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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 23, 2018
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 EFFECTS OF US GOVT. SHUTDOWN Last Friday, the federal government in the United States was shut down. Large swaths of federal employees could not report for work, only essential workers. Many who were required to work had to do so without pay. There was another vote yesterday at (13:00 hours Guyana Standard Time) to re-open the government. U.S. senators voted to reopen the federal government until February 8, thus ending a three-day standoff between Democrats and President Donald Trump’s Republicans over immigration and border security But in the wake of the closure, all federal buildings are closed thus depriving millions of Americans and non-Americans of federal services, including visa service. Although the US House of Representatives approved an appropriations Bill to keep the government from shutting down, the Senate failed to pass it. Sixty votes are needed in the 100-seat Senate to prevent a shutdown which means that the Republicans would need at least nine Democrats’ votes. But President Trump’s recent announcement to scrap the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has angered a few Republican senators and several Democrats who voted in favour of the shutdown. DACA is a federal government programme created in 2012 by Barack Obama to allow children brought to the US illegally the right to live, study and work in America, temporarily. In the US, a government shutdown is a recent manifestation, but its frequency should not surprise anyone. Under the separation of powers created by the US Constitution, the US Congress has the sole power of the purse which is the Appropriations funds. Appropriations Bills would start in the House of Representatives and then proceed to the Senate for approval. Passage of a final version of the Bill must be either signed or vetoed by the President. If the former occurs, the Bill becomes a law. In the case of the latter, the Bill would go back to Congress, where the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote. Government shutdowns occur when the President and one or both of the chambers of Congress are unable to resolve disagreements over budget allocations before the existing budget cycle ends. It happens when Congress and the President fail to pass appropriations legislation to fund the federal government operations and agencies. The result is the furlough of nonessential federal personnel and curtailment of federal agency activities and services. Since 1976, when the current budget and appropriations process was enacted, there have been eight shutdown of the federal government. Prior to 1990, Government shutdowns were rare, but since 1990 the shutting down of the government has been frequent. Shutdowns have also occurred at the state/territorial and local levels of government in the US. During the eight years of President Reagan administration, there were three shutdowns of the federal government lasting one day or less. In 1990, a funding gap during the George H.W Bush administration caused a weekend shutdown. However, the worst federal government shutdown took place during the Bill Clinton Administration. In 1995 and 1996, there were two full scale government shutdowns that lasted for five and 21 days respectively, based on the disagreement on whether to cut Government services. Another long shut down also occurred during the Barack Obama administration between October 1 and October16. The primary dispute was the Republicans’ desire to delay or defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ACT known as Obamacare. The Saturday January 20, 2018 shut down of the US government under the Donald Trump administration is the eighth. Government shutdowns have the effect of disrupting government services and increasing the cost of the government due to lost labour. Various estimates showed that the 2013 October shutdown of the government took $24 billion out of the economy, and shaved at least 0.6 percent off annualised fourth-quarter 2013 GDP growth.
The voters will not be fooled again DEAR EDITOR, Khemraj Ramjattan had predicted shortly before the 2015 national elections that his political party, the AFC, would become “dead meat” should it team up with PNC/ APNU. Well, it had subsequently contested the elections under the banner of APNU-AFC and with the active campaigning by the party’s leaders – Ramjattan, Nagamootoo, Trotman, Patterson and others. Having teamed up with APNU, the AFC claimed that it brought in some 11% of the votes and the AFC leaders and members were given some 40% of parliamentary seats and ministerial positions in the Granger-led government. The AFC faction was
given large and important ministries, including Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Security, and the Prime Minister position with attractive and substantially enhanced remuneration packages which motivated them. There was no rocking of the government boat. This gives the facade of a powerful partnership with ministerial titles and parliamentary seats; but the PNC kept them in their places so that they support without a squeak of opposition to all the actions of the PNC leader and President, who is dominantly and totally in control of the grouping. Their conduct and performance of their lawful public duties can only be evaluated as third-raters.
Their campaign was deceptive, fooling part of the PPP base, offering them “a good, and even a better life”. The AFC sold out to the PNC. The rice farmers, and the thousands of sugar workers who were vindictively, spitefully, racially and politically discriminated against, dismissed and placed on the bread line as their 2017 Christmas gifts for themselves, their families, and surrounding communities, now agree and confirm the “dead meat” status of ‘ political prophet’ Ramjattan. Let Trotman tell nation of his half-hearted campaign, how many votes he brought to the coalition. The declared results of the 2015 elections gave the combination a one-seat
majority with a one-vote win of the seat for region 8. Some people argue that we have a government with a one seat which was won by one vote and consequently a one vote majority government. The reported declaration by Trotman and other AFC leaders that the AFC was considering contesting the 2018 local government elections independently is welcome news. The reality of this is good and will confirm whether their status is “dead meat” or otherwise. It would be useful information for Granger’s assessment. The voters may be required to bury the “dead meat” AFC party or freeze the meat. The voters will not be fooled again. Joshua Singh
Ending Guyana’s Age of Asininity DEAR EDITOR, In its Sunday (Jan 21/18) column the AFC sought to castigate GAWU for its betrayal of Guyana’s sugar workers, going as far back as the period under Burnham’s rule when it was widely documented that strikes in the sugar industry were politically motivated. While there is no doubt that GAWU sold out sugar workers, particularly during the PPP’s 23-year reign, and I remain firmly in support of sugar workers seeking to recoup their union dues, we as a nation need to seriously reconsider those events of political instability involving sugar workers up until 1992, with particular emphasis on the Burnham years. The entire period of Burnham and the PNC government up until 1992 was characterized by the systematic rigging of elections going back to 1968. I had conceded prior to 2015 that Guyana could have done better than the PPP, and even deemed removing the PPP a pivotal step in Guyana’s economic progress. In respect of the PPP and sugar workers involvement in essentially disseminating the sugar industry in political
protest, the question we have to seriously consider is, were they wrong? Our national elections were being systematically rigged, and Guyana’s democracy was being trampled. Were the PPP and sugar workers wrong to protest the PNC’s rigged elections and false rule? Why weren’t we all protesting the rigging of elections? Why didn’t the entire country come out against Burnham and the PNC? And what were the benefits of having rigged elections? A government that knew little or nothing about managing and building an economy that I propose only implemented its version of socialism because socialism was founded on a power structure which incorporated the oppression of the masses. The oppression of PPP supporters who fought to maintain Guyana’s democracy was a legitimate form of maintaining power in socialist dogma. The elimination of any and all threats to ‘the power of the people,’ which in actual fact was the preservation of the institution of dictatorship erected under Burnham’s and the PNC’s socialist
cooperative government. Other benefits included nationalizing many foreignowned corporations, chronic shortages as foreign currency earnings crumbled, and the implementing of price controls which essentially put the economy into a tail-spin. Under rigged elections of the PNC years, Guyana lost its democracy and was sent into poverty. Why do I write about this? Because I was part and parcel of getting rid of the PPP for all the reasons we know, and I wish to reiterate Guyana has a problem on its hands. Who would have thought that it could get worse than under the PPP? This PNC-led coalition administration has demonstrated in no uncertain terms that this is achievable. It considers the power vested in it by the constitution gives it the right to proceed to oppress us again with its grossly stupid economic policies which have checked economic growth and stifled prospects for higher wages and welfare growth. There is also its underhanded dealing in respect of our national resources, as well as its brazen attempt to enforce contracts that pilfer taxpayers’ money,
notably the bond deal. It should be noted that such contracts are now on the low because of the bad publicity generated, but rest assured that if Guyana ever lightens up and allows them at the helm, we can expect more of these. It continues to make much ado about oil, but we need not fool ourselves, because we can almost rest assured that our workers will continue to get 5 percent post-2020 under them. Waiting patiently in the wings are Jagdeo and his clique. The question Guyana has to ask itself is: Do we want to return to government under the PPP? Knowing that rigged elections cedes our democracy, rule of law, and results in gross economic mismanagement, are we prepared to return to government under the PPP? Or the Coalition administration? Can the coalition win in 2020 with its policy matrix? Do we think for a moment that now Jagdeo has the benefit of additional information, he will not use it, as he has already demonstrated his capacity to so do? For those of us (Continued on page 5)
Does the AFC have a support base? DEAR EDITOR, As the Alliance for Change (AFC) continues to do its master’s bidding, one is left to ponder how low the AFC will go. The latest pandering by the AFC to the PNC is its recent salvo against GAWU, where it seeks to place the blame for the sugar industry woes on GAWU. Clearly the AFC have lost its identity having being consumed by the PNC. Yet again Guyanese should have seen this coming, since the AFC (upon formation) said it was not going to join with either the PPP or the PNC, yet turned around and joined with the PNC under the APNU bandwagon to oust the democratically elected PPP/C from Government. This demonstrated that the AFC was/is a political opportunist.
