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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
FOR DIGNITY There is a hidden force within us so powerful that it can affect the way we feel about ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. Donna Hicks, an expert in conflict resolution, advises that that force is our common human yearning to be seen and treated as worthy of dignity. While we all have a deep and abiding desire to be treated well and to be recognized as worthy, our lack of awareness and understanding of the many ways we routinely violate each other’s dignity is wreaking havoc on our lives and our relationships. Unfortunately, these indignities have become an acceptable way of life in the workplace, marriages, families, and communities. Continued neglect of the damaging impact of everyday indignities keeps us trapped in a survival mode of being together in the world, where we are consciously or unconsciously protecting ourselves from the possibility of being harmed. A little knowledge about dignity could go a long way in helping us live more consciously; more aware of the effect we have on one another. Dignity plays a significant role in societal conflicts. When the political issues are stripped away, and the human experience of conflict is laid bare, what remains is a common yearning for dignity-to be treated as if they mattered. Human beings have powerful emotional reactions to having their dignity violated. Our emotional responses to the way people treat us are hardwired within us and define our shared humanity. When we’re treated badly, we get angry, feel humiliated, want to get even, maybe seek revenge; often without being aware of how much these primal reactions are driving our behaviour. We also have a knee-jerk reaction to withdraw from those who do us harm, even if we physically remain together. Fearing another assault is reason enough to shut down healthy lines of communication and trust. But often people feel that they cannot afford to leave a relationship because they are dependent on it; this happens all the time in the workplace, in marriages, and in families. Even though the relationship doesn’t end, there is a cost: openness is replaced by resentment, and it loses one of the most satisfying aspects of the human experience-the freedom to be together without fear of being harmed or humiliated. The injuries we endure by being treated badly are psychological, not physical. Unlike a physical assault, where bones are broken or blood appears, there are no visible signs of a wound. It is an internal matter, where the harm is felt on the inside. But what exactly gets injured? It’s our dignity. We feel the injuries at the core of our being. They are a threat to the very essence of who we are. What is worse is that people get away with it. And these injuries usually go unattended. Recent research in neuroscience has shown that a psychological injury stimulates the same part of the brain as a physical wound. There is nothing imaginary about the painful effects of assaults to our dignity. They linger inside, often stockpiling, one on top of the other, until one day, we can’t take it anymore and we erupt into a rage or a depression, or we quit our job, get a divorce, or foment a revolution. What is at stake is no small matter; it is our capacity to evolve and flourish together as human beings. If we continue to ignore the truth and consequences of these violations, we will remain in an arrested state of emotional development, enslaved by the most primitive aspect of who we are as human beings. On the other hand, there is no doubt that we are capable of overcoming this critical human challenge to our development. Dignity is a human phenomenon. Recent findings in neuroscience tell us that we are biologically predisposed to connect to one another. It is a false state of alienation we are living in. The quality of our lives and relationships could be vastly improved if we learned how to master the art and science of maintaining and honouring dignity.
Thursday February 19, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
The coming of a new dispensation DEAR EDITOR, I am in the unfortunate circumstance of having to watch E-Networks for my television service because I live in an area that has no other option. As a result, I do not have the privilege of viewing any local channel that provides opinions contrary to those of the government. This is one of the travesties created by the PPP when its former leader chose to arbitrarily dole out the spectrum to his friends and cronies. Surely this was no accident and one can only conclude that it is and was a clumsy and boldfaced attempt by Mr. Jagdeo to control the thoughts and actions of a populace that would ultimately be exposed to only one side of the coin.
I try as much as possible not to look at the drivel that passes for local programming on NTN. However, a few nights ago while flicking through channels I noticed the faces of Kwame Mc Coy and Bishop Juan Edghill on the screen and did a quick flick back to see what their presence on TV was all about. There they were, trying like the proverbial boy, to make a dollar out of ninety-nine cents. What is clear is that this election will be a watershed election in the annals of our country and the PPP is very aware of this fact. Having had its hands forced in Parliament by the “no confidence” vote of a majority opposition; and having been pummeled by
international diplomats, the party is being dragged hogtied, kicking and screaming to the election table. Panic has begun to step in. Vu l g a r a n d shameless electioneering at the expense of taxpayers facilitated by the monopolization of the airwaves is in full swing as the presence of Messrs Mc Coy and Edghill so clearly indicated. In part, the essence of the individual diatribes of these two men was that the PPP has been doing an excellent job as evidenced by the thousands of houses and house lots being erected and distributed; that the Opposition was trying hard to discredit the government with its allegations of corruption but that the said
Opposition was being exposed at every turn as the evidence of where the monies were spent is being made transparent by the government for all to see etc. etc. Well we all know the truth. It doesn’t matter to these gentlemen that if and when water does flow through the pipes to those houses, it is rusty brown. It doesn’t matter that the people in those houses cannot afford to pay their utility bills and sometimes resort to stealing electricity. It doesn’t matter that people are being shaken down each day by corrupt elements within the Police Force while the government looks the other way. It doesn’t matter that IMCs usurp the positions of duly elected officials. It (Continued on page 5)
The embrace of Nagamootoo, Granger ushers much hope for Guyana’s future DEAR EDITOR, For a long time, Guyana languished for national and racial unity to move our people forward. That was something PPP founder Dr. Cheddi Jagan preached about and wanted since the 1950s. In 1992, the PNC’s Mr. Desmond Hoyte rejected overtures from Dr. Jagan to consider some kind of unity arrangement. It was shot down by Hoyte because he thought he could win alone. Therefore, it was delightful and refreshing to see the AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan and APNU’s David Granger on the same platform embracing and holding hands together. While they were political opponents, they worked together in the last parliament to bring about transparency and hold the government accountable for its actions. What was inspiring to hear was Mr. Granger’s remarks that if they win 52% of the votes, they would not leave out the 48%. This is what I call a promise of statesmanship and a big tent approach. It reminds me of the Edwin Markham quote, “They drew a circle to keep us out, heretic, skeptic, a thing to flout, but love and I had wit to win, we drew a circle that took them in.” Surely, the PPP has a few good people left. President Ramotar is a good man. Dr. Anthony has a Jaganite heart and so do people such as Chairman Armogan in Region 6.
As Guyanese, we need to act on our hopes and dreams, not on our fears and mistrust. When hope is lost, we need to rekindle hope again. We cannot let apathy drive away the desire in our hearts for a better future, and dampen our faith for a new, brighter tomorrow for us and our children. Many of us have prayed, fasted and wished for a better Guyana, and it seems God is answering our call, because here we have two major political groups deciding that we have to hold
each other’s hands and lift each other up. The AFC had said it would not join with the PNC, but as Bro. Nagamootoo explained, this is the road we must take to move Guyana forward. This is not a sell out; this is being sold out to the notion that Guyana cannot move forward unless we have this spirit of reconciliation, spirit of forgiveness, and collective optimism for a better country. A hole in the boat is a
hole in the whole boat. It doesn’t matter if the hole is on the PPP side, the PNC side or the AFC side. We have got to work together in the spirit of togetherness. Therefore, I call on all my brothers and sisters in every church, every mosque, every temple, and every NGO, to rise up and support this new movement to pull Guyana out of the doldrums and into a new, brighter future. Guyana can rise from the ashes and be great again! Dr. Jerry Jailall
The UG strike reflects the sentiments of frustrated Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, The current strike at the University of Guyana should be examined carefully as it is a mirrored reflection of sentiments shared by Guyanese who are tired of a system riddled with false promises, abuse, banditry, greed, and corruption. The current physical infrastructure at the UG campus is dilapidated to say the least. The environment in and out of the classroom is not supportive of learning or teaching. As the premier tertiary learning institution in the country, the abysmal mismanagement and poor leadership has allowed it to fall into chaos, have crumbling infrastructure, be unaffordable, and lose merit in the quality of education and educators serving the institution. The university desperately needs transformation from within the crumbling walls of the classroom, the physical landscape, staff, lecturers, and to the rank of senior management. The Independent Party (IP) joins in solidarity with the students and faculty of UG to demand changes that will facilitate an environment of higher learning. Unlike industries such as GuySuCo, which can be revived, the lives of students and faculties
cannot be revived. Once the opportunity to seize an affordable and decent quality education is lost to the everyday struggles of providing for family in Guyana, it is nearly impossible to regain. The Independent Party strongly believes the call for change and improvement by the faculty, staff, students, and an immediate end to political appointments, is reasonable. UG must maintain its position as an institution to provide quality education, learning, and research of standard quality, in keeping with any prestigious university. Furthermore, the University of Guyana must secure the advancement of knowledge, the diffusions and extension of arts, sciences, and learning throughout Guyana and the region. Moreover, this must be made possible in a clean, secure, non-political, comfortable and resource-rich environment, that will facilitate individual and group learning as well as personal growth, and produce productive members of society, who in turn can contribute to the further growth and development of Guyana. Ravindra Seepersaud Mark A. Benschop For the Independent Party
Thursday February 19, 2015
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
SMALL MINERS NEED National development is MORE THAN PROMISES our ultimate goal, isn’t it? DEAR EDITOR, I noticed that recently in the press the Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, has been speaking about the benefits miners receive from his ministry. However, as a small miner, I would like to point out that many of these benefits do not reach down to us; they are mainly for the big producers. We have not been able to get any of these benefits. I also want to call on the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) to pay more attention to this situation. I also noticed that recently the Minister announced that his ministry has made it possible for miners to get duty free concessions on spares and parts for mining equipment, I do not know where this is in place, but certainly not at GRA, as the Customs Department is unaware. I hope that the Miners’ Association can urgently shed some light on the status of the duty free concessions given by the Ministry of Natural Resources. I am sure that this will not be for the big producers only. In addition to this, the Minister mentioned about giving duty free vehicles to miners; but this is also only for large miners. There is a requirement of declaring at least 5,000 ounces of gold before you can get the duty free. There are no small miners who can even get this target, I am asking that the
government look back at this target and make concessions for smaller producers. Recently we have started to benefit from the slight rise in the gold prices, but this has not lasted and the effects were short term. Apart from the reduction of fuel prices, real concessions in the mining sector remain limited. During the height of the gold prices, some of us were able to acquire lands and become independent of the large producers. However, with the return of the low prices, we are going to find the rental rates very difficult, and may be forced to return to renting from other concession holders. We recall that a commitment was given by President Ramotar to look into the rental rates being charged for mining lands. Rental rates will impact directly on our bottomline. There are several other issues that can be addressed to help the sector, as we are struggling. There are roads that are very difficult to pass, and this increases our transportation time and costs. Additionally I hope that the GGDMA can urgently use the fuel licence that they have to bring in fuel at an even cheaper cost than the big stations. We in the mining sector need all the help we can get, and so far we have been getting a lot more promises than assistance. Small Miner
The coming of a new... From page 4 doesn’t matter that our daughters are raped by power-drunk officials; we have the highest suicide rates in the world; we are labeled as one of the most corrupt countries in the world; there is no fiscal responsibility within our cash-based society. It doesn’t matter that we are a narco-state. It doesn’t matter that the laws of the land are being flouted left, right and centre. It just doesn’t really matter. Now I would like to ask a couple of questions of these gentlemen: 1. Where did some of the government ministers and high-level functionaries within the PPP get the money to build their mansions in Pradoville, Leonora, Happy Acres and such places? 2. Why does the PPP continue to divert revenues that should rightly go into the consolidated fund to NICIL so as to avoid the scrutiny of parliament? 3.Why does a government that is so confident; that it is working in the best interest
of the majority of the populace, feel the need to literally buy votes by handing out hard cash under the guise of “because we care?” 4. Why are so many close friends of the PPP either on their way to, or in jail in the US? Editor, in any other country in the world, the Minister of Finance who has spent billions of dollars without approval would have either demitted office in shame or been fired. In any other country in the world, a chief lawmaker caught on tape warning a journalist of the impending demise of his fellow colleagues for exposing the endemic corruption within
his party and government would have been severely sanctioned and forced out of office, if not prosecuted. Not so in Guyana. A person of this ilk is embraced, comforted, supported and protected by the PPP and its leader. But…I too am comforted. I find my comfort in the words of our late poet Martin Carter as he wrote in his Poems of Resistance. “Inexorably and inevitably, a day will come. If I do not live to see that day, my son will see it. If he does not see it, his son will see it.” I truly believe that if I live to see May 11, 2015, I will see that day. Clifford Christiani
