Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 3
Kaieteur News
Political interference hampered SOCU
Guyana needs an independent body to go after grand corruption - UK Expert, Dr. Sittlington By Kiana Wilburg If Guyana is to make any serious headway in successfully tackling grand corruption, the nation must have an agency that is free from interference, and staffed with individuals who have the will to battle this scourge. This is according to UK Financial Crimes Expert, Dr. Sam Sittlington. The international consultant was alluding to the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) which he subsequently acknowledged was hampered by interference. Dr. Sam Sittlington was also a former advisor to SOCU on anti-money laundering and other matters. During an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Dr. Sittlington said, “Having 100 experts on financial crimes would not help. You need the will to go
after grand corruption, and from my experience, there is just too much interference. For grand corruption to be handled once and for all, there needs to be an independent authority which should not be interfered with by any ministry.”
importance of such an agency, he was keen to note that it would need robust legislation which promotes transparency and accountability. In this regard, Dr. Sittlington noted that there is no anticorruption legislation that is fit for
“Having 100 experts on financial crimes would not help. You need the will to go after grand corruption… there needs to be an independent authority which should not be interfered with by any ministry…” - Dr. Sittlington The Financial Crimes Expert said that such a body should have its own prosecutors, along with a special judge to hear such cases. While noting the
purpose in Guyana. In the same breath, he highlighted that Guyana would certainly need to review its existing laws to remove provisions that allow perpetrators of grand corruption wiggle-
Cop driving gang’s getaway car…
Ramjattan vows tougher scrutiny of recruits to weed out corrupt ranks - concerned that individuals bent on criminality are ‘hiding’ behind their uniforms It may soon be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a corrupt recruit to enter the Joint Services. That’s because Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan is planning drastic measures to keep deviant individuals out, and to kick out the corrupt ones who are already in uniform. Ramjattan made no effort to conceal his disgust over last Friday’s embarrassing caper at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo that has ensnared a member of the Guyana Police Force, and once again placed criminality in the Joint Services in the spotlight. The rank, Police Constable Jonathan Harry, was nabbed at a road-block while transporting a wounded bandit and an accomplice. The Special Branch rank and his gang had just fled from Tuschen, East Bank Demerara, after one of their accomplices was shot dead. The gang was robbing the owners of a Chinese restaurant when a neighbour who owns a licensed firearm confronted them. There are reports that
Constable Harry had reported sick on the day of the robbery. “I will certainly continue my no nonsense approach to (corruption) in the Force,” Ramjattan said, while describing the detained constable as “a rogue element.” “All rogue elements must be forced out. We must strengthen the vetting system (for recruits)….but we will still have the ones who want to live the illegal life.” But Ramjattan also promised that other sections of the Joint services, including the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Prison Service and Fire Service will also face more intense vetting. “It has become a little too much for us, but we have to eliminate them, and prevent them from becoming members of the Joint services. What is required is morality in the individual. They must know right from wrong. I would like a thorough investigation to find out what is the motivation (for this corruption). Do they (corrupt elements) want to hide within the Force?”
But Ramjattan said that polygraph tests would not necessarily help to identify recruits who are unsuitable for the Force,” since you could test zero (for corruption) because you come in good, but then you change (when recruited.)” He said that the polygraph is used for senior ranks. But the Public security Minister conceded one of the challenges to any anticorruption drive is the fact that the salaries of policemen are still comparatively lower to those of policemen in some Caribbean territories. “But we will seek to (further) improve salaries. Friday’s incident at Tuschen occurred shortly after the Guyana Prison Service revealed that officials had foiled a breakout at the Georgetown Prisons. The culprits had used hacksaw blades to saw through the bars in their cells. An investigation is underway to identify all the individuals in the plot and to ascertain how the inmates gained access to the cutting tools.
room to escape punishment. “When you consider the fact that ministers cannot be prosecuted for abuse of office because they use the argument that they are not in a public office, those are simple things which can be changed by definition...And the Constitution probably needs to be looked at as well to stop the perpetrators of grand corruption from stealing billions of dollars from the Guyanese people and then they can’t be prosecuted properly because of lack of legislation.” Dr. Sittlington also noted that one of the biggest impediments to Guyana’s success in arresting grand corruption is the fact that the investigators are not knowledgeable or experienced enough to investigate fraud or money laundering crimes. “...Although they have had loads of training, they
UK Expert on Financial Crimes, Dr. Sam Sittlington don’t understand the concept...I believe therefore that there needs to be a twopronged approach to this; there should be basic training for investigators and for senior officers and there should be an advanced training course on dealing with these types of offences.”
The Financial Crimes Expert expressed that it is not beyond Guyana to address grand corruption once and for all. He stressed, however, that the right elements need to be in place. He said that this includes the use of advanced technological systems for crime fighting, addressing the draconian judicial system and the sloth of prosecutors, ensuring the provision of training for investigators, getting the right people at SOCU and other law enforcement bodies to ensure the job is professionally done and last but not least, bring on board robust legislation. Once the foregoing are in place and are backed by political will, Dr. Sittlington says that Guyana would be on its way to actually addressing grand corruption instead of engaging in repetitions of its intentions to do so.
Liza Phase One alone can give... From page 2 was one of the sites identified, but there are some challenges and they are being looked at. No site has been chosen at the moment.” Kaieteur News understands that the Energy Department is now in charge of handling these and other related matters. Last year, the Energy Department had disclosed that gas can be brought to shore by 20232024.
Furthermore, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), which is acutely aware of Guyana’s gas potential has said that currently, Guyana is at a historic juncture to convert its abundant natural resources into a diversified electricity generation matrix. Along with the Stabroek oil discoveries, it noted that ExxonMobil and its partners have found commercial
quantities of Natural Gas associated with the oil deposits. Together with Renewable Energy (RE) sources, the financial institution said that this could transform the electricity generation sector. It stressed that the use of Natural gas could help to lower carbon emissions and represent cost savings, benefitting residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
PAGE 4
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
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
Let this early incident be the last
O
n Sunday, this publication went to the pains of sharing that it will be intensely vigilant and highly intolerant of campaign escapades by any political entity. In fact, it is beyond campaign developments of an unacceptable nature, and covers just about any electoral or politically flavored situation that we believe is unhelpful to a peaceful democratic process. It might be that somebody decided to test our resolve, or didn’t get time to read the memo, or just did not care as to the temperateness of their actions and its significance to a process that is constructive, appealing, and comforting. Because there are reports by the opposition of thuggery meted out to its supporters, who were traveling through South Georgetown on Saturday. According to a KN report of Sunday, January 5th, insults and some kind of object or objects were hurled at the vehicle by a few citizens attired in coalition colors. This was corroborated by reports disseminated by the opposition decrying this development. On the face of it, the opposition has to be given the higher ground here. The area is known for being a coalition stronghold and the colors (though too easily replicated) all point a questioning finger at the leadership of the APNU-AFC. At this point, this paper will be content with raising a questioning finger and voice and not tabling anything by way of the accusatory, until the air clears and the facts on the ground emerge in more irrefutable terms. But at this stage, this much can be said and said unambiguously: this is not good. It is not wholesome, nor contributory to the social ambience needed for an electoral process that is free of controversy and clear of taint. It is very early days yet, and this is happening, or alleged to be happening at the hands of government people. If this is occurring this early, then there can be scant hope that things will not degrade to a dirtier, nastier, more injurious level in the days ahead, which suddenly look long and dreary and grim with the possibilities. We at this publication do hope that this is an aberration, and that wiser, more sober heads at the leadership center of the coalition-and for that matter, each and every political group, whether contesting in the elections or not-to demonstrate the maturity and responsibility that this particular occasion, this special 2020 elections call for in this time, when great excitement and still greater passions take hold. The leadership of the coalition, and of every other group, must rise to the challenge of the occasion and temper the traditional surges of their own. Those same leaders must set the tone, walk the line, and brook no departure by those within their fold, who fall foul of what is fair and fulsome. The last thing that is desired at this time is a set of circumstances that takes on a life of its own, with little to no control over ensuing events, and then to be followed by the usual postmortems that lead nowhere and please no one. Let us all be sensible, let us all be controlled to the ultimate degree, if only to preserve some semblance of sanity and to manifest to the world that we can manage ourselves, we know what is expected, and that we are able to deliver. We are able to deliver through a disciplined approach, through words that compete ferociously, but which leaves room to recognize fellow citizens, while a new and different pathway is traced. We do not want to be in a place, where all we are doing is probing who did what to whom on the hard, gritty street, or who said what or smeared whom on unforgiving, but convenient, social media. If that is so, then there is no upside for constructive debate, for fluid exchange of points and counterpoints. Truth be told, all that we stare at is a downside with no bottom. This paper urges the leadership of the coalition to look seriously into this development on Laing Avenue and, if accurate, rein in its more aggressive people. The word must be: not this way. No more of this. This will not be allowed.
STOP USING YOUTH AS POLITICAL PROPS! DEAR EDITOR, The year is 2020. We are now roughly seven weeks from what is coined ‘the Mother of all Elections’ and none of the two major political parties have actually outlined a concrete plan for youth development outside of the President’s education nation mantra. Perhaps the PPP/C tried to achieve that in their mock of a manifesto which can be easily torn apart by a simple google search but Guyanese youth have still not been given sufficient chances to be meaningfully involved in Government at the Local, Regional and Central government levels without serious opposition from some ‘more established’ party members. I was born in 1997 and in the last 22 years, there has been no major push to ensure that youth are provided with the opportunities to lead and make decisions that affect their own lives. The world’s population is young. Guyana’s population is young. In 2017, 42 per cent of the world’s population was under 25. I have seen loads of PPP/ C and APNU+AFC loyalists over the two decades who all have reaped the fat of the lamb take to whatever social media platform suits their interests to bark at youth who complain about youth involvement, somehow indicating that they should just toe the line; a line which will inevitably see them being eligible for ‘promotion’ in their forties and fifties when they are no longer youth.
I sometimes pay homage to the loyalists who opined on Facebook in December last, that most of the rhetoric surrounding youth involvement in politics comes from a sense of entitlement particularly from persons who have not ‘done the work’. What none of them have done is explain what ‘the work’ constitutes but it doesn’t take a scholar to see that young people have for long felt disenfranchised from the often-filthy process. The question exists then. Why should youth be given the opportunity to participate in politics? In a changing world political and civic engagement has become broader than just political engagement because it includes social service policy and provision through involvement in health, education, urban planning etc., it encourages better citizenship and a youth for youth approach. Let’s not stifle our consciences and act like only an ageist argument exists through the bellies of these frustrated young people. We – in the majority – do not believe that the ‘old cabal’ should be thrown out. Admittedly, many of them are learned and have great experience and wisdom vital to the development of Guyana. However, dozens of expired goods are fighting for political prowess and from all of the series I’ve binged watched, power hungry vampires always expose the vile nature of the clan and must always be terminated for the longev-
ity of the species. Successive governments have maintained a façade of youth involvement over the last 22 years with their oftenelitist structures that bar many people with experience and loads of Political Mileage from serving – even when they are past fifty. There are thousands of youth with the fervor and scope to lead and influence real change with a penchant for service, many of whom often shy away from politics because of the nasty ‘fight down’ attitude it encompasses. We can no longer make the case that youth are not interested/educated/stimulated; youth are vibrant, wellread and incredibly resourceful. Youth deserve their seat at the table. Yes, we are coming with the same energy and sense of ‘entitlement’ women felt to be involved in political and civic engagement and we have every right to demand to be heard and taken seriously. We are not asking for handouts. We are asking to be deliberately consulted and included. We are taking up space and making waves. We don’t want to be part of your ethnic and gender quota. I am a Government supporter, but I am for Guyana first. Contrary to popular belief, being a supporter of the Government does not mean I blindly agree with everything they do. I will never let my perspectives become tainted and I will always put my Guyana first. This Government could
have done better, nevertheless, one good term deserves another so ‘don’t stop the progress’. Out of all the 5000 parties Guyana now has, the Alliance for Change (AFC) seemingly has the most vibrant youth arm – Youth for Change (YFC) – but its growth will for the foreseeable future be stymied by some older members with more ‘political mileage’ who themselves embody the same sense of entitlement they claim youth have. The focus on youth, in terms of their engagement in the political arena should not be lost. Youth remain one of the most disenfranchised groups whether in areas involving their physical, sexual and mental health, education, access to resources, employment opportunities and business; but still, we rise. I urge any government who has held office since 1997 to name ten youth that have been nurtured into positions of meaningful political leadership and policy formation in their sitting government. When we speak of youth, we must not speak from our pedestals. We must not use our condescending phalanges to propel narratives that youth are lazy and have not done ‘the work’. Youth are not just for your votes and your political props. We do not need to be treated as if we cannot make meaningful impact in Guyana. We have grown weary of watching and we are coming. (Continued on page 5)
Some impressions of Mabaruma Sub-Region DEAR EDITOR, There are some news items related to the Mabaruma Sub-Region in two of the daily papers. One article carried a report from Minister Patterson in regard to the Solar Panel at Mabaruma. The second news article discusses impressions and views of the Regional Executive Officer of residents who have to wait until the launching of political activity to highlight positives/ lack of in the Region. Why can’t this same Information be fed to the residents throughout the year in a timely and respectful manner? Notwithstanding this, there have been some positive developments in Mabaruma sub Region; however, the list of happiness remains elusive. For instance, there is a deafening silence on the flow of information between the regional administration and the people. There is an inability to find and employ competent persons to manage the few administrative positions in the Region. In this
confusion, the residents ponder what the future holds for them. For example, the community held its breath with the overdue news of the mini-hydro scheme at Hosororo and the solar farm at Khan Hill in Mabaruma. Nevertheless, information is scant on these projects, which leads to speculations and misinformation with some persons saying that there is a danger that these projects could end up like a proverbial “white elephants.” There are promises to address these projects in the New Year. Does this tune sound familiar? Efforts to introduce the cultivation and processing of spices, namely turmeric, black pepper, and ginger, have achieved limited success. These entrepreneur-oriented activities are noble since they seek to create employment and generate income within the community of Hosororo. Sadly, enough it appears to be a top-down administrative process with little input from the villagers. It is discomfort-
ing to see a transformative agricultural project heading for failure and with it another missed opportunity for the economic transformation of the village and the sub-region. Both political parties have addressed in a piecemeal manner. These two issues are the inadequate supply of water in Hosororo and the surrounding areas. For example, Wauna, a satellite village, is supplied with water from Hosororo. It is, therefore, logical to severe Wauna wa-
ter supply from Hosororo and reverts to supplying Wauna with potable water from a source in that community? Judging from the constant need to replace/repair the pump at the water station at Wauna, the persons employed to manage these vital pieces of equipment are lacking responsibility to be both implicit and or explicit. Effective communication brings about positive changes in society. Concerned Resident
Death of outbound passenger on flight DEAR EDITOR, I would like for your newspaper to do an expose on the death of the outbound passenger who passed away yesterday morning at the airport. The airport had no defibrillator nor staff appropriately trained to assist in an emergency. How can this be when Guyana is on the cusps of being one of the richest country in the Caribbean. The health care system on the whole is lacking but cannot continue like this. It’s absolutely mind-blowing that an international airport isn’t equipped to respond appropriately to a cardiac emergency. Concerned
Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
A nightmare for the residents State of the approximately 3 miles stretch of road between Kumaka and Hosororo
The Emasculation of Ramjattan DEAR EDITOR, The emasculation of Khemraj Ramjattan on the 3rd January launch of the Granger re-election campaign was painful to watch; no one, friend or foe should ever have to go through such humiliation on a public stage. On the eve of Christmas, as the coalition partners met to celebrate the sale of three million barrels of oil at State House, a new accord between Granger ’s APNU and Ramjattan’s AFC was spontaneously announced. Many expected that the question of Granger’s choice of Prime Ministerial candidate and running mate was finally settled. It now appears that the question still hangs and
Stop using youth as... DEAR EDITOR, The Hosororo -Kumaka road remains a nightmare for the residents. It brings out anger and frustration at the Regional Administration. It is not surprising that the residents of Hosororo vote overwhelmingly for the Peoples Progressive Party much to the annoyance of the Governing Party. The truth be told this governing administration has shown total contempt for the people of Hosororo. A patchwork approach was used with limited success to remedy the poor state of the roads why it is so difficult for a “knowledgeable engineer” to redress this problem
by ensuring that quality longlasting roads are constructed with shoulders. Roads are built or repaired in the North West Region without shoulders. These roads deteriorate the said road starts from the side; perhaps if these roads constructed with high engineering standards inclusive of shoulders, then these roads can last longer. Fundamentally, it is the opinion of many villagers that it is long overdue over fifty years for these three essential services, quality road, reliable water and electricity supply to be delivered to citizens of this Region and the entire country at large.