It remains to be seen if the AFC has any real support base after having lost credibility and supporters over the last couple of years. What makes the AFC believe that the PNC takes them seriously? Given the dwindling support base of the AFC it is clear that the APNU+AFC Coalition will not win a fair and free general election, due in 2020. It is obvious that the AFC knows that it has lost its support base; hence the continued pandering to the PNC. They hope the PNC will keep them in power. If history is anything to go by, then the PNC will ditch the AFC before the next general elections, as the AFC has lost many of its supporters, so there is no real need to keep the AFC in a coalition. Sean Ori
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 23, 2018
The AFC has shown its true stripes DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has noted the contents of the Alliance for Change (AFC) column titled ”The chickens have come home to roost in the sugar industry” which appeared in the January 21, 2018 Kaieteur News. Several aspects of that column we recognized also appeared in an article which was published in the January 22, 2018 Stabroek News as well. The column, which came just about 48 hours after we engaged a high-ranking Ministerial delegation that comprised several AFC leaders, where our organization heard several complimentary statements about our work and history, has us wondering whether the AFC is suffering from a ”Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome.Having examined the column, our Union is of the view that the AFC obviously is upset by our militant and strong action as we stood up and opposed the decisions in the sugar industry which have affected thousands of Guyanese, and which decisions, from all appearances, were supported with open arms by that political grouping. The AFC, no doubt, with an eye on its waning political fortunes, has decided to launch what clearly is a jaundiced, biased and misinformed view of our Union’s proud history. The
AFC columnist(s) has sought, unashamedly, to castigate our Union for the sorrowful state the sugar industry finds itself in today. This simply is hogwash emanating from the AFC. During the AFC’s short, and one can say destructive excursion into the sugar industry, which is under the direct responsibility of an AFC Minister, sugar production has fallen from 231,071 tonnes in 2015 to 137,297 tonnes in 2017, a decline of 93,774 tonnes or 40.58 per cent. The AFC should be the last to talk. The Party’s column goes on contending that our Union was engaged in political strikes during the period 1989 – 1991. This again is a figment of the AFC’s imagination. Strike data for that period indicated that strike man-days fell by approximately 66 per cent between 1989 and 1990 and a further 51 per cent between 1990 and 1991. Certainly, the statistics throw cold water on the AFC’s maligned contention. The AFC also failed to recognize that during the late 1980s when the country’s economy sunk to its lowest ebb, all workers faced trying and difficult times. That situation was made worse by the harsh structural adjustment measures which, by the stroke of a pen, wiped away the little wealth workers had accrued over the years through their hard work. Undoubtedly, any rational person, given the circumstances, would have
been upset and used every opportunity to express their dismay. GAWU, as a responsible organization, had a duty to its members and provided principled leadership, as the workers saw all they worked for being snatched away. We have no qualms about our work in that period and would not change a thing should history repeat itself, as it now seemingly is. The columnist(s) then goes on saying that the industry produced 129,000 tonnes sugar in 1989, when page four (4) of the GuySuCo 1989 Annual Report says clearly 164,800 tonnes sugar was produced.Clearly the AFC columnist(s) did not do proper research and is pulling things out of the air and seeking to pass them off as factual. But, for the AFC’s benefit, let’s get the fact straight. Between 1988 and 1990, workers real income in the sugar industry fell by 71.34 per cent. Certainly such a despairing situation, as the numbers describe, provides hardly any motivation. In fact, then President Hugh Desmond Hoyte during that period had said sugar workers’ children were becoming doctors and lawyers, and were not interested in cutting cane. This we all know was not true, and when the workers’ pay rates were reflective of reality, the workers returned to work in a committed way and the industry recovered, and between 2002 and 2004 produced 319,583 tonnes on average.The AFC says that
the industry is now being kept alive ”because authorities are wise and fearless”. But we ask where is this wisdom and bravery the AFC speaks about, especially when 4,763 workers have been sent home and are being reduced to mendicants for their legal entitlements. Today, the AFC has shown its true stripes and all the pretenses have been thrown out the window. The promises of 20 per cent wage increase or the commitment in its 2011 Elections manifesto that ”[t]he AFC will not privatize GuySuCo”, or Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan’s declaration at theAPNU/AFC Whim rally on March 29, 2016 that ”we are not going to in anyway close the sugar industry” have all vanished.Today, the AFC has shown its hand and exposed its charlatan-like qualities. While it is disturbing that the party has chosen to seemingly throw acid on our positive efforts in engaging the Government of which it is part, the GAWU remains committed to good faith engagements in an effort to safeguard and protect the thousands of lives who have been affected by the callous approach to the sugar industry. At this time, we urge the AFC to stop living in the past and to realize that today it is in the driver’s seat, and should stop its emptying politicking. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
How could a senior govt. functionary publicly imply that a major investor is a thief? DEAR EDITOR, “We expect ExxonMobil will try to rob us as much as they can, so it is now on us to figure out how best we can defeat them. It is a waste of time at this point saying that they can rob us. That is ABC. That is known. Let us start looking for solutions and safeguards. It is useful in this regard to point out the errors made by other countries and how we can be able to do better.” This quote is taken from your lead story in Monday’s edition of your newspaper which attributes the comment
to Presidential Advisor Dr. Clive Thomas. Here we go again! Not so long ago it was Imran Khan publicly expressing a personal view on an issue involving G u y a n a ’s relations with India. Now you have Presidential Advisor Dr. Clive Thomas’ remarks that Exxon will try to rob Guyana. My issue here, like in Imran’s case, is not the merits or demerits of the views expressed, but the process/ procedure. ExxonMobil might well be out to “milk” Guyana, but it is not the Presidential
Advisor’s place to say that publicly, unless that is the government’s official position, which would be in contradiction to statements previously made by the President and several ministers including Trotman, Jordan and Greenidge. How could a senior government functionary publicly imply that a major investor is a thief? This coalition government needs to get a grip on its public information policy. It is
running ragged with contradictions and inconsistencies which could have a serious impact on its efforts to be re-elected in 2020. I have enormous respect for Dr. Thomas. But if it was wrong for Imran, then it has to be wrong for Clive to be publicly expressing personal views as a senior government functionary, which views may not be the official position of the Government of Guyana. Wesley Kirton
Improving Guyana’s image DEAR EDITOR, Now that in our dear land of Guyana, oil has been found and in a most timely manner, production will get u n d e r w a y, t h e G u y a n a Police Force networks must get in line with international standards on attitudes and strategies. I propose the following:(1) The attitudes of policemen and women must come under the microscope and there should be renewed courses. (2) Uniforms, footwear and waistline belts must be updated. The waistline belts must be equipped to deal with all eventualities. (3) More foot patrols in all
villages and senior officers must come out on the ground and interact with the neighbourhoods on a monthly basis. (4) Intensify regular campaigns (day & night) against motorbikes and pedal bicycles for road fitness and body searches. Observing these simple strategies will see our citizens and visitors regaining trust and respect for as well as confidence in the Guyana Police Force. The ABC countries warning advisories on travel to Guyana will automatically ease, so the influx of smooth traveling in and out Guyana will once again be safe. Concerned citizen
Serious action needs to be taken against the vendors DEAR EDITOR, Serious action needs to be taken against the vendors who are vending in front of the Enterprise Primary School on immovable concrete and wooden structures which are encouraging a series of traumatising activities in the particular area. I am a single parent mother of two who lives near the school and the activities which are taking place on these stalls at nights have left me and my children really traumatised and fearful. I am asking that these vendors utilise movable structures/stalls in order to ensure safety in the particular area since these
stalls/structures have become a liming spot for idlers and a hiding spot for bandits during the nights and they are situated directly opposite my home . In the first week of November 2017, when the stalls were on the right side in front of the school, four bandits hid their cycles in between these stalls and began to climb into my yard from the empty lot nearby. As I began to shout for help and turn on my lights, they jumped over the fence, pull out their cycles from the stalls and rode away. The following week, three bandits had beaten and robbed a resident (Continued on page 6)
Ending Guyana’s Age... From page 4 who continue to preach about the idiotic hope for change in our two parties, and those who engage in the docile stupidity living on false hopes, this is what we force ourselves into accepting. We are much better than both the PPP and Coalition, and our failure to deliver results better than either of these two
parties will only produce results we could do well without. It is time to start cracking and end our Age of Asininity. The time is now. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Not in 2020. Now. Craig Sylvester
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 23, 2018
I commend the brave actions Reminding the political haters that they can never put of those PPP regional chairs a good person down who chose to attend this forum DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the article captioned, ‘National local gov’t conference boycotted again by PPP/C’ (SN, Jan 20). Permit me to correct a few points made in the article, as well as to comment generally. The article erroneously stated that I had said that – with regard to the absent PPP councillors – “…the only excuse was received from the Chair of Region Five.” In fact, I had said that the only Regional Chair who communicated an excuse was Mr. Permaul Armoogan of East Berbice-Corentyne (Region # 6). The article also said that, “Notably, the Region Ten chairperson was also absent…” T his is incorrect; Regional Chairman of Upper DemeraraBerbice, Renis Morian, was present, as was evident in the photograph which accompanied the text of the article. Regarding hinterland regions, in addition to the presence of Regional Chair (RC) Mr Bonaventure Fredericks and Regional ViceChairman (RVC) Mr Headley Pio of Potaro-Siparuni (Region # 8), and RC Mr Bryan Allicock and RVC Mr Karl Singh of Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region # 9), as was noted in the article, also present was RCM Brentnol Ashley of BarimaWaini (Region # 1). All hinterland regions were thereby represented. I commend the brave actions of those PPP regional chairs who chose to attend the National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC) meeting 2018. I applaud the fact that they obviously placed their duty and responsibility to represent their constituents ahead of party politics or affiliation.