DEAR EDITOR, Not so long ago, the Minister of Education announced a change in national education policy regarding the lowering of the age requirement for entry of children into nursery schools. The move was the Ministry’s response to requests to that effect from “numerous parents”. I am convinced that while the Minister’s intentions in this case were probably good, the decision was, I’m afraid, sadly misguided. Parents want the best for their children and every parent should be actively involved in the educational process. But the reality is, most parents are not professional educators, and decisions such as these should be influenced primarily by research and current best practices, not by parents. There is a robust body of tested research which shows that superior learning throughout the lifespan is achieved when children are exposed to learning through physical and social play up to age seven, as opposed to instructional approaches to learning. Further, early introduction to formal approaches to learning does
not in the long term improve literacy and could in fact, be damaging. Children who start school at or before age five demonstrate less positive attitudes to reading and poorer comprehension skills than those who begin at age seven. As if this were not bad enough, children who are forced into a learning environment at a tender age demonstrated higher indicators of stress and mental illness in childhood and later in life. Our current nursery school curriculum emphasizes formal instruction at the expense of informal play. My point is that while lowering the nursery age will undoubtedly pacify numerous parents and allow larger numbers of children to enter schools, it actually does very little good for our children and our country in the long run. But there is
good news! If children (at three years, two months) could instead be enrolled in professionally-staffed, playbased learning centres, they will develop superior, intellectual and emotional skills over their lifespan. Parents will still be pleased because then, mothers will be able to return to work and not have to pay exorbitant daycare fees. The Minister could then have the best of both worlds! Implementation of such a policy would take greater effort, financial resources and time. It will undoubtedly require the retraining of caregivers and retooling of nursery schools, but the returns with respect to our country’s greatest resource, our children, will be more than worth it. After all, national development is our ultimate goal, isn’t it? Wil A. Campbell
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GRPA launches youth focused “Choices Project” The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) officially launched its Choices Project late last week with the aim of promoting access to reproductive health facilities to Guyanese youths. The project is set to approach this area of health service through comprehensive sexual education in a gender sensitive manner. “Choices” was officially launched at the agency’s spoken word art event, called ‘Sex Tempo’, at Castellani House. Participants of all ages were welcomed to join in sharing various forms of spoken art (poetry, prose, song etc.) which highlighted issues of sex and sexuality. It was premised at the event that the project is specifically targeted to youths while equipping them with the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes. This will further enable young adults to access services and to know their reproductive rights. Reproductive rights are
…. looking to expand services to hinterland areas to tackle underage pregnancy categorized as the recognition of basic rights which couples and individuals have while accessing the highest standards of sexual and reproductive health facilities. These rights include for an individual to be free of discrimination, coercion and violence as expressed in human rights documents. In an interview with GRPA’s Programme Director, Renuka Anandjit, the project is prepared to move forward with clear objectives which deal with sexual and reproductive health education among youths. One of these objectives, Anandjit said, would be the development of accessible comprehensive packages for young adults. Such development would see the agency creating a more inviting environment in their clinics so that services would be accessed at all times. She further explained that this
would include support systems for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) youth along with at risk populations. “Along with providing comprehensive medical sexual and reproductive health services we (GRPA) through the Choices Project will provide psychosexual support with some focus on LGBT youth and other key populations,” explained the Programme Director. While the initiative is directed at the youth population, Anandjit affirmed that Choices will engage parents and other organizations as it is important to the agency that the older populace be part of the conversation on sexual and reproductive issues. According to Anandjit, the Choices Project is a volunteer initiative which will be open to youths, teachers, social workers and other
members of civil society in order to advance the education and facilities of the reproductive rights in Guyana. “People are slowly realizing that it is necessary to inform young people on sexual and reproductive health issues,” said Anandjit “young people have even said that they more inclined to abstain from or practice safe sex.” Meanwhile, as the Choices Project aims to make strides in people’s approach to reproductive rights, GRPA is also looking into the issue of underage pregnancy in the Hinterland regions of the country. Guyana has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean and South America, with 97 out of every 1000 girls between the ages of 15 and 19 affected. Last year, 58 cases of teenage pregnancies were reported to the Child
Care and Protection Agency with most of them coming from the hinterland region. The most recently publicized case was when a 14 year-old girl from the Region Nine village of Aishalton, delivered her baby in mid-air while being transferred to the Lethem Hospital. Anandjit related that the agency is working on building relationships with partners in the region so that GRPA is able to access affected persons. “Right now the biggest barrier for us in reaching those areas is accessing human and financial resources,” explained the GRPA official, “we are working in areas of research mobilization to fund going in there (the hinterland regions) and implement our services and distribute information.” She conceded that the agency understands the need for comprehensive sexual and r e p r o d u c t i v e
health education in the region. Anandjit cited the “horrific stories” of girls from as young as nine years-old delivering babies, saying that it’s an issue GRPA has been paying attention to. The GRPA official further stated that the agency is working on getting into those communities and disseminating the appropriate resources to them in order to decrease instances of underage pregnancy.
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Leaving the Privy Council could hit foreign direct investment Jamaica Observer Losing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) as its final court could have a detrimental effect on Jamaica’s attempts to attract increased foreign direct investment (FDI), according to Ismail Erturk, an expert in corporate and international finance and a senior lecturer at Manchester Business School (MBS) in Britain. Pulling out of the JCPC “will have negative impact both for existing and future FDI”, Erturk said. The JCPC is Jamaica’s final court, but there is a move to replace it with the regional Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). “The legal system is extremely important in attracting foreign investment,” Erturk said, although “other infrastructure like human resources, transport, telecom, cheap energy, political stability, law and order are important too. But losing the Privy Council would nevertheless be harmful.” An established court such as the JCPC would “definitely” be viewed more favourably by potential investors than a new court such as the Caribbean Court of Justice, Erturk said. “All major city states like Singapore and Dubai benefit from the British legal system although these are stable and rich countries,” Erturk said in a written response to the Jamaica Observer. A move away from the Privy Council could also impact current investors. “I am not sure how the
Ismail Erturk current investors will react. It would definitely influence their long-term plans,” said Erturk, who has taught corporate finance to MBS students in Jamaica. “I think Jamaica needs to sound out the key FDI companies in the island and also commission a report that evaluates the costs and benefits,” Erturk said. But most importantly, Jamaica also needs to improve all the areas considered by foreign investors, he added. “Attracting FDI is a holistic and co-ordinated approach, but the legal system is a major pillar,” he explained. While judges from outside of England can sit on the JCPC, it is not known if any Jamaican judge has done so. “I do not have a definitive list of judges from the Caribbean region eligible to sit; though I can confirm that no judges from the Caribbean region have sat on the JCPC since at least 2009 (when it
was co-located with the new UK Supreme Court),” said Ben Wilson, head of communications for the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, in an emailed response. As it stands, only a very small number of judges are covered under the statute heading “another enactment”. But changes to the make-up of the judges who can sit on the JCPC are currently being considered in London. “We are currently discussing with the Privy Council Office and others the feasibility of considering any change in the current statutory position, so that a wider group of senior judges could be invited to sit in appropriate cases,” Wilson said. Like the CCJ, the JCPC is also willing to sit overseas. “Members of the board are very willing to consider sitting in one of the JCPC jurisdictions,” Wilson said. To do so, the JCPC must “receive an official invitation from the chief judge and the Government of the country or territory concerned”, and “the full costs of the JCPC are covered by the host country/ territory, ie travel, accommodation and other relevant costs”, Wilson said. There must also be “sufficient work to justify such a visit”. “On the latter point, the board is quite happy to hear cases from other nearby countries/territories if that other country is happy for this to happen,” Wilson said. The JCPC heard a total of 36 cases for the period April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.
LIAT head foresees no more job cuts While he has admitted that regional carrier LIAT has gotten too big, CEO David Evans said it is unlikely that the company will see any further job cuts after nearly 200 workers are sent home this year. Evans said the 180 staff members to be severed will be offered a voluntary separation package that should be complete by the end of 2015. He, however, added the company may consider outsourcing around 200 ground handling jobs in future. Former LIAT flight operations manager Patrick Ryan said, on Monday, that even with the proposed job cuts LIAT was still significantly overstaffed. However, Evans told
OBSERVER AM he feels the reduction will be adequate. “I think that staff numbers is something that you look at on an ongoing basis. For instance, we have over 200 people working at airports throughout the region in St Vincent, St Lucia, Dominica and so on. So that’s quite a large number … but I would say that that number is probably close to where we should be getting,” he said. Evans said the cuts will come from all levels, including LIAT management and administration, pilots, and other crew members. The LIAT CEO added that along with the impending job losses, some LIAT workers will have to relocate as the company shifts two aircraft from Antigua to the new fleet base in Barbados.
David Evans While he could not yet give definite numbers, Evans said those affected will be almost exclusively pilots and flight attendants and a small number of engineers. “We will have to see exactly what schedule we plan to operate … but if you ask at this point I’d imagine the number of pilots transferring would be between 20 and 25, (and) flight attendants will probably be a figure of less than 10.” (Daily Observer)
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THE LAW IS NOT AN ASS When in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, one of the characters, Mr. Bramble is told that the law supposes that his wife acts under his direction, he replied, “If the law supposes that, the law is an ass”. In order to control the traffic situation on Camp Street in the vicinity of the Guyana Revenue Authority, no-parking signs have been painted on the roadway in front of the GRA’s offices. Guyanese motorists, including GRA staffers have however found an ingenious way to flout the regulation prohibiting parking while remaining within the law. Or
at least this is what they feel. What motorists are doing is to park off the roadway and on the parapets that border the no- parking signs. They believe that even though there is a no- parking sign pained on the road, this applies to the asphalted surface and not the parapets alongside the said road. Thus, they park on the parapets. If this is lawful, then the law must be an ass. I saw the same thing happen on the western carriageway of the Avenue of the Republic. The High Court had prohibited parking on both carriageways running parallel to the Court’s fence. But a number of smart
persons decided that while it was unlawful for the wheels of their vehicles to touch the roadway in the parked position, it was okay if they parked on the parapet. What I find particularly disturbing is that the Guyana Police Force seems to be accepting this interpretation of the law. They are condoning vehicles parking on the parapets alongside the noparking signs on Camp Street in the vicinity of the Guyana Revenue Authority. How can this be the interpretation of the law? How can someone see a no-parking sign and decide that it only applies to
the roadway and not the parapet alongside the roadway? I do not believe that any court of law will uphold that the no- parking sign does not apply to the parapets that run alongside the roadway. This situation came to my attention when a police siren assailed the air one day while I was in the vicinity of the GRA. I suspected that it must have been an emergency. There was a long line of traffic and because the parapets outside the GRA were occupied by parked vehicles, there was no way the motorists on the road itself could have pulled over to give
Reward offered for info on bandits in news outlet robbery A reward is being offered for information leading to the apprehension of two bandits who robbed the newspaper distribution outlet on Robb Street, two Sundays ago. Two men on motorcycle carted off more than one million dollars representing newspaper sales, then shot vendor, Warren Accra, in the process. Since the incident, the police have made no headway in terms of identifying the perpetrators, a process made difficult since the men were fully masked. Both men reportedly wore full faced helmets, turtleneck jerseys and black jeans. Only
their eyes were visible. Although investigators accessed footage from surveillance cameras in the area they could not identify the getaway bike since it bore no licence plate. On the morning of February 1, around 08:15 hours the men rode up to the scene and placed a gun to the head of the Distribution Manager and relieved him of a bag containing a large amount of cash. One of the newspaper’s sales agents recalled that he was doing his daily operation when two men on a bike rode up on the pavement. He explained that the men
stopped next to his colleague’s minibus and demanded the keys to the vehicle while the pillion rider walked up to him, sticking a gun in his face. “He said, ‘give me all the money’ and I give him. He also took my phone and as he turned to go back on the bike, he saw a vendor counting money. I had given the vendor $20,000 in change just before the robbery,” one of the agents said. He further added that the gunman walked up to the vendor and grabbed the money out of his hands. “The vendor like he thought it was another vendor pulling a prank on him
Dem boys seh ...