In conclusion, tiny but essential changes are not beyond the grasp of the present Government and its local administration. The interest of the people far outweighs the petty party politics, which has continued to divide and destroy the hopes and aspirations of the villagers. Sadly, enough during the season of goodwill, the spiritual message of unity, hope, and expectancy is negated, by meaningless acts of sabotage and misguided political messages, which reinforces hatred, un-patriotism, and ill tolerance among the residents in these communities. Frustrated Resident
From page 4 Comrades, in this decade of development, let us check our privilege. Let us strive to ensure that youth have some say in the policies that will inherently affect them. All the new parties understand that the youth vote is critical and are wasting no time in promising them that they will be heard. The advantage these parties have is that they are manned by a younger following and I have seen scores of my Facebook friends (all former coalition voters) already pledge their support for the likes of TCI and ANUG because they market their product well. Be mindful of who you cross. A 22-year-old entitled, lazy girl
there is a real possibility another candidate has caught the imagination of Mr. Granger. APNU/AFC imitated the PPP approach of a multi-ethnic ticket for elections; but upon election to Office in 2015, Moses Nagamootoo, who was/is the Prime Minister of that Coalition government, was gradually reduced to ribbon-cutting and used as an indo-mannequin in the social cohesion dress window. The moniker of ‘rubber stamp’ was coined by a local wag and resonated to the point where the phrase was used by a Judge in the Caribbean Court of Justice during the No-confidence motion hearings. Given that both Nagamootoo and Ramjattan are Indo-Guyanese and both have been forced to prostrate themselves before David Granger, can we conclude that this is Granger’s view of how the race should be treated? Reduced to begging him for sustenance and approval? Was the U.S assessment in 1974 spot on? The conclusion that the American diplomats got it right back then is inescapable. It is only left for Granger to
bellow “back to back, belly to belly, I don’t give a damn…” for his transformation into an intellectually-lightweight version of the ‘Kabaka’ he so idolizes to be complete. As I watched the evisceration of Ramjattan as the campaign launch wore on and no indication that he had attained his goal of Prime Ministerial candidate the clichéd ‘you lie down with dags (sic) you get up with fleas’ came to mind and I resolved to unmask this macabre game of ‘tokens’ being played by Granger, it is distasteful, disrespectful and demeaning to all Guyanese. I also resolved to redouble my efforts in support of the genuine multi-ethnic team assembled by the PPP/ C in the upcoming elections. The PPP/C campaign theme ‘Stronger Together’ was chosen with care and good reason. It is an acknowledgment of our multi-cultural society; a milepost on the road to becoming one people with many pigmentation levels, a smorgasbord of people, all with one love; our dear land of Guyana. Respectfully, Robin Singh
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
ASKING ONCE MORE -WHO’S MINDING THE STORE? DEAR EDITOR, Please revert me back to the realm of reality or normalcy following the asking of the above-question. It was recently reported that personnel of Guyana Prison Service foiled an escape plot by several inmates of the Georgetown Prison on Camp Street. Reports state that on Friday January 3, 2020 on or around 10.45 a.m., during interaction with prisoners in the Security Block by the Acting Director of Prisons and other ranks, it was discovered that several bars of a cell had been cut and secured with a cloth. Of ironical note is the fact that one of the architects of this likely escape bid Stafrei Alexander, serving a life sentence for attempted murder was also one of the six inmates who had successfully escaped from the same institution in July 2017, during a jailbreak that gutted the colonial era
facility. Immediate search operation revealed that not only the bars of his cell were cut, but also that of another cell. I fail miserably to envision what goes on behind the walls of Guyana’s maximum security prison. Taking into serious consideration the jail breaks, the scaling of prison walls, the deadly fires, the firearms possession, the cutlasses, the mattresses being set on fire etc., it is obvious that the Jail is a fail. Convicts so bold appear to be in full control. In March 2015 Tambico Mc Kenzie an inmate of the Camp Street Prison, was chopped with a cutlass by two inmates. When the system strips a person of their freedom, it automatically incurs an obligation to ensure that prisons are safe and secure for inmates. This brings to the fore the nagging and somewhat imbecilic question regarding secu-
rity within the prison, sometimes referred to as –procedural security or procedural control. Here I revert to street parlance in order to be perhaps better understood, “Where the hell did they get the hacksaws from? Procedural security entails how prisoners move around the environment, what possessions they are allowed to keep, how are the inmates and their visitors searched, as well as the basic daily routine. Is this being done? How? Frequency? Effective procedural security requires not only a clear set of regulations, but must be implemented by staff that are adequate in number, and well trained. The recent escape bid is a damning indictment on both the Government and the country’s overall security situation. How did the prisoners manage to set the wheel in motion without being prior detected? How often is inmate and environment surveillance conducted and in what
manner? It is said that a cloth was used to secure the bars that had been cut. Luckily, the cloth was used to cover the evidence, but under similar circumstances could have been the accessory to an inmate’s demise viz: suicide. Prison officials are responsible for the security measures that the physical design cannot control. And while it may be hard on the ear, have no fear, but all people (staff included) who move into and out of the prison should be considered possible avenues of contraband movement. Viewed through phenomenological lens could this latest flight attempt be seen as a call for architectural reform and increased detection technology? In summary, the use of technology in prison has a direct impact on the custody and prevention of prisoner escape. It is blatantly obvious that a second and hopefully final look is necessary at the Camp Street Prison to ensure that it fulfills its duty—keep-
ing society out and its inmates in. One would have thought that the government having learnt from the fire would have raised the standards higher. The incident clearly showed the need to bypass the norm and immediately effect widespread reform. According to Antoinette Chauvenet, the French writer on prison and reform, “the prison is a defensive warlike apparatus. However, this apparatus of war is not being built at the boundaries for the purpose of defense against an external enemy. Instead she posits the prison is woven into the sociopolitical and spatial fabric targeting the internal enemy enclosed within walls that he should not leave as
long as the law has not decided otherwise. http:// prison.eu.org/IMG/pdf/132chauvenet_violencecarcerale.pdf. Organizations typically claim to control people as a means to an end. Controlling students in a school is supposed to serve their education. The being of a prison is to prevent people from getting out. Given the chequered history of Camp Street Prison it is evident that the moment of decision has been reached, where by and large the prison personnel must now take charge. And when the new plans begin to take shape, it would be difficult or even impossible for prisoners to escape. Yvonne Sam
Keep the campaign clean and free from intimidation and acrimony DEAR EDITOR, As the campaign for the March 2, 2020 national and regional elections heats up, it is essential that we keep the campaign clean and free from intimidation and acrimony. The emphasis should be on issues and not personalities. We are maturing politically as a people. Our democracy may not be perfect but we have come a long way since the days of rigged elections and ethnic
tension of the magnitude of the tumultuous 1960’s. For that we deserve some credit as a society. This is why it is so important that as politicians we refrain from language or activities that could be inflammatory. Political parties should be allowed to freely campaign in any part of the country. No area or constituency should be out of bounds. There should be no ripping off of flags or posters. In a democratic and competitive political environment, it is the message and not the messenger that is paramount. As the elections fever becomes more pronounced in the days ahead, there is bound to be expressions of unbridled support for one or the other political camp. This is a natural phenomenon in any political contest. Such enthusiasm however must conform to the norms of civility and mutual respect. Let a thousand ideas bloom! In the marketplace of ideas, no individual or party has a monopoly. In the final analysis, it is up to the Guyanese people to make their choices as to which from among the several parties make the case to earn their vote. I look forward to a spirited campaign in the days ahead. Let our conscience and the good of our country be our guide as we cast our ballots, come March 2. Hydar Ally
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Education will be driving force for Guyana – Min. Lawrence – Pan African Movement holds 32nd Anniversary Conference Education will be the driving force for Guyana now that it is a petroleumproducing nation says Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence. “I am sure that you have recognised that education is essential to ensuring that every citizen is positioned to benefit from these developments. Guyana will be unable to maximize the returns on its natural resource endowment unless education is encouraged at all levels.” Minister Lawrence was at the time delivering the keynote address on behalf of His Excellency President David Granger at the Pan African Movement’s 32nd Anniversary Conference on African Civilisation Day. The event held at the Pan African Gardens. was held under the theme ‘towards the decade of national development’. According to the Minister, the 10-year development plan will not only see an increased thrust into the education sector of Guyana but will also
encompass the green state and the digital state that will propel Guyana to new heights. She encouraged the elders across the country to ensure that they nurture young people in their communities so they can capitalise on the opportunities that will be available during this period of unprecedented development. “I wish to propose that the Pan African Movement implement initiatives and programmes to educate and enlighten them [youths] on the way forward. They need to understand and be knowledgeable about the role they must and can play firstly in the development of themselves and secondly in their communities and country,” Minister Lawrence said. The Minister also called for togetherness among people of African descent. “I challenge each of you to take an active role in the promotion of each other so that we can foster more cohesion in our communities and villages
and our country as a whole… Additionally, Mayor Ubraj Narine said that the plot
of land known as the Pan African Gardens will be leased to the Pan African Movement for 99 years.
The objective of the Pan African Movement is to bring people of African descent together, promote unity, help
advance their efforts in areas such as services, technology, economic, education and culture. (DPI)
From right: Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Karen Cummings, His Worship the Major of Georgetown Ubraj Narine and former Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green in attendance at the 32nd Pan African Conference for African Civilisation Day.
A 13 foot poster showcasing major achievements by Africans being displayed.
From left: Eric Phillips, lecturer at the University of Guyana, Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, medical student at the University of Guyana, Brother Nicholas Elliot and Sister Olive Sampson CEO of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
No one has a right to think for me People have a right to think for themselves. The Creator gave every person a brain and a mind to decide for themselves. Every person should be free to listen to all sides of an issue and then to make their own decision. This is what free of conscience is about – you consider an issue make your own decision in accordance with your conscience. The elections campaign has started off on the wrong footing. Political instigators are bent on shielding persons from opposing viewpoints. They want to do the thinking for them. It is an insult and disparaging to suggest to someone that listening to what a rival politician has to say is not advisable. People are not easily fooled in this country. The ordinary man and woman have a good understanding of what is right from wrong and what makes sense and what is nonsense. And they can make decisions for themselves. The actions of the obstructionists in Laing Avenue are ironic. Many of them would not have been living there had the PPPC not built that scheme in the 1950s and had not also sold the homes to the owners at rock-bottom prices when it returned to office in 1992. The PPP has also com-
plained about their agents being attacked in Sophia last Friday. They have filed a complaint to the police. Agent provocateurs, I believe, were behind these incidents in Laing Avenue and at Sophia. They however would want the public to believe that it was the people who of their own volition set upon those PPPC personnel. They are protecting their positions and the benefits they are receiving or are seeking to find favour with their political masters by showing how fervent they are in supporting their party. And they are creating mischief. It is no different from the last election when persons were sent to disrupt a PPPC rally in Buxton. Guyanese are decent people regardless of their political differences. They know how to treat people civilly. But there are quite a few rascals who would allow themselves to be used by their political masters to attack their political rivals. Tensions are high during election season and it is easy for the political instigators to find persons whom will do their dirty work. But by and large the vast majority of people do not support such actions. A few months ago, I was sitting in a minibus when a radio broadcast of a press
conference by the Leader of the Opposition was being aired. He was making some points about the state of the economy and was providing statistics to support what he was saying. An AfricanGuyanese man in the bus was listening intensely and nodding in approval. He murmured for everyone to hear that while he never voted for Jagdeo he agreed with the points which Jagdeo was making. Here was someone who was prepared to listen and to think for himself and not be guided by blind political or ethnic loyalty. Another time, I was in another minibus on a long journey. The President of Guyana was addressing some gathering and was making the point about the need for free university education. An Indo-Guyanese remarked that even though she was a PPP she agreed with this policy since it allow for many poor students whose parents cannot afford to send them to UG to now do so. Again, here was someone who recognized, in her estimation, the merit of something which the President was proposing. The political elites, however, do not wish persons to think for themselves. And this happens in both political camps. It is not confined to APNU+AFC. A few years ago, there was a PPPC Congress on the Corentyne and
GPHC psychiatric nurses to receive continuous training
city hospital
Nurses attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Psychiatric ward will now be undergoing continuous training to ensure they are always prepared to deal with all patients. This is according to a top official working at the medical facility. The training process is scheduled to begin Monday.The psychiatric ward is considered the most
challenging unit in which to work. It was noted that staffers working there always have to be constantly on the alert. The official explained that staffers would sometimes feel pressured when dealing with mentally ill patients. The official also revealed that the training will be conducted by senior officials of the psychiatric unit. The training will be done for five
days every four months. The Psychiatric Clinic, a unit at the GPHC for several years, offers services both on an in-patient and out-patient basis. The unit is specialized in treating patients according to their level of diagnosis. Currently the unit houses over 400 patients, also there are persons that use the services offered at the facility on a daily basis.
