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Monday December 02, 2019
Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Political Manifestoes Regardless of the source, what can be said about political manifestoes in this country, other than that they have a lovely ring about them, and which by now should appeal and stir creatures from outer space only. Guyanese have seen them before, heard them before, and absorbed them and lived with them all before with the same disastrous results: nothing doing, nothing different, nothing new, other than for the new deceptions, the new games played with a gullible and jaded and largely captive populace. For manifestoes are the brainchild and handiwork of men, and if those men intend for them to be nothing more than the lifeless, useless mannequins in store windows, then they might as well be flushed down the toilet right now, even though it is a waste of precious energy and water. For a look at the history of Guyanese political society has been of one book of falsehoods after another, intended to intrigue, designed to mislead, and which have ended up doing just so. Why should this one or any other be any different? Other than for the choice of words (careful and caressing, to be sure), the solemn moments interspersed with excitement (a grand political acting exhibition, as always), and the skilled toying with passions (cleverly couched and craftily channeled, as local tradition demands, expects, and is given), what do these exercises in hypocrisy actually represent, besides the emptiness of words made meaningless by the men who manufacture them and then meander forward to insult us with them? To be sure, they evidence the appealing and the ringing, and the other ingredients that should be found touching, by all but the stoniest, most cynical of hearts. The soothing words are there, the alluring flow of comforting phrases cascade upon the national consciousness, and body language speak at once of servants and supplicants, of the heartfelt and the honourable. But are they, any of them? But have any of them, any of them, ever been anything other than the usual parade of confidence men (and women) coming with their offered beauties, their irresistible gifts, their surefire success planks to do one obscene thing and one only. That is, to cheat and separate the trusting Guyanese voter from his vote, his present, and his destiny? Thus, when the time comes around, as it does around now, for these parchments of perversity, these writs of waiting woes, to be put on display, what this society is handed, once again, is nothing more and nothing less than the usual well-thought out, well-engineered exercises in the best of the newest political propaganda compositions and the calculated performances that go along with them. Look at some of the elements, such as transparency and accountability, and nobody could or should take any issue with what is laudable. But when has any of those two, and all the rest recommitted to today and tomorrow, have had any significance, gained any traction, and propelled this country forward? When and at whose hands and in what ways have those been experienced, and which stand the tests of commonsense, delivery, and reality? The answer to that last question-all of them in fact-is neatly furnished by a local private sector body that went public to call for ethics in the upcoming elections. Nobody in their right minds, who call themselves caring and committed and conscientious patriots, should have a problem with such a commendable position and call. But ethics in elections, ethics in life, and ethics in anything unequivocally and unambiguously calls for ethical men. Meaning political men and women of high caliber, citizens venturing forth and offering themselves as servants of the people, and those who actually can be so and do so are those who come with honest objectives, unselfish priorities, and the noblest of visions to lift contemporaries and environment to another place. Look again at our past, present, and politics, and it must be admitted that this smallest of countries has been cursed with the largest of ownership shares in all that is slanderous and monstrous. Because of all of these most sordid of contexts, transparency and accountability is nothing more than the usual hot air, the unending, routine stream of bull.
The betrayal that beckons the resource curse DEAR EDITOR, A recent article in KN, November 27th: “GPL in race against time to find heavy fuel oil supplier”, offers a reality check, a chance for every Guyanese to reflect on how bad a deal the Coalition Government signed with ExxonMobil and partners in the Production Sharing Agreement. I am convinced that 70 percent of the population does not know that HFO “heavy fuel oil” (crude oil) is the same kind of oil as the estimated six billion barrels that sits in the Stabroek Block under the control of ExxonMobil and partners. The Coalition partners (APNU/AFC), while in opposition, had refrained from giving Parliamentary approval to Blackstone, an energy company to build the Amaila Falls hydro project.
Having instigated the termination of the Amaila Falls project, it is logical to assume that they had known before 2015 that Guyana would be dependent on fossil fuels for the generation of electricity, indefinitely. Every politician, and citizens would be aware that there had always been a hue and cry over the high cost of our fuel bill - to operate GPL generators and general consumption in the country. Our oil bill had always been a plague on our foreign currency reserves. Days before the 2015 elections, ExxonMobil announced a huge discovery, somewhere in the vicinity of 3.5 billion barrels. Guyanese were ecstatic. Visions of cheaper fuel and electricity bills were on everyone’s mind. It was imperative that anyone entrusted to
negotiate with ExxonMobil, on our behalf, to grab some of this ultimate energy resource (oil) for the benefit of our people. This should have been like “taking candy from a baby” for any negotiator, by virtue of our endowment (ownership of the resource) through royalty. The Coalition had disappointed the people with a mere two percent and to add “salt to our wounds” that two percent was not negotiated as collectable at the top of the production line, in the true sense of royalty. This deed by the Coalition negotiators, practically nullifies our endowment (ownership to the resource). This was, and remains a betrayal that beckons the” resource curse” by the Coalition. According to the article, GPL needs 30,000 barrels of
HFO every 12 days. Simple calculations suggest that GPL uses 2500 barrels of HFO per day. I shudder to think what the country uses daily in LFO (diesel, gasoline etc). ExxonMobil is scheduled to begin production in weeks. If Liza Destiny could achieve its target of 120,000 barrels per day, two percent royalty on that amount would be 2,400 barrels per day. If only the Coalition had negotiated the two percent royalty in its true sense, our power plants could have been running on our royalties on phase one alone, in a short while. When we thought two percent was the bottom line, the said Coalition granted Tullow Oil a one percent royalty and a chance to recover same - a total give away. Should these people be given a second chance? Rudolph Singh
This police custody death must be investigated DEAR EDITOR, Would lawsuits be the ultimate path to custodial reform? Once again the ranks have found themselves in a mire, or (more aptly put) hell fire due to the recent death in Blairmont Police Station lockups of Chandatt Yodha, a 49-year-old West Berbice fisherman. The deceased had been arrested earlier that day, and detained on a charge of alleged mistreatment of his wife and unruly behaviour. According to police report, the victim was alone in his cell and his underwear was used to bring about the untimely demise. Premature deaths of individuals in police custody are without doubt tragic occurrences. From a moral stance, it is utterly heartbreaking to the family of the victim(s), and concomitantly heightens suspicion as to the conduct of police, operating in an already -existing climate of public mistrust. To partially quote former President of South Africa, the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” The holding cell at any police station is only a temporary facility, but is nevertheless a link in the justice process and an integral part of the custodial chain. Once placed in custody the picture changes dramatically, for the inmate/ individual has a Constitutional right to be protected from harm, which also includes protection from
harming one’s self. Of a more unsettling note is the fact that the death did not occur in isolation, but as per the media is the latest in a series of suicides at police station and lock ups. This problem has plagued the Police Force since 1980. See http:// www.guyanaundersiege.com/ To p i c a l % 2 0 A f f a i r s / Police%20Killings.htm Suicide has been identified as the leading cause of death in jails and lock-ups. By definition, someone who has committed suicide has served as the direct cause of his or her own death. Consequently, one is left to wonder what measures had been instituted to prevent the fisherman from becoming yet another
statistic to an already known fact—- that of recent suicides occurring at police stations and lock-ups. Was there a Suicide Prevention Policy in place? What was the frequency of cell checks? What pieces of garments is an individual allowed to wear while in custody? What is known thus far about previous suicides in police lock-ups? What measures were taken to prevent the likelihood of same? In the 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices produced by the United States Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, the executive summary for Guyana states that prison and jail conditions, particularly in
police holding cells, were reportedly harsh and potentially life threatening due to overcrowding, physical abuse, and inadequate sanitary conditions. See https:// www.justice.gov/eoir/page/ file/1148471/download Police are tasked with a responsibility in law, and a duty to make certain that prisoners in their custody are retained in a safe environment. Furthermore, they must ensure and do that which is necessary to ensure that the environment and the place in which these prisoners are kept are safe at all times. It is obvious that the police displayed negligence Continued on page 6
Queen Victoria had little to do with abolishing slavery DEAR EDITOR, I note with great alarm the letter published in Kaieteur News, November 29, 2019, titled: ‘Queen Victoria statue should be respected, preserved’, written by Rooplall Dudhnath. I do not propose at this stage to debate the virtues of the good Queen Victoria historically referred to as the Victorian Era. But Mr. Editor, I ask you to publish the following to debunk generations of propaganda. In his letter, praising the good Queen, he claims that, “it was during her reign as Queen of England that she abolished slavery and put an end to the undignified slave trade that some European governments and monarchs started and enriched themselves with the exploits. She also abolished the inhuman indignities of slavery to her credit.” This is an absurdity. Queen Victoria had absolutely nothing to do with the epic struggle for freedom of the slaves in the British Commonwealth. Queen Victoria ascended the throne as
Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 20th of June 1837. This was long after the efforts of Wilberforce, John Newton and in particular the glorious and gallant struggle by the slaves themselves who said in modern parlance that ‘enough is enough.’ She came to the throne in the final months of apprenticeship. Another error by our African ancestors is when they renamed the village North Brook, which they purchased on the East Coast of Demerara, to Victoria- a mistake that Victorians themselves must appreciate for Queen Victoria. I repeat: Queen Victoria had nothing to do with the freeing of our slave ancestors. I challenge the author of the letter and historians to produce any evidence that Queen Victoria was involved meaningfully in the struggle for African freedom from slavery (1834-1838). Let us set the records straight and honour those who deserve to be venerated. Hamilton Green