Donald joining up wid de Rat and de Goat man People does talk bout retribution and de really bad ones does think that retribution is something that does visit you when you dead. Is just like dem men who does do sign up fuh suicide bombing. De people who does recruit de men does promise dem that when dem dead and go to Heaven dem gun get seven virgins. Dem boys want to know which one of dem man who get blow up can handle any virgin. But that is wha does lead people fun do nuff stupidness. And when dem do stupidness people does wake up. De people in St. Kitts wake up. Dem kick out de old government because dem do the same thing wha APNU & AFC do - form a coalition. De new coalition show the whole St. Kitts how dem loving and caring. That is how de country vote dem in and kick out the ruling scamps.All dem newspapers except de Hard Times paper carry de story. Dem boys hear how de Hard Times paper hide away de story till at the back pages. Is like if dem trying fuh hide something that coming. Dem boys wonder why. Dem boys want to know if what happens in St Kitts is a sign of what is to happen in Guyana. Dem got a coalition in Guyana too and was nuff hugging and cussing. Even dem who hand couldn’t reach round one another waist because of de dhal belly get hug up
and kiss up. When Donald see dat he start fuh think bout he fate. He seh that St. Kitts got a threeparty coalition but in Guyana is only a twoparty coalition. He gun form he own coalition. He seh that he guh join up wid de rat, and wid de man that de goat refuse to bite. That gun be a three-party coalition, Suh all Guyana watching. Dem will watch and see the games how it will be played. Dem boys hear that last night the rat, the duck and the goat whispering how them gun coalate too, with a birthday party, a Christmas party and fancy dress party. Whoever dem join with some people dun tell dem boys that de die is cast. Dem can hire experts from Ghana, Nigeria or Sri Lanka, from Italy, Mali or Sally, de end is in sight. God don’t allow wrong things fuh go in too long. It does come to an end and justice does prevail. Dem seh wah yuh do on this earth yuh gat to pay fuh it right hey, wah yuh sow that is wat yuh does reap. See wah happen to that ex-policeman who was a minibus driver, and wah he been before the court for? He was a gunman and he dead by de gun. Talk half and wait to see them commit suicide.
and just as he was about to spring up, the man shoot he and escaped,” the agent explained. This newspaper was told that the gunmen attacked the distribution outlet after most of the vendors would have uplifted their papers. “They know on Sundays (continued on page 16)
way to the police vehicle. Ironically the police was not any emergency. They simply wanted easy passage through that busy corridor in order to drop off a rank who was supposed to ensure that there was order in that area. Another problem that I have noted is the practice of vendors occupying spots at the traffic light junctions. Now if a vehicle parks at a junction, regardless of whether there is a traffic light, that vehicle would be considered to be in breach of the law, no matter how temporary that vehicle may have parked. It is unlawful to park at a junction. But vendors are being allowed to park their receptacles at junctions and they are not being charged. These receptacles are not vehicles and thus it is felt by the vendors that the traffic ranks cannot intervene to stop them. The law must be an ass if this is so. Further these vendors are putting their lives in danger. Since the Guyana Police Force has a general responsibility to preserve lives, then the police should be acting to ensure that any practice that endangers lives
is discouraged. This is not happening at all. During the Christmas Season, there were a number of revelers, masquerading at masqueraders, stopping traffic in the middle of public roads and soliciting money for motorists. This is pure extortion because the revelers are standing in front of your vehicle and if you want to move forward you have to give them some money. More importantly, they were putting their own lives in danger. The police should never have allowed this to happen, even in the name of reviving a dying tradition. It should not be lawful to park on the parapets alongside a no- parking sign. Vendors should not be allowed to ply their trade at traffic junctions. Masqueraders must not prevent the smooth flow of vehicular traffic. The law must not allow itself to become an ass.
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Thursday February 19, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Can the world’s best PR guru help the PPP? What you are about to read here can easily be verified by just looking back at the tape. I watched the West Indies versus Ireland cricket match and went down into the kitchen to get a sandwich after the West Indies innings was over. When I came up back, the intermission was still on. The programme showing at the time was “At Home with the President.” An NCN reporter was interviewing President Ramotar at State House. I caught the last few minutes of the programme. This is
what I heard President Ramotar say. He will not intervene in the ongoing crisis at UG because there are established mechanisms that can be used to bring about a resolution. He went on to add that the University of Guyana will soon be one of the best Universities in the world in the bio-diversity progammes it offers. The programme ended with President Ramotar saying that in a few years’ time he will make UG a world class university. I believe the President
said, “The best University in the world” when he referred to the bio-diversity programmes. When I mentioned this to people they say that I must be careful, the President couldn’t say that. They advised me that he probably said “one of the best.” Since I didn’t have access to the tape at the time of writing I will settle for “one of the best” but I strongly believe I heard “the best in the world.” I would kindly ask those who saw the programme if they can inform me whether it was “the best” or “one of the best”. Any President is expected to say glowing things about his/her country but those utterances must be
framed within the bounds of reason and logic. There are top class Universities right across our border in Brazil that have infrastructural and research facilities that given the state of UG, Guyana will not come near to in decades to come. And this is not to mention the US, India, Germany and Malaysia. This statement was followed by the President’s assertion that he will make UG a world class University. These words about UG were unfortunate because they came in the midst of a bitter dispute tearing away at the University right at the moment. In this dispute the bareness of UG is laid bare so it was not the right time for the President to utter what can only be and should be described as irrational ramblings. It does not take the mind of a erudite scholar to reason that the President’s boast of making UG a world class University was nonsense because any schoolboy would know there must be an ongoing upward climb by the University to reach world class status. But on the
contrary, there has been a steady decline. The President’s UG statements should be studied in a wider context – the PR nightmares of the PPP. Why would President Ramotar say those things that naturally will bring embarrassment? The whole of Guyana knows UG is in deep trouble with its survival threatened. Why speak on UG? Why boast that you have the best police force in the world when the population will laugh at you when they hear that? Why refer to the coruscating lights of the city illuminating the nocturnal skyline as in the advertisement Marriott Hotel put out in the 2014 telephone directory when Georgetowners know Georgetown hardly has street lamps? These are the PR nightmares of the PPP that the best Public Relations expert in the entire world would not be able to extirpate. A good guess is that, as in 2011, the PPP will bring in foreign PR advisors. They didn’t help the PPP’s cause in 2011. The PPP lost a majority and lost 18 months off its fifth term in office. When you look at those
Frederick Kissoon UG ramblings by the President, it is easy to predict that the PR guru won’t succeed. You can put the best director to shape a movie if the acting talent is not there the movie will flap. This is the identical thing with the PPP as the election campaign heats up. One would like to think that when the foreign PR boys come in they will advise employers at Freedom House that positive campaigning must replace mud-slinging. But could the PPP redeem itself? Does it have the mental shape to take such advice? Could a leopard change its spots? It cannot. So the Guyanese people have to brace themselves for the worst kind of race-baiting and unmitigated stupidities as the election campaign gets into full swing from those who cannot change their spots.
Thursday February 19, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Non-resident UG students watching costs as industrial action continues While students in general are affected by ongoing industrial action at the University of Guyana (UG), from all indications the administration of the tertiary institution, has not given much thought to its impact on non-resident and nonnational students. The dilemma faced by the students has however, not escaped the attention of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) which is tasked with representing the interest of students. At a press conference convened by the UGSS in the Turkeyen Campus’ Education Lecture Theatre on Tuesday, Council Representative, Elsie Harry sought to highlight the current plight of the students. Harry, a non-resident student who hails from St Kitts, said that since the commencement of industrial action at UG, she has heard talks from the Administration about measures to account for (lecture) time that has been lost. This week marks four since the industrial action started, a situation that developed from a breakdown of negotiations for better salaries and other benefits for workers, between the University’s Negotiating Team and the workers’ unions - The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association and the University of Guyana Workers Union. But while there has been talks aimed at addressing how lost time will be accounted for, Harry said that she has not once heard talks in the interest of non-resident and non-national students. And according to her, discussions in this regard are important since “these students account for five to 10 per cent of the University’s population.” Currently, one of the measures being touted by the UG Administration to counter the time lost is an extension of the semester. But according to Harry, if the semester is extended, nonresident and non-national students who have not migrated here, but rather are here for the
From left: UGSS President, Joshua Griffith, and UGSS Council Representative, Elsie Harry. purpose of attending the University, will more than likely incur tremendous costs. These costs, she noted, could range from rent to utilities. Students residing at the NBS dormitory situated on the grounds of the Turkeyen Campus are required to pay a rent that amounts to $10, 000 per month, while those residing at nearby locations such as in Cummings Lodge must pay rents from $15,000 to $50,000. “Our families do not have the luxury of simply refinancing their lives and their budgets to send us more money to account for the time that the administration and the staff are taking to iron out their issues,” observed Harry. She claims to have heard those within the Administration saying “we are waiting to see how long the lecturers will hold out. They are saying that the situation has not reached a point where we need to take drastic measures to have the situation return to normalcy,” said Harry of the Administration. She however noted, that for a non-resident student like herself and other non-national students the situation has reached dire proportions. “The extra month that we stay here not doing anything, our parents would have had to pay for our electricity, our rent,
our food, our transportation costs,” said Harry as she alluded to the fact, that students were not too long ago asked to pay tuition fees that are significantly higher than local students who attend the institution. As a non-resident student the tuition fee is at a minimum of US$3,000 while the minimum for the non-national students is US$4,000 per year. “You can just imagine how much we are already giving to the University of Guyana, notwithstanding other things such as rent and utilities,” considered Harry. The UGSS Council Representative went on to point out that some of the non-resident and nonnational students, are attending UG on a contractual basis as they have been sent to the institution to study by their employers or Governments. These students are faced with a situation whereby they are expected to return to their countries by a specified time, which was the end of the originally intended semester period, in order to fulfill their contractual duties. “These guidelines would have been set according to the University’s calendar which states that the semester should end on May 23, 2015. “Now if the semester is
Essequibo Assizes open, four murders listed On Tuesday, the February-May session of the Essequibo Criminal Assizes opened with the observation of the traditional march past on the lawns of the Richard Fikhal Training College, at Suddie, Essequibo Coast. Judge Sandra Kuritzious who would be presiding over 20 criminal cases for the February-May session, took the salute from Deputy Com-
mander, Essy Stanton. Cases to be heard include four murders, three attempted murders, 10 cases of rape of a child under 16 years, three cases of sexual activity committed with a family member. Today, Queenstown labourer, William Johnson, who was charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent committed on his reputed wife, 36-year-old
Liliwattie Dass two years ago, will commence at the Suddie High Court. Johnson abducted his wife in January 2013 and took her to Queenstown backlands where he raped and then stabbed her five times about her body. Liliwattie Dass was hospitalized. Johnson was eventually captured by the police and charged.
extended what are the nonresident and non-national students to say to their employers or to their Governments since they are bound by a contract. Some employers, some Governments might not be lenient. Who is to absorb the type of financial loss these students will be incurring?” questioned Harry. She therefore lamented the fact,
that the Administration has not once indulged such discussions since the start of the industrial action. Added to the dilemma is the fact that summer courses, which some students require in order to graduate, will also be pushed further back. At the stipulated end of the semester Summer Classes are usually expected to commence but according to Harry if the regular semester is extended, that means that the Summer Courses will also be extended. This will therefore mean, she noted, that some students may not be privileged to attend these classes as they will have to return to their country. The added predicament in this development is that “some of these students need to do the summer courses in order to graduate. If they have to forego summer courses because the Administration and the staff have not resolved their issues…that means, those students can’t graduate this year which means, that they will have to spend additional time at the University and
considering their fees are already significantly higher than local students, that is a large extra cost that they will have to pay,” asserted Harry. As such, she is urging that the Administration when making decisions as it relates to accounting for lost time at the University, and even now when they should be negotiating to have classes return to normalcy, takes the welfare of all students into consideration. “I understand local students are also experiencing a lot of extra costs as well, so you can imagine how much more magnified costs are for non-resident and nonnational students,” said Harry who is convinced that the Administration has not made meaningful enough efforts to resolve the issue. She is also disturbed by the perceived game of “waiting out, seeing who can hold out the longest before they take an actively firm step to have the matter resolved.” “I’m saying to the administration we don’t have time for this, we don’t have money for this,” insisted Harry.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 19, 2015
Kennard to advise on Health Minister calls HPV vaccine programme a success Kurupung corrupt cops - calls concerns about the programme “insignificant” Guyana’s Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination programme to guard against cervical cancer has not only been successful but it has been gaining grounds since being introduced in early 2012. At least this is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran. The Minister, during an interview with this publication noted that while there were some “insignificant” remarks forthcoming when the programme was launched, these have been of no consequence. He has therefore concluded that “this again was probably some of you elements in the opposition especially, leading the way to oppose; everything the Administration does is opposed.” He however, noted that keen sensitization was the tactic that Government through the Health Ministry was able to utilize to get the nation to accept the importance of the HPV vaccination programme. “Long before HPV was introduced we had almost a year, and I was a part of that, teaching, talking (and) training in the schools. I recall the school that we first introduced it, in the south of
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran the city, we did a lot of work with the school, we did a lot of work with the Headmistress, the teachers and the students themselves...they bought into it, there was absolutely no opposition,” asserted the Minister. The Minister has therefore dubbed a protesting group that opposed the introduction of the vaccine as “two or three misguided elements. I don’t want to tell you which thread or something they are associated with, but they came picketing outside (the Ministry’s Brickdam Headquarters).”