when the delegates were discussing issues, the PPPC leaders sent agents into the room to guide the discussions and if the delegates were not entitled to think for themselves. The PPP leadership wanted to control the script. In a country that is divided as Guyana is, it is dangerous for political instigators to be inciting problems within communities. We have gone down this road before. After the 1997 elections, political instigators, including some of whom are still alive and kicking, created mayhem in the city. One poor man who collected empty drinks bottles was falsely accused of hiding ballot boxes in his house in Albouystown. He was kid-
napped and taken to Congress Place and grilled by no less than Desmond Hoyte who was unbothered that he was complicit in an act of kidnapping. During the last elections, a silly rumour was spread that a residence in Sophia, which the PPPC was using as an area command center, was storing ballot boxes. An agitated mob gathered outside. Despite AFC leaders rushing to the scene and going into to the premises and confirming that there was no truth in the allegations, the situation escalated into violence. The owner – who for years had enjoyed good relations with his community – had his residence burnt to the ground. And the APNU nor
the AFC ever offered to assist that man who was forced to relocate. That is the danger of last Saturday’s incident. People should be free to decide for themselves. They should be free to listen to all sides and then to make up their minds. But the political instigators do not want that happening. Guyana is headed for trouble. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
PAGE 10
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Campaign season is on and so is civilization’s fault line Do you know as recent as Friday and Saturday, I was accosted by ordinary folks, ordinary working class people showing vexation about my politics. I guess both related to my Friday column in which I condemned the horrible violations meted out to me by the combined hegemony of Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar. The Saturday drama was in the National Park. A middle age Indian man with dirty clothes on a bicycle that looked a thousand year old, rode past me shouting, “vote PPP, vote PPP.” The Saturday incident occurred in one of Georgetown’s most popular supermarkets. For obvious reason, the name cannot be mentioned. Here was a person earning about $40,000 monthly but she had the temerity to tell me, “I see yuh write something today bout de PPP. Wuh you do duh fuh?” In my entire life as an activist, I have had countless
insults hurled at me. Here now is what you will find hard to believe – all, without exception, and I repeat, all have been perpetrated by poor, semi poor, ordinary, working people. I have never had the experience of someone shouting at me from the educated class, the white collar class, the well placed strata, and people yelling at me from private vehicles. In all my experiences, all the shouts came from drivers in hire-cars. If you choose not to believe this description, I would like to repeat - it is true. That has been my experiences. Why is that so? Space would not allow for an extensive discussion of sociological and psychological theories but there are some general concepts that are popular that explore the reason for the obvious class structure in such behavioural traits. First, education tends to civilize
people and it comes in two forms. People learn about life, nature, science, the world etc and they cherish that knowledge gained and it compels them to change to be better humans. The other form is that through institutional presence, the educated person meets lovely, learned and humane people who sit right next to them in class and these people have an elevating effect on others. Secondly, with education comes status, with status comes recognition; with recognition comes different, deeper and higher forms of socialization. People then tend to live their lives to protect those higher values they have acquired through education and socialization. Here are two powerful examples. A flight attendant isn’t going to push his/her head through the car door and yell out to a columnist or activist, “Yuh are an effing liar.”
Two factors will deter such an outburst. One is commonsensical – selfawareness that flight attendants to not behave like that and the fear of shock and disappointment if your bosses and peers hear how you behave in public. The second example is similar. A doctor isn’t going to be driving by and shout out to a political figure, “Who will vote for you, get out the effing way”? I write these notes against the background of the election season that is upon us. As night follows day, the ordinary man and woman from the low income classes are going to abuse politicians from all parties in all parts of Guyana. Journalists will come in for their share. In PPP strongholds, disparaging words will greet the Chronicle reporters. In PNC strongholds, channel 65 and Guyana Times reporters will receive insulting adjectives. At the time of writing, the
PPP has made complaints to the police that their campaigners were attacked. One news outlet has a photograph of some folks in APNU colours in Laing Avenue surrounding PPP campaigners in a cantertruck. Judging from the folks that encroached on the vehicle, they look like citizens from the area. No doubt in PPP strongholds, the PNC flyerdistributors will have to be careful. In all circumstances in the PNC and PPP constituencies, the abusers, attackers and cuss-down men and women will not be from the middle classes and the educated strata. It is interesting to note that when the PPP was in government, many of their supporters were the recipients of scholarships, good-paying jobs and employment promotion. It is the same with APNU+AFC. But you can bet all your life-savings that come tomorrow, when the bandwagons of the PPP and
Frederick Kissoon PNC roll on, the crude behaviour that will greet the campaigners will not come from those beneficiaries. Those beneficiaries are doctors, lawyers, engineers, business folks living in suburban areas, driving lovely cars with lovely families. It is a very tragic irony that it is not these people that will not be seen at the street meetings hurling abuse but those who didn’t get anything and will get nothing. What a fault line of civilization. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Blind pensioner found dead in apartment
Body being removed from the apartment by undertakers. The decomposed body of 82-year-old Evan Williams was found in her one bedroom apartment at lot 1414 Norton Street, Wortmanville, yesterday afternoon. The discovery was made by a neighbour and friend of Williams, who had not seen the pensioner since last Thursday. The neighbour said that Williams, who was blind, would normally be seen every day in front of her apartment, while begging for food. But on Thursday, Williams had an argument with one of her neighbours
and entered her house. Neighbours became worried on Saturday after they noticed that she had apparently not left her apartment for two days. They then enquired about Williams’ whereabouts from her sisters who lived next door. The sisters claimed that they had repeatedly banged on Williams’ door but got no response. However, yesterday afternoon the friend decided to check for herself. A tenant who lived in the upper flat of the apartment building alerted the friend of
a stench emanating from William’s apartment. The friend was then advised to force open one of the windows and “peep” inside. What she saw was the William’s partially swollen body lying on the floor. She immediately alerted neigbours and made a call to the police who arrived shortly after. Investigators were unable to determine the possible cause of death because of the corpse’s decomposed state. The body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Guyanese-born US command chief uses tragedy that shaped his life to help AMC airmen When Terrence Greene was growing up in his family’s tiny village in Guyana, there were a lot of things about his story that didn’t add up. He didn’t look like his brothers and sisters. He didn’t know why he lived with his aunt and uncle, while the rest of his siblings lived with their father and stepmother. But most perplexingly, he never knew the true story of the fire that took his mother’s life, when he was just six weeks old. Eventually, Greene started to unravel the mystery — and tragedy — of his origins. What he learned left him deeply unsettled and searching for meaning, even as he pursued a career in the Air Force. But now, Greene — today the command chief master sergeant of Air Mobility Command — has found peace with his family’s story and the turmoil it caused him for decades. And as much of the Air Force is struggling to improve airmen’s mental health and resiliency, he’s hoping that his example can help serve as a guide. “It took me years to work up the courage to even share my story with my closest associates,” Greene said in a Dec. 11 interview. “Saying that people are our most valuable resource should be way more than just this bumper sticker.” Greene was born in New Amsterdam, Guyana, in January 1964, the sixth child in his troubled family, and grew up in the coastal village of Goedverwagting. His father was abusive to his mother, Louiza, he said, and had other women on the side. When Greene was born, it was apparent that his mother had also had an affair. “I came out not looking like the others,” Greene said. “I showed up as mixed with Indian and black, and all of my other brothers and sisters were black. So it was clearly obvious that I was not his child.” His mother was deeply shamed after that revelation, Greene said — and the effect was devastating. One day a month and a half later, she had one of Greene’s sisters bring her a can of kerosene. With all her children still in the house, Greene said, she poured it on herself and set herself on fire. After about two weeks in the hospital with third-degree burns, she died. Greene’s family was traumatized. His father remarried within a few months — “which kind of tells you where he was on all this,” Greene said. His siblings went with their father and new stepmother. But, Greene said, his father had no intention of raising a boy who wasn’t his, so he was instead taken in by an aunt and uncle on his father’s side. Greene ended up with the better living situation. His stepmother was abusive to his siblings, he said — one sister died and a brother developed epilepsy, he believes due to her abuse. He grew up being told that the man who was married to his mother was his biological father, and assumed that the fire that killed his mother was an accident. And for
Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene’s mother, Louiza, who died by suicide when he was just an infant in 1964. (Courtesey of CMSgt Terrence Greene) years, he believed it. “Your brain finds a good story that it could live with,” he said. But eventually — around the time he was 9 or so — he started to realize something was off. He didn’t look like anyone else in his family. What’s more, he started to hear from other kids in the village that his mother had actually killed herself. One day, he sat down with his maternal grandmother to talk. For the first time, he learned the true story of the abuse his mother suffered and what happened to her. It was terrifying, he said. Greene blamed himself. For his mother’s death, for the abuse and further trauma his siblings suffered,
for everything that happened after the mere fact of his existence exposed his mother’s affair. “Had I not been born, this would not have happened to them,” Greene said. “My mom would be alive, had I not been born. None of this trauma would have happened.” It took Greene years to work through that trauma. “I would always look at my life in one question: Why did my mom do that?” Greene said. “Why did my mom leave me? I went through all kinds of emotions of being angry at my mom for leaving me in the world by myself, because I don’t have any full-blooded siblings. Every challenge I had gone through, you think, I wish my mom was here.” Years later, Greene figured out who his biological father was, but by then he was dead. He grew up feeling detached from not having parents, and always felt like he was going to be disappointed by life. At times, when life became particularly difficult, Greene said he even struggled with his own thoughts of suicide. “It came to that point — well, my mom did it, why not?” Greene said. Greene himself was in particular danger of dying the same way as his mother. In 2010, the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center released a study that found children who had lost a parent to suicide were more likely to take their own lives, and were at increased risk of developing major mental health issues. He came to America and, a few years later, enlisted in 1988. In his search for a new family, he poured his heart and soul into his service in the Air Force. For years, he was the go-to airman in his units, the one who could be counted on to work
Terrence Greene, kneeling centre, now command chief master sergeant of Air Mobility Command, poses for a picture with his aunt’s family in an undated photo taken in Jawala, Guyana. Next to him is his cousin Trevor. Standing, left to right: his cousin Linda; cousin Lorraine; aunt Mavis, who raised him as his adopted mother; cousin Hazel; and an unidentified girl from school. (Courtesy of CMSgt Terrence Greene)
Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, the command chief of Air Mobility Command, speaks to current and future AMC squadron commanders during the Squadron Commander’s Course at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., on Jan. 7. Greene tells his story of hardship growing up to encourage airmen to be more open about the challenges they themselves face and build resiliency among airmen. (Tech. Sgt. Jodi Martinez/Air Force) late and put every last bit of himself into the job. But that came with a price. He gave more and more and more — so much so that his work habits greatly contributed to his first divorce. “Very little of my supervisors ever looked beyond that to see how I was doing at home, how was I doing with family,” Greene said. “Our NCOs at the time, and senior NCOs, see that hard working airman — and … actually ride them like Seabiscuit. I don’t recall any of my NCO leadership saying, ‘Hey, Airman Greene, it’s OK, you don’t have to stay late, you don’t have to come in on the weekends. Why don’t you spend some time with your family?’” At his wife’s prompting, after decades of personal turmoil, he finally worked up the courage to go see a Military and Family Life Counselor in 2010, the first year he was the command chief at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina. Under the MFLC program, the military brings in counselors or psychiatrists for troops to meet with, almost anywhere they like and without any documentation, up to six times. That way, someone can talk without fear of being stigmatized for pursuing mental health treatment. It was the first time he had ever talked to any mental health professional about everything he had gone through. By talking to that counselor a couple of times, Greene started to realize that his mother’s decision was her own, and he didn’t cause it in any way. Finally, Greene started to let go of the guilt and pain he had carried for decades. A few years later, Greene realized that sharing his story could help other airmen, who themselves may still be carrying the pain from their own lives before they joined the military. Even though it’s tough, he said, talking to others is probably the most therapeutic and freeing thing he could do for himself. “Airmen come into the military, and we come in with baggage,” Greene said. “We come in with a lot of life experiences and things that have happened.” He now shares his story and
perspectives with airmen at gatherings both big and small — and he hears from them how much they needed to hear it. Seeing him stand up in front of a crowd and be vulnerable helps airmen who themselves have gone through trying times, but never felt comfortable sharing it before, he said. And it’s given him a fresh perspective on how to make the Air Force a better place for airmen — at a time when the entire service is sounding the alarm on resilience and mental health. In August, the Air Force said that it was on track to lose 150 to 160 airmen to suicide in 2019. Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein ordered a one-day stand down for units to talk about resiliency and suicide prevention. In the Air Force, NCOs used to be pretty good at getting to know their airmen as people, Greene said, but that’s been lost. “We used to have sergeant’s time, where we talked about life,” Greene said. “We talked about marriage and divorce and paying child support. A lot of the things that seem to be triggers right now for suicide, we talked through those things — sometimes in a joking manner, but we shared.” But over the years, he said, the Air Force has lost that art. Instead, sergeants mostly concentrate on the mission, like getting ready for the next deployment or safety briefings when they talk to their airmen, but not talking about life. “We need to get back to some of that,” Greene said. Those kind of talks might have helped Greene early on, he said — having his NCO learn about Terrence, the man who came from a rough childhood in Guyana, not just Airman Greene, “the super performer, the smart airman, the airman that’s sharp, the airman that polishes his boots and has always got a creased uniform.” Greene has talked with AMC Commander Gen. Maryanne Miller a lot about how to create a culture Continued on page 20
PAGE 14
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Robbery, whiskey smuggling, rape, murder…
Cases expose worrying levels of criminality in Joint Services By Shikema Dey ‘To serve and protect’ is their mandate but over the years, on multiple occasions, Guyana has seen rogue elements of force disregard this pledge and fall into the ‘criminal’ category. Ranks have been caught ‘red handed’ trafficking marijuana, cocaine, arraigned for murder, and accepting bribes among other heinous crimes. It has been known for years that corruption is endemic in the police force from the highest to the lowest level but due to the lack of data, one cannot measure the level of corruption. But it has also infiltrated all sections of the Joint Services. MURDER ON THE RIVER In August, 2009, Guyana Defence Force coast guards Sherwin Hart, Devon Gordon and Deon Greenidge were charged for murdering Dwieve Kant Ramdass. It was alleged that on August 20, 2009 they forced Ramdass into their boat at Caiman Hole in the Essequibo River, where they relieved him of $17M in cash he was carrying in a box to Bartica for his employer. The ranks then dumped their victim overboard. The three accused were found guilty and sentenced to death. They have since appealed their sentences. In October, 2010, in an almost similar case, Keron Herbert, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force was charged with murdering gold miners Jainarine Raghubar and Ramdeo Deonarine. The bodies were found in a house at Bartica. A quantity of gold and money was also stolen from the house. The booty is said to have included $25 million stashed in a suitcase, some 100 ounces of raw gold, a quantity of jewellery, a large diamond worth at least $15 million and two firearms Herbert was subsequently freed of the charges. However, in December, 2015, the ex- soldier was shot three times near his East La Penitence home. He later succumbed. TORTURE OFATEEN Back in October, 2009, a teenage boy named Twyon Thomas made international headlines after his genitals were doused with methylated spirit and set alight by two police officers at the Leonora Police Station during a murder investigation that year. The case had drawn local and international condemnation after a graphic photo of Thomas was published by Kaieteur News shortly after the incident. Those officers were later identified as Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram
Convicted for murder: Ex-soldier Deon Greenidge
Convicted for murder: Ex-soldier Devon Gordon
Convicted for murder: Ex-soldier Sherwin Hart
Dulai. The teen told his lawyer, now Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan that the police ranks who interrogated him first covered his head with a jersey and tied his hands with wire before dousing his genitals with methylated spirits and setting him alight. Police officials attempted to “cover up” the deed and only decided to have the teen admitted to a hospital after the media broke the story. The teen through his lawyer sued the then Attorney General Charles Ramson Snr, Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, and the
pay $100,000 in costs, while Sergeant Narine Lall and Constable Mohanram Dulai, the two policemen accused of torturing Thomas, were ordered to pay $75,000 each in costs. But despite all this, in a shocking move, the Guyana Police Force published an order in January 2, 2015, that Sergeant Narine Lall was promoted to the rank of Inspector, and Dolai to the rank of Corporal. But justice in June, 2015, newly appointed Public Security Minister booted the two disgraced cops from the force with immediate effect.