Monday December 02, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Security company and abuse of the tendering system DEAR EDITOR, I have observed that there was a tender opened for Security Services to the Ministry of Education and interestingly noted that the following services tendered: RK’s Guyana Security Services $50,528,448; Strategic Action Security $43,436,736; Brans Security $70,178,400; Atlas Security $22,059,274; Amalgamated Security $58,152,038; Radar Security $43,141,248; Sentinel Security Inc. $47,721,312 and Kalibur Security $42,542,064. As a Guyanese who is quite familiar with the tendering procedures and systems in the country and for those people who are observing tendering for Security Services, in particular, I, along with these ardent observers will tell you that four of them (names given) are known to be awarded most of the Government tendered contracts due to low tendering rates. While the procedure is the lowest rates, it is not the main criteria for the awarding
of contracts, even though some evaluators and the Central Tender Board, will make it appear so. The lowest tenderers are known to be manipulators and thieves of National Insurance contribution. The fact is that security workers cannot get their NIS benefits, especially in old age - many of whom are known to become wards of the state, whereby they expect services from the Government, due to the fact that they cannot access their deserved NIS benefit. These security services are known to be major stealers of NIS contribution of workers and of their part, while at the same time, use this to augment their profits. In addition, they do not pay certain benefits like Annual Leave, Holiday with Pay, Premiums, etc. The same services are known and have had problems already with both the NIS and the GRA. They have stolen accumulatively billions of dollars from the Government of Guyana in the form of VAT, thefts and PAYE taxes and converted it to their
own use, in what could be perceived as a massive fraud against the country of Guyana. These services are known to have had their books seized and at times returned clandestinely by corruption and fake promises. I recall seeing letters over the years in the media, by one Mr. Roshan Khan, highlighting these facts and yet nothing seems to have been done. It seems as if the Governments sleep on their ears with a permanent blindfold on their eyes. While still not paying current corporate taxes, PAYE taxes and VAT, the fact must be noted that they made promises in writing to pay it in the past, but they have never lived up to these promises and never paid. This caused tremendous hardship to me. I know many others who have had to turn to the streets - becoming beggars to the state (sadly). It is sad that the Government of Guyana, the GRA and the NIS cannot see these things, or that their staffers will betray them. One company stole so
Discrimination against Guyana’s youth DEAR EDITOR, When the campaign of APNU/AFC kicked off in 2015 to topple the then President Donald Ramotar, youth was such a major campaign focus. So much too that their vote like a boss slogan that was promoted almost exclusively by youth, young people under the age of 30. The campaign youth focus didn’t end there. There were many other target policies include youth jobs, empowerment programmes and leadership roles that were promised. Of course, a politicians’ promise is a fools’ gold, and that is exactly what we were fed. Not long after the elections were won, President David Granger gave an ‘interview’ with media participants that were handpicked by the government. During the interview, one of the media operatives made mention of the campaign promise and banners that were still to be removed regarding job creation for youth. Mr. Grangers’ response then shocked the country. He told everyone that youths should sell plantain chips and cook-up rice. Can you believe this? I couldn’t at the time. Did Mr. Granger purposely try to insult the intelligence of the nation? Mr. Editor, even the correct rhetoric seems to be a burden for the current administration as Mr. Granger
explicitly told the media that there is no plan. Even by third-world standards, this is a silly statement. The Cabinet, Parliament and other top positions are comprised mostly of persons just below or over the age of sixty. Some left Guyana decades ago and are now returning to ‘serve’ by monopolising top positions and crowding out youths in the country, even those who were supportive of the government. If this wasn’t bad, the obsession with military personnel gives an outsider the opinion that Guyana has a military administration that recently overthrew a government and there is a need for the military to annex all top civilian posts. Military men are now in control of the Cabinet, individual ministerial portfolios, GECOM (yup, it’s not a joke), the country’s most important medical facility (GPHC, not a joke either), and top diplomatic appointments, just to name a few. If one was to subscribe to this logic, then the ideology would read like this or something similar; military men are special when aged beyond 60, and youths in Guyana with university education are worthless and need to be kept away at all cost. The former is akin to fine wine and the latter a nineteen-
century plague. I did search profusely, and while I may be mistaken, I could not find anyone aged 35 or under, or even 40 or below that held (for the government) an MP seat, an REO, a Ministerial portfolio, a PS or any other significant position. To quantify this, people under 35 in Guyana makeup around (it could be more since there is data time lagged) two-thirds of the electorate but hold close to or zero percent of the top positions. There was even once a Ministry of Youth, which has since been relegated to department and is being controlled by a pensioner (how fitting!). This is the sad state of youth involvement in the current government. For anyone who thinks this is an exaggeration, I implore you to fact check this for yourselves. Attiya Baksh
much - billions in NIS and taxes - then conveniently declared bankruptcy, changed their name, kept the same uniform, the same place of operation, tendered again, started stealing NIS and PAYE with VAT but somehow is winning many Governmental contracts. So, very, very sad. So very, very sad indeed. I recalled one letter writer suggesting to the NIS department that the only way to really get the security companies to pay is by not
publishing a list of names or try to renegotiate and waste valuable time. But, in the absence of thefts of NIS not being a criminal matter at this point, NIS should file private criminal charges for fraud, for this is exactly what it is. Sadly, a number of these security services who are tendering below cost have the audacity to gloat about the political connections and affiliations that they have. They are at times even challenging workers to “go
see what they could get, run to the NIS, run to the (Ministry/Department of) Labour,” and nothing ever comes out of it. We saw this happening recently in Region 6 and Region 5. Once tenderers or service-oriented institutions feel protected – politically they will do all kinds of evil transactions much to the detriment of the country and its people. Jadgesh Samuels Butters
GECOM should bar Granger, Jagdeo from running for office DEAR EDITOR, As the PPP launched its manifesto, MANIFESTO, we observe a few of them involved in the cover-up of the murder of former Minister Satyadeo Sawh trying to get back into power again. This, along Bharrat Jagdeo’s closing LBI and Diamond, the stress of sugar workers to collect their severance, and the wholesale robbery of rice farmers, which was allowed under Jagdeo, has to be condemned at the polls. These people have the temerity to ask the taxpayers of Guyana to pay them a salary. No one can seriously ask taxpayers to pay the salaries of these people. Guyanese have an opportunity to choose and improve their welfare under a third party administration. Let us not swap our wealth for corruption and poverty under Jagdeo. That would be a sin against your children. Guyana is in a serious political crisis when we have individuals who are using our courts and Constitution to escape being charged and jailed. They are running for public office. In addition to those charges laid, there are a host of other issues about which
investigations have to be made and additional charges filed. Mr. Ali himself has a host of charges for which he has requested a delay/stay, and none other than Mr. Jagdeo is himself fending off just a few of the charges which should be brought against him. They have all, however, been outdone by the Coalition at every corner, because it has become clear to the public that the charges against Ali, Jagdeo and company were all a political show. Now if the Coalition sees the recovery of our assets and the pursuit of justice against those who have stolen and misappropriated billions of dollars from us, willfully undermined our welfare and engaged in a host of lawless activities including the cover-up of the murder of one of the PPP’s own ministers, as just a stage show to gain political mileage, we can just imagine what they have in store for us. I had written to GECOM about four weeks ago requesting that Jagdeo be barred from participating in the upcoming elections, but am yet to receive a response from Ms. Claudette Singh. On GECOM itself, I fail to understand why the Chair continues to dally with the
House-to-House data which was clearly collected in violation of the procedures of Constitutional/regulatory guidelines (the order for the House-to-House registration was given by someone who was appointed as Chairman in violation of established procedures, and whose decisions would therefore be prejudicial, and thus, null, void, and not in the national interest). I further maintain that Guyanese have to press GECOM further to have not only Jagdeo barred from participating in the upcoming elections, but a host of others, including David Granger himself, for his clearly antisocial, anti-East Indian interest of the sugar workers whom he had withheld severance money for one year, despite prescribed by law. There should be no question in our minds that Granger willfully engaged in the economic emaciation of traditional PPP supporters in the sugar belt, and so has disqualified himself from holding any position of public authority over them. He is not fit to govern and administer the welfare of Indian Guyanese. Craig Sylvester, Democratic National Congress
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Kaieteur News
This police custody death must be... PPP never made any attempt to truly police-decrees-no-one-to- that due vigilance was not From page 4 in executing custodial be-put-in-lockups-for-any- exercised. honour Walter Rodney’s legacy Currently, there are far too obligations, a situation which minor-offence gives rise to the question as to who is legally responsible for suicide while in custody. In March 2015, the then Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, repeated and restated that at no time should anyone be put in the police lock-ups for any minor offence. At the same time, he reminded his officers that any digression from that force’s policy could be regarded as a breach of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Guyana Police Force. The Chief was resolute that this facet of the GPF policy should see strict obedience by every rank on duty: No person should be arrested and placed in the police lockups for any minor offence. He advised that the applicable procedure should be that the person is arrested, briefly detained, and granted station bail while investigations into the reported offence are completed. The Police Commissioner repeated this position when asked by reporters to comment on the abuse of members of the public by police ranks, and the excessive use of force. See http:// guyanachronicle.com/2015/ 03/03/commissioner-of-
One is left to wonder if such a directive still stands and is it practiced in the land. Perhaps, at this juncture a clearer explanation of “minor offence” is warranted from the perspective of both the ranks and the public. In Act I, Scene 4, of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Marcellus the guard at Elsinore states: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” Let me unequivocally state that “something is rotten in the Police Force of Guyana”, and in order for a better smell to be emitted, I am calling on the powers that be- Office of Professional Responsibility, and Police Complaints Authority- to seriously and thoroughly undertake a detailed investigation of this incident of death/suicide while in police custody. Last year July, Bagatram Jailall, a sexagenarian of Meten-Meer-Zorg, accused of raping a 12-year-old girl was found hanging from the lockups window grill of the Leonora Police Station. While his crime may be of a more serious nature than the one currently under discussion, what is startlingly alarming and appalling, is that there were four other prisoners in the said cell at the time of death. It is blatantly obvious