The APNU+AFC administration’s philosophy of inclusion requires that government officials heed the views of those who represent supporters of other political parties, including those of the PPP; this we intend to continue to do. The administration warmly welcomes the participation of all citizens in the decision-making process in keeping with constitutional mandates and the norms of democratic governance, including that of the three Chairpersons who, being elected by Opposition supporters, participated fully in the meeting by contributing constructively to discussions and deliberations. Those RCs, commendably, came totally prepared and presented reports of their activities in 2017 and plans for 2018, as did their coalition colleagues. Notably, in their interactions they made no attempt to whitewash issues or paint a glowing picture of local realities, instead, they were frank and objective in their assessments. Such professional conduct is much appreciated as the administration continues to endeavour to work with any political party or any representative of local democratic organs to achieve the goal of a better life for all Guyanese through empowerment of local democratic bodies. Co-operation, collaboration, and communication are the vehicles through which regional and national development will be realised, and we are committed to those goals. I take this opportunity to comment on the content of the Demerara Waves’ report of the meeting. According to reports from that news outlet,
Mr Bharrat Jagdeo said that PPP Chairs participated in the meeting due to a breakdown in communication, thereby all but declaring that he, Mr Jagdeo, had ordered them not to participate. Evidently, Mr Jagdeo intends that Guyanese remain divided or “devided” as the case may be. It is strikingly apparent that the Leader of the Opposition has no interest in seeing Guyana develop as a united country. Instead, he has made pellucid that he wants to obstruct progress for his own narrow political ends, even if to do so would be at the expense of those who support the PPP. In preparation for the possibility of a recurrence of 2017’s PPP boycott of the NRDCC meeting, systems were put in place so that if the opposition’s regional chairpersons or other representatives absented themselves, their regions would not be without representation, and citizens could still benefit from the NRDCC engagement through the participation of coalition councillors. On this occasion, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region # 3), Mahaica-Berbice (Region # 5), and East BerbiceCorentyne (Region # 6) benefited from this arrangement as councillors other than the Chairperson presented reports and plans, and participated to the benefit of their regions. In closing, again, I thank the PPP regional leaders who participated for putting the interests of their people, their regions, and their country ahead of even their own selfinterest in order to work towards development and national unity. Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities
DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Rohit Persaud claimed in a letter to the media that our Prime Minister Hon. Moses Nagamootoo only visits his home village, Whim, whenever he is in Berbice. This is very far from the truth and shows that Mr. Persaud has been out of touch since he retired as a PPP Organiser. I was with the Prime Minister when he visited the Auchlyne Primary School during November, to distribute computers, books, photocopier, etc. His wife donated a hot and cold water dispenser for use by teachers, as she did for pensioners who use the Whim Post Office to collect their pensions. I accompanied the PM and his wife to the Whim Burial Ground where he placed flowers at the graves of his parents, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. We need many more sons like our Prime Minister who
does not forget his roots or his parents. I remember when he became Prime Minister in 2015, his first visit was to the Whim Madras Temple, where his parents worshipped. Our Prime Minister made some promises which he honoured when the village main road was repaired and street lights were provided for the very first time. He also provided funds to build up the burial ground. But Whim was not the only place that received the Prime Minister. I was with him during his outreach at Skeldon and New Amsterdam; when he commissioned the pumps at Gangaram and No. 43 Village; when he visited the Nand Persaud Rice Complex and Call Centre; when he distributed kites to kids at the No. 63 Beach. I was with him when he held meetings at the PM’s Office with shrimp and
fish vendors, and when he held meetings with cattle farmers from Kokrite and Black Bush Polder. More recently, the Prime Minister attended students’ graduation functions at the Comprehensive High School and the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, both functions being picketed by PPP activists. There is no reason why Mr. Persaud is in the dark about those visits. Prime Minister Nagamootoo is an outstanding son of the soil. He is humble and simple. He has distinguished himself in Guyana and abroad in many fields besides politics, so my letter is not to defend him, but to remind the political haters that they can never put a good person down. Gobin Harbhajan Regional Representative Region #6 - Office of the Prime Minister
Serious action needs to be taken... From page 5 of that area and no assistance was rendered to the poor guy all because persons were fearful that there were more bandits hiding in the stalls. Now, it has become worse for my kids and I since the stalls have moved from the right side in front of the school to the left side. Idlers are going there in the afternoons to smoke illegal substances and are troubling my family and I. Not forgetting to mention that one of the vendors’ sons also comes there to sit on the stalls and smoke with his friends, and he keeps saying that they will murder my family because we are asking for these structures to be removed. Multiple calls and reports to the
Vigilance Police station have been very futile. I don’t want these vendors to stop selling, but for them to have movable stalls so that the area will be clear at nights. Many reports have been made to the NDC, but yet no solution was given to this issue. In July 2017, I wrote a letter to the chairman but when I attended the meeting, my letter was said to not have been submitted. However, I was given a chance to state my problem, where the chairman assured me that he would look into the matter. Until today, nothing has been done. All I am asking is for these stalls to be removed and for movable stalls to be used. As doing so would reduce these
activities at nights. However, I must mention that one of these vendors has connections with certain officials. Hence, a blind eye is being turned to this matter. Also, on the weekends, when these vendors are cleaning up for the new week, they tend to burn their garbage right by the roadside. My son, who is an asthmatic, is being affected. I would really be glad if further authorities could look into this matter as soon as possible. In conclusion, I would once again like to say that if these stalls are removed and movable stalls are used, these limers and bandits would have nowhere to lime or hide and these activities would be reduced. Frustrated
Tuesday January 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 23, 2018
ANNEX D - Pre-Approved and... Brazil holds breath for court ruling on Lula’s future PORTO ALEGRE (Reuters) - Brazilian politicians, voters and investors will find out tomorrow whether an appeals court will allow the country’s most popular leader, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, to run for president this year after being found guilty of accepting a bribe. The former two-term, leftist president was convicted in July of corruption and money laundering for accepting a beachside penthouse apartment from an engineering company vying for government contracts. If the court’s three judges uphold the conviction, which carries a sentence of nine years and six months, Lula would be ineligible to run for re-election on the Oct. 7 ballot and he could be sent to jail. That would radically alter the political landscape of Brazil ahead of a campaign in which Lula is the early favorite, with 36 percent of voter preferences according to pollster Datafolha. That is
double the percentage of his nearest rival, the far-right congressman and former army captain Jair Bolsonaro. The case has polarized Brazil, with Lula’s critics calling for him to be put behind bars and his Workers Party supporters claiming the charges were trumped up to stop him from running. The appeals court, known as the TRF-4, has confirmed 95 percent of the convictions and sentences handed down by crusading anti-corruption judge Sergio Moro, who sentenced Lula.Brazil’s benchmark Bovespa stock index has risen more than 10 percent in the past month on the prospect of Lula being barred from the election sooner than originally expected.That would improve the odds of a more centrist, market-friendly candidate winning this year’s race and continuing austerity policies to reduce a budget deficit run up by Lula’s impeached successor, Dilma Rousseff.Lula, 72, has been touring the country preparing the ground for a presi-
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva dential bid. CUT, Brazil’s largest labor union federation and an ally of the Workers Party, plans to launch his candidacy in Sao Paulo the day after the ruling, whichever way it goes. The party’s leader, Senator Gleisi Hoffmann, went as far as to say last week that authorities would have to “kill” people to put Lula in prison, though she later qualified her comment after it created an uproar.
From page 13 positioning systems and Navigation systems) T Tank battery Tanks - flare, integrated fuel, mud or water, stand alone fuel tank fully integrated with drilling rig that serves as the direct fuel supply for the rig Tanks - storage used at a refinery or processing plant Tanks water storage Telecommunication equipment Thermostats electrical designed for use with any of the machinery or equipment on this list Thread protectors - used in the drilling process Time and frequency domain induced polarization equipment used for electrical or electromagnetic surveying Tongs - backup and integral tongs, power tongs and jaws Tongs power also called rotary or casing tongs, power tongs and jaws, backup and integal tongs Tools - fishing tools for retrieving tools lost downhole Tools - hand Top drives - Drill Rig Torque gauges - used in the drilling process Towers Traction motors Travelling blocks Tricones - drill bits Tubing - includes coil Two way radios U Ultraviolet lamps used for remote sensing V Vacuum and wash pump used to clean up around rig and wash equipment Vacuum tanks or systems - truck- or trailermounted Vacuum units
Valve - outlet, manifold (integral part of the high pressure pumping system) Valve manifold (integral part of the high pressure pumping system) Valves - includes those used in the transportation and distribution system, for example, gathering lines Valves -- safety - used for well logging, drill stem testing or the production testing phase Vehicles Vessels - separator - used during the production testing phase Vessels - supply and anchor handling for offshore petroleum operations Vessels - for storage of crude oil (FPSO) Vessels - Mobile Offshore Drilling Units Vibrators used for seismic prospecting Viscosifiers -- liquid; dry polymer; concentrated W Walkways - see Scaffolding Waste gas transmission - see Pipes Waste management bins Waste water treatment units mobile Water clarifiers - used to remove residual oil in produced water prior to disposal or re-use Water disposal lines - includes associated machinery and equipment that are located within the processing plant Water storage tanks Welding equipment and supplies Well flow lines transporting raw product from a well to a satellite, battery, line pipe or processing plant Well logging equipment - includes surface and downhole tools Well testing equipment - includes surface and downhole tools Wellhead equipment Winches Wireline (or slickline) unit - skid- or truckmounted
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Tuesday January 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
'Aunt May' fetes vulnerable children
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Some 120 vulnerable children and their guardians were on Sunday feted by Mrs. Miriam De Souza, known as "Aunt May". She was supported by family members, Raza Ally and his wife, Romona Miriam Ally. Irfaan Ali and Yacoob Ali, aka 'Joey', were also there. This is an annual activity that she has been doing for quite a few years at the MetenMeer-Zorg School and Masjid. Mr. Goolzar Namdar, Regional Vice President of the Central Islamic Organisation and President of the MetenMeer-Zorg Islamic Centre, while thanking Miss DeSouza, said he is pleased to always be of service to the school and the Masjid. He explained that the CIOG takes the opportunity to place orphans with willing families, relatives or older siblings to protect the children especially adolescent. He noted that this method gives the children a caring and loving environment
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to thrive in. Mr. Namdar also said that the CIOG feeds, educates, houses and in some cases pays for the marriages when the children become adults, if they are unable to afford it. Namdar also noted that these gestures of goodwill are made possible by many members of the Islamic and non Islamic community who wish to give back through the form of feeding and donations of all types. He pointed out that Muslim and non-Muslim children and children of all ethnic background and religions are the vulnerable groups that were present at the event while noting that prayers are done in English or Arabic schooling and transporting the children to and from school is also sponsored under the Central Islamic Organisation. The vulnerable hailed from East Bank and West Bank of Essequibo.