the media of the incident and revealed that the cops are the sons of a senior police official. Commissioner James stated that the men’s home was broken into on December 12th and items were removed. They were said to have received word that the teen was somehow involved in the incident. He stated that the two officers, one stationed at Wales and the other from the Tactical Service Unit (TSU) acted on their own; picked up the teen from his home and transported him in a private vehicle to their house. The two cops, 26-yearold Isaiah Bernard and his brother, 24-year-old Daniel Bernard were charged for kidnapping and torturing the teen but were given bail for the offense. WHISKEY SMUGGLING On December 30, 2017, police ranks intercepted then SWAT Unit Commander, Motie Dookie, during a routine stop and search operation at Whim Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Motie was at the time a passenger in a minibus that only had a driver when the vehicle was stopped. A search of the vehicle uncovered a shocking 30 cases of smuggled Johnny Walker Whiskey. Both Motie and the bus driver were immediately taken into police custody after they could not produce the legal documents for the items. The former SWAT boss was booted from the Force two years after the bust, a move ordered by Police Service Commission head, former Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe. Initially after the bust, Motie was first removed from the senior position and transferred to ‘A’ Division. This was due to the fact that junior ranks viewed his transfer as a promotion for his indiscretion rather than a punishment. IT NEVER ENDS IN 2018, three Police Officers were thrown before Continued on page 24
Twyon Thomas with his lawyer, Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
two ranks charged with the offence, Sergeant Lall and Constable Dolai. The two ranks appeared in court on November 2009, charged with burning the genitals of the then 15-yearold boy with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm. The criminal case against them was subsequently dismissed in the Magistrate’s Court after the boy and other witnesses failed to turn up. But in June 2011, Justice Roxanne George awarded $6.5M in damages to Twyon Thomas. The Attorney General was also ordered to
Ramjattan had stated that “you cannot have done this major misconduct and still be retained in the Guyana Police Force, and then be promoted.” In 2019, another incident of torture surfaced, again by the hands of two officers of the force. This time, 17-old Ashkay Budhiram, a mason of 3928 La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara suffered. The teen was abducted and tortured by two off duty police constables who accused him of breaking into their home. Commissioner of Police Leslie James informed
Former Commissioner of Police Henry Greene
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Seecharran Singh
Corporal Mohanram Dolai
Inspector Narine Lall
Isaiah Bernard
Daniel Bernard
Tortured Ashkay Budhiram
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 19
GUYANESE HORROR FICTION KAMARANG…
The Bush Dai Dai takes a Child By Michael Jordan The cops came about an hour after Sealey entered the Jaguar’s Den. He was sitting by the bar, watching Alvin Benn sweep several beetles and cigarette butts into a spade. “Beetles like flipping rain last night,” Alvin Benn grumbled to no one as he headed to the dustbin. Sealey glanced at his watch. Nine-fifteen. There was still a hint of mist in the air. He himself still felt a chill in his bones from his dip in the river. A few stragglers from the night before were there; some asleep at their tables, some still drinking. One miner sat alone, nodding in drunken sadness to the voice of Patsy Cline that came to him from Alvin Benn’s old jukebox. Mentore had slept out. Bap Reggie, drunk as a lord, was still in bed. Sealey had left Leon asleep, too. The boy had staggered in after midnight with the smell of cassiri and the scent of the girl on him. He had pulled off his boots, thrown himself in his hammock, and gone promptly to sleep. He was lighting a cigarette when Shirleen entered the disco. She was wearing clogs, a yellow shirt knotted at the front, and skintight pants. She shifted away from the outstretched hand of a half-drunk miner, walked quickly over to Sealey, and sat next to him. Hi Shirles,” he said. She just nodded. She fumbled in her bag and finally came up with marijuana joint. She leaned to him for a light. The spliff glowed as she dragged hard on it. He wondered what had brought her to the disco so early. The prostitutes were usually late risers. Shirleen looked in need of sleep herself. Her eyes were red-rimmed. Her straightened hair was hastily combed back. She wore no makeup; not even the customary dab of powder on the neck and breasts. She dragged again on her spliff, sighed, and stared gloomily at the table. “You okay?” She shook her head. “Had a screwed-up night.” She pulled out a thin gold chain from beneath her shirt…squeezed the small crucifix at the end, then looked up again suddenly, the red-rimmed eyes on him.”Where Leon?” “Sleeping.” “Where?” The words came out sharply. “At the logie.” “Oh.” She squinted at him for a moment longer, then said: “Take care of that boy, Vibert Sealey.” “I’ll do that,” he said, wondering at the sudden concern. She seemed about to say something else—something important, he sensed. Instead, she dragged at the dwindling spliff, and began to prattle about some of the latest happenings at Kamarang. Some prostitute had gotten her hand broken by a miner who she had tried to rob, and talking about robbing, Ruth-Anne and Patricia still hadn’t turned up, since they disappeared from the landing— Movement out of the corner of his eye, and he turned in time to see two men entering the disco. The older man was a police sergeant named Caesar, who had been stationed at Kamarang for about three years. The younger man looked familiar, too. Sealey thought he might have seen the man when he had gone to the station to lodge his gold and shotgun. The detectives headed straight for the bar, where Alvin Benn was reading a newspaper. The older one nodded at Sealey. He shook his head in amusement at Shirleen, who was brazenly grinding out the remains of her spliff on the table. The policemen were in plainclothes, but both had black notebooks. He saw now, too, that their shoes and trouser bottoms were
stained with mud and moss. These men had just come from the jungle. Caesar ordered a quarter of brandy. He poured a small shot, drank quickly, then pushed the bottle over to the younger detective. The young cop grimaced and shook his head. “Take a shot man…” Caesar said. “You will feel better.” The detective, staring down at the counter, shook his head again. Benn was looking at them. “Something happen, Calvin?” Caesar wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “We just come from over the river. We find a dead child in the jungle. The whole flippin stomach tear out.” “Christ,” Benn whispered. “Jaguar?” “Dunno yet.” Caesar glanced across at Sealey. “Is one of ole Perez great-grandsons.” Perez. Sealey suddenly felt cold. He pressed out his half-smoked cigarette, excused himself from Shirleen, and hurried back to the logie. He changed into a pair of high-topped boots, and put on the brown, broad-brimmed Stetson hat he wore in the bush. He collected two bottles of whiskey from a carton and put them in a small shoulderbag. Bap Reggie was nowhere in sight. The boy was still asleep in his hammock. Leon’s shirt- buttons were loose, revealing the imprint of fresh teeth-marks just above his left nipple. Sealey had a vision of the girl bending to Leon; her wide, full-lipped mouth seeking his chest. He hurried over to the Kamarang Police Outpost, uplifted his shotgun, then went down
hands and squeezed them gently. Her fingers were cold. There was grief and fear in her eyes.She glanced back at the woman in the tibisiri chair, who was crying again. “That is the mother.” Sealey nodded at the red-eyed girl, then turned back to Myra.” Where your daddy?” “He outside with the body. I will get someone to take you to him.”She called out to a passing boy. Sealey followed the boy down a path that led to the back of the village. They came to a spot about fifty yards from the huts, where Sealey saw a small gathering of men. He caught the same tension that he had noticed before. Again, some of the men had shotguns. Sealey pushed his way through the small group. He saw Perez and one of his sons within the circle of men. A policeman in uniform was there. They were standing around a sort of wooden platform. On it, wrapped in a piece of canvas, was a bundle with the unmistakable shape of a child. Sealey edged his way to Perez, who was staring at the bundle. The old man glanced up. “You heard.” Sealey nodded. Perez turned back to the wrapped-up form. “My youngest great-grandson,” he said. Sealey vaguely remembered a chubby boy of about three sitting in Perez’s lap when he had passed through the village on his way to the landing. Perez moved closer to the platform. Gently, he began to unwrap the canvas that covered the child. A sigh went up from the circle of
to the river. A boy in a corial took him to the other side. He stepped ashore, and took the track that led to the Amerindian village, and to Perez’s hut. It was a small settlement of thatched huts and land cleared for farming. Usually, there would be children playing near the huts, or splashing in the river. But today, the children huddled together, wide-eyed and silent. Men milled around in small groups, with shotguns and skinny hunting dogs at the ready. He caught the smell of deer-meat smoking at a nearby fireside. There were three women in Perez’s hut. Myra, Perez’s youngest daughter, sat in a tibisiri chair next to a younger woman, who had apparently been crying. The third woman lay in a hammock as she nursed a baby. Myra rose to greet Sealey. “Uncle Vibert,” she said, attempting to smile. He held her
men as the body was bared to their view. The child was naked. If you looked at his face, you might have thought him asleep, except there was a gaping hole where his stomach should have been. Something had scooped it out clean. Sealey could see the edges of a few broken ribs. Even the child’s penis was missing. Perez stared at the child for a moment. He plucked a dry leaf off the boy’s chest, then ran his fingers gently though his hair. “My youngest great-grandchild,” he said again, looking into the boy’s face as if he was speaking to him. Then slowly, he covered the body. He touched the wrapped-up form once more, then stepped back into the crowd. “What did this?” Sealey asked. His voice sounded hoarse and far away. “We not sure yet…” he sensed something
evasive in his friend’s voice. “How it happened?” It seemed that the boy and some of the other children had been playing hide-and-seek on the outskirts of the village. It was only when dusk fell and they were leaving for home that the others realised that he wasn’t with them. They had thought he had wandered home. But he wasn’t there, or at any of the other huts in the village. They had begun to search, but then night had fallen. They found him this morning in the forest, in an area about an hour’s walk from the settlement. “You saw anything in the area to tell you what happened? Like animal tracks?” In answer, Perez touched Sealey lightly on the shoulder then began to shift away from the crowd. His two sons, with their shotguns, and a middle-aged hunter with two skinny dogs followed. Sealey again sensed that tension. He knew, somehow, that something strange was about to occur. Perez walked until they were out of sight of the crowd, then he stopped. The group paused at the edge of the forest. “I take you to the place where we find the boy,” he said. “Then we talk.” They walked a little further, until they came to a small trail. Perez and his two sons checked their shotguns. The hunter glanced at the trail, then spoke to Perez quickly in the Akawaio dialect, while gesticulating at the trail. Perez answered him in the dialect. He pointed angrily at the trail with his shotgun. The hunter fumbled in his pouch and took out some crushed leaves. He passed some to Perez and his two sons, and, after a moment’s hesitation, to Sealey, who watched as the men put the leaves into their mouths. Sealey followed suit, almost too puzzled to notice the pungent taste. He knew of the binas Amerindians used to give them good luck on the hunt. There was the one where you rubbed ginger into cuts on your hands. There was the one where you put slime from a frog’s skin up your nostrils. But these crushed leaves were not a hunting bina. This was supposed to be a powerful charm to protect persons walking through the forest alone, and to protect them during sleep, and against evil. What evil did Perez think awaited them in the jungle? Now the men spat out the chewed-up leaves. They muttered something again. Then Perez nodded, checked his shotgun again, and stepped into the trail… At first, the trail was wide enough for them to walk in pairs. But gradually, they were forced to walk in single file as they went deeper into the forest. At one point, they startled a flock of parrots out of a fruit tree, and the birds flew off, cackling like schoolgirls. But as they went further, silence enveloped them, save for the panting dogs and the sound of their progress. Suddenly, Perez signaled, and they turned off the track into another trail; the ground soft Continued on page 20
PAGE 20
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Guyanese-born US command chief... The Bush Dai Dai takes a Child From page 13 of caring and connectedness, and it all happens at the squadron and flight levels, he said. In fact, either Miller or Greene — or both — make a point to visit all squadron commander courses at AMC and talk about how they own the culture of their squadron. “We got to care about the people first,” Greene said. “What we’re pushing hard on is, how are you caring for your airmen? How are you knowing your airmen? We’ve got an incredible process that trains the hell out of airmen for them to turn wrenches. But we don’t have a good process for helping them to be better men and women, for understanding life experiences.” Caring about airmen and their personal lives isn’t just a nice thing to do, he said. It’s vital for creating an Air Force that functions as well as it possibly can. “When things are not OK at home, [airmen] can’t be fully focused on the mission,” Greene said. It’s especially important now that more airmen are coming in who grew up in families with divorce, or didn’t have a strong family unit growing up, Greene said. Leaders talking about their own struggles
and pursuit of mental health treatment can help encourage airmen — who might otherwise be afraid of the possible harm to their careers — to seek help themselves, Greene said. There might be some things an airman can’t do temporarily while they’re getting help, he said, such as deploying overseas where they wouldn’t be able to continue their treatment. But airmen need to think of their own health first, and career matters can come after they’ve healed. “This is for you. This is for your family,” Greene said. “Just like if you went to a regular medical doctor for a broken arm, there’s going to be things you can’t do because you’re injured. And then after you’re healed, you can do all those things.” But at heart, it’s up to leaders at all levels to take the first step with their airmen, he said. “Gen. Miller always says, we’re all broken in some way,” Greene said. “It’s being honest and sharing your brokenness that makes you a more genuine leader, so that airmen feel they can also share things that they’re going through.” “This helps our airmen,” he said. “This helps our environment.” (Story by Stephen Losey; taken from the AIR FORCE TIMES )