many issues affecting the thrust of the Guyana Police Force to forge better relationships with members of the public. The public is appalled not only at the fact that people are dying but moreover by the manner of their deaths. No one believes any longer the excuses and explanations proffered. In 2009, the then Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, briefed the inspectors and sergeants attached to the Guyana Police Force on their roles in the force. The Minister stated that he saw the need for more attention to be paid to the supervision of the lockups in various police stations. “Too many prisoners have been escaping from police custody, and too many incidents have been occurring at police lockups. This situation needs remedial action,” said the Minister. A decade later and the problem still exists. Is there a force within the Force that hears but never cares or is police training seen as a means of earning and not learning? Once again, I add my voice to that of so many others in calling for an immediate thorough review of policing in Guyana, leading to a redefining of the role of the Guyana Police Force. Adherents of the motto-To Protect and Serve- must not swerve, but carry out their duties in a professional manner for all to observe. Yvonne Sam
DEAR EDITOR, It is common in the expression of Free speech that misinformed or intended to misinform definitions and accusations are thrown out into the public opinion pool, I wish to refer to Hydar Ally’s letter “An injustice is being inflicted on the memory of Walter Rodney” (Wednesday Nov. 27 Kaieteur News). The intention is to accuse the Government of disrespect and spite for removing the Walter Rodney name poster from the National Archives. I attended two days of a very meaningful three day UNESCO conference on National Cultural Policy Consultations, some two months ago, with representatives from the Culture Ministry, National Archives, National Trust and Artist/s from every discipline. The question of the National Archives versus the Walter Rodney name presence came up in deliberations by UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage Policy presenter Mr. Sydney Bartley on the ad hoc naming
of places that are not then gazette. I learnt, like everyone else, that this was the situation between Walter Rodney’s name and the National Archives. As all the facts determine, this was as much hypocritical propaganda as the PPP’s inquiry into Walter’s Death. There was never an attempt to truly honour his Heritage to this country, but as usual to make a political masquerade of everything through cluelessness, insincerity or as a political plaything. Without the legal framework, no legitimate transfer of finances via a Grant, Licence or sponsorship towards any expression that includes Walter Rodney is safe and accountable, if not gazette, it is a meaningless poster, an act of disrespect. I also wish to comment on Claudeston Massiah’s letter in the same edition of Kaieteur News on the presence of Britain’s Queen Victoria statue. The statue is a part of our history,
regardless of how painful it is, ours was not the same history of the Southern pre civil war America. As an illustrator, I have had difficult times connecting the imagery of our timelines; we are not good keepers of our own significance. Victoria will be a milestone until we fit the other pieces together, and relate our history to our presence, build a new High Court in Bartica or Linden, to erect a new towering sculptured edifice, with relevance to our timeline and to the future. I would not support removing any historical statue, as I have told my brethren, neither do I support the lazy act of renaming streets rather than building new ones. I will always shout ‘Respect Due’ to Benji, the late Porridge man and those ‘West’ brethren who created the community of RasVille; they commenced a process that was commendable for its day, and its necessary philosophy is still relevant. Yours Respectfully, Barrington Braithwaite
That renaming of the National Archives DEAR EDITOR, Nothing is wrong with naming something after Dr. Walter Rodney. For instance, renaming Croal Street, where the WPA office was, to Rodney Street, or where he was born or grew. The National Archives has a particular denotative and connotative value to be seen as a national entity. According to the National Archives of Guyana Act, Chapter 40:08, Section 3 (2), the institution was established to “be the place of deposit for the storage and preservation of public archives.” We have the Victoria Law Court, which is named after Queen Victoria. Back then, it was the Supreme Court of British Guiana and it was about colonisation and control to show who was really in charge and had control over us. By the same token, are we now witnessing efforts by the WPA to play the control game on us? For instance, you don’t take the Guyana Defence Force, whose first local-born Chief of Staff was Colonel Clarence Price, and rename the institution the Colonel Price Defence Force. Neither do we rename the Ministry of Education the Forbes Burnham Education Ministry given that he was the first local-born Minister of Education under internal self-government. Or do we name the Ministry of Agriculture the Cheddi Jagan Agriculture Ministry because he was the first Minister of Agriculture, Forest, Land and Mines? Will we see the WPA wanting the Ministry of Telecommunications be renamed the Sydney King or Eusi Kwayana Public Telecommunications Ministry, whichever is preferred, because he was the Guyana’s first Minister of Communications and Works? Would they want two departments of government renamed in honour of Jocelyn Dow and Andaiye, the founding women of the WPA? The only two WPA leaders standing on their own two feet without the ghost of Rodney on their shoulders are Dr. Rupert
Roopnaraine and Professor Clive Thomas. And this raises the concern about the need to rename the National Archives the Walter Rodney Archives. Is it because he was the co-leader of the WPA and may be known in the international community? Comparatively on the local scene, he has not distinguished himself with the body of work akin to fellow historians such as Sister Mary Noel Menezes, Prof. James Roses, Pat Dyal Singh, Vere T. Daly and archivist, Tommy Payne. Taking this reaming business to the logical, ridiculous conclusion, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana can be renamed the Cooperative Republic of Jabuda in honour of Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham and Peter D’Augiar, Guyana’s founding fathers. Knowing the culture of the WPA, fighting for recognition, the party will want the name Rodney added, so we can then do a final renaming to that of the Cooperative Republic of Jabudaro. Instead of being Guyanese, we will be Jabudaroes or Jabudaroians. This will make the WPA happy. There is disagreement with the government’s position to remain the National Archives the Walter Rodney Archives because it represents the path of least resistance and a show of weakness. Their action shows that they are not confident in decision-making. If the government knows it couldn’t defend its actions after it was done then it should think, consult, and ventilate before acting. If they have to back-pedal and apologise so frequently, it means they are not thinking before they act and are acting recklessly. They must discuss the pros and cons before they act but they always keep doing things that make them look weak and ineffective. This Coalition must demonstrate it can deal with the 0.005 force of internal resistance and challenges if they want people to believe they can deal with the powerful PPP. Minette Bacchus
Monday December 02, 2019
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REVISITING CRITICAL SUPPORT What is far more important than knowledge of our past is a proper understanding of that past. A blinkered understanding of the past can lead to the same degree, if not worse, of ignorance than selective amnesia, which attempts to erase those aspects of the past which is -politically convenient to suppress. One of the issues over which there has been either a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt at distortion has been the issue of “critical support” which the PPP offered to the PNC in 1975. ”Critical support” must not be confused with unconditional support. “Critical support” must not be confused either with forming a coalition of joining with the other party. When the PPP announced its position of “critical support”, the then General Secretary Dr. Cheddi Jagan went to great pains, including speaking to party groups around the country, to explain what this meant and why the PPP was offering it. He said: “It means giving support for any progressive measure, opposing any reactionary moves and criticising all shortcomings. Above all, it means giving a firm message to imperialism and its lackeys that we will not tolerate any meddling in our domestic affairs, that despite the differences between the PPP and the government, we are prepared
to unite our forces with the PNC forces to fight against intervention so as to safeguard our national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The decision of the PPP to lend “critical support” to the PNC government caused a major division within the leadership of the PPP. Ranji Chandisingh, for example, was of the view that given the leftist turn by the PNC, that the PPP needed to encourage Burnham to push Guyana closer to socialism. He felt that the PPP should not just offer “critical support” but unconditional support so as push Burnham faster and further towards socialism. He felt that if the PPP gave such support, it would move the country further and faster along the road to socialism. This caused a division within the leadership of the PPP because there were other leaders who felt that if the PPP went that route it would compromise itself and lose its moral authority to criticise any further deviations from socialism that may arise under the PNC. There were other views. One of which was the possibility that this initial thrust by Burnham could have been opportunistic and therefore the party needed to be supportive yet cautious in the manner in which it pledged its support. It was also argued that the party needed to be able to condemn
DEM BOYS SEH
Jail mek fuh some political leaders All over de world political leaders does end up pon de wrong side of de law. Just de odda day Lula in Brazil had to sleep in a jail cell. He couldn’t even get to attend he grandson funeral. Panama had Noriega. He still in jail. De Americans go right in he country and arrest him. Dem ship him to Uncle Sam and jail him. When dem done, dem transfer him to France wheh he still deh in jail. Guyana had its leaders in jail. During de British invasion, dem put Janet Jagan and Papa Cheddi in jail. Now Bouterse get jail in he absence. He is de leader of Suriname. He lef de country and dem boys want to know whether he get tip off before de sentence. But then again, it could be dat de court wait till he lef before dem pass sentence. He get twenty years. If Suriname put dem hand pon he, then he and he son gon be in jail at de same time. Bouterse get involve in some killing during de coup in 1982 and after all these years is now de people pass sentence. Dem boys want to know if any political leaders get tie up wid de killings during de crime wave and if there would be a trial. People was calling fuh an inquest but to dis day nobody ain’t tekking dem serious. But it would be interesting to see which court in Guyana gon send a political leader to jail. Uncle Sam trying wid Trump but he fighting like a cobra in a basket. Then dem boys see a cartoon in de Waterfall paper. It suggesting something but then again cartoonists does tek liberty. Dem suppose dem gon see a cartoon wid some odda leader thanking he lucky stars dat he live in Guyana. Of course, people does seh dat jail ain’t mek fuh cat and dog. Is just dat dem boys don’t want to go to jail. Talk half and watch how dem Guyanese politicians lucky dat dem living hay!