$1.2B East Bank Berbice road project advancing From page 7 that in the second quarter of last year the Ministry deployed a maintenance team to bring relief to the residents of Berbice. There were a series of craters and potholes and the road improvement aspect was literally nonexistent. “There were hardly, if any, signs in the school zones and there was no such thing as a pedestrian crossing,” Tucker explained. This multi-million-dollar venture is being executed by the Ministry's Special Project Unit utilising its own equipment and employing persons from the EBB area. Contracts for the bridges and lighting were awarded to Yunas Civil and Building Construction Services and Cummings Electrical Company Limited respectively. The scheduled deadline for completion of the project is August 3. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was allocated $35B in the 2018 National Budget, to support infrastructural development across the country. Of that amount, $14.3B has been allocated to the construction, rehabilitation, upgrading, and maintenance of road network.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 23, 2018
U.S., EU discordant notes on Jerusalem underline Mideast policy rift J E R U S A L E M / BRUSSELS (Reuters) - In a fresh display of Western discord over Middle East peace efforts, the United States said yesterday its Israel embassy would move to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, while its European Union allies voiced support for East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state. Vice-President Mike Pence, visiting Jerusalem, announced the timing of the move in a speech to Israel’s parliament, earning applause from Israeli legislators but also stirring a brief protest by Israeli Arab lawmakers, who held signs reading “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine”. In Brussels, the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini assured Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting that the EU supported his ambition to have East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state. U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly reversed decades of U.S. policy in December when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, generating fury from Palestinians and the
Arab world and concern among Washington’s western allies. Trump’s move delighted Israel, Washington’s closest Middle East ally, but stirred disquiet from world powers including Russia and China who worry it would stoke regional tensions and further drive a wedge between Israel and the Palestinians. Many countries believe Jerusalem should ultimately be shared between Israel and a future Palestinian state and so are unwilling to make decisions about recognition of its status before a comprehensive peace settlement is agreed. “In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the United States Embassy in Jerusalem – and that United States Embassy will open before the end of next year,” Pence, partway through a Middle East tour, said. FAULTLINES “Jerusalem is Israel’s capital – and, as such, President Trump has directed the State Department to immediately begin preparations to move the
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (left) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem. REUTERS/Ariel Schalit/Pool United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.” Reaction to Pence locally split along Israeli-Palestinian faultlines.Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Twitter that Pence’s speech showed the U.S.
administration was part of the problem rather than the solution. “The messianic discourse of Pence is a gift to extremists”, he wrote. “His message to the rest of the world is clear: violate
international law and resolutions and the U.S. will reward you.” Israeli analyst Amotz AsaEl told Reuters that Pence’s speech was important in a practical sense because it set a deadline for the move.
He added: “I think that he (Trump) is making it plain to the Palestinians that their policy of protestation - which was visible in the plenum with the Arab lawmakers, but even more importantly in Abbas’s absence and his journey to Brussels - that none of this is going to make America budge.”In Gaza, Essam Abu Ibrahim, 28, a store owner, said: “It will not change the fact that Jerusalem is an occupied city and it will continue to be an occupied city after this decision.” In Brussels, Abbas repeated his call for East Jerusalem as capital as he urged the EU member nations to recognize a state of Palestine immediately, arguing that this would not disrupt negotiations with Israel on a peace settlement for the region. While Abbas made no reference to Trump’s move on Jerusalem or Pence’s visit to the city, his presence at the EU headquarters in Brussels was seized on by European officials as a chance to restate opposition to Trump’s Dec. 6 decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 23, 2018
Weah sworn in as Liberian president,vows to end corruption MONROVIA (Reuters) George Weah, the former international soccer star who won the presidency of Liberia last month, promised a crackdown on endemic corruption as he was sworn in yesterday in the country’s first peaceful change of power in seven decades. Thousands of exuberant supporters and regional presidents and dignitaries crammed into a stadium in the capital, Monrovia, to watch as Weah, who rose from the city’s slums to become one of Africa’s greatest footballers, took the oath of office. As a former AC Milan and Paris St Germain striker and 1995 world player of the year, “King George,” as his fans call him, was no stranger to having crowds cheer him on in packed stadiums. But he noted the huge hurdles ahead as he succeeded Nobel Peace Prize
winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. “It will be my task to lead this nation from division to unity. I will not let you down,” Weah told the crowd. Weah, 51, rode to a landslide run-off victory last month on the back of heavy support from young people and the poor. Making his speech in flowing white African robes, he promised to deliver on his key campaign promises, especially tackling the malfeasance that his predecessor is widely seen as having failed to address during her 12 years in office. “It is my belief that the most effective way to directly impact the poor, and to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor is to make sure that public resources do not end up in the pockets of government officials,” he said. Founded by freed American slaves, Liberia is Africa’s oldest modern
republic. But it has been plagued by years of unrest and bloodshed, including two civil wars that were notorious for their brutality and use of child soldiers. Johnson Sirleaf, who was constitutionally barred from running again, was credited with shoring up peace but criticized for failing to tackle graft or do much to lift Liberians out of poverty. In a nod to his opponents, Weah sought to turn the page on what was a bitter election battle, delayed for months by legal wrangling but which did not descend into bloodshed despite hot tempers on all sides. “We must not allow political loyalties prevent us from collaborating in the national interest,” he said. “Blood should never be the price tag for democracy. ... This transition was achieved by ... (the) democratic will of the Liberian people.”
‘Put Trump in his place’: nationalism awakens in Mexican presidential race MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Donald T r u m p ’s habit of slapping down Mexico is feeding nationalist sentiment in the country’s presidential election campaign, prompting contenders to defy him and strengthening the hand of the frontrunner, who is courting the antiestablishment vote. In the past week, the three top contenders for the July election have all said Mexico will not pay for the wall the U.S. president wants to build on the U.S. southern border. None has made the point more forcefully than Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a veteran leftist leading the opinion polls. A victory for Lopez O b r a d o r, who was
runner-up in 2006 and 2 0 1 2 , c o u ld usher in a more distant and confrontational relationship between the two nations as he promises to lessen M e x i c o ’s economic dependence on foreign powers. T h a t d ependence is strongest with the United States: Mexico sends about 80 percent of its exports to its northern neighbor and the United States has traditionally been the source of t h e b u l k o f foreign direct investment. Under Tr u m p , h o w e v e r, Mexican views of the United States have soured. “Wi t h o u t being disrespectful, we’re going to put him in his place,” Lopez Obrador
said of Trump on Thursday in the Gulf of Mexico port of Veracruz, the scene of a notorious national humiliation when U.S. forces occupied it in 1914. E a r l i e r t h a t d a y, Tr u m p t o l d h i s Tw i t t e r followers that Mexico was “rated the number one most dangerous country in the world.” Although violence is rising in Mexico, its murder rate remains well below that of several Latin American countries, data compiled by the United Nations and the World Bank show. Lopez Obrador, who said earlier this month he would put an end to what he called puppet governments in Mexico taking instructions “from abroad,” promised to hit back against Trump’s barbs and tell the American “what I think” on Twitter. A December survey by polling firm Parametria gave Lopez Obrador an 11 percentage point lead, while another last week by Mitofsky gave him a three point advantage, but growing. Since taking office a year ago, Trump has often expressed negative views of Mexico, blaming it for drugs entering the United States, criticizing U.S.
Tuesday January 23, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Former footballer of the year George Weah sworn in as.... (from page 26) A similar prayer service was held in a leading mosque on Friday and Weah, who once went by a Muslim name Ousman, attended. In the lead-up to the inauguration, Weah played in an exhibition soccer match Saturday, featuring his Weah All Stars team, which was comprised of his former national teammates. Weah, who played for both Chelsea and Manchester City during a stellar career, scored the first of two goals against Liberian army’s football team. We a h s a i d h e w a s happy about the calm that has characterized the transition process so far. ‘Her Excellency Madam Ellen (Johnson Sirleaf) will be
bringing down the flag, while I raise the flag - it is a new day for Liberia,’ Weah said of yesterday’s activities. ‘It is a smooth transition, no-one is running around the streets. ‘This tells you that we came from a war to peace,’ he said. The swearing in was at Liberia’s international football field, the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, about seven miles southeast of Monrovia the first time such an event took place there. About 10 heads of states attended, according to Chief of Protocol Javis A. Witherspoon. The U.S. will be sending a delegation. ‘When you look at his legacy as a star, where he ascended to the level of a celebrity, it actually started
on the football pitch,’ Witherspoon said, adding that Weah asked for the inauguration to take place there so that his supporters could also attend. ‘We want to give everybody an opportunity to watch this historical inauguration cere m o n y. ’ Thousands of people stormed the field early yesterday to get a chance to see the new president sworn in. Weah’s new government should launch a ‘self-sufficiency in food programme’ to boost agriculture and tackle the problem of unemployment, said James Mulbah, an agricultural extension expert. ‘Any country that does not feed itself, you are at the mercy of those that will feed you, that has been the problem in this country and it has continued to exist,’ he said.