The Minister said that the picketing activity, which died a natural death, was at first mistaken by his staff as “vagrants or lunatics standing outside. They were so few...I am not being facetious, I am talking straight up,” said the Minister as he insisted that “we were able to win over the Guyanese population.” While there are yet muted criticisms of the programme, its introduction saw a number of protesting women calling for better awareness of the vaccine which they claimed had several side-effects. In fact, the group in a petition to the Health Minister, in January 2012, called for the vaccination programme “to be terminated with immediate effect” until the questions associated with the vaccine are answered. According to the group, their concerns were rooted in the fact that the Ministry hadn’t adequately furnished families with information about the effects of the vaccine that have the potential of emerging years later. “We hereby request further and detailed information about the Ministry’s decision to inoculate these children against the HPV in a (continued on page 24)
Two ranks, who were attached to the Kurupung Police Station, are holding their breaths as they await the advice of the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Cecil Kennard, on whether or not they will be criminally charged for their corrupt practices. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility has concluded investigations, which resulted from reports that the two ranks had arrested 12 men on January 12, 2015, in relation to the possession of an unlicensed shotgun and nine cartridges. It is alleged that two cops took a bribe in an attempt to free the men. So far, the ranks have been charged departmentally and the disciplinary inquiry is in progress. But according to the police, the file in the matter has been submitted to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority for his comments in relation to the criminal aspect. In the meantime, the OPR is still probing reports that some more cops were involved in an extortion racket also at the Kurupung Police Station sometime last week. The latest act once again, raises further questions about the quality of ranks the Guyana Police Force posts to the interior. Kaieteur News understands that the Force’s internal investigative unit is on the verge of completing an investigation into reports, that six ranks from the station demanded $600,000 from some Belgian mining firm employees following a drug raid. The complaint was made in late January and the ranks, including a Lance Corporal, were placed under close arrest. At present, they are reportedly under open arrest
Cecil Kennard at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) in Eve Leary. An official told this newspaper that the OPR has gone a “very far” way in its investigation and a report will be sent shortly to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). According to reports, the ranks found a quantity of marijuana while searching an area that is connected with the Belgian firm. Rather than having the individuals charged, the policemen allegedly demanded $600,000 from staffers to cover up the matter. A complaint was made to senior police officials and the ranks were posted to Georgetown. Whether it’s true that rouge cops are posted to the interior as a Force policy, it appears that the Kurupung Police Station is breeding its
fair share. The incidents are likely to intensify a rancorous exchange between President of the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO) Simona Broomes and the Guyana Police Force over the quality of ranks that are sent to far-flung locations. That exchange began when Broomes, a noted advocate against human trafficking, accused the Force of adopting a lax approach to Trafficking In Persons (TIP), via its alleged history of sending policemen who “misbehaved under supervision” to the interior “where there is no supervision.” This elicited a sharp response from the Force’s Public Relations Department, which accused Broomes of appealing for resources “by using the distasteful strategy of telling lies on the Guyana Police Force.” “It is totally untrue that most police ranks operating in remote locations are those that have been involved in something or the other that is not in keeping with the lawful expectations of a cop,” it stated. The police said that the Force transfers badly behaved cops to locations where they could be properly supervised, and therefore, during 2014, no such person was transferred to remote areas.
Wales resident granted bail for damaging fish stall A young man was granted bail in the sum of $5000 after he made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The charge brought against Kevin Akeem 20, is that on February 15 at
Stabroek Market fish pond he unlawfully and maliciously damaged stall number 20 valued at $20,000, property of Ashley Khan. Akeem who resides at Lot 22 Murphy Street, Wales, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara pleaded guilty to the charge after it was read to him by Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond. The prosecution’s facts stated that Akeem would normally sell fish with the virtual complainant (VC) at the Stabroek Market fish pond. The court was told that on the day of the incident the defendant threw away a tray containing fish and a few boards along with two bricks that were supporting the fish tray. Khan then visited the Stabroek Police Outpost and reported the matter and the accused was arrested and charged with the offence. Based on the prosecution’s facts, the Magistrate entered a not guilty plea for the man. The father of one will return to court on February 26.
Thursday February 19, 2015
Kaieteur News
Political and electoral reform can only come through civic action - GHRA The booklet “Civil Society’s Role in Pursuit of A Democratic Electoral System (1978-2015) issued by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), conveys a message that the reform of political and electoral systems required in Guyana will not be achieved without sustained civic activism. Left to the political sector alone, such reforms will not materialize, contends the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA). The 41-page booklet attributes the need for reform to the profoundly dysfunctional nature of Guyanese politics, which, it asserts, is rooted in three factors: (a) A Constitution written to provide legal respectability to the almost imperial powers accumulated in the person of the President and imposed on the nation since 1980; (b) An electoral system that sets responsibility for their performance in office of elected officials to party leadership above accountability to electors; (c) Manipulation of ethnic loyalty as the principal strategy for attaining and retaining political office. A combination of these factors has led to two political parties in Guyana remaining in office for five consecutive terms, unprecedentedly lengthy periods. In both cases, that of the Peoples National Congress (PNC) (1964-92) and the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) (1992-2015), longevity in
office became progressively characterized by corruption, exclusion and inefficiency. The booklet provides a historical summary of the electoral and constitutional gains resulting from civic interventions over the period covered. The key reform of a return to single-seat constituencies, however, continues to remain elusive. Organizational advocacy was more robust prior to 1992 when professional, faithbased and trade union activism, demonstrated greater vitality and concern over the conduct of public life culminating in the civic movement, Guyanese Action for Reform and Democracy (GUARD). In 1992, as a result of sustained civic mobilization of GUARD, the party in power was removed by a free and fair election - the only time this has occurred in fifty years of political independence. However, the anticipated growth of democratic institutions, for which GUARD laid the groundwork, did not materialize. After a decade of campaigning against the repressive 1980 Constitution, the new government, once in office, found it surprisingly convenient to retain a challenge, civil society has not successfully confronted until the present day. The essential lesson to be learnt from this brief survey is that civic interventions cannot be reduced to casting votes alone. The fundamental (continued on page 24)
Essequibo man charged with wife’s murder Forty-six-year-old Annirude, a/k” Frankie”, the Lima Sands man who admitted to strangling his wife, Haimwattie Annirude, a/k “Cathy” between Friday and Saturday last, was remanded to prison until March 10, by Magistrate Sunil Scarce. He had appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, yesterday. The Lima Sands labourer was charged with murder. He was un-represented. Police Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack told the court that in the next two weeks the police would be prepared to begin the Preliminary Inquiry into the matter. Police are alleging that between February 13 and February 14, at Lima Sands, Annirude killed his wife Haiwanttie Annirude. According to the police, Annirude told the police on
the day in question he returned to his Lima Sands home hungry and he decided to choke his wife after he learnt that she was not finished cooking. Results from a Post Mortem examination performed on the deceased on Monday, revealed that Annirude was strangled. The couple who are known alcoholics often times engaged in fist fights. Neighbours indicated Friday night last, that they heard Annirude beating his deceased wife with what sounded like a piece of wood. They also confessed to hearing loud screams by the now dead woman but indicated that it was usual for them to hear the man beating his wife. Cathy was cremated yesterday afternoon. She has left to mourn a 21-year-old son.
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Kaieteur News
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Thursday February 19, 2015
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Thursday February 19, 2015
Kaieteur News
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LAND FOR SALE Eccles: Commercial lots for sale at Eccles – Tel:227-2913. Cell: 683-3033 Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681 51 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 House Lots in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities @ Eccles, 60X100 - $7.5M. (Special prices) - Call: 2272913; 683-3033 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.5M, $1.8M, Eccles - $4.5, $5M, Herstelling - $45M, $5M, Leonora -$2.5M – Tel:675-7292; 689-3339 Land @ William Street Kitty; Size: 79FT wide by 116FT length, price $60M Negotiable –Tel: 664-0829
TO LET 1 Spacious 3 bedrooms upstairs including inside toilet and bath at Mon Repos E.C.D, Price $50,000 Monthly Tel: 629-5300 Fully furnished 2 bedroom house, short term overseas, TV, cable, Hot/Cold, AC, Washer (South) 689-5877 Two bedroom house – Contact Joy: 218-1285; 6278562 Fully Furnished vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours – Call: 227-1218 Apartment with 2 self contained bedrooms in Kitty, wireless internet, Cable, TV, parking, rent $100,000 monthly – Tel: 6450247
Land @ William Street Kitty; size: 38FT wide by 116FT length, reasonable price – Tel: 664-0829 1 Transported land for sale@ 2nd Avenue Diamond N/S, price -$6.5M neg – Tel:6295300 One residential land at Herstellling Plot ‘B’ E.B.D $4.5M Tel: 661-0618; 6013469; 600-1062
ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn Apartments: comfortable & clean apartments & rooms - $5000, $6,000 & $7,000 – Tel:6680306; 218-1400; 694-7817. Your luxury hideaway…… Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor / Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934. Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parik: Bar-B-Cue & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc – Phone: 260-4504. FOR RENT 1 Executive apartment in an exclusive residential area with all modern amenities including parking. Call for appointment: - 653-2920
PROPERTY FOR SALE Houses & house lots for sale in 1 of Guyana’s top luxury gated communities, located @ Eccles E.B.D Tel: 227-2913; 683-3033 Property with concrete bungalow, modern amenities and features in gated community at Hutsonville E.B.D -G$16M negotiable – Call: 697-4131 Lot 6 Adventure, Essequibo, land 352ftX70ft with wooden building $14M negotiable- Contact Anwar Essequibo 771-4395, 6944457, Georgetown Trudy: 225-4712 1-6 Bedroom house and land in Mon Repos (Martyrs’ Ville) E.C.D, price $13M neg. Tel: 629-5300 One – Two Storied wooden & concrete building at Ketley & Howes Street Charlestown – Tel: 623-9679 Front Section, Diamond, East Bank Demerara – Tel: 674-9266 or 686-9248 Transported two storied concrete property $22M, Block “8” Mon Repos E.C.D Tel: 602-4418 20 Acres of land Business/ farming with 2 storey building owner is moving – Tel:592-220-0255;416-951-3995
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Kaieteur News
Woman in same sex relationship jailed for beating partner’s mother A woman, who allegedly lives with a teenage girl, beat the girl’s mother after the woman objected to the relationship. She was sentenced to one month in jail, yesterday on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. The victim was Shamiroon Abrahim, and the assault occurred on January 21, last, outside of the New Amsterdam Hospital. Babita Isaacs, called “Buff”, 39, of No 68 village, Corentyne, Berbice was accused of having a same sex relationship with a teenager who had attempted to commit suicide on January 21. It was understood that the teen was forcibly married to an older man to escape the clutches of Buff and consumed the
poisonous substance and was hospitalized. The mother of the teen went to the hospital to see her daughter and confronted “Buff” who was there. They had an altercation over the reported relationship with the teen. As she exited the New Amsterdam Hospital and was waiting on transportation on the road she was approached by Isaacs who dealt her several cuffs, slaps and scrapes about her body. The matter was reported at the Central Police Station and Abrahim was sent for medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was diagnosed with trauma to the head and back, and scrapes to the chest. Isaacs was arrested and charged.
Prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Sherriff told the court that the virtual complainant is the mother of three girls. One daughter had got married on July 19, and was not happy with the man she married as such she attempted to kill herself two days later. He stated that the accused and the virtual complainant were known to each other for about a month. On the day in question the defendant and the virtual complainant had two separate altercations outside the New Amsterdam Hospital. The woman had told the court that th e girl’s mother Shaimoon Abrahim had ‘scandaled’ her name, accusing her of having a relationship with
her daughter. Isaacs, was first placed on $35,000 bail.