the many wrongs within the society, including the rape of democracy under the PNC. All opposition parties practised a form of “critical support”. During the 10th parliament, for example, the AFC supported the government on certain issues. They condemned them and voted against the government on others. This is a form of critical support. APNU also supported the government on the issue of the Cricket Administration Bill while the AFC opposed the government on this issue. This too was a form of critical support.
What therefore, it may be asked, distinguishes this form of critical support from the one that the PPP offered to the then PNC government in the 1970’s? In trying to understand how Jagan’s “critical support” was different from the traditional role of critical support practised by opposition parties, it is important to understand context. Burnham, despite his avowed anti-imperialists stance, was supported by the imperialist powers so long as he remained their preferred alternative to the more radical Jagan. The West had avoided
condemning him for his dishonest rigging the 1973 elections. The rigging of the elections forced a response from the PPP. After the elections of 1973, the PPP boycotted parliament and adopted a position of noncooperation and peaceful civil resistance. International forces had however began to weigh heavily on the PPP to reconsider its position towards Burnham given that he had established close ties with the Cuba and was moving fast to bring the country into socialism.
Anthony P Maingot in an article entitled “Socialism in the Caribbean” argued that in June of 1975, the communist parties of the Caribbean at a conference adopted the noncapitalist path to development and promoted the formation of broad progressive forces to help forge the antiimperialist struggle. This conference was a decisive moment for the antiimperialist movement in the Continued on page 22
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Revisiting critical...
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From page 9 Caribbean. Pressures were brought to bear on communist parties in the Caribbean to forge progressive alliance in the interest of the anti-imperialist struggle. Pressures were brought to bear on Burnham to forge a progressive anti-imperialist alliance with Jagan, and vice versa. “Critical support” was borne out of this dynamic. It was borne out of the need to send a clear signal to imperialism that the Caribbean was entering into a new phase in the struggle for socialism. “Critical support” as offered by the PPP was therefore part of the unity of the Caribbean left and as part of the ideological weaponry of the Left against imperialism. Jagan of course also hoped that it would eventually help in finding a solution to the political crisis in the country. Critical support was however doomed to failure. Imperialism, as we are seeing in Latin America today, is no pushover. It had Burnham on its frock tails. It knew his number and simply dialed it.
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Single dad among IDCE 2019 graduates — hopes to inspire his children
Dr. Paloma Martin, Deputy Vice Chancellor of PACE Orvis Anthony Cox walked across the stage proudly with his two children. Cox, a single father, aims to inspire his children by going for both his diploma and degree. “I always wanted to do something better with myself. I just want to do things to motivate my children,” Cox said after receiving his certificate in the field of Social Work II. He was among the 2019 graduating class of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) as the University of Guyana hosted its 43rd convocation for the institute. The IDCE comprises 1,084 students studying in six different disciplines. Its unique
programmes allows adults to select courses which are directly related to their needs. Director of the IDCE, since 2016, Dr. Jacqueline Murray, cited the relevance of all support for those pursuing studies at the institute “…if we don’t have persons supporting us, we cannot accomplish anything. Even if it is the person who you had to say keep my daughter for me, I’m going to classes,” she noted. Dr. Murray urged all graduates to pursue their dreams with gratitude in their hearts. “As you go into another phase of your life, as you decide what it is you do, do it with thankfulness and never forget to thank the persons who have helped you along the way.” To this end Chairperson, Dr. Nigel Gravesande thanked the IDCE for expanding its online offerings so that opportunities can be afforded to working mothers and fathers who may not have the time to attend the classes in person. According to Deputy Vice-Chancellor of PACE – (Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement), Dr. Paloma Martin, 55 awards will be presented in the form of refunding tuition fees to graduates who have performed excellently. “The reason this has happened is because the university has recognised that there has not been any tuition support for IDCE through the years and we recognise that many of the granduands, and many people who apply just like our university students, need some support.” Last year, IDCE entered a partnership with ExxonMobil to provide scholarships for IDCE students for the first time.
IDCE graduate Orvis Anthony Cox and his two children share a moment with Deputy Vice Chancellor of PACE Dr. Paloma Martin after receiving his certificate.
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Monday December 02, 2019
Call for CARICOM heads to respond to travel tax petition
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PPP’s early manifesto looks to stimulate national dialogue By Gary Eleazar
President David Granger
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A group calling themselves Caribbean Citizens Against High Intra-Regional Travel Taxes is calling for the heads of government in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to respond to a travel tax petition. The group said that over the last two weeks packages containing copies of the petition bearing over 20,000 signatures were dispatched to the offices of the CARICOM heads of government and the secretariat in Guyana. The group noted that a letter to each head of government, cogently outlining the case for dialogue on the “vexing issue of high intra-regional Caribbean travel taxes and fees” was also included in the packages. To date, the group said, only the offices of the President of Guyana, Brigadier David Granger and Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada have acknowledged receipt of the communication. Accordingly, the group said it is calling on the other CARICOM heads of government to respond to the petition submitted to their offices. “By signing our petition, the people of the region are collectively asking to be heard on the important issue of intra-regional Caribbean travel taxes. We hope that our leaders see it fit to engage with their constituents on this important matter,” the group said in its statement.
PM to sue UNC candidate for ‘vile, sinister’ claim PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has instructed his attorneys to sue a legislator with the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) for defamatory statements reportedly made at a UNC rally on Saturday. In a statement, yesterday, Rowley said he had taken note of “utterly vile and derogatory statements made by the candidate sanctioned on a national UNC platform.” ”These offensive statements are a continuation of the UNC’s campaign which specifically targeted the Honourable Prime Minister in the run-up to the 2015 General Election. “There is absolutely no room in Trinidad and Tobago for statements which have sinister and divisive undertones and seek to describe the Prime Minister as having committed a heinous crime,” said Rowley. Based on this, Rowley has instructed his attorneys to sue Devon Thomas, the candidate for Febeau/Bourg Mulatresse as soon as the Local Government Elections have concluded. The Prime Minister issued the instructions
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley ahead of today’s Local Government poll in which over 1.07 million citizens will vote for representatives for 139 Local Government districts. A total of 339 candidates from seven political parties, including eight independents, are contesting the polls. The PNM and Opposition are fielding full slates of 139 each. While other parties – The Congress of the People, Movement for Social Justice, Movement for National Development, Port-of-Spain Peoples’ Movement (PPM) and National Transformation Party are contesting only in certain areas.
Guyana’s single largest mass-based People’s Progressive Party (PPP), this past week broke with tradition to launch excerpts of its 2020 – 2025, social contract with the electorate, should it win Office at the upcoming Regional and General Elections. Party leaders present for the launch at Freedom House noted that the early release of the excerpts of the manifesto is to facilitate public discussion on the social pact, ahead of a formal launch in January. PPP Presidential Candidate Dr. Irfaan Ali, presented the manifesto at a packed Freedom House Hall, featuring party stalwarts and young leaders, in addition to General Secretary, Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. Unveiling “Our Plan for Prosperity” with the theme ‘Stronger together’ the PPP’s Presidential Candidate told supporters his party was looking to move away from making any sort of unrealistic promises, especially in light of the emerging oil and gas industry. He said the party wanted to have its message out in the public domain in order that it be debated, concerns addressed and clarity sought by supporters, nonsupporters and those that are still undecided among the electorate. According to Dr. Ali, “to those who don’t support us or who would not have made up their minds as yet, we are committed to you.” The Presidential
PPP Presidential Candiate, Dr. Irfaan Ali (at podium) presents excerpts of his party’s election manifesto. Candidate was adamant, the plans that have been outlined in the party’s pre-manifesto have in fact been costed and that the technical work has already gone into its outlined projects so that they can be implemented at the earliest possible time when his party takes power at the March 2, 2020 General Elections. According to Dr. Ali, the PPP’s 2020 to 2025 agenda would be pursued through a push for a stronger economy, community, political system and social justice. PPP General Secretary, former president, Bharrat Jagdeo, in explaining the rationale behind the soft launch, pointed to the fact,
“We have a bigger version of the manifesto that we intend to present to the people of the country and in that version you will have a deeper analysis of what was outlined here and some new policies.” According to the former president, in the past political parties would launch manifestos a short time before the election, which leaves no real public discussion or debate on what is being presented by each of the parties looking to contest the elections. He said, this was to avoid any technical interrogations of their proposed policies, something the PPP is looking to embrace through a more
consultative process with stakeholders and civil society in finalising its final social contract. Taking a swipe at the current administration, Jagdeo noted that if one were to peruse A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) manifesto at the last elections, many of the outlined plans were never manifested. “So people are very skeptical about promises made in manifestos,” he said. Party stalwart and longstanding PPP Chief Whip and former government minister, Gail Teixeira who moderated the Freedom House activity, in emphasising its ‘stronger together for a better Guyana’ theme, divulged that the consultative process for the crafting of the PPP’s manifesto commenced over a year ago. She said, the party’s social contract was formulated with input from thousands of persons that would have contributed their ideas either through electrical formats of through several of the party’s stakeholder forums and outreaches. “We believe that we have had the most consultative and democratic process in arriving at our vision.” She said it was decided to release the pre-manifesto at this time since it is believed that the process was inclusive enough, “and that it was time we put forward our vision,” adding that it is hoped the document acts as the stimulus and provides an important contribution to the national political dialogue.