Liberians should not see Weah as ‘a magician’ who can solve all Liberia’s problems alone, said Florence G. Dukuly, a public administrator. ‘Liberians have this dependency syndrome,’ depending on the government to do all, she said. ‘We have to help him make it.’ She said the Weah government should ‘work toward stabilizing the economy.’ The Weah government was urged to ensure ‘continuation of the programmes that have been put in place by the outgoing government so that we remain on the path of development,’ said Julia Duncan-Cassell, former Gender, Children and Social Protection minister. The stadium’s playing pitch has been transformed into a huge, raised platform from where guests were entertained by live performances.
Antigua... Tuesday January 23 , 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a great day to spend with family. You can get the attention of important individuals but it might not be the time to get them to help or to back your ideas. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. You need time to think things through. You mustn't take on other people's responsibilities or you may find yourself irritable and exhausted. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Friends or groups that you're affiliated with may want you to contribute more cash than you can really afford. Your ability to communicate with ease will win the hearts of those you are in touch with today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be innovative. Romance and social activity will be a promising combination. You like to stay busy and now is your chance to do just that. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Disappointments regarding partners will be subject to the way you react to their personal comments. You may be frazzled today. Listen to the complaints of others. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) New projects may lead you into a dead end. Work hard on improving your living quarters. Someone you care about may not be too pleased with you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be aware of deception when it comes to your position, and be sure not to jump to conclusions. Be discreet and don't reveal any personal information. You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. You will upset your partner if you have spent money on things that aren't necessary. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may find that your family responsibilities are piling up. Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance today. You may find that your plans will cost a little more than you had expected. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Have some fun, but draw the line if someone tries to fast talk their way into your heart. Try not to take others for granted. Tempers could get out of hand today. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't jump as quickly as you usually do. You may find it difficult to communicate. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take matters in hand when it comes to dealing with clients or colleagues. Changes at home might come fast and furious. Intellectual stimulation is what you are looking for.
(From page 31) tournament would have a positive impact on cricket in the region. “We are excited to be hosting the very first standalone ICC Women’s World T20. This will add to the established passion for women’s cricket throughout our region,” she pointed out. “This is significant not just for the advancement of the sport of cricket but also for the potential for sharing with the world the many irresistible offerings of the beautiful countries of the West Indies.” West Indies Women will defend the title they won two years ago in India when they thrashed heavyweights Australia Women by eight wickets in the final in Kolkata. They will be joined by England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, with the remaining two spots to be determined following an ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in the Netherlands in July. Windies Women’s skipper, Stafanie Taylor, said her side were motivated by the looming title defence. “As captain of the defending champions, we are keen on defending our title and since we know we will be at home, we want to use this as an opportunity to welcome the world to the region for top-class competitive women’s cricket.”
The nation’s red, white and blue colors adorned the VIP block of the field, and giant-sized portraits of Weah and Taylor are planted along the perimeters. Young supporters of Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change party carried out a national clean-up ahead of the ceremony. ‘We are all overwhelmed with joy,’ said Janjay Jacobs, a former midfielder and now coach who played soccer with Weah on Saturday. He said Weah can bring growth and development to Liberia. ‘He has been a very inspirational person, very much motivating, never gives up in any situation,’ Jacobs said. ‘If all odds are against him, he still stands up for what he believes in.’
Smith sets... (From page 26) 13,000 runs in first class cricket. Last season, Smith scored 611 runs to be one of seven batsmen with 600 runs in the competition. Theophile, meanwhile, notched his fourth first class hundred to pass 3,000 career runs. Resuming on 10, he counted 16 fours and three sixes in an innings spanning 288 balls and 5-3/4 hours. The draw ensured Hurricanes finished third while Volcanoes ended fifth. Volcanoes were dismissed cheaply for 197 in their first innings with Smith falling for a first-ball ‘duck’, and conceded a 208-run lead after Hurricanes piled up 405 for nine declared in reply.
PAGE 28
Patriots, Eagles ready for Super Bowl showdown (Reuters) - The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have set up a second Super Bowl showdown after both teams won their respective conference championships with contrasting victories on Sunday. The reigning NFL champion Patriots overcame a stubborn Jacksonville Jaguars 2420 in the AFC title game, while the Eagles crushed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 in the NFC decider to set up a Feb. 4 clash in Minneapolis. New England enjoyed the upper hand when the two last contested an NFL title game in 2005, winning 24-21, and should the favored Patriots repeat that triumph, they will secure a record-tying sixth Super Bowl victory. The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently the only team with more NFL championships than the Patriots, who will be making their 10th appearance in the title game. Philadelphia has never won a Super Bowl, the Eagles also losing in 1981 before that Patriots defeat 13 years ago. Overall, the teams have met have 13 times through the years, with the Eagles winning seven of the games, the last in 2015. Tom Brady, despite an injured hand, rallied New England from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter with two touchdown passes to Danny Amendola to beat Jacksonville, Philadelphia had its own quarterback star to thank for their victory when Nick Foles passed for three touchdowns as the Eagles scored 38 unanswered points. The Eagles also crushed
Former footballer of the year George Weah sworn in as Liberia’s new president
Tom Brady will play in his eighth Super Bowl after beating the Jaguars in the AFC championship game. (AP) Weah (right) takes over from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (left) - Africa’s first female president - served for 12 years, guiding Liberia through the destruction of back-to-back civil wars that ended before her tenure and facing the challenge of the Ebola crisis that killed thousands there. (Reuters)
It’s quite the surprise seeing Nick Foles as a Super Bowl quarterback. Not so much for New England’s Tom Brady. (Photo by AP) Minnesota’s dream of becoming the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Along with chasing a sixth title, New England also has another goal: seeking to become the first team in 13 seasons to win back-to-back Super Bowls. They were the last to
achieve the feat, capturing the 2003 and 2004 crowns behind the arm of Brady, who has been the Patriots quarterback for all five of their titles, a record.“It’s just been an unbelievable run,” said Brady, who will be making his eighth Super Bowl appearance with coach Bill Belichick.
Smith sets new first class record, passes 13 000 runs in draw BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Ageless Devon Smith smashed the record for the most runs in a single first class season as he stroked his sixth hundred of the Regional Four-Day Championship, to help earn Windward Islands Volcanoes a draw against Leeward Islands Hurricanes here Sunday. Tasked with batting the entire last day of the day/ night final round match at Warner Park, Volcanoes ended on 342 for one in their second innings after resuming on 28 for one, denying Hurricanes any chance of a win. Left-hander Smith chalked up an unbeaten 152 while opener Tyrone Theophile
Tuesday January 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
Veteran opener Devon Smith. struck 160 not out, the pair setting a new West Indies first class record for the second wicket of 323.
Significantly, Smith ended the season with 1,096 runs to eclipse the previous record of 1,068 set by Guyanese lefthander Narsingh Deonarine in the 2008/09 season. With the performance, Smith became only the fourth batsman to score in excess of 1,000 runs in a season – joining Deonarine, Runako Morton (1,010) and Floyd Reifer (1,002). Beginning the day on nine, the 36-year-old Smith faced 289 deliveries in just over 5-1/4 hours at the crease all told, and struck 15 fours. The hundred was the 35th of this first class career and 29th in regional competition, and it pushed him past (continued on page 25)
Liberia’s new President George Weah raises his hand during the swearing-in ceremony at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia. (Reuters) Daily Mail - Former footballer of the year George Weah has been sworn into office as Liberia’s new president. Dressed in all white, the new leader stood at the podium amid tens of thousands of cheering Liberians, taking the oath of office around midday yesterday. The 51-year-old, who won FIFA’s 1995 prestigious Ballon d’Or during his time at AC Milan, sealed the runoff vote on Boxing Day against the outgoing vice president and his swearing in, fittingly, was held at a football stadium. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Africa’s first female president - served for 12 years, guiding Liberia through the destruction of back-to-back civil wars that ended before her tenure and facing the challenge of the Ebola crisis that killed thou-
sands there. Weah, who has run for the presidency before but is relatively new to national politics, inherits a weak economy along with poor health and educational sectors. Liberians held prayer services for 48 hours leading up to yesterday’s inauguration of Weah, who served three years in the senate more than a decade after retiring from a glittering international football career in which he played in France, Italy, the UK and elsewhere. Many of Weah’s critics are still skeptical about his ability to deliver in a country that is faced with youth unemployment and other challenges. His running mate, Vice President-Elect Jewel Howard-Taylor, has political experience that surpasses his. She was married to the
nation’s former leader Charles Taylor during his time in power. After they divorced, she was elected senator in 2005, building a political career in her own right. Evangelical preacher Nathanial Zarway prayed, asking God to grant George Weah ‘the grace and favor he needs to make a significant difference that will surprise the world.’ He was giving an opening prayer at Sunday’s service attended by Weah, his wife Clar and Sirleaf at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in downtown Monrovia. The congregation responded with a resounding ‘amen’ when the preacher shouted: “God, don’t let him fail you and don’t let him fail the Liberian people who have reposed their confidence in him.” (continued on page 27)
Tuesday January 23, 2018
Chung gives Djokovic a taste of his own medicine MELBOURNE (Reuters) For Novak Djokovic it must have felt like some nightmarish fight to the death against a clone of himself yesterday as Chung Hyeon stunned the six-times Australian Open champion with a display ripped straight out of the Serb’s textbook. The 30-year-old who has ruled like no other on Rod Laver Arena simply had no answer as Chung, nine years his junior, wore him into the ground to win 7-6(4) 7-5 7-6(3) and become the first South Korean to reach a grand slam quarter-final where he will face American Tennys Sandgren. Time and again during the three hour 21 minute encounter, 14th seed Djokovic had Chung on the run but the world number 58 displayed almost superhuman court coverage to prevail in rallies he had no right to still be involved in. It is exactly those defensive skills that have earned Djokovic 12 grand slam titles and it was no surprise when, after claiming the biggest scalp of his career, the spectacle-wearing Chung described the Serb as his idol. Tellingly, Chung won 34 of the 54 rallies that exceeded nine strokes, most memorably when he slid at full-stretch to hook a forehand winner past his opponent to take a 5-3 lead in the third set tiebreak. It proved the final straw for a weary Djokovic who netted a forehand return on the next point and then shunted a backhand into the tramlines after yet more Chung defiance. The ice-cool Chung barely celebrated, but after being warmly congratulated by Djokovic he walked across to milk the applause from the sell-out crowd, including a sizeable Korean contingent. To his credit Djokovic, who again wore a compression sleeve on his playing arm
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Kaieteur News
Chung produced a magnificent performance to beat Djokovic in straight sets on Monday. (EPA)
Novak Djokovic sighs after losing a point against South Korea’s young talent Hyeon Chung. (AFP Getty Images) to protect the elbow that forced him off Tour last year and was clearly causing discomfort, fought tenaciously like the great champion he is. Had he grabbed the third set a fightback might have been on the cards, although Chung, who frazzled fourth-seeded German wunderkind Alexander Zverev in five sets in the previous round, can apparently run all night. “I was just thinking ‘I‘m two love up in sets so if I lose (the third) I still have two more sets. I can play two more hours. I‘m younger than Novak so I don’t care!’” he said. “I was just trying to copy
Novak because he’s my idol. My dreams have come true tonight.” OUTPLAYED Djokovic was always playing catch-up once he had dropped his opening two service games with a rash of double faults to trail 4-0. He clawed back that deficit, hit back from 4-1 in the second set and 3-1 in the third but could never get to grips with an opponent few will fancy facing. “Congratulations to Chung on an amazing performance,” Djokovic said. “He deserved to win. Whenever he was in trouble he came out with some great passing shots and at the back of the court he was like a wall.”