Court hears gory details of injuries From page 15 toxicology test could not have been conducted since there was very little blood in the victim's body. In addition, the doctor explained that he did not test the stomach contents for poison since it was handed over to the police. Asked whether any tests were conducted on particles taken from the victim's genital area, Dr. Singh said that there was no need for such, since enzymes which make up matters such as semen would have already been dissolved and the area would be filled with bacteria. Asked about the likelihood of a jaguar attacking the victim causing the injuries, the doctor said that the body
would have likely been the target of fishes especially if it was partially submerged. He however, accepted that such injuries could have been caused by someone falling and hitting their head on a tree stump. Police Forensic analyst, Steven Greaves told the court yesterday that he had collected samples from the corpse and from relatives of the deceased for the purpose of DNA testing. The policeman said that he collected internal organs from the deceased (Neesa Gopaul) and swab samples from the accused Bibi Shareema Gopaul, the victim's grandfather, Mohamed Kayum and her younger sis-
ter, Miraim. However, a portion of Greaves' evidence was “struck out” by Justice Singh based on objections from the defence. It was noted that the witness had not given certain information at the preliminary stage of the trial in the Magistrate's Court and hence, it could be admitted into the High Court trial. The witness went on to state that after collecting the samples, he took them to the Barbados Forensic Sciences center for testing. Greaves said that he handed them over to a DNA expert in Barbados but never collected them back, only the results. The trial continues tomorrow.
Political and electoral reform ... From page 21 solution to improved politics in Guyana lies more in correcting the defects in the political and electoral systems than in selecting one party over another. This is not to suggest that choice of party is irrelevant or voting is to be discouraged. It means that seeking fundamental systemic re-structuring of the political and electoral systems, through the ballot alone, will continue to be an exercise in massive frustration. The anaemic quality of our present political culture in Guyana is reflected in widespread reluctance of citizens to take responsibility
for governance at many levels. Our sports federations, for example, are in constant crises due to failure of members to hold executives to account; membership of business federations comprises a fraction of the entities which do business and, of that fraction, a much smaller number takes any interest in the way the bodies are managed. No less than political parties, civil society needs to improve its credentials with respect to coalitions and consensus-building. Moving Guyana forward involves not only reform of political systems, it requires
political leadership to sweep away obsolete positions of violence against women, sexual identity, the death penalty, corporal punishment, garbage disposal, climate change or other obstacles in the path to Guyana becoming a modern society. At present, progressive influences prevail to the extent that they remain the focus of international opinion (Herdmanston Accord, election observers, UN Committees, diplomatic pressure), only to dissolve when the spotlight shifts. The GHRA hopes the booklet will help young people understand how this dysfunctional political system impedes the economic and social well-being of the society. A clearer grasp of systemic problems encourages a search for constructive solutions, rather than a preoccupation with shortcomings of individual politicians and political parties.
Thursday February 19, 2015
City reiterates free Mash spots for 2015 The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is going all out to ensure that citizens do not pay a cent for Mashramani spots this year. The agency has stated before that it will not charge citizens any fee this year. This comes as the Executive and Administrative arms of the Council are in a clash over who decides on what procedures will be followed to accommodate the national celebration. The Council's Social Development Committee, headed by Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, usually recommended the manner in which the Council conducted its business for the Mash. However, acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba has sought to assume responsibility for this sector and has placed her
officers to handle the business. Sooba is being accused, however, of charging citizens exorbitant prices and turning the social event into an economic one. A press release for the Council has stated that it was brought to their attention that at a press conference called by Carol Sooba, y e s t e r d a y, a c c u s a t i o n s were made against Audrey Redwar, Clerk attached to the Office of the Deputy Mayor. Ms. Sooba, they claimed, accused Redwar of selling spots on the Merriman Mall and other designated areas for vending for Mash 2015. “The Mayor and City Council wishes to make it very clear that there has been no selling of spots by the clerk attached to the
Deputy Mayor or anyone else in the Mayoral Complex. A desk has been set up for the allocation of spots on council's facilities (…) free of cost.” “This is in keeping with a decision of Council that this year-2015, designated areas Merriman Mall and Vlissingen Road for vending and picnicking, will be available free of cost to the general public. Therefore, those who are desirous of doing business on the Mall can visit the Mayoral Complex, between the hours of 9:00hrs and 16:00hrs to uplift their allocation slips free of cost.” “The Mayor and City Council wishes to reiterate that citizens should not pay any money to any one for vending on Mash Day. It is free.”
B h a r a t n a u t h Mahendranauth, 49 appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday charged with threatening behaviour. Mahendranauth, who is a mini-bus driver pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on January 25, at Lot 3, Bel Air Park Village, he made use of threatening behaviour to Alana Butcher whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss told the court that the
accused is in the habit of “cussing up” when he consumes alcohol. She stated that on the day in question the man picked up a cutlass and threatened to “chop up” the woman. The matter was reported to the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost and the man was arrested and charged. The defendant who was unrepresented, explained to the court that he did not threaten the woman with a cutlass as stated by the Prosecution’s facts. He
claimed that he does not have a cutlass in his home. The man further related that he and the woman resides in the same yard and that, “she cuss me and I cuss she back”. After the Magistrate heard his explanation a not guilty plea was recorded. Inniss did not object to the man being granted his pre trial liberty. He was eventually released on $10,000 bail and ordered to return to court on March 16, for trial.
Bus driver charged with assaulting woman
Health Minister calls HPV ... From page 12 vaccination programme, purportedly to protect them from cervical cancer and other related diseases they are likely to contract in their adulthood,” the petition outlined. Despite the concerns raised, the Government insisted that the HPV vaccine will continue to be administered to girls from age 11 “along with intensive sensitisation programmes” in order to alleviate the occurrence of cervical cancer. As he theorised on the possible cause of the protest action against the M i n i s t r y ’s move to introduce the HPV vaccine, the Minister said that “in America...there is a whole set of half-baked information from different sources misleading the population...” He mentioned that when e ff e c t s s u c h a s A u t i s m being the result of the vaccine were disproved no a t t e m p t s were made to project that. In fact the
Minister said that based on information he has received, efforts were even being made to investigate a doctor who started “the nonsense” about the vaccine. “But different societies organise themselves differently...We do not have any recorded cases of vaccine complications, if the media has any they can tell us about it. We have very good results, very good responses...” asserted the Minister. The o u t c o m e o f t h e vaccine’s introduction, he noted, is in great part due to the fact that the science of vaccines has been refined. He pointed out that this is complemented by the role played by watchdog agencies such as the Pan America Health Organisa t i o n a n d t h e World Health Organisation that have special departments to deal with the safety of vaccines. Although Guyana was previously entitled to
concessionary support to procure these needed vaccines, the Minister explained that because Guyana has graduated from being a poor to middle income country it is no longer eligible for such. Nevertheless, he noted that Guyana is still able to meet its own vaccination needs through the national budget. He said that while last year Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, ensured that health care was well catered for, a draft budget already completed reveals that there is likely to be even more for health care. The available funds for the HPV programme saw the procurement of Gardasil, a vaccine aimed at reducing the likelihood of young girls contracting HPV. Dr Singh in his presentation of the 2012 Budget had described the move as “boosting the armoury of vaccines to provide national coverage against the HPV.”
Thursday February 19, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 19, 2015
Tyre shop owner executed, Rowley employee shot in elbow “wine” A brazen attack by a lone gunman has left one person dead and another nursing gunshot wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Fortyone year-old Randolph Singh, owner of Airmax Vulcanizing Tyre Shop was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC after receiving multiple gunshots about his body. One of his employees, thirty- three year old Debert Mohamed was shot in the elbow and is currently a patient at a city hospital. Reports are that Singh was seated with Mohamed and another employee opposite his place of business on South Road, between Cummings and Light Streets when the gunman walked up to the trio and opened fire. From all indications, the unmasked attacker seemed only interested in killing Singh
Singh was seated opposite his business place when he was killed
since he made no attempt to harm the men seated with him. According to information, Mohamed was injured because of his proximity to the dead man at the time. Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that at about 22:45 hrs they heard gunshots ring out on the street. It was reported that Singh, who had returned to the country just over a week ago, was in conversation with his employees when the gunman
walked up to the three persons and asked if everything was alright. He subsequently pulled out a gun and pumped several bullets into the businessman’s body. The assailant reportedly advanced from a westernly direction and made good his escape on a motorcycle. Mohamed and his boss were rushed to the GPHC, but eyewitnesses said that the businessman appeared dead at the scene.
Singh’s tyre shop is a 24hour establishment. He also has another business on North Road. The newspaper was told that every night around the time when the incident occurred Singh would make monetary collections from his businesses. However, persons say that robbery did not seem to be the motive of the attack. This has caused eyewitnesses to the incident to conclude that it was an execution.
under fire
Trinidad Express - Photographs of People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader Dr Keith Rowley chipping along the road with a woman on Carnival Tuesday, has become the topic of heated discussion on social media sites yesterday. Anti-PNM activists called on Rowley to explain why an aspiring Prime Minister would be seen with a woman other than his wife, Sharon. Rowley played mas with in San Fernando with the band Ivan Kallicharan’s band Bazodee. He was among revellers in the section “Landslide”. Rowley was captured by Express photographer Trevor Watson, dancing with an unidentified woman as he paraded through the streets of San Fernando. But the photographs, posted on social media site Facebook, angered many who complained that the PNM leader had stained his character ahead of a general election. The criticisms, however, were countered by those who believed that Rowley had done nothing wrong. Rowley declined to comment when contacted by the Express yesterday.
Thursday February 19, 2015
Kaieteur News
Ukrainian forces quit besieged town AFTER REBEL ASSAULT
Ukrainian soldiers walk outside a hospital in Artemivsk (Reuters) - Ukraine pulled thousands of troops out of an encircled town on Wednesday after a massive assault by pro-Russian rebels, who ignored a new ceasefire to seize the strategic railway junction. The fall of the besieged town of Debaltseve was one of the worst defeats of the war for Ukraine’s troops, unable to stop an advance by Moscow-backed rebels fighting for territory the Kremlin calls “New Russia”. Twenty-two Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the town in the past few days, the Ukrainian military high command said, with more than 150 wounded. President Petro Poroshenko, who flew to the front-lines, nevertheless tried to cast the battle in a positive light, saying that by holding out as long as they had, Ukraine’s troops had exposed “the true face of the bandits and separatists who are supported by Russia”. The Ukrainian troops had held out for three days beyond the start of a Europebrokered ceasefire, forcing the rebels to disavow the truce to advance on the town. Eighty percent of the troops had withdrawn from the town by morning, Poroshenko said, and the rest were leaving in what he described as a planned and orderly withdrawal. He said the force withdrawing numbered more than 2,000 men. A commander of one of the main pro-government volunteer battalions who fought alongside regular Ukrainian forces said “a lot of bodies” had been left behind. The wounded were being taken to Artemivsk about 30 km (18 miles) north of Debaltseve in government-
controlled territory. The rebels described the battle as a victory and said they let the Ukrainian troops leave only after they were defeated. “There were no attempts by Ukrainian forces to break through. The surrounded Ukrainian forces were completely demoralised. They lost their direction. They began shooting at residential areas of Debaltseve,” a senior rebel commander, Eduard Basurin, told journalists. The rebels say the ceasefire, negotiated by Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France at a summit in Minsk, Belarus, last week, never applied to Debaltseve, which links the two rebel-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk. Poroshenko and the West say the rebel assault was reinforced by Russian tanks, artillery and soldiers, and that Moscow was behind the decision to disavow the truce and advance. Russia denies supporting the rebels. PUTIN TELLS KIEV TO SURRENDER Putin showed no sign of backing down over Ukraine on Tuesday evening when he
told Kiev’s pro-Western leaders to let their soldiers surrender in Deabltseve to avoid more bloodshed. Hours later, the Ukrainian withdrawal was under way. A Reuters witness saw weary Ukrainian troops, their faces blackened, some in columns, some in cars, arriving in Artemivsk, about 30 km (20 miles) north of Debaltseve. A Reuters correspondent near Debaltseve saw black smoke rising over the town and heard loud blasts hours after the withdrawal began. “One hundred and sixtyseven wounded have been taken to Artemivsk. They did not pick up a lot of bodies. I don’t know the total figure,” Semen Semenchenko, who heads the Donbass paramilitary battalion, said on Facebook. The rebels said 153 Ukrainian soldiers had given themselves up. The refusal of the rebels even to pay lip service to halting the advance at Debaltseve puts Western countries in a bind. They need to decide whether to take more steps to punish Russia for violating the ceasefire, or place more emphasis on restoring the truce now that the contested town has fallen.