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We were too secretive, should have controlled the Oil narrative far better - Trotman By Kiana Wilburg Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman has conceded that his administration could have done a much better job at handling of the oil and gas narrative from 2015 to now, The Minister made this statement during an appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. On the show which is broadcast every Thursday at 7: 30PM, the Minister was asked the billion dollar question: Was there anything he would do differently, and does he have regrets regarding the handling of the oil sector? “Of course I have regrets, of course, there are things I would do differently,” the Minister said while noting
that it would be unwise to say that everything went well. “...We should have controlled the narrative far better, we were too secretive and the May 26, (2015) decree by Venezuela (which sought to lay claim to Guyana’s territorial waters) changed what we thought was a celebration.” He said that the news of the oil discovery in the Stabroek Block quickly turned into a moment of great anxiety, a moment of fear that someone was plotting and posturing to claim what belongs to the State. In light of those affairs, Trotman said that the government’s response was to be guarded in what it made public to “avaricious eyes.” He added that the threat was perceived at the time to be “imminent and present.”
He said that indeed, government could have taken more time to get an agreement with far more favourable terms, but it was decided that moves had to be hastened to anchor ExxonMobil and not stretch out negotiations. Minister Trotman said, “...It is not easy to renegotiate agreements of an international nature...So yes, we should have been more open.” Further to this, the official pointed to how overwhelmed he was in trying to grapple with the new industry in the beginning, which took up more than 80 percent of his time. He said that engaging the public as well as dealing with the intricacies of the industry and everything else was beyond him, and perhaps, should have been taken up
elsewhere. He noted however, that he can say without conviction that no money was ever sought or offered as a bribe from Exxon or any suggestion made. “Looking back, the fear that we had at the time is no longer valid, but at the time we did feel that things (of a bad nature) were going to happen so those are my regrets,” he said while noting that he had the best interest of his country at heart. Minister Trotman said, too, that at all times; he considered himself the President’s steward and did not act in isolation. He said that all decisions were taken to Cabinet for their blessings. Be that as it may, he still stressed, “We could have done better in winning the trust and confidence of the
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman Guyanese people.” Further to this, Minister Trotman disclosed that President, David Granger had reached out to the political opposition to form some bilateral teams and committees but noted that this was not “fully embraced”.
He noted as well that when he was Minister in charge of the sector, he had encouraged Exxon to brief the Opposition Leader, Bharat Jagdeo from time to time but could not say how often that took place as he was not present.
Guyana estimates 500 new cases of HIV There has been an estimated 500 new HIV cases in Guyana in 2019 according to figures released by the Ministry of Public Health during the launch of the PANAmerican Health Organization (PAHO) World AIDS Day activity observed on December 1, each year. The figures follow some 247 new cases of HIV which was recorded at the end of May 2018. According to the ‘2018 Basic Indicators’, a publication by the PAHO, ts Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, noted that the HIV diagnostic rate was 14.6 people per 100,000 population region-wide, and for every new HIV diagnosis among women, there were 3.6 HIV diagnoses among men. Last year World Health Organisation [PAHO/WHO] Representative to Guyana, Dr. Bernadette Theodore-Gandi, revealed that the UNAIDS Global AIDS Monitoring database shows that the Caribbean region has seen a 18 percent reduction in new infections of HIV and 23 percent reduction in the number of AIDS-related deaths this year. “Once, thought to be too ambitious, the Caribbean region now leads the world in the elimination of Motherto-Child transmission [EMTCT] of HIV and syphilis,” Dr. TheodoreGandi stated. She added, “Currently, seven out of the 11 countries were validated globally for EMTCT, and seven out of the eight countries achieving
dual elimination of HIV and syphilis are from the Caribbean. These are inspiring steps toward ending the epidemic.” The PAHO/WHO Representative noted that winning the fight against AIDS requires an appreciation of the factors outside of health that also drive the epidemic. She stated that “the Sustainable Development Goal [SDG] Three, ‘good health and wellbeing’, aims to ‘ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. It includes the target which specifically states that by 2030, [we will] end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria…’ But meeting the targets of the other 17 SDGs will also contribute significantly to ending AIDS, as they too provide guidance that supports health and wellbeing in a holistic way.” Dr. Theodore-Gandi highlighted too that by ending poverty and hunger [SDGs one and two], the region will be supporting person living with HIV [PLHIV] and their families with the capacity to better manage their lives and adhere to treatment. She emphasised that by supporting highquality education for all [SDG four], the region will be supporting educational models where boys and girls are empowered with the information necessary to prevent diseases and sexually transmitted infections like HIV. By doing this, she said, there will be
improved health and health equity too. Even as she alluded to SDG five [gender equality], Dr. Theodore-Gandi said “the fight against AIDS will never be won in this region if we fail to address gender inequities, including violence against women and girls.” She further stated that if the region is to reduce inequalities [SDG 10], there must be an agreement that the principles of Universal Health also include PLHIV, men who have sex with men, women, and girls, sex workers, persons of transgender experience, persons incarcerated, people living with disabilities and all populations most-at-risk. She noted that if the region is to address the underlying factors that leave people vulnerable to HIV infection, no person or group should be left behind. Dr. Theodore-Gandi underscored that ending AIDS in the Caribbean will require addressing these gaps, as well as the challenges that continue to persist in accessing essential HIV services. While some 73 percent of PLHIV were aware of their HIV status at the end of 2017, only 57 percent were accessing antiretroviral treatment and 40 percent were virally suppressed. Men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender persons, and their sexual partners, represent approximately 70 percent of new cases. In addition, one in every three new cases occurs in young people 15 to 24 years old.
Monday December 02, 2019
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Kaieteur News
Final Colonial Medical Super50 Cup
Julien’s 83, Cariah, Sinclair give WIEP title in first try By Sean Devers in Trinidad Leonardo Julien stroked a maiden fifty, while five other batsmen got starts before spinners Yannick Cariah and Kevin Sinclair bagged seven wickets between them as West Indies Emerging Players won the Colonial Medical Super50 Cup in their first try when they beat the Leewards Hurricanes by 205 runs last night in the biggest upset since Windwards beat Guyana in Grenada in 1989. It was also the second consecutive Super50 title for former West Indies Captain Floyd Reifer who was the Coach in last year’s Final when CCC beat Guyana Jaguars in Barbados. Led by an accomplished 83 from 85 balls with 11 fours and two sixes from opener Julien, who added 60 for the first wicket with Kimani Melius, who reached the boundary once and cleared it twice in his 34-ball 28, Emerging Players moved to an imposing 293-7 when their 50 overs expired. Julien added another 81 for the second wicket with Cariah who made 34 with two fours from 51 balls, while Dominic Drakes slammed 38 from 25 balls with three fours and a six, 31 from Roland Cato and 28 from Sinclair rallied the youngsters to the fifth highest total in this year’s
Kevin Sinclair hit a cameo 28 before taking 4-20 as the WI Emerging Players won the Super50 tournament last night at the QPO. tournament and second highest behind Guyana’s 294-9 against the Windwards in the Trinidad zone. Pacer Sheeno Berridge had 2-60 to take his wickettally to 23, while his new ball partner Quinton Boatswain had 2-59. The Hurricanes, who won their last title in 2010 when
their final against Barbados ended in a Tie in Jamaica, crashed to 88 in 26.5 overs as no batsman passed 20. The 20-year-old Sinclair had 4-20, while Cariah took 38. Staged in the middle of the rainy season and at the start of the Christmas festivities, the turn-out was
Champions Flamengo beat Palmeiras 3-1 in Brazil’s Serie A
Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus and Gabriel celebrate after the match. (REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli) SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Flamengo’s spectacular season continued yesterday with another win, their 14th in the last 16 games, as Brazil’s Serie A champions beat last year’s winners Palmeiras 3-1 away. Giorgian De Arrascaeta put Flamengo ahead after four minutes before striker Gabriel Barbosa, whose double won the Copa Libertadores last weekend, scored another brace with a goal either side of halftime.