Regional Four-Day Championship ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Final standings in the Regional Four-Day Championship which ended on Sunday:
Don’t expect miracles from Woods in 2018, say experts (Reuters) - As anticipation builds over Tiger Woods’s official comeback after nearly a year rehabilitating from a spinal fusion, two former professionals have offered a tempered view of what to expect from the 14-times major champion in 2018 and beyond. Woods completed 72 holes for the first time in three years when he finished equal ninth of 18 players at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December — an unofficial event on the PGA Tour. That was an appetizer before he continues his return at this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in southern California. Woods, however, faces at least one immovable obstruction, based on historical precedent, according to Brandel Chamblee and Bill Mallon. Chamblee, now a forthright Golf Channel analyst, says Woods appears to have solved his body and swing issues, but “chipping yips” and age make it nearly impossible to imagine him recapturing his old magic. Mallon agrees: “He was so good once I think it would be hard to dismiss him, but coming back after four back surgeries and multiple left knee surgeries — I’m sure he’s got arthritis — I think it will be tough,” the golf and Olympic historian told Reuters in a telephone interview. “At that level, the slightest incremental deterioration physically, even though golf is not football, it still has huge physical demands to do it without pain.” Chamblee says it would be a Herculean achievement for Woods, who has won 79 times on the PGA Tour, to surpass Sam Snead’s record 82 victories. “Looking at a 42-year-old, all things being equal, if Tiger was to win once it would be extraordinary, twice would be mind blowing. If he wins
Tiger Woods (Reuters) four times it would be one of the greatest things ever done in golf,” he said. Chamblee pointed out that behind Snead and Woods, the next 10 most prolific winners on tour — a list that includes Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer — claimed only 14 victories between them after turning 40. And those players did not have the chipping yips, something that Chamblee believes has afflicted Woods for three years and will continue to do so. “WALL OF DOUBT” Chamblee expects Woods’s long game to be fine at Torrey Pines, but suggests keeping a close eye on his work around the greens. “It’s not a matter of reps,” Chamblee said, disagreeing with a suggestion that Woods is likely to improve his short game once he gets multiple tournaments under his belt. “The yips start with bad technique and then it becomes a mental issue. Combination of the two is devastating. “You’re alone in the jungle and there’s no path out. Nobody has ever overcome the chipping yips. Before every single chip he’s going to
hit this year he’s going to have to chisel his way through a wall of doubt.” Chamblee said that Woods’s chipping had been the worst of anyone in the field at the Hero in December, and counted seven times that he needed two chips to get the ball onto the green. Even before that, his chipping had been mediocre, he added. Yet if Woods somehow replicated the greatness of his halcyon years, Chamblee does not think that today’s top players would be able to compete. “Tiger was the best of all time, by a mile,” Chamblee said. “Tiger (at his best) would annihilate all the best players. If Tiger played the same golf he played in 2013 (when he won five times) he’d still beat them all. “If he played the same golf as 2007, every one of them would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on sports psychologists.“I say this with due respect. Nobody thinks more of Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson than me. “There’s been a lot of great writers but there’s only one Shakespeare, and Tiger is golf’s Shakespeare.“In 500 years golf fans will still be talking about Tiger Woods.”
Sports tribunal begins hearing... (From page 30) their anti-doping credentials. Russia has repeatedly denied any state involvement in the doping which was exposed by an independent report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).Lawyers representing the athletes said in a statement that they had been banned “despite a lack of specific evidence against any of them and in breach of their fundamental due process rights.” “The athletes are hopeful that the CAS Panels will grant them a fair hearing.” The banned athletes compete in speed skating, bobsleigh, skeleton, cross-country skiing, ice hockey, luge and biathlon.
CAS said that Grigory Rodchenkov, Russia’s former anti-doping chief who turned whistleblower, and Richard McLaren, the Canadian sports lawyer who wrote the WADA report, were expected to testify by video or telephone. CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb said that three speed skaters would be the first of the 39 athletes to address the hearing on Monday. “(The 39 athletes) will be heard one by one during the week. I can confirm that the hearing will last at least until next Saturday,” he told reporters. A decision is due by Jan. 31 - nine days before the start of this year’s games in Pyeongchang.
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Tuesday January 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
West Dem/East Bank Dem Guinness Competition
Teams identified for Jan.26 start Following the completion of the playoffs to arrive at the final composition of teams for the West Demerara / East Bank Demerara Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition, all thirty-two teams have been identified. The thirty-two teams that will participate in the competition which is expected to commence this Friday at the Pouderoyen Tarmac are: Young Ballers, West Side Ballers, Jetty Ballers, Bing Bang, Mocha, Ballers Empire, Agricola, Kuru Kuru Asylum Youths, Terror Squad, Nismes Ballers, Torture Squad, Up Like 7, Dream Team, Front Line Ballers, ESPN, Police ‘B’, Veterans, Harmony Ballers ‘A’, Zeelugt SP, Facebook Ballers, Cayenne Massive, Agricola Gas Team, Hustlers, Brothers United, Zeelugt Warriors, Admiral United, Pouderoyen Rising Stars, Pouderoyen Showstoppers, Goalgetters, Parfaite Hard Ballers, Harmony Warriors and Police ‘A’. The winning team will take home $400,000 and the
championship trophy, while the runner-up will receive $200,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third and fourth placed finishers will receive $150,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies. The other playing dates are January 31st, February 2nd, 7th, 9th, 13th and 17th. Meanwhile, the teams have been divided into eight groups of four teams and Group ‘A’ features Young Ballers, West Side Ballers, Jetty Ballers and Bing Bang. Group ‘B’ will have Mocha, Ballers Empire, Agricola and Kuru Kuru Asylum Youths. Group ‘C’ consists of Terro Squad Nismes Ballers, Torture Squad and Up Like 7. Group ‘D’ will have the likes of Dream Team, Frontline Ballers, ESPN and Police ‘B’. Group ‘E’ will see teams such as Veterans, Harmony Ballers, Zeelugt SP and Facebook Ballers. Group ‘F’ is made up of Cayenne Massive, Agricola
Gas Team, Hustlers and Brothers United. Group ‘G’ contains Zeelugt Warriors, Admiral United, Pouderoyen Rising Stars and Pouderoyen Showstoppers and Group ‘H’ have Goalgetters, Parfaite Hard Ballers, Harmony Warriors and Police ‘A’. Tournament Co-ordinator Travis Bess in brief comments following the conclusion of the playoffs said, “The playoffs were very competitive, with a very high standard of play. I expect because of the quality on show, the tournament will be of a high quality.” He added that all the teams are hungry for glory and anticipates that two-time champions Pouderoyen Showstoppers will be under immense pressure to defend their title. The teams will compete initially in a round robin format in the groups, before the top two finishers in each group progress to the knockout round at the completion of the round robin stage.