From page 19 beneath their boots and thick with decaying leaves. Sealey could see where the earth had been disturbed by the clumsy feet of the policemen who had gone before then. As Sealey stepped into the trail, leaves from a stray branch brushed his face. Their touch stirred some buried memory and he suddenly thought, with surprise, I have been here before. For a moment, even the feel of the rotting leaves beneath his boots seemed disturbingly familiar. But he shook off the feeling of déjà vu and continued down the trail. They had been walking for about ten minutes down the new trail when they came across the first dead baboon. The first thing that alerted Sealey was the faint reek of carrion; the smell growing stronger as they stepped deeper into the jungle. Then, at a bend in the trail, Perez signaled them to stop. He stared into the bushes on his right, then squatted on the ground. At first, Sealey thought he was looking at the carcass of a large, furry dog. But on stepping closer, he realised that the creature was a baboon. It lay on its back, big teeth bared, long limbs sprawled. The vultures had taken its eyes, and something else had taken its stomach. The hunter squatted besides Perez, disturbing a hoard of feasting cow-flies. A quick exchange in Akawaio, then Perez signaled to them to continue. About a minute later, they found the second baboon. Its body lay in the centre of the trail. Its eyes were still intact, but its entrails were missing. This carcass was fresher, but about a day old, Sealey guessed. This one was female. One of its teats hung from a flap of skin. Its human-like paws were clenched tight in death. Perez glanced at Sealey. He nodded grimly, then continued. And now Sealey sensed that the men had grown more alert. The dogs, pulling on their leashes, made occasional, yipping sounds. Perez’s pace had increased. His sweat-soaked cotton jersey stuck to his back, but he was almost loping along now like a youngster. Sealey knew that there would be no tears from this old man, though he would get drunk tonight. And he would not rest until he had hunted down whatever that had killed his great-grandson. Was it a jaguar? Such attacks were rare. There was a case, several years ago, when a little girl had gone into some bushes to play and had startled a she-jaguar and her cubs. It had torn the child’s scalp clean off. But Sealey felt in his bones that this was different. It was in the men’s reaction to the sight of the dead monkeys. It was in the feel of the forest. Usually, he had always felt at ease in the jungle. But somehow, the jungle felt different today. Suddenly Perez stopped and said, “Here.” They had reached a semi-clearing in the forest. Perez pointed to a spot to the left of the trail. The grass here was pressed down, as if something had been lying there. There were splotches of blood on the ground. And now the dogs erupted into hysterical barking; crouching low, noises pointing to the crushed grass, tails locked between their legs. The men looked around hastily, squinting in the semi-darkness, shotguns pointing to and fro. After awhile, the hunter murmured to the dogs and the barking subsided. Perez peered into the forest a few moments
more. Eventually, he lowered his shotgun and squatted to the forest floor.”This is where we find the little one,” he said, his voice a halfwhisper. He looked at Sealey, who had squatted besides him. “You notice anything strange?” Sealey scanned the spot where the body had been found then said: “Not much blood.” Perez nodded in agreement. “Maybe it feed somewhere else.” “And then bring the body here?” Perez shook his head. “Don’t think so. No blood anywhere else. We checked.” He squinted at Sealey. “Notice anything else?” A faint, rankish smell that he couldn’t quite place. He sniffed the air. There it was again… “You smell it too,” Perez said. “Not jaguar smell. And the boy’s body. No scratches. You know how jaguar eats.” Sealey nodded. A jaguar would have held the body down with one paw while it tore at the body with its teeth. The body should have had scratches made by the big cat’s paws. And so should have the monkeys’. “One more thing,” Perez said. “Look.” … Perez picked up a twig and pointed to the spot with the body had lain. And now that Perez had shown him, Sealey saw the faintest of footprints. Sealey stared at the footprint, feeling more unsettled by it than by anything he had seen so far. What could it mean? As if Perez had read Sealey’s mind, he said: “We don’t think that the little one was killed by a jaguar. We think he was murdered.” “What?” Sealey heard the shock and dread in his own voice. Perez nodded. “He killed by something more dangerous than jaguar.” Perez paused, then ended: “I think he killed by a bush dai dai.” In the silence that followed, Sealey found himself thinking that he had been waiting for something like this ever since they had entered the forest. He was seeing the other Perez; the side of his old friend that he would never really know; that Perez, who knew the forest herbs that could cure or kill; that Perez, who sometimes spoke to beings that only he could see.Sealey waited. There was more to come; such as why Perez thought that a bush-spirit had killed his great-grandson. “Two things make me know,” Perez said. He placed the stick on the depressed ground where they had found the body. “The boy was lying with his head this way—” … He pointed to the south—”… and his feet were this way…” He was pointing north. “The footstep is here, at the side of the body. “You see?” Sealey looked. He felt the prickle of goosebumps on his arms. He knew that the bush dai-dai were supposed to be forestspirits whose feet were turned the opposite way.The footprint near the stick was turned away from the spot where the body had been. “You said two things,” Sealey said. His tongue felt heavy. “Yes,” Perez said, and turned to the hunter. “Show him.” The hunter hesitated. “Show him!” The hunter stared at Sealey a moment longer, then loosened the string on his pouch. His hand came out clutching something. “We found it on the mother monkey. In her hands.” Perez turned again to the hunter. “Show him.” The hunter opened his hand… …and Sealey found himself staring at a clump of blood-streaked hair… (Taken from the Guyanese supernatural novel, KAMARANG by Michael Jordan. KAMARANG is available on AMAZON (Kindle version). KAMARANG will also be available again from January 14 at Austin’s Book Store. Contact Michael Jordan for more information on +592 645 2447, or email address kamarangnight@gmail.com
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
NATO to hold urgent meeting today over Iraq-Iran crisis FOR RENT One bedroom & three bedroom apts for rent in Providence,Fully furnished.Call#672-1906/2162299/682-6238. SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
FOR SALE One Welding Generator Lincoln 10,000 watts 20HP. Contact#699-4300/228-2734. Lot 14 - 10,204 Sq ft Ph#2642948/615-2270.
Commercial Space.Linden #613-7039.
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600,6273206
CAR RENTAL DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL @ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
One two bedroom house to let $60,000 per month.Call#6939999. Apartments for rent at Nandy Park.Recently renovated,free wifi.Call#641-3318. VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.6M Neg.Call #649-0956. Nissan Sylphy 2014 and 2016, low mileage, fog lamps, backup camera, $3.75M neg. 614-6948. TO LET Rooms tolet, 1 bedroomworking people: $30,000, $32,000,$35,000, $40,000 monthly, 2 month security. Call: 623-0076 One Bedroom apartment, bath & living room included.Preferably UG Student.Contact#222-0401 Large washbay in 1st Street Alexander Village.Call#6640802. LEARN TO DRIVE
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL: 656-0087 / 643-5122 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM
N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/6912561/681-2808
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL& TOW TRUCK SERVICE :PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE .#698-7807
Lot89RobbStreet, Lacytown,Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy.Land size- 3431.25 Sq.ft. Phone: 617-5323, 6668052
PROPERTY FOR SALE
VACANCY Vacancies exists for Truck Drivers and Loader Operator. Contact - 621-5282 General domestic. 3 Days work. Must know to cook. Apply with 2 references. KeyFood McDoom village Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call#615-9132. Driver must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/Van license. Call#642-9823. Room Attendant,Desk staff 25-50 Years old.233 South Road Lacytown/225-0198. Security Officers to work, preferably ex army, police or disciplined services.Age 2440.Contact#223-4172/6396648. Vacancy for experienced female Accouints Clerk.Must have passes in Mathematics and English.Apply in Person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb str Bourda Vacancy for 1 General Domestic.Apply in Person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bourda. Vacancy for Sales girl.Apply in person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb Str Bourda. Female Cleaner office & home.Call#642-9823. Welder/Fabricator and Kitchen Assistant for Interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call#618-2020. Vacancy for Porters Apply in Person to Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.
EDUCATION First Aid/CPR and home Nursing classes.Tel#2259082.St.John Association 110 Cowan St.Kingston for more info.
LAND FOR SALE
Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player.Keyfood McDoom.
Transported land 11.6 acres, Lot 15 Public road #2 Village W.C. B/ce 5 mins from B/ce Bridge. Contact# 686-4818/ 648-7109
Pump Attendant & Cashier, shifts rotated weekly Shell Service \station Providence. Email:Shellramsburg @gmail.com.
Drivers with tractor,motor bus, minibus.Must have all three licences preferably living around Georgetown. 641-5075/225-1429/624-1147.
BRUSSELS - (Reuters) - NATO ambassadors will gather today in Brussels for an urgent meeting convened by the head of the military alliance to discuss the situation in the Middle East after a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad killed a top Iranian general, a NATO official said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg organised the meeting after consultations with member of the alliance. NATO ambassadors meet regularly, but today’s meeting was organised at short notice after the alliance decided on Saturday to suspend its training mission in Iraq over security risks following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani on Friday.
Puri cooks , Kitchen Assistants.Apply@Shantas 225 Camp Street, G/town.
PPP/C launches...
WANTED Wanted: Soup cook and kitchen assistant. Good pay flexible hours. Call:2256927
Live in maid wanted between the age of 45-55.Bourda area.Call#658-0618. (1) Live in domestic for Georgetown.Boys & Girls to work at shop in the Interior.Contact#660-9093/ 682-5846. Small space suitable for Restaurant in Georgetown. Call#610-3988. Night receptionist needed at the Millenium Manor Hotel come in with Application. General Manager to work on Land Dredges in the interior with popular mining firm.Contact Imran Tel#5028587/226-9416. Security Guards to work in the interior with popular mining firm.Tel#502-8587/226-9416. One experience Nail Technician to share salon.Apply @ Sleeping Hotel 288 Church Str or Call 223-4611. 1 Male shop assistant to work in 2 shop in the Interior #6705583. Labourers for wood concession-Chainsaw operator. Call # 630-1831. One girl to work in a Bar & Restaurant #693-9999. 1 handyman to work 3 or more half day per week in Campbellville area in a Mandir compound.Call#226-3736. One domestic maid.Ages 2535.Call#231-8737 1 Driver for driving and purchasing.Must have Car/ Van and Lorry licence. Call#231-8737. Live in maid wanted between the age of 45-55.Bourda area.Call#658-0618. One Experienced Jeweller. Must be able to work unsupervised.Call#657-3982. 1 Maid.Call#225-3234. Car, Bus & Canter Drivers.Call#225-3234/2259223 Driver with Minibus License to work with Company. Call#646-8748.
From page 16 dreams with a solid foundation for their future. With that, Phillips urged the electorate to use the vote to send a strong message to the ruling coalition. Opposition Leader and PPP/C General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo said that the ruling coalition has not brought a single large-scale investment to Guyana, stating that large-scale investments currently in play are all those that the PPP/C set in motion. His listings include the development of the oil sector, bauxite and other extractive industries, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) renovation and the Marriot Hotel. Jagdeo said that a PPP/C government would ensure that measures are taken to improve ordinary lives from the first day that they set foot in office, such as moving to achieve Constitutional Reform. He added that such reform would include considerations for power sharing to ensure that there is more inclusive governance going forward.
This was starkly in contrast to a promise made by APNU+AFC’s presidential candidate David Granger, who said at the coalition’s Friday launch that their Constitutional Reform would target the No Confidence Motion, on which the coalition government was defeated on December 21, 2018. Irfaan Ali’s address tended to target the incumbent President David Granger, implying that the President does not have a proud record of serving. He started to describe Granger, stopping at intervals to say “This is your record, Granger!” Ali said that he will send Granger into an early retirement, The presidential candidate said that Guyana is a sinking ship, and that the captain is asleep at the wheel. He promised that he will rescue the sinking ship, and the sailors who are currently drowning or dying. Ali urged that voters elect his ticket to victory so that he could create a better Guyana for all.
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Cases expose worrying... From page 14 the court for demanding money from three Venezuelan women in separate incidents. Those cops were 30-year-old Corwyn Mingo, 34-year-old Ceon Jones and 26-year-old Tevin Estrado attached to the Trafficking in Persons Unit, Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary. The facts stated that Mingo between June 1 and June 30, 2018 at Makari Top, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) engaged in sexual activity with a Venezuelan female without her consent. Also on the same day, Ceon Jones and Tevin Estrado demanded 15 pennyweight of raw gold valued at $157,500 from three Venezuelans. The ranks were investigating reports of alleged Trafficking In Persons committed on three Venezuelan women. During the investigations, three Police ranks stationed at Issano Police Station were identified as persons who demanded money from the women during a stop-and-search operation at Makari Top. It was said that the women handed over 15 pennyweight of raw gold valued $157,500 and one of the females reported that she was raped by one of the officers. Those very officers were identified as perpetrators in the incident. RAPEALLEGATIONS In June, 2019, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Seecharran Singh was committed to stand trial for the alleged rape of 13-year-old girl. According to information, the teen was left in Singh’s care. At the time the policeman was attached to the Brickdam Police Station. It was while the two were alone that he allegedly made advances to her. It was alleged that the officer took the child into a room and had sexual intercourse with her. When the child’s mother returned home, the minor confided what transpired and the matter was reported. In October, 2019, Police Corporal Quincy Bacchus and his friend Ramu Singh were charged with trafficking a whopping $12.2M in cannabis. His colleagues received a tip that Bacchus was using his “uniform privileges” to traffic cannabis from Berbice to Georgetown. Bacchus, after being trailed by ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch was intercepted at Aubrey Barker Road in his car. At the time, he was dressed in his Police uniform while Singh was a passenger in the vehicle and police found seven parcels of cannabis inside the trunk. At present, charges were recently recommended against two police ranks for allegedly attempting to cover up a rape allegation against an Opposition Member of Parliament. The MP, who is also likely to be charged, is alleged to have made sexual advances against a teenage boy. Female ranks have been also implicated in corruption In April, 2016, a former police prosecutor was charged with allegedly taking more than GYD$162,000 and one television as bribes to drop a simple larceny charge against a man. It is alleged that Suzette Cornette obtained an undisclosed sum of cash from Andrew Fung as an inducement to forebear a simple larceny charge against him, corruptly obtained from Fung the sum of GYD$52,000 at OPR, Camp Street as an inducement, corruptly obtained from Fung the sum of GYD$52,000 on Sheriff Street as an inducement and she received one Samsung television valued GYD$300,000 and GYD$60,000 cash as an inducement. Late last year, at least two policewomen are under investigation for allegedly attempting to cover up a series of gang rapes. One of the suspects is said to be related to a police rank. A police handwriting expert reportedly stated that one of the policewomen forged statements, which she claimed were written by the victims, and which seemed to clear the culprits. The matter is still under investigation. Meanwhile, new allegations have surfaced that other individuals are attempting to subvert the course of justice. But allegations of corruption go way back to the tenure of former Police Commissioners Laurie Lewis and Henry Greene (both now deceased). Lewis was at the helm of the Force in April, 1993, when a 19-year-old security guard named Monica Reece was murdered on Good Friday, and dumped from a pickup onto Main Street. Although a prime suspect has been identified, that case remains ‘unsolved.’ The Force has since conceded that corrupt elements tampered with this investigation. Although the case was reopened in 2018, the alleged perpetrator has still not been charged, and allegations of individuals suppressing evidence in this matter persist. Henry Greene was persistently dogged by allegations of corruption. These surfaced when he was an Assistant Police Commissioner, in relation to an alien trafficking ring in Canada. Despite the US Embassy cautioning the previous administration about appointing him to the position of Top Cop, Greene was eventually appointed to the highest level of the Force. But he was forced to resign in the wake of a rape allegation.
Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
CID ranks take detained cop and accomplices back to crime scene Botched restaurant robbery… Police Constable Johnathan Harry who reported sick for duty
D
etectives yester day took the po lice constable and his alleged gang members back to the scene of Friday’s botched robbery at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo yesterday.
Sources close to the investigations revealed that they had arrested a female suspected to be the missing gang member who abandoned her crew after a licensed firearm holder infringed on their robbery at-
tempt. However, the source stated that the woman had a solid alibi for her whereabouts at the time of the robbery. While her name is said to be similar to the female who assisted in the robbery, their appearances differ, and she is likely to be released. Those detained are 24year-old Police Constable, Jonathan Harry, of Lot 124 East Ruimveldt; Shaquille Wilbury, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara and 20-yearold Akande Ross of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Their accomplice, Mark Prince was shot dead by a resident who went to the aid of the victims. The gang had gone to the Five-Star Chinese Restaurant, located at Lot 695 Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo. Two were armed with cutlasses and one with a handgun. The owner of the business, 43-yea r - o l d G u a n g Hong Wang, her husband and a customer; 37-yearold Navindra Lakahalall were in the restaurant at the time when one of the suspects entered with a woman and purchased two beers. The duo, after consuming the beers, called for a case of beers. When the owner was delivering the
Young couple found dead in Aracari Hotel room Aracari Resort
Employees at the Aracari Resort yesterday found the bodies of a young couple in a locked bedroom at the Versailles, West Bank Demerara hotel. According to reports received, the bodies were discovered late yesterday afternoon. The victims were identified as 26-year-old Kevin Vishal Singh of Lot 18 Agriculture Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara and 25-yearold Subrina Nandram called Priya of Block 8’ Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Sources close to the investigation disclosed that the
couple booked a room at the resort on Saturday with Singh’s ID and were scheduled to check out at 12 noon, the next day. However, when that time passed, the receptionist enquired, but was reportedly told by Singh that they will be staying an extra night. The man was said to have told the receptionist that he would be coming to pay for the extra night soon. But at around 15.00 hrs, Singh had still not paid the bill. Calls were made again to the couple’s room. This time, they went unanswered. Checks were made at the
room and hotel employees found the door locked. Security personnel were then summoned to force the door open. On entering, staffers saw a green liquid on the bed, and on an area on the floor leading to the bathroom. They then found Singh and Nandram’s bodies in the bathtub. According to reports, no marks of violence were found on either bodies. The police were immediately called in and the bodies were removed and taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting autopsies.
case, the male suspect pulled out a gun and proceeded to rob her. The bandits relieved Lakahalall of a chain and a sum of cash. But their plans were cut short after a licensed firearm holder who lives nearby heard the commotion, grabbed his firearm and investigated. He disclosed that he heard strange voices and called for the owner. One of the bandits then pointed the gun at the resident. The man opened fire, fatally shooting Mark Prince.
The gang then fled. After exiting, the resident was told by a neighbour that the bandits had escaped in a Black Bluebird PTT 8606, which reportedly belongs to a woman who resides at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara. They had left their wounded accomplice, Mark Prince, at the scene. The resident then followed the robbers in his car to Den Amstel, where police apprehended the suspects at a roadblock. An unlicensed pistol with
an empty magazine was found in the vehicle and a sum of cash and cellular phones were found on the persons of the suspects. Police found Mark Prince dead at the scene. He was reportedly still clutching a cutlass in his right hand. He also had a haversack containing $130,000. Reports stated that Harry identified himself as a police rank when he was taken to the station. He was supposed to be on duty but reportedly called in sick.
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Vikings upset Saints in overtime in NFC wildcard game
Kyle Rudolph’s touchdown was the seventh of the season for the nine-year veteran. (Reuters)
Monday December 06, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A goal that you may have been working toward for a long time might still seem very distant right now, Aries. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A member of your household may be having troubles, Taurus, and therefore you might consider staying home from work in order to help them get through it all. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) An important career concern could require considerable effort on your part today in order to enable you to advance whatever it is you're trying to accomplish, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A trip that you wanted to take may have to be postponed, Cancer, probably for financial reasons. You'll want to make the journey in the company of someone who's financially strapped right now. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The need to complete an important task could have you mustering a far higher level of self-control than you're used to, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A business or romantic partner could be in a rather schizoid mood today, Virgo. You'll probably spend a lot of time together, and during the course of the day your friend could jump between enthusiasm and gloom.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Generally, you tend to be rather ingenious where work is concerned, Libra, but today you may feel that the fountain of innovation has totally dried up SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A crisis of values may confront you today, Scorpio. Someone you care about might need you to do something for them that you don't feel comfortable doing, and this could put you in a tough spot. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You've been doing well financially. You want to do better, but you might feel temporarily discouraged. It seems you have to keep working harder to keep up the pace. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you might feel a little gloomy without knowing why, Sagittarius, and you could spend a lot of time trying to find a reason. There probably isn't any concrete reason. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The house might seem rather empty today, Aquarius, as most of the other members of your household are probably out and about. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Someone close to you might not be feeling very well, Pisces, and you might feel the need to remain nearby and take care of this person.
BBC Sport - The Minnesota Vikings remain in the NFL play-offs after claiming a 2620 overtime win at the New Orleans Saints. The hosts took an early lead before Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook scored rushing touchdowns either side of the half. Taysom Hill’s touchdown made it 20-17 in the fourth quarter before Wil Lutz’s 49yard field goal levelled the score with two seconds remaining. And from the opening possession in overtime, Kyle Rudolph’s four-yard touchdown sealed a shock victory. The Vikings will now play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional round on Saturday, 11 January (21:35 GMT).
The result was the second upset of wildcard weekend after the Tennessee Titans won 20-13 at the New England Patriots to knock out the defending champions. The Saints almost joined the Patriots in last year’s Super Bowl and were the NFC’s third seed for this year’s playoffs after winning the NFC South with a 13-3 record. And they took an early lead on their home turf as a fumble by Adam Thielen on the game’s opening drive allowed them to open the scoring with a Lutz field goal. The Vikings, who earned a wildcard spot after going 106 in the NFC North, swiftly cancelled that out with a Dan Bailey field goal before the Saints replaced quarterback Drew Brees with Hill for a
handful of snaps in the second quarter. After scrambling for a first down, the versatile back-up found Deonte Harris with a 50yard pass right down the middle and from the next play, with Brees back in, Alvin Kamara ran in the touchdown from four yards. Minnesota cut the deficit with a field goal before Brees threw the game’s first interception, with Anthony Harris running it back 30 yards, and the Vikings made Brees pay as Cook ran it in from five yards to give his side a 13-10 lead at the half. The visitors extended their lead with a one-yard touchdown from Cook in the third quarter, after Cousins made key passes to Thielen and Stefon Diggs on the drive. But Hill again showed his versatility by taking a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brees to get New Orleans back within three points with 10:37 left. On New Orleans’ next drive, Danielle Hunter forced Brees’ first fumble of the season to regain possession, but the Saints had one more drive before the finish and Lutz, who missed a 43-yard field goal right before half-time, this time held his nerve to make a 49-yard kick. Minnesota won the coin toss for the opening possession in overtime, knowing a touchdown would win it, and Cousins made a gutsy 43yard throw to Thielen before lofting the ball to tight end Rudolph in the endzone to send the Vikings into week two of the play-offs. The Philadelphia Eagles host the Seattle Seahawks (21:40 GMT) to decide the final team to play in next week’s divisional round of the playoffs.
Reifer thrilled by level of... From page 34 the tempo going. He hit the gaps and was able to find the boundaries when the bad balls were presented.” The match was Irelands final warm-up before the first One-Day International of the three-match series against West Indies bowls off at Kensington Oval tomorrow.
PAGE 28
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
Nathan Lyon takes five No longer angry Serena glad as hosts dominate again to be back in New Zealand
Nathan Lyon gets an lbw decision in his favour © Getty Images BBC Sport - Nathan Lyon took 5-68 as Australia extended their lead over New Zealand on the third day of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Resuming on 63-0, New Zealand were bowled out for 251, with off-spinner Lyon claiming the 17th five-wicket haul of his 96-Test career. Glenn Phillips top-scored for the tourists with 52 on debut but New Zealand face a heavy deficit.
Australia reached 40-0 at close of play, leading New Zealand by 243 runs. Australia’s bowling quartet of Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson will donate A$1000 (£530) for each wicket taken to the bushfire appeal. Ly o n b r o k e N e w Zealand’s resistance when h e b o w l e d o p e n e r To m Blundell for 34, before trapping Jeet Raval lbw at the end of the first session.
He took two wickets in an over after lunch, dismissing Neil Wagner and Will Somerville for ducks, as New Zealand lost their final four wickets for 16 runs. The hosts already have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series. Scores: Australia 454 and 0 for 40 (Warner 23*, Burns 16*) lead New Zealand 251 (Phillips 52, Latham 49, Lyon 5-68, Cummins 3-44) by 243 runs.
Vince Carter becomes first player to play in four different decades BBC Sport - He played against the legendary Michael Jordan and made his debut when the iPhone was just a twinkle in Steve Jobs’ eye. And yesterday, against the Indiana Pacers, Vince Carter, 42, became the first NBA player to have a career spanning four decades. The Atlanta Hawks star made his debut in the nineties (1999 to be precise), and has starred in every decade since - the noughties, 2010s and now the 2020s. To put it into further context, 36 current NBA players - including four of his teammates (Bruno Fernando, Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish) - were born after Carter was first drafted. “I’m just very thankful to still be around and competing at this level,” Carter told Yahoo Sports. “I saw a picture of one of my team-mates by the name of Hakeem Olajuwon [who is now 56] and the other was Trae [Young, who is 21] and it’s just like, man, as much as I talk to people and handshake with former friends who are now general managers, coaches, whatever they are, I can say I played against Michael Jordan and stuff like that and now I’m playing against the Trae Youngs and all the stars of today. “I’m probably more competitive now because I know the end is near. I never imagined playing this long. “I got to 15 years and I still felt good and here I am seven years later. It’s an unbelievable feeling.” It’s not the first time Carter has made history. In August, Carter became the first person to play 22nd NBA seasons after signing a one-
Wellington (AFP) - Serena Williams returns to the Auckland WTA Classic today for the first time since her “miserable” debut appearance three years ago, determined to put the record straight. “I’m in a really different frame of mind,” she said ahead of her opening match on day one — a marquee doubles appearance partnering Caroline Wozniacki — with her first round singles against long-time rival Svetlana Kuznetsova expected on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Williams is banking on Auckland setting her up for an unprecedented 24th major title at the Australian Open later in the month.Williams was way below par when she played in Auckland in 2017, complaining about the windy conditions, being abrupt in interviews and could not wait to get out of the country as soon as she lost in the second round to Madison Brengle. But she says the anger she felt then has gone. “I’m not pregnant, as a start, so that works, so I can only do good now,” the tournament top seed and world number 10 joked with journalists as she reflected on how she was unaware at the time that she was six weeks pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia. “I just remember it was windy and being angry, hating my now husband (Alexis Ohanian). I was like ‘I can’t stand you and I don’t know why,’” she said. “Obviously at the time I didn’t know why either ... I was six weeks pregnant and I had no idea. So looking back it’s so surreal and crazy and now that I’m here, I have all of these funny memories of being miserable. “I always knew that I would have to come back, for sure. I didn’t even realize what was happening, and now I’m here with my daughter. “This is kind of where it all began. It’s amazing. It’s so exciting to be here with her, and to know that this is literally where it started.” Despite her quick exit in 2017, Williams went on to win the Australian Open for her 23rd major title, but has not won a tournament since.
Down but not out: Serena Williams after losing to Bianca Andreescu in the US Open final in September (AFP Photo/Timothy A. Clary) Williams, who has a 10-3 record against Kuznetsova in a 16-year rivalry, said she was pleased to be playing her “really good friend” first up. “I like to play really tough opponents in the first round, and there’s no better way to start than to start serious. I really love her and adore her, and I wish it could’ve been a little bit later, for both of us,” she said.She was also looking forward to playing with former world number one Wozniacki in the doubles, calling the Dane “one of my best friends”.Meanwhile, the Auckland tournament has been hit with the late withdrawal of seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko who pulled out for “personal reasons”. The 22-year-old Latvian, who won the French Open in 2017, is the second high-profile withdrawal with Canadian Bianca Andreescu pulling out last month due to her ongoing knee problems. Andreescu defeated Williams to claim the US Open title in September last year.
Leo Carter clatters six sixes in an over in New Zealand domestic game
Vince Carter has player more than 1,500 NBA games since making his debut in 1999. (Getty Images) year contract to return to the Hawks. The decision meant he became the longest-tenured NBA player, surpassing the members of the 21-season club - Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Willis and Robert Parish. Carter in stats § Played more than 1,500 NBA games § Eight-time NBA All-Star § Olympic gold medallist (2000) § NBA Rookie of the Year Award (1999) § First 40-year old player to hit at least three 3-pointers in a playoff game: 3 (April 22, 2017 vs. San Antonio Spurs, Western Conference 1st round) § Most three-point field goals made in one half: 8 (May 11, 2001 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Eastern Conference semi-finals)
ESPNcricinfo - Leo Carter has become the first New Zealander to hit six sixes in an over in T20 cricket. The 25year-old left-hand batsman achieved the feat during the course of an unbeaten 29-ball 70 that helped Canterbury Kings chase down 220 against Northern Districts in the Super Smash tournament on Sunday. Overall, Carter is just the fourth player after Yuvraj Singh (2007), Ross Whiteley (2017) and Hazratullah Zazai (2018) to achieve the feat in T20 cricket. Those to have achieved this feat in other formats include Sir Garry Sobers and Ravi Shastri in first-class cricket and Herschelle Gibbs in ODIs. With Canterbury needing 64 from 30 balls with seven wickets in hand, Carter hammered left-arm spinner Anton Devcich for 36 runs in the 16th
Leo Carter smashed six sixes in an over. (Getty Images)
over, courtesy some brilliant leg-side hitting at Hagley Oval. Carter’s unbeaten 70 was his maiden T20 half-century in 22 innings. He made his senior debut for Canterbury
in 2014, and has so far played 25 first-class matches, 20 List A games and 26 T20s. His astonishing strike rate of 241.37 on Sunday was nearly twice his overall career strike rate in T20s.