Palmeiras, who started the day in joint second place, got a consolation goal through Matheus Fernandes with six minutes left but were booed by their own fans as their winless streak extended to five matches. Flamengo won the league last weekend and are 19 points ahead of Palmeiras and Santos, who were to host Chapecoense later yesterday.
smallest for a Regional Limited overs Final in three decades. The Hurricanes asked the Emerging Players to bat in bright sunshine on a good track fairly fast outfield and the left-handed Julien flicked Boatswain for four and pulled for another boundary in the same over. Melius sliced Berridge for six over backward point and hammered him past cover for four and when Jacques Taylor was introduced he swept him for four and clobbered him for six. Julien swept left-arm spinner Jason Campbell for four and the pair celebrated the 50 partnership. But with the score on 60 in the 12th over, Melius was removed by Taylor, but Julien kept going and brought up his 50 from 54 balls as he and Cariah kept the Emerging players on track for a big total. The pair took the score to 142 before Cariah was run out and Joshua DaSilva, the only centurion on their side, clipped Berridge for four and on-drove for consecutive boundaries before being LBW off the next ball to leave the score on 163-3 in the 30th over. Julien fell four runs later when he was dismissed by Berridge 17 short of his ton the Hurricanes put the brakes on the free scoring.
Thompson, Bacchus, Lewis, Haynes, Ghanie among gold... From page 34 took the runner up spot with 15 points, Yarmuk was third on 10 and Badr on five. Yarmuk won the soccer competition in the primary division with 20 points, while Qadisiyyah placed second on 15. Yarmuk captured the secondary table tennis with 20 points while Qadisiyyah finished second on 15. The secondary girls basket ball was won by Uhud on 20 points and Yarmuk placed second in 15. The boys division was won by Yarmuk on 20 and Badr placed second with 15 points. The secondary boys soccer was won by Qadisiyyah ahead of Badr; the boys primary cricket was taken by Badr and Qadisiyyah won the girls segment. The secondary boys cricket was won by Yarmuk while Qadisiyyah placed second.
Emerging Players skipper Yannic Cariah collects the championship trophy. The in-form Justin Greaves (8) fell to Boatswain at 188-5 before Cato, who deposited Berridge for six over long-off and Sinclair who flicked Kacey Carty for four and eased Boatswain over cover for six, added 30 valuable runs before Cato played an impetuous drive and was caught behind as Carty struck at 218-6. Sinclair and Dominic Drakes added 32 for seventh wicket before Sinclair departed off Boatswain just after the 250 was posted in the 47th over. Drakes, the son of former West Indies pacer Vasbert Drakes, played some big shots and along with Keon Harding (10*) remained unbeaten at the end. When the Hurricanes began their reply, they slipped to 45-3 in 13.3 overs
as Montcin Hodge (1) fell to Harding, big fish Kieran Powell, the only batsman with 500 runs in the tournament fell to the wily offspin of Guyanese Sinclair for 13 and Devon Thomas (15) was sent back by left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd. The 50 was posted before man-of-the-match Cariah got rid of Carty (8) and Amir Jangoo (20) in the space of a run as the Hurricanes were being blown away as the slipped to 65-5. Two more wickets fell with the score on 71 when the pugnacious Jahmar Hamilton, who smashed an unbeaten 78 from 33 balls in the semifinals against the Red Force, provided Cariah with his third wicket as he managed just six last night before Akeem Saunders (1) was run out.
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Pakistan face innings defeat despite Yasir Shah’s century
Yasir Shah brings up his maiden Test hundred. (Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan ended the third day needing 248 more runs simply to avoid an innings defeat, with the scorecard reading 3 for 39. However, they arguably won the day, and unarguably enjoyed their best one all tour as Yasir Shah produced one of the more unexpected Test centuries. That there’s no contradiction in those statements tells you much about how the previous two days might have gone. With Pakistan having bowled - and then batted - themselves out of any prospect of winning or
probably drawing, they emerged unburdened from expectations and, for the first time, made Australia work for their wickets. Babar Azam agonisingly missed out on back-to-back hundreds by three runs, with the standing ovation the Adelaide Oval gave him suggesting they wouldn’t have begrudged him getting there. But for the faithful in Pakistan who rose early on a Sunday morning, the reward would come in the form of a deliciously insouciant maiden first-class century from Yasir, whose assured strokeplay did
little to flatter his team-mates already back in the pavilion. Partnerships with Azam and Mohammad Abbas took Pakistan up to 300 in their first innings, before much of that good work was undone by yet another top-order capitulation. Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali and, most damagingly, Azam had all been dismissed in a raininterrupted final session that keeps Pakistan on life support for one more day. The pitch appeared to have flattened out significantly from the previous evening, any hint of lateral movement having disappeared. Azam and Yasir found themselves more confident when driving on the up with little variable bounce to concern them. There was, perhaps, less intensity in the field from Australia, and an expectation (not exactly unreasonable) that Pakistan would just give up their wickets tamely. But Azam was digging in, as he always does, while Yasir had quickly realised batting here was much more fun than bowling, and determined to be remember in this game for
Mitchell Starc acknowledges his five-wicket haul. (Getty Images and Cricket Australia) all the right reasons. There was fortuitousness for the legspinner; he was missed on no less than three occasions - on 35 (a stumping), 43 (a dolly of a caught-and-bowled to Marnus Labuschagne) and 106 (another simple chance to Labuschagne at short leg) while Steven Smith’s position at slip to Nathan Lyon meant a couple of potential chances fell short. But just when Azam began to take on Labuschagne and move inexorably towards three figures, one lapse in concentration would cost him. Mitchell Starc angled one across and Azam drove on the up, only to get an edge that would see Tim Paine take a sharp diving catch. In denying Azam his milestone, Starc got his: a five-wicket haul that would become six the very next delivery when
he pinned Shaheen Afridi lbw. However, instead of folding, Abbas had some scores to settle, too. The sort of unfashionable patience and grit he reserves for his bowling came in handy with the bat as the scoreboard ticked over. Even as the new ball was taken, Abbas held firm, ensuring Yasir would be allowed to complete a remarkably unlikely century in a ninth-wicket stand of 87. Yasir looked for all the world to have scooped one to midon when one run short, but the ball went over, and Yasir roared exultantly. Much of the day had been dominated by speculation of when exactly it would rain and whether it would impact Paine’s decision to enforce the follow-on. With Pakistan having hung around longer than anticipated, Australia were expected to bat again,
but with the evening session under lights looming Paine put Pakistan back in for a tricky four overs before the dinner break. It was too long for Imam, who failed to keep out a Josh Hazlewood inswinger on his ninth delivery. When Azhar nicked off to second slip soon after, moments before a cloudburst forced everyone off the field, the feel-good factor that had accompanied the wagging of the tail had long since evaporated. The rain came and went for much of that final session, but there was still time to deal the heaviest body blow to the solar plexus of the Pakistan line-up. Scores: Pakistan 302 (Yasir 113, Azam 97, Starc 666) and 3 for 39 (Masood 8*, Shafiq 4*) trail Australia 3 for 589 dec by 248 runs.
Monday December 02, 2019
Ferrari fined 50,000 euros for fuel irregularity
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates after finishing third. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed) ABU DHABI (Reuters) Ferrari were fined 50,000 euros ($55,110) yesterday for a fuel irregularity on Charles Leclerc’s car in Formula One’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but the Monegasque driver retained third place. The amount of fuel the car was carrying was checked
before it left the pitlane to go on to the Yas Marina starting grid. The FIA technical delegate found a “significant difference”, later revealed to be 4.88kg, between the amount in the car and that declared. Stewards, who included former racer Derek Warwick,
Joshua Cheptegei breaks 10km road world record in Valencia
Cheptegei won the 10,000m world title on the track in Doha in October. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - Joshua Cheptegei broke the 10km road world record in Valencia, setting a new time of 26 minutes 38 seconds. The 23-year-old broke the previous record by six seconds, which was set in 2010 by Kenya’s Leonard Komon. Uganda’s Cheptegei was crowned 10,000m world champion in Doha in October, having won the 10km cross country world title in Denmark in March. In 2018, he ran 41 minutes five seconds in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, to break the 15km road world record. Cheptegei’s average pace was two minutes and 40 seconds per kilometre in Valencia, passing through 5km in 13 minutes 24 seconds. “What a year it has been,” he said. “I can’t believe it. “I knew that Valencia was going to be a really fast course, one of the fastest in the world. So to get to achieve what we came here for is something really special.”
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determined the fine for an inaccurate declaration after summoning Ferrari representatives post-race. Leclerc had been fighting for third in the overall standings with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second to Mercedes’s race winner Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen’s team boss Christian Horner had said before the start he expected Leclerc to be disqualified. “The technical regulations are black or white... usually with a case like that it’s either legal or it isn’t,” he told Sky Sports television.
