leah Bassoo handed over their sponsorship to Roy Jafferally of the organisers, Poonai’s Pharmacy of Rose Hall Town also made a presentation, while Rohan Auto Spares and BM Soat Auto Spares also chipped in.
The join Muneahwar Hardware Store, Hand-inHand Insurance Company, Super Bet, ISG Industrial Supplies of Guyana Inc, D. Telokie & Sons Trucking Service, BM Soat Auto Sales and Anand and Sons Electrical. The meet will see the B Class event as the main attraction. This race is open to all imported and Guyana
Bred B class horses and covers a distance of 2000m for a whopping $2M for the winner with second collecting $1M, third $500,000, fourth $250,000 and fifth $125,000. There is the E & lower 1500m race for all imported and Guyana Bred 3 years and up and those rated E class and lower for a sumptuous $1.2M winner’s purse.
A Rep of BM Soat Auto Spares presents Jafferally with their support package. The G & Lower Guyana and West Indies Bred racehorses cover 1500m with the winner carting off $700,000, the H3 & lower race for Guyana and West Indies bred horses has a $400,000 pay day over a distance of 1100m, the 2 years old Guyana Bred horses will run over a similar 11 0 0 m d i s t a n c e w i t h $350,000 the purse on offer
for the winner, while 3 year old Guyana bred and I1 & Lower class racehorses will look to cash in on the $300,000 first prize over 1100m. The J2 & K & Lower class will be battling for a $250,000 purse, while the L& Lower non-winners will collide for a $200,000 winners take, both events also over 1100m.
Guptill, Mohamed and Azam lead Warriors to victory By Sean Devers In sultry conditions and a fast outfield and slow track, Skipper Martin Guptill (47), Jason Mohamed (45) and Babar Azam (41) spearheaded the Guyana Amazon Warriors to a 72run win against a Select X1 yesterday at Providence in the Warriors final practice match before playing their first match in this year’s CPL tournament on Saturday in Florida. Led by Guptill’ 25-ball 47 which included six fours and two sixes, a classy 41 from Azam, who scored a ball-a-run 41 with a four and two sixes and Mohamed’s 45 from 55 balls with four sixes spurred the Warriors to 1605 as left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie took 2-23. The Select X1 then crawled to 88-7 when their 20 overs expired as only Anthony Bramble, with an 18-ball 19 reached 15 m u c h t o t h e disappointment of a small crowd of just over 200 fans. Medium Pacer Rayad Emrit (3-12) and Left arms p i n n e r Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul (2-17) did the damage for the winners. Chadwick Walton (3) was removed by Romario
Warriors CPL practice match
Jason Mohamed about to cut Eon Hooper during his 45 at Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)
Anthony Bramble watches as Babar Azam goes after Gudakesh Motie during his 41 at Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) Shepherd at 11-1 before Pakistan Azam joined forces with New Zealand’s Guptill to add 48 for the second wicket. Guptill launched into Shepherd in the fourth over and hit him for a six and a four in an over which cost 15 runs and Guptill who has two centuries and 33 f i f t i e s f r om 77 t20s, smashed Sherfane Rutherford for three fours and six off consecutive delivers to take 19 from the fifth over as he started his
innings in a hurry. Guptill was then stumped by Bramble off Motie at 52-2 before Azad stepped up a gear with some lovely shots as he and inform Mohamed, with two half centuries in the first two practice matches, put together 56 for the third wicket. Azam then used his feet to Motie and a miss-hit was taken at deep mid wicket to leave the score on 115-3 before Mohamed pulled Shepherd for six and hit him
over the long-off boundary when he pitched up the next ball. Mohamed then pulled a full toss from Rutherford for Chanderpaul Hemraj on the square-leg boundary to hold the catch but his momentum caused him to mash the ropes and Mohamed was on a roll. Mohamed had his offstump knocked out by Rutherford, while the lefthanded Steven Taylor, born in the US to Jamaican parents, skied Hemraj to Vishual Singh at point after
making two. Sohail Tanveer (6) and Kemo Paul, who dispatched Shepherd for a six back over his head, finished unbeaten on nine. When the Select X1 began their reply Rajendra Chandrika was dropped at point off Keon Joseph before he had scored but never suggested permanence and was taken at mid-on off Emrit for 10, while Leon Johnson (10), who opened the batting, hit Steven Jacobs to cover.
Singh (9) struggled to score and was removed by Permaul who also got rid of Robin Bacchus (6), while Hemraj (5) had his stumps knocked out by Emrit who also removed Rutherford (6) and when Bramble’s little cameo was ended by Joseph, the local batsmen had wasted a perfect opportunity to impress. Akshaya Persaud (10) and Shepherd (4) were the not out batsmen in a woeful batting display by the Select X1.
t r o Sp
Harper says he will focus on each match As Warriors aim for first CPL title after losing 3 finals
A confident Warriors team departs for Florida today for the 2017 CPL. (Sean Devers photo)
Top performances anticipated in Boyce/ Jefford International Women’s 1500m
Joanna Rogers
Kenisha Pascal
Chase among runs as Windies flourish against Essex
West Indies batsman Roston Chase gathers runs through the on-side during his top-score of 81 on the opening day of the three-day game against Essex yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
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