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Thursday February 19, 2015
Nigeria military says kills 300 Boko Haram militants in counter offensive
Soldiers and people carrying machetes ride on the back of a vehicle along a street in Gombe MAROUA, Cameroon/ MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian forces have killed more than 300 Boko Haram fighters during an operation to recapture 11 towns and villages since the start of the week, the military said on Wednesday, as regional neighbours also pounded the militants. “Weapons and equipment were also captured and some destroyed,” defence spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade said in a statement. “However, two soldiers lost their lives while 10 others were wounded,” he added. It was not possible to independently verify the military’s statement. Nigerian forces have in past been accused of overstating enemy casualties while greatly understating their own and those of civilians caught in the crossfire. Cameroonian forces supported by Chad’s air force carried out air strikes and used heavy artillery against Boko Haram in the village of
Gourgouroon, on the NigeriaCameroon border, Cameroon army spokesman Colonel Didier Badjeck said. Boko Haram’s relentless attacks on military and civilians have killed thousands since the group launched its violent campaign for a breakaway Islamic state in mid-2009, threatening the stability of Africa’s biggest economy and top oil producer as well as that of the entire region. Boko Haram was cited as a reason for postponing by six weeks a Nigerian presidential election that had been due to take place this past Saturday. In a video on Tuesday, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau appeared in a video monitored by the U.S.based SITE Intelligence Group in which he threatened to disrupt the upcoming vote. But in the past two weeks the tide has appeared to turn against them, as neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger, all of whom are plagued by Boko Haram insurgents, have weighed in.
VICTORIES Nigerian soldiers recaptured the strategic town of Monguno, on the shores of Lake Chad where the four countries meet, from Boko Haram on Monday. More than 5,000 people fled the town after the insurgents seized it last month. Olukolade said troops had seized five types of armoured fighting vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun, 50 cases of bombs, eight different types of machine guns, some 50 cases of ammunition and 300 motorcycles the rebels use to launch attacks. Chadian troops cleared Boko Haram out of Nigeria’s Gamburu earlier this month. Niger soldiers shot dead a suicide bomber suspected of belonging to Islamist militant group Boko Haram on Monday after he tried to detonate an explosive belt near a military post in the southern Niger town of Bagara. Violence in the northeast has hurt the re-election prospects of President Goodluck Jonathan, accused of doing too little to protect civilians from the militants, although recent victories could swing public opinion in his favour. The growing cooperation between Nigeria’s neighbours is also attracting donor support to fight the Islamists, with the U.S. army providing equipment and intelligence to allies. Presidents from the 10nation Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) pledged on Monday to create an emergency fund of 50 billion CFA francs ($87 million) to the fight.
Thursday February 19, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Annual Mash Dominoes for MSC beat GCC in GCA/Banks Malta Supreme U-13 tournament Persons with Disbilities in Region 2
Dwayne Bollers
Yohance Angoy
Ronaldo Phillips
Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) defeated Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by 9 runs when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/Banks Malta Supreme U-13 tournament continued last weekend. Batting first at Gandhi Youth Organisation ground, GCC scored 193-9 off their allocation of 25 overs with 35 extras. Dwayne Bollers grabbed 4-3. MSC replied with 212-7 in 25 overs. Extras contributed 43; Rovaldo
Phillips and Yohance Angoy took two wickets each. According to the competition regulations, the batting side shall be divided into five pairs and each pair shall bat for five overs. Batsmen shall have unlimited “lives” but each dismissal shall result in 10 runs being deducted from the team’s total. Batsmen shall change ends after each dismissal except on the last ball of the over. Each player on the fielding side must bowl at
least two overs, with the exception of the wicketkeeper. Each team shall commence its innings with a score of two hundred runs. The winning team shall be the side scoring the higher number of runs after deduction for dismissals has been made. In the event of a tie the players on each side shall bowl one delivery to the stumps and the team scoring the most hits shall be the winner.
Thursday February 19, 2015 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): A change in career could be in the works for you, Aries. It might be within the scope of your current job or an entirely new one. **************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): An unexpected opportunity to go on a long journey, perhaps businessrelated, could come to you soon, Taurus. **************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Too much hard work and stress could be taking a physical toll on you today, Gemini. But it isn’t likely to stop you from working intently and energetically on a project that fascinates you. **************************** CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22): If you’re single, Cancer, today you could fall in love at first sight. **************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Have you been considering working at home, Leo? If so, today you might decide to do just that. An opportunity could pave the way for new jobs you could do at home, in your own space, among your own belongings. **************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): A visit to a sibling or neighbor could see you make a new friend today, Virgo, probably someone who works in a creative profession.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Changes taking place at home could lead to more income, Libra. Perhaps a new housemate moves in, reducing your housing costs. **************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): A walk through your neighborhood, perhaps with friends, could put you in the middle of an unexpected, interesting event, Scorpio. **************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 DEC 21): Some books you’ve been reading lately might excite your desire to study astrology, numerology, alchemy, or some other occult science, Sagittarius. **************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Boredom might stimulate your rebellious streak today, Capricorn. You could decide to forego your usual tasks and do something unusual or unexpected, such as skydiving or horseback riding. **************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): A class or lecture of some kind could bring you exciting new information today, Aquarius. **************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): A journey may be in the works right now, Pisces. Many changes have been occurring in your life for a long time, and they continue today.
Once again the National Sports Commission is pleased to be associated with and be a proud sponsor of the Annual Mashramani Domino competition for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Region 2 the NSC said in a release. Sports Organizer for PWDs will be in the Region during the period February 25, 2015 to March 1, 2015 to finalize arrangements and conduct the competition. The competition will conclude at the Community Based
Changes made as... From page 34 the famous Rising Sun Turf Club venue has been a buzz of activities with preparations almost complete. Renovation works has seen improvement on the pavilion, paddock, stables and track. Rising Sun Turf Club will be more than ready come race day with the track in the best of condition and come race day, with the dry spell, some fast time are expected. The event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Interested persons still have time to contact Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063 or 2320633), Kris Jagdeo (624-6123; 322-0369), Rajendra (Jim –Jo) 618-7278, Ramnauth 337-5311, Romel Jagroop (624-1798) and Sancho 690-0569. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed. (Samuel Whyte)
Defending national... From page 33 Kanhai in a firm statement at the beginning of their campaign. Ravens will be looking to crystallise their flashy offence against a team they are expected to beat, save for a massive upset. They will play the feature game while Victory Valley Royals with Chris Williams and Marlon Pollydore will be looking to overturn the Republic Bank Nets, which boasted victories against Ravens and Pacesetters in Georgetown late last year. The young, running-offence of Royals is expected to be a challenge for the mature Nets in what will certainly be an intriguing battle. The games are expected to start at 7:30pm. The hunt for the top local players to play Bermuda in Guyana continues tonight.
Rehabilitation Programme Unit at Queenstown with an Awards Ceremony on March 1. At stake will be trophies for the winning team and Runner Up team, top scorer and the player who executes
the first Love. Medals will also be awarded to the top two teams. All interested teams and individuals can make contact with Mr Lloyd Griffith at Suddie.
JCA vote 67-22 to... From page 32 become unnecessary. “We still never got the opportunity to hear from Garner. But the members spoke, you could feel it in the room that they didn’t care too much about that because they knew exactly who they wanted to support. “The wider constituents supported the Jamaican so the fact that they didn’t hear from Garner became irrelevant to them because they knew that [initial] decision was an unjust decision and they wanted to make the wrong right,” Lewis told the Jamaica
Observer. The WICB’s AGM and election for president are slated for March 7 in Jamaica. The two members to vote for Jamaica at the elections will be JCA Second Vicepresident Osman Dann and Secretary Fritz Harris. Cameron is seeking a second two-year term as head of the regional cricket board. It is believed that some among the JCA lost faith in Cameron after the premature end to the West Indies tour of India late last year, due to players falling out with the WICB as well as with WIPA, the union representing them.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday February 19, 2015
Guyana HORSE RACING Authority holds successful first meeting for 2015 By Samuel Whyte The Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) recently held its first meeting for this year. The meeting was staged at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park West Coast Berbice and was chaired by President Vic Ouditt. There were a lot of positives that came out of the meeting which saw the attendance of all of the clubs in Guyana along with other interested persons. This is despite the negative publicity that the sport has been enacting over the years. The meeting was described as a success according to those in attendance with the members seeking unity and oneness in pushing the sport forward. The President however stressed that there was still lot of work to be done in a
number of areas to bring the sport back in line to what it was before and with other countries. Areas of doping and betting he pointed out are top on the radar. Doping, he stated was still widespread and the sport had lost quite a few good thoroughbreds to this scourge. He said that he hopes with the coming legislation; Guyana would be able to move forward in thoroughbred racing, joining the wider Caribbean. With the loss of Digicel as a major sponsor in horseracing, Mr. Ouditt expressed confidence that the Company would be back on board soon. He is confident that the GHRA and its racing partners would be able to offer the communications giant great value for its advertising
dollars in their continued support of horseracing. Ouditt pointed to the many positives and achievements of the GHRA in horseracing for 2014 as indicators of progress in moving the sport forward. Among the positives were:- The visit of Mr. David Loregnard, Secretary of the Trinidad & Tobago Racing Authority, who was at the Guyana Cup race meeting held on August 24 at Port Mourant Turf Club. Another improvement he stated is that horse owners in Guyana would be assisted in buying horses directly from Jamaica, instead of waiting until they are imported to Trinidad & Tobago. Race Clubs are now allowed to seek necessary approvals and permits from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) without getting the
approval of the GHRA. During the meeting it was agreed that some changes needs to be made to the way things are done in Guyana. One such agreement is that race clubs will set their own respective dates, only notifying GHRA of their intended race date. In the event two Clubs submit the same date, consideration will be given to the Club with the traditional date, moving away from the previous arrangement where the GHRA and the clubs would sit at a meeting at the start of the year and decide on dates for the clubs. A proposal was made to enact a Ratings System, similar to what is used in Trinidad & Tobago. It was agreed that the current classification system being employed in Guyana, does not accurately integrate horses coming from the United States classification system. The new ratings system will be worked out in conjunction with representatives of horse owners and trainers. The system, once approved, will appear alongside the current classification system on race
programmes over a period of time. It is believed that this eases in the period whereby race fans will familiarize themselves with the new system. Those present also agreed that an Interim Management Committee (IMC) will be put in place until the much talked about Horse Racing Legislation is passed to form the legal sanctioning body. GHRA also recognized the renovations and upgrades being made to facilities of the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), and commended track Principal, Fazal Habibulla on his continued investment in the sport. President Ouditt and the rest of the gathering also recognized the formation of a new promotion group called the 4 Horsemen. The group outlined their vision for Horse Racing in Guyana which they aim to project with their debut Race Meeting dubbed the ‘Clash of the Titans’ at Port Mourant Turf Club on Sunday May 22nd. Oudit expressed his pleasure with the unity exercised by the horse owners in coming up with the new promotion group and its
Vic Ouditt inclusiveness of all available animals. Also discussed, was the issue with Jockeys’ dues, and the fact that it should be paid in to the respective clubs on race day which should be forwarded to an Insurance Fund. The biggest bug bear however is the sloth in government not passing the necessary legislation in propelling the sport. However, according to Oudit, despite the current situation with Parliament the GHRA is still optimistic that the necessary legislation will be enacted in 2015. It was confirmed by Oudit that the Minister of Sport is yet to convene with the stakeholders and the racing fraternity.
GSCL Inc President’s Cup set to commence on March 14 Following the successful staging of its second Republic Cup, the Georgetown Cricket Softball League Inc (GSCL Inc) will host their inaugural President’s Cup starting from March 14. The competition will continue on March 15 and conclude on the 22nd. The tournament will be played in the over40 and open categories and entrance fee for both segments is $25,000. The launching and draw will take place on March 11 at GNIC Sports Club, Woolford Avenue at 17:00 hrs.
The venues are yet to be indentified and the first eight sides that enter will be accepted in both divisions. The winning and runner teams in both categories will pocket $200,000 and $100,000, trophies and other incentives. Teams are asked to uplift the competition regulations upon paying their entrance fee at GSCL Inc head office, Seaforth Street, Campbellville. For more information teams can contact GSCL Inc assistant secretary Russell Jagbeer on 225-4802 or 226-4205.