Hamilton not ruling out a Ferrari switch ABU DHABI (Reuters) Six times world champion Lewis Hamilton did not deny meeting Ferrari chairman John Elkann when asked yesterday about speculation linking the Mercedes driver with a move to the Italian team in 2021. The 34-year-old Briton will be out of contract at the end of next season. The next deal will probably be Hamilton’s last in Formula One and he has said he is considering options outside of Mercedes, where team principal Toto Wolff’s future is also up in the air. “What happens behind closed doors is always private with whoever it is you end up sitting with,” Hamilton said in response to a question about Italian media reports that he had twice met Elkann. “For many, many years I’ve never, ever sat down and considered other options because we’ve been just driving straight ahead into the path that we’ve been on...,” added the Briton after winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “I know Toto is also looking at his options in terms of his future. So I’m waiting to see what he’s doing with that.” Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2013 as a one-time champion, replacing seven times title-holder Michael Schumacher, and with the
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed) British-based team still battling in the midfield. He now has six titles and 84 wins, seven shy of Schumacher’s all-time record of 91, and has averaged 10 a year since 2014. He can equal the German’s record title tally next season and the lure of going beyond that in one of the Italian team’s red cars could be too great to resist. Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, whose four-time champion driver Sebastian Vettel is out of contract at the end of 2020, praised Hamilton on Friday and said he was happy the Briton could be available. Wolff said there was a
75% chance Hamilton would stay with Mercedes. “But equally, there is a 25% chance that we are not in control of,” added the Austrian, who on Saturday said he was totally open to Hamilton speaking with Ferrari. The Briton said any decision to leave would not be easy. “I love where I am so it’s definitely not a quick decision to go do something else,” said Hamilton, who owns several Ferrari road cars. “But of course it’s only smart and wise for me to sit and think of what I want, if it is the last period or stage in my career.”
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Alpine skiing: Dressen wins downhill Aubameyang’s double earns Arsenal draw at Norwich in triumphant return from injury (Reuters) - German Thomas Dressen made a triumphant return to North America by winning the men’s World Cup downhill in Alberta on Saturday, a year after suffering a serious knee injury in a high-speed crash. Dressen timed his run perfectly in the opening race of the season on the fast Lake Louise course in the Canadian Rockies. He was behind at all five time checks, before scorching over the final part of the course to stop the clock in one minute 46.81 seconds to pip Italian Dominik Paris by 0.02 seconds. Swiss duo Carlo Janka and Beat Feuz tied for third, 0.26 behind the winner. Dressen, 26, won two World Cup downhills early last year, including the famous Kitzbuehel run in Austria. But his 2018-19 season ended when he suffered torn knee ligaments and a dislocated shoulder in a heavy crash in Beaver Creek, Colorado almost exactly a year ago.
Thomas Dressen of Germany finishes his run during downhill training for the Lake Louise FIS Men’s Alpine Skiing World Cup at Lake Louise Ski Resort. (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores their first goal from the penalty spot. (Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs) (Reuters) - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again rescued Arsenal as his brace earned them a 2-2 draw at
Norwich City in Freddie Ljungberg’s first game as caretaker manager yesterday. The Gabonese striker took his away league tally to six this season as he twice levelled after an impressive Norwich side led through goals by Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell. While Arsenal showed some backbone to return to London with a point two days after Unai Emery was sacked as manager they are now without a Premier League win for six games — their longest streak within a season since 1994. They are eighth, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, while Norwich remain second from bottom. “I want this club to do well, it is only winning that counts,” Swede Ljungberg, a member of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” who won the title in 2003-04 without losing a game, said. “I wanted to win the game so I am disappointed but I have also seen some positive things.” Ljungberg’s starting lineup saw a return for Granit Xhaka for his first league appearance since he argued with Arsenal fans when he was substituted against Crystal Palace in October. There was also a place for German playmaker Mesut Ozil — given just his fifth start of the season. The visitors began in sprightly fashion but their fragility was exposed after 21 minutes when Pukki was allowed far too much time to control a ball and turn before his low shot took a deflection and crept past Bernd Leno.
Norwich’s lead was shortlived though as Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Christoph Zimmermann’s handball. Aubameyang’s first attempt was saved by Tim Krul but a VAR check showed the Norwich players had encroached into the area before the kick was taken and a re-take was ordered. Despite Krul doing his best to distract Aubameyang the striker calmly angled his kick into the corner. Arsenal began to dominate but they were caught on the counter-attack in first-half stoppage time and Cantwell’s slide-rule finish had the Carrow Road faithful celebrating again. Aubameyang fired in from close range following a corner to level again in the 57th minute but it was Norwich, eyeing a second successive league victory, who looked the more likely winners with Leno making several good saves. The pick of them was when Kenny McLean burst through on goal after indecision in the Arsenal defence and his shot was turned against the post by Leno. Pukki also had a chance to win it for Norwich while at the other end Arsenal substitute Lucas Torreira almost claimed victory for the Gunners in stoppage time. “I’m disappointed to some extent — we should have got three points,” Norwich manager Daniel Farke said. “Some of that was due to a world class Bernd Leno. “Four points from two games is quite good.”
Monday December 02, 2019
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England in New Zealand: Joe Root Catch me if you can: Hamilton lays down 2020 marker to next generation & Rory Burns hit centuries BBC Sport - Joe Root returned to form as he and Rory Burns hit centuries for England, but the second Test against New Zealand remains in the balance after day three. Root made 114 not out off 278 balls - his first Test century in 15 innings - as England closed on 269-5, 106 behind. Captain Root put on 177 with opener Burns, who reached his second Test ton before being run out for 101. New Zealand fought back with two wickets after tea before rain ended play 45 minutes early in Hamilton. Ben Stokes made an attractive 26, while 21-yearold debutant Zak Crawley fell for one. England will still hope to bat beyond the Black Caps’ first-innings 375, before attempting to bowl their hosts out cheaply. However, further rain is forecast on the final day, with England needing to win to draw the two-Test series. ROOT HITS WELCOME HUNDRED Root made two and 11 in the first-Test defeat at Mount Maunganui and was averaging 27.40 from 10 matches in 2019, form which had seen him drop out of the top 10 of the Test batting rankings for the first time since 2014. He began the day on six and batted very patiently, not playing in his trademark busy fashion until a flurry of boundaries when he reached the nineties. He did not play many memorable shots but did not offer a chance either, the only scare coming when he was given out caught down the leg side on 47. The decision was overturned when replays showed the ball flicked his pad. That said, Root reached his slowest Test hundred in
Root’s century was his slowest in Test cricket, off 259 balls. (Reuters) fortuitous fashion, bottomedging a cut past his stumps then over wicketkeeper BJ Watling for four. The century, his 17th in Tests, has come on a very flat pitch but it will also quieten questions around his batting since taking the captaincy for a while at least. This is his sixth hundred as captain and his longest innings in terms of balls faced since he succeeded Alastair Cook as skipper. As England faltered late in the day against a disciplined New Zealand attack, Root held firm and will likely need to push on on day four to set up a chance of victory. BURNS ENHANCES GROWING REPUTATION After the innings-and-65run defeat in the first Test, Root stressed the importance of England batsmen converting starts into hundreds and it will please him that both he and Burns were able to do so. It is the first time England have had two centurions in the same innings of a Test since Alastair Cook’s final match in September 2018. Burns, who was dropped twice on day two, was more fluent than Root, although
Burns’ hundred is his second in Tests, after making 133 in the first Ashes Test this summer. (Getty Images)
not as solid. He capitalised when New Zealand bowled too short and played a number of pleasing pulls, reaching his century from 208 balls. He was run out two balls later, ambling the first run and falling a couple of inches short when he opted not to dive for his ground. Still, Burns’ stand with Root was the first time England have had a partnership over 150 since Cook’s retirement, and further enhances his reputation at the top of the order. After Burns’ departure it looked like the in-form Stokes would continue to build England’s score, but he was well taken by Ross Taylor at slip off a fine delivery from Southee which seamed away. Kent opener Crawley, batting at number six, was almost run out as he scampered his first run in Test cricket before Neil Wagner found the outside edge with one angled across him. Scores: England 269 for 5 (Root 114*, Pope 4*) trail New Zealand 375 (Latham 105, Mitchell 73, Watling 55, Broad 4-73) by 106 runs.
Abu Dhabi (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton laid down a marker to the young pretenders to his crown yesterday when he completed 2019 with a masterful triumph at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his 11th win this year and the 84th of his career. The six-times world champion started from his record 88th pole position, was untroubled, led every lap and reeled off a lap record for the Yas Marina circuit on his way to his 50th victory from pole. His race engineer Peter Bonnington told him his performance had been “a master class” as he slowed down before delivering a series of ‘donuts’ to delight the fans. “Honestly I’m proud, definitely, but I’m supergrateful to this incredible team and all the people at Mercedes who have continued to push this year,” said Hamilton. “Who would’ve thought, at the end of the year, we had the strength and we’ve
learned, and tried, to extract more out of this beautiful car? “I’m so grateful to Team LH! I travel around the world to different countries and I get to see people who inspire me and send me messages that lift me up. “Thank you for watching. Thank you for supporting. I feel so happy today, man.” Asked during an official post-race interview with former driver David Coulthard about the competition in 2020 from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished second, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who came home third, but faced a post-race investigation into fuel irregularities, Hamilton was generous. “These guys. There’s a lot youngsters coming through,” he said. “It’s great to be in a period of time when there’s lots of youngsters coming through — and I’m privileged to be here while they come through.” The leading young tyro, Dutchman Verstappen
conceded that in Sunday’s race he was not quick enough to catch Hamilton. “To be P3 in the championship was a nice ending,” he said. “We are all working hard, but it’s good to take some time off and be with family and friends — and come back stronger next year. “There were a few little things in this race that were issues, but it wouldn’t have made any difference. We had to do things differently to Ferrari, our pace was decent, but Lewis was too quick.” Leclerc, speaking before the stewards met to consider Ferrari’s alleged fuel irregularity, said: “I’m extremely happy about this year. “I’ve learned a huge amount — thanks to Seb. It’s been a great year and the realisation of a dream I’ve had since I was child to be with Ferrari and in Formula One and it’s up to me to get better and give them the success they deserve.”