IPL to begin on April 7
Exclusive: Infantino and Coe face IOC snub - source (Reuters) - The presidents of world soccer and world athletics are set to be snubbed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next month when the body is likely to again overlook them for membership, a source told Reuters yesterday. Neither FIFA chief Gianni Infantino nor IAAF counterpart Sebastian Coe are expected to be proposed for IOC membership despite taking up their posts two and three years ago respectively, the source said. For years, membership of the IOC for the heads of soccer and athletics was seen as almost automatic.But the two international federations among the Olympics’ most popular sports - have been left out in the cold as they struggled with widespread corruption and doping scandals which tarnished their images.“My understanding is they will not be recommended,” a source with knowledge of the membership procedure ahead of the IOC session in Pyeongchang, South Korea next month, told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The IOC elects new members at its annual session with the list of proposed names being published a few days before the vote Now, another snub of two of the world’s biggest sports federations who held IOC seats for decades before their current leadership, will do little to mend ties that have
Lord Coe (left) speaking to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (Reuters: Fabrice Coffrini) been strained by the ongoing corruption and doping investigations.The source said the IOC had discussed the matter of Infantino and Coe, and a final decision had yet to be taken but they were “unlikely” to be proposed for membership. Infantino was elected head of FIFA in February 2016 to succeed scandal-plagued Sepp Blatter and lead the federation out of its biggest graft crisis.Former double Olympic champion Coe took over the IAAF in August 2015 against a backdrop of doping and corruption among the organization’s most senior officials, severely damaging the organization’s credibility. Coe’s predecessor Lamine Diack is currently facing a bribery and embezzlement investigation in France while his son, Papa Massata Diack
is banned for life from the sport. Coe triggered the ire of the IOC when the IAAF blocked Russian track and field athletes from competing at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics over the doping affair. The IAAF banned the Russian athletics federation team, with only one athlete, who lived, trained and was tested in the united States allowed to compete in Rio. The IOC, however, left it to individual federations to clear Russians to compete in their sports at the Games. Both Blatter and Diack were IOC members until 2015. Blatter’s predecessor at FIFA, Joao Havelange, was an IOC member from 1963 to 2011. Diack’s predecessor, Primo Nebiolo, also became an IOC member shortly after his election in 1999.
Federer makes light of day shift to ease into last eight Mumbai Indians savour their IPL success. (BCCI) The 2018 season of the IPL will begin on April 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with the final scheduled for May 27 at the same venue. Defending champions Mumbai Indians will play the tournament opener, and their opponent will be revealed when the IPL releases the match schedule this week. Another significant decision taken by the IPL Governing Council on Monday was to change the start times for the matches. From this season on, afternoon matches will be begin at 5.30 pm, and night games will commence at 7 pm. Until last season, these
matches began at 4 pm and 8 pm respectively. This means that the second innings of the first match and the first innings of the second will overlap on double-header days. It is understood the shift in timings was agreed to by Star India, which in September bagged the global broadcast rights for the IPL for the next five years. “The timings were changed because the day matches were being played in peak summer-time heat,” an IPL official said. “It (5.30 pm start) is a better time.”The IPL has also finalised the venues for the home matches for Kings XI Punjab and
Rajasthan Royals. Kings XI will play four of their seven home matches at their home base in Mohali and the remaining three in Indore. As for Royals, Jaipur remains the franchise’s first-choice venue, but the IPL has decided to wait for the court hearing on January 24 at the Rajasthan High Court. The hearing concerns the unanimous adoption of the Lodha Committee recommendations by the Rajasthan Cricket Association, which is housed at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur. ESPNcricnfo understands the IPL has already finalised Pune as the standby venue for Royals in case the court hearing drags on.
MELBOURNE (Reuters) Roger Federer was a strictly nocturnal beast throughout the first week of the Australian Open but proved just as effective with the sun on his back as he sauntered into the quarter-finals for the 14th time yesterday. The defending champion did not require his dazzling best against 80thranked Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in his first match scheduled during the day session but still emerged a comfortable 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2 winner. After his earlier-thanusual finish, the 36-year-old world number two said he might even be able to make the most of a night off and take his wife Mirka out for dinner. “I was considering sunglasses and a towel for the beach but, no, the only thing is the racket strings are a bit
Roger Federer was in blistering form as he breezed past Marton Fucsovics yesterday. (AP) tighter but it’s not crazy hot today,” Federer told former champion Jim Courier in a knockabout post-match chat on court. “It’s a different rhythm playing in the day and not
going to bed at 3 a.m. We might go out for dinner tonight but Mirka has left already — she must have other plans!” Federer’s light mood matched the sunny conditions and he was even reduced to giggles during one point late in the second set when he miss-hit a forehand high into the air, then defended three consecutive Fucsovics smashes to win a bizarre rally. “This one was the biggest joke of a point maybe I have ever played,” he said later. set. That would have been too much of a joke, to be honest.”Federer is yet to drop a set and did not even face a break point against the 25-year-old Fucsovics, who arrived in Melbourne without a grand slam main draw victory to his name.
Tuesday January 23, 2018
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Gokarn Ramdhani pleased with Badminton Association’s performance in 2017 Head of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), Gokarn Ramdhani in a correspondence to the media, noted that he was pleased to report that the Guyana Badminton Association for the year 2017 was once again very active and successful both at the regional & international events. The top national players continued to performed creditability in the international tournaments keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying while reaching higher world ranking points. The Association’s top player, Narayan Ramdhani, continued his upward movements in Canada ranking No.3 in 2017 while attending & medaling at some high level tournaments. He is currently training towards the 2020 Olympic Games. His achievements last year included. GOLD- BC Under23 Circuit- VRC REMEMBRANCE DAY OPEN 2017 Bronze- BC Senior Circuit 2-Shuttlesport Open in Canada 2017 Bronze- BC Under23 Championships in Canada 2017 Bronze- BC Senior Circuit 1-VRC Jack Underhill in Canada 2017 Gold - Trophy Stall Independence Open Tournament in Guyana 2017 Quarters- V111 Mexico International in Mexico 2017 He was also selected by the Development Director of the Pan America Badminton federation to attend a High Level Training Camp in Mexico 2017. Narayan during his Summer Break vacation in Guyana, July/August 2017, in partnership with the Ministry of Physical Education held a Badminton Camp for Students from Schools around Guyana with a total participation of 25 lads. Players were taught basic badminton skills and received rackets at the closing ceremony. For the eight year in a row, Guyana’s national Junior Team medaled at the Caribbean Regional & International Championships which was hosted by Trinidad & Tobago in 2017. The local contingent bagged a total of eight medals (3-Gold, 2 Silvers & 3 Bronze). Jonathan MangraBronze Akili HaynesBronze Ambika Ramraj- Sil-
ver Tyrese Jeffrey- Gold & Silver Priyanna Ramdhani2-Gold & 1-Silver Priyanna Ramdhani attended the Pan American Badminton Federation’s young talents training camp in Suriname and played in the Senior Open Suriname International 2017. She also attended the South American Youth Games in Chile and although being the youngest athlete in the tournament (15 years), she reached the Quarter-Finals in the Under-20 Singles events and is currently ranked No. 4 in South American Juniors. Caribbean U-17 Rankings is No. 1.Nicholas Waldron & Gokarn Ramdhani participated in the Masters Tournament at the Caribbean Regional Championship 2017. The GBA local tournaments held during the year were: The GUMDAC Open Tournament, NSC Junior & Senior Mashramani Tournament, Trophy Stall Age Group Tournament, Marian Academy Primary & Secondary School Tournament and the Banks DIH Powerade & Aqua Mist Christmas Singles Tournament. The GBA for its Guyana Olympic Day of Activities held the BWF (Badminton World Federation) Shuttle Time Programme in June/ July which saw 20 participants (14-Teachers from both primary & secondary schools and 6Coaches/Players) who took part in a Basic Programme to teach badminton at the beginner’s level. All participants were i s s u e d B W F Te a c h e r s Certificates. We also had four Coaches/Athletes participated in the Tutors Course and they received their BWF Tutors Certificates. They are now certified to train teachers to do the Shuttle Time Programmes. Gokarn Ramdhani was elected Vice President of the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation in August at the Caribbean Championships in Trinidad & Tobago 2017 and will serve a two year term. He also continues to serve as General Secretary for the Central American & Caribbean Countries Badminton Confederation. In the release, the GBA thanked the National Sports Commission (NSC) for allowing play at the National Gym-
badminton review 2 – Members of the successful Guyana Badminton team at the Caribbean Regional & International Championships.
Narayan Ramdhani (centre back row) will participants in one of the training programmes held during last year. nasium. Gratitude was also extended to the Guyana Olym-
pic Association (GOA) for their continuous effort to
help Badminton and sports in general, the media, sponsors
and all who supported the association in 2017.
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Tuesday January 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
Bacchus re-elected as ECB President
Mohamed’s Enterprise, Special Auto first sponsors onboard GMRSC Endurance meet Ansa McAL, B.M. Soat also on Board The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) first meet of the season, the Endurance, which is set for the South Dakota Circuit this Saturday, has received timely support from Mohamed’s Enterprise and Special Auto. Ansa McAl Trading Company along with BM Soat Auto Sales complete the list of sponsors onboard so far, according to a correspondence from the GMRSC. Vice President of the club Hansraj Singh noted that there is still time for other sponsors to give support to the event and he encouraged competitors to organize themselves for plenty of action, come race day. Five classes will be in action on the day which will feature both bikes and cars competing in separate races.In the first class, cars up to 1500cc will be considered eligible, with
ECB- The newly elected Executive Committee of the Essequibo Cricket board. Fizul Bacchus was reelected as President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) when the body held its Annual General Meeting and elections on Sunday at its Hostel in Anna Regina. Viren Chintamani was elected as the Vice President, while Otto Christiani will serve as the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary is Nazeer Mohamed, Andy Ramnarine is the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer is Alvin Johnson.