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Shakib, Mortaza spoil Synthetic Track and Field Facility be opened on March 27 Afghanistan’s debut - AAGtogiven half-hour slot on programme for athletics
ESPNcricinfo Afghanistan’s World Cup debut was the story of the day in Canberra but Mashrafe Mortaza’s Bangladesh won by 105 runs to assuage worries of an early meltdown at the hands of the newcomers. Bangladesh stuttered to 267 all out and only reached that score through a 15-over blaze from Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Then it was turn of Mashrafe to sink Afghanistan to 3-3 in the third over. Recovery took Afghanistan a long time, long enough to push the asking rate well out of reach. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 162 but would have taken plenty of positives from their first outing. Those, though, would be restricted to their bowling effort. Their 268-run chase didn’t go to plan. Mashrafe removed Javed Ahmadi at the end of the first over, the batsman’s attempt to work the ball into the legside causing him to pop a simple return catch off the leading edge. The other opener, Afsar Zazai, fell next ball, trapped leg-before. It became 3 for 3 when Asghar Stanikzai edged Mashrafe to first slip where Mahmudullah grabbed it after a bit of a fumble. Samiullah Shenwari, who had been removed from the bowling attack after seven balls for transgressing into the danger area twice, led the recovery with the bat. He struck the team’s first boundary, a crash through the covers off Mortaza. Nawroz Mangal helped him pull the team out of trouble, adding 62 for the fourth wicket. The required rate, though, was on the rise and the pressure led to the wicket of Mangal, who holed out at deep square-leg. Rubel took the catch but hurt his leg in the tumble. Shenwari was then run out in the 26th over when Sabbir’s pick-up and throw from the leg-side boundary found him some way short of the crease. Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran added 58 runs for the sixth wicket before Najubullah fell legbefore to Shakib in the 37th over. Mashrafe then picked up his third wicket, dismissing Nabi for 44 off 43. From seven down, the Afghanistan tail struck a few blows before the innings came to an end in the 43rd over. It was apt that the first Afghanistan player known to the wider world, Hamid Hassan, bowled his country’s first delivery in the World
Cup. Hassan, decked with warrior-like face-paint, and Shapoor Zadran kept the Bangladesh openers quiet for 14 overs, before Mirwais Ashraf picked up both Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque in the space of two overs. The opening pair batted circumspectly and did well to avoid giving away early wickets. Tamim, though, grew restless, and went hard at Ashraf, surviving a caughtbehind appeal when he appeared to edge the ball and a close run-out after a mix-up with Anamul. The latter took his own time until Ashraf trapped him leg-before with a superb inducker. Ashraf bowled a superb first spell, and Bangladesh were under his spell until Soumya Sarkar hammered 15 off his ninth over to spoil his figures. He had given away only 17 from his first eight overs. Soumya and Mahmudullah added 50 patient runs for the third wicket before the pair fell in Shapoor’s second spell. The fourth wicket, at the start of the 30th over, brought together Mushfiqur and Shakib at a crucial stage, when more wickets could have left them vulnerable to the sort of collapse that haunted them in 2014. The team’s most successful batting partnership took control almost instantly, picking up singles and doubles regularly before plundering 48 runs in the batting Powerplay. The pair moved to their respective fifties and had begun launching into the Afghanistan attack when
Shakib fell in the 45th over, having made 63 off 51 balls, with six fours and a pulled six over deep square-leg. The fifth-wicket pair had added 114 runs in 15.3 overs. Bangladesh immediately lost their way, as Sabbir Rahman struggled through his 2.1-over stay, keeping Mushfiqur at the nonstriker ’s end. Mushfiqur struck a four as soon as he got back on strike, but fell soon after for a 56-ball 71, slogging one down deep midwicket’s throat in the 48th over. Mashrafe struck three fours towards the end, but even then Bangladesh had only made 73 in their last ten overs while losing their last six wickets. Having bowled with discipline for the first 29.1 overs of the Bangladesh innings, Afghanistan gave away too many four balls during the Shakib-Mushfiqur partnership. They seemed to tire in the field as well, conceding overthrows and letting balls go through their legs. Afghanistan also failed to use a referral in the 41st over, when Aftab Alam had an lbw appeal turned down. Replays suggested the ball was going on to hit the stumps, and had hit Mushfiqur’s front pad before his bat. Scores: Bangladesh 267 (Mushfiqur 71, Shakib 63, Shapoor 2-20) beat Afghanistan 162 (Nabi 44, Mashrafe 3-20) by 105 runs.
After approximately five years of construction, numerous delays and setbacks that landed some of the contractors reportedly before the Courts, the Synthetic Track and Field Facility at Leonora will be officially opened on March 27. While Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport undertook the construction of the facility, the press release on its opening came through the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) following a visit to Leonora yesterday. The facility, which commenced construction in 2010 had a number of delays and setbacks over the years and was expected to cost US$5M to complete, at the time of the last update on the cost of the facility last year in 2013. The construction of Guyana’s first facility was included in a budgeted amount of $392,500,000 million for four areas four years ago, but it was unclear then how much was specifically set out for the construction of Synthetic Track and Field Facility. “Athletics will form part of the showcase for the opening of the Leonora Stadium next
month. On Wednesday (February 18, 2015), the Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Director of Sports Neil Kumar and Athletics Association, President Aubrey Hutson visited the facility,” the AAG said in a press release. “Track and Field has been given a halfhour slot. The Opening of the facility should be an evening affair, with events under lights,” the AAG continued in a press release. Up to press time yesterday, there was no correspondence from the Ministry of Sport on the opening of the facility. According to the AAG release, Hutson said that given the limited time slot, a few of the shorter distances will be staged. The disclosure said that the top athletes from the CARIFTA Games trial set for March 7-8 will be on show during the half-hour of athletics. In addition, the athletics association took the opportunity to inform that it has postponed its High School Championships to next year. “The AAG was hoping to host the best athletes from nine-districts but all arrangements were not finalized in-time to host the event,” the release noted.
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Changed travel itinerary forces Mullings/ Atwell early CABOFE showdown By Michael Benjamin Seasoned boxing buffs will remember that fateful Boxing Night in 1985 when local light/heavyweight pugilist, Charles Crawford faced Curaçao national, ‘Easy Boy’ Michael, in the then National Sports Hall, for a scheduled 10 rounds light/ heavyweight encounter. The two pugilists were already at the venue when information reached ‘Easy Boy Michael’s camp that his flight, initially scheduled for early the following morning, was brought forward by some four hours. The news forced the organizers to pull the fight forward to accommodate ‘Easy Boy’ Michael’s new travel arrangements. The Curaçao national, cognizant
of the limited time he had to do his job, unleashed a vicious two fisted attack on Crawford and in just 1:40secs of the fight, forced referee, Wilfred Boodhoo, to call a halt to the proceedings after instituting two mandatory eight counts. The decision had hardly been announced when ‘Easy Boy’ Michael scaled the ropes in grand gladiator style and without even bothering to strip of his gears, headed for the airport. The joke making its rounds then was that ‘Easy Boy’ had limited time to do his job and he ‘easily’ disposed of his opponent. Now, several months short of fifteen years later, history seem to be repeating itself, at least in the change
of fight plans for a foreign boxer; 2014 Contender champion, Jamaican, Sakima Mullings, is scheduled to face off with local world rated fighter, Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell for the World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBCCABOFE) jnr/welterweight title tomorrow evening. The organizers were recently informed that the Jamaican will now be required to check in at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 12:00hrs of fight night to board his plane back to Jamaica. This has forced them to pull forward the Mullings/ Atwell fight to the third bout on the programme and boxing buffs are advised to be at the venue early to be a part of the action. One is tempted to wonder aloud whether history is repeating itself or whether Atwell will be able to circumvent the famous ‘Charles Crawford tragedy.’ Meanwhile, Mullins was expected in Guyana last night and will join Atwell and other boxers on the card at the prefight press conference slated for the Conference Room at the Banks DIH Thirst Park at 10:00hrs this morning. Later this evening, the boxers will be at the Garnett and Sheriff Street business place of GBBC official, Michael Fung, for the weigh in ceremony before returning to their respective homes to relax
while waiting for the big occasion tomorrow night. Other fights include middleweight WBCCABOFE champion, Edmond DeClou up against local super/ middleweight champion, Dereck Richmond, while Quincy Gomes opposes debutant, Keeve Allicock in a lightweight 4 rounder. Mark Austin will then attempt to avenge an earlier loss against Dexter Gonsalves, in a jnr/ welterweight non-title 8 rounds affair moments before Barbados based Guyanese, Charwyn Eswick and debutant, Travis Fraser face off in a 4 rounds jnr/ middleweight bout. Questions abound; will history repeat itself or can Atwell defeat that jinx? Fans will be best advised to purchase their tickets early if only to catch the Mullins/ Atwell shindig before the former boxer leaves for the
Clive Atwell
Sakima Mullings airport. Judging from Atwell’s mood and his stern warning to the Jamaican to come prepared for the fight of his life, Mullings, in his haste to board the plane on time, might very well miss his flight— to attend to medical concerns. Only time will tell!
Admission is $3000 for a ringside seat and half that amount for the stand. Several corporate entities have rendered financial and other support towards the success of the card including Giftland Office Max, Guyana Tourism Board, GTM, Guyoil, Digicel, Fly Jamaica Airline, Castrol and Courts (Guyana) Ltd among others. Action time is 20:00hrs sharp.
JCA vote 67-22 to support Dave Cameron for WICB presidency Jamaica Observer MEMBERS and affiliates of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Tuesday voted 67-22 to overturn the decision to support Barbadian Joel Garner ahead of Jamaican incumbent Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron for the post of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president. On February 3, the JCA board of directors had voted 10-6 to support Garner, sparking a rift within the association after some members cried foul. During Tuesday afternoon’s JCA annual general meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Cameron found favour with the wider membership when the matter
was put to a vote. JCA President Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven, who was criticised by some members for his handling of the initial vote to support Garner, told reporters that the move was taken to “put the issue to the general membership”. The JCA boss added that members “will abide by” Tuesday’s outcome. St James Cricket Association president Cecil Fletcher, who had tendered his resignation letter in apparent protest after directors had initially voted to support Garner, said that since he is “vindicated” he will continue to “serve” the JCA as director. Fletcher had signed a draft resolution circulated on
February 6, proposing a noconfidence motion against Heaven at the JCA AGM. However, it did not materialise during the meeting. Some critics of Heaven, including JCA director Wayne Lewis, have said that while Cameron made a presentation to JCA board members ahead of the February 3 vote, the failure of a telephone link meant Garner was unable to do the same. Yet, according to Lewis, who has been prominently vocal regarding his dissatisfaction with the process used to back Garner, the directors were still required to vote. Yesterday, he said Garner’s presentation had (Continued on page 29)
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GCB hands out kits to clubs on ECD and RHY&SC ...CONTINUATION OF COUNTRY-WIDE CRICKET DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH PROGRAMME
GCB President, Drubahadur, hands over kit to Christopher Singh from Lusignan. Also in photo are Jitlall Jowharilall from Enterprise (1st from right), Delbert Hicks, from Rosehall Youth and Sport Club (2nd from right) and GCB Secretary, Anand Sanasie (1st from left).
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he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) countrywide cricket development outreach programme continued last Saturday at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, when complete cricket kits were given out to Better Hope Cricket Club, Lusignan Cricket Club, Enterprise Cricket Club and Rosehall Town Youth and Sports Club. Speaking to the Clubs’
representatives and East Coast Under-17 boys who were at trials for the selection on the Demerara team for the GCB InterCounty competition, GCB President, Drubahadur, thanked the various representatives for coming out to uplift their kits and urged them to make full use and take good care of them. He noted that with all the constraints the board is encountering it still manages
Defending national champs, Ravens bounce into action tonight
Akeem Kanhai
Chris Williams
D
e f e n d i n g N a t i o n a l Basketball Champions, Ravens will bounce into action tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall against New Amsterdam’s Smythfield Rockers in a clash of the first and last seeds in the 2015 National Basketball Championships. Ravens will be featuring its top players including Ryan Stephney and Akeem (Continued on page 29)
Ryan Stephney
to stick to its mandate by ensuring that all levels of cricket competitions are played within their deadlines. The President told all present that once the GCB irons out some if not all of its distractions, much more help will be given to clubs across the country to help them develop their facilities and players. Drubahadur further highlighted the good performances by recent Guyana national teams and urged the youngsters to pay attention to these
GCB President, Drubahadur, hands over kit to Mustafaa Azimulla from Better Hope. Also in photo, GCB Secretary, Anand Sanasie (1st from left). achievements and work hard to achieve same or better. He wished them well for the trials, stating that he is looking forward to a highly competitive U-17 InterCounty competition. Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, reminded all that this outreach started last year with the aim of having all cricket clubs across the country in possession of the relevant cricket gears so players who cannot afford all of them can have access to them to train and develop their skills. He noted that so
far the Board has reached Bayrock Club and UDCA in Linden, the various associations in Essequibo, some clubs on the East Bank of Demerara and some clubs in Berbice. The Secretary stated that this outreach will continue as the Executive Body of the GCB is committed towards the development of cricket in Guyana. Delbert Hicks, a member of Rosehall Youth and Sport Club, thanked the GCB for granting their request for assistance with cricket gears as a part of their Jubilee
celebrations. He said the gears would help the club a great deal. He also assured the President and Secretary that they would use the gears meaningfully. Representatives from the other Clubs, Mustafaa Azimulla (Better Hope), Christopher Singh (Lusignan) and Jitlall Jowharilall (Enterprise), thanked the Board for the donation and promised to use the gears with utmost care. They added that they hope to be beneficiaries again in the near future.