Monday January 06, 2020
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Paradise storm back to clip Monederlust to GT Beer/Candy Boss 8-a-side football title Curtland Richmond is MVP A second half double from Jamal Cambridge guided Paradise Football Club (PFC) to a come from behind 3-2 win over Monedderlust in the final of the GT Beer sponsored Candy Boss Antics 8-a-side football competition which concluded on Saturday night last at the All Saints Presbyterian Church Ground, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Cambridge, who ended as the Highest Goal Scorer of the tournament with a total of five (5) came to the rescue of his team which was trailing Monedderlust by two at the half way mark of the contest. Monedderlust Nord McDonald sent his side ahead in the 30th and four minutes later, teammate Raynol Frank doubled the advantage as they sat comfortably ahead or so they taught with the $600,000 first place prize in sights. But that was not to be as the second half was all Paradise. Cambridge netted the first of his brace in the 40th minute to halve the deficit with his teammate Nial Reynolds drawing them level in the 48th minute. The winning goal which had $600,000 written all over
Best goalkeeper, Jawanza Joseph (right) and Highest goal scorer, Jamal Cambridge. it was fired in by Cambridge in the 53rd minute to seal a memorable come from behind win, the top prize, trophy and bragging rights for the next twelve months. In the third place playoff, Cougars Football needled Hopetown FC thanks to a Dawit Watts 47th minute
goal. Paradise also won all the individual prizes, the tournaments Most Valuable Player trophy went to rising midfield star Curtland Richmond who played a pivotal role in his teams success and also scored four (4) goals. The Best Goalkeeper award went to Jawanza Joseph.
U.S. Soccer cancels training camp in Qatar after unrest (Reuters) - The mens US national team has called off plans to go to Qatar for a winter training camp following unrest in the Middle East, U.S. Soccer said on Friday. “Due to the developing situation in the region, U.S. Soccer has decided to postpone traveling to Qatar for the Mens National Teams scheduled January training camp,” U.S. Soccer said in a short statement. Iran’s clerical and military rulers have threatened revenge for an American air strike at Baghdad airport on Friday that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. US coach Gregg Berhalter had called up 25 players for the 20-day sojourn scheduled
to begin on Jan. 5. His side were to play closed door games at Dohas Aspire Academy before heading home to face Costa Rica in Carson, Calif. on Feb. 1. That game will go ahead as planned, U.S. Soccer said, and they are now working on an alternative schedule to prepare for that fixture. “We are working with the Qatar Football Association to find an opportunity in the near future for our team to experience Qatars worldclass facilities and hospitality,” U.S. Soccer added.Qatar will host the World Cup in 2022 and the US kicks off its qualifying campaign in September. The US is desperate to qualify for the Qatar tournament after surprisingly missing out last time in Russia.
Nigerian teen in pink aims... From page 31 boy. Her first medal came quickly, at the age of five. She now has 17 medals and has represented Nigeria 11 times at tournaments in Africa, Europe and the United States. Poised and precocious, Essien was the only teenager among 177 golfers at the 2019 Nigeria Ladies Golf Open Championship. She took 10th place, shyly high-fiving the other competitors as the crowd cheered. Her father, consultant economist Eyo
Essien, says she is just getting started. “She still has some room for growth and I think as I said by the age of 15 she will be ripe, you know, to take the golf world by storm,” he said. But Essien said she is committed to balancing school and golf, and intends to study artificial intelligence and robotics at university. “In the next 10 years with a degree in my hand, I will play as a professional golfer,” she said.
Paradise Football Club - 2019/2020 GT Beer /Candy Boss 8-a-side football champions.
Bravo, Greaves deal Ireland warm-up defeat BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC Captain Darren Bravo and exciting allrounder Justin Greaves both struck half-centuries as CWI Presidents XI dealt a blow to Irelands confidence ahead of next weeks start of the threematch one-day series against West Indies, with a convincing three-wicket win here Saturday.Chasing 276 in a 50over contest at 3Ws Oval, Cave Hill Campus, the Presidents XI cantered to their target in the 47th over, with Bravo and Greaves getting the joint top score of 70. Left-hander Bravo, bidding for a return to West Indies colours following a period out of form, hit one four and half-dozen sixes in a knock requiring 62 balls. Greaves, fresh from helping West Indies Emerging Players capture the Super50 Cup last month, belted eight fours and a couple of sixes in 67 balls at the crease. Brandon King, one of West Indies latest batting recruits, chipped in with 45 off 57 balls while Sunil Ambris (22) and Joshua Dasilva (21 not out) played supporting roles.Ireland had earlier posted 275 for nine off their allotted overs thanks to opener Gareth Delanys top score of 60 off 78 deliveries. Kevin OBrien with 43, captain Andrew Balbirnie, 49, William Porterfield, 36, and
Darren Bravo … hit the joint top score of 70. Lorcan Tucker, 35, all chipped in with important knocks. Sent in, Irelands momentum came initially from Delany who put on 47 for the first wicket with Paul Stirling (17) and another 71 for the second wicket with Balbirnie. When Delany, who counted three fours and sixes, perished in the 25th over and Balbirnie fell eight balls later with five runs added, OBrien and Porterfield combined in a 74-run fourth wicket stand to rescue the innings. Asked to score at just over 5-½ runs per over, Ambris put on 32 for the first wicket with left-hander Kieran Powell (17) before adding a further 36 for the second wicket with King, who struck four fours and a six. Bravo then took charge of the innings, posting 48 for the
third wicket with King and 61 for the fourth with Greaves, to put his side in command. When Bravo perished in the 35th over, Greaves assumed responsibility for the run chase, adding 56 for the fifth wicket with DaSilva and 35 for the seventh with Romario Shepherd (19 not out) before falling in the 46th over with just eight runs required for victory. Scores: IRELAND 275 for nine off 50 overs (Gareth Delany 60, Kevin OBrien 43, Andrew Balbirnie 40, William Porterfield 36, Lorcan Tucker 35; Yannick Ottley 346, Akeem Jordan 2-59) PRESIDENTS XI 278 for seven off 46.4 overs (Darren Bravo 70, Justin Greaves 70, Brandon King 45; Kevin OBrien 2-23, Mark Adair 260)
PAGE 30
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Titans beat Patriots in perhaps Brady’s final game
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shakes hand with Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) after the Patriots lost to the Titans at Gillette Stadium. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) - The Tennessee Titans beat the New England Patriots 20-13 in an AFC wild card playoff game on Saturday that might turn out to be a bitter end to Tom Bradys storied career. The 42-year-old Patriots quarterback, a six-times Super Bowl winner, is a free agent, adding to speculation as to his future.He said after the game that it was “unlikely” he would retire, but added there was no need to rush a decision.On a compelling first day of the postseason, the Houston Texans earlier defeated the Buffalo Bills 22-19 in an overtime classic in Houston in the other AFC wild card contest.But the story of the day was Brady, who was unable to pull off yet another miracle. His final pass in the dying seconds was intercepted by former team mate Logan Ryan who breezed into
the end zone to clinch a victory for the visitors.“We were locked in,” said Tennessee running back Derrick Henry, who was virtually unstoppable on his 26th birthday.“Great win, against a great team in a hostile environment.”Tennessee had been 9-7 in the regular season and the Patriots 12-4. The Patriots were left to rue their surprise home loss to the Miami Dolphins on the final day of the regular season, when a win would have earned them a bye this weekend.The Titans reward is a visit to the Baltimore Ravens in the division round next weekend. GREAT HOUSTON ESCAPE In Houston, Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson escaped an almost certain sack to set up Kaimi Fairbairns game-winning 28-
Houston Texans running back Taiwan Jones (34) runs the ball against Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) during overtime in the AFC Wild Card NFL Playoff game at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports) yard field goal. Watson pulled away from two Buffalo defenders to hit Taiwan Jones with a 34-yard pass at the Buffalo 10-yard line that paved the way for the winning points in Houston. The Texans, 10-6 in the regular season, will play the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round next weekend. Buffalo, which at one point led 16-0, had forced
overtime after Stephen Hauschka kicked a 47-yard field goal that tied the score at 19-19 with five seconds left in regulation time.“We never quit regardless,” Watson told reporters. “Whatever it takes to get the win we are going to keep fighting however we need to play.”After being outplayed in the first half, the Texans found new life in the third quarter.Watson, who
passed for 247 yards, bulled into the end zone with less than two minutes left in the quarter for Houstons first points.Fairbairns first field goal and a five-yard pass from Watson to Carlos Hyde and a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter then completed a 19-point comeback for the Texans.A big sack by threetime NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, who was
returning for an October injury, rallied the Houston defense.Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from John Brown on a trick play on Buffalos opening drive. He also rushed for 92 yards and passed for 264 more. Hauschka kicked three other field goals for the Bills, who were seeking their first playoff win since 1995.
The Guyana Mixed Marital Arts Karate Association resumes training
Canje Knights, Rose Hall Town Jammers to collide for Nigel Hinds Berbice Basketball title The Nigel Hinds Financial Services sponsored Berbice Basketball Association Mecca Classic continued on Saturday last at the New Amsterdam Basketball Court with Rose Hall Town Jammers and Canje Knights coming out as winners and have booked places in the final of the tournament. Canje Knights defeated Fyrish Black Sharks 108 to 61. Leading the winners were Jamal Felix 25 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals; Michael Bowen 22 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, with Tyrone Dey scoring 19 points, 1 assist 1 steal. For Fyrish Black Shark, Garfield Benjamin scored 25 points, made 6 assists, 1 rebound and 2 steals, supported by Allandro Hercules with 11 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound and Carl Logan 14 points and 4 rebounds. Rose Hall Town Jammers
beat Hopetown Stealers 69 to 46. Half time score was 39 to 20 in favour of Jammers. Jammers were led by Malcolm Mickel with 22 points, 3 assist, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, with 1 turnover, Edmar Semple 10 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal, with Kursi Mickel 9 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 4 steals. Hopetown Stealers top performers were Kevon Mars 17 points, with 4 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 turnover; Joshua Thompson 12 points and 1 assist and Dave Torrington 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 turnover. Qualifying for the Finals of the Berbice Basketball Association Mecca Classic, the unbeaten Canje Knights will play Rose Hall Town Jammers on Saturday, January 11 at New Amsterdam Court from 7:00PM to determine championship honours.
Students and Instructors of the Guyana Mixed Martial Karate Association take a photo as they resume training sessions at the New Diamond Grove Primary School. The Guyana Mixed Martial Karate Association resumed their classes at the Iron Fist Marital Arts Academy Located at the New/Diamond Grove Primary School this past week. Master Lloyd Ramnarine along with students gathered to take a photo for the New Year. Master Lloyd Ramnarine said that 2019 was a very successful year in terms of martial arts and he enjoyed teaching the children, due to the crime rates in Guyana. Currently he has registered his Association with The World Karate Marital Arts Organization (WKMO), International Karate Association (IKO) and North American Marital Arts Federation (NAFMA). Master Lloyd Ramnarine had spoken with residents of Sophia and plan to open three clubs there and they are very happy that he is introducing one of the most disciplined sports in the community. He has also spoken to residents of Soesdyke. Presently there are five functioning branches which in-
cludes Red Dragon Marital Arts Academy Located at The Belle West Primary School, Invisible Kicks Marital Arts Academy Located in Parfait Harmonie, Vreed en Hoop Marital Arts Academy Located at The Vreed en Hoop Primary School, Alberttown Marital Arts Academy Located at 71 Light Street Alberttown and the Iron Fist Marital Arts Academy Located at the New/Diamond Grove Primary School. “I would like my Beautiful Guyanese people to know that karate is not a violent sport, its all about discipline, self control and most of all self defence. I would like to encourage young girls and women to get themselves involved in martial arts schools, not only to learn discipline but form people who come into their lives and criminals,” Master Ramnarine informed. “If anyone wishes to join any of the branches listed dont hesitate to make contact with us on 698-6727/673-0823/ 698-7456/681-1701 or check us out on Facebook at GMMAKA,” a release from the organisation stated.
Monday January 06, 2020
The Tropical Woods and Wood Products inaugural golf tourney William Walker, Shanella London are Flight champions in LGC 2020 kick-off tournament In convincing fashion, after weeks of strong play, Oasis Cafe’s William Walker turned in his best performance to win The Tropical Woods and Wood Products (Pandit Lumberyard) inaugural tourney of Saturday, January 4, 2020, playing on wellmanicured grounds. With fabulous weather and environmental conditions, and with Captain Chen Deo electing to run two Flights of handicaps 0-12 and 13-28 to accommodate the number of players in each category, all golfers were able to take full advantage of the course and turned in very competitive scores. The competition was stiff as it came down to the final holes to determine the champions, (prizes being awarded to the first two best net scores in each Flight). Continuing his aggressive performance from the closing months of 2019, former LGC Executive Member - owner of Oasis Café - William Walker (69/12) dominated the 0 - 12 Flight, returning the overall Best Net score not only for his Flight, but for the entire tournament, with a clear three strokes lead over any of the other golfers in both Flights. In his Flight he left Club President Aleem Hussain to bring in the 2nd place with 72/ 10, and former Guyana Open champions Mohanlall Dinanauth the close 3rd place with 73/6, and Mike Mangal 4th place with 76/8. Club Treasurer, Aasrodeen Shaw, returned 77/12, while former Captain Patrick Prashad re-
turned 79/8. Dinanauth also won the Best Gross prize and the specialty prize of Nearest the Pin. President Hussain produced a surprise-of-the-day win in taking the specialty Longest Drive prize (establishing that accuracy is a major factor in the game) - his accurate driving of the ball from the teebox onto the fairway causing him to win over longer but less accurate drives. In the 13 28 Flight, former Guyana Open women’s champion Shanella London played extremely well (72/15) to earn the top position, beating Handsome Maxim Mangra (72/20) on the count back off a tie. Mangra has returned to the Winners Row after a little while. Other great performances were returned by head of Ansa Mcal, Troy Cadogan (75/26); Macorp Exec, Jordi Pinol (76/28); former Club Vice President, Dr Philbert London (77/18); and former Captain, Ayube Subhan (74/14). The player turnout was encouraging, as the entire Macorp team led by CEO Guillermo Escarraga, Miguel Oviedo and Carlos Carbo taking part, as well as former captain Brian Glasford, David Harry, Mahindranauth Tiwari, Ian Gouveia, overseas member Ramesh Amrud and up and coming women’s contender Eureka Giddings. Tropical Woods and Wood Products aka Pandit Lumberyard of Lot D, Area C, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (picture at top), Tel: +592-220-8063 / +592-643-
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
9771 and Email: keshgy@yahoo.com, has been in the business of processing a wide selection of rough and dressed lumber for the local market for nearly two decades, and has in recent times generously supported wood products requirements of the Lusignan Golf Club. Club President, Aleem Hussain, was profuse in his praise for the new sponsor, Satesh Tewari, CEO of Tropical Woods and Wood Products, who took the honors for Sponsor of first Tournament of the year. President Hussain further indicated that already he has on schedule some 35 tournaments with some 30 more pending for 2020. He added that the LGC, “… have a fantastic lineup of activities for 2020 and it is our goal to host a minimum of 60 events in the year - this will break the record set over the past several years and we expect it to be the best year for the club in recent history.” The sponsor was represented by members of the Tewari family - Sateshs mother, daughter, son and wife - who are seen in the picture with the winners. The family has given consideration to becoming the club’s newest members this year. Members of the public, kindly note that you are invited to learn more about the game of golf by visiting the Lusignan Golf Club or by getting more information via us on Facebook lusignangolfclub or by calling 220-5660.