Catch me if you can: Hamilton lays down 2020 marker to next generation
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Thompson, Bacchus, Lewis, Haynes, Ghanie among gold medal winners Kayla Thompson, Arif Bacchus, Shareefah Lewis, Abdur Haynes and Salma Ghanie were among the gold medal winners when the ISA Islamic School held its annual Inter House Athletic sport recently at the Everest Cricket Club ground. Arif Bacchus of Uhud won the 100m boys classic, while Mohamed Hanif of Qadisiyyah placed second and Abrahim Walcott of Yarmuk was third. Hasan Chalmers of Yarmuk won the 100m boys U11, while Usayd Barlow of Uhud placed second and Tariq Griffith of Qadisiyyah placed third. Renesa Bourne of Yarmuk
won the girls U11 100m classic ahead of Aisha Jones of Uhud and Aarifah Khan of Qadisiyyah in that order. Shareefah Lewis of Yarmuk took the top podium spot in the 100m girls U11, Anisah A. Kadir of Badr placed second and Safeeyah Khan of Yarmuk was third. Abdur Haynes of Uhud took gold in the boys U13 100m, Abdul Khan and Nathan John, both of Yarmuk took second and third places respectively. Maariyah Khan of Uhud won the 100m girls U13, Kayla Farrington of Qadisiyyah placed second and Saara Musahab of Badr was third.
The 100m boys U15 was taken by Junaid Barlow of Badr, Umar Percival of Yarmuk was second and Sameer Ruplall of Uhud third. Salma Ghanie of Qadisiyyah grabbed gold in the 100m girls U15, Tahirah Majeed of Badr was second and Saalihah Mohamed of Badr placed third. Mustapha Kadir won the 100m boys open, while Irfan Hack placed second and Arfaan Azees was third. Mariam Khan took the 100m girls open title, Narissa Sebastian and Aaliyah Shameer finished second and third respectively. Kayla Thompson of Badr won the 600m girls open ahead of Saleema Khan of
Thrilling elimination games set up quarterfinals Following a thrilling night of elimination matches, the likes of Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Rio All-Stars, Gold is Money, Back Circle and Leopold Street advanced to the quarterfinal stage on Saturday in the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship. Staged in front a large crowd at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, the likes of Sparta Boss, Rio All-Stars, Bent Street, Leopold Street and Rio All-Stars all secured easy wins. Newcomer Rio All-Stars mauled Tiger Bay 5-0. Doubles from Cecil Jackman in the third and 15th minute and Kelsey Benjamin in the fourth and 17th minute led the rout. Adding a goal in the 12th minute was Job Caesar. Similarly Bent Street mauled Sophia 4-0. Pernell Schultz, Daniel Wilson, Clive Nobrega and Adrian Aaron scored in the fourth, seventh, ninth and 14th minute apiece. Likewise Back Circle cruised past Broad Street 4-1. Trayon Bobb scored a hat trick in the second, fourth and eighth minute while Jermaine Beckles netted in the seventh minute. On target for Broad Street was Brad Evans in the sixth minute. Also, Sparta Boss overcame Avocado Ballers 3-1. Eusi Phillips, Ryan Hackett and Deon Alfred scored in the second, 15th and 18th minutes respectively. For Avocado, Wesley Greenidge netted in the 13th minute. Leopold Street crushed Alexander Village 4-1. Darren Benjamin smashed two goals in the 15th and 17th minutes. Assisting with goals in the fifth and 14th minute were Rafael Edwards and Dorwin George respectively. For the loser, Shem Porter netted in the ninth minute. On the other hand, Gold is Money edged Albouystown 2-1. Josiah Charles and Randolph Wagner scored in the eighth and 24th minutes respectively. For the loser, Omari James scored in the 16th minute. In other results, BV squeaked Showstoppers 3-2. Shemar Fraser scored in the eighth and 14th minute, while Jemar Harrigon netted in the 26th minute. For the loser, Stephon Jupiter scored in the fourth and ninth minute. Also, Future Stars edged Kingston 2-1. Daniel Ross and Rondell Bowman scored in the 16th and 17th minute each. For the loser, Simon Emmanuel netted in the 14th minute. The aforesaid winners will now advance to the quarterfinal round at the same venue on December 7th. Complete Results Game-1 BV-3 vs Showstoppers-2
BV Scorers Shemar Fraser-8th and 14th Jemar Harrigon-26th Showstoppers Scorer Stephon Jupiter-4th and 9th Game-2 Future Stars-2 vs Kingston-1 Future Stars Scorers Daniel Ross-16th Rondell Bowman-17th Future Scorer Simon Emmanuel-14th Game-3 Rio All-Stars-5 vs Tiger Bay-0 Cecil Jackman-3rd and 15th Kelsey Benjamin-4th and 17th Job Caesar-12th Game-4 Leopold St-4 vs Alexander Village-1 Leopold Scorers Darren Benjamin-15th and 17th Rafael Edwards-5th Dorwin George-14th Alexander Scorer Shem Porter-9th Game-5 Back Circle-4 vs Broad St-1 Back Circle Scorers Trayon Bobb-2nd, 4th and 8th Jermaine Beckles-7th Broad Scorer Brad Evans-6th Game-6 Gold is Money-2 vs Albouystown-1 Gold is Money Scorers Josiah Charles-8th Randolph Wagner-24th Albouystown Scorer Omari James-16th Game-7 Sparta Boss-3 vs Avocado Ballers-1 Sparta Scorers Eusi Phillips-2nd Ryan Hackett-15th Deon Alfred-18th Avocado Ballers Scorer Wesley Greenidge-13th Game-8 Bent St-4 vs Sophia-0 Pernell Schultz-4th Daniel Wilson-7th Clive Nobrega-9th Adrian Aaron-14th Quarterfinal Fixtures Leopold St vs Gold is Money Sparta vs BV Bent St vs Back Circle Future Stars vs Rio All-Stars
Yarmuk and Fadelah Jumarally of Qadisiyyah in that order. The 800m boys open was taken by Mustapha Kadir, while Umar Percival took the runner up spot and Saif Roshan was third. Burhaan Williams of Yarmuk won the 60m boys U7 classic while Zain Baksh of Yarmuk placed second and Mohamed Khan of Badr placed third. The 60m boys U7 race was taken by Shuaib Uthman of Qadisiyyah, Rashad Thomas of Badr took the runner up spot and Alim Yacoob of Yarmuk finished third. Allia Simon of Yarmuk took the girls U7 60m classic, Maryam Husain of Yarmuk placed second and Myla Babb-Romney of Qadisiyyah third. Summiyah Hoyte of Yarmuk took gold in the girls 60m U7, while Saffiyah Raham of Qadisiyyah finished in second position and Fizzha Grant of Uhud was third. The 80m boys U9 classic was won by Aaden St. Hill of Uhud, while Zahid Mansoor of Yarmuk took the runner up position and Justin Persaud of Yarmuk was third. Yusuf Edwards of Uhud captured the 80m boys U9 title, Rashaad Razack also of Uhud was second and Husein Chalmers of Yarmuk placed third. Amelia Roza of Yarmuk took the top podium spot in the 80m girls U9 classic while Salma Rahaman of Qadisiyyah took the silver and Bibi Khan of Badr was third. The 80m girls U9 was taken by Nabeela Mohamed of Badr, Nafeesa Nieuldeen of Qadisiyyah placed second, while Sayidah A Kadir of Yarmuk grabbed the bronze medal. Aman Powers of Uhud won the 60m boys U6 classic while Ahsan Raghubir captired the 60m boys U6 event. Akeela Validan of Qadisiyyah grabbed gold in the 60m girls U6 classic; Tyrone Edwards of Uhud won the 120m boys U7 and Shuaib Uthman took the 120m boys U7 classic. Allia Simon won the 120m girls U7 and 120m girls U7 classic races. Rashad Razack of Uhud won the 150m boys U9 while Abdullah Deonarayan of Badr carted off the 150m boys U9 classic; Nabeela Mohamed took gold in the 150m girls U9 event while Indio Khan of Badr won the 150m girls U9 classic. Hasan Chalmers of Badr took the top podium spot in the 200m boys U11 while Shareefah Lewis 200m girls U11. Abdur Haynes and Maariyah Khan won the 200m boys and girls U13 races respectively.
Sameera Hussain (left) Champion girl secondary
Shareefa Lewis (left) Champion girl primary.
Umar Percival Champion boy secondary.
The 200 boys U15 was taken by Junaid Barlow while the girls equivalent was won by Sameera Husain. Amin Jibrael of Qadisiyyah took gold in the 200m boys open and Kayla Thompson won the 200m girls open. The boys 400m U15 was taken by Umar Percival and Fatima Asmi won the 400m girls U15. Amin Gibrael captured the 400m boys open while Kayla Thompson grabbed gold on
the 400m girls open. The boys U13 400m was won by Adam Mohamed and Allya Bacchus won the girls division. Badr house chalked up 20 points to win the Kicket Primary girls competition ahead of Yarmuk house with 15 points, Qadisiyyah house 10 and Uhud house five. The girls secondary kicket was taken by Uhud with 20 points, Qadisiyyah Continued on page 29