Rashaad McKinnon will perform duties of the Marketing Manager and Ragobar (only name given) is the Competition’s Committee Chairman. Tamika Johnson was elected as the Public Relations Officer. The Trustees are Z. Zakier and Prince Holder. The ECB consists of eight area committees; Pomeroon, Central Essequibo, North Essequibo, South Essequibo, Wakenaam, Leguan, East Bank Essequibo and Bartica
Fizul Bacchus
RHTY&SC surprised at Rose Hall basketball donation refusal article than fifteen minutes after the request was made. The donation was made to Mr. Perry Cort in the presence of five other Club Members. After seeing the article in the newspaper stating that the Basketball Club did not request the donation, contact was made with the players. Another delegation of four senior players visited the Club Office on Sunday 21st January, 2018 at 08.45 hours and informed us that Mr. Vibert Garnett is the President of the Berbice Basketball Association and he is not the President of the Rose Hall Town Basketball Club. Our donation is for the simple purpose of assisting the young basketballers and we do not intend to be drawn into the politics of the game. We were approached for assistance
Upper Corentyne Cricket Association up and running All schools set to play, 28 teams entered for T20 competition
Letter to the Sports Editor
Dear Sir, Please allow us the opportunity to respond to an article in your Sunday Edition under the headline “RHT Basketball Team did not request RHTYSC assistance”. This is shocking to us because a delegation from the Club visited the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Office on Monday 15th January, 2018 at 16.33 hours with an official letter. I, in my capacity as Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS met with them in the presence of veteran journalist Gregory Rambarran who was visiting at the time. The players informed me that they were urgently in need of new basketballs to practice. A financial donation to purchase four new basketballs was handed over, less
the second class being from 1501-1600cc. The third class will see cars in the 1601-2000cc class with the unlimited class featuring cars over 2000cc.Head of the GMRSC, Rameez Mohamed, explained the inclusion of bikes, “We also saw the need to get the bikes involved (for this Endurance) as well because they are an important stakeholder in racing and the support for them during the last outing was outstanding.” “What we also have this year is the Endurance calendar being done on a championship basis rather than by meet so persons can rebound from a bad weekend to still fight for a championship,” Mohamed concluded. The Endurance championship will be followed by a local drag race meet on February 11 with the club’s Annual General Meeting set for the 16th.
and as usual we assisted. One is left to wonder why our assistance would be of any problem to a Sports Administrator who claims to love the game. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS would continue to be of assistance to the young basketballers of Rose Hall Town and in fact has pledged another financial contribution before the end of January, 2018. One of our Club’s policies is to assist those who request same, once we are certain that the assistance would be used for the intended purpose. Personally, I would use this opportunity to express congrats to the young basketballers for a job well done over the last year and wish them the best in the future. I would also like to publicly pledge that I would use my office to assist them as much as possible to make their dreams of being the best, a reality. Yours in Sports, Hilbert Foster, RHTYSC Secretary/CEO.
The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) is a duly registered body that is tasked with managing and developing the game among other things in the Upper Corentyne Area. It is a registered body with a fully constituted Executive in place. This is despite some publication by a group calling themselves the UCCA and purporting to be organising cricket in that area. The duly recognised UCCA had its most recent election on the 27th September 2017. It is led by Dennis De Dandrade – President and includes former National wicketkeeper batsman Sydney Aloysius Jackman -Vice-President, Winston Roberts-Secretary, Chatrapaul Lionel –Treasurer. The committee members are Deodat Persaud Thakurdin , Navendranauth Balram and Clayton Ricardo Griffith. The UCCA over the years has been doing a commendable job and was consistently recognized as the most active cricket Association in Berbice and arguable one of the most
active in Guyana. During that time it held a number of cricket competitions throughout the year including inter school soft and hardball cricket for both boys and girls at the Primary and Secondary levels. A number of age group competitions were also held while second division, T20 and first division and other competitions were also held. The UCCA first division team participated in all competitions held in Berbice and even hosted teams from Demerara and overseas. The vibrant UCCA has a full list of competitions for 2018 with action set to bowl off on Friday 26 January with Primary school tournament for school in the Upper Corentyne from Crabwood Creek to No. 43 Village. The Inter-Secondary School Hardball Competition involving: “Skeldon Line Path Secondary, Skeldon High Secondary, Tagore Memorial Secondary, Central Corentyne Secondary and Black Bush Secondary will also commence shortly. Teams are asked to get their
respective Under15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams in order since these competition will begin within the first quarter. Senior competition will get cracking on Sunday 28th January, 2018 with the Tulshi Memorial T/20 competition, 28 teams have been entered to participate so far. Among other competitions on the cards are 40 and 50 overs tournaments. There are a number of training Seminar on the cards for umpires, scorers, coaches and other cricket officials. A Camp/ Academy for young cricketers is also on the programme. Over the years the UCCA has worked with a number of sponsors including NPG Packaging (Nand Persaud), Hotel Riverton Suites, 4 R Bearings, Guytrack, Price is Right Supermarket, Republic Bank, Inner City Taxi Service, Twin Boy Beer Garden, The Mash Cup, Buddy Tulshi (Tulshi Memorial) cricket competition, Parbattie Jaggai Inter School tournaments among many others.Most of the sponsors have committed their continue support to the UCCA.
Sports tribunal begins hearing appeals from 39 banned Russians GENEVA (Reuters) - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) began to hear appeals yesterday from 39 Russian athletes who were given lifetime Olympic bans for doping violations at the 2014 Sochi Games.The athletes were among 43 disqualified from their events, banned from participating in future Olympics and in some cases stripped of their medals following the International Olympic
Committee’s investigation of widespread doping in Sochi. The IOC has banned Russia from the Pyeongchang Winter Games next month as a result of its “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system. However, individual Russian athletes will be able to compete as neutrals if they can prove (Contnued on page 27)
Tuesday January 23, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Joshua Gopaul wins GCF Junior Chess Qualifier Joshua Gopaul played unbeaten to emerge champion of the Guyana Chess Federation’s (GCF) seven-round, National Junior Qualifier, last weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilliendaal. Young Gopaul notched up six wins and a draw to finish the competition as the only undefeated player, totaling 6.5 points during the feat with his only draw coming against Jaden Taylor. Ethan Lee, whose only defeat came at the hands of Gopaul, took second spot with six points, followed by Ghansham Allijohn, Nellisha Johnson and Roshawn Washington, who all locked five points each. Taylor, Sasha Shariff and Dwayne Bess, all with four points apiece, rounded out the top eight, who will contest the National Junior championship later this year. Akili Theophil, Waveney Johnson and Savir Gookul ended on four points each but did not make the cut after the tie breaker took effect. Odit Rodrigues and Nickel Charles ended on three and a half, Rachael and Rebecca Ramlall, Runako Williams, John Wong and Joshua Williams all ended three points apiece. Andrew Ally two and half points, while Chelsea Juma, Gareth DaSilva, Zackary Persaud and Alexander Ally ended on two points each. A new champion will be crowned when the GCF’s National Junior Championship gets underway since the current champion, Saeed Ali, is ineligible to compete due to the age factor. Ali will compete in the senior category which qualifiers for the National Championships begin this weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilliendaal.
Tournament Irshad Mohamad and Committee Member Anthony Drayton with the top eight qualifiers and Joshua Williams the youngest player at age 8.
Antigua to host women’s final as Guyana, St Lucia get prelims BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua will host the final of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup later this year, the International Cricket Council confirmed yesterday. In addition, the venue, named after the iconic former West Indies captain and batting star, will also stage the semi-finals of the November 9-24 tournament. The venue is just one of three being used, with the Guyana National Stadium and the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia, selected to host the preliminary rounds. “We are delighted to have Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Lucia on board as hosts for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 later this year,” said ICC chief executive, Dave Richardson. “Of course, Windies women are the r e i g n i n g I C C Wo r l d Twenty20 champions and I’ve no doubt they’ll be looking to defend their title on home soil. “We are keen to build on the momentum f r o m t h i s s u m m e r ’s Women’s World Cup and I’m sure the players can rely on a warm welcome from the legendary cricket fans in the West Indies and we’re all in for a great experience in the Caribbean.” The three
The Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium … to host semi-finals and final
venues were selected by Cricket West Indies through a bidding process late last year which followed a 12day inspection tour by an
ICC team of 11 venues in October. Kensington Oval in Barbados, which hosted the 2010 T20 World Cup finals, will miss out this time
around after the failure of government and the Barbados Cricket Association, to agree on the submission of a bid.
Trinidad and Tobago also did not submit a bid, leaving historic Queen’s Park Oval and the newly constructed Brian Lara Stadium without
m a t c h e s . To u r n a m e n t director, Jennifer Nero said the Caribbean’s hosting of the global (continued on page 25)
rt o p S West Dem/East Bank Dem Guinness Competition
P.28
Suggested photo: As is customary Guinness action is intense and fans are expected in their numbers to enjoy the festivities.
Former footballer of the year George P.26 Weah sworn in as Liberia’s new president
Dressed in all white, the new leader (left) stood at the podium amid tens of thousands of cheering Liberians, taking the oath of office around midday yesterday. (Reuters)
Mohamed’s Enterprise, Special Auto first sponsors onboard GMRSC Endurance meet Ansa McAL, B.M. Soat also on Board P.30
Motor Racing season commences Saturday with Endurance meet at the South Dakota Circuit.
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