Tsitsipas back in groove as Zverev searches for answers SYDNEY (Reuters) Greeces Stefanos Tsitsipas was clinical as he picked up his first win of the season at the ATP Cup in Brisbane yesterday against a temperamental Alexander Zverev of Germany, who was almost reduced to tears due to problems over his serve. Nick Kyrgios late withdrawal due to a back problem did not stop Australia from defeating Canada, as the hosts became the first to seal a quarter-final spot with their second 3-0 win in the inaugural team event. Australia had beaten Germany in their opening tie and qualified for the Final Eight stage in Sydney as Group F winners after Germany beat Greece 2-1 in the evening session. ATP Finals champion Tsitsipas made it five straight wins against the German world number seven with a breezy 6-1 6-4 victory as Zverev cut a frustrated figure with 10 double faults and a first serve percentage of just 45. Tsitsipas returned to the Pat Rafter Arena for the deciding doubles but went down 3-6 6-3 (17-15) as Greece suffered their second loss in the inaugural $15 million ATP Cup, which features 24 nations competing in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney over 10 days. With just two weeks left until the start of the Australian Open, Zverev needs to find a quick cure for his service woes as he also had 14 double faults in a three-set loss to Australias Alex de Minaur on Friday. Zverev smashed his
Nigerian teen in pink aims to ‘take the golf world by storm’ ABUJA/LAGOS (Reuters) - A steady “thwack” rings out at the driving range just outside Nigerias capital Abuja. A girl clad in pink shoes, pink skirt and pink vest wields a club with a power that belies her slight frame, grimacing at poor shots and smiling happily at others. Iyene Essiens golf medals already outnumber her 13 years of age, and she has competed on three continents. She is the top junior player in Nigeria, and now wants to deliver her countrys first gold medal for golf at the 2022 Summer Youth Olympics. “In this game you compete against yourself and not other players, which is very
exciting,” she told Reuters, adding that anything that goes wrong “is still your mistake, you are the one playing so you cannot blame your caddy or anyone for the mistake you made.” Her journey began when she saw a young white boy playing at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja. Her father saw her excitement and quickly arranged to get her on the course. “He asked me if I wanted to play and I said yes, so he bought me clubs and got me a golf professional to train me,” she said the same man who was training the white (Cotninued on page 29)
Iyeneobong Essien, 13-year-old golf prodigy points at her trophies as she poses for a photograph at home in Abuja, Nigeria October 27, 2019. Picture taken October 27, 2019. (REUTERS/Abraham Achirga)
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during his Group F singles match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. (REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy) racquet repeatedly when playing against De Minaur and against world number six Tsitsipas he flung his racquet away twice and appeared almost to start crying as he hid his face in his palms after a service break in the second set. Tsitsipas, who defeated Federer and Dominic Thiem to win the ATP Finals in November, lost his opening match against Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the event but maintained Zen-like focus in the face of all the drama across the court on Sunday and closed out the match under 75 minutes. “Proud of myself, worked very hard for this win. Found solutions, found my rhythm, my pace, knew what I was doing on court,” the 21-yearold said in a courtside interview.Earlier, the mercurial
Kyrgios pulled out from the opening singles in Brisbane as a precaution because of a bad back, paving the way for hometown favorite John Millman to take down Canadas Felix AugerAliassime 6-4 6-2. De Minaur then rallied from a set and a break down against fellow 20-year-old Denis Shapovalov to triumph in the battle of next generation stars to seal the tie for Australia. From 4-2 down in the second set, De Minaur won six straight games to lead 2-0 and ultimately won 6-7(6) 6-4 6-2 against the Canadian. Grigor Dimitrov also led Bulgaria to their second win of the event against Moldova as did Russias Daniil Medvedev, who had an easy 6-3 6-1 outing against bigserving American John Isner.
BCB U15 cricket tournament
Albion Community Centre U15 cricket team whip Port Mourant Community Centre Albion Community Center U15 cricket team whipped Port Mourant Community Center in their latest game of the Mikes Pharmacy Under-15 cricket competition organised by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and being played in Berbice. In their latest game played at the Albion Community Centre Ground the home team batted and beat Port Mourant by 104 runs. Albion batted first and posted a challenging 231 all out in their 50 overs. National U15 batsman Tameshwar Mahadeo made 56, with Afraz Budhoo making an unbeaten 32, while Manoo Inasie contributed 28 and Afraz Kadir 25. Bowling for Port Mourant, Rampertab Ramnauth and R. Budnaha took 3 wickets each while R. Bharrat chipped in with 2. Port Mourant in reply were dismissed for 127 in 47.3 overs with West Indies Under-15 batsman Rampertab Ramnauth scoring 46. Bowling for Albion, left-arm-spinner Kumar Deopersaud bagged 3 wickets and he was supported by off-spinners Tameshwar Mangal, Mahadeo and Kadir with 2 each.
PAGE 32
Monday January 06, 2020
Kaieteur News
England in South Africa: Dom Sibley’s 85 not out puts tourists in control
BBC Sport - Dom Sibley made an unbeaten 85 as England took total control of the second Test against South Africa on day three in Cape Town. The opener played a fine watchful knock for his maiden Test fifty to help the tourists grind down the Proteas and close on 218-4, a lead of 264 runs. England captain Joe Root hit a fluent 61 before he and nightwatchman Dom Bess fell late on at Newlands. James Anderson (5-40) claimed two quick wickets to dismiss the hosts for 223. It gave England a first-innings lead of 46 that they turned into a match-winning position with a sensible batting display.England now have two days to force victory and level the four-Test series at 1-1. Patient Sibley shows the way Sibley had shown glimpses of ability in his five previous Test innings but only had a top score of 29 and needed to secure his longterm spot. While fellow opener Zak Crawley played more positively, but fell for 25 from a
Dom Sibley (left) and Joe Root put on 116 for the third wicket. (Getty Images) loose drive at Kagiso Rabada, Sibley left well outside off stump and waited for South Africa to stray on to his pads. The Warwickshire batsman then whipped forcefully through mid-wicket and calmly clipped off his hips, but proved he has more range as he went on, playing a few lovely cover and square drives.Other prospective solutions at opener have played impressive innings and faded but the patient manner of Sibley’s knock is encouraging, not least with Rory Burns now expected to miss March’s tour of Sri Lanka with
the ankle injury he sustained playing football. Although Joe Denly fell into the trap, hooking Anrich Nortje to fine leg for 33, the second-wicket stand of 73 gave Root a rare platform to come in and busily up the scoring rate. He scored all round the wicket to help England inflict the kind of demoralising day on a fielding side they have themselves experienced often recently and appeared set to push on for a century on day four, only to nick one as Dwaine Pretorius found some late movement.
For local-born academy product Jones, it was a game he will never forget, delivering his first senior goal in a Merseyside derby. “I cant sum up my emotions. For me its huge just being around this team every day and learning from this group of players. There are world-class players all over this team but I think I went out and showed what I could do on the pitch,” he said. Everton should have gone into the break ahead, with Liverpool keeper Adrian foiling goalbound efforts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Holgate and Richarlison in the first half. Ancelotti will be disappointed that on each of those occasions his players aimed straight at the Spanish keeper but worse was to come. Klopp was visibly appreciating the sight of his youngsters buzzing around the field playing enterprising football with the German raising his arms in applause as teenagers Neco Williams, Harvey Elliott and Jones showed they are well-drilled in the Liverpool method. Jones delivered the killer blow in the 71st minute when after a swift exchange with Divock Origi he unleashed a
superb curling effort into the top corner, leaving Everton without a win against their rivals since October 2010. “They played brave football. Unbelievable individual performances from the kids and the adults as well,” said Klopp. “Sensational game and a sensational goal from a Scouser who could ask for more?” Eight-times FA Cup winners Spurs trailed to Ashley Fletchers fine finish just after the break but Mouras header spared a Tottenham side who were without injured striker Harry Kane. Tottenham dominated following Mouras equaliser but Boro keeper Tomas Mejias, making his first start of the season, frustrated them with several saves as his side earned a replay. Chelsea made nine changes to their starting lineup but beat Championship promotion hopefuls Forest with goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley. Former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, back in England after a spell in Major League Soccer with DC United, helped Championship
James Anderson needs 18 more wickets to become the first pace bowler to take 600 wickets in Tests. (Getty Images) Bess made his second duck of the match, gloving Nortje behind from what proved to be the final ball of the day, but protected Ben Stokes from having to bat and England are well-placed to declare whenever they want on day four. Evergreen Anderson back to best Following Anderson’s below-par performance in defeat at Centurion, his first Test back after a long-standing calf injury, Root said one of Anderson or Stuart Broad could be dropped for this match - before Jofra Archer was ruled out
injured. Both the retained seamers impressed on day two and Anderson was back to his ruthless best on the third morning to ensure South Africa’s tail barely added to the hosts’ overnight total. He removed Rabada caught behind for a duck with the first ball of the day before Nortje fell to another fine catch by Stokes at second slip - the first time an England non-keeping fielder has taken five catches in a Test innings. Anderson, 37, now has 28 five-wickets hauls in Tests and has taken 102 wickets in
26 matches at a staggering average of 20.67 since his 35th birthday. Any significant injury, like the one that kept him out of the majority of the summer’s Ashes series, will invite questions about the future of England’s all-time highest Test wicket-taker. But if he can return at this level and remain such a threat, England may enjoy his talents for a while yet. Scores: England 269 and 218 for 4 (Sibley 85*, Root 61) lead South Africa 223 all out (Anderson 5-40) by 264 runs.
Klopp’s kids knock Everton out of FA Cup LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - A stunning strike from 18-year-old Curtis Jones gave a youthful Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton in their FA Cup, third-round tie at Anfield yesterday. Tottenham Hotspur needed a Lucas Moura equaliser to avoid defeat at second-tier Middlesbrough as Jose Mourinhos stuttering side emerged with a 1-1 draw but Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 2-0. Premier League Crystal Place were knocked out by Championship side Derby County after suffering a 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park. Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp made nine changes to his side, giving starts to three teenagers, while his Italian counterpart Carlo Ancelotti opted for a largely full-strength Everton lineup. The gulf in experience between the two sides was barely evident, however, and will simply add to the pain for Everton, who are without a win at Anfield since September 1999. For Liverpool it was a performance which illustrated the talent coming through the production line at their Melwood training ground.
Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates after the match. (REUTERS/Phil Noble) side Derby County to spring a surprise with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. It was Rooney s first appearance in the FA Cup since he played for Everton exactly two years ago in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic became the first player in an English match to be sent off as a result of a referee reviewing an incident on a pitch-side monitor during
the loss. Derby striker Chris Martin decided the game with a close-range effort in the 32nd minute. Top-f l i g h t S h e ff i e l d United were made to work hard by minor league outfit AFC Fylde, winning 2-1. In an all-Championship c l a s h , We s t B r o m w i c h Albion and Charlton Athletic make a combined 20 changes, with Albion winning
1-0 thanks to Kenneth Zohores goal. In another all-second t i e r e n c o u n t e r, J o r d a n Hugill, on loan from West Ham United, scored twice for Queens Park Rangers in their 5-1 win over Swansea City. Premier League West Ham United beat third-tier Gillingham 2-0 with secondhalf goals from Pablo Zabaleta and Pablo Fornals.
Kaieteur News
Monday January 06, 2020
Guyana Open Golf Champ Persaud confident of doing well at higher levels By Zaheer Mohamed
T
en-time Guyana Open Golf C h a m p i o n Avinash Persaud said he is confident of doing well at higher levels. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Persaud stated that after competing in the Jamaica Open in December, he has gained a wealth of experience and is better prepared for other overseas engagements. Persaud was the lone Guyanese among golfers from the United States of America, Canada, Antigua and the host nation that participated in the Jamaica Open which was held in December; he finished 14th overall out of 96 golfers in the three-day tournament. Persaud said that the tournament was of a high standard and one of the challenges he faced was to play on the greens (turf). “I never played or practiced on the greens so this was the toughest part for me competing there. However, my ball striking was good and the guys there were impressed with me,” he added. “The experience was great, it has helped me to improve on certain aspects of my game and I am better equipped to compete at higher levels.”Persaud feels that Guyana needs similar facilities (greens) so the players here can improve and excel in overseas tournaments, adding that he will share his experience with his local counterparts. Persaud who practice twice a week, indicated that 2019 was very good year for him and he is looking forward
to compete in more overseas tournaments, and has his sights set on the Trinidad and Tobago open which is slated for March, the Barbados open and the Suriname open where he won the overall gross title in 2019. “I am confident of doing well in these tournaments, I know what to expect, I am now in a better position to manage my game,” he posited. The Guyana Open champion has urged fellow local golfers to continue working hard on their game and stressed on the importance of being mentally tough, stating that this helps with consistency which plays an important role in individual development.The
Avinash Persaud in Jamaica.
Albion Community Centre through to Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 cricket final Albion Community Center Cricket Club continued their good showing on the cricket field from last year when they defeated Port Mourant Community Centre by 8 wickets to advance to the final of the Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 50 Overs Cricket Competition. The tournament, which is sponsored by former West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, is being organised by The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) for U17 teams in the Ancient County. The semifinal game which was played on Saturday at the Albion Community Centre Ground saw Port Mourant winning the toss and electing to take first strike in a match which was reduced to 40 Overs due to rain. They were restricted to 82 for 8 in their allotted overs with Salon Khan making 19. Bowling for Albion, Left-arm-spinner Inzam Shazam took 4 wickets.Albion responded with 84 for 2 off 13 overs with Hemendra Gurdyal leading the way with 28, while Naresh Veerasammy made 18.
Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) has staged a large number of tournaments in 2019 and Persaud indicated that he is pleased with the efforts of the executive, especially the President Aleem Hussain.“In order for the players to develop and excel at higher levels, they must play on a consistent basis and the LGC has ensured that the players are constantly occupied in tournaments.” Persaud also won the Lusignan Open among other tournaments in 2019 and has expressed gratitude to the Bulkan family for their sponsorship.
PAGE 33
Avinash Persaud collecting the championship prize from LGC President Aleem Hussain at the Guyana Open.