First ever E-Networks Cross-fit Competition gaining support It’s the first of its kind to be held locally and Genesis Fitness Express and Fitness Express, two of the more established promoters have merged to host the inaugural E-Networks Cross-Fit Games which is scheduled for March 1, at the National Park Tarmac. The event which was conceptualised by Noshavyah King, well known Zumba Fitness instructor and certified personal trainer and Jamie McDonald, owner of Fitness Express, one of the fastest growing fitness retail establishments in Guyana is open to athletes and fitness enthusiasts nationwide and will test their fitness level and endurance. According to a release, the competition will comprise of five events, combining 15 different exercises with contestants divided into
Could this be one of the exercises that contestants will have to perform at the first ever E-Networks Crossfit Games? teams where a panel of judges will evaluate them based on execution and speed. Ending scores will determine the E-Networks Cross-Fit Games fittest team and fittest individuals in the Male and Female categories. Cross-Fit is a training programme that builds
strength and conditioning through extremely varied and challenging workouts. Each workout will test a different part of your functional strength or conditioning, not specializing in one particular thing, but rather with the goal of building a body that’s capable of practically
anything and everything. It is extremely different from a commercial gym workout. Come out and support Guyana’s very own athletes and let’s see who has what it takes to be called the Fittest Athlete in Guyana. Entrance fee is $500 and children are free.
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Kenny Benjamin wants more two-day cricket in Leeward Islands
The Chinese work on the South Stand during the match between the Jaguars and the Hurricanes.
Backs Cameron for WICB Presidency By Sean Devers in Antigua In Association with Western Union John Fernandes Ltd & Meet Your Match Dating Service Former West Indies and Leeward Islands fast bowler Kenny Benjamin, who captured 403 wickets from 108 First-Class matches after making his debut at this level in 1989, provided his thoughts on several issues that have contributed to the dismal showing of the Leewards team in the recent past. The 47-year-old Benjamin was speaking as an Analyst on the Antigua Broadcasting Service (ABS) during a live Radio commentary of the match between Guyana Jaguars and the Hurricanes on Sunday. Antigua alone has produced outstanding West Indian players Viv Richards, Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Ridley Jacobs, but Leeward Islands cricket has declined to the point where they have lost every one of its six Four-Day matches so far inside three days. Benjamin believes the Leewards continue to struggle because of inconsistency among their batsmen who are not equipped with the temperament to bat for an entire day. Apart from
Guyanese Shiv Chanderpaul, this is a big problem throughout the West Indies. “The problem is both mental and technical. Antigua is the only Leeward Island territory that plays two-day cricket and that continues to be the biggest problem for Leewards cricket,” Benjamin said. He feels that the Franchise system is a good thing. “The Franchise system should allow more players who have not yet played at the highest level to focus more of their time on cricket since they are now getting a monthly salary just to play cricket. This should make them more professional players since cricket has now become their job. They will now have the time to practice and train more because most of these guys have to work outside of cricket to earn a living,” Benjamin who played 26 Tests and 26 ODIs for the We s t I n d i e s i n a n International career that spanned from 1992-1998, added. Benjamin said he was supporting incumbent West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President Jamaican Dave Cameron for another two-year term at the helm of West Indies Cricket. The Leewards Islands
Kenny Benjamin
Cricket Association, the Guyana Cricket Board and Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board are throwing their support behind Cameron although former Test pacer Andy Roberts (who like Benjamin, does not have voting rights) says he is supporting his former West Indies fast bowling team mate Joel Garner for the job. Garner will challenge Cameron for the Presidency in what is expected to be a closely contested fight when the WICB holds its Annual General Meeting on March 7, 2015 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. “I am backing Cameron since he is doing the things he said he would, like introducing franchise cricket at First-Class level. I hope if he wins we would see more emphasis placed on the developmental stage of our
cricket. I also would like to see Garner work along with Cameron to bring the cricketing side to the table,” Benjamin noted. The Windward Islands Cricket Association, the Barbados Cricket Association and the Jamaica Cricket Association are backing Barbadian Garner in the race for the top spot on the WICB. Meanwhile, the seventh round fixture between the Leewards and the Windwards Islands which was set for Antigua from Friday has now been shifted to St Lucia because the Stadium has been closed for renovations to the stands. But Benjamin feels that the work beyond the boundary should not have affected the staging of a Regional game here this weekend. The renovations
are being done in preparations for the Test series between West Indies and England. The opening Test will be played here from April 13. Benjamin said the renovations of the stands won’t affect the cricket on the ground. “I don’t see that (renovations) as a problem because nothing is wrong with the playing area and you won’t get a large crowd now for matches at this level,” Benjamin reasoned. The Jaguars/Hurricanes match was switched from St Kitts, which held its National Elections Tuesday, the designated final day of the Four-Day contest. Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is a stadium that was built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup and has a seating capacity of 10,000.
The stadium is 20 minutes from the capital city, St. John’s and the venue cost approximately US$60 million to build, with the majority of the funds coming from a Chinese Government grant. In 2008, the roof of the South Stand was damaged by high winds and other facilities include Floodlights for night matches, a practice pitch, training infrastructure and a media centre. This Stadium is one of the few state-of-the-art venues that encompass underground passageways for the teams to move about. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) constructed the Stadium, the new airport terminal and the Five Islands Secondary School and is in charge of the renovations of Antigua’s only International Cricket venue.
Changes made as over 60 entries received FOR THE JUMBO JET SPRINT CLASSIC MEET
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ith just a few days to go before race day all systems are falling into place for the Rising Sun Turf Club “Jumbo Jet Sprint Classic” one day PreMashramani horserace meet set for the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park West Coast Berbice on Sunday. The meet, which will be held in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf club, will now be an eight event card with the race for four year old horses been taken off the programme. All the e v e n t s o n t h e d a y ’s programme will be 1100M
sprints with prize monies including cash trophies and other incentives being in the vicinity of $7M. Another initiative will see patrons being given free programmes and parking. Wi t h e n t r i e s c l o s i n g yesterday, over 60 horses had taken entry for the lucrative prizes on offer. Who will win the feature D1 and lower event is still anyone guess as most of the owners have thrown the faster horses in the lineup. The Shariff stable heads the line up with three entries with the likes of California Strike, Spit Fire and Swing
Easy. The Jumbo Get will be throwing in the speedy Appealing Harvest and Jack Is My Style. The Jagdeo Connection from all indication will be going with Right To Rule and the fit again Country Armage. Others such as Red and Lovely, Passion for Song and Money in return, will be looking to make their name. However all eyes will be on the newly imported and highly rated Piz a Holiday of the Elcock/ Poonai stable as it makes its debut on the local arena. The coveted prize is a sumptuous $1M and trophy. The race for Guyana and
West Indian bred three year old horses will see the likes of It’s My Choice, Gold De Cova, Keep On Swinging, Dream Come through, Midnight Blue and Sweet Return looking to take the returns of $500,000 and trophy. Captain Crook of the Jumbo Jet stable will be hard pressed as it looks for its fourth win in a row in the E2 and lower event for the $500,000 first prize and trophy. However it will have to first get past the likes of Settle In Seattle, Release the beast, Swing Easy and Goodwill Boy.
Another close race is anticipated in the G class event for the $400,000 and trophy up for grabs with Battle Hymn set to battle Cassie, Silent Night, Princess Alicia, War Craft, Shooting Star, Sent from Above and Settling Jet. There is also $400,000 and trophy on offer in the event for four year old animals. There is a race for Guyana bred and born three year old horses for a winner take of $250,000 and trophy. Among those lined up to go are Amazon Warrior and Slim Shady. The winner of the H and
lower race will also get $250,000 and trophy as She so Special and Royal Cash heads the lineup. Mary Ann, Dance for Gold, Red Jet, the Gump and Little are among some of the animals racing in the I3 and lower event for the winning $200,000 and trophy. The J3 and lower event has a winning prize of $150,000 and trophy and Quincy, Short Man, Dance for Gold, Royal Passion, Red Region, the Gump and Trigger will be looking to draw down the winnings. Over the past few weeks (Continued on page 29)
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EBECC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNDERWAY
caught up with Johnson taking the U-19 players through their paces at Tuschen ground. Speaking after the session, Johnson said that these clinics are designed to improve the players’ allround ability and fitness level. “What we find is that some players at the agegroup level are only interested when inter county
cricket comes around so we saw the need to have a programme to allow continuous cricket and this programme is designed to do same and also facilitate matches,” he added. Johnson informed that they will also be having exchange programmes. “Teams from other area committees will visit us so we can play home and away
(AP) Promoter Bob Arum is uncharacteristically silent amid indications that the next few days will determine whether Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao share a ring together May 2. Arum repeatedly declined to comment Tuesday about the possible megafight during an appearance at a media day for Chinese boxer Zou Shiming at trainer Freddie Roach’s gym in Hollywood. Arum says: ‘’I know nothing.’’ The chairman of casino operator MGM Grand, though, at the same time dropped a tantalizing hint about the possible fight during a conference call with analysts to discuss the company’s fourth-quarter earnings. James Murren says: ‘’We hope it’s a big, big fight. If it is the fight we hope it is, then it is the biggest fight.’’
Australia captain Clarke will return against Bangladesh
Players and Coach Vibert Johnson (standing fourth from left) after a net session at Tuschen ground. With the aim of improving the game in the area, the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee (EBECC) has continued its development programme with several training sessions under Coach Vibert Johnson. Sessions are being held for U-15, U-17 and U-19 cricketers at various venues. Kaieteur Sport recently
Silence and a hint for possible Mayweather-Pacquiao fight
matches on a regular basis. This will help to better prepare players for inter county tournaments,” he said. Johnson is satisfied with the commitment shown. “The players are willing to work hard; I have never seen such enthusiasm so we have to ensure the programme is a continuous one,” the coach explained.
BBC Sport - Australia captain Michael Clarke will return from injury in Saturday’s World Cup match against Bangladesh. Clarke had surgery on his hamstring less than two months ago and was set a deadline of this weekend if he was to take any part in the World Cup. He has come through two warm-up matches, scoring 98 runs, and coach Darren Lehman confirmed the news. Clarke 33, will replace George Bailey, who led Australia to victory over England last week. He suffered two injuries to his left hamstring in 2014 before tearing his right hamstring while fielding in the first Test against India on 13 December. He even went so far as to suggest that the injury may have ended his career. But, by 24 December, he stated his desire to be fit for the World Cup and returned to action in grade cricket on 31 January.
EDFA/MCYS host successful Beginners Referees Course
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The newly trained Referees display their certificates in the presence of one of the facilitators, Roy McArthur (seated left) at right is EDFA Executive, Joseph Wilson.
he East Demerara F o o t b a l l Association (EDFA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCYS) recently held a successful Beginners Referees Course which saw seven (7) young people’s participating. It was the intention of the association to have the individuals assist with officiating at junior tournaments but they were informed that the Guyana
Football Referees Committee is the sole authority in charge of controlling referees in Guyana. The course was facilitated by former FIFA Referees now Instructors, Roy McArthur and Abdullah Hamid. Those attending and successfully completing the course were Mitera Thomas, Randy Waldron, Alisha King, Jonelle Ogle, Aliyah Brewster, Brandon Cyrus and Bernard John.
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JCA vote 67-22 to support Dave Cameron for WICB presidency
Synthetic Track and Field Facility given half-hour slot to be opened on- AAG programme for athletics on March 27 A section of the synthetic track at Leonora.
CAMERON‌ found favour with the wider membership when the matter was put to a vote
Changes made as over 60 entries received for the Jumbo Jet Sprint Classic meet
Rising Sun Turf Club will be more than ready come race day and with the dry spell some fast times are expected.
Shakib, Mortaza spoil Afghanistan’s debut Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210